Indo American News

Category: US South Asian

  • First for Texas Legislature: Representatives Lalani & Bhojani

    First for Texas Legislature: Representatives Lalani & Bhojani

    Texas Representative Dr. Suleman Lalani with his family at the Texas State Capitol.

    AUSTIN: History was made in the Lone Star state last week, Tuesday, the 10th of January, when the 88th Legislature of the Texas House of Representatives held their oath ceremonies for members recently elected for their two-year terms. The Texas House is composed of 150 members and the state legislature meets in regular session for about five months every other year.

    The richness of representation and electoral diversity was showcased in the official swearing in ceremonies of Rep. Salman Bhojani and Rep. (Dr.) Suleiman Lalani, both of whom are Democrats and the firsts in many categories. They are the first South Asian Americans and the first Muslim-Americans and Pakistani-Americans in the Texas House.  Rep. Bhojani is also the first person of color to represent House District 92 (Dallas-Fort Worth area). With his wife Nima and children by his side, Bhojani was sworn in on the first English copy of the Qur’an ever printed in the Americas (printed in 1806 in Springfield, Massachusetts). Dr. Lalani of Sugar Land is the first South Asian elected from the Houston area (House District 76) to the Texas House.

    Salman Bhojani’s wife, Nima, holds the Quran as he is sworn into the Texas legislature.

    He was sworn in on a 382-year-old Qur’an owned by Sada Cumber, a prominent entrepreneur and foreign policy expert in the South Asian American community. Accompanied by his wife Zakia, his children, and other family members and friends, over 500 people from Dr. Lalani’s district attended in order to celebrate his swearing in by singing and dancing outside of the Capitol. It was a great moment for AAPI, South Asian and immigrant Texans across the state who swelled with pride at the momentous achievements of these two elected officials – now the real work begins!

  • MLK Special Award for Krishna Vavilala

    MLK Special Award for Krishna Vavilala

    HOUSTON (PTI): Indian-American Krishna Vavilala has been honoured with the MLK Grande Parade Special Award for the community leader’s contributions towards connecting the Indian diaspora with the mainstream America as the US celebrated the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
    Vavilala, 86, a longtime Houstonian and the founder and chairman of the Foundation of India Studies (FIS), has in the past led several MLK Grande Parades, dressed as Mahatma Gandhi with the sole purpose of bringing the Indian community closer to the Black community, based on the principles of non-violence, which both Gandhi and MLK Jr. had followed.
    The award — a trophy and a plaque — was presented by Charles Stamps, the chairman and CEO of MLK Jr. Parade Foundation, at its glitzier gala night on Sunday amidst thunderous applause.
    Charles spoke highly of Vavilala and appreciated his dedication to spreading the message of both Mahatma Gandhi and MLK Jr, who were continents apart, yet shared the same vision and followed the same path.
    Born in 1929 as Michael Luther King Jr. and later known as “Martin”, King led a nonviolent movement in the late 1950s and ‘60s to achieve legal equality for African-Americans in the US.
    A strong believer in promoting peace and racial harmony, Vavilala while accepting the award said, “Initially when I was called about this award, I thought it was a hoax.”
    “Having lived in this country for over five decades, I have observed that there is very little social interaction between the Blacks and the Indian communities in our daily lives. So, I wanted to do something about it. I must be one of the very few people in America who has seen Gandhi in person,” he said.
    “The memory of me as a nine-year-old seeing Gandhi during his visit to Rajahmundry, my hometown in 1946, is still stuck in my mind,” he narrated. “My grandmother took me and my two sisters on a bullock cart to see Mahatma Gandhi.”
    “My inspiration to participate in the MLK parades came after I got the Gandhi statue installed in Hermann park, in 2003-2004,” he said.
    “We all know, Martin Luther King Jr. had established a historic link between India and America, by adopting Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence in his civil rights movement. It is my belief that the Indian diaspora should participate in the annual MLK parades to help bring about social justice and racial harmony,” he added.
    Meanwhile, members and supporters of the FIS on Monday morning braved the wintry weather and walked in the 29th Martin Luther King Jr. Grand Parade in midtown, Houston.
    “FIS’s participation in the MLK parades is purely to pay homage to the late civil rights leader who had adopted Gandhi’s methods of passive resistance and non-violence in his struggle to achieve equal civil rights for the Black community, thus enabling permanent bondage between people of America and the people of India. This relationship is expected to endure the test of times for many generations to come,” Vavilala told PTI.
    The 17-year-old organisation has routinely participated in MLK parades for 12 years and also won the parade’s Grand Marshall Award in 2015.
    Vavilala, a BITS Pilani alumni, is a retired Electrical Engineer, originally from Andhra Pradesh and now a naturalised American citizen settled in Houston.
    Over the years, Vavilala has kept Gandhi’s vision relevant in Houston and was instrumental in proposing the installation of a life-size Gandhi statue at Herman Park, a constant reminder of “peace in a cowboy state” of Texas.
    Vavilala was instrumental in 2006 in establishing the India studies programme at the University of Houston and responsible for initiating the India Studies programme at Texas Southern University in May 2022.
    King is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated in his honour and is the only non-president memorialised on the Great Mall in Washington.

  • Indo-Americans Achieve Success in Midterms

    Indo-Americans Achieve Success in Midterms

    KP George
    Juli Mathew
    Suleman Lalani

    HOUSTON: Democrat incumbent KP George will serve another term as Fort Bend County judge with a narrow victory over Republican challenger Trever Nehls. Final unofficial voting results show George received 51.6% of the vote, or 126,828, to Nehls’ 48.4%, or 119,082, with all 82 Fort Bend County polling locations reporting.The first two Muslim lawmakers in the Texas House are Salman Bhojani, who won election to House District 92 in Tarrant County, and Suleman Lalani, who won election to House District 76 in Fort Bend County. Lalani (D) received 28,240 votes (57%) vs. Dan Mathews.

