Indo-American News: October 28, 2022

The 11th Diwali Festival is Done, but Arun Verma’s Work is Not Done

By Jawahar MaLhotra

Sugar Land: Another successful Dusserah/Diwali Mela is now done, with over 10,000 people coming to watch and participate in it last Saturday, October 22 at the Constellation Field home of the Minor League Sugar Land Space Cowboys baseball team.

For many people who have come to the event over the past 12 years, the elements of the over 6-hour long event have become all too familiar. It is after all, a combination of the two biggest festivals in Hin duism celebrating the victory of Lord Ram over the forces of evil and destruction of the demon king in Sri Lanka and his return with his entourage to his an cestral home and the celebration of Diwali.

The stadium holds 7,500 but over 10,000 attended the event and rubbed shoulder-to-shoulder with oth ers making their way through the concourse lined with booths from the over 75 vendors selling mer chandise – clothing, jewelry and gadgets among oth ers - services and the 5 food booths were doing roar ing business.

The program was filled with performances show casing Indian culture through songs and dances on the huge 60 ft by 40 ft stage built in the infield with massive pylons and beams holding up lights and the sound system, set beside the 24 ft tall figure of Lord Hanuman and 35 ft tall figure of Lord Ram. Local celebrities were honored, including politicians Con gress Reps Al Green and Sheila Jackson Lee, Mayor Sylvester Turner who was the Grand Marshall of the parade, County Judges K.P. George and Lina Hi dalgo, Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, 13 Consul Generals from the Consular corps in Hous ton, among others. Gov. Greg Abbott sent in a video message.

After a short Ram Leela performance and aarti, the parade by 38 floats made the round of the stadium, including a group carrying 75 Indian flags to com memorate India’s 75th Independence and another group hoisting the flags of the 100 countries which have consulates in Houston. The 25 ft tall effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakaran, and Meghnath were burned with crackling sounds and then the 30-minute fire works display lit up the clear night skies.

This year’s festival has used the lessons learnt from previous years to reach more people further across the globe. During the COVID years, it went virtual in 2020 with a Zoom telecast reaching 650,000 peo ple according to the festival originator and principal architect Dr Arun Verma. The next year the festival was held near the Katy Freeway with people sitting in their cars. Apart from these two, the festival has been held since 2012 at what used to be called the Skeeters Stadium.

But before he envisioned the festival, Verma, who is a staunch Ram Bhakt and believes in Lord Ram’s guidance, held the Ram Leela play from 2007 to 2015 at various locations.

“It takes me 3 months of full-time work to prepare this event”, recalled Verma of the coordination re quired to manage so many moving parts. With over 500 performers, 250 volunteers and team leaders, 1,000 people in the parade, dozens of people at the Stadium including security, ambulance, police, fire, parking lot attendants, the coordination is a massive effort.

“This year’s festival had limited virtual feed, but post-event coverage on social media has had a million hits’, said Verma. “We are putting the final touches on a 2-and-a-half-hour YouTube video which will go live very soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t get another half million hits”!

Weary as he was a week later, Verma already was jotting down ideas for a grander event next year. He felt satisfied that his service to his guiding light, Lord Ram, was helping him to spread the message of con quering evil across the globe in a way he had never imagined.

8-9

Political ad paid for by Beto for Texas.

By Lauren Frayer

MuMBai: Indians are calling it a Diwali gift. On the Hindu festival of lights, Rishi Sunak — who is of Indian descent and a practicing Hindu — has become Britain’s next prime minister. Su nak’s face is splashed across the front pages of Indian newspapers Tuesday, as his ancestral homeland celebrates his achievement — 75 years after Indians cast off Brit ish colonial rule.

“Indian son rises over an em pire,” read a chyron on the leading English-language NDTV channel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi alluded to those “historic ties” in a tweet congratulating Sunak. “Special Diwali wishes to the ‘liv ing bridge’ of UK Indians, as we transform our historic ties into a modern partnership,” Modi wrote.

Sunak will become Britain’s newest prime minister on Tuesday and will immediately face eco nomic and political crises in the United Kingdom.

Sunak was born in England, to parents born in East Africa. But he is of Indian origin. He’s the first Hindu and first person of color to become British prime minister. That’s being celebrated by Hindus around the world, but especially in Hindu-majority India, which is currently governed by Modi’s Hin du nationalist party. Supporters are sharing photos on social media of Sunak in Hindu religious garb, and

captioning them with Hindu devo tional slogans.

A spokesperson for Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party called Su nak’s appointment “a moment of great celebration.”

