Indo American News

Tag: Indo-American News

  • Record Breaking Attendance Numbers for Texas Renaissance Festival’s Opening Weekend

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    Photos: Vanshika Vipin

    TODD MISSION: Despite forecasts for patchy rain over the first weekend, Texas Renaissance Festival organizers report record breaking attendance numbers for Saturday and Sunday’s Oktoberfest opening weekend. The nation’s largest and most acclaimed renaissance festival celebrates 40 years of food, fun and magical weekends from October 11 through November 30, as well as Thanksgiving Friday.

    “After 40 years, the Texas Renaissance Festival is built to withstand all types of weather, especially rain,” General Manager Terre Albert says. “Being in Texas, rain is something we’ve learned to expect in the fall. With that in mind, the festival has several covered venues that visitors can step inside if it does start to rain, including The Barbarian Inn, Hacienda San Jorge and a number of shoppes. These places offer food, drinks and entertainment!”

    After rain, organizers rebuild any paths, holes or water damage across the 55-acre footprint during the week.

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    “We do this so that the festival is in perfect shape for festival goers for the next weekend,” Albert says.

    Organizers promise an unforgettable season of eight themed weekends, filled with new surprises and the same 16th century cheer, lively characters and turkey legs that have made the event famous.

    Magical fantasies came to life this past 1001 Dreams weekend, October 18 & 19, as wizards, elves and faeries enchanted the streets of New Market Village spreading joy throughout the shire. A Fantasy Scavenger Hunt, Fantasy Costume Contest, and the Dragon Wing Eating Contest were all part of the enchanting celebrations.

    To commemorate its 40th anniversary, Texas Renaissance Festival debuted a major addition to its stable of offerings – King Midas’ Masquerade. An event in its own right, the much-anticipated inaugural masked ball takes place every Saturday night of the festival season from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Guests will celebrate in costume and are required to wear a mask or face paint.

    The Texas Renaissance Festival has always been known as a camping destination for RVs, trailers and tents and the expansion of the The Fields of New Market Campground is an exciting addition for those looking to extend their stay.  This year, visitors will enjoy amenities such as brand new showers and continue to enjoy access to restrooms, water stations and a “Quikie Mart” open from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. for drinks, snacks, ice and other camping materials as well as hot cooked meals being served throughout the campgrounds.

    Tickets for the Texas Renaissance Festival can be purchased online only at www.texrentfest.com/buy-tickets. Tickets to the King Midas Masquerade are limited (only 600 people are allowed each Saturday), and must be purchased online along with a parking or camping pass. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and a bevy of activities and entertainment. For those seeking the royal treatment, Golden Tickets to the King Midas Masquerade are available for an additional $95 to the regular ticket price ($75), and include early entry into the Masquerade Ball at 7 p.m., a celebratory toast with King Midas at 7:30 p.m., VIP and lounge area seating, top shelf drinks and hors d’oeuvres, private entertainment and a gift of King Midas’ special reserve wine. Golden Ticket upgrades are extremely limited.  Guests must be 21 years old or older to attend the King Midas Masquerade. Tickets for the King Midas Masquerade Ball must be purchased at http://texrenfest.com/masquerade-ball/buy-tickets.

    About Texas Renaissance Festival        
    The Texas Renaissance Festival is the nation’s largest and most acclaimed Renaissance-themed event. Established in 1974, the event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to its 55-acre footprint in Todd Mission, Texas.

    The interactive event features live entertainment, food, fun and professional actors who stay true to character for eight themed weekends from Saturday, October 11 through November 30.

    For further information, visit www.texrenfest.com or follow on Twitter @texrenfest or like on Facebook/texrenfest. 

  • CANCER CURE & PREVENTION SERIES: Prostate Cancer: The Silent Killer

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    In the next series of topics, we will explore specific cancers. The first of these is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is not only a very common cancer but one of the few, where there are several choices of treatment for early to intermediate disease. In most cancer types, the oncologists taking care of the patient can provide a clear recommendation for what would be considered the “best” treatment. In prostate cancer, there is often no “best” treatment.Patients truly have choices to select from. In order to do that well, patients and their families need to be well informed about the nature of treatment and potential side effects. We encourage all men to have consultations with both an urologist as well as a radiation oncologist. Read further as Dr. Ramesh Krishnan explores the topic of prostate cancer.
    -Vivek S. Kavadi, M.D.

    By Dr. Ramesh Krishnan
    Prostate cancer is a silent killer. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for men, other than skin cancer, in the state and country, and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among men. However, this deadly disease often shows no symptoms, silently attacking its victims with no warning signs. This year alone, more than 233,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. The risk stretches down to Texas, where an estimated 17,991 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 2,113 men are expected to die of the disease in 2014.

    At Texas Urology Specialists, we work with patients fighting some of the deadliest diseases, including prostate cancer. The best weapons in the fight against cancer are prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment, which are all critical to survival. In fact, if prostate cancer is detected and treated early and before the cancer spreads, patients have a nearly 100 percent chance of survival after five years.

    Although symptoms may not always appear, there may be warning signs. Symptoms include: a frequent need to urinate, especially at night; difficulty controlling urination or bowel movements; painful or burning urination; blood in urine or semen; difficulty having an erection; painful ejaculation; frequent pain or stiffness in the spine, hips, ribs, and other bones; and weakness or numbness in the legs or feet.

    Prevention .

    Prevention of prostate cancer is based on a set of good lifestyle choices, which can also reduce the risk for several other types of cancers and health conditions.

    Healthy eating is paramount to healthy living, with nutrition, weight management, and regular exercise all essential elements. For a healthy, well-balanced diet, try eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily and reducing consumption of animal protein.

    Several studies have also pointed to regular exercise as a key preventive measure for reducing prostate cancer risk. Being overweight or obese can further complicate prostate cancer, so maintaining a healthy body weight is important.

    Early Detection.

    When detected early, the survival rate for prostate cancer is much higher than if detected at a later stage.

    Men should discuss with their physicians the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screenings to make an informed decision about testing. Most men should consider yearly prostate screenings beginning at age 50. Men at high risk (African Americans and men with a family history of prostate cancer before age 65) should consider testing beginning at age 45. Consider screening at age 40 if more than one first-degree relative is diagnosed before 65. Prostate screenings can include the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and DRE (digital rectal exam).

    Treatment.

    Prostate cancer, depending on the stage, may be treated by different members of the cancer care team — urologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Physicians will determine the most appropriate treatment for each patient, but possible treatment options include surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy, or a combination.

    The cancer care team at Texas Urology Specialists  offers an array of medical, urologic, radiation oncology, and surgical services, with each treatment program fully tailored to the individual patient’s needs. Texas Urology Specialists offers leading-edge radiation technology for treatment of prostate cancer, including intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). IMRT enables radiation oncologists to precisely target tumor cells using 3D images that map out the tumors. Physicians use these images to localize treatment to the affected area, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.

    Some patients with prostate cancer may be treated with surgery. Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the prostate gland and surrounding tissue. The surgery is usually performed in cases where the cancer has not spread outside of the prostate gland.

    At Texas Urology Specialists, patients have access to two types of this surgery: open radical prostatectomy and robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Open surgery includes one incision to remove the prostate gland and surrounding tissue. Robotic-assisted surgery involves a series of smaller incisions, all controlled by a physician operating robotic arms. This minimally invasive procedure allows more precise control over the surgical instruments performing the operation. With the experienced surgeons at Texas Urology Specialists, the robotic surgery offers shorter hospitalization and faster recovery. Post-operative outcomes such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction are also much better with the robotic approach.

    With nearly 18,000 Texas men expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, it’s essential that all men understand their risk and take steps to reduce it. It’s also critically important to remember that leading-edge treatment offers patients heightened survival rates, especially when detected early.

    Spreading awareness is essential to the cause, so encourage everyone you know to reduce their risk and avoid becoming another victim of this silent killer.

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    Dr. Ramesh Krishnan is an urologist with Texas Urology Specialists at Memorial Urology Associates–-Memorial City, 915 Gessner Rd., Suite 720 in Houston, Texas; Memorial Urology Associates–Katy, 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 380 in Katy, Texas; and Memorial Urology Associates–West Houston, 18400 Katy Freeway, Suite 420 in Houston, Texas.