    Both men are also immigrants. Bhojani, whose family is originally from Pakistan, moved to the United States as a teenager. Lalani came to the country in the 1990s to begin his career as a doctor.

    Surendran Pattel (D) was in a tight race with just a handful of votes in the lead 121,448 against Edward Krenek 212,412 for the race for 240th Judicial District Judge.

    Robin Elackatt won the race for Missouri City Mayor with 13,685 votes (54%).

    Manpreet Monica Singh became the first Sikh female judge in the US after winning the race for Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 4 In Fort Bend County, Juli Mathew was re-elected as County Court at Law Judge No. 3.

    Another winner was Sonia Rash, Fort Bend Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3.

    On the national scene, the US House ‘Samosa Caucus’ gained a new member Nov. 8 evening, as Shri Thanedar, a Democrat, won a seat in Detroit, Michigan. The Associated Press called Thanedar’s race late evening, as he amassed 72 percent of the votes. All the remaining Samosa Caucus members — Pramila Jaypal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamurthi, and Ami Bera — were reelected.

  • WE@IAPAC Hosts Dialog on Women’s Rights

    WE@IAPAC Hosts Dialog on Women’s Rights

    HOUSTON: On October 28, the Indian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC) hosted its 2nd annual women empowerment event aptly named W.E.@IAPAC at the Junior League of Houston. This year’s event was an invigorating evening with a dialogue focused on women’s health and reproductive rights.

    Dr. Roopa Gir, IAPAC president, opened the event with an introduction to IAPAC. The event’s focus was not to sway women one way or another about being pro-choice or pro-life. Instead, it was focused on education – what the current laws are, the implications of Roe v. Wade being rescinded, and how Indian American women in Texas will be impacted and what they can do to ensure their opinions are taken into consideration when laws are being written. Shweta Arora, co-chair of the event, spoke about the importance of women supporting each other and the power women have with their votes, reminding everyone to use their voice by voting.

    Passionate about the cause, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee made a special appearance and spoke eloquently about the need for such events. “This is a time when women must assert themselves. We are at a moment in history where it is truly keenly important that women speak up, speak out, and continue to speak informatively.” Quoting her good friend John Lewis, the Congresswoman reminded us “You never give in. You never give out. And you never give up. Because each step of the way there is a hurdle that forces you to reassess whether you are on the right direction or whether you need to recreate your pathway.” Before leaving, Congresswoman Lee presented the Certificates of Congressional Recognition to the panelists and the IAPAC event co-chairs.

    The panel consisted of Former State Representative and attorney Sarah Davis; Board Certified OBGYN and Chief Medical Officer of the Gulf Coast Chapter of Planned Parenthood, Dr. Shute-Aine; and Director of Training of the Houston Area Women’s Center and Reserve Harris County Deputy, Michelle Sacks. The conversation was seamlessly moderated by Chau Nguyen, a licensed Master Social Worker and Trauma Therapist.  The event was attended by several women leaders from the community. Adding to the impact of the evening, present were representatives from Al Green’s office, Senator Huffman’s office and Former Councilmember Amanda Edwards.

    The guests appreciated the powerhouse of panelists and insights they provided. In addition to sharing their expertise, the panelists took the time to answer questions from the audience. It was such an engaging experience that the discussions continued longer than initially planned.

    Yasmin Udawala, co-chair of the event thanked the panelists and the IAPAC volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this a successful event.

    About IAPAC

    The Indian American Political Action Committee of Greater Houston (IAPAC) is the only non- partisan PAC representing Indian Americans of the Greater Houston region to be a voice for Indian Americans in the political arena, to facilitate partnerships with governing elected officials, and engage Indian Americans living in the region in the political process. To learn more about IAPAC, please visit www.iapacgh.org or email IAPACHOUSTON@GMAIL.COM.

  • Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations Marked on Oct. 2

    Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations Marked on Oct. 2

    By Dr. Nidhi Trehan

    It is a rare event in the diaspora when members of the social justice community congregate and celebrate visionaries such as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, (known as “Mahatma” or “Great Soul”) and Martin Luther King Jr. on the same platform, but Austin-based community group, Friends of India, Texas (FIT) did just that on October 2nd of this year!

    Sharing with the audience the importance of “Gandhian Civil Disobedience in Today’s World”, guest speakers Tushar Gandhi (great grandson of Mahatma Gandhiji, based in Mumbai) and Pastor Jennifer Cumberbatch of Full Measure Ministry of Austin, Texas shared their knowledge over zoom. Tushar ji highlighted the critical importance of standing up for social justice in India today. He discussed the continuing caste-based antipathy faced by Indians from Dalit backgrounds, the alarming rise of hostility and violence towards Indian Muslims, and examples of resiliance and resistance such as the anti-CAA protests (Citizenship Amendment Act, a controversial law which fast tracks citizenship for refugees to India, but excludes Muslim refugees from the same, for example, Rohingya from Myanmar or Ahmediyas from Pakistan) led by women in Shaheen Bagh as well as the farmers’ protests against the three farm bills (which the current Government ultimately had to revoke).

    Pastor Jen Cumberbatch

    Just as his illustrious descendant Gandhiji had fought against British imperialism, Tushar Gandhi himself invoked the principles of nonviolent social action to fight for India’s “Second Freedom Movement”, a struggle to preserve Gandhiji’s legacy, including India’s secular values, and respect for all, regardless of caste, creed, religion, region, linguistic affiliation, etc.

