Indo-American News: October 22, 2021

Friday, October 22, 2021 | Vol. 40, No. 43

Indo American News

October 22, 2021

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Published weekly from Houston, TX

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Special Reports Community Briefs Local Politics South Asians in the News

2470 Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077 • 713.789.NEWS (6397) • indoamericannews@yahoo.com

‘Leela Krishnamurthy Day’ in Houston

Mayor Sylvester Turner declared October 19 as Leela Krishnamurthy Day in Houston during the Houston Habitat for the Humanities annual banquet.

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Madan Luthra: Texas Volunteer

Sewa International volunteer Dr. Madan G. Luthra (right) during rebuilding work at Rosharon.

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WEDDINGS, SPECIAL EVENTS, TENTED EVENTS, OUTDOOR COURTYARD

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October 22, 2021

City, Habitat Honor Leela Krishnamurthy

COMMUNITY

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner presenting an award for service to Leela Krishnamurthy with Habitat’s Allison Hay (left) and Consul General Aseem Mahajan. Photo: Priscilla Dickson Photography.

Houston: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner declared October 19 as Leela Krishnamurthy Day for the City of Houston at a banquet honoring “Leela Aunty” as she is affectionarely known, to many of the younger generation in the Indian community, for her contribution as a vountary leader, to the Houston Chapter of the Habitat for Humanities.

Leela received the Carl Umland Award as a local community activist and philanthropist.

Leela and Nat Krishnamurthy rallied the Indian community to attend the Houston Habitat for Humanity’s “Building a Dream” annual luncheon, and made it a “sold out” event. Their children, Gita, Sujata, and Sanjay Murthy, were major contributors.

Charlie and Angela Yalamanchily donated $100,000. Other contributors included Amit Agarwal, Dr. Natarajan S. and Anu Bala, Serena Malhotra and Mohan Kuruvilla, Dr. Ravi and Sudha Mani, Mahesh

Konduru, Dinesh and Vrinda Pejaver, Devina Rankin, Lalita and Surinder Trehan, Dr. N. Bala and Sakunthala Aiyer, Prabha and Sesh Bala, Rupa Shridhar Iyer, Meena and Sam Kannappan, Veena Kaul, Swaminathan Kothandaraman, Kaarthey and Satheesh Kumar, Ajit and Vimla Paralkar, Ramesh and Sudha Parikh, SB&T Imports, and Anuradha and Kohur Subramaniam.

The event, held at the Westin

Houston Medical Center on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, raised close to $400,000 for the organization’s programs to build and improve the places people call home.

Leela Krishnamurthy was honored for her instrumental support for many organizations including Houston Habitat, UNICEF, Indo American Charity Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya and more, helping people from all walks of life create a better future.

IndoAmerican News Founder: Dr. K.L. Sindwani Publisher: Jawahar Malhotra Editor: Pramod Kulkarni Correspondent: Sanchali Basu ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the written consent of the publisher. Deadline for advertising and articles is 4 pm on Monday of each week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of all unsolicited material. Published at 2470 Dairy Ashford, Houston, Texas 77077.

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COMMUNITY

October 22, 2021

Madan Luthra: Texas Volunteer of the Year

Austin: Dr. Madan Luthra, a veteran Sewa International volunteer from Houston has been honored with the 2021 “Volunteer of the Year Award” by the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, for his commendable service to the community.

Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Honorary Chair of the 2021 Governor’s Volunteer Awards, announced the 38th annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards on Tuesday, October 12.

The press release from the Governor’s Office said that recipients of the awards would be honored at an online ceremony.

“These awards honor the exemplary service of individuals and organizations that have made a significant and measurable contribution to Texas Communities through service and volunteering in the past year. The awardees were selected for engaging in volunteer service that addresses a critical need, makes a positive impact on the community and inspires others to get involved in their cause or community,” the First Lady noted.

These awards are administered by the One Star Foundation and, along with Dr. Luthra, eight individuals and four organizations received the honor in different categories.

As COVID-19 began to impact the Houston community, Madan Luthra, a retired scientist,

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volunteered more than 30 hours a week to support families in distress through Sewa International’s Family Services program.

Not confining to one outreach or help initiative, he not only answered calls on Sewa International’s helpline, but he also reached out to help families receive groceries and supplies, deal with the difficult task of funeral arrangements, and help in local food and COVID-19 vaccination drives.