“We have seen in the United States, CEOs of major tech com panies and people of Indian origin at the top of the game. So the appointment of Mr. Sunak as the prime minister of the U.K. is a welcome step,” BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash said early Tuesday. “As a party, as a government, we look forward to working closely with Mr. Sunak toward revitalizing our relation ship.”

That relationship was strained by comments earlier this month by Britain’s then-home minister, Suella Braverman – who herself is of Indian descent — alleging Indians are the worst overstay ers of U.K. visas. She has since resigned (over another matter), and Indian authorities say they’re working with British authorities

to “facilitate the return of Indian citizens who have overstayed their visa period.”

But the episode, along with political chaos in London, may have con tributed to the scupper ing of a Diwali deadline for a U.K.-Indian trade deal. Since its exit from the European Union, Britain is increasingly looking to countries such as India for in vestment. The Indian economy is now the fifth-largest in the world, having surpassed that of its former colo nial master earlier this year.

Sunak’s government will lead those trade negotiations, at a time of great economic upheaval in Britain.

In previous interviews with In dian media, the incoming prime minister recalled how both of his grandfathers were born in Pun jab, in British India, and migrated first to Africa, then to Britain in the 1960s. Sunak’s wife Akshata Murthy is an Indian citizen and the daughter of billionaire business man N.R. Narayana Murthy, who founded the Indian IT outsourcing company Infosys. (A stakeholder in that company, Akshata Murthy is one of Britain’s richest residents, and earlier this year said she would voluntarily start paying U.K. tax on all of her income, amid allega tions she had taken advantage of a loophole to minimize how much she pays.) -- NPR

IITAGH Hosts Picnic at Lost Creek Park

houSton:

of the members

supporters of the Indian Institute of Tech nology of Greater Houston were disap pointed

its annual picnic was can celled in 2020 due to Covid. This year, a determined group of the IITAGH board led by Akanksha Garg made sure that even the slightly hot Houston weather was glorious for the 2022 annual picnic held on Satur day, 15 October at Lost Creek Park.

and children

masala

by

catered by Nir

manz restaurant. Younger alumni and seasoned members had great network ing over

Then, it was on to the entertainment. Gaana Pehchaana (GaanaP) team led by Ram Seetharam organized games for Bollywood music fans. Attendees listened to short clips and guessed the songs from multiple choices. Top five participants were awarded individual prizes. Overall, it was a great network ing event under ‘Connect’ pillar of IITAGH.

the signs

the patterns

of

VIOLENCE

Brij & Sunita Agrawal Donate $1 Million for UH Sugar Land

By Juhi VarMa

houSton: The University of Houston received a $1 million donation from Sugar Land entre preneur Brij Agrawal and his wife Sunita to fund new lab equipment at the UH College of Technology building in Sugar Land, the school announced Tuesday.

The building’s ground-floor au ditorium will be named the Brij and Sunita Agrawal Auditorium.

“I am thrilled to know the impact this gift will have on the students and faculty in terms of access to state-of-the-art equipment in a modern academic building and campus in Sugar Land,” said Brij Agrawal, a UH alumnus.

The money will be used to pur chase the latest 3D printers, ma chine tools and measuring test equipment and fund the creation of an advanced manufacturing de sign center focused on small and medium scale industry, according to UH. Advanced manufacturing, the use of innovative technologies to create new or existing products, is a key goal for UH’s Advanced Technology and Innovation Cen ter in Sugar Land.

“I am grateful to Brij and Sunita Agrawal whose generosity will en hance the educational experience for our students and researchers to help create the next generation of technology innovators,” Univer sity of Houston President Renu Khator said. “Having access to state-of-the-art lab equipment is critical to building the skills neces sary to excel in today’s rapidly de veloping technology workforce.”

Born in Lakhanpur, India, Agrawal moved to Houston at age 17 and attended night school at UH while working full-time. He graduated from UH’s Cullen Col lege of Engineering in 1988 with a degree in mechanical engineering. The Agrawals are longtime sup porters of the university.

“I would not have graduated from college if it wasn’t for the UH System,” he said. “That is why I am so passionate about support ing UH. I live in Sugar Land and that makes me more attached to the UH at Sugar Land campus.”

Agrawal founded numerous successful companies in manufac turing, fabrication and fast-casual restaurants. He is president and CEO of the VKC group, which

operates more than 150 restau rants in Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico.

He received the distinguished alumnus award from Cullen Col lege in 2007.

The total impact of Agrawal’s gift could reach $3.5 million after matching gifts from the George Foundation, which will match $1 million, and the Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP), ac cording to UH.

