Indo American News

Category: Education

  • Houston Tamil Studies Chair (HTSC) Honors Dr. T. Vijayalakshmi, Thiruvalluvar Chair of Tamil Studies and Visiting Professor

    Houston Tamil Studies Chair (HTSC) Honors Dr. T. Vijayalakshmi, Thiruvalluvar Chair of Tamil Studies and Visiting Professor

    Dr. Vijayalakashmi (left), Tupil Narasiman, Sam Kannappan, Consul General DC Manjunath

    HOUSTON: Houston Tamil Studies Chair (HTSC) at the University of Houston honored Dr. T. Vijayalakshmi,  Thiruvalluvar Chair of Tamil Studies and Visiting Professor from August 2023 to August 2025, on August 21st at Indian Summer, Sugar Land. Dr. Vijalakshmi taught Tamil language and culture for the past two years.

    Tupil Narasiman, VP Finance, was the emcee. Sockalingam Sam Kannappan, President, welcomed the gathering. UH Dean Dan O’Connor, Honorable DC Manujunath, Consul General of India at Houston, spoke of Vijayalakshmi’s service at UH. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Dr. AK Subramanian, and Dr. Naa Ganesan spoke about the interaction they had during the past two years. Anitha Kumaran, President of BKM and Mala Gopal, President, Kural Kudal, spoke of participation by Dr. Vijayalakshmi with their organizations. Perumal Annamalai proposed a vote of thanks.

    HTSC is a 501©(3) Texas Tax exempt non-profit corporation, phone +1 908-516-3069, https://houstontamilchair.org

  • DAVSS Begins New Academic Year with – Traditional Vedic Ceremony

    DAVSS Begins New Academic Year with – Traditional Vedic Ceremony

    HOUSTON: DAVSS welcomed the new academic year with the Vedarambha Sanskar, a traditional ceremony that marks the beginning of formal studies for new students and reaffirms returning students’ commitment to learning. The 2025 event brought together parents, teachers, volunteers, and well-wishers from both DAVSS and DAVMES, making it a true community celebration.

    The ceremony began with students receiving the Angavastra, Tilak, and Yajnopaveeta (Janeu). They then offered Samidhaas (woodsticks) and ahutis (oblations) into the sacred fire while chanting the Gayatri Mantra, echoing the age-old traditions of ancient Gurukuls. The ceremony was led by Acharya Surya Nanda and Acharya Bramdeo.

    Addressing the gathering, Acharya Bramdeo, Acharya of Arya Samaj Greater Houston, spoke about the value of discipline and consistent study. Using the metaphor of the “Tree of Wisdom,” he explained that knowledge nourishes like rain, humility forms the crown, fruits bring health and prosperity, shade offers peace, and truth with dharma bestows lasting happiness.

    He emphasized that weekly sessions on Sanatan Dharma, Hindi, and culture would help students develop clarity of thought, pride in their roots, and balance in life. Parents were encouraged to engage with their children’s learning, nurturing strong values of truth, dharma, and heritage.

    The last 30 minutes were marked by a vibrant celebration of India’s Independence Day.

    DAVSS curriculum includes Dharma Shiksha, Hindi, Vedic mantras, Dance, Music, Yoga, Vedic Maths, Arts, Crafts, Heritage & Culture, blending tradition with holistic education.

    Admissions for current semester open till August 31, 2025: davss.org/admissions

    Contact: Acharya Bramdeo (832) 219-5079

    Email: davss@aryasamajhouston.org

  • BANA Academic Fest 2025 Ignites Young Minds with Learning, Leadership, and Community Spirit

    BANA Academic Fest 2025 Ignites Young Minds with Learning, Leadership, and Community Spirit

    MISSOURI CITY: The Bihar Association of North America (BANA) hosted its 27th Annual Academic Fest at the First United Methodist Church in Missouri City, transforming the venue into a dynamic arena of intellectual exploration, cultural pride, and community bonding. With over 115 students from Grades 1 through 12 participating, the day-long event highlighted a vibrant blend of STEM and humanities contests, drawing praise from educators, civic leaders, and families alike.

    A Showcase of Talent and Rigor

    Students competed in a wide array of contests including Math, Science, SAT, Spelling Bee, Vocabulary, Speech, and Arts. The Math and Science challenges were specially crafted by the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association (TMSCA), offering students a valuable warm-up for upcoming TMSCA and UIL competitions. Huntington Learning Center facilitated the SAT contest in a digital format, while SpellPundit.com managed the Spelling Bee, bringing national-level rigor to the event.

    Speech contest tackled timely topics such as NATO’s relevance, bioengineering ethics, and U.S. tariffs, encouraging critical thinking and public speaking. The Arts contest added a creative dimension, allowing students to express themselves through visual storytelling.

    Participation Highlights

    • Primary (Grades 1–2): 20 students
    • Elementary (Grades 3–5): 35 students
    • Middle School (Grades 6–8): 35 students
    • High School (Grades 9–12): 25 students

    BANA leaders noted that the strong turnout reflected the community’s commitment to academic excellence and holistic development.

    Awards and Accolades

    The Awards Ceremony, held in the main hall, honored 77 winners with trophies and certificates. Contest volunteers had the privilege of distributing awards, reinforcing the spirit of mentorship and shared achievement.

    Special guests included:

    • Aryan Singh, Abhishek Prasad Scholarship Winner and a freshman at Johns Hopkins, appreciated students for their academic curiosity and dedication.
    • Rick Paul, EVP of Zuhne, who commended the students’ dedication.
    • Judge Juli Mathew and Seema Jain, who judged the Middle School Speech Contest.
    • Sanjay Singhal, Sugar Land City Council Member, who praised the event’s impact.
    • Prashant Kumar Sona, Consul at Consulate General of India, who addressed the audience during the ceremony.

    Judge Juli Mathew shared her admiration, saying, “The kids did amazing. Their parents and they should be so proud.”

    Gaurav Jhaveri, ICC Director, also praised the event, noting, “BANA does an excellent job — they are very professional. My kids used to participate many years back and we were overly impressed.”

    Behind the Scenes: Teamwork in Action

    The event was expertly coordinated by BANA President Bidhu Prakash, Vice-President Dr. Prince Kumar, Secretary Tushar Kumar, Treasurer Ritika Bharti, Executive members Pranav Tiwari, Rekha Tiwary, and Dr. Himanshu Verma whose leadership ensured smooth execution across all fronts. A robust volunteer network supported every aspect of the fest: from registration and coordination to contest proctoring and hospitality.

    The Control Room, the nerve center of the event, was led by Dr. Santosh Verma, with critical support from Atul Kumar, Ravi Ranjan, Mithilesh Tiwary, and Dr. Mithilesh Kumar — all adult volunteers who ensured grading, score verification, and results were managed with precision and dedication. Student volunteers Simran Singh, Miraj Parikh, and Pranay Anand worked tirelessly from 9:00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., while others, including Suryansh Priyam, Ishaan Kumar, Angelea Bhagirath, Bhavika Ranjan, Medha Singh, Arya Ranjan, and more, were praised for their energy and reliability.

    Biharika: Cultural Keepsake

    The release of Biharika, BANA’s biennial publication, added a cultural flourish to the event. Available in both print and digital formats, the magazine featured community stories, heritage highlights, and association updates. Active members and sponsors received complimentary copies.