When COVID-19 cases began to take a major toll, Dr. Luthra worked with other Sewa volunteers to create a website, sewacovidplasma.org, to connect plasma donors with COVID-19 patients undergoing convalescent plasma therapy. Hindus of Greater Houston conferred the 2020 “Akhil Chopra Unsung Heroes Award” on him. The Houston Chronicle newspaper featured him in its “Heroes of the Front Line” series.

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October 22, 2021

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COMMUNITY

October 22, 2021

Few Takers for J&K Domicile Offer, Government Extends Deadline

the response was already counted 54, or came to the Indian side unlukewarm. Of the as permanent accompanied by the head of the Srinagar: There seem to be few nearly 25,000 unfamily, or the annual income of the J&K residents. takers for the Jammu and Kashmir registered KashOfficials said head of the displaced family at the administration’s offer of domicile miri Pandit famithat around time of migration was more than certificates to former residents lies estimated to 9,500 families Rs 300. who, or their ancestors, moved out have settled in Officials estimate that the numhad been denied of the erstwhile state years ago, Delhi prior to registration by ber of such migrants and displaced provided they register with the 1989, only 3,000 the then gov- people might now be together Relief and Rehabilitation Com- turned up to take ernment in the more than 50,000 families. missioner (Migrants) at Jammu. application forms, The administration understands late 1950s on The administration has now ex- 806 of whom the grounds that that permanently settled elsetended the scheme, announced on were registered they either did where, these families might not May 16, 2020, with a deadline to and issued dominot stay at camps want to return, and hence wants apply within one year, to May 15, cile certificates set up by it, or them to get registered for the pur2022. on the spot, offi- Announcing the extension, an order by the J&K Government’s did not come to poses of “domicile only”. -- Indian Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and The office of the Relief and Re- cials said. the Indian side Express Reconstruction, said, “No further extension will be granted” habilitation Commissioner has Relief Commis- thereafter. between 1947also decided to hold special camps sioner (Migrants) to accept applications at places Ashok Pandita when it is in the midst of a delimiwhere a minimum of 50 such fam- said the applications of the re- tation exercise. ilies are residing. One such camp maining 2,200 families along with As per official estimates, while was held in Delhi around a fort- supporting documents, such as nearly 45,000 Kashmiri Pandit night ago. proof of their residence in the UT, families are registered with the

Announcing the extension, an were being brought to Jammu for Relief and Rehabilitation Com

order by the J&K Government’s further action. missioner (Migrants), having left

Department of Disaster ManageAmong the families who settled the Valley after the onset of miliment, Relief, Rehabilitation and elsewhere in India after migrat- tancy (and hence already figure as

Reconstruction, said, “No further ing from areas of J&K occupied permanent residents of the UT),

extension will be granted” there- by Pakistan in 1947, nearly 3,300 an equal number who migrated

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7 ‘Rashmi Rocket’ Summarizes Struggles of Women Athletes

ENTERTAINMENT

A study conducted by ESPNW revealed that 68% of female athletes felt pressurized to be pretty and 30% have the fear of being “too muscular”. While often good looks are equated to excellence and caliber of an individual, several female athletes encounter an unrealistic battle between beauty and success in sports. Not just that, female athletes at times must undergo several unjust tests and heaps of mental pressure, just to be in the sport. Notable international sports personalities across nationalities - Caster Semenya, Simon Biles, Elena Shklyar, Dutee Chand and several others, stand testimony to the same.

South African athlete, Caster Semenya, winner of two Olympic Gold Medals and three World Championships, is one of many women around the world targeted by regulations that require women with naturally higher-than-typical levels of testosterone to submit to so-called sex testing and undergo unnecessary medical interventions to reduce hormone levels in order to keep competing. Indian professional sprinter and current national champion in women’s 100 meters event, Dutee Chand was dropped from an international competition back in 2014 due to similar reasons.

American volleyball player, Elena Shklyar suffered from body image issues in her career. The young athlete was expected to not have any cellulite on her legs for that might act as a setback for the coaches during selection.

Four-time Olympic champion and one of the most famous figures in world sports today, Simone Biles shocked the world with her withdrawal from the major events of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, citing mental health concerns post medical evaluations. Considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, Biles has struggled with discrimination based on body image and is a survivor of sexual abuse.