    Pastor Jen spoke equally eloquently on how nonviolent civil disobedience was essential for the success of the American civil rights movement.  Indeed, Howard Thurman, an African American theologian met with Mahatma Gandhi in India in the mid-1930s, and brought his philosophy of civil disobedience to the Howard University community in Washington DC, where he was the first dean of Rankin Chapel in 1932. In 1935, Thurman led a group of African-Americans to India, where in Bardoli, Gujarat, they had the opportunity to meet with Gandhiji and had intense discussions about the meaning of satyagraha (truth-force or ‘holding firmly to truth’). Thurman and others had a profound impact on the development of Martin Luther King Jr.’s thoughts when he was a seminary student at Howard University in 1949, a year after Gandhiji’s assassination.

    Tushar Gandhi

    This was how the message of Gandhian nonviolent social action came into being in the United States and was applied successfully by civil rights leaders such as Dr. King and others.  Jawaharlal Nehru, an anti-colonial Indian nationalist and secular humanist who was India’s first prime minister in 1947, had invited Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King on a trip to India in February and March 1959.  MLK Jr. was so moved by his trip, he referred to it as a “pilgrimage” and also said of nonviolent direct action, “Christ showed us the way, and Gandhi in India showed it could work.” Incidentally, in 1969, India was the first country to issue a postage stamp in honor of Dr. King, even before the US! Both speakers closed with a discussion of cross-community solidarity and how important it was to learn about the legacy of both Gandhi and King to continue the struggle for social justice globally today.

    Some more background: https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/01/20/martin-luther-king-india-gandhi/

     

  • Navroz Prasla, Chairman of NTV America, Meets VP Kamala Harris at Annual JJ Reception in Texas

    Navroz Prasla, Chairman of NTV America, Meets VP Kamala Harris at Annual JJ Reception in Texas

    Navroz Prasla, President &CEO of NTV, meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris at the JJ reception in Austin.

    AUSTIN: Indian-American Business magnate and Chairman of NTV America Navroz Prasla met Honorable Vice President of the US Kamala Harris at the JJ Reception.

    The Annual Johnson-Jordan Reception is a major event meant to help the Democratic Party raise funds for voting efforts before the elections.

    The event took place in Austin, Texas, and was sponsored by Prasla along with other distinguished individuals. These massive nationwide efforts are meant to rally supporters around reproductive and voting rights ahead of the mid-term election.

    Navroz Prasla was elated to meet the VP, as she was invited as the Keynote speaker of this year’s Texas Democratic party, JJ Reception. She spoke about protecting reproductive health rights, Abortion rights, and Voting rights as the US is viewed as a role model all over the world. Harris also called taking away women’s rights to choose truly immoral, inspiring and awwing everyone in the audience with her speech.

    Another NTV executive meeting VP Karris.

    Navroz Prasla is an Indian-descent Media giant who owns NTV America, HerogoTV, and A-Star TV based in Houston, Texas. He is always known for his philanthropy and community-building spirit. While in conversation with him, Prasla mentioned that “if we as a community don’t step up each other, then who will?” Recently he was awarded with the ‘2022 Lifetime Achievement Award’ by the Joe Bidden Administration for his exemplary contribution towards community.

    Prasla’s NTV America has always supported public interest events and activities. They have always highlighted and supported the importance of public policy issues, Women’s Voting rights, protecting reproductive health rights, Abortion rights. Their primary vision and goal is to create an unbiased society for every individual, irrespective of gender, caste, religion, nationality or community.

  • Defaced Election Yard Signs Point to Bigotry, Hate in Fort Bend

    Defaced Election Yard Signs Point to Bigotry, Hate in Fort Bend

    RICHMOND, Fort Bend County: Many candidates running for political office in the elections in November have placed their yard signs on a block-long stretch of Richmond Parkway and Wildwood, across from the CVS, for people to look at as they drive by.

    The signs have been up for awhile and include several minorities like Surendran Pattel, Juli Mathew, Grady Prestage and Stephen Longoria.

    In the last few days, almost all the minority candidate signs have been defaced with a thick black cross and in the case of Juli Mathew obliterating her face. This is not the first time that this has occurred in Ft Bend County. In the last election cycle in 2020, similar instances were reported, but this time it is more rampant.

    Ft Bend District Attorney Brian Middleton has promised to investigate saying this was a criminal act and will prosecute any individuals who are responsible.

  • IAPAC Holds Reception for Judges Lina Hidalgo and KP George

    IAPAC Holds Reception for Judges Lina Hidalgo and KP George

    By Jawahar Malhotra & Pranav Rao

    IAPAC members with Gene Wu (far left) and Judges Lina Hidalgo and KP George

    HOUSTON: In its continuing efforts to educate the South Asian community about the political process in the Greater Houston area, the Indo American PAC held another reception on Thursday, September 22 evening for Harris County Commissioners Court Judge Lina Hidalgo and for KP George, her equivalent in Ft Bend County. Both are Democrats running for re-election in November. The reception was held at India House after refreshments and drew about 60 people. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner regrettably was not able to attend due to a prior commitment.

    Hidalgo spoke about her background as an immigrant who was born in Columbia, raised during the drug wars and left with her family leaving to seek safety in the US. She talked with admiration about KP George saying “immigrants come to the US for opportunity. People who oppose immigration miss this point”.

    Hidalgo talked about her goals for the county. She wants to invest in early childhood education and has made responding to climate change a key priority. She supports a strong public transit system, wants to invest in broadband infrastructure and reduce homelessness by 20 percent. She even wants to make the ballot available in Indian languages.

    Referring to her Republican opponent who accuses her of defunding the police, Hidalgo responded that her goal is to “invest in policies that are just and work”. She said her opponent denied that Trump lost the 2020 election and wants to purge voter rolls while Republican County officials did not want to certify the elections.