  • Houston Buddhist Vihare Celebrated Katina Pinkama

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    By Chiranjaya Nanayakkara

    HOUSTON: This year the Houston Buddhist Vihare held the celebration of ‘Katina Pinkama’ on two consecutive days – October 18 and October 19, at the Temple located at 8727 Radio Road, Houston, TX 77075, with the participation of twenty monks from various parts of the country and, well over five hundred Buddhist devotees from Houston and other cities of Texas.

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    The ceremonies started on Saturday evening with Buddhist Monks chanting ‘Pririt’ (blessings) throughout the night. The next day, early morning around 7:30 a.m., the monks were offered ‘Heel Dana’ (breakfast) prepared by the devotees. The monks walked slowly and silently in line, with their ‘Pathra’ (bowl) held out and, the devotees placed the ‘Heel Dana’ (breakfast) into the monks’ ‘Pathra’ as they passed by. The day was then filled with ‘Bana’ (Sermons) from various monks, addressed to all the adults and children present, and this went on until the time came for Dana (Lunch) which, again, was prepared by the devotees and offered to the monks.

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    After the afternoon Dana, the Buddhist devotees organized a ‘Perehara’ (parade) where they brought offerings to the monks, while traditional dancers danced to the rhythmic, hypnotic beat of the drums. The dancing was presented by the second generation of Houstonians who enthralled the spectators with their beautiful dancing. They had been trained by Mr. Suren Lewkebandara and Mrs. Ritani Rathnapala.

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    Resident monks of Houston Buddhist with the assistance of the Houston Buddhist Vihare devotees, was instrumental in organizing the colorful ‘Katina Pinkama’ festivities and ensuring that they adhered as closely as possible to the Buddhist traditions practiced in Sri-Lanka, India, Burma, Vietnam and elsewhere in the world.

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    While the entire Buddhist Community pitched-in through various means and ways for the success of the ‘Katina Pinkama’, usually, one family is charged each year with the main responsibility of providing the ‘Dana’ and other Offerings to the monks. This year the responsibility of the ‘Pinkama’ was carried out by Mr. and Mrs. Sumith and Sandya Jayasuriya, together with the Houston Buddhist Vihare and the Buddhist community of Houston.

    Katina-Vap (October) Full Moon ‘Poya’ day is of special significance to Buddhists because of ‘Katina Pinkama’. In the month of ‘Vap’, Gautama Buddha is said to have completed three months of the ‘Vas’ period (rainy period). In other words, it signifies the completion of the rainy season, so that the Buddhist monks can once again step out of the temples and go forth to preach the teachings of Buddha as well as obtain offerings, which often include food, clothing and monetary donations.

  • Mama’s Punjabi Recipes: Phirni (Cream of Rice Pudding)

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    Phirni is often confused with kheer but actually it is quite different both in presentation and taste. It is a simple, easy and quick desert to make and most people find it delicious. There are several variations of the basic phirni recipe, like the badami phirni (with almonds), kesari (saffron), gulab (rose), piste (pistachio), aam (mango) and chocolate.

    The original “phirni” dish is believed to have originated in the Middle East and traveled to India with the beginning of the Mughal dynasty. This dish is prepared universally in Hindu and Muslim homes to celebrate the festivals of Eid, Holi and Diwali.

    And to make it even simpler, there is an easier way to start than the original method that uses soaking and grinding the raw rice with milk. This is the recipe that I have described which uses cream of rice powder, which is now widely available in packets, just like cream of wheat.

    Just like its close cousin, kheer, phirni has become popular with many young people as a chic dessert especially when it is served in small earthen dishes, garnished with designs of saffron, almonds and pistachios. Recently, it has been showing up on many wedding parties as an easy to serve and eat desert.

    Ingredients:
    ½ gallon doodh (milk) – whole is best, but low-fat will do too
    ½ packet (6oz) cream of rice (rice)
    ¼ cup chinni (sugar) – use more as desired
    ¼ tsp ilachi powder (cardamom powder)

    Directions:
    1.     Pour the cold milk in a saucepan or small pot, add in the cream of rice and mix well.

    2.    Place over medium heat and stir continuously as the mixture starts to thicken up quickly. Make sure that the mixture does not stick to the sides or the bottom and also does not start to form little clumps.

    3.   Once the mixture appears to be thick enough, but can still be stirred, add the sugar while continuing to stir, for about 10 minutes.

    4.     Turn the heat off and let it cool down. Sprinkle with the ilachi powder.
    5.     Phirni is usually eaten cold, so refrigerate for an hour or two before serving.

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    Shakuntla Malhotra is a skilled cook of Punjabi dishes made in the old-fashioned style that she learnt as a young woman in her ancestral home in Lyallpur, India before it became part of Pakistan after the Partition in 1947. People have often admired her cooking for its simplicity and taste that comes with each mouthful. Even in her mid-eighties, she continues to cook daily and agreed to share some of her delectable Punjabi recipes.

    MAMA’S TIP OF THE WEEK

    CUT VEGGIES EARLY AND KEEP CURRY MASALA HANDY FOR QUICK USE

    One of the biggest reasons that many people do not want to cook at home is that they say the preparation of the vegetables takes too long. After a long day at work, it is often hard to get the energy to cook a desi meal at home, so here are a couple of shortcuts.

    The hardest part of cooking vegetables, even those with a simple recipe, is the cleaning and cutting them up, which can take upto an hour by the time you cut up all the different ingredients. Try cleaning, washing and cutting the raw vegetables on a weekend or an off evening and then storing them in ziplock plastic bags in the crisper section of the refrigerator.

    The other part that will cut down the cooking time is to prepare the masala or spice paste for several days at a time and storing it in the freezer in small containers. Then, when the time is ready to pour in the spices, simply take a tablespoon or two, depending on the quantity of food to be prepared, and put it into the dish.

  • The Magic Bus is on a Journey

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    Magic Bus Board: (Seated, from left): Swatantra Jain, Matthew Spacie (Founder and chairman of Magic Bus), Dr. Sunita Moonat, Mona Parikh, Amit and Arpita Bhandari.
    (Standing, from left): Kevin Negandhi (emcee), Ram Shriram (Magic Bus board member and venture capitalist), Gopal Savjani, Dr. H. D. Patel, and Brij Kathuria. Photos: Bijay Dixit

    Click here for photo collage

     

     

    By Vanshika Vipin

    HOUSTON: The Magic Bus is on its journey with its second event of the year, a Charity Gala, first being the Farhan Akhtar show back in April. Houstonians gathered at the JW Marriott, Westheimer, on Saturday, October 11 for a full house event for Magic Bus. The Charity Gala opened when Meena Datt, the host of Music of India and Ghungroo radio welcomed the gathering. She then introduced the master of ceremonies, Kevin Negandhi, the first Indian-American anchor for ESPN. Kevin talked about his journey into the sports journalism drawing parallel with the Magic Bus movement and the importance of sports in lives of young people. He stressed on how proud he is to be an Indian-American breaking the stereotypes.

    The stage was then set for the president of the Magic Bus Houston Chapter, Amit Bhandari to take over and express a delighted disbelief on the tremendous support from the community as well as the Houston board (Gala Chair Swatantra Jain, Co-chair Jugal Malani, Dr. H D Patel, Dr. Sunita Moonat, Brij Kathuria, Gopal Savjani and Mona Parikh) that has helped propel Magic Bus onto the national stage. He talked about support for Magic Bus back in India via television show Satyamev Jayate, hosted by Amir Khan which featured an entire episode on Magic bus.

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    Board members with volunteers, Matthew Spacie, and Ram Shriram.

    Magic Bus (magicbus.org) is a non-profit organization based in Mumbai with over 8000 volunteers and operations in fourteen states in India that impact over 250,000 children.  The organization’s goals are simple, to change the course of children’s lives, one game at a time.

    Specifically, Magic Bus uses a unique, activity-based methodology to teach children about education, gender equality, health, and social issues by engaging them in games that reinforce positivity. Girls who participate in the Magic Bus program are much more likely to finish school and go on to higher education or get a job. Magic Bus USA’s Leadership Team is only a part of the global Magic Bus team, a distinguished collection of philanthropists, entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and celebrities who share one common characteristic – a strong belief in the power of the Magic Bus approach.

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    Gala chair Swatantra Jain presenting gift to Ram Shriram (left).

    Amit invited the Counsel General of India, Pavathaneni Harish on stage. Harish commented on how the political landscape has shifted in India and that it was in a unique crossroads for remarkable growth.

