Austin South Asian - JULY 2016 by Austin South Asian

Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 9 No. 07

Non Profit Of The Month Pragathi Fund Raiser Event

MCSS Austin

By Sumaiya Malik Founded in 2000, Muslim Com-

By Inchara Nelogal

enjoyed a nice concert by the fa-

in and around Austin, Texas. It’s mission statement includes

inside July 2016

For A Patriotic Summer..2 Malik’s Page........04,11,16 How Foods Can Help Heal Common Ailments........05 Scribblings By Arun......06 Reasons Not To Waste..07 Spend Less Time In......08 Common Myths............09 South Asian Poet Read At

munity Support Services, Inc. (MCSS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, exclusively organized to be a charitable community support services organization primarily to the Muslim community, and when resources allow to the community at large,

lending a helping hand to the needy, the refugees, and the victims of domestic violence in the community, until they achieve financial independence (assistance includes but is not limited (Continued On Page 16)

On June 11th, 2016 in the North Hills Methodist Church, attendees

Shiksha By Pranoti Kale

tin coinciding with the arrival of summer break in schools.

Shiksha, the Indian Arts and Culture School, recently concluded its Spring Semester at Radha Madhav Dham. Their much-anticipated “Performance Day” was held on May 22nd, and provided all students an opportunity to showcase their learning and talents in front of proud parents and visitors. (Continued On Page 12) Ramadan began on June 7 in Aus-

HC4A

Compiled By Harish Kotecha, Photographs by Rama Tiru

Austinites Celebrating Ramadan By Sumaiya Malik Photo credits: Badami Studios

mous Sinchin Dixit. (Continued On Page 09)

(Continued On Page 19)

Hindu Charities for America (HC4A) with the Jewish community and other communities came together for the 4th Annual 2016 Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt event to raise funds for school supplies for Homeless Children in Austin metropolitan area. (Continued On Page 13)

August 2016 Back To School Special

512-828-6709 House Of Lords............10 Benefits Of Hemp Plant11 Sophisticated Upgrades13 Acupressure & Yoga.....14 5 Keys To Overcome.....15 Indian Americans.........17 Gani’s Page..................18 US Returns 200 Artifact18 Predictions...................19 Teaching Kids...............20 More Bang For Buck.....20 Community Calendar....21 Children’s Page........22,23 Healthy Sleeping Tips...24 Cityworks Academy......24 Entertainment.........25,26

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Fun, Family-Friendly Ideas For A Positively Patriotic Summer Whether it’s the warm weather, a national holiday or just because school’s out -- summer is the perfect time to celebrate.

ket, like strawberries and blueberries, add patriotic pizazz and fresh flavors to picnic-style snacks.

And who can resist American barbecue favorites like hot dogs and hamburgers to round out a delicious day?

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, families have the opportunity to head outdoors to enjoy the spirited season with all-American food, fireworks and fun.

No party is complete without decorations. Instead of store-bought décor, tap into kids’ creativity and keep them busy with handmade crafts.

Here are some family-friendly ideas for a positively patriotic summer. Picnics and Parties What’s more festive than gathering friends and family for a summer picnic in your backyard or a local park?

Make a bold banner for the backyard, a wreath for the front door, a playful pinwheel or a celebratory top hat

A summer soiree, complete with food, décor and entertainment, can be done simply. Starting with the menu, in-season fruits from your local famer’s mar-

BEAUTY SECRETS Although beauty secrets are often kept confidential, some are willing to pass on their tips to help others update their beauty routine. Here are some beauty tips from the discount experts at Dollar General to help you look healthy, revitalized and ready for any special occasion without spending a fortune. Hydrate Never underestimate the effects of staying hydrated. Whether it’s a sports drink enhanced with electrolytes or a simple bottle of distilled water, staying hydrated helps keep your skin wrinkle-free and gives your body energy throughout the day. Keep water readily available to ensure you always meet the recommended amount of consumption for your level of activity and the weather. Protect Your Skin To avoid exposing your skin to damaging sunlight, use sunscreen every time you head outdoors. Pur-

chase both spray and cream-based sunscreens for the entire family at major discount retailers like Dollar General, which offer affordable prices on this essential. Sunscreen can also help keep your skin radiant, while avoiding harmful sunrays. Cleanse and Refresh Cleansing your face every evening is just as important as getting ready for your day each morning. By removing any make-up or products off of your face before bed, you allow your skin a chance to recharge overnight in preparation for the next day. Always have makeup removal wipes on hand and invest in an exfoliating face wash to remove excess dirt and dead skin from your face. Celebrate a Day of Beauty Beauty events are a great way to learn strategies for looking your best. For example, you can gain more beauty tips and advice by taking a trip to Tennessee this summer. Dollar General is hosting a Day of Beauty in downtown Nashville on Saturday, July 16, 2016, so beauty enthusiasts can learn more about multi-cultural hair products, as well as attend free demonstrations and seminars. Free samples will also be provided. For more information, visit www.DollarGeneral.com.

for extra flare. Duck Tape is the perfect medium for this type of crafting. It’s available in over 250 colors and designs, including red, white and blue, as well as its U.S. Flag print and other patriotic designs. Once guests have arrived, keep them entertained with pre-planned games and activities. Turn on the sprinklers to cool down; or have kids decorate bikes, trikes or scooters for an impromptu parade around the neighborhood. Historical Happenings School may be out for the summer, but that doesn’t mean learning has to stop. Embrace our nation’s heritage by visiting locations with patriotic significance.

It’s a great opportunity to educate yourself, and the kids, on the importance of our nation’s beginnings. Check with your local historical society for nearby historical sites, museums, memorial and monuments, or pack up the car and take a patriotic road trip. Spend some time in our nation’s capital to pay respects to fallen soldiers at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, tour Yorktown Battlefield at Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia, or honor Lady Liberty in New York City. Wherever you land, it’s clear that our country has a rich history of which to be proud. From patriotic parties and familyfriendly festivals to memorable, meaningful moments, this summer, show off your love for the red, white and blue. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | July 2016

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Austin South Asian | July 2016

Mosques With Provisions For Eid-ul-Fitr

By Sumaiya Malik

of its readers.

Eid ul Fitr is fast approaching at the end of Ramadan.

Closer to time, please call the mosque closest to you to get information about the Eid day congregation:

This year, it is expected on July 5 depending upon new moon sighting.

NAMCC North Austin Muslim Community Center 11900 N Lamar Blvd, Austin TX 512-491-7148 ICGA

Since the month of Ramadan typically has 28 or 29 days, the calculations seems pretty accurate.

Islamic Center of Greater Austin 5110 Manor Road, Austin, TX 512-926-9221

Raindrop Foundation 12400 Amherst Drive, Austin, TX

ICBC Islamic Center of Brushy Creek 1950 Brushy Creek Road, Cedar Park, TX 512-850-4786

ICP Islamic Center of Pflugerville 15803 Windermere Drive Pflugerville, TX

IABA Islamic Ahlul Bayt Assn 12460 Los Indios Tr, Austin TX (512) 291-9855

So far the 13 mosques in Austin and surrounding areas have not announced where they will hold their eid Namaz, but tradition goes that the mosques come together and hold congregated eid prayer as they have done in The Croquette Center on Lamar or the Convention center in downtown.

San Marcos Masjid 434 N Comanche St, San Marcos, TX ICRR Islamic Center of Round Rock, 1951 Hampton Lane, Round Rock, TX (512) 730-3644

The Soccer Zone in the North and south of Austin has also been used as praying ground before.

Nueces Mosque 1906 Nueces Street, Austin, TX info@nuecesmosque.com

The Austin South Asian has put together a list of some mosques with their phone numbers for the benefit

Masjid Ibrahim 8521 TX-71, Austin, TX 78735 512-693-2924 At the time of printing, Masjid Ibrahim Imam, Brother Raihan Kamal said that the mosque has plans of holding Eid prayers on site. Islamic Center of Lake Travis informed us that there would be congregated prayers in different parts of the city and the venue is still being decided. Timing will be posted closer to the date.