    Hidalgo stressed the need to keep stable individuals in office and keep government accountable. In that regard, she refuses to take contributions from people who do business with the County. On the subject of guns, she wants common sense gun reform at the state level and start a gun violence interruption program on the county level; youth programs to prevent gun crimes, a gun buyback program; systems put in place to confiscate guns from perpetrators of domestic violence and to stop NRG stadium from holding gun shows.

    KP George began by emphasizing that Fort Bend was the third fastest growing county in Texas, 13th in the US and most ethnically diverse in the US. He spoke about his biggest achievement in establishing and expanding the Ft Bend Office of Emergency Management the need for which was illustrated by the experience of, and lack of, emergency directions during Hurricane Harvey. It is a state-of-the-art building opened on June 3, and has made Fort Bend a regional leader in emergency management.

    George emphasized that he was the first person of any color to become FB county judge and before him, people didn’t know what a county judge was. He said he has invested in youth internship program in FB and wants to empower young people to get politically involved. He also announced that last Tuesday, $18 million was approved to make law enforcement pay more competitive.

    He spoke about Ft Bend’s vaccination efforts, rent assistance, relief funds for small businesses during COVID and that the biggest problem during pandemic was Greg Abbot.

    George said that his strong immigrant background gives him the resiliency to preserve through criticism. He added that it was important to speak out about injustice and racism when asked what Indo-American’s should do to get more involved in politics.

  • Alliance for Disaster Relief Raises $1 Million for Pakistan Flood Victims

    Alliance for Disaster Relief Raises $1 Million for Pakistan Flood Victims

    HOUSTON: Resource generation efforts spearheaded by the Alliance for Disaster Relief, a collaboration of more than 35 plus community organizations in Houston, Texas, USA; to help flood -battered Pakistan; has raised more than $1million in just three hours during a fundraising event. 

     ‏Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner; Congresspersons Sheila Jackson Lee & AL Green; Consul General of Pakistan in Houston Abrar Hashmi; Chief Patron AFDR Syed Javaid Anwar; along with senior elected officials from Fort Bend & Harris County, and several community leaders were in attendance & all donated generously.  

     ‏Addressing the fundraising event, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson said that after a visit to the flood-affected areas of Pakistan, the Biden administration was briefed about the ground situation in Pakistan, as a result of which the Biden administration is expected to authorize an additional 20 million dollars on top of the earlier $30 million for the flood victims in Pakistan. 

     ‏On this occasion, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Congressman AL Green said that we are standing with the Pakistanis in this difficult time, which demand the international community to come forward to help Pakistan in this disaster. 

    During their address to a generous community of Houston at the fundraising dinner, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, senior government officials, and other community leaders also paid tribute to Syed Javaid Anwar, Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, and other leaders for their efforts and all organizing Committee of Alliance for Disaster Relief collaborative with its motto of Blessings in Unity. 

     Prominent Oil Businessman Syed Javaid Anwar, who is recipient of Hilal-e- Imtiaz Pakistan, donated $200,000 and also addressed the event and appealed to the prosperous Pakistani Americans to help the needy fellow citizens in mother land. 

     On this occasion Alliance coordinator Muhammad Saeed Sheikh welcomed the guests and paid tribute to alliance members for their efforts to help in organizing a fund-raising event successfully. 

    iLyas Choudry, one of the Directors of the ‏well-known charity organization Helping Hand for Relief and Development gave presentation on the Alliance Relief operations managed by HHRD in Pakistan. 

     Fund raising activity was managed by prominent community leaders Sajjad Burki, Dr Yaqoob Sheikh, Former International Test Cricketer Jalal Uddin, Atif Khan, and others.

    Bina Sheikh, Mahmood & Naheed Ahmed, Dr. Hina, Faraz Hamza, and many Volunteers of PSA-UH & Community were very instrumental in organizing the event.

  • Iconic World Trade Center Displays Animated Indian Flag

    Iconic World Trade Center Displays Animated Indian Flag

    NEW YORK: Starting at 8pm on August 15th, an animated Indian Flag was displayed on the One World Trade Center podium. The building’s spire was also lit up in the Indian Tri color.

    This initiative commemorates the world’s largest democracy – India celebrating its 75th year of Independence. As part of the celebrations, other Durst installations at One Bryant Park and One Five One, in mid-town will were also lit up in the tricolor.

    The South Asian Engagement Foundation is responsible for many initiatives and civic engagements for the Indian American community as it assimilates into the fabric of Americana.

    “This is an historic moment commemorating India’s Independence and most importantly the expression of love between the US and India,” said Rahul Walia, Founding trustee of SAEF. “We hope to continue the tradition and enhance the experience for everyone with more imagery on the podium,” he added.

    The display was visible starting at 8pm and continued until 2am New York City time, on August 15th.

    The community gathered to witness this historic moment and the Foundation gave out commemorative pins to mark the celebration.

    “We are so happy to be working with the Durst Organization to help celebrate India and thank them for their help in making this a reality” said Aarti Walia, Director South Asian Engagement Foundation.

    In September, coinciding with UN General Assembly, SAEF is planning a 3-night display showcasing India’s contribution to the world and the influence of Indian Americans in the US. Also, in October, they will be reprising the All-American Diwali display and fireworks. SAEF’s mission is to bring more awareness and exposure to the rich and diverse culture of Indian American community in the United States.

    For more information, please visit www.saef-us.org

  • EMGH Honors Congressman Al Green, Provides Construction Update

    EMGH Honors Congressman Al Green, Provides Construction Update

    Dignitaries at the reception at India House on July 18 included Bellaire Mayor Andrew Friedberg (left), City of Houston Treasurer Chris Brown, Emcee and EMGH Truestee Dr. Manish Wani, Congressman Al Green, CG Aseem Mahajan, Dr. Alma Allen, and Trustee Atul Kothari. Photo: Namita Sutaria.