“UH at Sugar Land continues to expand its already impressive presence in Fort Bend County,”

said Eloise Brice, vice president for University advancement, “and the continued support from fami

lies like the Agrawals is critical to keep the momentum going.”

-- The

Houston Chrionicle

Brij and Sunita Agrawal

Walmart USA to Raise $3 Billion More to Grow Flipcart India Business

new deLhi (IANS): Retail giant Walmart is reportedly raising up to $3 billion for its e-commerce giant Flipkart to further expand its op erations in the country.

With new funds, Flipkart’s valu ation is set to soar to more than $40 billion, giving a fillip to the Indian funding scene which is go ing through a harsh winter.

Flipkart Group in July last year raised $3.6 billion to grow and ad vance the digital commerce eco system in India. The investment valued the group at $37.6 billion post the money then.

According to media reports, Wal mart may bring strategic investors into Flipkart via this fundraising.

The move, according to close sources, is to keep Flipkart ahead in the e-commerce race as online shopping surges with every festive season in the country.

The last fundraiser demonstrated significant interest from global in vestors, including sovereign funds, private equity, and crossovers in addition to Walmart. It was led by financial investors GIC, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Wal mart, along with investments from sovereign funds DisruptAD, Qatar Investment Authority, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, and marquee

Job Posting

investors

Tencent, Willoughby Capital, Antara Capi tal, Franklin Templeton, and Tiger Global.

Bengalurubased Red seer Strategy Consultants had predicted $11.8 billion worth gross merchandise value during the en tire festive month up to Diwali. Ecommerce marketplaces usually hold up to three sales leading up to the festival of lights.

The online retail platforms in In dia clocked $5.7 billion worth fes tive sales between September 22 to 30, a robust 27 percent growth.

Mobile phones continue to lead the market with 41 percent contri bution in gross merchandise value and nearly 56,000 mobile handsets were sold every hour, according to the report by Redseer.

lipkart is currently valued at over $40 billion and may dilute around 7% for raising as much as $3 bil lion, the Mint report said.

Last year, Flipkart raised $3.6

billion in a funding round, giving it a valuation of $37.6 billion.

“We do not comment on specu lation,” a Walmart spokesperson said, while Flipkart did not re spond to Reuters request for a comment.

Walmart acquired a roughly 77% stake in Flipkart for about $16 bil lion in 2018 - its biggest deal ever - and said later that year that it could take the company public in four years.

In April, Reuters reported that Indian e-commerce company Flip kart has internal ly raised its IPO valuation target by around a third to $60 billion to $70 billion and

Job Posting

plans a U.S. listing in 2023 instead of this year.

In a related develop ment, an up start e-com merce service is winning more new shoppers in India than Amazon.com Inc. and Wal mart Inc.’s Flipkart, posing a challenge to the U.S. retailing titans, which have plowed billions of dollars into the world’s biggest untapped digital market.

Bengaluru-based Meesho is leading the burgeoning socialcommerce sector, allowing users to sell items by sharing product listings with friends via Meta Plat forms Inc.’s popular WhatsApp messaging service, along with Facebook and Instagram. Meta is also an investor in Meesho, with an undisclosed stake.

Meesho was the world’s mostdownloaded shopping app during the first half of this year, accord ing to app analytics firm Apptopia, with shoppers pointing to its ease of use, wide selection of products and low prices. Some 127 mil lion people downloaded the app, which is available only in India, compared with 81 million down loads for Amazon and 50 million for Flipkart during the period.

Amazon and Flipkart are “more for the top 1%-5% of the popula tion” in terms of income, specializ ing in more expensive goods such as smartphones and televisions, said Meesho Chief Financial Of ficer Dhiresh Bansal.

Meesho’s goal is to be the online leader in the simpler goods, such as clothing and household items, often sold in unorganized retail, which accounts for as much as 85% of India’s shopping sector, Mr. Bansal said. The startup caters to the legions of consumers who are used to shopping in corner stores and are now turning to the internet, he added.

The KTRK-TV Production Department is looking for a Part-Time Associ ate Newscast Director who is a self-starter and works well with others.

Responsibilities

• Duties will include but not be limited to, hand-held camera, Steadicam and DSLR operation, robotic camera operation, audio assistant and floor manager for live and recorded programming.

• Responsibilities may also include various production-related duties including Directing/Technical Directing shows in a unique array of auto mated production environments.

Basic Qualifications

• Must have knowledge of basic studio and field production equipment operation, such as cameras, microphones, IFB’s, audio consoles and video switchers.

Required Qualifications

• Qualified candidates must be able and willing to work flexible hours, early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays. Weekly work hours will vary.

• Applicants must be able to lift up to 25 pounds and stand on your feet for long periods of time.