From being shunned away for voicing the unjust practices, to facing discrimination in some form, female athletes across the world have miles to go before they can step onto the track. Several United Nations bodies have condemned such harmful, non-consensual medical procedures as a violation of human rights under coercive circumstances.

While media debates around women’s biological characteristics, highlighting and exemplifying public misconceptions and stigmas, new-age cinema with genre defying content and powerful narratives harbor immense potential to roll out the dice in favor of the female athletes and spread awareness far and wide in an enticing format.

One such narrative is that of Rashmi Rocket, a ZEE5 Original sports drama, starring Bollywood actor Taapsee Pannu in the lead role. While being a fictional story, the film not only addresses these

issues but also aims at liberating women athletes from the shackles of stigma-induced shame and initiate long due conversations. The film is a window into the harsh realities that women have to face in the world of athletics and narrates an inspiring story of a young, gifted athlete, who steps into a competition which eventually turns into a personal battle where she strives to safeguard her very identity, honor, and respect.

Ever since its release on 15th October, the highly anticipated film, Rashmi Rocket has been receiving amazing reviews. The film has garnered a 4 star review from

October 22, 2021

renowned publications like The Times of India, NDTV, ABP and many more. ZEE5 Original Rashmi Rocket is now streaming on ZEE5 Global

For Advertising in Indo-American News call: Rashmi Rocket follows the storyline of Dutee Chand, who was forced to take a gender test, which she failed, despite being raised as a girl all her life.

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October 22, 2021

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October 22, 2021

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SUDOKU/WEDDINGS 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 October 27. 2021 Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.

Solution Next Week

October 22, 2021

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Blake Kist Weds Jay Rane

Herrington on the Bay, MD: Blake Kist got married to Jay Rane on October 2, 2021. The dual wedding ceremony and reception took place in North Beach, MD at Herrington on the Bay, on the Chesapeake Bay. The outdoors venue included a beautiful fall day, a colorful sunset, and a reception under the stars. The night ended with an illuminating fireworks show surrounded by all of Blake and Jay’s family and friends.

Blake looked stunning in both of her outfits; for the Hindu ceremony, she was dressed in a deep red bridal lehenga full of embellishments. For the Christian ceremony, a fitted and flowing white embroidered gown. Jay wore a matching custom kurta for the Hindu ceremony and a black tuxedo for the Christian ceremony. The couple looked beautiful and glowing on their special day.

Parents of the couple are Jeffrey and Elise Kist and Nitin and Neena Rane. The Kist’s reside in Minneapolis, MN and the Rane’s in Richmond, TX. The couple met in Chicago, IL where they both currently live with their Golden Retriever, Huck.

The wedding ceremony took

place under a large wooden archway adorned with beautiful floral arrangements and white drapery.

The ceremonies were accompanied by traditional Indian music as well as a live strings duo.

The Hindu wedding blessings, or personalized Mangalashthaka, were written by Uma Rajguru and melodiously sung by Jyoti Kulkarni and Anil Rajguru. Following the two ceremonies, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with live

Last Week’s Solution

Last Week’s Winners

Sanchali Basu, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Ramana Vadrevu

Indo-American News • Friday, october 22, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

music under the lights before the dinner reception began under the large white tent. The evening was full of joyous speeches, laughter, dancing, and a sparkling fireworks show.

The Kist and Rane family could not be happier with the celebrations and the entire wedding weekend. The wedded couple will enjoy their honeymoon in Hawaii to relax and start their life’s journey together.

12 October 22, 2021 COMMUNITY AAPI Hosts Web Conference on Preventing Domestic Violence

By Ajay Ghosh Houston: An international webconference on Ways to Prevent Domestic Violence, with renowned speakers from across the United States and India was organized by the Women’s Committee of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) on Sunday, October 17th, 2021.

Describing Domestic Violence as “a serious public health concern” Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, President of AAPI, in her welcome address said, “October is Domestic Awareness Month. Nearly one in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. have experienced physical violence at the hands of their domestic partners, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The very important discussion today with an experts panel is aimed at helping AAPI members and the larger society to learn on ways to help promote healthy, respectful and nonviolent relationships.”