    By Pramod Kulkarni

    HOUSTON: Peace through non-violence is one of the eternal preachings of Mahatma Gandhi. An eternal venue to convey the life and teachings of India’s Father of the Nation will soon be a reality at the Eternal Gandhi Museum of Houston (EMGH).

    At a reception at India House on the evening of Saturday, July 16, EMGH trustees honored Congressman Al Green before a select audience of donors and dignitaries. Cong. Green was responsible for the passage of community funding of $3 million through the US House of Representatives and the Senate.

    Budgeted for a total cost of $13 million, EMGH is a three-acre facility at 12379 Riceville School Road, adjacent to Sam Houston Tollway and West Airport Road in southwest Houston. EMGH trustees have raised about $7 million of the funding through government funding, foundation grants, and private donations.

    EMGH Trustee Atul Kothari (left) describes features of the EMGH model to Congressman Al Green and Consul General Aseem Mahajan. Photo: CGI Houston

    EMGH is a cultural and educational museum dedicated to preserving Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of nonviolent conflict resolution by cultivating universal values of truth, nonviolence, peace, love, and service. Opening in 2023, it will be the only museum in the Americas dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

    At the reception on July 18, Dr. Manish K. Vani welcomed the audience and introduced the Swar Sangam choir, which presented two of Gandhi’s favorite bhajans, “Vaishnav Janato” and “Ram ka Gungan”. Swar Sangam returned to the podium at the conclusion to lead the audience in singing of the bhajan, “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram”.
    Keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. Clayborne Carson with Stanford University, who spoke about how Mahatma Gandhi not only inspired Rev. Martin Luther King, but the entire Black civil rights movement. Many of the civil rights movement leaders had visited India to speak directly to Mahatma Gandhi at his Sabarmati ashram in Ahmedabad.

    Stating how EMGH represented a highlight of India’s “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”, the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, Consul General Aseem Mahajan revealed that the Government of India had facilitated the donation of Gandhi’s bronze statue, which will be the centerpiece of the EMGH outdoor pavilion.

    Bubble diagram shows the unique audio-visual segments of the EMGH exhibit space beginning with His Journey, followed by Our Journey, and then My Journey.

    Chris Mozier and Cynthia Torp of Solid Light, which designed the exhibit space, guided the audience through each of the unique exhibit features. Lorie Westrick of RDLR Architects explained how the humble nature of the Gandhi exhibits in India and the spinning wheel (charkha) inspired the EMGH architectural design. Tina Khatri of TDK Construction presented photos of the current state of the building. The evening concluded with dinner catered by Dawat Cuisine.

    For more information, visit www.emgh.org.

  • Foundation for India Studies (FIS) Joins Houston’s MLK Parade

    Foundation for India Studies (FIS) Joins Houston’s MLK Parade

    From left to right: Netra Tallavajhula, Nishant Revanur, Chandu Revanur, Pooja Revanur, Vivek Tallavajhula, Krishna Vavilala, Arun Kashyap, Sudhakar Tallavajhula (Event Chair.), Ariana Morales, Manav Vishwanath, Anand Morales. [Photos by: ASVM]

    HOUSTON: On January 17, 2022, members and supporters of the Foundation for India Studies (FIS) braved the morning wintry weather and walked in the 28th Martin Luther King Jr. Grande Parade held in midtown, Houston.

    FIS, a 15 year old organization, has routinely participated in MLK parades for 10 years and also won the paarde’s Grand Marshall Award in 2015.

    FIS’s participation in the MLK parades was to pay homage to the late civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. who had adopted Mahatma Gandhi ji’s methods of passive resistance and non-violence in his struggle to achieve equal civil rights for the Black community, thus enabling a permanent bondage between people of America and the people of India. This relationship is expected to endure the test of times for many generations to come.

    The theme of this year’s MLK parade was aptly named “Social Inclusion” referring to the oppression and inequities experienced by the communities of color particularly the Black community.

    Despite the resurgence of Covid-19 Omicron cases, the spirit of MLK Jr. prevailed throughout the parade which saw enthusiastic participation by numerous college, and school kids marching alongside bands and floats. Organizations like the NASA and ROTC also participated.

    The organizers restarted the parade this year after suspending it last year due to Covid-19.

    FIS Event chair Mr. Sudhakar Tallavajhula said, all student participants will be presented with Certificates of Appreciation for rendering help in the parade walk. He was supported by the student co-chairs, Anand Morales and Nishant Revanur, Manav Vishwanath and Netra Tallavajhula, helped plan the event and assisted in organizing other students to carry the FIS banner.

    In the spirit of unity in diversity, FIS was joined by middle and high school students from the greater Houston area.

    FIS Founder and Chairman, Krishna Vavilala, led the group; dressed like Gandhi ji, a trend he started in 2006 which is now followed by others. As a nine year old boy, Mr. Vavilala had experienced the aura of Gandhi ji in person in his native town, Rajahmundry and later on as an immigrant in Houston had proposed and served as the Project Chair of the Gandhi statue project in the Herman park (2003).

    Spectators of the MLK parade stood on the curbside and cheered for the students, exclaiming phrases such as, “Peace!” or “Non-violence” or “Gandhi”. It was a wonderful experience as all the participants in the parade had the chance to recall their memories of two great leaders who influenced radical differences that shaped society for the better today. Mahatma Gandhi Ji was an Indian lawyer and nationalist who practiced passive resistance to achieve independence for India from British colonial rule and his non-violent actions inspired many movements across the globe. Though the two leaders had never met, Dr. King was one of the earliest adopters of Gandhi’s non-violent civil disobedience philosophy.  Dr. King is famously quoted as stating that: “If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He lived, thought, and acted, inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and harmony. We may ignore him at our own risk.”  Dr. King saw through on Gandhi’s legacy of achieving a better world and is today most remembered for his prominence in the American Civil Rights Movement, which eventually brought an end to legalized racial discrimination and segregation in the United States.