    Gratitude and Looking Ahead

    Event leaders Prince and Bidhu closed the day with heartfelt thanks: “However big or small the task, BANA’s more than forty volunteers, took it head-on. Their dedication is truly an inspiration. Nothing would have been possible without the support of the families — we are deeply grateful.”

    Sponsors such as ExxonMobil, Shell, GSI Environmental Inc., Huntington Learning Center, Raghunath Prasad, and SpellPundit made the event possible, while media partners Radio Hungama and Citizen Voice helped amplify its reach.

    With the bar set high, the community is already looking forward to BANA Academic Fest 2026, promising another day of learning, leadership, and cultural pride.

    For more information and the list of awards, visit www.banahouston.org.

     

  • “Ghar Away from Ghar” : Hindu Heritage Youth Camp (HHYC)

    “Ghar Away from Ghar” : Hindu Heritage Youth Camp (HHYC)

    Education class outdoors. Photo by Krupa Rathi.

    By Yasha Kaushal

    Every summer, as school winds down and the days grow longer, hundreds of kids across Texas start counting down to one special week: Hindu Heritage Youth Camp, or HHYC. For some, it’s a brand new adventure. For others, it’s a return to a place that feels like ghar or home. Now in its 41st year, HHYC is more than just a summer camp. It’s a community built on laughter, friendship, and the values of their Hindu heritage.

    Campers spend the week swimming, playing dodgeball, celebrating Holi, dancing Garba, and just enjoying being kids. But alongside all the fun, there’s something deeper happening. Through daily yoga, Shakha, and education sessions, campers get to explore what it means to live with purpose and pride in their heritage.

    Playing an Indian game.

    A huge part of what makes HHYC so special is the counselors. Many of us grew up at this camp, and now we come back as young adults, excited to give the same experience to the next generation. First-year counselor Hriday Bhutada shared, “As a first-year counselor, it’s been really exciting to see the ways I can make an impact and give back to a community that meant so much to me growing up. I loved going to camp as a kid, and now I love it just as much as a counselor.”

    That’s something I relate to completely. I spent six years as a camper, and this was my third year as a counselor. When I was younger, I was on the quieter side, but camp helped me open up. Every year, I’d play a Bollywood song on the piano during the talent show, and I always felt supported and encouraged. I became a counselor because I wanted to help other kids feel that same sense of confidence and belonging.

    Boys dressed up for garba night

    This summer felt especially meaningful because it was our second year at our very own Texas Hindu Campsite. Having a space that truly belongs to us has brought an even stronger sense of pride and community. This year (2025), we welcomed 168 campers in Junior Camp and 174 in Senior Camp, for a grand total of 342 campers. We were supported by over 80 counselors and around 50 amazing volunteers, many of whom helped prep food under the guidance of our beloved camp chef and everyone’s favorite aunty Sushma Pallod, all working together to make the week smooth, safe, and full of joy.

    Girls ready for Garba night

    Behind the scenes, the camp directors led the charge with months of planning and preparation. Every Sunday leading up to camp, counselors met at Gujarati Samaj of Houston (GSH) to plan lessons, brainstorm activities, and make sure every detail was ready. The directors helped guide every step of that process, creating a week that blended tradition with fun in all the right ways.

    This year’s directors: Srushti Gaikaiwari (daughter of Sanskruti and Shishir Gaikaiwari), Smit Shah (son of Tejal and Akshay Shah), and Keshav Shah (son of Nisha and Rajiv Shah), led with clear communication, consistent effort, and strong collaboration. Reflecting on her experience, Srushti shared, “Taking part in helping lead this camp for the past 6 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Working with our dedicated HHYC team including steering committee, volunteers, and most of all our counselors and coordinators, has been incredibly fulfilling. It’s amazing to see how much we have grown over the past couple of years and I know the next generation of leaders in our Hindu community will take it far.”

    Throughout the week, campers rotated through various education sessions designed by counselors. Each lesson focused on connecting Hindu principles to real life, in ways campers could truly relate to. For high schoolers, I helped lead an education session on Hindu identity, where we explored how being Hindu in the U.S. can look different for everyone. We talked about the balance between culture and religion, how identity is shaped by both tradition and experience, and how values like karma and ahimsa show up in daily life.

    This year, we also had a special education segment on the Kashmiri Pandit community. Anjalie Raina and her son Rohit joined us to share their powerful personal experiences of living in Kashmir, offering a firsthand look at the struggles faced by their community. Their story was both moving and eye-opening, highlighting the importance of preserving history through lived experience. Campers were deeply engaged, asking thoughtful questions and reflecting on how resilience and faith can endure even in the face of displacement.

    Outside of education time, every day was filled with team games, connecting with other campers and counselors, and of course, all the camp classics like Skit Night, Garba, and Holi.

    And none of this would be possible without the incredible support of the Hindus of Greater Houston, our dedicated volunteers, and the Aunties and Uncles who do everything from cooking delicious meals to serving as camp doctors. Their generosity and behind-the-scenes work are what make HHYC feel like home.

    In other exciting news, we’re thrilled to announce that next year HHYC is expanding to three full weeks of camp: triple the fun, memories, and magic! We’ll be hosting two weeks of Junior Camp and one week of Senior Camp.

    In the end, HHYC is more than a camp. It’s where many of us found lifelong friends, sometimes even life partners, learned more about ourselves, and deepened our connection to our culture. It’s where kids who may have felt unsure or shy come alive in an environment that celebrates who they are. Whether it’s your first year or your tenth, there’s something about HHYC that stays with you long after the week ends. That’s the magic of this place and why so many of us keep coming back.

    Visit hinducamp.net for further details.

    Yasha is a third-year counselor and rising junior at Texas A&M.

  • $1 MM Gift to UT-Austin Advances Study of Jainism, South Asian Religions

    $1 MM Gift to UT-Austin Advances Study of Jainism, South Asian Religions

    L-R: JVB Houston Leaders Swatantra Jain and Dr. Sulekh Jain and Consul-General of India Honorable DC Manjunath welcome Philanthropist Dr. Jasvant Modi and UT-Austin Professor Donald Davis at the celebratory program

    HOUSTON: The Academic Liaison Committee (ALC) of Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) has established a new partnership with the University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) to establish The Tirthankar Sumatinath Distinguished Professorship in Jain Studies.

    This newest of 24 endowed professorships established by the ALC will reside in the UT-Austin’s Department of Asian Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at UT-Austin’s sprawling campus in the capital city of Texas, where the Jain Society of Greater Austin was founded in 1995 by 70 families – today, Austin has a thriving membership of over 250 families, and the UT-Austin is a flagship university of Texas, offering a broad curriculum that draws students from across the state and around the world. Presently, UT-Austin has nearly 55,000 students, mostly from Texas and hailing from Judeo-Christian backgrounds with a significant diversity of Asian students and faculty.

    Dr. Jasvant Modi, Philanthropist and President of Vardhaman Charitable Foundation addresses the celebratory gathering in the presence of JVB Samanijis.

    The ALC held a celebratory event on Saturday, July 19 at Jain Vishwa Bharati (JVB) Center in Houston, attended by six UT-Austin faculty members and nearly 100 members of the Jain community, comprised of donors, diplomats, civic officials, Jain nuns and interfaith dignitaries from Houston, Dallas and Austin as well as other parts of the United States. The elegant inauguration event began with a soulful recitation of the Navkar Mahamantra (the core prayer of Jainism) by four Samanijis (nuns) of JVB Houston and JVB Miami centers. JVB Chairman Dr. Swatantra Jain recognized all major donors whose generous gifts totaling $1 million enabled this permanent professorship at UT-Austin which completes the milestone sacred lineage of twenty-four Tirthankaras (or divine spiritual reformers and teachers of Jainism who have guided humanity towards the path to purification and salvation).