Tips To Create The Perfect Sports Viewing Set-Up At Home When it comes to watching the game, the next best thing to the stadium can be your home. And sometimes home viewing can be even better. This season, take your spectating more seriously by bringing your entertainment center to the next level.

team spirit in etched glasses with the team logo. Consider creating a satellite kitchen or beverage area in your entertainment room. This way, you don’t have to wait

Some avid fans even set up popcorn carts and turnstiles in their viewing rooms to replicate the stadium feel. Upgrade Your View You don’t need to pay through the

Whether you’re hosting the whole crew or just watching the game solo, these tips can make you feel like you’re really there: Food and Drink Replicate the ballpark or arena with the right food and drink. Whether you go with classics like peanuts and Cracker Jacks, or you serve the updated gourmet fare found at many stadiums today, give your guests something delicious to snack on while cheering for their favorite team. Serve up frothy drinks and some

until the commercial break for a refill.

nose to do better than the nosebleed section.

The best seats for never missing a play can be right at home. Replace an ordinary TV with a projector for a larger viewing area. For example, consider Casio’s new lineup of LampFree projectors. A LampFree projector generates high brightness, without compromising color, clarity or performance. It’s a cost-effective solution for sports fans who want to optimize their at-home viewing experience.

To create surround sound, you will need at least four speakers and a subwoofer. Create an equilateral triangle, with the right and left front speakers as two points and your primary seat as the third point. Meaning, if you are seated seven feet away from the screen, your speakers should be seven feet apart from each other and angled toward you. Place them at the same height as ear level.

And since they’re compact, they can be moved easily from room to room or even outdoors. For more information, visit CasioLampFree. com.

To enjoy the game like a seasoned fan and host the best viewing parties around, take steps to improve your entertainment set-up at home and you’ll never miss a play.

Big Sound

(StatePoint)

ICC NEEDS VOLUNTEERS iccaustin@gmail.com

Austin South Asian | July 2016

How Foods Can Help Heal Common Ailments When you’re not feeling well, conventional wisdom says you should reach for over-the-counter or prescription remedies.

Lu says the teachings of TCM can

work on the physical and chemical

Good organ function is also necessary for your body to process and digest what you eat.

But many experts point out that foods have healing properties that can be complementary in helping to treat common ailments and prevent illness. “The concept of using food as medicine isn’t a new one; however, the evolution of society and science has moved us further from this concept,” says Grand Master Nan Lu, OMD, one of the country’s foremost teachers and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and author of the new book “Digesting the Universe: A Revolutionary Framework for Healthy Metabolism Function.” “In my view, we are missing some of the most powerful and supportive steps we can take to remain well and prevent disease and illness.”

• The “right” foods won’t necessarily protect your health by virtue of their properties alone.

However, foods can help restore balance to an ailing organ system. • Listen to your body, not cultural beliefs about what is good or bad for you. Lu offers the example of a woman craving sugar or salt during her menstrual cycle. help patients deal with the root cause of their problems, rather than just eliminate the symptoms. While complex, he is offering a few quick insights into the subject of food as medicine. • Nutritionists today base their

properties of food alone, but this is just half the picture. “There are many immaterial things contained within food as well,” says Lu, who cites Qi, or vital energy, as a key aspect of food you can’t see.

“Assuming she listens to the wisdom of her body and satisfies her craving, she’ll have some chocolate or eat some potato chips. This woman is doing something natural.” • You may have heard of the adage, “you are what you eat.” Lu says

to also consider the phrase, “you are what you think,” and avoid a steady diet of negative emotions, which you then must digest and process. Your thoughts impact your body and health, he says. • The next time your stomach is upset, consider reaching for something natural. Ginger can be eaten or used topically to deal with stomach discomfort, reduce inflammation and even lower pain from arthritis. More information about TCM and “Digesting the Universe” can be found at tcmworld.org. While modern science has offered us groundbreaking medications and treatments, traditional healing systems can help patients recognize the root cause of physical conditions for a healthier, more balanced life. (StatePoint)

Math Scores Are Slipping: How Your Child Can Buck The Trend As STEM skills are gaining importance in the job market -- that is science, technology, engineering and math -- American students’

to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. As a parent, what can you do to

tunities in STEM. Even if he or she is uncertain now, talking about the future can be motivational. Steering their career path early will help them remain focused and on target for their larger goals. If any questions arise, your child’s teachers can be a great resource for information and advice. Better Math Gear You can motivate students and bolster academic performance by providing them with the technology they need to succeed.

math test scores are slipping. A recent study shows a growing percentage of 12th grade students performing below the basic level in math, and only a quarter of 12th graders tested at or above proficient achievement level, according

help your child improve grades and test scores in math? Select Course Work Wisely Talk to your children about what their future plans are for college, being sure to discuss career oppor-

“As students get older and enter advanced classes, they will need higher-functioning tools to solve difficult equations quickly, and explore more complex connections and applications,” says Dr. Karen Greenhaus, education technology expert at Casio America, Inc. “Be sure to provide your child

with calculators that have menus and processes right on the screen, which will help reduce the amount of time it takes for them to work out the equation and get to more in-depth learning and conceptual understanding.” Greenhaus notes that it’s also important to find calculators that are permitted on important tests, such as AP, SAT and SAT II well in advance of taking these tests, so that children understand the tools they need to support their test-taking abilities. New models, such as those from Casio, can help students explore math-related activities and exercises easily due to their broader range of functions and faster processing speeds. The PRIZM’s icon-based menu makes usability more intuitive than previous calculator models and USB connectivity helps students take their lessons from calculator to computer. More information can

be found at www.CasioEducation. com. Healthy Study Habits As a parent, you can help ensure your student maintains habits that foster better learning. When it comes to homework and studying, discourage procrastination. Regularly check in with your child’s progress and ask about upcoming tests. If math is one of your child’s more difficult subjects, suggest he or she start with math homework first and save favorite subjects for later in the evening. Make sure students get plenty of sleep. Classroom material is best absorbed when students are alert. While math scores nationwide are falling, the right tools and study habits can help your student buck the trend. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | July 2016

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Tips To Create The Perfect Picnic A picnic is a fantastic way to gather with friends and family. Enjoy a summer breeze on the beach or host a backyard soiree -- you can make your al fresco meal as casual or as elegant as you’d like. Pack the best basket with these simple

Scribblings By Arun BUBBLES The air in water Creates spherical bubbles With soapy water In splendid colours. Glowing bubbles Of rainbow colours Floats in the air Like angels with wings. Coming in contact With any hard object Shatters and disappears Like spark in the fire. Though it short lives Makes all pleased Like a smile of a child Dreaming in the sleep. Simple living A bubble of plain water. Comfortable living A bubble of soap water. Life is more than short Make it tweet. Glow like a light Brightest in the darkest.

tips. Find the Right Location The first step to a successful picnic is finding the perfect spot. If you decide not to host at your home, choose a space at the park or beach with tables or a shelter to make setup a snap. If you select a location without amenities, you’ll need to bring chairs and blankets to provide a comfortable setting for guests. Determine how many people will be in attendance, and plan accordingly. Coordinate the Menu Take time to create a delicious, simple and convenient menu. Choose items that are easy to eat and fare well in warm weather, avoiding foods that melt or spoil. When you’re ready to prepare your dishes, a high-performance blender, such as the Vitamix S50, is a must-have kitchen appliance to reduce prep

time and cleanup, while releasing the full flavor of whole foods. Effortlessly chop and blend ingredients to make a variety of picnic-friendly dishes and snacks, such as hummus, nut butters, vinaigrettes and granola. And you can blend right in the small, double-wall insulated container that can go into your cooler and directly to your picnic location. Consider healthy recipes that require little prep work but are sure to please. Blend peanuts and cashews for a mixed nut butter that’s perfect for kids’ sandwiches or as a dip for apple slices and celery sticks. For the ideal blend of sweet and spicy, chop apples and jalapeno peppers to make a Crunchy Apple Salsa. You can also create a nutritious guacamole appetizer by mixing avocados, tomatoes, cilantro and lemon juice. By selecting dishes that can be quickly and easily prepared before your picnic, you’ll find

yourself with even more time to enjoy your guests. Smart Packing Make packing for your picnic a breeze by creating a checklist with necessary items, such as plates, cups, utensils, napkins and more. Be sure to count your guests and bring enough for everyone, remembering extras for dessert. Strategically pack your basket and cooler to avoid smashing, breaking or spoiling food. Secure heavier items on the bottom and insert smaller, lighter items on top. In the cooler, place chunks of ice or frozen packs in between layers to prevent items from shifting while keeping contents fresh. As a rule of thumb, once the ice melts, perishable food has likely reached an unsafe temperate and should not be consumed. Plan and prepare items ahead of time, and you will be ready to host a splendid picnic in the great outdoors. So gather your friends and family, grab a blanket, and let the fun begin! (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian

Editor: Bala Kumar Marketing: Jayachitra Vijay -512-828-6709 info@austinsouthasian.com Production: Jyothi Mariswaran Admin: Sharada Dayanidhi Publisher: Vidya Kumar Circulation: Vasooda Kumar ©All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof be published without the wirtten consent of the publisher. The deadline for advertisement and article is 20th of every month.