    Recent Noble prize awards were then mentioned as serial venture capitalist Ram Shriram took stage. He is a Google board member and has supported Magic Bus since its inception. He emotionally recalled his childhood in Chennai and how his grandfather taught him a lifelong lesson on how one should always give back to others—he urged the captivated audience to donate and help change the lives of the children in the slums. He said, “You don’t have to be old to give but can always start young. Giving helps you with being self-aware. Gift of gratitude that comes with it and the fascinating feeling of self-awareness that it leaves you with is good.”  He highlighted the presence of youth by acknowledging the presence of young volunteers at the event. Gala Chair, Swatantra jain then presented a token of appreciation to Ram Shriram.

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    Parvati and Suryakant

    Matthew Spacie, the founder and CEO of Magic Bus, thanked everyone and made a special mention of Brij Kathuria ( board member, who put in a lot of effort for this gala). Mathew then spoke of his time growing up in Mumbai and how a simple game of rugby with neighborhood kids sparked the idea for Magic Bus. He explained the Magic Bus program and how its unique peer-driven methodology provided significant results on retention and enrollment rate. He narrated the story of Deepika with pictures of her development accompanied by disturbing statistics on child marriages and the silver lining of kids graduating because of Magic Bus.

    Another real life example of the magic bus program is Parvati, who joined magic bus at the age of 8 and is now in her early twenties. She spoke in fluent English on how the program helped her escape living homelessly on construction sites as well as childhood marriage, and drove her to be the first college graduate in her family. She called it the magical moment of her life when she joined Magic Bus. Highlighting the grass-roots community nature of the program. She mentioned her idol is Matthew Spacie and would like to be him one day. Another example, Suryakant, joined Magic Bus at the age of 7, he is now 20, mentored by ‘Parvati didi”, as he fondly calls her, expresses a new found respect for women and has bright career aspirations. He said magic bus has changed his perspective of seeing women, elders and peers.

    The evening’s finale was a lively pledge drive and auction that raised an impressive sum of $353,690 which was then generously matched by Ram Shriram. A delectable dinner catered by Daawat catering followed and gala attendees got on their feet to dance out to some hit Bollywood music. The event was well decorated by Decor One. It was an evening well attended and well directed. The Magic Bus is rolling onto its journey and the passengers have started enjoying the ride.

    For further information visit www.magicbususa.org

  • A Shorter Ram Leela True to its Roots of Story Telling and Lessons Learned

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    Ram, Laxman, Sita, and Hanuman. Photos: Bijay Dixit

    By Jawahar Malhotra

    HOUSTON: It is a tale often told and has played out on stage for centuries, and it has become a tradition in the Bayou City over the past decade as the region’s Hindus go through all the celebrations that culminate in the sparkling, fireworks spectacle of Diwali. For centuries, Valmiki’s Rama Leela has reminded the faithful of the trials and tribulations of Rama and the lessons inherent in it to become a perfect man, to have self-control and become, like Rama, the Lord of Virtue, the Maryada Purushottama.

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    Dr. Arun Verma (right) with the Emcee, Nina Magon (Star of NBC’s TV serial ‘American Dream Builders’).

    These virtues are what are held dear to the heart of Dr. Arun Verma and the Shri Sita Ram Foundation, as they have brought the Rama Leela to the masses over the last few years. The devotion to the core values found in the Valmiki’s Ramayana have led Verma to build on the lure of the Diwali season by adding a Dussehra festival that is now in its third year at Skeeters Park in Sugar Land and brought in over 10,000 people (see IAN dated October 10, 2014).

    At that mega event held a fortnight ago on Saturday, October 4, there was a precursor to the Rama Leela play on a stage in the middle of the ballpark. Last Sunday, October 12, the same actors played out the entire Rama Leela, in their golden costumed splendor to a crowd of devoted attendees. It was a departure from the play that was staged two years ago at the Wortham Center downtown, but a return to the roots of the play at Cullen Auditorium at the University of Houston’s Main Campus.

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    Drs. Renu and Suresh Khator with the former Ambassador of Bolivia to Washington (left).

    And it was a return to the roots of storytelling too, as the tale unfolded under the direction of the artist Rathna Kumar, with Assistant Director Kiron Kumar and Technical Director Nik Nikam. This version of the Rama Leela that was staged in 23 acts was different from the ones performed in previous years in its simplicity of language and the brevity of its length, lasting just under two hours, although the entire event was slightly longer to provide an introduction to the production and some honored guests.

    The heavy rain that engulfed the city on Sunday afternoon certainly dampened out the enthusiastic crowd that usually linger outside in the small plaza in front of the auditorium, and may have led to a smaller attendance, but the fervor was still there in the organizers, with a idol of Ganesh planted in the lobby for homage and volunteers passing out LED diyas and prasad to people entering the hall. The Indian Consul General Parvatheneni Harish spoke for a few minutes, as did the University of Houston Chancellor and President Renu Khator about the relevance of Rama Leela and giving Diwali greetings to all.

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    Angad in Ravan’s court, scene from the Ram Leela.

    A special element was the official launch of the just-printed Spanish version of the Ramayana translated by a Bolivian ardent of the Vishva Vaishnava Raj Sabha, Reynaldo Cuadros Anaya who has been initiated as Ranga Puri das 35 years ago. It has taken him 21 years to translate Valmiki’s Ramayana from the original Sanskrit and he spoke of his pursuit and concluded with by reciting a verse in Sanskrit and imploring “Sri Sita Ram Lakshman Hanuman ki jai”.

    The play got off to a start with an introduction by Verma’s daughter, Nina Magon, an interior designer who had also participated in the NBC reality show “American Dream Builders” last season. She set the stage for the first act as the Sage Vishwaamitr asks King Dashrath to protect his ashram from demons. From there on till the end scene when the actors lined up for a final bow and pictures, the play worked through the major scenes that reflect turning points for the story and narrowed down the often lengthy performance to a much shorter length.

    In doing so, the directors decided to do away with many of the props and theatrics that have been used in previous years, like Hanuman flying through the air on a harness carrying the mountain, or the fire dancers and symbolic burning of the demon effigies. Instead, the audience was left to visualize the pantomime, as when berries are picked and placed in imaginary baskets and the place of exile and its daily rituals are depicted by a change in costumes and a simple stone and tall plant.

    In fact, the whole play leaned heavily on the use of projected backdrop slides and video clips to bring the imagination to life and this allowed the viewers to understand the lessons that were being depicted – like the Dutiful Son, Keeping Your Word, the Love and Devotion of a Husband and Wife and Brotherly Love – rather than get lost in the visuals. The production also cut down on the number of dances performed during the play to one, and allowed three short ones by students of Rathna Kumar’s Anjali Performing Arts, to run together at the end.

    The performers showed that they had rehearsed their lines and moves for many weeks and the six little boys who came to portray the monkey army were greeted with cheers and applause. The actors portraying Dashrath, Ram, Sita, Hanuman, the dual role of Kaikeyi-Shuprnakha and Ravana (who does not come onstage with his ten heads) were well played but the roles of Ravana’s son and Indrajit and Lakshman were played with the vigor and strength that belongs to those characters. At the end, the Ram Rajya court took its place as rose petals fell from the sky.

  • Willy Honors Sri Lankan Minister at Garden Party

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    Sri Lankan Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara (second from left) with George and Shanti Willy at the garden party held at their home. Photos: Mitan Sidhu

     

    By Mitan Sidhu

    SUGAR LAND: On Thursday, October 9, well-known immigration attorney, George Willy, and his wife, Shanti, threw an informal outdoor dinner party at their beautiful home in Sugar Land for the visiting Sri Lankan Cabinet Minister, Vasudeva Nanyakkara. The senior Minister has been working relentlessly to bring about reconciliation between the divisive factors of the country, especially those between the Tamils and the Sinhalese and was visiting his son who lives in the city.
    Willy has had a life-long interest in politics, though he has not ventured into the arena himself. He has gained a reputation among the South Asian community as an attorney interested in contributing to the growth and empowerment of the community and hosted the visiting Minister to introduce him to various officials in town. He brought together an array of prominent local South Asians to meet and mingle with the Minister in an informal gathering to share and exchange views with the visiting dignitary and hear of his efforts in facilitating the reconciliation effort.

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    From right: Sri Lankan Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara with the Honorary Counsel General of Sri Lanka, Bandula Wijay and two other guests.