    Attendees from the Texas Jain community and UT-Austin and other faculty members and guests at JVB Houston’s celebratory event organized for the Tirthankar Sumatinath Distinguished Professorship held on July 19, 2025.

    Realizing a vision that has been several years in the making, ALC Founder and Past Chairman, Dr. Sulekh C. Jain, (who also co-founded JVB Houston with Swatantra Jain) thanked Professor Donald R. Davis for visiting the Jain Society of Houston (an organization with over 1000 Jain families) nearly ten years ago as part of the early relationship building and for his interest in teaching Jainism, a religion which inspired Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and many other changemakers to follow the path of non-violence.

    Dr. Jain stated there is a growing interest at campuses around the world in teaching Jainism and its timeless values such as Ahimsa (non-violence), Anekantavada (tolerance for multiple perspectives) and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness and sustainable living) either on a stand-alone basis or in comparative religions classes and degree programs. He recalled that the first endowed professorship in Jain Studies was established at Florida International University in Miami in 2010, and presently, fifty-five (55) universities in thirteen (13) countries around the world offer undergraduate and graduate courses in Jain studies. In 2025 alone, the ALC has established fully funded endowed programs in Jain Studies at Claremont School of Theology, Arihanta Institute (a three-year old online Jain university), University of Arizona at Tucson, and also funded two new PhD research programs and a post-doctoral fellowship at University of Oxford (UK), while negotiations are progressing at a leading institution in Washington DC and two large universities in Japan.

    The ALC’s partnership with the Pune (India)-based International School for Jain Studies (ISJS) has trained about 1,200 students and scholars from over 40 universities and 26 countries in Jain studies by hosting visits to India or in online programs. This partnership feeds the pipeline of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and competent faculty equipped with advanced knowledge in Jainism so that they could address pivotal issues pertinent to humanity and the global Jain community which has five million followers in India and about 300,000 in over 35 nations worldwide. The ALC’s larger vision is to preserve and propagate core Jain teachings while making the world a better place for humanity and the planet.

    The new faculty position at UT-Austin will report to Professor Donald R. Davis, Chair of the Religious Studies Department. The department will offer in perpetuity year-round courses and research opportunities incorporating Jain philosophy and principles to train students and scholars in areas of personal and organizational transformation such as non-violence, tolerance, ethics, languages, yoga and wellness, environmentalism, peace studies and sustainable development.

    In their remarks, UT-Austin College of Arts Dean David Sosa, Professor Akbar Hyder (from UT-Austin’s South-Asia Institute) and Professor Davis emphasized the philanthropic gifts will greatly aid the Distinguished Professorship to utilize multiple learning modes such as academic studies, field visits and seminars in critical inquiry and analysis of Jain principles, thereby meeting the UT-Austin’s mission to spawn leaders who can integrate learnings into real-world scenarios and positively impact their respective organizations and communities. The faculty members collectively thanked all donors for their gifts which will enable knowledge dissemination beyond college students, via the university’s extended outreach to a dozen high schools, junior colleges and the interfaith community.

    DC Manjunath, Honorable Consul General of India in Houston, congratulated the gathering on this academic initiative at UT-Austin, praising the contributions of ancient Jain sages he was influenced by when growing up in his home states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He also cited the recent global celebration of Navkar Mahamantra Divas on April 9, 2025 (for recitation of Jain prayers to foster world peace) with an inspiring call to action by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow the teachings of Jainism for sustainable living.

    Ms. Tiffany D. Thomas, Houston City Councilwoman for District F, lauded the UT-Austin and Jain community for working together in promoting non-violence, compassion and truth, and presented Swatantra Jain with a certificate of recognition to JVB Houston for upholding these values.

    As the lead benefactor for the ALC and major donor for the UT-Austin Distinguished Professorship in Jain Studies, philanthropist Dr. Jasvant Modi (President of Vardhaman Charitable Foundation) emphasized that the Jain community has evolved from undertaking temple-building projects as early settlers in the diaspora, to building new knowledge centers for sustaining and propagating Jain teachings to transform humanity. He stated “This ALC collaboration with UT-Austin fulfills our call for action to invest in peace, nurture compassionate global citizens, and shape resilient communities for generations to come.”

    Dr. Manish Mehta, Vice-Chair of the ALC, stated that by studying the ancient Jain philosophy which dates to nearly 5,000 years, modern day students can gain a profound science-based awareness of ethical living and apply it to navigate the balance between development and environmental stewardship while learning to appreciate the interconnectedness of life, as Jainism engenders respect for all living beings.

    Mr. Gaurav Jhaveri, President of JVB Houston concluded the celebration with a vote of thanks to all attendees.

    Highlights of the JVB Houston’s celebration and excerpts of other presentations may be viewed in this four-minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYbZGVbgel0

  • BANA Academic Fest is on August 9, 2025. Kick-start Your Child’s School Academic Contest!

    BANA Academic Fest is on August 9, 2025. Kick-start Your Child’s School Academic Contest!

    MISSOURI CITY: BANA has announced the 2025 Academic Fest to be held on August 9, 2024 at First United Methodist Church, 3900 Lexington Blvd, Missouri City, TX 77459. This will be an in-person event.

    As in the past years the contests will include Math, Science, Arts, Spelling Bee, Vocabulary, Speech, Debate, SAT etc. The math and science tests will be written by TMSCA specially for BANA. These tests will also serve as nice preparation for the TMSCA and UIL Contests during the upcoming school year.

    As you are aware TMSCA and UIL work in close partnership. Spelling Bee will be organized by SpellPundit.com. The BANA Executive Committee has been trying hard to bring the best possible contest for the children to learn, participate and excel in this year’s contest. The flyer gives some additional details.

    The registration charge is very nominal and is for all activities for the event day. We have a capacity of only 150, so please register your children ASAP!

  • Southwestern National Bank Celebrates 20 Years of Empowering Students at Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony

    Southwestern National Bank Celebrates 20 Years of Empowering Students at Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony

    Valdemar Tamez, Clear Horizons Early College High School, receiving the scholarship award with his mother from SWNB’s Jody Lee.

    HOUSTON: Southwestern National Bank proudly held its Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony to honor two outstanding high school seniors for their academic excellence, community involvement, and inspiring future aspirations. This year’s celebration was particularly significant as it marked the 20th anniversary of the bank’s long-standing scholarship program.

    Each recipient of the $1,000 scholarship was carefully selected based on academic achievement, extracurricular and community involvement, and demonstrated financial need — a reflection of Southwestern National Bank’s commitment to supporting well-rounded and deserving students.

    Applications were accepted from across Houston, Austin, and the Dallas area, highlighting the bank’s dedication to reaching students in multiple communities and investing in the leaders of tomorrow.

    The 2025 SWNB Scholars:

    1. Valdemar Tamez – Clear Horizons Early College High School
    2. Sion Joo – Glenda Dawson High School

    The awards ceremony took place at Southwestern National Bank Headquarters, with Chairwoman Jody Lee in attendance, alongside the families and friends of the scholarship recipients.