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Austin South Asian | July 2016

Top 3 Reasons Not To Waste Food More than one-third of all food produced in the United States goes uneaten, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This waste contributes to problems ranging from hunger and malnutrition to environmental and economic concerns.

selling food. Environmental Concerns The majority of wasted food ends

in the United States. Composting food and diverting it from entering landfills helps prevent the creation of global greenhouse gas emissions and protects the environment.

Social Concerns

“From the farm, through the production and distribution process, to the grocery store, to the home -- wherever there is food, there is unfortunately food waste,” says Lauri Wright, registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy spokesperson. “In a world of limited resources and growing populations, wasting food is a luxury we can’t afford.” Reducing, reusing, and recycling wasted food can assist with feeding the estimated 49 million Americans who are food-insecure, reduce agricultural pressures on the environment and increase business efficiencies for those producing and

An American family of four throws out an average $1,484 worth of edible food a year, while nationally, the costs associated with food waste exceeds $1 billion annually in local tax funds.

While millions of Americans worry how they will feed their children, the amount of safe edible food wasted in the Unites States continues to soar. If Americans wasted just 15 percent less food, it would be enough to feed 25 million people. Instead of throwing away untouched food, support the food-insecure by donating it to food banks. up in landfills and then breaks down to produce methane and carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to climate change. Food in landfills contributes to nearly onequarter of all methane emissions

Economic Concerns Wasted food is not only detrimental to the environment but also costs consumers, businesses and taxpayers substantial amounts of money.

Reduce Food Waste at Home Consumers are responsible for the majority of food waste in the United States and can play a major role in its reduction. “Reduce food waste by being a smarter shopper.

Only buy the amount of perishable foods that you will be able to eat in a week,” Wright says. “If you do have leftovers, and they are still safe to eat, donate them. If they are not safe to eat, compost them. While not all wasted food is edible, much of it can be recovered and repurposed.” Registered dietitian nutritionists are uniquely qualified to help reduce food loss and waste by educating individuals, families, communities, business and industry. For more information on reducing food waste, check out the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation’s Future of Food initiative and the Foundation’s “2016 State of America’s Wasted Food Report.” Food waste is a global problem with solutions at the local and even individual level. Get the entire family involved in taking steps to reduce waste in your home. (StatePoint)

7 Helpful Hacks For Quick Kitchen Cleanup Prepare. Eat. Clean up. Repeat. In the kitchen, it’s a never-ending cycle of conquering messes. These seven simple cleaning hacks, tips and products that will cut down time spent restoring order in your

Combat lingering odors from garlic or onions by rubbing your hands on your stainless steel sink to remove the smell. Be sure to disinfect the sink first, as research shows that Salmonella and E. coli are found

for large pots and pans, and the ability to reach all corners of the sink. Plus, new spray technologies, such as Moen’s Power Clean, can provide more spray power while containing splash and minimizing mess. Greater force means faster cleanup and less water used on tough-to-rinse foods, like peanut butter. 3. Make Microwave Miracles

space.

on 45 percent of kitchen sinks!

1. Start with the Sink

2. Find a Fabulous Faucet

Before cooking, always empty the sink to make space for washing dirty items, including your hands.

Rethink your faucet. Simplify cleanup with a high-arc pulldown spout, which provides extra room

Your sink and faucets are the workhorses of the kitchen, but your microwave is probably next in line. So, what happens if your eggs explode or your sauce splatters? Place a bowl of water with cut lemons in the microwave and run it until the water boils. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the steam to loosen the splatter and then wipe clean. In the future, always cover your items with a microwave-safe lid, paper towel or even a coffee filter! 4. Get Creative with Coffee Filters

Coffee filters are perfect for many cleaning (or mess prevention) hacks in the kitchen. They work as a spoon rest, a strainer or a wrap for ice cream cones to catch drips, and can be placed under greasy foods like bacon or french fries to soak up excess oil and cut down on cleanup (and calories). 5. Go Streak-Free Tired of the constant fingerprints and streaks on stainless appliances? Ditch harsh cleaners for a simple solution: water and a microfiber cloth, which feature microscopic fibers that pick up more than regular cloths. Better yet, choose faucets and appliances with finishes that repel these unsightly marks, such as Moen’s exclusive Spot Resist faucet finish, which helps resist fingerprints and water spots. 6. Don’t Trash Food -- Dispose It More than 60 million homeowners rely on garbage disposals to assist with daily kitchen cleanup, accord-

ing to Moen Consumer & Market Insights. This handy appliance can significantly reduce the amount of trash you create, which means sending less to the landfill and fewer smelly garbage cans! Choose a powerful, dependable garbage disposal, such as Moen’s complete line that quickly and powerfully grinds food scraps, allowing you to spend more time at the dinner table and less time at the sink. 7. Protect the Pantry Most pantry doors are shut for a reason -- there’s a mess lurking in there! From sugar spills to syrup leaks, many shelves are a sticky situation. Non-adhesive shelf liners are an ideal solution for easy cleanup. The solid surface will help contain spills and, since they’re machine-washable, you can toss the liner in the wash and re-use it. Life in the kitchen is messy, but with a few tips and updates, cleanup can be a breeze. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Spend Less Time In The Kitchen This Summer With Easy Desserts

When the kids are home for the summer and begging to play outside and the sun is too perfect not to be enjoyed, who wants to spend

guests or preparing simple meals for the family, quick and easy nobake desserts are key essentials for barbecues, picnics and any dining

themed recipe for “Oh Say Can You See Skewers” a part of your al fresco spread: Ingredients: • 1 family pack of Tastykake Mini Koffee Kake Cupcakes

you do this summer.

Whether you’re feeding hungry

You can easily make this patriotic-

• 1 pack of Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes • Candy melts (red, white and blue) • Popsicle sticks

• 1 carton of strawberries

• Sprinkles

• 1 carton of blueberries

Instructions:

• Place the popsicle stick in one end of the Tastykake Peanut Butter Kandy Kake.

• Layer bite-sized pieces of Tastykake’s Mini Koffee Kake Cupcakes, strawberries and blueberries on a skewer to resemble an American flag. all their time in the kitchen?

Ingredients:

Or, try this recipe for “Patriotic Pops,” another fast, fun treat that makes entertaining easy and fun.

• Melt candy melts in a bowl. • Dunk the Kandy Kake into the candy melt, lay on parchment paper and put in the refrigerator to cool

• Pour remaining candy melts (melted) into a ziplock bag. Cut a small hole in the bottom of the bag. • Use the bag of icing to draw on stripes or stars onto the cooled cake pop. Add sprinkles. • Place back into the refrigerator to cool. For more easy budget-friendly recipes incorporating snack cakes, pies, cookies and donuts, visit tastykake.com/recipes. When it comes to delightful desserts, think simple in order to make your summer a sweet success. Easy recipes and entertaining ideas will give you more time to spend with family and friends. (StatePoint)

Ways Students Can Use Summer Vacation To Prepare For The Future Is your family thinking about the skills and experience your child needs for college and future success? The majority of college admission

from the National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). Experts say that summer is the perfect time for children to get ahead

Honor Societies. “The down time during the long vacation can be an ideal opportunity to make progress working toward this goal.” As part of “Honor Your Future Now,” an NHS and NJHS campaign to encourage students to prepare now for college and success beyond, the National Honor Societies are offering the following advice to families with college-bound students:

officers recommend that students start preparing before or by ninth grade.

in building skills and experience for the journey to and through college and lifelong success.

• Don’t Wait: No matter what grade your student is entering in the fall, encourage extracurricular and cocurricular opportunities that foster well-roundedness.