    Among the nearly 80 guests were city officials, businessmen, journalists, friends and family – all gathered in support of the grass-root effort at bringing about reconciliation to a country reeling from the effects of being torn apart by various differences, such as origins, cultural, language and religious. The somewhat shy, soft-spoken, smiling and unassuming Nanyakkara was most humble and gracious in meeting and greeting the guests. He laughed and joked with them, and listened to their views and suggestions, while sharing his own.

    Nanayakkara felt that his trip has been successful in planting a seed of interest and curiosity among many of the South Asian community to see how the future of Sri Lanka unfurls. He hoped and felt sure that after he returned to Sri Lanka, the discussions he has begun shall continue, and that the seeds he has sown will germinate and take root. His convictions prove that one man can make a huge difference in bringing about positive change.

    Shanti Willy played the role of a most gracious hostess, ensuring that the guests were well taken care of. The menu was extensive and she made sure that the food would satisfy every palate present. Though centered on a political issue the evening provided for animated discussions, pleasantries, and old bonds were strengthened and new ones forged and some guests were reluctant to leave early.

     

     

  • What Makes Diwali Diwali ?

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    By Malay Vyas

    HOUSTON: Is it the thousand twinkling lights, the aroma of sweet delicacies arising from the kitchen, making numerous phone calls back home to talk with parents, cousins, uncles and aunts, or is it a flurry of house parties?  Diwali is nostalgia of Diwalis past, a celebration of all you have, and anticipation of all that awaits.  Simply, if life is a journey, Diwali is your favorite stopover.

    With all the distractions and responsibilities that we are clouded with, it is important to celebrate Diwali, the ancient triumph of good over evil, and create Diwali memories and traditions that will be remembered by the future generations.  One of these traditions is the Houston Diwali Mela this year on Saturday, October 25, 5-11 PM (raindate Sunday October 26).

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    Masala Radio’s Sunil and Sandhya Thakkar and the Masala Crew, along with Grand Sponsors ZeeTV, India.com, and Tara Energy, are set to create a magicial “Festival of Lights.”  A living Statue of Goddess Laxmi and a dozen Kerala drummers will greet guests as they begin to explore the stadium sized festival.  Every hour begins a new dimension of the Mela:  5PM House of Spices Grand Bazaar of Fashions, Jewelry, and Corporate Giveaways; 6PM Indian Street Booths by Baloch Ice Cream, Chowpatty Chaat, Hydrabad Houston, Maharaja Bhog, Mirch Masala, Rani Foods, Udipi Café, and Vishala Restaurant; 7PM Tara Energized Dances and Stage Entertainment hosted by Sunil T; 8PM Alings Hakka Fire Dancers, HGH Maha Arti, and Skai Foundation Deities Procession; 9PM Maharaja Jewelers High Energy Concert featuring Manj, formely known as RDB; 10PM Spectacualr Mercedes Benz Fireworks!  Ramji & Associates presents a $1001 Rangoli Competition and Keemat Grocers presents hourly magic shows by Curt Miller, as well as a Kid’s Moonwalks and  Carousel Rides.

    For the last 2 years, Houston Diwali Mela has sold out 5-7 days prior to the event so buy your tickets in advance at houstondiwali.com and come early to the event to define for yourself what makes Diwali…DIWALI!

  • Hungama Mela 2014 Held at the Durgabari Temple

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    Beautiful Me Fashion Show

     

    Click here for photo collage

    HOUSTON: The evening of October 11, 2014 would be memorable for Indian Community. The much awaited Radio Hungama Mela 2014 was hosted at the auditorium of the Durgabari Temple of Houston. The event, originally planned outdoors was moved indoors due to rain in the forecast, but that did not dampen the spirit of the Hungama team or the audience.

    Sridhar Dadi, Raaga Vahini, Sudha Tenneti and Kiran were the emcees and continuing with tradition, the show started with a devotional song, performed beautifully, by RJ Raaga. The show continued with a variety of exciting and enticing performances, from classical dances to Bollywood medleys, by professional dance groups and University of Houston students. Every performance was carefully choreographed and implemented. Some of the exceptional dances included the classical dance by Sunanda’s Performing Arts Centre; Bollywood medley by Shingari’s School of Rhythm; Infused Performing Arts, Studio Mudra, Bollywood Dancing Stars and Barcode had inspired the audience.  Performances by University of Houston Jannat and Graduate students had an enthusiasm that was never seen before.

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    Sridhar Dadi

    By 8 PM, the parking (including surrounding areas) was full and hundreds of people had to be told to return. Radio Hungama team had made arrangements for a shuttle service for audience’s convenience. Security officers, hired for this event were also helpful.

    Beautiful Me Fashion Show was a great success. 26 models were chosen from all of Texas. The gorgeous outfits were sponsored by Sari Sapne Boutique, Hillcroft and make up for the models was by Dhanvi Sandesara of Ilume Artistry. Choreographed by Sharmita Bhattacharya, and make up done by Dhanvi Sandesara, the audience was awestruck.

    Performances by Bollywood singer, Bhargavi Pillai and Tollywood playback singer, Rahul Sipligunj, had the audience dancing to their tunes with Bollywood and Tollywood numbers. The audiences were so involved in the performances that they did not leave until the end of the show, at 10:30 PM.

    Cinco Lions, Houston Knights, Stonegate Warriors and Yorktown Wave, the winners for the Radio Hungama indoor volleyball tournament, were awarded a trophy. The winner of the Selfie Facebook contest was announced at the event. Suman Mangu, the winner will receive  a $500 gift from Kohinoor diamonds.

    The stalls by Toyota of Katy, MetLife, Ace Pain Management and Physical Therapy, Discount Power, Hyderabad House and Vonage provided a range of interests for the audience who wished to get more information. Hyderabad House, as usual, had some great Hyderabadi biryani and pastries.

    A special thanks to Krishna Sounds, DJ Darshak Thakkar, photographer Anish Nagar of Sajan Photography and Videographer Murali Santana for covering the entire event.

    Sridhar Dadi extended his special thanks to the grand sponsors Emirates Airlines. The event was also supported by Rani’s World Foods, TV9, 6TV, Mass Mutual Financial Group, Kohinoor Diamonds, Biryani Pot, Mayuri, YAH, Camelot Integrated Solutions and Vishala Grocers.

    Sridhar Dadi also thanked the event vendors, supporters, well-wishers and especially Hungama Team (Sasi Lingineni, Jagapathi Reddy, Ranga Tirumalasetti, Ravi Surisetty, Upendra Malla, Prasanna Chodimella, Pardha Chennupati, Kishore Ramaraju, Narayana Swamy and Chandramouli), friends and family for their support.

     

  • Week Long Celebrations for Gandhi Jayanti

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    Walk For Peace led by Suresh Shah dressed as Mahatma Gandhi. Extreme left: Sonal Bhuchar, Grand Marshall for the Walk For Peace.

    HOUSTON: Mahatma Gandhi Library along with more than 100 organizations concluded Mahatma Gandhi Week 2014 with big fanfare on Saturday, October 4 at The Jones Plaza, Houston.  The evening celebrated 145th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi Jayanti, celebrated as 1000 Lights For Peace.

    The 9th Annual 1000 Lights for Peace, was another huge success. Each year Mahatma Gandhi Library organizes month long activities culminating in celebration of Gandhi Jayanti on weekend following October 2, Gandhiji’s actual birthday.

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    Finale of the evening celebrating Gandhi Jayanti as 1000 Lights for Peace was the lighting of a candle by all present to pledge to practice peace in their own lives. A fitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

    The spirits of the Houstonians attending the program at The Jones Plaza were inspired during this auspicious celebration. The weather was picture perfect. The brilliant day started with the Walk for Peace, beginning at the Jones Plaza in downtown Houston with garlanding of a picture of Mahatma Gandhi and the lighting of the authentic 1966 Olympic Torch by the Grand Marshall, Mrs. Sonal Buchar. The participants walked almost 5 kilometers along the Buffalo Bayou on the Sabine Promenade, voting for peace with their feet and demonstrating that a life of peace is a daily steadfast commitment that requires the patience of a man trying to empty the sea with a cup. During the walk, many proudly displayed signs of Peace, Truth, Non-violence and Love spreading the message that resonated throughout the city of Houston
    Upon their arrival back at The Jones Plaza, they were welcomed onto the main stage by the musical tribute from the talented Katy McMeans Junior High band, conducted by George Liverman.

