Voice of Asia Dec 20 2013

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VOICE OF ASIA 1

VOICE OF ASIA

FRIDAY, December 20, 2013 Take Advantage Of Preventive Services Under Health Care Law. Read more on Page 18 OR Call 832-415-3180

Commemorating 25 years of dedicated service to the community

Vol. 26 No. 51 Friday, December 20 , 2013 Published Weekly from Houston 713-774-5140 24 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

Pratham Houston Holiday Lutfi Hassan attends White Luncheon Raises $140,000 House and VP. Joe Biden’s Christmas Parties

Keynote speaker Mike Feinberg and his wife Colleen, Co Founder of Pratham Dr. Madhav Chavan, Pratham Houston President Marie Goradia, Pratham USA Founder Vijay Goradia. Photos by Deborah Wallace, Barfield Photography. by Chitra Divakaruni, Emeritus board member, Pratham

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OUSTON - On Friday December 6, Pratham Houston held its festive and highly successful annual holiday fundraiser at the Junior League of Houston. This popular luncheon was a sold-out event. Guests entering the brightly lighted banquet hall were warmly greeted by the Pratham Houston presi-

dent Marie Goradia, luncheon Co-chairs AnnuNaik and Asha Dhume, and Host Committee Chair, Leena Shah, providing a personal touch. The room was beautifully decorated with colorful bouquets of flowers on each table. Sapna Singh emceed the program with enthusiasm and efficiency, introducing Marie Goradia who welcomed the assembly and told the audience

that her first interaction with a Pratham Balwadi was unforgettable and she realized that through Pratham each one of us could make a difference in the world and transform lives. Pratham started in 1994 in the slums of Mumbai and today is the largest non-profit in the world in the field of elementary education. ASER, Pratham’s national annual survey of eduContinued on Page 6

US ‘regrets’ diplomat treatment as India seethes by Shaun TANDON

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Observatory on Thursday Dec 12, 2013. Both the events were attended by high profile leaders of the democratic party. President Obama thanked the participants for their loyalty and support. “If it wasn’t for your dedication and support Michelle and I will not be here ( at the White House) to host you. After a short speech with full of humor, the President and First lady went around to personally greet and thank the guests individually giving the audience an opportunity to take quick pictures while the band played

live music. At VP. Biden’s residence, the audience was smaller but pretty much the same people while the atmosphere was a lot quieter. VP. Biden and Mrs. Biden greeted and thanked the guests individually while taking pictures and honoring the guests. “ Without a doubt Washington is the place to be at, around this time of the year to get a true sense of the holiday season. I am truly honored and Blessed to get invited to these high profile events”. Said Lutfi Hassan.

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With New Delhi vowing to “restore the dignity” of diplomat Devyani Khobragade, Indian media reported that the 39-year-old was being moved from her post as deputy consul general in New York to the UN mission in a bid to thwart her prosecution.

“As a father of two daughters about the same age as Devyani Khobragade, the secretary empathizes with the sensitivities we are hearing from India

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ASHINGTON Houston’s prominent businessman and community leader Lutfi Hassan who now operates out of Washington, DC headquarters, was once again honored with the invitation to attend the Christmas Party with First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama at the White House on Friday Dec 13th, 2013. Lutfi Hassan also attended the Holiday party hosted by Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President. Joseph Biden at the Vice President’s residence at Naval

Dr. Renu Khator, president of UH, will receive BAHEP’s 2014 Quasar Award

ASHINGTON, December 18, 2013 (AFP) - The United States on Wednesday voiced regret to India over the treatment of a diplomat whose account of being stripped and cavitysearched triggered outrage.

As India retaliated against American diplomats in the usually US-friendly country, Secretary of State John Kerry tried to end the row in a telephone call to India’s national security advisor Shivshankar Menon.

Vice President. Joseph Biden and Dr. Jill Biden flanked with Lutfi Hassan (center) at VP Biden’s residence

Indian diplomat held for visa fraud in US, released on bail. about the events that unfolded after Ms. Khobragade’s arrest,” a State Department statement said.

Speaking to Menon, Kerry “expressed his regret, as well as his concern that we not allow Continued on Page 11

OUSTON - Dr. Renu Khator, president of the University of Houston and Chancellor of the University of Houston System, will be receiving the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership’s prestigious 2014 Quasar Award for Exceptional Leadership in Economic Development presented during the organization’s 21st annual Quasar Award Banquet on Friday, Jan.17, 2014, at South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center in League City. The Quasar Award is presented each year to an outstanding individual who has contributed greatly to the economic wealth and diversity of the Bay Area Houston region. The Quasar Award will be presented to Dr. Khator in appreciation and acknowledgment of her tremendous work in guiding the University of Houston toward a Tier One status as well as her support of the University of HoustonClear Lake in transitioning to a four-year university.

Dr. Renu Khator, Photo Courtesy of UH

All Good Wishes for Voice of Asia and the Community during the Holiday Season Dr. Krishna Dronamraju, President, Foundation for Genetic Research, Houston

Dr.Dronamraju with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.

www.geneticresearchfoundation.com P.O. Box 27701-0, Houston, TX 77227, Email:kdronamraj@aol.com Phone: (713) 816-3681; Fax: (713) 960-0528


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Voice of Asia Dec 20 2013 by VoiceOf Asia - Issuu