Yet, more than half of middle level students haven’t started prepping for college, according to statistics

“It’s never too early to start building your future,” says Jonathan Mathis, director of the National

• Be a Leader: Encourage participation in leadership programs to learn important skills like re-

sourcefulness, problem-solving and cooperation. Becoming a strong leader early can help your student throughout college and his or her career. • Build Character: Teach your student about the importance of demonstrating high standards of honesty, integrity and showing respect toward others. Building strong character can serve as the foundation for future success. • Give Back: Suggest joining volunteer projects that your student is passionate about, and emphasize the importance of being active in and giving back to your community. • Find a Voice: It’s important for your student to understand his or her role and rights as a citizen. Take advantage of this election year to talk with your child about the political process and why it’s critical to get involved. • Be There For Your Child: Get-

ting to and through college can be daunting for students, but teaching the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship can help children prepare for college and beyond. Involved parents can make a lasting positive impact. • Understand Finances: College costs can be overwhelming. It’s never too early to start planning. Spend time with your child this summer researching what needbased and merit-based financial aid options are available. Talk to your child about putting some of the money earned through jobs or received as gifts into a savings account, such as the 529 plan. More tips and resources for parents and students can be found at HonorYourFutureNow.org. Between the sun and fun of summer, help your child spend time now preparing for college, career and a lifetime of success. It’s never too early to begin thinking about a successful future. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Probiotics: Common Myths And Shocking Truths

With all the attention paid to health and wellness these days, it’s no wonder that probiotics are such a hot topic. Probiotics support digestive health

expected to climb to $36.7 billion in 2018, according to BCC Research, consumers should get the truth about how to reap probiotic benefits before shelling out their money.

label, it is “probiotic.” Fact: The seal indicates that at the time of manufacture, a refrigerated yogurt contained at least 100 million cultures of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophiles per gram, and that a frozen yogurt contained at least 10 million cultures per gram at the time of manufacture. This sounds pretty impressive, but depending on storage conditions, cultures used, and other manufacturing processes, there may be only a small fraction of the cells left by the time the product reaches your spoon, due to their naturally short lifespan. The good news is there are products that contain far more robust cultures.

and strong immunity (70 percent of our immune system is located in the digestive tract); however, there are a lot of myths surrounding them. With the global probiotic market

Here are a few myths and facts to consider from probiotic experts at Ganeden, a leading manufacturer of probiotic ingredients: Myth: If a yogurt product has the Live & Active Cultures seal on the

For example, GanedenBC30 (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086), a strain of probiotic bacteria, survives at rates of nearly 100 percent, and can be found in a variety of food and beverage products. Be sure to check the ingredient list-

ing or look for its circular logo on packaging. Myth: Fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, miso and natto are good sources of probiotics. Fact: It depends. While many of these foods do use naturally occurring live cultures to begin fermentation, the pasteurization process will kill almost all living bacteria, even the good guys! If the fermented product is raw, meaning it was never pasteurized, it will contain bacteria, but it won’t necessarily be probiotic. The organisms used to produce the fermented food have not always been studied -- so whether they provide a health benefit to the consumer is unknown. For benefits to your digestive health and immune system, seek out foods and beverages with added probiotic strains that have research showing their benefits, like GanedenBC30. Myth: Added probiotic strains

can’t survive in foods and beverages outside of the refrigerated dairy case. Fact: Some strains can, such as GanedenBC30. Its stability is due to a unique protective spore that gives the probiotic an ability to survive harsh manufacturing processes, product shelf life and, finally, the journey through the digestive system. These special characteristics allow it to be included in foods like oatmeal, muffins, coffee, orange juice and even pizza -- providing probiotic options that fit every lifestyle and preference. To learn more about probiotics and their benefits, including digestive and immune support, along with enhanced protein utilization, and for a list of more than 500 probiotic product options, visit GanedenBC30.com. When seeking out good sources of probiotics to include in your diet, remember to do research beyond the label. (StatePoint)

Pragathi Fund Raiser Event (Continued From Page 01) Sinchan Dixit is an artist with many accomplishments including winning the Indian competition Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, a judge for the Star Kalaakar Texas, and is a successful playback singer for Bollywood and Sandalwood films. She is currently on a tour of US and Canada. Pragathi was very lucky that she came to Austin, and sang a wide array of enjoyable Hindi, Kannada, and Tulu music. Sinchin entranced everyone with her singing of fast paced Sandalwood and Bollywood songs, old Hindi hits , and current, romantic Bollywood mega hits. The event was organized as a fundraiser for Pragathi, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to improve the quality of education in India.

Started in 2004, Pragathi Austin remains one of the fastest growing nonprofits in Texas. Pragathi was founded right here in Austin, and has since been expanded to Houston in Texas. Pragathi was started to help accelerate progress in India by focusing on education, women empowerment, and raising the quality of life for impoverished citizens. Pragathi Austin has since focused on improving the quality of education received by primary children in India. Their main targets include the rural areas of India, as an estimated 50% of children in 5th grade cannot read second grade level text in their mother tongue, nor can perform simple second grade level arithmetic.

ASER surveys support these alarming statistics. You can read more about this in the report from 2014 in the link provided. ASER is an annual household survey that assesses children’s schooling status and basic reading and arithmetic levels.

know how to do 2nd grade math. Additionally, number fluency is decreasing in government schools while increasing in public schools. Everyday, Pragathi is trying to help lower these shocking educational statistics.

This survey is facilitated by Pratham and carried out by a local organization or institution in each district.

Since its founding, Pragathi has helped 58438 children all across Karnataka, India, especially in the northern and southern regions.

In the 2014 report, it states that in rural areas of India, reading levels in government schools are declining to “low” ”stuck”, while private schools are increasing their reading levels.

They have helped with improving the infrastructure of 25 government schools in rural Karnataka, supported over 500 libraries, and more than 100 preschools.

The gap between government and private schools keep on growing by the years instead of decreasing. Mathematics wise, ASER states that only half of grade 5 students

Many children have also tremendously improved with Pragathi’s intervention. Reading wise, more than 54000 children have improved their lit-

eracy, while more than 42,000 children become literate. Also, over 12000 children learned how to do basic math. As reiterated in the intermission of this concert, this 2015-2016 has been one of the most fruitful years of Pragathi’s existence. In 2015 and 2016, Pragathi has helped several thousand children, started a youth chapter in Austin, and has done multiple fundraising events to raise an abundant amount of awareness to local communities as well as gathered donations to continue their mission. After the amazing concert, all attendees enjoyed great food sponsored for free by Bollywood Indian Grill. Pragathi thanks their kindness and generosity. (Continued On Page 11)

National Weather Service Issues Heat Advisory

By Carole Barasch Carole.barasch@austintexas.gov 512-972-6115/512-845-3041 Austin/Travis County Health & Human Services

the sun. • Wear light clothing and a hat. • Never leave another person or an

Because of the extreme heat the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for south Central Texas that should continue for the next several days.

• Stay in shaded areas and avoid

Take cool showers or baths, and consider using a spray bottle filled with cold water to cool off throughout the day. • Plan strenuous outdoor activities for early or late in the day when temperatures are lower.

A heat advisory is issued when the “heat index” is expected to exceed 105 degrees during the day and 80 degrees during the night for at least two consecutive days. As we enter our hottest time of the year, the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department offers the following tips people can take for themselves, others and for pets in hot weather to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

and bandanas can have a cooling effect when placed on the shoulders or head.