    The 1000 lights For Peace program, started promptly at 7 pm with an invocation by Acharya Suryanarayan Nanda of Arya Samaj Greater Houston, Rev Daniel Domiguez from Centro Familiar Cristiano in Sugarland, and Dr. Basheer Khumwala from University of Houston.
    Dr. Manish Wani was a very informative Master of Ceremonies and kept the evening flowing with historical perspectives on not only Mahatma Gandhi, but also prominent international social reformers including Cesar Chavez, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Malala Yousafzai.
    The Ballet Folkorico “Raices del Peru” of Houston performed the first International act of the evening.  This was followed by a beautiful poem recited by Saqib Mushtaq and interpreted by Imam Mubasheer Ahmad, both from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

    The Chief Guest for the evening, Dr. Josef Helfenstein, director of the Menil Collection, addressed the audience informing them about the new exhibition “Experiments with Truth: Gandhi and Images of Non-violence.”

    The crowd then welcomed the more than 100 adorable and talented children from Houston’s St. Catherine Montessori Catholic Choir directed by Tim and Mindy Snow. They brilliantly sang “Agnus Dei”, “Light a Candle for Peace,” and “Dona Nobis.”

    Six-year-old Rigved Sawale (from Cornerstone Elementary in FBISD) dazzled the crowd by reciting his winning speech from the 10 and under category titled “Values in life are more important than successes.”

    Reverend Gregory Han, Director of Interfaith Relations at Interfaith Ministries for greater Houston, was the Chief Guest for the evening and inspired the crowd with his speech about peace and its relevance in today’s society.

    Atul Kothari, founder of Mahatma Gandhi Library, presented a plaque of appreciation to volunteer Mahesh Gandhi for his unconditional and everlasting dedication to the organization.

    The next cultural item came from the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia performing Cendrawasih, a beautiful dance performed in duo about a famous bird in paradise, directed by Mr. Bambang Setyobudhi.

    Shreetika Singh (from Seven Lakes High School in Katy), winner of the 11 and over speech contest, inspired the crowd by reciting her winning speech titled “Trusteeship vs. Ownership: which is better for the world?”

    Special guest Honorable Consul General of India, Parvatheneni Harish, spoke about the ever-lasting legacy left by our beloved Bapu, Father of Modern Bharat, India. A legacy, of which not only Bharat, India, is proud of, but the whole world is proud.

    Consul General P. Harish, accompanied by his wife Nandita and Atul Kothari, presented the well-earned awards to more than the 30 winners of the city-wide contests held by Mahatma Gandhi Library.

    The Gandhi Darshan Exhibit portraying the chronologic lifetime of Gandhiji with actual photographs from that era was also displayed at the Jones Plaza and was enjoyed by many visitors. The exhibition is now on display at the Lone Star College , Cy-Fair branch for the month of October.

    The last international performance of the evening was a dynamic performance by the KoumonKe’le’ African Dance & Drum Ensemble, directed by Christina Gerard.

    The spectacular evening concluded with the lighting of a candle by all in attendance and a pledge to observe peace in their own lives. The candle lighting quickly spread throughout The Jones Plaza blazing downtown Houston. The crowd reflected on the magical evening and how to emulate Mahatma Gandhi’s life listening to the soothing background music “We are the World” and “Jyot se Jyot Jagate Chalo.”

    To view and learn more about 1000 Lights for Peace, visit www.gandhilibrary.org

  • Gujarati Samaj Celebrates Navratri with a Twist

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    GSH President Amee Patel (center), vice-president Yogina Patel (second from right) and executive Commitee Members. Photos: Gautam Jani

    HOUSTON: The Gujarati Samaj of Houston (GSH) orchestrated a memorable Navratri Mahotsav this year, hosting nine colorful nights of garba, dandiya and full-on fun. On weeknights, celebrations were held at the VPPS Haveli’s Hall – with the event being successful each night. For the first time in the organization’s history, President Amee Patel along with Vice President Yogina Patel and their team executed an outdoor Navratri Mela on both weekends, Friday and Saturday September 26 and 27, and the following weekend October 3 and 4.

    The weekend event surpassed all expectations, as this year boasted a record crowd each night. Held at Houston Farm and Ranch near Bear Creek, the venue made for a perfect place for families and friends to gather and enjoy dance as well as an array of cultural food, kids activities, shopping and music. A seven-member band known as ‘Seven Star Group,’ was flown in from Baroda just for the event, and community members danced the nights away to traditional tunes as well as hit Bollywood numbers.

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    7 Star Band from Baroda

    When asked about the success of the entire nine-night celebration, GSH President Amee Patel said, “it was definitely a challenge, but a challenge that my team and I humbly accepted. It was an honor to be a part of the team that brought about this change. The reason for the venue change was two part: 1. to bring about a healthy change, something new; but moreover, 2. to save money and raise more funds for our community center. The goal was to ensure a successful and enjoyable event, while raising greater funds for the GSH. I can confidently say we did just that. Without bringing specific numbers into play, the Samaj saved an average of $35,000 this year thru our Navratri event. Collectively, we will continue to make decisions that better the Samaj as well as enrich the lives of our supportive members.”

    “It was one of the best Navratri experiences I’ve had in Houston,” said Masala Radio’s Sunil Thakkar. An active member of GSH, Thakkar went on to say, “it reminded me of my school days back home in Matunga (Mumbai.) The open air breeze and the band from India – made me nostalgic and left me wanting more. Looking forward to next year’s festivities.”

    The GSH recognizes and thanks the many sponsors and food vendors who showed support by contributing time and effort towards the event. House of Spices was a platinum sponsor, Tara Energy a gold sponsor, BBVA Compass Bank, Oink.com, Ramesh Cherivirala, Maharaja Bhog, Aling’s Hakka, Deep Foods, Travelguzs and Emirates airlines were a few of the sponsors without which the event would not have been a major success. The weekend venue also hosted a number of food vendors, so that attendees could savor delicacies from a variety of Indian cuisines. Ashiana, Kurry Walah, Maharaja Bhog, Kwality Ice Cream, Yogi’s Kids corner and Hari Tea and Snacks were among a few of the delicious food options.

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    Photo: Vanshika Vipin

    To make for friendly competition, the GSH asked members and sponsors to participate in fun contests. Both weekends, the Samaj held competitions for the ‘best dressed’ male and female, and ‘best dancers’ male and female. Two round-trip tickets to India were raffled courtesy of Emirates Airlines and Travelguzs. Winners of the above included: Foram Patel and Amit Pathak who won two tickets to India. Kaushal Shah and Meera Shah, winners of the best dancers, each won a three-night, four-day the 3 night 4 day stay in Dubai courtesy of Travelguzs and Cox & Kings. Tara Energy gave away a 42” flat screen TV, and BBVA Compass gave away four Rockets Tickets. The winner of the ‘best aarti thaali’ received a fifty dollar gift certificate from Mona Lisa Salon, and the best dressed couple received a fifty dollar gift certificate from Aling’s Hakka.

    As with each Navratri season, members casted votes to elect a new President and Vice President on the final night of Navratri – October 4.  In a close election, it was announced that Yogina Patel (current Vice President) has been elected as President, and a member of this year’s executive committee, Girish Naik was elected as Vice President, respectively. Patel and Naik will officially serve the 2014-2015 term of GSH starting December 2, 2014.

    All said and danced, residents of Houston and the greater Houston area are in eager anticipation of what new innovations will transpire at next year’s GSH Navratri event. A huge round of applause (be-taali style) to the Gujarati Samaj of Houston for a job well-done!

    Founded in 1979, GSH organizes educational and cultural activities to promote Indian heritage, and is registered as a Nonprofit organization under 501(C)(3). Our mission is to create an innovative, inclusive and imaginative “Gujarati Samaj Community Center” to implement our vision.

    For details and more information regarding the GSH, visit www.gshouston.org.  

    The GSH would like to offer our prayers and condolences to the family of Dipali Shah, who passed away on the eighth night of Navratri.  May her divine soul rest in peace.

  • Rachel Rose Rohatgi Weds Ford Rainey

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    The newlyweds with their parents after the wedding. From left, Rakesh and Irma Rohatgi with their daughet Rachel Rose, Ford with his parents Jean and Hugh Rainey.
    Photo: Jawahar Malhotra

    By Jawahar Malhotra

    SUGAR LAND: The skinny groomsman, Kevyn, caught the guests by surprise, as the opening notes of a pop tune engulfed the room, by jumping onstage to do some carefree dance moves. The rest of the groomsmen followed, bursting into an energetic dance line and the bridesmaids jumped followed in for a lively dance set. As the music blended into the current pop fav, “Happy” by Pheral Williams, several young flower girls walked down the aisle, strewing it with petals as the wedding couple’s parents and family walked to their seats. And the set was capped off with the bride and groom waving and walking in through the aisle, hand-in-hand, to the foot of the stage to “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey.

