We are enjoying our extra warm summer and hope you and your family are planning memory making activities in this last month of summer. We have gathered many informative and evocative essays and articles in our August issue. You need simply to flip through and enjoy the variety of content.
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Thanks for reading.
Some highlights in this issue:
♦ Read the essay "Facing the Horizon" on page 26.
♦ A remembrance of singer Sharda appears on page 30.
♦ Read our Financially Speaking column for the third and final installment of "So You're Gonna Die - Now What? “ See page 54.
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“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.”
- Lyndon B. Johnson
Cover: Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, India
The Mahabodhi Temple is an ancient and restored Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. The temple is the holiest and most revered pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Some of the site's elements date to the period of Emperor Ashoka (died c. 232 BCE). The current temple dates from the 6th century CE, as well as several major restorations since the 19th century.
Photo: Adobe Stock
“Bridging America and the Indian Subcontinent.”
August 2025 Issue # 327
Editor Samir Shukla (Samir@Saathee.com)
Publisher & Advertising
Divakar Shukla 704-527-7570 or saatheemag@hotmail.com
Digital Media & Marketing
Jennifer W. Allen
Ad Design / Layout
DSJ Graphics, Cooper’s Hive and Manimaran
Contributors for this issue: Preethi Sriram, Rupa Pereira, Purvee Shukla, Dipika Kohli, Sereena Kumar, Rishi P. Oza, Hiren Deliwala, Girish Modi, Ketu Desai, Aadrika Sharma, Srinika Srinivas, Athulya SathyaNarayan, and Jalendu Vaidya.
Mission: Our goal is to be a valuable source of information for the South Asian community and to be a vital advertising tool for businesses.
(USPS 021-116) (ISSN: 1543-8147) is published monthly by:
612 Heather Ln., Charlotte, NC 28209
Periodicals postage paid at Charlotte, NC and additional mailing offices.
Opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and advertisers and not necessarily of the publisher or editor. Please contact us prior to submitting articles or photographs. Saathee is published monthly. Deadlines for advertisement, submissions and events information is 15th of the month.
It was twilight hour on a thick summer evening. I set a task for myself and walked around our house for fifteen minutes with my eyes closed. I mean really, totally, closed. I felt my way around the house touching walls, chairs, tables, doorknobs...
I began from one of the bedrooms and headed toward the kitchen to get a glass of water, while keeping my eyes tightly shut, self-imposed blinders, if you will. I made it to the kitchen, fumbled around a bit, opened one of the cabinets and retrieved a glass. I tapped the counter all the way to the sink, found the faucet handle and filled a glass of water. It was just water but somehow tasted extra sweet.
I drank the water and walked around trying to find other familiar items and spots. The timer on my phone went off, marking 15 minutes, and I opened my eyes, looked around the surroundings, now visually retracing my steps. The time was spent grasping at things and figuring out specific number of steps or distance between parts of the house. This seemingly trivial task was daunting, even in familiar surroundings.
This brief self-directed exercise was a physical manifestation of things that have been going on in the world that I have been pondering for a while. It crystallized even more after I heard a couple of guys having a loud conversation in a grocery store parking lot earlier that day. They were riled and talking about silly conspiracy theories. Not laughing about it, but buying into it, as if to find someone at that moment who may disagree and pick a fight.
I also recalled another episode from a few years earlier.
“Men are getting the short end of the stick these days.” That was the comment from a handyman I was looking to hire for a small job in our home a few years ago.
The conversation veered to contemporary social constructs while we discussed the work and negotiated a price. I pushed the conversation, and his buttons, a bit further to get his take on the comment he made. He had some valid points, but his arguments were wrapped in assumptions and personal experiences that did not reflect the larger
Editor’s Desk continued on page 110
Upcoming Events
A R Rahman Live: Raleigh, NC (August 2, 2025)
Iconic music composer and performer A R Rahman brings his Wonderment Tour to Raleigh, NC on Saturday, August 2, 2025, 7:30pm. The multi-faceted music composer and singer is renowned globally. The venue is Lenovo Center, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh. Info: Ticketmaster.com.
Life
of Pi - The Broadway Musical:
Charlotte, NC
(Through August 3, 2025)
Life of Pi - The Broadway Musical is coming to the Belk Theater, Charlotte, NC. This production takes you on an unforgettable journey of survival, faith, and the power of storytelling. Witness the tale of young Pi, stranded in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger, and be captivated by a story that will stir your soul and ignite your imagination. The performances will take place from July 29 –August 3, 2025. Details: Blumenthalarts.org.
Catch cricket legends in action as the games begin. Cricket matches with 60-ball format. It will take place August 5 – 16, 2025 at Church Street Park, Morrisville, NC. For the details, visit Super60legendusa.com.
Swami Amritaswarupananda
Puri:
Charlotte, NC (August 12, 2025)
Swamiji will present “Coping in an Uncertain World” with satsang, bhajans, guided meditation, aarti and dinner. He is a prominent figure in the spiritual and educational realms. The program is free and will take place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Hindu Center, 7400 City View Dr, Charlotte. RSVP at ammacharlotte108@gmail.com.
Shrimad Bhagwat Katha: (August 15 – 21, 2025)
Katha will be recited in Hindi by Pujya Shri Devkinandan Thakur ji Maharaj from August 15 – 21, 2025, at GCAP, 127 Landmark Dr., Greensboro, NC. Bhojan prasad will be served daily. For more details, call 704-224-3625 or 919-478-4759.
India Day Celebration: Wilmington, NC
(August 16, 2025)
The Cape Fear Cultural Association of India (CFCAI) presents a celebration of India’s rich heritage and culture on Saturday, August 16, 2025, 11am – 5pm. Experience the music, dance, art, and cuisine of India. There will be entertainment throughout the day with classical dances as well as Bollywood dances, at which the audience will be able to participate. Experience a range of regional mouth-watering Indian cuisines. View an array of Indian fashions and jewelry. Experience Henna painting, Rangoli making, learning the secrets of Indian spices, and Yoga among the interactive exhibits. The Harrelson Center, 420 Fourth St., Wilmington, NC. For additional information visit CFCAI.org.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami Celebration:
Stallings, NC (August 16, 2025)
ISKCON of Charlotte presents Janmashtami celebrations on Saturday, August 16, 2025, 1pm – midnight, featuring kirtan, bhajans, abhishek, cultural activities, food stalls and more. It will take place at 2501 Oakspring Rd., Stallings, NC. For more information, write to iskconofcharlotte@gmail.com or visit the website iskconofcharlotte.net.
Sri Krishna Janmastami:
Hillsborough, NC (August 16, 2025)
ISKCON New Goloka presents the 40th anniversary celebration of Janmastami on Saturday, August 16, 2025, 4pm – midnight, at 1032 Dimmocks Mill Rd., Hillsborough, NC. Enjoy cultural programs, boat festival, food court, children’s activities, kirtans and more. For more details, call 919-448-5178.
India Independence Day Celebration: Charlotte, NC (August 16, 2025)
Celebrate India’s Independence Day on Saturday, August 16, 2025, noon - 2pm with a flag hoisting, national anthem, and a cultural show. Hindu Center, 7400 City View, Dr., Charlotte, NC. For more info call 704-535-3440 or visit Hcclt.org.
Independence Day Celebration: Morrisville, NC (August 17, 2025)
Hindi Vikas Mandal, along with HSNC and other RTP organizations will celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day on Sunday, August 17, 2025, from 10:30am – 3pm at HSNC in Morrisville, NC. Enjoy a parade, flag hoisting, exhibitions and stall and a cultural program. For more details, call 919-259-4825 or visit Hindivikasmandal.org.
Upcoming Events
TGA Festive Bazar:
Morrisville, NC (August 23, 2025)
It’s time for TGA’s Festive Bazaar, where you can indulge in a shopping experience from a diverse array of vendors. Get ready for the upcoming Navratri and Diwali festive seasons in style. Bring the whole family. Saturday, August 23, 2025, noon – 7pm. Venue: HSNC Main Hall, 309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville NC. Free entry. For more details, call 919-353-0550 or visit Nctga.org.
Vibha Dream Mile 2025: Cary, NC (August 24, 2025)
Run/Walk with Vibha on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Bond Park in Cary. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Vibha has empowered millions of kids through access to quality public education. Vibha collaborates with grassroots organizations, government agencies, and communities across India and the USA to enhance learning outcomes in government schools. Info: Vibha.org.
HRA Convenience Store Trade Show: (August 26, 2025)
The Southeast’s largest convenience store trade show will take place on Thursday, August 28, 2025, 11am – 5pm, will feature vendors, show deals, new products, raffles, networking, and more. Cobb Galleria Center, Atlanta. For more details, visit Hraga.com/events.
Atul
Purohit Garba: Greensboro, NC (August 29, 2025)
Timeless
Veteran garba singer and performer Atul Purohit will perform live with his band on Friday, August 29, 2025, at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, 1921 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro. Tickets range from $30 - $35. For more details call 336-509-5875 or 336-213-6494.
Voices: Charlotte, NC (August 30, 2025)
Saregama finalist Neha Varma will perform songs of Bollywood’s melody queens with a live band on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 8pm. Part of Charlotte Ganesh Festival. Venue: Hindu Center Vihar Hall, 7400 City View Dr., Charlotte, NC. For more details, call 704-535-3440.
Charlotte Ganesha Festival: (August 26 – September 1, 2025)
Charlotte Marathi Mandal and Hindu Center present the annual Ganesha Festival from August 26 – September 1, 2025. The festival begins with sthapana and ends with visarjan and features standup comedy, the Flute Sisters, Melody Queens concert and many other programs and events. At the Vihar Hall, 7400 City View, Dr., Charlotte, NC. For more details, call 704-535-3440 or visit Hcclt.org.
Singer Achal Mehta will perform live with his band for a night of garba and raas on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Grady Cole Center, 310 N. Kings Dr., Charlotte, NC. Presented by Friends of Charlotte the tickets begin at $25. For details, call 803-412-1805 or 704-915-2939.
Support South Asian survivors of domestic violence and shop for clothing, food, jewelry, services, and more. The Bazaar will take place on Sunday, September 14, 2025, noon – 7pm, at HSNC Main Hall, 309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC. For more details, visit Kiraninc.org.
Festival in the Park: Charlotte, NC (September 19 – 21, 2025)
The 61st annual Festival in the Park will take place from September 19 – 21, 2025 at Freedom Park in Charlotte, NC. Enjoy music, arts and crafts along with vendors. There will be plenty of activities for the children. It’s a family affair with a simple, relaxed atmosphere. Unlike most festivals the lighting system allows festivities to continue into the night. Details: Festivalinthepark.org.
Join Triangle Gujarati Association’s Navratri with the sensational duo, the queens of Garba Preeti and Pinky Live. Enjoy the electrifying and classic Garba hits featuring a live band. Saturday, September 20, 2025, doors open at 6:30pm. The venue is NC Expo Center, 4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC. For details, visit Nctga.org.