    As the bank celebrates two decades of educational support, it remains steadfast in its mission to empower young individuals through opportunities that foster growth, leadership, and academic success.

    Southwestern National Bank looks forward to continuing this cherished tradition for years to come. (Member FDIC)

  • Dhruvi Kadakia Selected for Lone Star Leadership Academy

    Dhruvi Kadakia Selected for Lone Star Leadership Academy

    HOUSTON: Dhruvi Kadakia, a student at Sartartia Middle School in Fort Bend ISD, has been selected to travel to Houston/Galveston to participate in a summer 2025 Lone Star Leadership Academy camp. Dhruvi’s selection was based on her outstanding academic success, demonstrated leadership ability, involvement in school and community activities, and a nomination from her teacher, Patty Kulow.

    Dhruvi will join a delegation of outstanding students from across the state to develop leadership skills while learning about the great state of Texas and its leaders. She will visit significant sites in the Houston/Galveston area including the Astronaut Training Facility at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, Lone Star Flight Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Moody Gardens, and the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum. She will also tour Galveston Bay on board SEAGULL II with a marine biologist, learn about the Port of Houston from members of the U.S. Coast Guard, and work with a team to complete a space mission at the George Observatory, home to one of the largest public telescopes in the United States. Additionally, Dhruvi will learn about future career and internship opportunities through career speaker presentations at sites visited.

    Texas educators facilitate Lone Star Leadership Academy camps including leadership groups where Dhruvi and the other participants will examine qualities of effective leaders, practice leadership skills, and discuss what they learn at sites visited. In addition, Dhruvi will have fun meeting other outstanding students and making new friends while adding to her resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills, and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement what she is learning in school.

    Education in Action, a non-profit organization, hosts Lone Star Leadership Academy camps to empower young people to be informed and active leaders in their communities. Outstanding Texas students are invited to participate in Lone Star Leadership Academy camps in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, and Houston/Galveston. Participants must be in the 3rd-8th grade, maintain an 85 or higher average, demonstrate leadership ability, be involved in community or school activities, and receive an educator recommendation. Educators are invited to nominate their outstanding 3rd-8th grade students for Lone Star Leadership Academy camps online at www.educationinaction.org/nominate. For more information call 817-562-4957 or visit www.educationinaction.org or www.facebook.com/educationinaction.

  • How a Group of IITians Set about Rebuilding Takshashila.

    How a Group of IITians Set about Rebuilding Takshashila.

    Rishihood University, located in Sonipat, Haryana, spans a 25-acre campus.

    Founders of Rishihood University visited Houston to discuss their innovative vision and story.

    By Juhi Varma

    HOUSTON: What does a developed India really look like? Not a copy of America or South Korea, but a homegrown model rooted in India’s own identity?

    That’s the question that drove the founders of Rishihood University. Their aim? To cultivate future leaders through a learning model that is “multidisciplinary, multidimensional, and multimodal.”

    Rishihood University, in Sonipat, Haryana, opened its doors in 2021 and currently houses over 900 students. Approaching a major milestone—the graduation of its first class—Rishihood’s founders stopped in Houston during their U.S. tour to share their story—and to seek support for their growing mission.

    “It’s India’s moment in time—the largest nation and fastest growing economy in the world,” said Dr. Shobhit Mathur, the university’s 41-year-old vice chancellor. “But all this is underpinned by good education.”

    A group of Rishihood University students with a few of the faculty.

    Programs, tuition, admissions, and faculty at Rishihood University

    The undergraduate programs offered at Rishihood are BBA, B.Design, B.Sc Psychology and B.Tech.  The student body comprises approximately 60% male and 40% female students. “We have about 900 students on campus as of now, which will go up to 1600 students in about three months’ time,” Mathur said.

    Admissions are merit-based. Academic performance is one aspect of Rishihood’s admissions criteria—the university also values a student’s intent and vision, Mathur said. What are the students’ goals after earning their degree? Are they motivated by a commitment to nation-building, or is their primary aim to secure a high-paying job?

    “There’s a Rishihood Foundation course which has courses like ‘Self and Society’, ‘Principle of Design’, ‘Systems Thinking’, ‘Tech and Policy’, ‘Global Grand Challenges’ laying a strong foundation for future leaders,” said Sahil Aggarwal, Rishihood’s co-founder and CEO. “We strongly believe that without understanding your swabhav and your swadharm, your education is not rooted.”

    Students pay around ₹4.5 lakhs per year in fees. Scholarships are available for students who qualify but cannot afford the tuition.

    Around 70 educators make up Rishihood University’s full-time teaching faculty, supplemented by visiting professors who come and go throughout the year.

    Rishi Bhutada, son of Ramesh Bhutada, joined the university’s board of founders and significantly expanded the family’s philanthropic support. (From left) Sahil Aggarwal, Shobhit Mathur, Ramesh Bhutada, Rishi Bhutada and Shradha Bhutada

    “We are heavily industry integrated,” Mathur said. “About 40% of our faculty come from the industry, and the curriculum is building partnerships with the industry. One year out of the four years, students go and work in the industry–that’s 25% of your time.”

    The average age of the Rishihood team is only 33 years, Mathur said. Rishihood University is actively seeking young professionals who can grow with the institution and remain connected to it, he said. “When we said we needed support, we didn’t just mean donations,” Mathur explained. “We meant committed individuals.”

    History of Rishihood

    The idea for Rishihood took root when Shobhit Mathur(an alumnus of IIT Bombay) met Sahil Aggarwal (a student at IIT Delhi). What began as casual conversations eventually grew into a concrete vision—and ultimately, a reality.
    Mathur, like many IIT alumni, moved to the U.S. soon after graduation and joined Amazon in Seattle in 2006. Still, the dream of building a visionary university remained firmly in his mind.

    An early supporter was Houston-based businessman and philanthropist Ramesh Bhutada, who contributed ₹1 crore for Rishihood University.

    “When Shobhit first told me about it (back in 2013), and I remember thinking ‘this young man wants to set up a university.’” Bhutada said. “I mean setting up a university, and that too in Bharat, and that too on a concept of providing a Dharmic foundation to your studies. But I believed in him as an individual. So I said, ‘well, for whatever you want to do, whatever little I can do, I will try to help you’.”

    Rishi Bhutada, son of Ramesh Bhutada, joined the university’s board of founders in April and significantly expanded the family’s philanthropic support.

    In addition to financial support, many individuals contribute by mentoring, Mathur said. Since Rishihood has no alumni base, many young professionals in the U.S. have stepped in to guide students as mentors.

    Rishihood’s soon-to-be graduates are charting impressive paths: one is a sarpanch in Palghar, another joined India’s highly selective Ministry of Finance, and a third is building an electric SUV. Mathur credits their success to Rishihood’s unique, purpose-driven approach, which prepares students to contribute meaningfully to the nation.

    Can we rebuild Takshashila?

    Swami Vivekananda spoke of “Rishihood” as the highest potential a human can reach, and called for the rise of 100 such people who could transform the nation. Rishihood University is a response to that call, Mathur said. “We’ve taken inspiration from Swami Vivekananda’s words and decided to build an institution that produces such leaders year on year, so they can go ahead and build India,” Mathur said.

    Addressing a roomful of Houston-based Indians, Mathur said, “Many of us have gone through the Indian education system, and have felt we did not get a good deal. There are a lot of challenges in Indian education.”