    And this was just the beginning of what turned out to be the carefree, happy marriage ceremony of Rachel Rose Rohatgi and Ford Townsend Rainey, on a stage at the Marriott Hotel in Sugar Land’s Town Square on Saturday, October 11. It was bereft of the sort of stiff formality that is customary of many Indian weddings and done without too much fanfare.

    The wedding was unique for its lack of religious symbolisms but even more so because the couple were married by the bride’s brother, Roger, an ordained minister who has performed a few other weddings before. Roger carried the couple through their wedding vows with a strong delivery as the bridesmaids and groomsmen stood on each side. Before the couple exchanged vows, they spoke of their love for each other from prepared notes and then gave each other a single rose bud as a symnol of that love. Kevyn Richmond, an aspiring actor from Los Angeles, wrapped up by singing “Everlasting Light” by the Black Keys, sans music.

    Rachel (Rose is her maternal grandmother’s name), 31, is an attorney working in the area of workers compensation with Stockwell, Harris, Woolverton & Muehl in Los Angeles, California since 2002. She received her undergraduate degree from Loyola University in New Orleans and her law degree from California Western University in San Diego. She is the daughter of Rakesh Rohatgi, a mechanical engineer in the oil and gas industry who works with Technip. Her mother retired as a teacher at HISD and now is an Adjunct Professor with the University of Houston Downtown. Her brother Roger is a VP of Creative at YouToo Technologies in Dallas.

    Ford, 34, was born in the Azores Islands where his family was stationed in the US Navy and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He went to the University of Texas, San Antonio for a degree in Computer Sciences and works as a software engineer for Raytheon in Los Angeles. His father Hugh retired as a Lt. Commander of a destroyer in the US Navy and his mother Jean is an early childhood teacher in San Antonio.

    The couple has known each other since they met through the dating service okcupid.com and went on their first date on April 13, 2011, remembered Rachel. They newlyweds will honeymoon in Hawaii before making their home in the Westchester district of Los Angeles.

  • Hindus of Greater Houston :Diwali Food Drive

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    Jai Agarwal from Arya samaj

    By Venugopal Menon

    HOUSTON: Hindus of Greater Houston wishes all a very happy Deepavali, the festival of lights. The ‘Festival of Lights’ signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.  As an appropriate gesture, and corresponding to their 25 year observance of Janmashtami together, the several Hindu temples and organizations of Houston are celebrating Diwali by helping the Food Bank of Houston and serving the needy.

    Close on the heels of the role of air and water, to sustain life and to carry on the body functions, the most essential requirement is the availability of food.  And there is no better expression of human compassion than offering food to the hungry.  According to WHO, hunger is the gravest threat to the world’s public health and the biggest contributor to child mortality, an estimated three million dying every year without enough food.   Even in a land of plenty like the USA, the distressing reality is that a sizeable number of people are fraught to get adequate food for sustaining their lives.  It is estimated that almost one in seven of our people, a staggering 18 million household of the US population are not getting enough food to eat and about 40 million live under poverty level.

    Towards meeting the needs of such hungry, the world’s first food bank was established in the US in 1967, and since then several thousands of such have come up all over the world. There are several food banks in Houston offering food to the hungry on a regular basis, and there are periodic ‘food drives’ initiated by various organizations.

    ‘Feeding the hungry’ has remained an essential tradition of Hindu faith as it is in most other religions.  Hindu temples have always provided free food to the devotees and the hungry; Hindu homes have made it a tradition to ensure that passers-by would be invited to eat.  Before we closed the doors at night it was a daily practice in our homes to call out for anyone around who has not eaten, and serving them food.

    ‘Athidhi Devo bhava’, the axiom meant that we considered our guests, godly.

    Hindus of Greater Houston have been involved in food bank drive, during Diwali, initiated by HMEC a few years ago and this year we are doing it collectively.  As per the celebrated practice of our faith, all our temples and other organizations will collect food and feed the hungry.

    Individual temples are setting up the drive, collecting the food and passing it on to the common food bank. HGH coordinator  Anshuman  Desai has been coordinating the project this year with Arya Samaj, Chinmaya Mission, Sri Meenakshi Temple, VPSS, JVB Preksha Meditation, Sewa International and Ashtalakshmi Temple initiating the drive, as more organizations would soon join the effort.

    As a community we are joining hands and pitching in our efforts as a united group.  As much as we have several temples and different ways in the practice of our devotional adherence, our philosophy is essentially based on our Eternal Vedic principles, Sanatan Dharma.  And the food bank drive is an opportunity for us to present ourselves as a unified force.  Being the third most practiced faith of humanity, it is important that Hindus stay organized and be recognized as one group, for our presence and the profound principles that we believe in.  It is our hope that each one of us stands up to that ideal and does our part, and does it with conviction and compassion.

    Let the Food Bank Drive promote our unity to provide for the deprived.

  • Club 65 Members Go on a Picnic to Port Lavaca

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    HOUSTON: On Sept. 28, Port Lavaca, Texas was the destination for the picnic of Club 65, a non-profit organization under the umbrella of IMAGH (Indian Muslims of Greater Houston) and able guidance of the President Latafath Hussain. Club 65 is proud to have over 110  members and  growing stronger by the month.

    The picnic morning  started at 8:30 a.m. with 61 enthusiastic members of Club 65 meeting at the Bayland Community Center in Houston. It was commendable to see all the excited seniors arriving early — ready to have a good time. There were new faces—Rashida Abdullabhoy, Akbar Ali Ladhani– who were eager to join  after hearing from friends about Club 65. Due to the tremendous response for this event, Club 65 rented an extra bus to accommodate the members. The volunteers assisted the seniors with their assigned seating and distributed snack bags as the members boarded their respective buses.

    After a slight delay in getting on the road from Houston, it was all fun and games with laughter and music. The volunteers interacted with the members for a short while then played the game of “Antakshari” till the bus made a stop in El Campo for a quick break. The next hour of the bus ride was a ‘social hour’ at the request of the members who wanted to chat and take time to know each other. The drive was pleasant and relaxing. The greenery of the sprawling Texas landscape was cooling to the eye and  the cattle grazing under the big blue canopy/sky brought back old memories of the farms and countryside back home in India.

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    Port Lavaca is a two hour bus drive from Houston located near the center point of the 275 mile Texas Gulf Coast. It is referred to as “the little jewel” nestled in the middle of the Gulf Coast offering visitors a variety of public parks and a tropical seaside environment with its own charm. The area also is a wintering ground for many species of birds including the Whooping Crane.

    Arriving at the picnic spot -700 Lighthouse Beach Road- there was a huge pavilion with picnic tables (enough to seat 200 people) where the members enjoyed a cool drink of  “Chaas” (buttermilk) with” Kachoris” and relaxed to savor the view of the calm water of the gulf.  The weather was pleasant all day with an exception of a mid-day heavy downpour for a short while. The rain came down hard on the metal roof of the pavilion making music of its own and again reminding the folks of the monsoons in India.

    The pouring rain kept the members huddled under the pavilion. It also provided the perfect time to play games! Game one was –Bean Bag Toss where the person has 4 chances to throw the bean bag into a hole on a board- 3 points scored for each bag in the hole and 1 point scored for each bag on the board. Everyone got a chance to play and had a good time. Game two was—Tossing the Ball into the Cup. This game is played with many cups lined on a table and the person has to toss the ball  directly into the cup without bouncing it on the table. Amazingly, it requires some skill and the members had a lot of fun trying their best.

    The location was beautiful and very peaceful! There was a boardwalk along the water in front of the pavilion making it convenient  for the seniors to stroll in small groups on the boardwalk along the water. There was an Observatory (Gazebo) located at one section of the boardwalk where people could observe the different species of birds. Many of the members congregated in the Observatory and felt relaxed looking out into the horizon where the blue sky meets the majestic body of water! At the request of some members  Kaka (Tyeb Shipchandler) our evergreen senior member  sang a couple of beautiful songs that were like music to the ears with the awesome acoustics of the gazebo.