• Take frequent breaks when working outdoors.

animal in a closed, parked vehicle. • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, but avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar. • Take advantage of the cooling power of water. Fill buckets or basins and soak your feet. Wet towels

• If you are aware of elderly, more vulnerable people in your neighborhood check on them to see if they need additional assistance. • Allow your pet to stay inside in air-conditioned comfort during the heat of the day. I f that’s not possible, make sure your pet always has access to shade and plenty of fresh, cool water. Never leave an animal in a closed, parked vehicle. • At the first signs of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps), seek a cooler location, rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention immediately if conditions do not improve. To learn more about the effects of extreme heat and how to stay safe this summer visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: h t t p s : / / w w w. cdc.gov/extremeheat

Austin South Asian | July 2016

SOUTH ASIAN POETS READ AT HOUSE OF LORDS By Usha Akella Skylark was launched in 1969 in India as a quarterly to showcase contemporary literature in translation by the late Baldev Mirza and Yogesh Patel as its editors. After 100 printed issues and a few books, it completed its journey. Reinvented, its independent journey began in England under the auspices of poet and writer Yogesh Patel to help Diasporic writing and expat literature. It is currently promoting SouthAsian poets and writers through various Foundations, including Word Masala books, events, awards and an ezine. In 2015, it launched an initiative to honor very important poets of the Diaspora by dedicating a once a month Poet-of-the-Month. The 2015 awards winners are: 1.Debjani Chatterjee, 2.Shanta Acharya, 3.Reginald Massey, 4. Usha Akella, 5.Daljit Nagra, 6. Saleem Peeradina, 7. Usha Kishore 8. Meena Alexander. The 2016 winners are: 1.Pramila Venkateswaran, 2.Siddhartha Bose, 3.Kavita A. Jindal and 4.Bobby Nayyar Yogesh Patel & Lord Parekh issued an invitation to the award winners to receive the awards at the House of Lords on June 22nd, 2016. On the award, Yogesh Patel comments: “Word Masala Award is only conferred on the published SouthAsian diaspora poets with a substantial quality of work upholding their achievements to the highest standards. It will be akin to ‘Lifetime Achievement’. We will be looking for a wider range of subject matter offered as well as the poet’s recognizable contribution to literature, including any special achievements. All our past winners - we are very proud to say - have made us conscious of this fact. Only these winners will be invited to contribute to the winner’s collection to be published by Skylark Publications UK. These winners will also nominate and help us in our consultations for

future nominations. We do hope that our winners will help fellow diaspora poets where possible, and actively take an interest in this Foundation through mentoring, reviews, helping with a preface, providing comments for blurbs, helping to judge competitions, etc. Winners are also expected to include the mention of the award in their bio-data and link their page at www.skylarkpublications.co.uk to their blogs, social media platforms and web pages.” Usha Akella, an Austin based poet is one of the poets who will be honored at the event. In awarding her, Yogesh Patel comments, : “Her remarkable poems often muse with our critical observations and stoical experiences as displaced expatriates. Please do not miss some of these gems in her interview accessible through the link: http:// www.skylarkpublications.co.uk/ ushaakella.html.” Usha Akella has authored 4 books, scripted and produced one musical. Her most recent book The Rosary of Latitudes is published by Transcendental Zero Press with a foreword by Keki Daruwalla. She has won a few poetry awards for her work. She was selected as a creative ambassador for Austin in 2014-15. She has been invited to many international poetry festivals in Colombia, Macedonia, Nicaragua, Mexico, India, Turkey, Slovakia, Slovenia etc. In August 2015, she organized the first South Asian Poetry Fest ‘MATWAALA.’ She is the founder of the Poetry Caravan in Westchester County, NY and Austin. The caravan provides free readings at senior homes, women shelters and hospitals. The NY chapter has offered more than a 1000 free readings and the city of Austin proclaimed January 7th as Poetry Caravan Day. She will pursue a Masters in Creative Writing at Cambridge University, UK in the Fall of 2016. A full report will follow after the event. For further information: http://www.skylarkpublications. co.uk/ http://www.skylarkpublications. co.uk/page14.html

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Research Points To Many Medical Benefits Of Hemp Plant

Modern day medical researchers have only recently begun to recognize the full medicinal value of many age-old natural remedies and treatments for such common ailments as heart disease, glaucoma and migraines.

high. Cannabis was first recorded as an herbal remedy in the writings of the Chinese emperor Shen Neng around 2,000 B.C,” says Dr.

ers have been able to optimize its healing effects.” Ingram points out that a number

One such ancient natural remedy that has recently been garnering increased attention is the cannabis plant. Its use as medicine has a history dating back thousands of years. And while cannabis was removed from the U.S. Pharmacopoeia by 1942, some experts are pointing to clinical evidence to suggest it should be reinstated in its non-psychoactive form, commonly known as hemp. “It’s important to understand that we’re not talking about getting

experts and researchers, including seizures triggered by infectious agents, insomnia, sleep apnea, heart disease, glaucoma, chronic pain, migraines, chronic lung and bronchial disorders, fibromyalgia, neurological conditions such as ALS, Parkinson’s and autism, chronic depression, anxiety, nervousness and addictions. However, Ingram has observed that the optimum healing effect for these conditions is derived by application of a raw extract made from the entire hemp plant.

Cass Ingram, nutritional physician and author of the new book, “The Cannabis Cure.” “Today, research-

of medical conditions have been shown to favorably respond to hemp therapy, according to many

the South Asia Institute at UT, introduced the senator and listed his long list of accomplishments including being chosen as one of the

senator’s new book, Pathways.

In addition to “cannabidiol” CBD, which has been of interest of late, the whole plant also contains more than 60 other health-building cannabinoids, plus a host of other valuable chemical compounds, as well as sterols and waxes needed to rebuild cell membranes -- includ-

ing, in particular, the membranes of brain cells. “It has long been established that hemp is one of the most nutritionally dense of all foods, being exceedingly rich in vitamins, minerals and protein,” says Dr. Ingram. “What we are now discovering is that it’s also comprised of countless other substances and phytochemicals, which find vast use in the treatment of human disease.” To learn more about these issues and for information about “The Cannabis Cure” book, visit cassingram.com. While modern medicine regularly delivers brand new treatments to patients, its discovery of new benefits of age-old medicines can seem just as cutting-edge. (StatePoint)

Senator Javed Jabbar Discusses Pakistan As A Nation At UT

By Sumaiya Malik

Pakistani retired senator Javed Jabbar talked to an audience at UT on

Javed Jabbar explained what Pathways is about.

Javed Jabbar went on to suggest the changes that need to be seen within Pakistan to speed up its progress.

He said the book is like a research paper about the unique origin and destiny of Pakistan.

He said that while the majority of the country is modern in thought, the voice of the extremist minority has been let loose in the media.

After giving a brief history of the country through a discussion about what kind of a nation Pakistan is,

He reasoned that while the Freedom of Media act of 2002 helped the country advance to the level it

is today, the non-checking policy has also harmed the image of the country by the amount of time spent on extremism. The senator recognized the philanthropic role the South Asian American community has played in supporting educational and health related institutions for the benefit of needy Pakistanis.

Pragathi Fund Raiser Event (Continued From Page 09) Overall, from the enjoyable concert, Pragathi has raised several thousand dollars that will go towards sponsoring larger projects to help education in India.

Friday, June 3. Hosted by the South Asia Institute, Dr. Kamran Ali, Director of

eight senators who are a part of the Senate Forum of Policy Research. He also talked about the retired

As said before, Pragati is one of the small non-profits that is rapidly growing and taking on newer and larger projects. They have raised many funds and have broadened their connections

to reach more people and other non-profits. For more information, visit Pragathi’s website, pragathi.org, where online donations can be made. Pragathi is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and is also registered with major employees in Central Texas and accepts donations and matching grants from employees. Any donation from you will gladly

be accepted and put to the cause of eliminating poverty through education. Pragathi website: www.pragathi. org ASER Survey Link: http://img.asercentre.org/docs/ Publications/ASER%20Reports/ ASER%202014/National%20 PPTs/aser2014indiaenglish.pdf

Austin South Asian | July 2016

SHIKSHA (Continued From Page 01) The two-hour event was a grand success. It started at 9:45am, with students displaying language skills (via skits like the Tamil class), as well as their singing skills (from the Marathi and Telugu class).

mal sounds and kept the audience guessing. Attendees were also treated to three very, disciplined Bharathnatyam dance performances given by beginner, intermediate and advance-level students.

Some students displayed fluency in their respective languages via dialogues (Kannada class), jokes (Hindi class) and a short speech on Mahatma Gandhi (Gujarati class).

Their intricate costumes and precise movements evidenced how much hard work had been applied to these performances by all the students and teachers.

One proud parent stated, “My daughter never spoke Kannada before, and it made me proud to hear her speak it so fluently on the stage today!”

As a part of the Adult Yoga class performance, there was also a twominute yoga session for all in attendance.

Vedic Math students showed how complicated math skills can be easily learned using basic Vedic Math rules. The confidence level displayed by the kids was extraordinary. Indeed, as one student put it, “We don’t

certificates to all students. The Shiksha Spring semester concluded with the Science class visiting the Little America Miniature Horses, in Buda, Texas.

positions.

The owner, Tony, was very welcoming and provided a wealth of information about the horses and

There is a high demand for summer classes at Shiksha. Summer Camp will be from July 18 to 29.