Dr. Seema Arora, past AAPI BOT Chair and currently serving as AAPI Women’s Committee Chair, introduced the panelists, and explained the significance of the Color Purple, which is a symbol of courage. Setting the stage and the context for this very important area of concern, Dr. Arora said, “October is ‘Domestic Violence

Awareness’ m o n t h .

A A P I w o m e n ’s physicians committee is trying to increase awareness towards this very prevalent but subdued age old problem that can affect any gender, race, region & socio-economic strata in a panel discussion with renowned panelists from around the world.”

Lata Rao, a Domestic Violence Survivor and Domestic Violence Advocate, referring briefly to her life in the past, focused more on her efforts to prevent domestic violence. Describing her past and the “most dreadful events” she had experienced in her life, impacting her physical, emotional and mental wellbeing, she said, “I wanted to do something for myself” starting her own business which was resented by her ex- spouse. “I encourage women not to be what I went through” but to be more independent. She told the audience how meeting with mentors and having a support system gradually changed her life, while for-

giving and staying positive helped me start a new phase in her life.

“Today, I use my experiences as a tool to support and educate other women,” Ms. Rao said.

Dr. Preeti Saran, Domestic Violence Survivor and currently practicing Family Medicine & Obesity Specialist at RNJ Barnabas Hospital, New Jersey, pointed out that Domestic Violence is prevalent in all parts of the world. Sharing her own life’s challenges and abuses, Dr. Saran said, “Coming from very traditional society back in India, initially I thought it was happening to me because of my background.”

Married to a dominant person, who was demanding, but suspicious and with trust issues, she had suffered immensely with insecurity and complexities of married life with intimidation and fearful for

her own life. But she was able to turn her life around and has made a positive impact in the society. “Now, I am to reach out to other women who need support,” she said.

Dr. Meher Medavaram, a member of AAPI’s Women’s Committee introduced Deanne Mazzochi, Illinois State Representative, Attorney Life Science Law. Rep. Mazzochi shared with the audience about her work as a state legislator and as an attorney who works with women and families, ensuring the safety of those in DV situations. She described the many laws and legal systems that are available to victims of DV in the state of Illinois. She advocated that one should “ensure that you have a safe place to live,” if and when you want to leave an unhealthy relationship.

Dr. Manju Sheth, an Internist, practicing Medicine at Beth Israel Lahey, MA, Chair and Advisory Board Member at SAHELI, Member of Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, President of “Women Who Win,” urged fellow physicians “to stay vigilant and collaborate” and look for signs/red

Indo-American News • Friday, october 22, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

flags to identify violence “as the patients can present with a multitude of unrelated symptoms that only compassionate questions can reveal clearly.”

“Women are reluctant to speak to you and we often notice PTSD, trauma, depression and anxiety.”

She told the Fellow physicians to be prepared to collaborate with: Medical, Psychological professionals and refer for services.

Dr. Saraswati Muppana while introducing Dr. Eshita Chakrabarti wanted to know the role of media in supporting survivors of DV. Dr. Eshita Chakrabarti, drawing from her own personal experiences told about the powerful medium of the Media, which has been instrumental and can be used an effective tool to educate the society about the impact of and to prevent Domestic Violence.

Dr. Malti Mehta, who has worked with “Battered Women” introduced Dr. Nandita Palshetkar Chair of GAPIO Women’s Forum and Medical Director, IVF & Infertility Centers, India and serving as the President of Federation of OB/GYN Society of India. Dr. Palshetkar shared her insights and offered a global perspective and how the pandemic has contributed to increase in incidents of Domestic Violence. “Nearly one third of women face Shadow Pandemic Domestic Violence.”

October 22, 2021

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INDIA

October 22, 2021

Explained: Why Bhupendra Patel was Chosen as New Gujarat CM

By Parimal A Dabhi

Ahmedabad: The BJP sprang a surprise by picking Bhupendra Patel as the successor to Vijay Rupani. On Monday, Patel took oath as the 17th chief minister of Gujarat. Here are five reasons why he was picked over others.

The Patidar community, which forms BJP’s core vote bank, was seen as drifting away from it over the last few years. This was reflected in the local body elections in February, where although the BJP won almost all the bodies, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stormed into Surat, home to state party chief CR Paatil, to become the main opposition in the municipal corporation, powered by anti-BJP Patidar votes.