Festival of India: Charlotte, NC (September 20 – 21, 2025)
The India Association of Charlotte presents the 29th annual Festival of India. It will be a two-day event - day one at Belk Theater and on Tryon Street Uptown, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, and day two on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Ballantyne’s Backyard. The festival celebrates India’s rich heritage of artistic and cultural diversity and is an effort to present glimpses of that to the local and regional community. Learn something about the culture as you and your family sample Indian culinary delights, get an artistic Henna tattoo, watch and dance along to popular and pulsating Bollywood music, learn about yoga, see Indian classical dance, and marvel at fashions.
Minu Desai: 919-923-4657 email: amegujaratinc@gmail.com
Sujatha Sajeevan, MD Board Certified Family Medicine Physician
Spectrum Family Medicine Accepting new patients and all major insurances
For appointments, please call 919-233-8183
519 Keisler Drive, Suite 104 Cary, NC 27518
WE PROVIDE PRIMARY CARE AND FAMILY MEDICINE SERVICES
• Physical Examinations
• Women’s wellness visit, pap smear
• School/ Sports Physicals
• Sick visits, fever, cough, cold, wheezing
• Diabetes, Thyroid and other endocrine problems
• Heart diseases, high BP, high cholesterol
• Depression, Anxiety, ADHD
• Asthma and lung diseases
• Women’s health issues, menopause
• Minor procedures done at office like mole and cyst removal, wart treatment, suturing and laceration repair.
Upcoming Events
Participate in interactive workshops for dance, learn some traditional Indian art form, buy some souvenirs to take home. The finale of the event is a Fusion Orchestra by Charlotte Symphony, highlighting the rich tapestry of Indian and Western traditions woven together through orchestral music. For further details on the festival and its activities, visit: Indiafestival.net.
Jaipur Literature Festival NC: Chapel Hill, NC (September 26 – 27 -2025)
The globally renowned festival’s NC iteration takes place September 26 – 27, 2025 in Chapel Hill, NC. Authors and speaker include William Dalrymple, Kiran Desai and more. For more details, visit Jlflitfest.org/north-carolina.
Vocal Concert: Charlotte, NC (October 5, 2025)
CMAC presents a classical vocal concert by Sikkil Gurucharan on Sunday, October 5, 2025, 4pm, Gandhi Bhavan, Hindu Center, Charlotte. For more details, call 704904-9454 or visit Onlinecmac.org.
Keep up with all the events happening in our region with Saathee Magazine. The best way to find them is in these pages or online at our regularly updated events section: Saathee.com/events
Facing the Horizon
Facing the Horizon
by Sereena Kumar
I remember the first time I encountered this daunting question in kindergarten: “Where do you see yourself in ten years?” Without thinking too hard, I answered, “A ballerina fairy!” As I grew up, I became afraid to ponder this question. How do I think about what’s on the horizon when I’ve just gotten used to swimming in the ocean?
Before I knew it, this future I tried to avoid thinking about has crashed into me like a thunderous wave. My college inbox floods with new action items, forcing me to confront reality. The fuzzy pink sheets and rainbow decal in my room can no longer shield me from the truth: I am headed off to college.
I am a visual learner—the notes I took in class are filled with rainbow ink and doodles in the margins. So, until I step into the dorm room and notice its blank walls instead of familiar purple ones, I won’t fully process that I’m going to college. I couldn’t bring myself to search up dorm pictures on my college website. If I pretend like I’m not moving away from my family, it’s not real, right? Wrong. Denial is sadly only temporary. I was forced to confront my apprehension when my roommate suggested we meet and discuss what we need to buy for our dorm. She immediately whipped out her iPad with our dorm’s exact dimensions and a spreadsheet of dorm essentials.
The sudden overload of information was initially unsettling, but it surprisingly eased my mind. Suddenly, moving into a new room seemed more manageable. Plus, I had an excuse to scroll through Pinterest and find room decor! As my roommate and I added more items to our already exhaustive spreadsheet, I realized that our dorm’s blank walls wouldn’t be so bad. They just give me the chance to fill them with new memories. I will bring my high school memory box with me, but a new
one will be placed next to it; empty and waiting to be filled with college memories.
College forces me to face my fear of crafting my own schedules. Whenever I started an extracurricular activity, it was usually because my mom said it would be good for me or because I saw my friends participating in it. Always worried about the persona I projected, I went along with the crowd rather than my gut. With college’s unstructured nature, I will no longer rely on what people tell me looks good on a resume. College student Sereena can no longer be indecisive. Seven-hour school days are long gone–my classes on Wednesday somehow end at 11:30am! With this newfound freedom comes the chance to explore my purpose and embark on activities I never had time for. On Wednesdays after my classes, I’ll get to rediscover my abandoned hobby at drawing workshops.
In high school, I confined my creativity to flower scribbles during monotonous lectures. I look forward to bringing color back into my life. Additionally, I want to prioritize activities that aren’t necessarily relevant to my major but are relevant to my happiness. A scuba diving class might not help me with chemistry, but it will give me more adventures to fit in my memory box.
Even if some factors are unknown, like where I will be in ten years, the future doesn’t seem quite intangible. Little by little, I’ve dipped my toes in the water to get excited about what’s coming up. Additionally, I’ve found that I can walk this new path without abandoning the child that lives on in my heart. My college experiences won’t transform me into a new person but rather help develop the person I already am. My gel pens will come with me to college and perhaps I’ll get a rainbow poster for my dorm. To every anxious college freshman out there: Uncertainty is not a sign to hole up in your shell—it gives you a chance to uncover your curiosities.
If you already know what lies on the horizon, you won’t feel the delight of exploring it.
Sereena Kumar is a Freshman at NC State and has a passion for writing. Contact: slkumar@mycomedical.com
A Teenage Story
The Year of the Composition Serendipity
The Year of the Composition Serendipity
Kismuth and the Way II
by Dipika Kohli
In Durham, I met someone from Finland in a gym class we’d had together, and on her last week in North Carolina, over vodkas, I announced that one day I would make it to Finland for a visit to see her.
Six years later, I was in a postcard-perfect picture of serenity in rural northern Finland, a place called Kärsämäki which literally translates to “pig snout hill.” Imagine how uncool that sounded when I visited the chic city of Oulu to hang out at an arts festival there. But it was cool to go, in all honesty, as it was something I’d found and been invited to, and felt validating as it was affiliated with official European Union arts organizations.
There are pros and cons to these things, but in those days, I simply went along with it thinking, ‘Oh, this will be like Governor’s School.’ (No.) But
the point, for me, was experiencing something new, and, importantly, far from everyone I knew, alone in a setting that was unfamiliar. Finland, the last country on my bucket list (for that moment, anyway), had checked all these boxes, and in that sense it was like that time I got to spend a transformative summer as a teen in Laurinburg at ‘East.’
This time the residency was twelve weeks, so I got to see the shifts in participants at the end of June and July. People would come and go, just as summer flowers bloomed and fell. Dried or pressed flowers from summer, I learned, are carefully kept, to remind people through the dark months of most of the year that brighter days are ahead.
But I want to talk about serendipity and chance encounters; how to make space for that starts with understanding the value of some openness in a plan. Most of the artists arrived with suitcases full of things they’d need to carry out a plan, but after a day finding out exactly how remote this place really was, they changed course. Weather, opportunities, chance encounters,
Kismuth continued on page 80
Next to Sangam Mart
Legendary Singer Sharda
Voice by Girish Modi
The 1950s and 1960s were dominated by Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle because Geeta Dutt and Shamshad Begum whose singing styles were different had eclipsed. Musicians were in search of a new type of singer. That’s when Sharda’s luck had shined. Sharda was discovered by Raj Kapoor and had introduced her to his musician team Shankar-Jaikishan. While Alka Yagnik and Kavita Krishnamurthy started as dubbing artists, Sharda started as playback singer from day one. Before Sharda sang three songs in Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker, which were not included in the final version, Shankar-Jaikishan had used her voice for “Titli udi” in the film Suraj which turned out to be a top chartbuster in 1966. What was interesting is that Sharda had received as many votes as Mohd Rafi for the playback singer award; so Filmfare was forced to create a new category of female singers. Thus, Sharda was the first recipient of a female playback singer award and became
a trendsetter. Sharda was nominated four years in a row (1968–71) for best female playback singer and won another Filmfare award.
Sharda then won another Filmfare award in 1970 for the cabaret “Baat zara hai aapas ki” in the Jahan Pyar Miley film. Shankar-Jaikishan continued to use Sharda’s playful voice in many films, since she was gifted with irresistible magic in her throat. The power, range, depth and modulation of her voice is exquisitely versatile suiting all varieties of classical, devotional, emotional and romantic songs with equal ease and perfection. Sharda sang with most of the top singers like Mohd Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Yesudas, Mukesh and Suman Kalayanpur. She had lent her voice to top leading actresses of the time. She also performed on stage on several occasions like Filmfare Awards Functions, charity shows, naval functions etc. Still, Sharda could not reach the top bracket of singers.
Besides Shankar-Jaikish, Sharda also recorded songs with Usha Khanna, Dattaram, Iqbal Qureshi and a few others. Sharda has sung the song “Jaane bhi de sanam” in both Hindi and English versions for the film Around the World. This shows that there is no other artist in Bollywood who was as versatile as Sharda.
My Voice Sharda continued on page 86
My
Upcoming Movie Releases
August 8
Heer Express (Director: Umesh Shukla)
Cast: Divita Juneja, Ashutosh Rana, Sanjay Mishra, and Gulshan Grover
The Pickup (Director: Tim Story)
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, and Eva Longoria
Freakier Friday (Director: Nisha Ganatra)
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Chad Michael Murray, and Mark Harmon
Weapons (Director: Zach Creeger)
Cast: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan
August 15
Nobody 2 (Director: Timo Tjahjanto)
Cast: Bob Odenkirk, John Ortiz, RZA, and Sharon Stone
War 2 (Director: Ayan Mukerji)
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, NTR Jr, and Kiara Advani
August 22
Honey Don’t (Director: Ethan Coen)
Cast: Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, and Chris Evans
Highest 2 Lowest (Director: Spike Lee)
Cast: Denzel Washington, ASAP Rocky, Ice Spice, and Jeffrey Wright
Eenie Meanie (Director: Shawn Simmons)
Cast: Samara Weaving, Karl Glusman, Steve Zahn, and Andy García
Eden (Director: Ron Howard)
Cast: Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Toby Wallace, and Richard Roxburgh
Trust (Director: Carlson Young)
Cast: Sophie Turner, Rhys Coiro, Gianni Paolo, and Billy Campbell
August 29
Mass Jathara (Director: Bhanu Bhogavarapu)
Cast: Ravi Teja and Sreeleela
The Thursday Murder Club (Director: Chris Columbus)
Cast: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley
Caught Stealing (Director: Darren Aronofsky)
Cast: Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, and Carol Kane
The Roses (Director: Jay Roach)
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate McKinnon, and Allison Janney
The Toxic Avenger (Director: Macon Blair)
Cast: Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Elijah Wood, and Kevin Bacon
Run (Director: Chris Stokes)
Cast: Annie Ngosi Ilonzeh and Drew Sidora
September 5
The Bengal Files (Director: Vivek Agnihotri)
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, and Palomi Ghosh
Twinless (Director: James Sweeney)
Cast: Dylan O’Brien, James Sweeney, and Lauren Graham
Mirai (Director: Karthik Gattamneni)
Cast: Teja Sajja, Manoj Manchu, and Ritika Nayak
The Conjuring: Last Rites (Director: Michael Chaves)
Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Mia Tomlinson, and Ben Hardy
Baaghi 4 (Director: A Harsha)
Cast: Tiger Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Sonam Bajwa, and Harnaaz Sandhu
Pools (Director: Sam Hayes)
Cast: Mason Gooding, Michael Vlamis, and Tyler Alvarez
Saathee.com/movies has the latest info on where the movies are showing or streaming. All dates subject to change.