    FIS remains committed to commemorating Gandhi and Dr. King’s legacies of non-violence and peaceful co-existence.

    For information about FIS projects, please visit: www.foundationforindiastudies.org.

    FIS would like to specifically thank middle and high-school volunteers for providing help at the event, and for their help in organizing our participation in the MLK Parade. Event Chair, Sudhakar Tallavajhula acknowledges help from students Ariana Morales and Vivek Tallavajhula for their contribution to this article.

  • Indo American News Radio Turns 2!

    Indo American News Radio Turns 2!

  • Indo-American Doctor Leads Use of mRNA Vaccines beyond Covid

    Indo-American Doctor Leads Use of mRNA Vaccines beyond Covid

    NEW YORK: In 2017, Vinod Balachandran published a paper in the science journal Nature explaining an interesting phenomenon that he had discovered in a tiny number of pancreatic cancer survivors. T-cells circulating in their blood had developed the ability to identify, remember and fight back against proteins in the deadly tumours.

    The surgeon, from New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, likened it to “auto-vaccination”. Balachandran described how actual vaccines using messenger RNA molecules could be used to replicate the response and give more patients the ability to defend themselves against the often fatal tumours.

    His research caught the eye of a then little-known scientist, Ugur Sahin, chief executive of German biotechnology company BioNTech, who was so intrigued by the findings that he invited Balachandran’s team to Mainz. Over dinner at Heiliggeist, a nearly 800-year-old church-turned-restaurant on the banks of the river Rhine, and joined by scientists from Swiss pharmaceutical company Genentech, the group discussed the potential of mRNA vaccines to treat pancreatic cancer.

    “It was beautiful,” says Balachandran about the restaurant that once served as a hospital, and the conversation: “The purpose and the mission was common between us.”

    Survival rates among pancreatic cancer patients are low. Only 10 per cent survive longer than five years, according to the American Cancer Society, making it one of the deadliest forms of the disease. By comparison, 90 per cent of breast cancer patients survive over the same period of time.

    Two years of research followed the dinner and in December 2019, 20 patients were enrolled in the first clinical trial assessing mRNA vaccines in pancreatic cancer sufferers. With the world about to learn of a novel coronavirus, BioNTech and others would soon pivot their mRNA work to create a vaccine against Covid-19.

    While the mRNA vaccines made by BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna have become synonymous with helping to dramatically reduce deaths from Covid-19, Balachandran is among a growing group of scientists using the medical technology to investigate treatments for other illnesses.

    Proponents of mRNA argue that combating Covid-19 is just the start and that its wider adoption heralds a revolution in modern medicine. Cures for some forms of cancer are among several areas being explored. Pharmaceutical companies are now turning their attention to the power of mRNA to tackle a range of illnesses from flu to heart disease and HIV. Very early vaccine trials are also under way for the Zika virus, yellow fever and rare diseases such as methylmalonic acidemia, where the body is unable to break down proteins.

    “Five years ago there was hesitation from the larger companies about investing in this space,” says Michael Choy, head of life sciences at Boston Consulting Group. “Having so many people receive the mRNA product [for Covid] has made a big difference.” as a unique circumstance”. – FT.com

  • Fort Bend County Awards $475,000 Grant to Eternal Gandhi Museum of Houston

    Fort Bend County Awards $475,000 Grant to Eternal Gandhi Museum of Houston

    HOUSTON: Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston, EGMH, is very happy and proud to inform you that it has received a generous grant of $475,000 under the non -profit program of the Fort Bend County under the American rescue plan.

    Judge KP George has offered unflinching support to the activities of EGMH from day one when he was invited to Shraddhanjali, Memorial Service, for Mahatma Gandhi in February 2019 at Unity of Houston. EGMH profusely thanks Judge for his support. This grant will go a long way in bringing to life the First ever museum in the Americas dedicated to preserve and promote Mahatma Gandhi’s greatest legacy of nonviolent conflict resolution.

    EGMH is truly grateful to the Fort Bend County Commissioners’ court for approving this grant.

    When EGMH opens in 2023 it will be an education institution to resolve conflicts nonviolently. It will invite Houston and surrounding area school children for field trip to the museum at no cost. A trained docent will lead the children in the museum based on content developed by grade by an education consultant. The EGMH will be an interactive museum divided into three parts, His Journey (Mahatma Gandhi’s Life), Our Journey (Impact of Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of nonviolent conflict resolution in the world featuring, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela and others around the world and finally My Journey section were each visitor will be asked to make a commitment to make the community a better place to live in.

  • Tony Wadhawan: Candidate for Fort Bend County Court at Law #2

    Tony Wadhawan: Candidate for Fort Bend County Court at Law #2

    Tony Wadhawan, candidate for Ft Bend County Court at Law #2 flanked by his wife Reshama and parents Ramesh and Shail at his 40th birthday party and campaign meet on Thursday, December 16, in Telfair Central Hall in Sugar Land.

    SUGAR LAND: It was a 40th birthday party as well as a re-affirmation of the election campaign that he had kicked off a few weeks earlier. In this cozy atmosphere at the Telfair Central Hall decked out in red-white and blue, with balloons on a marquee backdrop, Tony Wadhawan was able to be himself with his family, friends and loyal supporters. He is a big man but nimble on his feet, and he double-stepped into the hall, accompanied by his wife Reshama, to the beat of Punjabi dhols as he was introduced to the crowd.