    As young twenty-somethings, many Indians arrive in the U.S. and are struck by the strength of its institutions, Mathur said. Yet few stop to ask why similar institutions aren’t there in India. “We are so successful here, but what’s the challenge in India?” he said. “Why can’t we build such institutions in India? So that is the thought process that inspired our 10-year journey.”
    Ancient India was once home to renowned centers of learning, such as Takshashila, which attracted scholars from around the world.

    “We asked ourselves—can we rebuild Takshashila?” said Mathur and Aggarwal. During their latest visit to the US, Rishihood University hosted a two-day public policy conference in Washington, D.C., convening thought leaders and building momentum to scale policy research and training programs in India and the U.S. They have ongoing collaborations with U.S. scholars and think tanks, laying the foundation for transnational public policy initiatives.
    Visiting nine cities, the university’s team connected with existing board members, potential donors, visiting faculty, alumni, and policy makers.

    The university’s leadership team engaged with professors from MIT, Northeastern University, Georgia Tech, Duke University etc. to discuss joint academic initiatives

    To learn more about Rishihood University please visit: rishihood.edu.in

  • Panjab University, Chandigarh and UH Plan a Dual-Degree Program

    Panjab University, Chandigarh and UH Plan a Dual-Degree Program

    Panjab University team with University of Houston team at the UH campus

    HOUSTON: Alumni Leaders from North America from the Chemical Engineering Department gathered in Houston, 16 -19th May, 2025, to help transform Panjab University and its Chemical Engineering Department towards a higher ranking, premium institution in India, with a slogan of “March to The Top”. The conference was a result of the vision and hard work of Dr. Arun Verma (and his team) who has been working tirelessly for past seven years to assist in this transformation; in addition to initiating discussion between Panjab University and University of Houston to collaborate in Joint research & Degree programs between their respective Chemical Engineering departments.

    Dr. Arun Verma, introducing Doctor Renu Khator for the dinner keynote on May 16th

    The conference kicked off on the morning of Friday, May 16th, with an introductory meeting at the University of Houston Campus, where UH Chemical Engineering Chairman Dr. Triantafillos J Mountziaris and about 12 faculty members met the PU team visiting from India. Both teams presented their undergraduate and graduate programs, areas of research, and also highlighted potential areas of cooperation.

    The teams agreed to encourage direct faculty-to-faculty interaction and joint research between them. This meeting was followed by a Campus tour for the visiting team including all the UH undergraduate and graduate labs. Following this, a separate tour was given to the PU team by the Houston Alumni Leaders of the UH Campus shop, which assists with branding, marketing, and selling branded merchandise in the physical shop and its online shops to students, Alumni, and the general public. PU Registrar agreed to implement a similar setup back in Chandigarh as soon as possible, with a target date of no later than December 2025.

    The Alumni Leader’s Conference component of the proceedings kicked off on the evening of 16th May at the Hyatt, Houston West. An evening reception for more than 50 Alumni Leaders, plus representatives from both universities, welcomed the evening’s special guest, Dr Renu Khator, the Chancellor of the University of Houston System and president of its flagship University of Houston campus, over the last seventeen years. Post dinner, Dr Khator shared her journey echelons of the US Research Universities. She talked about four essential components of transforming UH from a struggling school system to upper her strategy for this transformation:

    • A bold vision,
    • Buy-in from the community,
    • Relentless change and
    • Longevity for the new culture to take roots

    These were highlighted by Dr. Khator as key ingredients to change the culture of any big organization. She talked about several instances from her tenure at UH where these essential ingredients helped her focus on the intended goal, raise funds for the University and start new programs at the University that helped it break into the top tiers of US Higher education. She has been also invited by the honorable PM of India Narendra Modi to study how her experiences can help Indian Universities.

    In the Q&A session members of the PU community sought out her ideas on challenging the bureaucratic mindset, breaking through administrative barriers and implementing new ideas to help improve standards of education and student experiences. The evening concluded with a Vote of Thanks from the hosts and presentation of a memento from India to Dr. Khator.

  • Alumni Host Panjab University’s First North American Leadership Conference

    Alumni Host Panjab University’s First North American Leadership Conference

    Gifts to Keynote Speaker Dr. Renu Khator (center) from Panjab University LR: Dr. Anupama Sharma, Chairperson Chemical Engineering, Panjab University Dr. Arun Verma; Dr. Renu Khator; Dr. YP Verma, Registrar of Panjab University.

    HOUSTON: Newly formed North American Alumni association held its first Leadership conference at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Houston from May 16 – 18th, 2025 with the explicit aim of helping the Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Panjab University Chandigarh to regain the premier status it enjoyed in the 1960’s,
    through Innovation, Creation, Collaboration and Association.

    Specific objectives of the conference were to:

    • Explore collaboration opportunities with the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Houston in the area of research and joint degree programs
    • Networking and reconnecting with the Alumni based in North America
    • Meeting prominent Houston Academicians
    • Reviewing extraordinary examples of transformation through leadership from prominent leaders of the Houston community
    • Celebrating the successes of key members of the Department of Chemical Engineering Alumni from Panjab University, and
    • Setting an example for other Departments of Panjab University to emulate
    Dr. Arun Verma (far right) with other distinguished alumni and guests of Panjab University.

    The opening keynote address of the conference was given through an inspiring talk by Dr. Renu Khator, Chancellor of the University of Houston system, attended by over 50 leadership delegates. She outlined how she transformed University of Houston to become a top notch University in USA and how Panjab University and its Dept. of Chemical engineering could gain insight and learn from her experience to transform itself to regain their pre-eminent status
    in India .

    In addition, talks were given by several prominent people from Houston e.g., Dr. Durga Agrawal, & Dr. M.S. Kalsi ; both very successful businessmen and Alumni of University of Houston. Dr. T. J. Mountziaris, Professor and Department Chair of Chemical Engineering, several faculty members and Senior Officials from the Alumni Relations; Corporate Relations & Sponsorship from University of Houston also inspired the audience.

    The Conference was also attended by Dr. Y. P. Verma Registrar of Panjab University, representing the Vice Chancellor of Panjab University, Dr. Anupama Sharma, Department Chair of Chemical Engineering along with Dr. Gaurav Verma, a Senior Professor from the same Department.

    This conference is a result of the tireless efforts of Dr. Arun Verma (who graduated from Panjab University in 1966) over the past seven years, first to donate a significant sum of money to the Dept. of Chemical Engineering to kick start the reform program by defining a vision, followed by a comprehensive analysis of the Department’s current state, defining the strategy and cultural shift necessary to bring about the needed change not only to the Department but also to Panjab University itself. Dr. Verma displays boundless energy and is very passionate to see that the Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Panjab University achieve the premier status it enjoyed while he was a student. Dr. Verma has been helped in this effort by several of his batch mates in the U.S., Canada and those in India especially Dr. Paramjit Singh and Sutinder Mahajan.

    This level of commitment, leadership and dedication by Dr. Verma and his colleagues from the 1966 batch: Mr. Alok Jain, Mr. Ravi Goel, Mr. Surinder Marria, Mr. Vinod Marwaha and Dr. Kamlesh  Jain is inspiring Alumni from other batches to start taking interest in helping the department and Panjab University in this journey.