• A strong work ethic and positive attitude is required as is the ability to handle multiple tasks

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior Directing and broadcast experience in a live Control Room envi ronment is a plus.

Interested candidates should apply via Disneycareers.com

ID 10024668

KTRK Television, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, reli gion, 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.

Live Newscast and Special Productions Director. This person will be tasked to Direct live broadcast and streaming news programs utilizing both automated television production systems as well as a conventional production environment. This position also requires extensive knowledge of television audio setup and execution for studio and field productions.

Responsibilities:

• Directing live local newscasts and taped special programs using the Ross Overdrive Production System

• Directing live and taped special event programs in a conventional Pro duction Truck environment utilizing the Ross Carbonite switcher

• Planning and setting up audio for special field productions and running audio for these shows using a Midas Pro 2 audio console.

Basic Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of conventional and automated television produc tion systems.

• Thorough knowledge of studio and field video and audio production.

Required Qualifications:

• Min of 3 years’ experience Directing live linear newscasts using auto mated production systems (i.e., Ross Overdrive, Grass Valley Ignite, Sony ELC)

• Audio experience setting up microphones, pre-fades, IFB’s etc. for live studio and field productions.

• Proven Leadership experience.

• Must be willing to work any shift

Required Education:

• High School Diploma

Preferred Education:

• College or Technical School Diploma

Interested candidates should apply via Disneycareers.com

ID 10026604

KTRK Television, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, reli gion, 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.

ASSOC. NEWSC A ST DIRECTOR

October 10, 2022

‘Ram Setu’: Lopsided View on Mythology vs. History

By renuka VyaVahare

Synopsis: Is Ram Setu a myth or reality? An archaeologist (Akshay Kumar) must decode the origins of the mythical India-Sri Lanka underwater bridge, believed to be built by Lord Rama.

Review: Ram Setu comes across like a toothpaste ad where random actors dressed in white aprons as sure you that their toothpaste is dentist recommended. The ‘doc tor ki suno’ strategy is to convince people about the product’s sci entific benefits and claims. Ram Setu does pretty much the same. It puts together characters parad ing as scientists, environmental ists, experts in archaeology with only one intention —they must acknowledge, approve and prop agate the legacy of Shree Ram and Ram Setu (mythical bridge between India and Sri Lanka) as part of history and not mythology. Since these characters believe in science over sanskriti and aastha, the director wants you to know that they are no bhakts so there’s no bias.

Leading the atheist-turned-be liever brigade is Dr Aaryan, a 50something Akshay Kumar with a millennial name. Styled like an ageing Brad Pitt in homeless chic, Aaryan is a renowned archaeolo gist, known for his excavation in Afghanistan. He graciously hands over an ancient treasure box to the neighbouring country and reiter

ates India-Afg-Pak unity against the Taliban. He announces, “Hum Afghanistan ko unki khoi hui vi rasat lautane aaye hai.” He also keeps repeating, “I am a man of facts and history. I only believe what can be proven.” Accused of blasphemy, he is taunted, “Iss desh mein jo Ram ko nahi manta, uska muh kaala hona chahiye.”

Given his lack of belief in God and religion, he is chosen for a dubious expedition. An evil cor porate (led by the very talented south actor Nassar), wants to de stroy Ram Setu for commercial gain, but there’s a catch. He needs evidence that can prove in the Su preme Court, that the bridge is not man-made (or Ram made), instead naturally formed. If proven so, no religious sentiments would be hurt on its destruction. He ropes in athe ist Aaryan assuming his verdict would definitely go in his favour. However, surprise-surprise, that’s not the case. Even a five-year-old can tell what Aaryan discovers on this mission.

A lop sided argument on my thology versus history, Ram Setu is the kind of film, where you can precisely tell the final outcome in the first scene. There is no joy of discovery because it plays out like a poorly scripted reality show that isn’t even discreet about its agen da. The film is painfully predict able and blatantly manipulative. Even if you overlook the motive, the supposed survival- drama, is

way too dull and far-fetched for a mythical adventure movie. Char acters locate ancient hidden caves, floating rocks, manuscripts, san jeevni booti and Ravana’s Lanka faster than services of food deliv ery apps.