    Wadhawan is the son of long-time Houstonians Ramesh and Shail Wadhawan who have operated Shelly Travel and now Zee Travel. He bears a striking resemblance to both and has their same affable attitude towards people.

    But when it comes to the law, Wadhawan is all business. A product of Ft Bend schools, he got his law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. Since then, he has developed into a well-respected criminal attorney with a 14-year practice. He knows the ins and outs of the system, and regularly handles the kind of cases that the Ft Bend Court at Law #2 is known to deal with. He wants to spread his message across the county of his competency as he seeks to win in the primary on March 1.

  • Indian Consular Services Outsourced to VFS Global

    Indian Consular Services Outsourced to VFS Global

    HOUSTON: In continuation of our Public Notice dated 3 November, 2020 https:// cgihouston.gov.in/listview/MTk3 regarding the appointment of VFS Global as the new Outsourcing Service Provider for Visa, OCI, Renunciation, Passport, Global Entry Programme (GEP) and Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) services for the Consulate General of India, Houston, it is informed that with effect from 13 December, 2021 VFS Global will start accepting visa applications. A service fee of US$ 15.90 (inclusive of all taxes) per application will be charged, in addition to applicable Government of India fees for these services.

    2. Applicants are advised not to send any applications by post to VFS Global before completing an online application. Applicants residing within the CONSULAR JURISDICTION of the Consulate General of India, Houston may contact VFS Global as per details given below:
    Suite 550,
    1001 Texas Avenue
    Houston TX 77002
    Website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind
    Helpline: +1-800-320-9693

    3. Pursuant to this: Consulate will stop accepting direct visa applications w.e.f. 13 December, 2021 and the applicant will need to submit the visa application to VFS, details of which are available at https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind

    In view of ongoing Covid pandemic, while majority of visas have been restored, it has been decided that only a Single Entry Tourist Visa will be granted with validity for 120 days and a maximum stay permitted of 30 days within this 120 day period. In addition, Entry Visas are also being issued to US passport holders of Indian origin, subject to eligibility. The details of currently permitted categories are available at PERMITTED
    CATEGORIES FOR TRAVEL TO INDIA

    4. Details of visa fees are available at Revised Visa fees for USA nationals In addition, the applicant will be required to pay US$ 3.00 on account of Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF), apart from the VFS service charge and for any value-added services, like courier, etc.

    5. Emergency Visa Service: VFS will accept in-person applications, with prior appointment, on working days as well as on weekends/holidays, from US passport holders of Indian origin and their family members required to visit India due to a genuine family emergency, such as critical illness or death of a family member. Documentary evidence will need to be provided and the applicant will be charged an emergency service fee. Applicant within the consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India, Houston may contact VFS as per details
    given below:
    From Monday – Friday: Between 9 AM to 4 PM
    Email: VFS_VisaHOU@vfsglobal.com
    Weekends and Holidays Only: Between 9AM to 4PM

  • India Culture Center Elects New Directors and Trustees

    India Culture Center Elects New Directors and Trustees

    The ICC Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees, along with other members.

    By Jawahar Malhotra

    HOUSTON: In a fresh new approach to end-of-the-year board meeting, India Culture Center President Jasmeeta Singh went through a Powerpoint presentation to outline the achievements of the organization over the past 12 months, followed by the treasurer’s report.

    Singh reported that with 50 new life and general members and collections from iFair and iFest, 2021 revenues were over $66,000 and net income was over $35,000, the highest in a decade. iFair was a Zoom event that raised about $12,000 while iFest, celebrating Indian Independence Day, was an in-person held at the Stafford Civic Centre and raised a record $50,000.

    The ICC Executive Board (seated) and the Board of Directors

    Apropos to the importance of the event, the meeting was held in a small section of the large hall at India House and featured a sumptuous lunch catered by Asiana Restaurant for the nearly 80 members who attended, another record turnout, at least in the past decade.

    The centerpiece of the meeting was the election of new Directors for the 7 vacancies and Trustees for the 3 vacancies. The Election Committee with myself as the Chair, Bangar Reddy and Hasu Patel called out the names of those nominated. These 6 Directors elected to two-year terms are returning directors Santosh Verma; Falguni Gandhi; Dr. K.D. Upadhyaya; Uma Mantravadi; and new directors Juli Mathew and Dr. Phaneendra Kondapi. The two Trustees are Praful Gandhi (returning for another term) and Charlie Patel. Filling out the seventh director seat was Sangeeta Dargan who self-nominated herself from the floor and was seconded and accepted.

  • Mayor Appoints Col. Vipin Kumar to Houston’s First Food Insecurity Board

    Mayor Appoints Col. Vipin Kumar to Houston’s First Food Insecurity Board

    Houston: On Wednesday, December 1st 2021 India House’s Executive Director, Col. Vipin Kumar (Retired) was appointed as a board member for the City of Houston’s first Food Insecurity Board, approved by a unanimous vote by the Mayor and City Council. The board will be responsible for advising and making recommendations to the Mayor, Council, and Department Directors to address issues pertaining to food insecurity based on a topic of study which will be assigned by the Mayor each year.

    Over 738,000 Houstonians have little to no access to healthy food, and 360,000 children in Harris County are experiencing food insecurity. This includes over 500,000 Houstonians living in “food deserts” with little to no access to healthy food. Because of the pandemic, the Houston Food Bank distributes 1,000,000 pounds of food per day, compared to 450,000 pounds a day before COVID-19. After Winter Storm Uri, this number spiked to 1,200,000 pounds of food per day as mass distributions took place in worship spaces, schools, and various venues throughout the city, including India House.