    Several Alumni based in Houston and elsewhere in North America have now joined this effort; notable amongst them being Gagan Singh, Ravinder Singh, Rakesh Rajput, Amit Goel, Dalip Soni , Puneet Sanan , Sunil Sibal and several others. It has been a good start for what would inevitably be a long and arduous journey requiring a sustained effort on the part of the leadership of not only Department of Chemical Engineering but also Panjab University. We wish them well in this effort.

  • DAV Schools Celebrate 25th Anniversary, Annual Day & Class of 2025 Graduation

    DAV Schools Celebrate 25th Anniversary, Annual Day & Class of 2025 Graduation

    HOUSTON: DAV Montessori & Elementary School (DAVMES) marked a major milestone on Sunday with a grand celebration of its Annual Day, 25th anniversary, and the graduation of its 5th Grade Class of 2025. The event commenced with a Yajna (Havan) ceremony led by Acharya Surya Nanda Ji, with graduating students and their parents as Yajmaans.

    This was followed by prayers, a motivating bhajan by elementary students under Acharya Bramdeo Mokoonlall’s guidance, a welcome song by preschoolers, and an Annual Report presented by School Director Ms. Arti Khanna.
    Founders Mr. Dev Mahajan and Mr. Shekhar Agrawal were honored for their vision of a school combining academic rigor with Indian cultural values. Special recognition was given to veteran educators Ms. Chetna, Ms. Madhu, Ms. Shilpa, and Ms. Aruna for their longstanding service.

    Students were lauded for their impressive achievements, clinching First Place at the PSIA State Academic Meet for the fourth consecutive year and excelling in science, writing, handwriting, and art. The day also saw the announcement of a new Parent- Teacher Association (PTA) to strengthen school–parent collaboration.

    The graduation walk was a highlight, and students celebrated for both academic and extracurricular excellence. DAVMES expressed heartfelt thanks to its community for 25 years of support and looks forward to future growth and a potential middle school expansion.

    Registration Open for 2025-26 School Year. Contact details: Phone: 281-759-3286, www. davhouston.org, director@davhouston.org

  • Gita Chanting Competition: A Tribute to Gurudev & Gita’s Timeless Wisdom

    Gita Chanting Competition: A Tribute to Gurudev & Gita’s Timeless Wisdom

    The quality of the chanting was matched by the depth of understanding displayed by the participants. High school students not only chanted but also shared the essence of the verses in their own words, demonstrating how these young minds grasped the profound virtues of the Gita at such an early age.

    By Oindrila Rimi Bhawal

    HOUSTON: As the spring blossoms fill the air with their sweet fragrances, the recent Gita Chanting Competition (GCC) at Chinmaya Mission Houston (CMH) resonated with divine spiritual energy. CMH families gathered to honor the ageless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, marking a prelude to Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s 109th Janma Jayanti (birth anniversary) celebrations. This annual event has become a hallmark of Chinmaya tradition, expressing gratitude to Gurudev for reigniting the teachings of the Gita for seekers worldwide.

    Though referred to as a “competition,” the Gita Chanting Competition is really the first step in embracing the Gita’s values in daily life. As Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda explains, the “Chant- Study-Know-Live” philosophy begins with chanting, inspiring the mind to study, understand, and ultimately live the teachings of the Gita.

    This year’s GCC focused on Bhagavad Gita’s Chapter 5 – Karma Sanyasa Yoga, which teaches the concept of selfless action and its role in achieving liberation while fulfilling life’s duties. Held on April 26th, 2025, at CMH’s Smriti Hall, the event saw the largest participation since its inception.

    Children from CMH’s Bala Vihar curriculum, ranging from kindergarten to high school, chanted Sanskrit verses with remarkable clarity and devotion, filling the hall with serenity. The energy of the chanting was so powerful that it seemed to embody the presence of the divine, captivating the entire audience.

    The quality of the chanting was matched by the depth of understanding displayed by the participants. High school students not only chanted but also shared the essence of the verses in their own words, demonstrating how these young minds grasped the profound virtues of the Gita at such an early age laying a strong foundation for their lives, equipping them with practical wisdom to face life’s challenges.

    Pre-K Chanters: Shagun Pattanaik, Vidith Vishnampet, Arjun Manthena, Anaya Ahir

    Listed below are the categories and the gold champions:

    Anagha (KG): Jyotsna Karthik Sudhan, Viraj Krishna Palagummi Arjuna

    (1st,2nd grades): Srishodasakshari Svadhyay Paramatma, Iyla Raja, Prakriti Nempu Bhat, Owen Arnav Scott, Atharv Dixit, Advika Vemuru, Apoorva Muchintaya, Akshada Vemuru, Nitara Bhat, Neal Gupta, Lakshman Purushothama, Mishika S Buxani Bharata

    (3rd, 4th grades): Manomay Parande, Sachit Venkataraman, Saatvik Pattanaik, Pranav Manthena, Elise Leela Scott, Myra Neupane, Arjun Surati, Skanda Sharath, Antariksh Prasad Dharap, Reesha Verma, Suhas Shashikiran, Vivaan Dhaval Joshi, Yudhishthir Sriram Vadlamudi, Aarna Shah Partha

    (5th,6th): Anagha Kameswari Vemuru, Ananya Rao, Samarth Raj Gupta, Adithri Salgame, Srisivamsha Paramatma Veruva, Pragati Muchintaya, Apurva Ninad Vaze, Kanishka Joshi, Srikrishnamsha Tejas Paramatma Veruva, Khushi S Buxani, Krishna Randeria, Pranay Joshi, Rishab Verma Gudakesa

    (7th, 8th); Vashi Banavalikar, Aanya Shah, Ahana Rao, Pravar Nempu Bhat Dhananjaya

    (9th to 12th grades): Prakriti Shenoy, Sahitya Gantasala, Shree Shodashi Paramatma Veruva

    To add to the celebration, Shlokathon trophies were awarded by Pujya Gaurang Uncle to a select group of children who undertook the mammoth effort of memorizing a total of 241 verses from a selection of Stotra and chapters from the Gita.

    Shlokathon is a special feature of CMH, envisioned by CMH Acarya, Pujya Darshana Nanavaty, and guided by Smt. Rucha Sheth who has taught Shlokathon classes for over 30 years at CMH. This year’s winners are Naina Sheth, Samarth Srivatsan, Snigdha Mishra, Ananya Rao, Sri Sivamsha P Veruva, Sri Krishnamsha Tejas P Veruva.

    As Pujya Acharya Gaurang Nanavaty “uncle” aptly remarked, the event left the judges with the difficult task of selecting winners, as every child and family that participated was already a winner in their own right. The commitment and effort required to prepare for the competition reflected their dedication to incorporating the
    Gita’s teachings into their families from a young age.

    The GCC is a cherished annual offering to Gurudev’s lasting legacy, celebrating his mission of making the Gita and its teachings an integral part of life’s values. We look forward to the GCC becoming a means to inspiring even more families to join this journey of spiritual awakening, continuing to embrace the light of the Bhagavad Gita in their lives. Hari Om.

    For more information about Chinmaya Mission Houston, Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya and its activities please visit www.chinmayahouston.org, www.saumyakasi.org or call temple 281 568 1690 or Jay Deshmukh 832 541 0059 or Bharati Sutaria 281-933-0233.