    Soon after, it was time to head back to the pavilion for a sumptuous lunch after a fun filled active morning.   The food arrived a little later than expected –due to circumstances beyond our control—but it was hot and served right away.  The picnic menu was a big spread consisting of—BBQ chicken, Kofta curry, Veg. Biryani, Bhindi masala, Naan, Raita, Salad with Gulab Jamun for dessert.  Soft drinks were also served. Mr. Mujahid Kitabi of BBQ Village catered the food/drinks with Hot Tea and snacks in the afternoon. He is a big supporter of Club 65 and always takes personal interest in making sure that the seniors are taken care of. He, very kindly, took the time to drive the distance to Port Lavaca, as he had done for a prior picnic to San Antonio a year ago. Club 65 appreciates all his effort and support.

    After lunch, the seniors were ready for some more activity. Games and music were played in the pavilion while the tea was being prepared.  Game number Three of the day was -Passing the Parcel. The game was simple but the rule was- a “Penalty” if one was left holding the parcel when the music stopped. The “penalty” was to tell a joke, special anecdote, sing a song etc. This game turned out to be a lot of fun and informative since the members were relating stories and episodes from their past experiences.  The game ended with a winner getting a prize.

    By now the flavorful aroma of tea was floating around the pavilion indicating that it was ready— to be served along with some delicious Bhel.  While members slowly sipped their tea the rhythm of the music playing had a few sporting members wanting to dance—which was a big enough hint for the volunteers and they jumped into action. They had the enthusiastic ones, the bashful ones and those who needed help–all on their feet dancing merrily. It was  wonderful to see everyone having a good time.

    The sun was slowly setting. The evening sun was shining its cool rays on the water making it glisten like glass. The day was ending and just as the saying goes—All Good Things Must Come to an End—it was time to leave. The volunteers cleaned the pavilion then helped the members settle into the buses for a quiet ride home.

  • Harinath Medi Earns National Luxury Home Designation

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    Harinath Medi

    HOUSTON:  Harinath Medi, Real Estate agent with Luxury Home council, Inc. in Houston was recently awarded the Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) Designation from the Luxury Home Council, Inc.

    The Accredited Luxury Home specialist (ALHS) Logo is testimony to the agent’s training and expertise in the luxury home marketplace. To display the ALHS logo and be accepted into the Luxury Home Council, each member must successfully complete the Accredited Luxury home Specialist Course, meet minimum sale requirements and the agent must be in good standing with the National Association of Home Builders.

    Medi joins an Elite Membership of top real estate agents throughout the United States and Canada. Members strive to provide exceptional service to affluent clients through rigorous education focusing on the luxury Home Market and their understanding of the special demands of affluent buyers and sellers.

    Medi has been very active in the community rendering community service activities.

    He is the past President of ICC (India Culture Center), And also the President and the Chairman of South Asian Chamber of Commerce. He is one of the Founding Trustees of Indo American Chamber Of Commerce.

    Presently, he is the President of Osmania University Alumni association of America. At this capacity, Mr. Medi is engaged in the fund raising activities for some projects for his Alama Mater Osmania University In Hyderabad, India.

    For further information, contact Harinath Medi at 281-498-4300 or The Luxury Home Council at www.LuxuryHomeCouncil.com.

  • The Healthy Dose – Ebola, Part 3

     

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    By Parth Dwivedi

    Recapping everything we have covered thus far, there are five different species of Ebolavirus, each with different characteristics. Once it infects a human host, the virus attacks the immune system and causes water loss, bleeding and organ failure.
    Ebola has surfaced in the news before, although more recently an ongoing outbreak in Western Africa has been taking headlines and airtime across various media outlets. Dissecting this issue is difficult, as it unfolds into many complicated layers.
    Many obstacles confront health specialists involved in the immediate treatment of Ebola overseas. To begin with, it is difficult to diagnose Ebola, as many of the symptoms in the initial phases resemble other, more manageable illnesses.
    As a result of this, patients often do not come to aid centers for help until their symptoms have progressed to a very dangerous point. From there, an already uphill battle sinks farther into the trenches. More patients succumb to this illness, and aid centers slowly become known more as places where patients die than places where patients survive.
    This reputation spreads and creates a cycle that causes more people to delay treatment, even once they begin thinking they might have Ebola. After all, knowing you had a disease, would you go to a hospital with a reputation for dead patients?
    Other factors come into play, though. Foreign health specialists only get involved once a situation becomes dire. From a local person’s perspective dire situations seem to be linked with foreigners. Indeed, Dr. Fischer writes about “rumors claiming the white people brought Ebola…”
    Superimpose on these factors the weak, local healthcare system that serves as the alternative to foreign aid centers and a bad situation becomes worse. But, is there a cure that these aid centers can even provide?
    No. Although, certain experimental medications have been used sparingly. One such medication, ZMapp, was successfully used to treat two American missionaries, but no reliable, well-understood medication currently exists. This does not mean that Ebola is untreatable, however.
    Dr. Paul Farmer, something of a celebrity physician in the world of international medicine, said in an interview with Democracy Now! that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Western Africa reflects shortcomings in local healthcare systems more than it reflects the lethality of the infection itself.
    He went on to say that if this infection came stateside, it would not spread very far, as the strength of our healthcare infrastructure would placate any outbreak very quickly. Of course the outbreak is serious, but it is not likely to become a direct threat to American citizens.

     

    Parth Dwivedi has a B.A. in Neuroscience and an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences. He likes reading non-fiction and still watches I Love Lucy.
    Parth Dwivedi has a B.A. in Neuroscience and an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences. He likes reading non-fiction and still watches I Love Lucy.

     

     

  • Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Railways at the 4th IIT BHU Alumni Meet

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    Lamp Lighting Ceremony by Vish Narayanan, Dr. Rajeev Sangal, Raj Narang, Atul Kumar, and Dr. Manu Vora

    NAPERVILLE, IL:  The IIT BHU Global Alumni Association recently held its fourth Global Alumni Meet at the Sheraton Lisle Hotel in Lisle, Illinois. Theme for the Meet was “The IIT BHU Journey of Excellence Continues…”.  Over 200 people attended the Meet. At the opening, a lamp lighting ceremony was held with the portrait of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the founder of BHU. An inspiring video sharing his amazing life story memorized the audience.

    Prof. Rajeev Sangal, Director of IIT BHU and Acting Vice-Chancellor of BHU was the Chief  Guest.      Hon. Shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Railways and IIT BHU Alumnus gave a Keynote Address.   Dr. Sarvajna Dwivedi, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Pearl Therapeutics, Inc., an IIT BHU Alumnus was also a Keynote Speaker. Video messages from former BHU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Panjab Singh, and Campus Diaries were shared.

    Two panels on “Excellence in Education” and “Excellence in Entrepreneurship” discussed lot of interesting ideas to propel the IIT BHU to new heights. There were lighter moments with “Fond Memories of BHU” and “Tribute to Teachers”. The Meet concluded with an entertainment program after the dinner.

    At the Meet, alumni deliberated on ways to give back to alma mater and raised over $21,000 to support various projects at IIT BHU including student scholarships. Hon. Manoj Sinha and Prof. S. N. Upadhyay were conferred 2014 IIT BHU Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, Nine alumni were conferred the 2014 IIT BHU Distinguished Alumnus Award.

    The 5th IIT BHU Global Meet will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2016.

    About IBGAA:
    The IIT BHU Global Alumni Association (IBGAA) was established in 2008. It is a 501 (c) (3) charitable and educational organization registered in New Jersey. Its mission is to act as a link between the Institute, alumni, students, faculty, and staff. The IBGAA raises funds to execute alumni projects to benefit the Institute, students, faculty, and staff. It also endeavors to enhance the IIT BHU brand globally.  Please contact Dr. Manu Vora IITBHU Meet Chair 630-548-5531 manuvora@b-einc.com

  • “Krishna, Love Re-invented” Where Dance Crosses all Barriers of Race, Religion and Geography

     

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    HOUSTON: After Sangamam, Dashavatar, Go to your room, Mother, Bollywood Blast, and The Life of Gautama Buddha Samskriti brings to Houston an unusual production from Malaysia – Krishna, Love Re-invented – by Ramli Ibrahim and the Sutra Dance Theatre. This presentation is a perfect example of ‘dance without borders’, where art transcends religion and dance becomes the language of the soul rather than the body.