    Over the past 3 years India House has been conducting bi-monthly food distribution drives feeding over 400 families every month, around 5,000 families every year. During the COVID-19 outbreak when the world shut down, Col. Vipin shifted gears and organized and gathered the resources needed to plan and execute a safe strategy to continue feeding the community, especially when they needed it most. With his pulse on National Health Guidelines, the safety of his team, and the needs of his community, he resumed the Food Distribution program at India House in July 2020 and has continued since then.

    The Food Insecurity Board will consist of 19 members. Within the first two years, the Food Insecurity Board is expected to focus on key food, nutrition, and agriculture policy issues and opportunities that are affected by government and legislation; create recommended policy priorities that best suit the needs of Houston, with an emphasis on community food security; and educate the public and policymakers about food system.

     

  • AAPI Governing Body Gala Raises $70K to Combat Human Trafficking

    AAPI Governing Body Gala Raises $70K to Combat Human Trafficking

    Nashville: During the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) Fall Governing Body Meeting, a Fundraiser gala was held on November 20th, 2021 at Embassy Suites by Hilton in Franklin TN, Suburbs of “Music City” Nashville, TN.
    The host chapter- AAPI-TN presented FFLI with a fundraised $70,000, in order to help strengthen the efforts to end human trafficking and to help continue and expand their impact in India.
    While pointing out that Human Trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the country, reported in all 50 states of the United States of America, “we as a community have a duty to end the various forms of slavery,” AAPI Tennessee Chapter President, Dr. Anuradha P. Mann said. “With the goal of supporting Nashville nonprofit FFLI (Free for Life International). FFLI works in prevention along with rescue, restoration, rehabilitation and education of trafficked victims, we are pleased to present this token of our appreciation to help support the efforts of FFLI,” she added.
    The opening ceremony was symbolic, especially with the recent celebration of Diwali, and tied back to the soulful mission of FFLI. Gabrielle Thompson, FFLI CEO and Executive Director and Board Member Radha Babu addressed the audience, describing the impact of fighting human trafficking in India.
    The underlying theme of Diwali, celebrating Light over Darkness, Victory of Good over Evil and Knowledge over Ignorance, which has caught up the attention of people all over the world, was done as the traditional lamp was lit by AAPI-TN Executive Committee, AAPI USA President Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, Congressman Jim Cooper and Grand Sponsor Dr. Bharat Sangani.
    The audience was in awe of FFLI’s work and mission. In his keynote address, Congressman Jim Cooper from Nashville highlighted the numerous injustices that intersect with human trafficking and exploitation, along with the urgent need for action at the state, national, and international levels.
    In her address, Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, President of national AAPI highlighted some of the major achievements of AAPI under her leadership in the past five months ever since a new executive committee assumed charge of AAPI in July this year. Evolving to meet the growing needs of its members and the larger population it is called to serve, AAPI, the largest ethnic physician organization in the United states, representing over 100,000 Indian American Physicians, has grown steadily and is recognized by the authorities, local communities and mainstream media for the many noble initiatives AAPI has led, especially during the Covid pandemic, she said.
    She reminded AAPI members that, as part pf the upcoming Global Healthcare Summit, AAPI has initiated preventive healthcare screenings in 75 villages to understand the concept of preventive screenings help to diagnose any silent diseases which are causing premature deaths from Coronary heart disease and cancers like Breast cancer, cervical cancer which are preventable if diagnosed early through these annual screenings as mentioned above.
    During the CMEs, several important topics with recent advances were well received by the AAPI fraternity. Themes for the CMEs included: ‘Cancer therapy: Advancement as we head for a cure’ by Dr. Nishitha Reddy, ‘Psychiatric sequelae of human trafficking’ by Dr. Sricharan Moturi, ‘Cardiovascular disease in South Asians- (Masala Study)’ by Dr. Ramya Suryadevara and ‘Stem cell therapy: The future of medicine’ by Dr. Sai Ram Atluri. The CME was well-attended, with active engagement between speakers and moderators (Dr. Amit Keswani, Dr.Varun Dhulipala, Dr. Biliyar, and Dr. Gunuganti. Attendees were eligible for 3 Category 1 CME hours, accredited by the Chicago Medical Society (CMS).

    Organized by the AAPI Tennessee Chapter led by its President, Dr. Anuradha P. Mann, the gala, fund raiser and the Fall Governing Body Meeting of national AAPI was chaired by Dr. Sunil Kaza and effectively coordinated by Dr. Dayaker Mallipeddi, Dr. Shashank Ponugoti, and Dr Viren Shah.
    The gala began with the Event Chair Dr. Sunil Kaza welcoming community members, family, friends, colleagues and sponsors.  “We, AAPI- TN team, worked hard to stick to the mission of AAPI, for education and charity to serve humanity. We thank each and every member that attended and supported the event. Our special thanks to all our Sponsors,” said Dr. Sunil Kaza, Chair of the Gala Committee. The Grand sponsor for the event, Dr. Bharat Sangani attended the meeting personally.
    Attended by over 150 AAPI delegates from around the nation and more than 250 local members, the weekend event was packed with activities including Business Meet, “warm meet and greet” with local AAPI TN members, CMEs, fun-filled impromptu ‘Mehfil’ led by Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, Gala and Dinner. After a delicious dinner during gala, the participants were entertained with a live music, provided by ‘Geetanjali’ and the ‘SaReGaMa’ orchestra from Chicago. Several past Presidents of AAPI attended praised this event as ‘one of the best’ they have attended. AAPI’s BOT Chair Dr. Kusum Punjabi and other Board of Trustees attended and graced the event. AAPI-TN Chapter donated $10,000 to the National AAPI’s Endowment Fund.