    Photos by Bharath Rao and Ashutosh Kak

  • YLDP 2025: The Impact of Leadership on Me and My Community

    YLDP 2025: The Impact of Leadership on Me and My Community

    By Rajiv Gyawali
    Leadership has been an age-old virtue that is regarded with high standards of smiles because it comes with bravery, teamwork, risk, perseverance, etc., that develops an inner fire to drive with purpose, and great leaders become pillars for the community and society to grow as well. This is what I witnessed from the sessions in YLDP (Youth Leadership Development Program) and the pages of the Harvard Business Review (HBR) book On Leadership.
    With numerous guest speakers I had an opportunity to meet and connect with, I got to see that they were visionary and strong in their ethical bases, and they displayed leadership in fine manners throughout their presence and the tone they set for the room. I had the privilege of being in programs including visit to Harris County Civil Courthouse, Judge Monica Singh, Brian Greene President/CEO of the Houston Food Bank, Dr Hardeep Singh speech, the life story of Bob Patel, financial literacy from the representatives of Bank of America, and many more. This sets out the branches leadership has to accommodate, with values like ethics, volunteering, inspiration, financial understanding, etc. at the core.
    One of the most memorable topics about leadership that I received was the elevator pitch lessons, which helped me develop my resume, work on my interpersonal skills, look for opportunities, and learn to present a development of personality and skills in an engaging manner professionally under a minute.
    Studying through the HBR book, I realized that exploring the nuances and complexities of this subject matter of leadership was tricky, but valuable. An important lesson that is reiterated many times in the book is for a leader to overcome vulnerabilities from within while showing them outside in a controlled way as well, to make the team comfortable and connectable, which is covered under emotional intelligence. Important blocks like self-awareness, trust, and fostering a culture of open communication and continuous learning are kept at the forefront to achieve effective leadership really quick, as discussed in the book.
    The impact of leadership seen in communities comes in different forms, such as improved organizational performance, employee well-being, and productivity boosts that are important to leverage. I too hold a desire to be able to utilize my personal growth in leadership to contribute towards the society and economy’s innovations and well-being with technological advancements in AI and moral values like righteousness that need to revive, with a smile.
  • Celebrations by DAVSS, DAVMES Students

    Celebrations by DAVSS, DAVMES Students

    Children with their certificates and ribbons.

     

    HOUSTON: DAVSS Students, teachers and volunteers as well as ASGH members and well-wishers assembled in the Satsang Hall to celebrate (1) Dayanand Dashamee, birthday anniversary, and (2) Rishi Bodh, the enlightenment of Maharshi Swami Dayanand Saraswati.

    The mosaic program comprised of kids dressed as Swami Dayanand and other eminent personalities of the Arya Samaj, presentations by winners of the speech, poem and I-tribute contests, dance and bhajan curated by teachers under the guidance of Acharya Bramdeo. Longstanding member of ASGH, Smt Rita Gulati ji was called to confer the prizes to the winners and participants.

    The tributes to Maharshi Swami Dayanand were obvious: Thanks to Swami Dayanand, the founder of Arya Samaj who was the forerunner in advocating education for all, especially girls and broke the taboo on foreign travel that we have a thriving Indian diaspora across the world.

    DAV Montessori & Elementary School Saturday February 22, 2025

    DAVMES students had an outstanding performance at the PSIA District Meet! The school proudly submitted
    69 entries and achieved victory in an impressive 62 of those. Even more exciting, we have 32 entries advancing to the PSIA State Meet! This is a remarkable achievement that reflects the hard work and dedication of our students and teachers. Congratulations to the students, parents and teachers. Best wishes to those participating in the PSIA State Meet.

  • Southwestern National Bank Scholarship 2025 $1,000 Scholarship Awards

    Southwestern National Bank Scholarship 2025 $1,000 Scholarship Awards

    About The Southwestern National Bank Scholarship Program

    The Southwestern National Bank Scholarship Program is funded by Southwestern National Bank (Member FDIC) to recognize and assist outstanding high school graduates and reduce the financial burden for college. Southwestern National Bank Scholars are selected based on their financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement. Each year a total of $5,000.00 will be awarded to five selected scholars. Each scholar will be awarded $1,000.00.

    Eligibility

    1. Demonstrates financial need for college tuition, book & supplies, and expenses
    2. U.S. high school graduating seniors
    3. Has a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (un-weighted)
    4. Will enroll in an accredited U.S. college full-time for the entire academic year 2025/2026

    Documents Required (To be considered, all the following documents must be submitted)

    1. A completed Southwestern National Bank Scholarship Application Form
    2. An official high school transcript
    3. Copies of the most recent document(s) demonstrating the financial need (Family’s 1040 Federal Income Tax Return Form, qualification for School Free/Reduced Lunch Program, etc.)
    4. Two letters of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, and/or other advisors
    5. A two-page typed essay stating why you should be awarded a scholarship. Please include:
    • Financial need for this scholarship for educational purposes
    • Personal and academic achievements. Give specific examples.
    • Academic plans and career goals. Give specific examples.
    • Past and current involvement, as well as future towards making a difference in your community

    Application Process & Award Announcement

    1. Please send your application package to Southwestern National Bank, Attention Scholarship Program-Ling Chuang, 6901 Corporate Drive, Houston, Texas 77036.
    1. Applications and all supporting documents must be received by May 15, 2025, for application to be considered.
    1. An interview may be part of the application process for all semi-finalists.
    2. Scholarships for the 2025 Scholarship program will be announced by mail in June 2025.

    Please Contact Us

    For scholarship application and information, please contact the Scholarship Coordinator by

    e-mail at ling.chuang@swnbk.com   (Member FDIC)

     

     

  • Arya Samaj Celebrates R-Day and 25th Anniversary of DAV School

    Arya Samaj Celebrates R-Day and 25th Anniversary of DAV School

    January 26: India Republic Day Celebrations was celebrated at Arya Samaj Greater Houston by DAV Sanskriti School students, parents, teachers and volunteers joined the Satsang for the flag hoisting ceremony which was held indoors due to the pouring rainfall on that day. The Sanskriti School Children led in the singing of the Indian National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana…” and the ode to Mother India “Vande Mataram…” under the guidance of Ms Smriti, Music Teacher. Volunteers were also recognized for their longstanding contribution to the Samaj.

    January 31: 25th Anniversary of the establishment of DAV Montessori & Elementary School, Houston

    Students, Parents, Teachers, ASGH members and well-wishers joined the first of the various programs marking the Silver Jubilee of DAVMES. Welcoming all, Ms Arti Khanna, Director DAVMES gave an overview of the 25 years of the existence of the school. She thanked all past and present students, their parents, teaching and non-teaching personnel as well as ASGH members and well-wishers for their continued support. Shri Dev Mahajan Ji, one of the founders of the school elaborated on the various steps up to operational levels as well as how the school stands tall in Houston as a node for kids to connect to the living values Sanatan Dharma and Indian culture. All the kids had joined on stage for a vibrant singing of the DAV Anthem, and another handful of students were also on stage for a Kathak Dance performance.

  • ‘Each One, Plant One’ initiative by Sewa International’s Houston Chapter

    ‘Each One, Plant One’ initiative by Sewa International’s Houston Chapter

    Volunteers and organizers gather before start of the plantation drive.