F i l m C l i p s
War 2
Rogue Agent Kabir became India’s worst villain. Now India sends Agent Vikram, their deadliest operative, to hunt him. Two lethal forces clash worldwide in an impossible battle with ultimate stakes. Hrithik Roshan, NTR Jr, and Kiara Advani star in the film directed by Ayan Mukerji. See it on August 15, 2025.
The Bengal Files
A powerful journey through India’s most challenging historical period reveals the universal struggle for human dignity and the fundamental right to exist. Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, and Palomi Ghosh are part of the cast in the Vivek Agnihotri directed film that opens on September 5, 2025
Highest 2 Lowest
When a titan music mogul is targeted with a ransom plot, he is jammed up in a life-ordeath moral dilemma. Spike Lee directs Denzel Washington, ASAP Rocky, Ice Spice, and Jeffrey Wright. Look for in on August 22, 2025.
The Roses
Directed by Jay Roach, with Benedict Cumberbatch, Allison Janney, and Olivia Colman. The tale tells of competition and resentments underneath the mirage of a picture-perfect couple that is ignited when the husband’s professional dreams come crashing down. Releases on August 29, 2025.
KD the Devil
Baaghi 4
Tiger Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Sonam Bajwa, and Shraddha Kapoor tar in the 4th installment of this action thriller series. Directed by A Harsha and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film hits theaters on September 5, 2025.
A period action film based on true events from 1970s Bangalore, Directed by Prem, the film features Dhruva Sarja, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Nora Fatehi, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah, and V Ravichandran. The film will be released in several languages on September 5, 2025.
Sunny Sanskari
Ki Tulsi Kumari
Shashank Khaitan directs, Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, and Akshay Oberoi in the romantic comedy produced by Karan Johar and Dharma Productions. The film hits the screens on October 2, 2025.
12/31/25
Breaking the Smoke: Combating Teen Vaping in NC
Breaking the Smoke: Combating Teen Vaping in NC
My Voice by Aadrika Sharma
In the spring of his sophomore year of high school, Solomon Wynn, a 15-year-old, came down with bronchitis. He was given antibiotics and steroids by a doctor, but nothing worked. When his family visited the hospital, they learned vaping had destroyed his heart and lungs, eventually leading to his death on June 16, 2023. A once healthy 15-year boy died at the hands of vaping.
Solomon is not alone. Across the US, vaping has become the most used tobacco product, with over 10.1% of high school and 5.5% of middle school students vaping (Jamal, Ahmed. “Tobacco Product Use among Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2024). In NC alone, 1 out of 8 high school students vape (WRAL. “Gen v: Teen Vaping in North CarolinaUndercover Look at the Growing Epidemic.”), and this highlights how widespread this dangerous habit has become among teens.
E-cigarettes were initially developed in 2003 as a “safer” alternative to smoking. Since their introduction in US markets, their popularity has rapidly spread among youth, with a reported 1129% increase in e-cigarette use among North Carolina high school students from 2011 to 2019 (Kirsten Siebenga. “The Forgotten Epidemic: Youth Vaping during COVID-19.” NCIOM).
JUUL became the most prominent vape brand, soon creating a vaping epidemic in the teens of
NC. In 2019, North Carolina sued the JUUL company, leading to a $40 million settlement (nahmed. “Attorney General Stein Reaches Agreement with JUUL for $40 Million and Drastic Business Changes - NCDOJ). While this helped curb vaping, teen vaping remains an issue in NC. To curb North Carolina’s teen vaping crisis, the state must enact stricter regulations and raise the legal vaping age. Simultaneously, schools should implement educational programs to inform students about the dangers of vaping.
The Allure: Why Teens Vape
The reason for vaping popularity in youth can be attributed to the way vapes are advertised. Brands like JUUL, Elf Bar, and others target younger audiences by designing products that appeal to students, such as highlighter-like devices or coffee cup-shaped vapes, as well as appealing flavors such as cherry and cotton candy. Peer pressure plays a significant role in students vaping. Students are given vapes mostly by their friends, and they vape to be seen as “cool”. Vapes cause severe addiction and health issues.
Dr. Balasubramaniam, a pediatric pulmonologist from the UW-Madison hospital, says, “We know these devices are not safe for kids, and we know they can put kids’ lungs at risk of a severe, life-threatening illness”. Vapes contain significantly high levels of nicotine as well as chemicals such as TNC, Diacetyl, and additives. The effects of these vapors are known to cause serious health issues.
Immigration Matters
by Rishi P. Oza
Trump’s Immigration Policy: Problem or Solution?
Trump’s Immigration Policy: Problem or Solution?
From his inception as a presidential candidate in 2016, President Donald Trump’s defining political issue has always been immigration. He has used the issue as a hammer, constantly beating a narrative of invasion and fear of foreigners, which isn’t new to America’s political discourse (see the Chinese Exclusion Act, anti-Irish sentiment of the 19th century and Japanese internment during World War II).
His willingness, though, to tackle immigration holistically may have lasting consequences to America’s economic and political future. For better or worse, his legacy may be tied entirely to his ability to find a solution to one of the country’s most complex and problematic political issues.
On one hand, the Trump Administration has unabashedly sought to ramp up deportation efforts, which have left immigrant communities anxious and often terrified of imminent removal. The Administration has argued that it is correcting not only the aimless border policy of the previous Biden Administration, but years of lax enforcement.
The newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill” pumps in $150+ billion into the US Department of Homeland Security, which officials have stated will be used to hire more officers to help speed deportations and build more detention facilities to house those in removal proceedings. By physically detaining individuals subject to removal proceedings, the Administration will likely speed up deportations – detained individuals are much less likely to pursue weak asylum claims or appeal unfavorable decisions compared to those individuals that are non-detained.
Youth Voices
Music, whether it is learning or listening, transforms a person from being mindful to mindful. Impressions are created with musical expressions.
The whisper of the winds, the rustle of the trees, the flow of the river–everything has music in it. Sunken souls awake when touched by music.
Music is the smile of the soul.
Music is a whisper of the divine.
With our passion and love for music as the framework, we decided to start interviewing fellow musicians to understand their journey through our YouTube channel. Many of the kids growing up here, including us, start music lessons in Carnatic or Hindustani music styles, not only because it enriches them, but also helps them to stay connected to their cultural roots. However, the pressure of high school and other various distractions make it difficult for them to continue the process. Through our interviews, we were able to understand how each of our fellow musicians overcame this challenging situation and, with persistence, continued their musical journeys.
With the advent of AI, music making through AI has become an inevitable concept. Attempts and achievements have been made by trying to design a violin that is totally automated and imitates the human player. Different
perspectives on this topic have been discussed, and various opinions have been shared in our interviews.
When someone has a sibling that plays an instrument or sings, it becomes easier to do impromptu musical jams at home and in a Carnatic concert, supportive accompaniments can be done. This has helped in shaping their learning experience.
Every raga is unique and when we did our interviews, everyone was able to relate their personality to a particular raga due to the various shades of the raga. We also explored some of the different thoughts relating to fusion music. While some were ready to experiment, some chose to stick with the sanity of the classical form. These dimensions were clearly seen in our conversations.
A flautist was able to explain how playing certain ragas were a little easier than the others and how to achieve breath control. A Kathak dancer helped us to understand how a small body movement can help one to achieve continuous spins without getting dizzy. A Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam dancer emphasized storytelling as the core of both dance styles, while also explaining the similarities and differences between the same.
A violin player explains how learning Carnatic and Western styles of the same instrument has enabled her to think differently and adapt. A Veena player explains how listening and connecting swaras to play sahityam is very crucial and the beauty of tanam in Veena. One of the singers gave us ideas so that practicing songs doesn’t feel like a chore–simple strategies to make practice comfortable goes a long way.
Youth Voices by Srinika Srinivas
Youth Voices by Athulya SathyaNarayan
Eye on the Markets
by Ketu Desai
Fiscal policy and AI remain drivers of the market, which will go as they go. The Trump administration has clearly pivoted from cutting the deficit through DOGE and raising revenue through tariffs to growing our way out of it. The President said, “For all cost cutting Republicans, of which I am one, remember, you still have to get reelected. Don’t go too crazy! We will make it all up, times 10, with growth, more than ever before.”
This shift from contractionary to expansionary policy will support both the economy and market. The centerpiece is the Big Beautiful Bill. The latest Monthly Treasury Statement showed that spending was 185% of receipts and the current fiscal year deficit is up 13.5%. The CBO says the Bill will add another $3.3 trillion to the deficit. Interest expenses now account for almost 20% of total tax revenue, with current odds that the Fed will be on hold for the summer. If they don’t cut in July, the Jackson Hole meeting
Fiscal Policy and AI
in August will likely set up a cut for September. Prior to that, the market will likely start to price in a number of cuts for 2026.
The administration will also appoint a new Fed Chair in 2026, who is highly likely to cut rates aggressively to help address interest expenses. An expansionary fiscal policy with rate cuts is as market friendly as it gets.
While policy is stimulating, the labor market is weakening. Initial jobless claims and continuing claims are not yet at alarming levels, but they are reaching a point to attention. Part of the reason is due to natural economic forces, and part due to AI. Both Amazon and Microsoft announced that they will lay off thousands of people due to AI. Klarna’s CEO said, “We saw firsthand the benefits of adopting practical AI. Our AI assistant now performs the work of 700 employees, reducing average resolution time from 11 minutes to just 2, while maintaining the same customer satisfaction scores as human agents.” Klarna has also reduced its workforce by 40%.
Goldman’s CEO said that “The initial registration prospectus for an IPO – might have taken a six-person team two
* Offering available only to accredited investors
The Cycle of Learning The Cycle of Learning
Adult Dance Student by Preethi Sriram
Being an adult learner is a very vulnerable position one can put themselves into.