The program concluded with a performance by the students of the Gods and Goddesses class. The little kids from this class had an opportunity to recite a shloka/

The farm, which is home to 180 miniature horses (some of them prize winning), also houses “Shiksha” the pony, born on Earth Day, 2016. The kids were very excited to finally meet the little brown horse with its big, pretty eyes, and enjoyed petting him.

Students of the Science Olympiad class impressed everyone with their science projects, one of which involved bridge building. Using balsa wood, they built a bridge weighing 6 grams, which was able to hold 35 pounds! The little kids of the Hands-on Science class got everyone participating in their Science Quiz about different animals. The children drew appreciative laughter when they imitated ani-

To receive regular updates about Shiksha and information on class-

It left everyone feeling refreshed and ready for more enjoyable performances.

their care.

have to use calculators any more!”

In keeping with their expansion efforts, Shiksha has also opened branches in Dallas and New York.

It will be precluded by an Open House, which will provide information to all students (new and returning) and their parents about the new classes and teachers of Shiksha.

prayer of their choice as an offering to God. The event concluded with Hema Raja, the principle of Shiksha, making a point of distinguishing all students who had perfect attendance for the semester, and she awarded students with Excellence Awards for representing Shiksha in a community event, and for winning awards at competitions held in Austin. She then presented all volunteers and Model Teachers of the Year with specially engraved trophies. Local Sponsors provided free gift

Shiksha has been providing quality Indian education for the last three years. It currently boasts a population of 90 students, attending a total of 36 classes. The teachers and staff at Shiksha consider working there to be a noble cause, and revel in contributing to the Indian community and furthering Indian culture. Next semester, Shiksha hopes to expand its boundaries and scope by offering even more classes and additional talented teachers. Anyone interested in teaching at Shiksha is encouraged to contact the school, as teachers are currently being interviewed for various

Classes in dance, vocals and instruments, and STEM education will be offered for students of all ages. Shiksha’s Fall semester is scheduled to start August 21st.

es, please go to www.shikshausa. org and subscribe to our mailing list. You may also visit Shiksha’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ShikshaUSA/.

APPEAL TO NON PROFITS Please help us in updating the contact information. Please email correct information if you think the published information needs update. We appreciate if you can also provide a contact number so that your members / community can reach you. We will also carry this on our website and keep it updated for the benefit of community.

info@austinsouthasian.com 512-828-6709

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Over $20,000 Raised For School Supplies For Homeless Children In Austin Area! (Continued From Page 01) The event featured a magician,

ists, until we see someone tell their story. TV Asia and Hispanic Today covered the event.

starts to ensure that a supplier with the best quality supplies with best price and service is identified. The supplies will soon be ordered. The school supplies will arrive at Dell Jewish Community Center before August 14th and volunteers will come early to take inventory, sort the supplies and prepare the

assembly line to kit the supplies at 1pm.

raising, food service, set up and clean-up activities

This is fun filled event where children ages 4 yr. to elders are encouraged to participate.

HC4A also thanks Jewish Community Center for their ongoing support for this worthwhile cause to serve the Central Texas needy communities.

HC4A thanks all the volunteers who were involved in planning the event, stage entertainment, fund-

Sophisticated Upgrades To Give Your House Wow Factor

Want to give your house a touch of sophistication that makes it stand apart? This summer, consider making some modern upgrades. Up-to-Date Lighting Bollywood, Mexican and Jewish folk dances that people enjoyed. Food was sponsored by many area Indian restaurants. Desserts were donated by the Jewish Community. Delicious Indian Tea was donated by The Steeping

It took many volunteers to make this event a success so that HC4A can serve the families who cannot afford to buy school supplies.

If you are still living with your

A Homeless Family, recipient of schools supplies, moistened the eyes of many when the mother told their story. They have been living in homeless situation for over two years, taking care of two children who go to Manor ISD. We sometimes find it difficult to understand that such poverty ex-

Think creatively. An eye-catching, dramatic fixture, such as a chandelier, will really make your home stand out to guests when found on

HC4A volunteers make the determination of where the needs are by working with Texas Homeless Education Office.

They list ISDs (Independent School Districts) with highest to lowest homeless children. This year, the top two were Austin and Manor ISDs. Del Vale ISD, due to floods, has a bump in the numbers. HC4A approaches the schools and identifies specific supplies per student by grade level. A competitive bidding process

The PRIMO also gives you the ability to design your room without compromise -- placing a TV or artwork directly above the fireplace, or bringing sheetrock, wood panels or other finishing materials right up to its edge for a seamless contemporary style. For more information, visit heatnglo.com. Home Theater On a hot day, there is nothing like cooling down with a blockbuster. Really impress guests on movie night by transforming your run-ofthe-mill entertainment center into a bona fide home theater.

home’s original light fixtures, it may be time for an upgrade. Even the most contemporary home design elements can be wasted when illuminated by the wrong lighting.

Room.

sunlight, consider replacing window treatments with something more sheer.

Swap out standard fixtures for sophisticated, sleek designs that complement your home’s style. Use accent lighting to enhance particular pieces of artwork. Task lighting in areas where you cook, write or work with your hands is functional and an opportunity to add style to a room. Take advantage of natural lighting as much as possible, especially during the longer days of summer. If opaque, heavy drapes block out

an enclosed porch or other unexpected location. Modern Fireplace Elevate your style with a luxurious fireplace. Contemporary options add ambiance, complement your décor and enhance the experience. For example, a PRIMO gas fireplace from Heat & Glo has heat management technology that redirects the flow of heat, sending warmth where you want it, including outside the home, so you can enjoy the ambiance of a fireplace year-round. At the same time, it keeps the glass at a safe temperature with no safety screen required.

A windowless room or other area of the house with less natural light that can be easily soundproofed is ideal. A projector and surround sound will ensure great audio-visuals. For seating, consider installing stadium theater seating. Vintage touches like gold curtains that draw back before movies and a popcorn machine will add extra charm in this otherwise state-ofthe-art space. Take your home’s sophistication to the next level by thinking about form and function in equal measure. Add wow-factor elements to your home’s indoor and outdoor spaces, keeping in mind both livability and style. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Acupressure & Yoga Workshop What To Do If You See A Pet In A Hot Car

Compiled By Harish N. Kotecha

monizing the energy flow.

As was reported by Austin South Asian in June issue, Professor Ravindran (Yantra Foundation, Banglore) together with Prema Mysore and Niteen Pandya conducted three-day workshop on Acupressure and Yoga.

It also helps in prevention and maintenance of the organs and endocrine glands in proper working order to prevent the possibility of disease. Attendees had this to say: … b i g Thank You for teaching me so much about Acupressure and Yoga. Thank you all for your efforts in hosting this workshop! Wonderful spirits!

The free workshop was conducted at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Vadtaldham, Pfllugerville. The workshop was very well attended. Both spiritual and physical aspects relating to wellbeing were covered by Prof. Ravindran and Prema Mysore. The objective of the workshop was to empower us with practices that help us live a heathy life. The techniques shown relate to diet and acupressure.

Professor Ravindra and Premaben are true ambassadors of India in spreading awareness of natural health and wellness. They made us to learn our own body system, from being ignorant. I would be glad for conveying our sincere thanks and appreciation to them for visiting Austin and conducting a very informative and practical workshop for the benefit of our community. ..my upper and lower back pain is gone after acupressure treatment…

Acupressure is a form of touch therapy that utilizes the life energy which flows through “meridians” in the body.

..After my stroke, doing the prescribed therapy, I was able to lift my hand 70%. With acupressure, without any pain, I am able to lift to 100%

In Acupressure treatment, physical pressure is applied to pressure points with the aim of clearing blockages of energy flow in these meridians.

We hope to arrange additional workshops in future and train volunteers so that they can help others.

Acupressure, unlike acupuncture, is a noninvasive form of therapy that can be practiced after basic training, by anyone on himself or herself, and has practically no side-effects. Human body is capable of healing any disease and acupressure aids this process of healing by regulating, balancing and har-

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Pflugerville serves its devotees and is also always available to serve the community in many ways, this being one example. Many volunteers came together to make this workshop a success. Food was sponsored by generosity of the patrons.

(SPM Wire) It happens every summer. Pets left in vehicles with no owner in sight.

ask them to make an announcement to customers.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for this circumstance to be dangerous or even deadly.

Then, call the non-emergency number of your local police department or animal control. Stay on site until help arrives.

Even on a temperate day, the greenhouse effect of rolled-up windows can heat up a car to 116 degrees F within an hour, according to the Humane Society.