The passing of late BJP CM Keshubhai Patel last year had created a vacuum in the community, as he had dared to put up a front to fight against the BJP in 2012 backed by many of its Patidar leaders.

Younger Patidar leaders had openly begun demanding that the next CM be from the community.

Moreover, the recent Jan Ashirwad Yatra after the union cabinet expansion where union ministers and top leaders of the party hailed the importance given to OBCs in the central government, began to be perceived as the BJP distancing itself further from the Patidars.

The quota agitation of 2015, led

by Hardik Patel, then an inconspicuous youth leader, was evidence

fragmentation of the fact that of the Patidar the community votes became that is largely evident and the agrarian, orthoparty saw sense dox and among in holding out Gujarat’s an olive branch wealthier lot, to the commufelt the need to nity. Patel, bebe a part of the ing from Anangovernment diben’s team, systems. Most and the deciPatidars are sion bearing the entrepreneurs, stamp of Prime but the agitaminister Narention made the dra Modi, also community remarks the the alise the need return of a Patito be part of the dar as CM. This government could give the and therefore Bhupendra Patel with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

BJP the backavail benefits ing of several of quota that Pradesh elections, gave the party social, religious and community could give access to higher educa- more reason to bring in change. tion and jobs to their children.

However, the party did not fare organisations run or dominated by Therefore, it became necessary too well in the Assembly elections Patidars.

Patel, who rose from the ranks for the BJP to bring in a Patidar of 2017 where it won only 99 of face under whose leadership the 182 seats, its worst showing since having won elections from the elections would be fought in Gu- 1995. Keshubhai had seen a simi- Memnagar Nagarpalika in 1990s, jarat next year. Bhupendra Patel lar unceremonious exit in 2001 the area now a part of Ahmedais the fifth Gujarat CM from the which had led to revolts within the bad Municipal Corporation limits, Patidar community; the others be- BJP, especially the Patidars from will also be the first chief minister ing Anandiben Patel, Keshubhai Saurashtra, leading to the forma- from Ahmedabad- Gujarat’s busiPatel, Babubhai Patel and Chi- tion of the MahaGujarat Janata ness capital and its largest city. Pamanbhai Patel.

Party (MJP) under the leadership tel, who started out running a shop Anandiben Patel was forced to of Gordhan Zadafia, and in 2012 selling fire crackers in Dariapur quit after the party badly lost the the breakaway Gujarat Parivartan in Ahmedabad’s walled city area, local body elections largely on ac- Party(GPP) under Keshubhai’s represents Ghatlodia, a BJP bascount of the disenchantment among leadership. GPP went on to win tion. He had fought his first maPatidars following the quota agita- two seats in the Assembly elec- jor election in 2010 as corporator from the Ahmedabad Municipal tion demanding OBC status for tions that year. them. In 2016, the public flogging The BJP’s resounding victory in Corporation (AMC) and went on of the Dalits in Una which played the local body elections held ear- to become the standing commitout nationally ahead of the Uttar lier this year, notwithstanding, the tee chairperson, in the first term

itself.

In 2017, his first Assembly election, Patel defeated Congress candidate Shashikant Patel by over one lakh votes, considered to be the highest winning margin.

Holding a diploma in civil engineering, Patel is in the real-estate business for the last 25 years and therefore his appointment will also be accepted by the powerful builder community. His public life has been without controversy and people describe him as not being “very ambitious”. he BJP is learnt to have decided to have settled for an MLA as chief minister in order to not go through another bypoll. Being home to the prime minister, and a now to a host of powerful ministers in the union government, Assembly elections in Gujarat next year are crucial for the BJP. The electoral landscape in Gujarat was already changing with spaces being created for parties like AAP and All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) that won seats in the Surat and the Ahmedabad municipal corporation elections emboldening them to fight in the Assembly polls. The weakened and fragmented Congress only made these forces stronger.