There are various factors that one may feel are stopping them from attempting to even try to start the process. For instance, maybe they have other responsibilities.
One may not be able to take time off from their work. One may not have enough holiday time from their work to be able to focus on personal hobbies.
There may be obligations to the family and the work that needs to be conducted within the house that are essential for family life.
Sometimes there are barriers as well that may be encountered.
Maybe one has an injury to overcome. They may need to take time to recover and heal.
Another barrier could be the place of learning itself. Maybe it is far away from one’s house, so the logistics of getting to the location must be considered. For example,
what if the center of learning is in another country? Then one may have to consider maybe how much time they need to be able to get to the location and back, what tickets are needed to get to their location, and so on.
There is the barrier that may be from society itself. For instance, within some cultures, it may be frowned upon that women learn, or they may be prevented from learning.
Or there may not be opportunities to learn after a certain age and certain programs may have age limits for those who can attend.
With all the above, there can be various combinations of responsibilities and barriers in various permutations that can prevent someone from learning something new.
Finally, there is the barrier of our own thoughts. As an adult, one may feel that they must be on the timeline that society has provided. One may ask themselves, is it too late?
They may feel silly even. While those around them are making productions and poetry, they feel they are just reading their ABCs. Social media is filled with all the successes, but not the trials and tribulations that come with the successes.
Adult Dance Student continued on page 88
So You’re Gonna Die – Now What? Part 3
Financially Speaking
by Rupa Pereira
We’re down to the final installment of this series clarifying our financial picture post death. In the prior two editions, I introduced concepts such as Estates, Trusts Probates to set the stage of how wealth is transferred upon death in the US. It assumed that both the deceased and beneficiaries are US citizens. They benefit from the generous provisions in the US Tax law. In this section, we’ll look at scenarios when non-US citizens are involved.
When there are non-US-Citizen family members whose Estate is in question or who are beneficiaries in an Estate/Financial Assets or Trusts, it can significantly complicate estate planning.
A few important areas:
Marital Deduction:
Generally, the unlimited marital deduction, which allows assets to pass between U.S. citizen spouses without federal estate tax, does not apply when the surviving spouse is a non-U.S. citizen. When both spouses are US citizens, typically, after the death of the first spouse, the surviving spouse receives all the estate without any taxes due. Based on the value of the surviving spouse’s estate at death and based on prevailing law, Estate tax may be due if it exceeds the threshold.
Non-US Citizen spouses don’t get to enjoy the unlimited marital deduction. To address this, a special trust called a Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT) is often used. A QDOT allows the deceased spouse to leave assets to the non-U.S. citizen surviving spouse while deferring estate taxes.
Estate Tax Implications:
Non-U.S. citizens may have different estate tax exemptions compared to U.S. citizens. Per recent legislation, the Estate Tax has been held to a $15M exemption per US Citizen with a combined exemption limit of $30M between US Citizen spouses, but that for a non-citizen beneficiary is a measly $60K and is not indexed for inflation. Which means the estate exceeding that amount may be taxed up to a maximum rate of 40%. Note, this extends to those nonresident individuals that no longer reside in the US but have appreciated assets that are sourced in the United States.
Gift Tax Implications:
Gifting rules can also be more complex. For instance, the annual gift tax exclusion for gifts to a non-U.S. citizen spouse is lower than that for a U.S. citizen spouse.
Tax Filing and Reporting Obligations:
Whenever there’s a transfer of wealth through death or gifting across borders, there may be tax reporting obligations. Failure to file these forms in a timely manner may result in huge penalties.
Spot the Differences
See if you can spot the 15 differences between the original photo on top and modified below. (Solution on page 104)
Learning Not to Get Even (Most of the Time)
Mindful Masala by Hiren Deliwala
I’ll admit it freely: I want to get even. With people. With objects. Ever stubbed your toe and felt a flash of rage at the furniture? I have. And it’s worse when the anger is aimed at someone who’s trying to be helpful— like that colleague who always shares advice I didn’t ask for. It’s embarrassing how much I want to craft the perfect comeback, to serve up a hot, satisfying plate of revenge.
As the great Harrison Ford said in Shrinking, “No one goes through this life unscathed.” He’s right. Every day we take on small injuries, cuts and burns, and often, they come from people we love. Family. Friends. Co-workers. The ones who mean well but still manage to hit the soft spots. When it happens, our reactions vary. Some of us explode on the spot, full-on Bollywood movie finale action sequences. Others, like me, keep it inside and let the anger ferment. I’ve sat in silence, seething, crafting the perfect
speech I never actually deliver. Imagining the moment I’ll put someone in their place, finally say the thing I should’ve said.
It’s not a good look, and I know that. But there’s something deeply human about the impulse to hurt someone back—maybe not with actions, but with a line that lands just right. We tell ourselves they deserve it, that we were pushed into it. “Usne shuru kiya tha!” They started it! We hold onto that idea to protect our sense of goodness, to rationalize our worst impulses as something justified.
I struggle with this more than I’d like to admit. I know it eats away at relationships and keeps me stuck. And still, I go back to it, again and again. So, I ask myself, do we come into the world wired for this kind of response? Or is it a behavior we pick up, refine, and repeat until it becomes habit? And more importantly, can we let it go?
Philosophers, therapists, and self-help writers tell us the answer is forgiveness. Generosity. Let it go. “Maaf karna seekho,” they say. Learn to forgive. It sounds simple
Mindful Masala continued on page 94
News Notes
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) carried out a rescue operation for the U.S. sailing vessel ‘Sea Angel’ stranded about 52 nautical miles south-east of Indira Point, Andaman & Nicobar Islands on July 10, 2025.
Diaspora Remittances Hit New Record at $135.46 bn
According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Indian diaspora sent home $135.46 billion in the last fiscal year, the highest on record. According to latest balance of payments data released by RBI, the incoming remittances by overseas Indians, as reflected in private transfers, were 14% higher from the previous year.
India has been the biggest recipient of diaspora remittances for more than a decade now. The inflows have more than doubled in eight years — from $61 billion in 2016-17.
RBI’s data revealed that remittances accounted for over 10% of the gross current account inflows of $1 trillion during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
Deepika Padukone First Indian Nominated for Hollywood Walk of Fame
A new group of entertainment professionals in the categories of Motion Pictures, Television, Live Theatre/Live Performance, Recording and Sports Entertainment have been selected to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Walk of Fame Selection Panel of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. These honorees were chosen from among hundreds of nominations to the committee at a meeting held on June 20, 2025, and ratified by the Hollywood Chamber’s Board of Directors on June 25, 2025. The new honorees were announced at a live press conference on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
“We are excited to announce the newest selections of 35 esteemed individuals who will be enshrined onto the Walk of Fame as part of the prestigious Class of 2026. These talented individuals
have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment, and we are thrilled to honor them with this well-deserved recognition. Join us in celebrating their achievements and legacies as they take their place among the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame” stated Peter Roth, Chairman.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2025 are:
In the category of MOTION PICTURES: Emily Blunt, Timothée Chalamet, Chris Columbus, Marion Cotillard, Keith David, Rami Malek, Rachel McAdams, Demi Moore, Franco Nero, Deepika Padukone, Molly Ringwald, Stanley Tucci, Carlo Ramboldi (Posthumous), Tony Scott (Posthumous).
In the category of TELEVISION: Greg Daniels, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lucero, Chef Gordon Ramsay, Melody Thomas Scott, Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos (double ceremony), Bradley Whitford, Noah Wyle.
In the category of RECORDING: Air Supply, Bone Thugs ‘N Harmony, Paulinho Da Costa, The Clark Sisters, Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban, Grupo Intocable, Angélique Kidjo, Lyle Lovett
In the category of LIVE THEATRE/LIVE PERFORMANCE: Lea Salonga and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias
In the category of Sports Entertainment: Shaquille O’Neal.
Dates have not been scheduled for these star ceremonies. Recipients have two years to schedule star ceremonies from the date of selection before they expire. Upcoming star ceremonies are usually announced ten days prior to dedication at Walkoffame.com.
The 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 6 – 7, 2025.
The leaders the participating countries held discussions on various issues on the BRICS agenda, including reform of global governance, enhancing voice of the global south, peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, development issues and Artificial Intelligence. Modi thanked President of Brazil for his hospitality and for the successful organization of the Summit.
Modi addressed the inaugural session on “Reform of Global Governance and Peace and Security”. Later in the day, he also addressed a session on “Strengthening Multilateral, EconomicFinancial Affairs and Artificial Intelligence. This session included participation by BRICS Partner and invited countries.
Addressing the session on Global Governance and Peace and Security, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to enhancing the voice of the Global South. He noted that developing countries required greater support for sustainable development, in terms of access to climate finance and technology.
Highlighting that the global organizations of the 20th century lacked the capacity to deal with the challenges of the 21st century, he underscored the need for reforming them. Calling for a multipolar and inclusive world order, Modi stated that global governance institutions such as the UN Security Council, IMF, World Bank, and WTO must undergo urgent reform to reflect contemporary realities. He thanked
the leaders for highlighting the urgency of UN Security Council reform and adopting a strong language on the issue in the Summit Declaration.
On Peace and Security, he underlined that terrorism was a grave threat facing humanity. In this context, he noted that the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 was not just an attack on India, but an onslaught on the entire humanity. Calling for strong global action against terrorism, Prime Minister noted that those funding, promoting or providing safe havens to terrorists must be dealt with in the harshest terms. He emphasized that there should be no double standards in dealing with terrorism.
He thanked the BRICS leaders for condemning the Pahalgam terror attack in the strongest terms. Calling upon the BRICS countries to strengthen global fight against terrorism, he emphasized that there should be zero tolerance in dealing with the menace.
Addressing the session on “Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs and Artificial Intelligence”, Modi expressed that diversity and multipolarity were valued strengths of the BRICS. He stated that at a time when the world order was under pressure and the global community facing uncertainty and challenges, the relevance of BRICS was evident. He further added that BRICS could play an important role in shaping a multipolar world.
At the conclusion of the Leaders’ Session, the member countries adopted the ‘Rio de Janeiro Declaration’.
Chandnis Chandnis
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Countries
Leading annual medical missions to remote areas of Kenya and India.
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Helping Hands
Helping Hands
Profiles of Organizations Helping the Community
Profiles of Organizations Helping the Community
Interview with Steven Feuerstein Founder of Rewild Earth
By CORDUSA’s youth ambassadors
Steven Feuerstein is the founder of Rewild Earth and has devoted himself to healing the planet through removal of invasive plant species.
Rewild Earth developed organically over time to make it easier for people to find out about tree rescues (invasive plant removal events) that he was doing.
Give a brief overview of your organization.
Rewild Earth is a little bit hard to describe, as it is not a typical “organization.” It’s a website, which I built with a team of volunteers from around the world (Senegal, Paraguay, Poland, the US, India). And it’s a loose network of individuals who want to help me heal our suffering planet by removing plant invasives. My mission is two-fold:
- To save all the non-human life that I can.