There’s also a poor man’s, Iron Man like (minus Jarvis) under water suit that Akshay slips into for this expedition that fails to heighten your curiosity and awe. If the build-up is disappointing, the climax only gets worse. Set in a courtroom, Aaryan rants about ‘progress not at the cost of san skriti’. In its desperate attempt to reframe mythology as history and vice versa, it does a lot of disser vice to Shree Ram’s legacy and faith in general. Barring a few decent chase sequences, Ram Setu has no spark and is way too preachy. Lord Rama doesn’t need a salesman or films acting as In stagram influencers for him. -Times of India

‘Thank God’: Pointless

Swerving wildly to save a mo torcyclist who comes in his way, Mumbai-based real-estate highflier Ayaan Kapoor (Sidharth Malhotra) crashes into a car. The screen goes blank. When he comes to his senses, Ayaan finds himself in front of a man who introduces himself as CG aka Chitragupt (Ajay Devgn), and who appears to be lording over an unearthly arena dotted with rows of silent witnesses.

The black-clad CG is judge-juryexecutioner and chief inquisitor, all rolled in one. And Ayaan is in the dock: what kind of human is he? The kind who lies and cheats and deserves to fry in hell till all eterni ty, or spend the rest of his life with his loving family, wife (Singh) and young daughter? The official remake of Norwegian film ‘Sorte Kugler’, ‘Thank God’ marks Indra Kumar’s return to Bollywood after a sizeable gap.

Malhotra leaves little impact. As ever, the wonderful Seema Pahwa and Kanwaljeet Singh are wasted. As is our time. -- Shubhra Gupta in Indian Express

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Kumud Athavale, Ramana Vadrevu, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Sanchali Basu, Yudhveer Singh Bagga, Prabha Barvalia, Sai Lakshmi Subramanian, Murti Kamphy Patel, Priya Pathak, Taranjit Singh

Muhammad Sheikh Receives WAC Global Leader Award

houSton: Prominent Commu nity organizer and recognized Vol unteer, Muhammad Saeed Sheikh received 2022 Global Leader of Influence Award from the World Affairs Council of Greater Hous ton, at the 24th Annual Jesse H. Jones Award Luncheon and be comes the first South Asian Paki stani American nominated for this prestigious recognition on his international impact, exceptional leadership, and outstanding contri butions to Houston’s international spirit since over 25 years: The largest ever this year’s An nual Event featured Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representa tives, and was attended by over 800 prominent leaders in Busi ness, Education, Finance & World Affairs, City Officials, 30 plus Consul General’s including Abrar Hashmi of Pakistan & Prominent Businessman S. Javaid Anwar.

On the occasion Congresswom an Sheila Jackson Lee, honored Sheikh with the special Congres sional Recognition and paid high tribute for his several Community Services. Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congressman Al Green, Harris County Sherriff Ed Gonzales and several other elected officials and Community leaders were among those who also congratulated Sheikh on this distinct Achieve ment and called him an influenc er and recognized trailblazer in Houston.

Muhammad Saeed Sheikh is a Community Organizer & recog nized Volunteer. He is a founding member of the Houston Karachi Sister City Association (HKSCA) that was established in 2009. Cur rently he is serving as President of HKSCA. Additionally, he is the Coordinator of Alliance for Disas

ter Relief (AFDR) & the Houston Iftar-Annual Ramadan Dinner with the Mayor of Houston. In the past in recognition of his Community Services, President Donald Trump awarded him the “President’s Life time Achievement Award 2018”, a prestigious Civil Award, which is bestowed upon citizens for their contributions to the nation & for their outstanding volunteering services throughout their lifetime, which was presented by Award founder President George W. Bush. In 2020, for his outstanding work in response to COVID-19 he was recognized by Government of Pakistan on “Foreign Minister’s Honor List”, and in 2021, he also won the Sister Cities International “Volunteer of the Year Award”.

Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, who strongly believe that the success of every effort depends on collabora tive efforts, which brings “Bless

Founder: dr. k.L. Sindwani

PuBLiSher: Jawahar MaLhotra

PraMod kuLkarni

SanChaLi BaSu

ings in Unity”. He is leading several initiatives and strives to continue to serve the Community.

At the Jesse H. Jones Awards Luncheon World Affairs Council also honored Hess Corporation’s Greg Hill as the 2022 International Citizen of the Year for his accom plishments in promoting Hous ton’s designation as the energy capital of the world and few others from different fields.

Since 1969, the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston has served as Houston’s leading non partisan forum for global dialogue, offering access to international leaders, foreign affairs experts, and world policy makers. The Council has throughout United States 95 Chapters and serves thousands of Houstonians, all with a passion for global understanding and a desire to be at the forefront of interna tional business and geopolitics.

Muhammad Saeed Sheikh receiving the “2022 Global Leader of Influence Award” from the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston for the Exceptional Leadership, International Impact and Outstanding Contributions to Houston’s International spirit over two decades at the 24th Annual Jesse H. Jones Award Luncheon.

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