While most pet owners have the best intentions, many are unaware of the danger of leaving a pet in a hot car.

He or she is likely in a nearby establishment.

You can help spread the word. Free online resources, available at HumaneSociety.org, offer tips, advice and important information on keeping pets safe.

Talk to the proprietors of nearby stores and

This summer, be a hero to a pet in need.

If you see a pet in a hot car, act quickly to try to locate the owner.

To Advertise In ASA Call 512-828-6709

Austin South Asian | July 2016

5 Keys To Overcoming Adversity

Adversity naturally sounds like a bad thing, but an opportunity to overcome a difficult situation can actually be a valuable gift, say experts. “Times of adversity are simply stepping-

stones to live a better life,” says Coach Michael Taylor, author of the new book, “Adversity is Your Greatest Ally.” “They’re neither good nor bad until you choose to label them.” Born in the projects, a victim of child abuse and a high school dropout, Taylor was well-

acquainted with hardship in childhood, and has been no stranger to it in adulthood. His new book details his journey to success and happiness, offering advice to others seeking to do the same. While Taylor cites success stories of notable scientists, artists and entertainers like Albert Einstein, Jay Z and Oprah Winfrey as examples of those who surmounted life’s hurdles, he firmly believes that anyone with the right attitude and habits can make an upward leap. Here, Taylor offers five keys he says are needed to overcome adversity. • You must be willing to take responsibility for your life: You can’t blame your parents, where you were born, or the color of your skin. You can’t blame lack of education, an ex-spouse, or your age. Decide that you’re going to take 100 percent responsibility for your life and make it happen.

• You must be willing to leave your comfort zone: Fear is a choice. You can choose to let it keep you from accomplishing your goals, or you can feel the fear and do it anyway. Learn to become comfortable with being uncomfortable if you truly want to accomplish extraordinary things. • You must commit to growth: Upgrading your inner software means that you’re willing to look at the subconscious beliefs that may be limiting your potential. Read books and take classes that provide you with the knowledge and support to accomplish goals and feel better about yourself. The key is committing to never-ending improvement. • You must develop a positive attitude: If you’re truly committed to turning your adversities into allies, it is necessary to develop a positive attitude. A negative attitude makes life’s challenges more difficult to overcome.

• You must discover your unique gifts: Everyone has special gifts and talents. When expressed, you will find your true purpose in life. If you’ve forgotten what yours are or have given up on sharing them with the world, rest assured they are within you. Gifts are not necessarily something you do; they are primarily about who you are. For example, being loving and caring is a gift. Being intelligent and analytical is also a gift. For more tips and information about the book, visit AdversityisYourGreatestAlly. com. With patience and persistence, you can turn the page on a challenging chapter in your life and write your own story. (StatePoint)

US Returns Over 200 Artifacts Worth More Than $100 Million To India The US today returned over 200 cultural artifacts estimated at $100 million to India at a Among the pieces returned is a statue of ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Nar- Saint Manikkavichavakar, a Hindu mys-

endra Modi, at Washington DC.

tic and poet from the Chola period (circa 850 AD to 1250 AD) stolen from the Si“For some, these artifacts may be measured van Temple in Chennai, which is valued at in monetary terms but for us this is beyond $1.5 million. that. It’s a part of our culture and heritage,” the Prime Minister said at the ceremony held Also included in the collection is a bronze at the Blair House. sculpture of the Hindu god Ganesh estimated to be 1,000-year-old. Items returned included religious statues, bronzes and terra cotta pieces, some dating back 2,000 years, looted from some of India’s most treasured religious sites. (Continued On Page 18)

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Charity of the Month: Muslim Community Support Services (MCSS) (Continued from page 1) to financial, educational, medical and social services). In addition to being a resource and support center, MCSS builds bridges between the Muslim and general Austin community, by initiating and sustaining open communication. The purpose of this organization is to be a resource center for the needy, the refugees (families and individuals), and the victims of domestic violence, and help them face the resettlement and integration challenges in their life by providing short-term financial help (for food, shelter, health care, insurance, transportation, etc.), information about employers and job opportunities, assistance in learning new and necessary skills, emotional counseling / support, help in addressing legal issues and provide information regarding Federal/ State assistance programs. An additional an important goal is to establish and manage the Muslim Cemetery of Austin, a Muslim cemetery section within the CookWalden Capital Parks Cemetery. Provide funeral and burial services for the Muslim community. MCSS is a non-profit and it’s board included 9 people. The current president, Mustafa Ahmed, has played a key role in establishing a clear structure for the organization along with Mohsin Lari, the treasurer. Mr. Lari, who has been president before Mr. Ahmed, played a key role in founding the organization and for years worked relentlessly with family members as volunteers. To this day, he personally supervises the burial of Muslims in the Muslim cemetery. The cemetery itself was established with the efforts of Mr. Lari. MCSS has been managing the Muslim Cemetery of Austin at the

Cook Walden Capital Parks Cemetery since 2000. MCSS has signed a contract with Cook-Walden to purchase up to 500 lots in separate section to establish a Muslim cemetery.

The cemetery is located in the northeast corner of the CookWalden cemetery in Pflugerville. The Muslim cemetery section is segregated from the rest of the Cook-Walden cemetery. MCSS serves as a single point of contact for the bereaved family, for funeral and burial arrangements. They will coordinate the funeral services between Cook Walden and the Mosque for the preparation of the body, Janazah prayers and the burial services.

MCSS is deeply involved in resettling Syrian refugees. They have actively funded and provided mentoring services for about 300 refugee families in vari-

ous capacities. It also supports domestic violence women who come to them. Currently there are 13 such cases they

To register a refugee case please email Refugee-Assistance@mcssaustin.org

MCSS accepts donations online at mcssaustin.org. You can also send a cheque to MCSS, P.O. Box 160728, Austin, TX 78716-0728.

You can also donate in kind. MCSS accepts furniture, food, meat during Eid ul Adha and other forms. Please contact Fatima Ahmed, the

general secretary at 512-626-3818 for more information.

South Asian American Children Pay Tribute To Mohammed Ali By Sumaiya Malik One June 6, 2016, the world lost Mohammed Ali, an American Olympic and professional boxer

They can be contacted at 512-7751481 regarding plots and burial assistance. The organization is transparent and run solely on donations, which are largely provided by the Austin community.

All agreed that the life of Mohammed Ali, ‘did more than unite his large family. It also connected the diverse and often discordant American Muslim community. [CNN]’ The feelings were similar in Austin, where a group of children started talking about the accomplishments of ‘the greatest’ boxer who united ‘an allAmerican bravado with an unapologetic embrace of Islam.’ [CNN] Fourteen girls and boys ranging from age 6 to 16 stood together in a community gathering on Friday, June 24 and talked about how they thought Mohammed Ali changed the world.

An annual fundraiser energizes the fundraising and usually comes close to the budget. The rest is made up by Zakat which comes annually from the people of Austin and beyond. MCSS also collects Sadaqah. This year’s fund raiser was honored by the presence of Representative Donna Howard and Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo. Both of them spoke eloquently, and really connected with the guests.

are taking care of.

and activist. People around the world including world leaders and clerics mourned his death and celebrated his life.

They recognized Ali’s accomplishments and courage on and off the ring where he fought the world champions of boxing and defeated them one after the other, also changing his name from Cassius Clay to Mohammed Ali. Ovais Qureshi, a sixth grader in Eanes School district, began with facts about Mohammed Ali’s life

and accomplishments recognized by all. Sameer Malik, a tenth grader at St. Andrews focused more on how he felt that ‘Muhammad Ali provided a face to a religion that many in the US did not know much about.’ He added that Ali made ‘being a Muslim cool!’ Haroon Dossani, a student at Bowie High, told the audience how it is important to recognize the boxer in the month of fasting because Ali brought together different faiths on one platform. Then came Rayan Rumi, a first grader in the fall at Bridge Point, who stole everyone’s heart by saying, “I like Mohammed Ali!” The audience, which included prominent community members clapped and agreed that recognizing the sportsman in the community gave them a sense of peace and closure and hoped that Mohammed Ali’s departure from this world would only accelerate the progress Ali made in uniting people of all faiths.