- Make it as easy as possible for others to do the same. Over the last several years, our level of activity has grown tremendously. For example, in 2024, just in the Triangle area, over 300 events (I like to call them tree rescues) were held in dozens of parks and preserves. I was involved in over two hundred of those. Yes, I am obsessed.
What motivated you to be part of this movement?
I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors and “green” spaces, probably because when I was young, I had the opportunity to explore in the “wild” (not too wild - very near my home on Long Island). I believe that when a child early on spends time away from manufactured environments (homes, cars, screens, etc.) and in nature, it leaves a hunger and love for their world that never leaves them
But that’s not how I got obsessed with removing invasive plants. Around 2010, social media was not quite as toxic as it is now, but there was (to me) a silly debate going on between proponents of evolution by natural selection (co-discovered by Charles
Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace) and those who promoted “intelligent design” (aka, creationism). I know how I felt, but I also realized that I didn’t really know all that much about evolution - in the details.
So, I started reading (if you’d like to do the same, I suggest you start with Neil Shubin’s Your Inner Fish) … .and was blown away at how much we know about how life works and how beautiful it all is. I was in awe and I was in agony. Because to me, the fundamental lesson of evolution is that we, humans, are not better or “more evolved” than any other species. We are simply different. And we have no right to kill others, simply for desirecomfort, convenience, entertainment.
In short order, I completely changed the way I eat to minimize consumption of plastic (a real planet killer) and eat organic foods (primarily because that means chemicals were not used to kill other living creatures). And I desperately felt the need to do all I could to stop the widespread killing and destruction that humans inflict on all other forms of life.
A pivotal moment came while walking with my exwife in some woods and exulting in how you couldn’t even hear the cars - and she pointed out that all the trees around creating that quiet zone were invasives (common buckthorn). In an instant, I felt my life fill with purpose and mission: I could remove invasive plants (trees and shrubs) and help my non-human neighbors, the native species that had evolved to live here over millions of years, survive and thrive.
What advice did you get when you first started your journey, and how has it helped you develop over time?
I don’t have any formal training in biology or botany or environmental science. I am a software guy by profession (now retired). I should have sought advice, learning from those who came before me. Instead, I just threw myself into the task, buying saws and gloves and Helping Hands continued on page 90
Detained cases are placed on a “rocket docket”, which ensures that hearings are scheduled within weeks, not months and years, which is more common for non-detained cases.
Despite his pronouncements, Trump’s current policy is not particularly different than his predecessor, but time may tell a different overall story.
While he may be trying to clean up a problem that has befuddled previous administrations, focusing solely on deportations does little to solve America’s underlying immigration problem. For years, American employers have struggled with an exceedingly tight labor market and many sectors that depend on migrant labor are now beginning to feel the pinch.
Construction, hospitality and the restaurant industry have come to rely on immigrant labor to function, which is the result of America’s outdated immigration code. Currently, employers in these industries or those seeking blue collar labor are left to rely almost exclusively on the H-2B program, which allows for the issuance of 66,000 visas per year for seasonal, intermittent or one-time need labor.
Farmworkers are eligible for H2A visas, which are also capped on an annual basis.
Many in the Republican party have indicated that they have been unwilling to address the plight of the 20 – 25 million individuals already in the US until the country’s border problem has been addressed. In about six months, illegal border crossings have dropped precipitously, which should reasonably create the necessary space for immigration reform.
Thus far, Trump has made no mention of changing the current law and without it he will be slowly starving an economy in need of help.
After seeing through his enforcement surge, he would be smart to pivot to a “One Big Beautiful Immigration Bill” that combines an expanded guest-worker visa program alongside a pathway to legalize those individuals already in the United States, while also reforming current asylum laws.
Most migrants come to the US for the promise of a better life but can only obtain valid work permits by applying for asylum, which bogs down the system with millions of poor (and sometimes fictitious) claims.
She frustratingly has a successful business that cannot reach its full potential due to a nonsensical immigration policy.
This is a tiny number compared to what is needed nationwide and with Americans largely eschewing the work in these sectors, employers are left with only bad options – hire individuals that are willing to work, but have no status and face the possible risk of high fines and government punishment or decline work and hurt their business due to the lack of available help.
This has played out nationwide but crystalized in my mind on a recent Saturday morning when I visited a popular neighborhood restaurant with my family. The restaurant, which has been open for only about two years specializes in traditional American breakfast fare and is highly popular, often with people waiting 20 – 30 minutes to be seated.
Waiting to be seated is nothing new in popular restaurants, but it was strange given that the restaurant’s tables were only about two-thirds full, again not due to a lack of customers.
In speaking with the exasperated owner, she mentioned that she had to intentionally leave tables empty and asked customers to wait to be seated, as she simply could not find the necessary cooks and dishwashers to run at full capacity. Sta
ffing shortages left her with a kitchen that couldn’t keep up with a full restaurant and she hated the idea that she had a restaurant where people wanted to spend money and she simply could not take advantage.
She said that she paid strong wages compared to other restaurants in the area, but that everyone was suffering due to a simple lack of available manpower.
She frustratingly has a successful business that cannot reach its full potential due to a nonsensical immigration policy.
By making it easier for individuals to obtain work visas lawfully, President Trump will simultaneously reduce the desire to enter unlawfully or file a flimsy asylum claim, as an abundance of work visas would incentivize legal entry.
One should note that Congress had the opportunity to remedy some of these issues in 2024, but a bill written by Democrats and Republicans in the Senate failed, due in large part to Trump’s desire to avoid giving then-President Biden a political victory.
Congress bears a significant amount of responsibility to our current failed immigration policy, as it has failed to properly update a code that was written for an America from the 1990s and not one from 2025.
Political courage seems to come in very, very small doses these dates.
Furthermore, by providing a pathway for the millions in the US without status, the administration can also move to lock in a new generation of voters.
Trump can look to President Ronald Reagan’s immigration reform in the 1980s as a model, which legalized millions of individuals, many of whom became lifelong Republicans. To do so, he must be willing to expand his vision beyond just deportations, which alone will do little to help keep America competitive in an ever-challenging global economy.
By extending an open hand to entrenched immigrant communities instead of just a fist of deportations, he can usher in a changed political dynamic that will outlast him. Whether he has the courage and will to take on such a challenge remains to be seen.
Rishi
P.
Oza is Partner at Brown Immigration Law, a firm that focuses solely on immigration law; he practices in Durham. roza@rbrownllc.com
by Purvee Shukla
Dahi Bhindi Masala
Bhindi (okra), known for its unique texture and ability to absorb flavors, is a versatile nutritious flowering plant with edible seed pods. Indian-style okra or bhindi is a beloved vegetable, also used in many cuisines around the world. By using techniques like thorough drying, pre-frying, and incorporating acidic elements, you can minimize the sliminess and enjoy it in a variety of dishes. Here’s one with yogurt and lots of masala (spices). Enjoy this hearty dish with roti, naan or even rice.
In a bowl, add thumb sized or medium sized cut okra, green chili, red chili, turmeric & coriander powder. Then add oil & salt to taste. Mix well. Heat a pan on med flame & transfer the marinated okra into pan & sauté until okra is cooked 95%.
For yogurt mix: add all the ingredients mentioned to the left in a bowl.
For Gravy: In a different pan, add oil, onion & cook well, then add cumin seeds, fennel seeds, ginger garlic paste & sauté well. Add yogurt mix & cook on medium heat for 2-4 minutes then add water & sugar, mix well. Once cooked add sauteed okra & cook well on low flame.
For tadka: Heat a small pan, add oil and ghee, add cashew, raisins, dry chili until golden in color. Transfer okra mix in a serving bowl and pour the tadka on top of it. Garnish it with Coriander sprig.
Tip:
Wash Bhindi (okra) and dry it completely to avoid getting slimy or sticky while cooking.
For more recipes, visit Saathee.com/recipes
Board Certified Dermatologists
Vikas Patel, MD
Elizabeth Ju, MD
Katharine Hodinka, MD
Evan Darwin, MD
Kismuth
continued from page 28
surprises, broken suitcase wheels, or a lack (or an abundance) of resources meant flowing with a different idea. Some people want to stay with their Plan A, though, and you’d see lots of stress if you’d pass them on the front porch or in the common room or in the kitchen. I tried sidestepping them as often as I could, but I didn’t always manage to slip by, unnoticed. ‘Where were you, Dipika? We thought you’d still be at the party?’
‘Sauna.’
‘Sauna?’
‘Sauna.’
In Finland, people are not verbose, so I learned to adapt, and adjust. I cycled around at times and would occasionally stop to see the wonderful librarian in that town. Once I asked her an important question. ‘At our Midsummer party, there was a fight. People were drinking and then there was... well, people were fist fighting, and, the next day, everyone walked around as if nothing happened. At all. Is this normal?
‘Yes.’ She told me to look up the comic ‘Finnish Nightmares.’
Plan A, Plan J, Plan X-234. Veers are what took me to Finland in the first place, and now, here I am, still in Southeast Asia on account of a wider turn away from North Carolina, home, but only for short stops now and the last one was a decade ago.
Speaking of which, that summer in Finland, I met my friend from the gym ‘Happy Juhannus.’
‘Happy Midsummer. I cannot believe that you are here.’
We rode bicycles around the path I used to cut every evening at wildly long hours of sunset. We traded casual, succinct thoughts on art and the meshed edges of cultures, as we had experienced one another’s, we could lightly converse on this, and we had a lot of things to say to one another. For me, I’d held romantic notions about being so far... north, and there for a time, in good company, I felt relaxed and fully at ease. I curated some things, like flowers and made photocopies of them, put them together into PDFs and sent them to people who wanted to know more about what I was up to. Scenes from nature, of course, mostly, ‘Slow Moment’ held my best drawings and photos of the shadows and birch trees, rivers and bouquets people changed out in the kitchen, along with scenes I found curious of the ‘white night’.
Things are so fun sometimes when you let yourself be swept along in the current of potentiality. To find serendipity, it takes letting go.
John O’Donohue, author of Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, writes, ‘Your soul knows the geography of your destiny. Your soul alone has the map of your future, therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of yourself. If you do, it will take you where you need to go, but more important it will teach you a kindness of rhythm in your journey.’
Dipika Kohli is an author who is based in Phnom Penh. Discover her books at kismuth.com and ther projects at dipikakohli.com.
One harmful disease caused by vaping is Popcorn Lung, which results from damage and permanent scarring of the smallest branches of airways after inflammation of the lungs. Popcorn Lung has no cure, and can result in coughing, chest pain, wheezing, and trouble breathing.
Loopholes and Legislative Shortcomings
Current government regulations on vaping in North Carolina have been ineffective. For example, the state passed a bill requiring FDA approval for vape sales, but a significant loophole still allows many products to remain on the market. The bill created a registry under the department of revenue so that everyone can see tobacco products which have been approved through the FDA certification process and take illegal products off the shelves (WRAL. “Gen v: Teen Vaping in North CarolinaUndercover Look at the Growing Epidemic.”).