    By Vivaan Kotnis

    HOUSTON: On Saturday, December 21, 2024, close to 85 enthusiastic volunteers aged between 5 to 80 years gathered from across the greater Houston area, with a significant number being dedicated high school students eager to contribute, in Alief. Along with the support of HPD, within a span of just 90 minutes, these committed volunteers successfully planted 100 trees onto Alief’s esplanades; not only shoveling mulch, planting the saplings into the ground, but cleaning up after.  To ensure the long-term success of our tree planting initiative, Sewa has carefully selected native Texas tree species that are well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions.  Volunteers worked alongside city officials and environmental specialists to ensure the trees are properly planted. They also added soil moist to combat the drought like conditions in Houston. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the trees, Sewa will monitor the maintenance of the trees by regularly watering the trees for the first two years.

    A planting expert guides volunteers during the planting process.

    Sewa International, a nonprofit organization, has partnered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and has launched a tree-planting initiative aimed at reducing higher temperatures in neighborhoods in the city/suburb of Alief. The project plantation season, which began in December, seeks to plant over 1000 trees in key areas where heat levels have been much higher than in other parts of greater Houston, and serve as a danger to residents.

    Heat islands are a phenomenon where urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding areas due to human activity and dense infrastructure. According to the  National Weather Service, heat islands can be up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than surrounding areas, increasing risks to residents such as heat stroke and respiratory problems.

    Volunteers planting the saplings and then covering them with mulch.

    The tree-planting efforts will focus on planting trees on esplanades nearest to the areas that have been identified as the hottest parts of Alief, found from an heat mapping survey done by Sewa and Houston Advanced Research Center’s (HARC)  “Heat Mapping” initiative. Sewa has planned to plant the next batch of trees on Saturday, January 11, 2025. The non profit organization plans to complete the plantation of its 1000 trees before summer.

    The organization hopes their efforts will decrease heat and create a healthier environment in Alief. Please send an email to pmepa-houston@sewausa.org if you want to be a part of this great initiative.

     

  • Ashok Pruthi Releases Two Heartwarming Children’s Books This Holiday Season

    Ashok Pruthi Releases Two Heartwarming Children’s Books This Holiday Season

    VICTORIA, TEXAS – Renowned children’s author Ashok Pruthi, a U.S. citizen with an Indian background, is thrilled to announce the release of two captivating children’s books, Big Bold Bear and Jack is Back. These beautifully illustrated tales are set to debut this holiday season, offering families a perfect opportunity to bond over stories of love, resilience, and life lessons.
    A versatile author fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, Pruthi brings a rich multicultural perspective to his work. With a career rooted in journalism, he began his professional journey at The Tribune, a leading Northern India newspaper. Pruthi has been an author since 2015, with four published books, including two earlier works for children.
    About the Books
    Big Bold Bear
    Big Bold Bear is a rhyming picture book for young readers that highlights the importance of friendship, love, discipline, and respect for elders. Through engaging text and vibrant illustrations, the story emphasizes how learning from teachers and parents helps children grow into wise and successful leaders. Pruthi’s storytelling captures the essence of childhood values, making it a must-read for families.
    Jack is Back
    Set against the backdrop of a natural disaster, Jack is Back follows the journey of a courageous cat named Jack who gets separated from his family during heavy rains and floods. Jack’s adventures lead to a heartwarming reunion with Monica and her family on Christmas Eve, delivering a message of hope, resilience, and the joy of togetherness during the holidays.
    Big Bold Bear is dedicated to animals affected by natural calamities and to Pruthi’s two sons—Netan, a former Navy Lieutenant who served for eight years, and Ryan,  currently a Marine Pilot flying C-130s—this poignant tale also celebrates the spirit of service and love for all living beings.
    Both books feature colorful illustrations and compelling narratives designed to captivate children while teaching meaningful lessons. They are perfect for bedtime stories, family gatherings, and holiday traditions.
    Author Insights
    When asked about his inspiration for writing for children, Ashok Pruthi shared:
    “I credit my dad, who was a wonderful storyteller and told me bedtime stories that sparked my imagination. Writing for children is complex, but I love it because I aim to bring smiles to readers of all ages. If my stories can touch hearts and spread joy, my mission is accomplished.”
    Pruthi also noted that while his books are written for children, their appeal extends across generations. “Grandparents, parents, and kids often share my stories together, creating lasting family memories through the joy of storytelling.”
    About the Author
    Ashok Pruthi holds a degree in Journalism and a Master’s in English Literature. His rich career in journalism and authorship reflects his passion for storytelling and his commitment to connecting with readers of all ages. A proud father, Pruthi credits his sons—Netan and Ryan—as inspirations in both his personal life and creative endeavors.
    Availability
    Both Big Bold Bear and Jack is Back will be available starting Starting Dec, 25, on  paperback, hardcover, and Kindle formats. Families can purchase these books through major retailers, including Amazon .
    This holiday season, give the gift of storytelling and adventure. Bring home Big Bold Bear and Jack is Back to create cherished memories with your loved ones.
  • Rice University Plans Strategic Expansion into India with Rice Global India

    Rice University Plans Strategic Expansion into India with Rice Global India

    By Chris Stipes

    BENGALURU: Rice University, a global leader in research and innovation, is expanding its international presence with the launch of Rice Global India. This strategic initiative underscores the university’s commitment to fostering global collaboration and advancing its contributions to India’s rapidly growing education and technology sectors.

    Rice Global India ribbon cutting
    (From left to right) Amy Dittmar, Howard R. Hughes Provost and executive vice president for academic affairs; Ramamoorthy Ramesh, executive vice president for research; Caroline Levander, vice president for global; Reginald DesRoches, president.

    The university hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new hub in Bengaluru, India’s third-largest city and the center of the country’s high-tech industry. This milestone lays the foundation for planned formal operations in the region and strengthens the university’s growing network across India, including its collaborations with top-tier research and academic institutions.

    “India is a country of tremendous opportunity, one where we see the potential to make a meaningful impact through collaboration in research, innovation and education,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. “Our presence in India is a critical step in expanding our global reach, and we are excited to engage more with India’s academic leaders and industries to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. This expansion reflects our commitment to fostering a more interconnected world where education and research transcend borders.”

    Members of the Rice leadership team and faculty gathered in Bengaluru, India Nov. 18 to launch Rice Global India.

    As part of this strategic expansion, Rice is deepening its collaborations with prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru. These partnerships will foster advanced research initiatives, student and faculty exchanges and collaborations in key areas of mutual interest such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology and sustainable energy, university leaders said.

    Why India?

    India’s growing influence in areas such as energy, climate change, artificial intelligence and biotechnology aligns with Rice’s own research priorities outlined in the university’s recently unveiled strategic plan, Momentous: Personalized Scale for Global Impact. The strategic expansion highlights Rice’s intention to contribute to India’s innovation ecosystem by engaging in joint research initiatives, faculty collaborations and student exchanges with leading institutions.

    “India’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing education and technology markets makes it a crucial partner for Rice’s global vision,” said Caroline Levander, vice president for global at Rice. “The U.S.-India relationship, underscored by initiatives like the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, provides fertile ground for educational, technological and research exchanges.”

    Founded in 1912, Rice is located in the heart of Houston, a coastal city considered the most diverse metropolis in the United States. Known as the energy capital of the world, Houston is also home to the Texas Medical Center, the world’s leading health care complex, and boasts a pioneering legacy in space exploration and industry.

    Rice is consistently rated as one of the premier universities in the country. Forbes ranked the university No. 9 nationwide in its list of best colleges for the 2024-25 school year, while Niche ranked Rice the eighth best college in the United States. U.S. News & World Report ranked Rice No. 6 for best value.