    Ramli Ibrahim is an international icon in the field of Odissi today, but his path was not so smooth in the beginning. A trained Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance exponent who had performed professionally with the Sydney Ballet, Ramli fell in love with the symmetry and beauty of Indian classical dance, travelled to India, studied first Bharatanatyam and then Odissi, and soon became an expert at these dance forms too. Back in Malaysia he met with opposition because of his pursuit of “Hindu” dancing, but with unwavering dedication he continued his training, and upon his return, established his dance company, Sutra Dance Theatre in 1983, to promote the cultural diversity and vibrancy of Malaysian dance to national and international audiences. His message to his detractors was clear – that the timeless stories of Indian mythology, as told through India’s ancient classical dance forms, are the highest form of art, and therefore meant to be shared and enjoyed by the world. This broad-minded and visionary Muslim choreographer has Hindu, Christian and Buddhist dancers in his ensemble, and they are Malay, Chinese and Indian. At a time when the world is being torn apart by religious strife, Ramli has proved that art can bring people together. Ramli Ibrahim exemplifies the perfect artist – one who pursues art for art’s sake, and is fearless and relentless in his pursuit of it. Ramli and his Sutra Dance Theatre have transcended all barriers of religion, geography and language.

    Kabir sang the praises of Ram, Ramli (indeed his name has ‘Ram’ in it) sings a paean to the Pastoral God Krishna in his Krishna, Love Re-Invented, which embodies the human spirit that has always celebrated love in its many forms. In Hinduism, Bhakti or devotion remains a central tenet of its teachings. Hindu saints and poets have explored love’s profound effects on the soul through the stories of the gods. The Krishna-Gopis idyll has become the all time symbol of romantic love at its sublimated best. The moods, feelings and emotions of this love affair, an embodiment of Rasa (highest emotional state) become a sublime allegory expressing and affirming the highest love the individual soul has for God, in this case, Krishna. Love is able to transcend man-made restrictive morality and finds itself ‘re-conceived’ and ‘re-invented’ to accommodate our real, imagined and fantasized desires with complete abandon.

    As Sutra’s Artistic Director, Ramli has choreographed stunning works and nurtured some of the brightest dance talents from Malaysia. Ramli has been instrumental in transforming the dance scenario in Malaysia by boldly charting new paths and has gained fame for single-handedly establishing Odissi as a widely appreciated dance form in Malaysia. He is acknowledged as a ‘Living Heritage’ by the Government of Malaysia and is the recipient of the highest and most prestigious title of Datuk from the Prime Minister of Malaysia. He is presently Chairman of Sutra Foundation. Ramli Ibrahim besides an acknowledged dancer in Bharatanatyam and Odissi in India itself, Ramli was formerly with the Sydney Dance Company and plays important role in the interface of Asian & Western dance in redefining modernity from an Asian perspective.

    Samskriti is very proud and happy to present artist extraordinaire Ramli Ibrahim and his Sutra Dance Theatre in their first major performance in Houston. Krishna, Love Re-invented will be presented at the Cullen Theater, Wortham Center (in the Downtown Theater District) at 5 PM on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Tickets are available at  www.explorehouston.org/ticketing,  www.sulekha.com and 832 275 9658.

    This program is funded in part by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, and generous donations from Schlumberger and Hindus of Greater Houston. Samskriti is very grateful to the Classical Arts Society of Houston, Asia Society Texas Center, Dance Source Houston, and Kalaangan School of Odissi Dance for their unstinted support for this event.

    INVENTED” – where dance crosses all barriers of race, religion and geography

  • How to Apply for College Without Going Gray in the Process

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    Best in Class Education Center offers tips for parents and students to make the college application process as stress-free as possible

    Eager high school students (and their parents) are in the midst of spending many late nights and weekends writing essays, organizing forms, and waiting on pins and needles to find out if they’ve been accepted into their dream college.

    Between the tuition fees, complex questions about future goals, and challenging essay topics, the process of applying to college can be quite daunting for all parties involved.

    Best in Class Education Center has some key tips on how to make the process as stress-free as possible:
    •Before you begin applying, sit down with your family to have an open discussion about finances. Is your family able to help you with expenses? See how much your family will be able to help you, assess what your scholarship opportunities might be as well as what type of financial aid you’ll be able to secure, and use this information to guide you toward how many schools to apply to and which colleges you would realistically be able to attend, should you be accepted.

    •Research scholarships early. Many college application essays andscholarship essays will overlap and you’ll be able to use them for multiple purposes or applications. Also, if you have an idea of scholarship money that might be coming your way, this could open the door for additional school options for you to consider.

    •Take your SATs/ACTs early enough so that you can retake them if necessary. Spend lots of time preparing for these tests and seek help if needed.

    •The personal statement is a point of stress for many students. Remember, the goal of the statement is to show colleges who you are beyond your grades and test scores. It should sound like you. Share something unique about yourself and read the statement aloud to make sure it sounds like something you would say and also to help catch mistakes.

    •For your personal statement, rather than writing for a review board – write for a specific person. For example, imagine you’re writing your essay for your high school English teacher and keep him/her in mind throughout your writing process. This will help make you feel comfortable with your writing, and also help you maintain a professional and academic tone.

    Best in Class offers a variety of programs tailored toward college preparation and applications; one thing that can make the process less stressful is knowing that you’re not alone. Seek assistance if you’re feeling stuck.

    For more information about Best in Class services for your student, or about current franchising opportunities, visit www.bestinclasseducation.com or call toll free at 1.888.683.8108.

    Best in Class is targeting the addition of 20 more units in 2014. The state of Texas has been identified as a key state for growth.  The current team behind Best in Class is looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join this premier franchise family and ensure our youth will excel academically.

  • MassMutual Honors Diwali and Business Tradition of Chopda Pujan

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    From left: Nimesh Trivedi, Lalit Jallan, Adam Segal and Vikesh Amin.

    No-Cost Seminars Help Business Owners Secure Their Futures and Protect the Next Generation

    SPRINGFIELD, MASS: Almost three million Asian Indians in the United States are preparing to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, on Oct. 23. For the more than 300,000 Asian-Indian owned firms* in the U.S., the holiday takes on an added dimension, as the celebration marks the beginning of a new business year. To help business owners prepare for the New Year ahead, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) is offering a series of free, no-obligation business seminars in five cities across the country this Diwali.

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    In a special Diwali ritual for businesses known as Chopda Pujan, new account books are opened and blessed. Business owners use this time to reflect on the past year while looking ahead to new opportunities for prosperity and wealth. It is said the goddess of wealth, known as Lakshmi, visits the homes of devotees on this day, and lamps light the way to welcome her.
    A MassMutual study** found that although 77 percent of Asian Indian business owners believe financial planning for their business is very important, only 43 percent are concerned about who will run their businesses if they or another owner leaves, becomes disabled or dies; only 46 percent have a formal retirement plan.

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    “Entrepreneurial businesses are vital to our growing economic recovery, so it is concerning that so many business owners seem to be sacrificing their own and their family’s financial future,” says Nimesh Trivedi, Asian-Indian Market lead at MassMutual. “With help, business owners can look past the seemingly overwhelming day-to-day demands of running their businesses and establish and meet their long-term financial goals.”
    To help Asian Indian business owners open their new books this Diwali and plan for a prosperous new year, MassMutual is offering a series of free video-based seminars featuring stories shared by real business owners. The vignettes explore critical business planning topics, such as passing ownership on from one generation to the next, preparing for the unexpected, the death of an owner, retaining key employees, and proper estate and retirement planning.

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    Seminars addressing these topics critical to Asian Indian business owners will be presented in the following cities across the country this Diwali:
    Houston, Oct. 14
    Atlanta: Oct. 18
    San Jose, Calif.: Oct. 24
    Edison, N.J.: Oct. 29
    Chicago: Nov. 6
    For more information on the multi-city business owner seminar tour, contact Nimesh Trivedi, 413.744.1244. For more information on planning for your businesses’ and families’ financial futures, visit massmutual.com/asianindian
    *2007 Survey of Business Owners Summaries of Findings, U.S. Census Bureau. This information is the most current data available.
    **MassMutual’s Business Owner Perspectives: 2011 Insights in an Uncertain Economy, conducted by GfK Custom Research North America for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), 2011.

    About MassMutual
    Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyowners consistently since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company’s strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.
    MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

    For more information, visit www.massmutual.com or find MassMutual on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+ and Pinterest.