Many NC state leaders, such as State Senator Paul Lowe and Representative Erin Paré, have taken pride in this bill and how it is a step in the right direction. While on the surface this bill seems effective, it fails to close a critical gap: companies who are waiting for FDA authorization and companies denied FDA authorization who have appealed can still sell their products!
This loophole undermines the purpose of this bill and ultimately allows these vape companies to sell their products, no matter how harmful they can be for consumers. This is critical because while our government has acted, these actions are relatively ineffective. This failure enables vape companies to keep targeting youth, worsening the vaping epidemic. Current teen advocates are fighting for the legal age for purchasing tobacco products in NC to change from 18 to 21, complying with federal law. With the legal age higher, younger students will have a harder time getting access to vaping products from older students (especially 18-year-old high schoolers), eliminating a major vape source for teens and ultimately reducing their access to vapes. What’s more, at 18, the young brain is still developing, specifically the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decisionmaking. Due to this, 18-year-olds are not well-equipped to make prudent decisions about vaping, and often take potentially harmful decisions for themselves, such as purchasing and using vapes.
To help reduce vaping, North Carolina can implement effective policies and laws, such as higher taxation on vaping products. States such as Minnesota, Vermont, New Jersey, and California have imposed high taxes on vape products (Minnesota with tax as high as 95% wholesale). In contrast, NC’s tax is a mere $0.05 per mL - one of the lowest in the country (Hoffer, Adam, and Jacob Macumber-Rosin. “How High Are Vaping Taxes in Your State?” Tax Foundation).
When Minnesota’s high taxes were implemented, they saw a significant decline in vaping among teens. Similarly, studies have shown that a 10% increase in the price of tobacco products leads to a 7 to 8.6% decrease in vape use among youth. Since teens usually have limited
disposable income, this could be a potential solution, since the increase in price would make it less affordable for teens to buy vape products, stopping the issue before it has even started. Moreover, vape tax revenue can be reinvested into anti-vaping efforts like medical research and prevention initiatives. Regardless of the approach, we need comprehensive solutions, not just superficial fixes, to truly address the core problem.
WCPSS Shortcomings
When looking at Wake County public schools, there are programs implemented to help with teen vaping. Currently, most Wake County schools require a tobaccofree campus and prohibit the use or distribution of tobacco products by employees, students, and visitors (WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook Manual). While this seems effective, most teen vaping does not occur on school campuses, but rather at social venues or living spaces with friends. In addition, vaping devices are so discreet and “student-friendly”, it is easy for students to hide them and sneak them into schools, making the ban relatively useless.
Students often go to great lengths to sneak in vapes due to the addictive nature of nicotine, making it difficult for them to get through the school day without vaping. Arjun Kuncha, a student at Enloe High School, talks about his experience with friends and vaping, stating, “A lot of my friends started vaping in middle school, they would conceal them and then whenever we could go outside for gym, that’s when they would start vaping, and then a circle huddled around them.”
At Green Level High School, 36% of students say that vaping in school is relatively common, and 26% say it is very common (Google Survey by Aadrika Sharma at Green Level High School). This shows that even at Green Level, a vaping ban and other measures taken by the school are relatively useless. When looking at WCPSS Schools, there is no specific standard targeting vaping and its impacts. Most schools focus on teaching students about the impacts of addictive substances like cigarettes, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and opioids. While education on these topics is vital due to their addictive nature, vapes are the most highly used tobacco product among teens currently, and there is no education on the topic.
This leads many students to perceive vaping as safe, leading them to use vapes and promote them to their peers. This can be seen at Green Level High School, where approximately 66.7% of sampled students believe that Green Level does not provide education or does not provide enough education on the topic of vaping. When looking at staff’s opinion on the topic of teen vaping in North Carolina, 34% of staff respondents were not confident their school had the resources to prevent student e-cigarette use, and 57% were not confident that their school had resources to help students quit ecigarettes (Tanz, Lauren J, et al. “Assessment of School Staff Knowledge and Perceptions of Student E-Cigarette Use and Resource Needs, and E-Cigarettes Confiscated at 12 North Carolina High Schools — 2019.” North Carolina Medical
Breaking the Smoke continued on page 92
My Voice Sharda continued from page 30
In the 1970s Sharda turned to be music director with films like Mandir Masjid and Maila Anchal. She also penned lyrics for one song for Shankar that was sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Sharda conducted music lessons for children in her retirement. She also released her Ghazal Album.
Since I am into music, I began listening to her songs. My favorite song was “Dekho mera dil machal gaya” from Suraj because it is more melodious than “Titli udi”. I wanted to meet Sharda like I had met many other singers. I contacted her and impressed her with my knowledge of music. Soon we became friends and talked on the phone often. She was asking me to organize a concert for her, which I could not do when I was living in Montgomery, Alabama because there were very few Indians living there.
had she not been reminded by the audience. Before singing it, Sharda explained the underlying philosophical message of Atma (titli) on its journey to unite with Parmatma (the eternal spirit) that late Shailendra intended when he penned the lyrics, which many in the audience didn’t know before.
While giving tribute to Lata Mangeshkar she stated that she idealized Lataji and used to sing her songs as a teenager. She sang famous song “Aayega aane wala” superbly in her golden voice at audience’s request without using the keyboard, since she had not programmed it in advance for this event. Sharda brought seniors to their feet when she sang a dandia-raas as the last item as a gesture to celebrate the Navratri festival. After the concert ended, I gave her a bouquet and a small gift.
Sharda and I were in contact for a long time. She wanted me to organize another concert for her. But I could not find an organizer who was willing to rent a hall, sell tickets and make money. So, it never materialized. Sharda had sent me a cassette tape of her unreleased songs of Mera Naam Joker including a song titled “Aye Abdullah”. I believe she has posted them on YouTube as well.
Sharda is no longer in this world since she died on June 14, 2023, at the age of 89. Her music lives on.
Girish Modi is an 85-year-old retired engineer who is passionate about Indian music and classical dances. He donates money to various Indian organizations and provides free photo service. Contact: girish39@yahoo.com.
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
But as soon as I moved to the Atlanta area, my first task was to organize a small concert for 200 senior citizens gathered in a restaurant during lunch hour. Sharda was so gracious that she had not charged me any money for that concert. All I had to do was buy her a plane ticket and pay for a hotel room for two days.
Sharda was a one-woman show. She brought two keyboards (one for the rhythm and the other for the melody) and sang the solos and duets by herself. She entertained senior citizens for 2 hours with old nostalgic songs giving tributes to late Mukesh, Mohammad Rafi and Noorjehan, Shamshad Begum, lyricist Shailendra and her beloved music composer duo. She sang the oldies with passion and ease. She almost forgot to sing her signature song “Titli udi”
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Girish Modi presents a bouquet and gifts (a Sony camera and a CD of old classic ghazals) to Sharda ji while Raj Razdan looks on.
Adult Dance Student continued from page 50
Even one comment can stop someone from starting. How to overcome the barrier of the self? That is a question within various Indian philosophies.
Learning something new provides that opportunity to take off that shield that we have constructed around ourselves as adults and all the societal constructions that have been imposed on us.
It provides one the opportunity to learn about themselves. But it can be one of the most awkward situations to be in as an adult learner.
Sometimes one may question why they are attempting to even try.
There is a subashitam, or a good saying in Sanskrit that notes the following:
“Kak chesta bako dhyanam, shwan nidra tathaiwa cha Alpahaari grihtyaagi Vidyarthi pancha lakshnam.”
This saying generally can be translated as, what are the qualities of a learner which one can try to apply in their daily lives.
The following is my understanding of the saying.
“Have the efforts of a crow, the focus of the crane, the sleep of a dog, the care of what one intakes into their senses, and leave the house.”
One of these that seems personally striking is leaving one’s house. How this can be interpreted is to leave the comfort zone.
One needs to leave the comfort zones of their armor and shields of what they have grown up with and what they are think they know from their learnings.
Any personal baggage, one must try to pack that away during the new learning process.
This is not to say that you must forget everything or cannot build from what your understandings are, but to repurpose any negative experiences that is currently impacting the learning process into something constructive.
For instance, if there is a voice saying - “You can’t write.” Then by all means, ignore that voice, and say “I will write.”
To start something new here are some thoughts.
Be brave. Become vulnerable. Take off that shield of armor put on you. There is no winning or losing. And go on that journey to rediscover yourself. Find that childlike spirit in you.
And repeat.
And get on that train, plane, computer, horse, car, etc. Ready, set…it is now up to you what you do.
This series of articles is about the journey and unique insights of an adult dance student learning classical Indian dance and the experiences and perspective of taking classical Indian dance as both an American and an Indian.
Financially Speaking
continued from page 54
International Considerations:
If the deceased or surviving spouse has assets in other countries, the estate planning process can become even more complicated due to differing legal systems and tax laws.
This is when we enter the turbulent waters of crossborder taxation. Tread carefully in this space, as what applies in each jurisdiction doesn’t necessarily carry over to the other country where you have financial or social ties with.
Residency and Domicile:
Determining the residency and domicile status of the non-U.S. citizen is crucial, as it can significantly impact tax liabilities. There are certain technicalities between what is considered residency and what is domicile, especially when it comes to how certain forms of income and assets are taxed.
Multiple wills (per jurisdiction)
When a non-U.S. citizen owns property outside of the United States, the transfer laws of the country where the property is located may affect how it is distributed. The Last Will and Testament with a situs in the United States may not be recognized by the country in which the property is located as a valid document.
Therefore, it may be advisable to create multiple wills; each one dealing exclusively with money or property located in the country of situs.
In summary, as you venture into newer investment, employment, life experiences and cross out those items on your bucket list, know that life is short and tangible while your wealth doesn’t have to be. It just has to be hassle free for your loved ones.
It’s about ensuring that when you do eventually kick that bucket, you do so with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve left things in order.
Think of it as your final mic drop, your last chance to orchestrate events from beyond the grave, and to leave a lasting legacy for those you leave behind.
A Desi elder, with kin far and near, Whose wealth spanned from here to pardes, free and clear. For rupees and gold, Should old tales unfold, A clear will and trust, to banish all fear!
Preethi Sriram is a classical dance enthusiast and lifelong learner of dance. Contact: SriramPreethi@hotmail.com
Rupa Pereira is a CFP, EA, CSLP and an Advice-Only Planner and Tax Professional based in North Carolina. She specializes in cross-border matters and all things financial planning. Contact: info@fwjplanning.com
Helping Hands
everything else I needed. I didn’t even ask for permission to remove the invasives from Chicago parks and other places. I felt I was doing the right thing, so I just did it.
This approach has its pluses and minuses. Once I decide on something, I move fast and commit deeply. So I can get a lot done in short order. The downside is that I can also repeat lots of mistakes that others made in the past, and I could have learned from.