The BJP, which has been ruling Gujarat since 1995, except for the brief period when Shankersinh Vaghela’s rebellion led to a nonBJP Congress-backed government, anti-incumbency will also be a strong factor it will have to fight. -- Indian Express

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15 ‘Sardar Udham’: A Turbulent Slice of India’s Colonial Past

ENTERTAINMENT

October 22, 2021

By Shubhra Gupta Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Stephen Hogan, Shaun Scott, Kirsty Averton, Andrew Havill, Banita Sandhu, Amol Parashar Director: Shoojit Sircar Rating: Three stars Streaming on Amazon Prime March 13, 1940, London. An Indian man walks into an orderly meeting where Michael O’Dwyer, former Lt governor of the Punjab province, is delivering a lecture on the legacy of the white man’s burden, and how, under British rule, the ‘Indian savages’ have been brought under control.

The man waits till the speech is over, walks across the room to face Dwyer (Shaun Scott) and shoots at him point-blank. The latter falls to the ground, blood pooling around him. Udham Singh (Vicky Kaushal) has finally accomplished what he had vowed twenty years ago, after his traumatic witnessing of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

General Dyer (Andrew Havill) may have given the orders to fire on those hundreds of peaceful protestors, men, women and children, but it was Dwyer who had pressed the button. For Udham Singh, revenge is cold, but it is as sweet.

The film tells us that it is ‘based on true events’, but stays safe with the usual disclaimers of having taken ‘creative liberties and dramatized the events for cinematic expression’. Given how thin-skinned

we have become about representations of any kind, it looks like filmmakers will never be able to escape these kinds of statements which force their work into deathly anodyne-ness. Can we then call ‘Sardar Udham’ a biopic, or should we just stay with ‘a period piece about a little-known Indian revolutionary’ whose act spilled over from the heart of imperial London to its faraway colony in the East, struggling for independence?

Shoojit Sircar’s film is a long, unhurried re-creation of a turbulent slice of India’s colonial past, going back and forth from Punjab to London, with a few detours here and there. I did find the first hour a bit of a slog, where we see, in a series of flashbacks within a flashback, Udham’s difficult arrival in

London and casting about for support, his arrest and painful interrogation. A Scotland Yard inspector (Stephen Hogan) supervises the torture in between the questioning, and why, if Udham knew the English language even if haltingly, was there need for a translator?

There are other strands which seem like loose ends, like the appearance of a bunch of IRA (Irish Republican Army) sympathisers, one of whom, a strong-faced, darkbrowed young woman named Eileen (Kirsty Averton) appears to have a soft spot for our hero. Udham is also in touch with a handful of Indians who have been left directionless after the disbanding of HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Association), a fledgling outfit created by the fiery young

rebels who were picked off by the British. We see, briefly, the warm association back home between Udham and Bhagat Singh (Amol Parashar), and the quiet romance between Udham and the lovely Reshma (Banita Sandhu), but the film, of necessity, keeps circling back to Udham and his doings

in London.

It is when it arrives at Jallianwala Bagh and the brutal mowing down of those innocents that the film, ironically, comes to life. By then, we have spent enough and more time in cold London jails and have seen the crystallisation of Udham as a man who can suffer a million blows to his body but who will not bow before his oppressors. It is this portion, where we see the implacable cruelty of the men who order the Jallianwala Bagh killing, the relentless firing into the crowd desperately trying to save their lives, and the heart-breaking sight of the dead and the dying, that makes this movie comes into its own: sometimes, bearing witness is the only thing you can do, even

if it is the hardest thing to do.

Up until then, you feel that Kaushal may have been too young for his part, specially when we know that Sircar had Irrfan in mind for it. But in this portion which leaves an indelible stamp on his soul, Kaushal rings true.

Udham, stunned and shattered, toils through the night, carrying the wounded to safety, each foray into the pile of bleeding, groaning bodies a journey into hell. And then you know why the director has taken his time with this part: there can be no short-cuts when you want to do justice to the portrayal of the monstrousness of the tragedy, and its ‘aftershock which can still be felt in the streets of Amritsar’.

At one point, we hear a young rebel speak about how they cannot be biased or casteist or communal, and how ‘equality for all’ is the most important thing. If things had been different, if those young rebels had lived long enough to shape India, would their thoughts have made the country a different place?

When Udham Singh is repeatedly asked his name, and brutally tortured for his silence, he thrusts out his arm on which is tattooed: Ram Mohammad Singh Azad. Would that composite name be given any credence in today’s India? And is this the country those young rebels gave up their lives for? It bears thinking deeply about. -- Indian Express

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October 22, 2021

Indo-American News • Friday, october 22, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com