I now work with - and learn from - a circle of other plant obsessives in the Triangle. We all feel a sense of urgency and dedication that makes it easy to offer and accept ideas for improvement.
After many years of doing this work, I have received and given advice like…
● Do not hurry: if you hurry you are more likely to make a mistake, and you have less time to recover from that mistake. Be deliberate in your actions, especially when working with sharp objects!
● Frequent small changes lead to big changes: most of our tree rescue events involve a small number of people (sometimes just me!) and have an impact in a small area. But when you do these multiple times a week, the cumulative impact can be sizeable.
● Stay away from screens: we did not evolve over millions of years to sit and stare at screens. If you want to be healthy and happy, you need to move and you need to be outside.
● Work smart not hard: removing plant invasives is a very physical and challenging activity. Brute force has a role to play in cutting down and dealing with 30-foot-tall trees, but careful planning and using the right tool makes things a lot easier (and less prone to injury).
● Visualize what you want to accomplish: I find that before an event, especially one with lots of participants, it helps greatly to step through in my head what I and they need to do, and how we will do it.
May I humbly suggest that all these lessons can apply very well in all aspects of our lives?
What is a memorable experience you’ve had while dealing with an invasive species?
Honestly, there are almost too many from which to choose. These days, I go out six times a week (Tuesday is my day off) to remove invasives. Every single tree rescue is unique and special. Sometimes I rescue a fifty-foot-tall tulip poplar from wisteria. Sometimes I free up a two-foot white oak sapling from kudzu. On a very regular basis, I feel a profound and pervasive joy as I save all that I can.
As I drive around Chapel Hill and Carrboro and Durham, as I hike with dogs in parks and preserves, I look around and say things like this to myself: “Because of usme and ‘my’ volunteers - there’s no kudzu growing over those black cherry trees!”
Many people get “hooked” on invasive plant removal: you get immediate gratification (you can see your impact after just two hours), you spend time outdoors in the woods, you exercise in a way that is much better for you than a gym, you help others. What’s not to like?
How have you seen communities, especially younger folks, connect with the environment?
Yes, over and over again. I love working with everyone when it comes to plant invasives, but my favorite groups by far are high school and university students. They’re young, strong, and heal quickly.
But a bit more seriously, young people these days face a very uncertain future, because the adults “in the room” have failed them badly. From the climate/biodiversity crisis to the attacks on the democratic foundations of our country, it’s really easy to get depressed about their prospects in years to come.
And it’s also, I discovered, really easy for these same kids to get very excited about making a difference and being outdoors. Again and again, students would come up to me after two hours of sweating and working and getting stung and bit and so forth and say: “Best. Day. Ever.”
I hope that over time more of my events are with high school and university students.
After years of activism, I’ve learned that leading by example is powerful. When students work with me, they see tangible results—like the oak trees we planted that will thrive for decades. That’s not just theory—it’s real, lasting impact. It builds confidence, spiritual strength, and helps young people stay grounded in reality.
What is your message to young people who care about the environment?
We live in a time of crisis - and action. Social media posts and digital messages have their place, but what we need now is physical commitment—to go outside and protect natural spaces with our own hands. The good news is that by doing this, we will each get healthier, stronger, and less depressed.
Having said that, humans often prioritize themselves, but we must also care for non-human life. It’s our moral obligation. These animals and ecosystems are our neighbors, our friends. If we don’t act, who will?
Finally, don’t be discouraged or overwhelmed by the size of the challenge. We’ll probably never be able to eliminate all invasive species—we may never “win the war”—but we can win every battle. We can make sure that these invasives don’t kill our mature trees and drive local native species to extinction.
I’ll take that.
For more information, visit Rewildearth.net
Interview conducted by CORDUSA Youth ambassadors: Anika Sethi, Shirom Malik and Sanjana Chawla
Info: Cordusaraleigh.org
CORDUSA’s Youth Ambassador Program offers local youth leadership opportunities through community service. Participants engage in activities centered on sustainability, addressing issues like the environment, food insecurity, housing instability, education, and intergenerational connections.
Bhargavi Rao, the Head of Programs and Community Engagement at CORDUSA Raleigh, mentors and guides the youth by offering them valuable leadership opportunities within the organization.
Breaking the Smoke continued from page 82
Journal, vol. 84, no. 6).
With both students and teachers believing that schools do not do enough in terms of education and resources to address the issue of teen vaping, action must be taken.
As mentioned earlier, NC sued the vape company JUUL, and won a $40 million settlement. WCPSS received $5.8 million from the lawsuit, and they planned to use it for anti-vaping initiatives. One powerful way they can use the money is by implementing potential initiatives in Wake County Schools. One such popular national initiative is the CATCH my Breath Program. The CATCH my Breath initiative is a program designed by the University of Texas Health Science Center at the Houston School of Public Health which is designed to prevent the initiation of e-cigarette use among preteens and teens. The program’s education focuses on the health risks of ecigarette use, hazardous chemicals in e-cigarettes, analyzing tobacco marketing tactics, and developing refusal skills to resist peer pressure and media influences. This program has been recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Such a program may not eliminate the use of vapes among teens, but can help significantly reduce the use of vapes among teens in Wake County Schools. Prioritizing Youth: A Crucial Investment
It could be argued that purely prioritizing youth vaping policies is not ethically justified and adult prevention should be prioritized over youth prevention. Many smoking/vaping-related diseases occur later in life, and prioritizing reduction in adults rather than teens could be a better use of resources. Reducing adult vaping would immediately benefit public health by decreasing hospitalizations and lung-related illnesses, freeing up medical resources. Furthermore, adults who were vulnerable to marketing tactics in their youth and lacked adequate protection deserve increased resources and support now. While these points are valid, we cannot say for certain that adult programs will help more than they currently do. Even with all of these resources and programs, in 2022, only 8.8% of adults who smoked were able to successfully quit smoking in the past year. In addition, adults already have more resources to quit smoking, such as medication, nicotine replacement therapies, and specialized cessation programs. Teens, on the other hand, don’t have access to resources like this because of their age, insurance programs, and education. Targeting youth is still the stronger option because most smoking and vaping-related diseases occur later in life. If prevention actions are taken in youth, it could produce fewer adult vapers later on in life and create a healthier society. In addition, the adolescent brain is especially vulnerable to nicotine,
making addiction easier in youth. Nicotine also has the potential to harm parts of the adolescent’s brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control (CDC. “Why Youth Vape.” Smoking and Tobacco Use).
Getting addicted to nicotine in your youth can also train your brain to get addicted to other drugs and alcohol easily as well. Due to the fact that nicotine addiction can cause more impacts on the young brain than the adult brain, it is vital that there is intervention in youth. Focused prevention in youth can help reduce the number of lifelong nicotine users, and ultimately reduce the number of adults struggling with addiction later in life.
North Carolina must take action against vaping, whether it is through various government policies or interventions in school. Policymakers can greatly help advocating for policies such as increasing the legal age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21 or implementing higher taxes on vape products. Similarly, teachers and school staff have to find ways to implement interventions into schools, whether it is through executing programs such as the CATCH my Breath Program or providing students with resources to quit vaping. We can greatly streamline the process of reducing teen vaping by advocating against e-cigarette use among teens and educating what can be done to address the issue. Ignoring this will only lead more and more teens to fall into the trap of vaping, harming them while fueling large vape companies taking advantage of our teens. North Carolina can take a stand against the vaping epidemic and protect future generations. The time to act is now!
Aadrika Sharma
is a student at Green Level High School and an active member of the POE Youth Empowerment group, dedicating her time to address the issue of vaping. She has been featured on WRAL Gev V documentary about vaping as well as spoken to state leaders about the issue. In her free time, she enjoys baking and listening to music. Email address: aadrikasharma.cool@gmail.com
Youth Voices continued from page 44
We were even fortunate enough to interview an audio engineer who helped us understand the use of condenser mics and got to know that not all microphones are not designed for all artists. A mridangam artist elaborates on how he is able to accompany everyone, even though every individual style of singing is different and unique in its own way.
Just as vivid colors are used to paint an art form, the artists we interviewed use different techniques and strategies to paint a beautiful and lively picture in their concert performances. We were able to learn and take away from each and everyone as part of our interviews.
Visit the YouTube channel, NiReSquared - Dha, to explore more into these interviews.
Srinika Srinivas is a sophomore at Enloe High School and is a music lover who plays violin and sitar. She loves reading books ,enjoys traveling and watching Cricket.
Athulya is a high school student and aspiring Carnatic vocalist, vainika, and violinist. She blends tradition with creativity, combining Carnatic discipline with Western harmony to shape a unique musical voice.
Mindful Masala continued from page 58
enough. My grandmother used to say, “Take five steps back.” These days, it’s “Take five breaths before responding with an angry email.” I’ve read all the wisdom and heard all the advice. I’ve even tried it—though usually for about two and a half minutes before the heat returns.
Forgiveness is beautiful in theory and messy in real life. It doesn’t mean forgetting. It doesn’t mean excusing what happened. It means letting go of the fantasy of the perfect revenge speech. It means accepting that the world isn’t targeting us, that people aren’t thinking about us as much as we think they are.
Oliver Burkeman, in Four Thousand Weeks, says, “The average human lifespan is absurdly, terrifyingly, insultingly short.” He’s not exaggerating. So the question becomes: Do I really want to waste these weeks or months or years carrying around resentment, obsessing over moments that didn’t go my way?
Growing older—yes, even into your fifties—sometimes just means realizing that people often hurt us unintentionally. Most of them are just trying to survive their own mess. I’ve said things that landed wrong. I’ve missed signs when someone needed something from me. Most people, including me, don’t always understand the impact we’re having.
It feels personal, but it usually isn’t. So these days, when I catch myself building a script in my head, imagining a dramatic comeback, I try to pause. I ask, “Is this actually going to help? Or am I just feeding something that won’t serve me?” I still get it wrong plenty of times. But once in a while, I stop myself. And those small wins—they matter.
Maybe that’s what it looks like to grow—recognizing your own flaws, learning to live with others’, and still choosing to show up. This life isn’t perfect, but it’s still worth it. Still worth building friendships, even if they fall apart sometimes. Still worth loving people, even when it hurts.
Because between the missteps and disappointments, there are also real moments. A shared laugh. A conversation that lands just right. A sense of being seen and accepted. Forgiveness, compassion, patience, these are not trophies you earn. They are muscles that you train. They’re habits you practice and forget and practice again.
A friend once told me, “We’re all just trying to get home without getting too lost.” Maybe the way we help each other get there isn’t by scoring points or getting even—but by not pushing each other further off the path.
The next time I feel that familiar need to snap back or set someone straight, I’ll try to breathe. I’ll try to smile, even if I don’t feel like it. And I’ll remind myself: life’s too short for so much poison.
Hiren Deliwala
is a Charlotte-based overthinker, closet philosopher, and avid boardgamer. He writes about everyday life, Indian upbringing, and finding humor in the chaos. When not philosophizing over chai, he’s usually losing arguments to his wife and, shockingly, learning from them. Contact: hcdeliwala@gmail.com
Eye on Markets
continued from page 46
weeks to complete, but it can now be 95% done by AI in minutes.” This will no doubt have an impact on entry-level banking and legal jobs. Already, the new grad unemployment rate is nearly 2% higher than the overall rate.
AI is now able to match or beat humans at many tasks including answering PhD level science questions or coding better than a 99th percentile competitor. Software development jobs are down 50% since the start of 2023. Just in the past year, AI coded co-pilots have generated more than $1.5bn in revenue. AI generates 30% of Microsoft’s code. Salesforce said that AI is doing 30-50% of the company’s workload. Google’s Veo 3 created an ad for Kalshi that aired during the 2025 NBA Finals, which was completely AI-generated and only cost $2,000. Meta is already preparing an offer that will completely automate ad creation.
It is not hard to see how this will cause significant disruption across advertising, marketing, and entertainment industries. We have seen similar cases across nearly all industries. From a market’s perspective, it means companies will be more productive, and margins and multiples will expand.
One of the key provisions in the Big Beautiful Bill is 100% immediate expense of CapEx. This will help accelerate the AI infrastructure buildout. The 2026 cap-ex expectations from the four hyper-scalers have nearly doubled, from $207bn to nearly $400bn. This does not include sovereign AI and new hyper-scalers such as CoreWeave or OpenAI.
Data center investments added one percentage point to GDP last quarter. The AI boom hasn’t led to all of tech rallying, as it has been a stock pickers market with both winners and losers. Take Mag 7 for instance, where we are seeing dispersion, with stocks such as Meta up 25%, and Apple down 20% for the year. The AI infrastructure buildout has led to new market leadership in AI power, semis, and software names. The incoming 2027 AI server rack designs will require 50x the power of the server racks that power the internet today, according to Goldman Sachs. This has benefited AI power names such as GE Vernova, Constellation Energy, and Vistra.
The proliferation of AI agents has benefited Palantir, ServiceNow, and Snowflake. Microsoft said on its latest earnings call, “We processed over 100 trillion token this quarter, up 5x year-over-year, including a record 50 trillion tokens last month alone.” This explosion in token processing has significantly increased the demand for computers, benefiting AI related semiconductors. AI is drastically changing not only the economy, but also the markets, which has led to a new class of stock market winners.
Looking forward, the market will focus on the latest in geopolitics, fiscal policy, economic data, a Fed meeting, and second quarter earnings.
Ketu Desai
is the principal of i-squared Wealth Management Inc. (www.isquaredwealth.com), an investment management firm based in New Jersey. ketu@isquaredwealth.com
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Fill in blanks of these clues, then take the first letter of each word and unscramble them to find this month’s Key Word.
July, _____, September.
The largest ciy in Texas _____. Mahatma _____.
Most widely spoken languge in India _____. California is on the _____ coast of USA. A football field is hundred _____ long. The city Reykjavik is in _____.
Answers on page 104
Chess Puzzles
Difficulty:
Game reference: Adams – Fabrego 1988
Directions: White to move, checkmate in 2.
Difficulty:
Game reference: Alekhine – Meck 1925
Directions: White to move, checkmate in 3.
Difficulty:
Game reference: Alekseev – Bykov 2018
Directions: White to move, checkmate in 4.
Hello Readers
We welcome comments and suggestions about our puzzles and cartoons pages. Send your thoughts to Samir@Saathee.com
Festivals & Holidays Puzzle Solutions
August 2025
Aug. 3 - Friendship Day
Aug. 4 - Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
Aug. 8 - Raksha Bandhan
Aug. 8 - Shravana Purnima (Full Moon)
Aug. 8 - Gayatri Jayanti
Aug. 11 - Kajari Teej Puja
Aug. 12 - World Elephant Day
Aug. 14 - Independence Day (Pakistan)
Aug. 15 - Independence Day (India)
Aug. 16 - Janmashtami
Aug. 17 - Senior Citizen’s Day
Aug. 18 - Aja Ekadashi
Aug. 19 - World Humanitarian Day
Aug. 20 - Paryushan Begins
Aug. 22 - Darsh Amas (New Moon)
Aug. 26 - Ganesh Chaturthi
Aug. 26 - Women’s Equality Day
Aug. 27 - Paryushan Ends
Aug. 30 - National Beach Day
Aug. 31 - Radha Ashtami
Added children
Astroscope AUGUST 2025
Aries
(March 21 – April 19)
Now is the time to take risks in business. It is advisable to use the second week of the month the most for making any move. You may enjoy much success this month. Your own efforts will help you to earn more income. You will be able to defeat your enemies. You will enjoy good help from friends and partners. Drive carefully and run cautiously to avoid any mishap. Long distance travel is also possible this month.
Taurus
(April 20 – May 20)
You may take important family or career-related action this month but be prepared for healthy competition. Also watch your health and live with discipline. Try to work out partnership disputes, if there are any. A small cheat or lie may screw up an opportunity. Students should get an opportunity to achieve the desired grade. Try to avoid shady politics. Good news from a far-off place may delight you at the end of the month. Don’t miss out on enjoying travel this month.
Gemini
(May 21 – June 20)
You may experience two very distinct lives during the first half and second half of the month. Many new opportunities should keep coming your way. Follow advice from family and friends. Discipline could also be very helpful. Your spouse may prove to be a good help. Minor health ailments may create blockage in your progress. Control your sentiments and analyze situation in making major decisions.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Consider investing in real estate now to enjoy long-term benefits. This will restrict you from spending on luxury. Some delays in outstanding payments are possible this month. You will enjoy good health, hence enjoy a long-distance fun journey. Minor disputes with spouse may force you to change your projects. Students may enjoy relief from stress. Now time is good to make major decisions.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
After a negative start, time will take sudden positive turns. You may experience a roller coaster ride this month; carelessness may become a cause of health problems. Try to move fast and adopt a flexible attitude during the second half of the month. You will find support from your friends and associates delightful and may enter a new venture. Don’t hesitate to make a bold decision. Listen to your children before making decisions.
Virgo
(August 23 – September 21)
You may see positive changes this month. Your own action will bring in a big income for you. Don’t wait till last week for any major decision. The only possible enemy is your own ego. Try to be nice and friendly with all. You may need to spend some money on your kids. Make sure they are used for appropriate cause. Time is also good to buy a house. Don’t invest in the stock market. Avoid love and romance.
Libra (September 22 – October 20)
Long cherished dreams may be fulfilled this month. Destiny may play a very important role in life. Simply surrender to it. Family members’ attitude may develop disturbance. Try not to travel with family. Your enemy may take revenge on you and attain considerable success. Your sibling may delight you with good news at the beginning of the month. Listen to your mother, it may bring good luck.
Scorpio
(October 21 – November 20)
Now is the time to make a move. You can take risks and start a new venture. Destiny should favor you even if you make mistakes. Improvement in health is clearly indicated. Your family will support you in your projects. The increase in income and savings is clearly indicated but your subordinates may try to create problems in your progress. Aggressive attitude towards them is strongly recommended.
Sagittarius
(November 21 – December 21)
You may start a journey towards fulfilling your dreams. Quick decisions and fast actions are very important. Follow advice from your siblings. You may have to work hard to regain confidence. It is advisable to follow somebody else’s decisions. A sudden benefit will delight you this month. Try to be positive and enjoy the blessings of the superpower. The third week should be more positive. Make quick decisions, followed by immediate action.
Capricorn
(December 22 – January 21)
You may see many positive changes this month. Your own action will bring in a big income for you. Don’t wait till last week for any major decision. The only possible enemy is your own ego. Try to be nice and friendly with all. You may need to spend some money on your kids. Make sure they are used for appropriate cause. Time is also very good to buy a house. Don’t invest in the stock market.
Aquarius
(January 22 – February 18)
This is going to be one of the most eventful months of the year. You will enjoy love and happiness. Your income wil go up. A rise in status is clearly indicated. However, you may have a minor dispute with friends that could tear down your mood during the second week of the month. The time is very good for making positive decisions and starting a new business. It is time to celebrate religious and social events this month.
Pisces
(February 19 – March 20)
A sudden positive change in life could take place this month. It is very important to grab the investment opportunity. Your associates will grant full support. You may get an opportunity to achieve your dream but because of thoughtless acts, you may face serious health trouble. Try to control your ego as well as stubbornness. Your father’s health may deteriorate and worry you. You should be able to maintain the normal flow of income.
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issues that affected his life. He went on to typical blame games for his own lack of success. His basic complaint was that the world had gone dark, and in his case, men were getting a raw deal.
This was the reason for the short exercise, to demonstrate how blinders or self-inflicted blindfolds affect life’s trajectories. People’s views have corroded into cocoons where many walk around with blinders on, whether they are political blindfolds, socially tinted glasses, familial discord projected onto the world, pre-conceived notions, suppressed prejudices, and suspicions of others.
The 15-minute exercise was instructive. It was a metaphorical test of personal will and mindset. The idea was to think about navigating a world in the dark, in this case closed eyes functioning like blinders, and then translating the experience into a better world while eyes open. It made me think of my own blinders, even though I try to have an open mind on all fronts. I suggest this or similar exercise for everyone. It gives a sense of grasping at straws along with practicing sure footedness of tasks and beliefs. Even your own familiar home may trip you up in the dark. Maybe some will wind up seeing the world a bit differently, realizing how their own attitudes create a fog around clear thinking, their own blocks of prejudices and pre-conceptions becoming clearer when the eyes are opened.
In essence when minds are opened.
One of the tragic progressions of our current political and social era is the formation of self-delusions, gravitating toward one’s biases without reasoning or reflecting. Selfdelusions are the ultimate blinders. It’s hard to remove these when a person isn’t willing to look at facts and truth, which often stare right at them. Preset biases wind up doing the dirty work of manipulators, hence a divided country.
If we can recognize our own delusions, then scheming politicians, economic uncertainties, wildfires of misinformation spread via social media, and myriad other shades of thought corruption can be tempered, for one’s own and the betterment of the whole.
Simple exercises like these may have an awakening power, if one is to translate them into daily life. Fifteen minutes of a specific task with eyes closed, and when those eyes open, set the world into something a little better, brighter.
Blinders of the mind are the clunky blocks repressing self-awareness. The toughest thing for folks is to admit that they may be wrong, or their information or idea is malformed.
The world has not gone dark, but there are lots of sinister shadows lurking about, and they need light or clarity of mind to dissipate. These are shadows and clouds of people’s own making. A self-awareness exercise on a bright summer day, or any day of the year, may help.
Samir Shukla
is the Editor of Saathee Magazine
Contact: Samir@Saathee.com
X: @ShuklaWrites
Newsletter: ShuklaWrites.Substack.com
Magic Maze & Puzzles4Kids answers pgs 102 -103
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