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Indian Americans On Winning Team At Science Olympiad National Tournament A team of 15, including six Indian American students, from Sacramento, Calif.-based Mira Loma High School won the school’s first ever Science Olympiad National

were sophomores Adith Arun and Nikhil Gupta; juniors Vijay Srinivasan, Pranav Kodali and Muthu Chidambaram; and senior Nishita Jain.

chelle Jacks-coached Mira Loma High School included Claire Burch, Sarah Gurev, Ellanor Treiterer, Shaina Zuber, Sidrah Siddiqui, David Yang, Evelyn Zhang,

The hour-long hands-on and lab events are led by experts from government agencies, top universities, industry and Science Olympiad state chapters, with many running simultaneously. The Mira Loma team, which was pared down to 15 from a pool of nearly 100 students trying out, won medals in 12 of the events. Lincolnshire, Ill.-based Daniel Wright Junior High won the middle school competition. “These winning teams exemplify the best America has to offer in science, technology, engineering and math,” Science Olympiad president and co-founder Gerard Putz said in a statement.

Tournament last month. The 32nd annual event was held May 20 and May 21 at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Among the Mira Loma High team

Additionally, sophomore Sunil Shenoy and junior Ravina Sidhu were among the three Mira Loma alternates at the tournament. Other team members of the Scott Martinez, Mark Porter and Ro-

Helen Burch and Carson Flamm. Throughout the two-day event, there were 23 events in biology, astronomy, physics, chemistry, epidemiology, meteorology, coding and engineering.

“We are proud of their achievements and know their schools and communities will welcome them home like champions.” The annual national tournament brings together 120 middle school and high school teams who won state-level tournaments. Mira

Loma won in the Northern California tournament and is believed to be the first team from the area to win the national tournament. For claiming the top spot in the tournament each of the 15 team members received a $3,000 UWStout Chancellor’s Scholarship, with the potential of renewal for a second year for $1,500. The Science Olympiad is a Chicago-area-based national nonprofit organization founded in 1984 and dedicated to improving the quality of K-12 STEM education, increasing student interest in science, creating a technologically literate workforce and providing recognition for outstanding achievement by both students and teachers. More than 225,000 students on 7,600 teams from all 50 states competed in 400 regional, state and national Science Olympiad tournaments last year. Courtesy: IndiaWest

Indian American Twins Named Finalists For U.S. Chemistry Olympiad Team Indian American twin sisters Anushka and Anjali Walia, of Fremont, Calif., were named among the 20 finalists by the American Chemistry Society for the U.S. Chemistry Olympiad team. The 15-year-old Walia sisters, juniors at Fremont-based Irvington High School, and 18 others from across the country are vying for the four open spots on the Olympiad team that will travel to the Eastern European city Tbilsi in Georgia for the 48th International Chemistry Olympiad. This is Anjali’s first opportunity at making the U.S. team, while Anushka was a top 20 student in 2015. The finalists were selected from a

series of exams. More than 16,000

students throughout the U.S. participated in t h e exams, w i t h the top 20 selected to take part in a twoweek study camp at the U n i v e r sity of Mary Wa s h i n g ton in

Fredericksburg, Va. The camp began May 31, during which the students will receive college- and graduate-level training with a focus on organic chemistry through June 15. Additionally, they are participating in a series of lectures, problemsolving exercises, lab work and testing. Upon the conclusion of the camp, the top four students, as well as two alternates, will be selected to be part of the U.S. team. Also competing for the Olympiad team are Miles Dai, Brendan Yap, Allen Zhang, Brian Daniels, Lily Ireton, Alex Liu, Steven Liu, Benjamin Nguyen, Zilu Pan, Eric Qian,

Yusha Sun, Kevin Tang, Joyce Tian, Harrison Wang, Shannon Weng, Junyu Yang and Lillian Zhu. The Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio-based American Chemical Society is a 157,000-member nonprofit chartered by the U.S. Congress. It is one of the world’s largest scientific societies, providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. The International Chemistry Olympiad, pitting teams from more than 70 nations, is scheduled to run from July 23 through Aug. 1. Courtesy: IndiaWest

CASTOR OIL

By Venkappa Gani Introduction:

We were at bank for regular business work. Person was away from his desk to meet with us.

Austin South Asian | July 2016

I wanted to see how well it does here in central Texas.

The regular castor oil is used for lubricant.

It does not need good soil either. It grows on roadside and waste land.

Beneficial Uses:

It can grow 5-8 feet tall in a year. This year m i l d winter did not kill the p l a n t and left it alone, it is still growing vigorously as shown in picture with green leaves and seed pods.

Met secretary chatting with her general gardening talk she was very much interested. The subject about beans started and suddenly castor beans topic popped us suddenly she mentioned that she took castor oil during her baby delivery which helped to push the baby without any pains. I was impressed by hearing the use of castor oil benefit of labor induction. As as gardener I understood about castor oil being used for lubrication for bullock carts during my childhood days in India.

of benefits.

T h i s p l a n t (Ricinus C o m munis) is toxic but provides lot

You can see the flowers both male and female on the bunch shown in picture. The picture three stages of cluster of castor bean rounded fuggy green colored before maturity. It turns into brown color after maturity. Next stage will see the matured seeds after opening seed pods. Seeds look shiny resembling a tick. Inside of the seed contains white part is oil content.

Growing Castor Beans:

This is used to extract oil and purified.

Castor bean is tropical plant grows very well in India.

The castor oil bottle shown in pic with purified oil used for skin care.

rotting.

Pigeon pea coated with oil for extended storage.

Castor oil is used as purgative and lubricant for many applications including jet engines.

Bazil uses in making biodiesel.

It is used in making diesel gas.

Castor oil is used as fuel for lamp.

Used for hair, skin care for dryness and labor induction for pregnant women. As a mold inhibitor and preservative for grains from

Castor beans used in making necklace as jewelry

Used as laxative in medicine and expelling worms. Oil is used in paints, coatings, plastics.

US Returns Over 200 Artifacts Worth More Than $100 Million To India (Continued From Page 15) The artifacts that speak to India’s astounding history and beautiful culture are beginning their journey home, US Attorney General Loretta E Lynch said. “It is my hope – and the hope of the American people– that this repatriation will serve as a sign of our great respect for India’s culture; our deep admiration for its people; and our sincere appreciation for the ties between our nations,” she said. “Protecting the cultural heritage of our global community is important work and we are committed to identifying and returning these priceless items to their countries of origin and rightful owners,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson said in a statement.

after Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) special agents received a tip about a shipment of seven crates destined for the US manifested as “marble garden table sets”. Examination of the shipment in question revealed numerous antiquities. This shipment was imported by Subhash Kapoor, owner of Art of the Past Gallery, who awaits trial in India. HSI’s Operation Hidden Idol focused on the activities of former New York-based art dealer Kapoor, currently in custody in India awaiting trial for allegedly looting tens of millions of dollars worth of rare

antiquities from several nations, a media release said. Artifacts were also found in the Honolulu Museum and Peabody Essex, who promptly partnered with HSI to surrender illicit cultural property stemming from Kapoor. HSI special agents have executed a series of search warrants targeting Kapoor’s New York City gallery, along with warehouses and storage facilities linked to the dealer. Additionally, five individuals have been arrested in the US for their role in the scheme, a media release said.

CHILDREN ARTICLES

“It’s the responsibility of law enforcement worldwide to ensure criminal smuggling organizations do not profit from the theft of these culturally and historically valuable items,” he said.

Articles To See It In Print

The majority of the pieces repatriated in the ceremony were seized during Operation Hidden Idol, an investigation that began in 2007

info@austinsouthasian.com

Children Email Us Your

Austin South Asian | July 2016

July - 2016 Predictions

ARIES (March 21 to April 20): You may hear the news before 15th but implementation could take few weeks. You will finally taste the victory in ongoing legal matters this month. There will be some fortunate changes in career and a raise is also not out of question. People trying to avoid you will try to come too close. TAURUS (April 21 to May 20): Lots of stress will disappear after 15th. Your worries about a child will be over with positive outcome. You may be assigned an important task with more powers and help. Expect some interesting developments at work that can benefit you in long term. You will have an opportunity to make quick money. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): One of your main competition or opponent will call it quit making room for your progress. Business will pick up all of a sudden after 15th. Relocation plans will also take

final shape and will be lucky for you. Strong Saturn in sixth will also help you overcome all previous ailments and health problems. CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Move will be beneficial after 15th. Loan application should go through without any difficulty. Efforts made in past 40 days will start to reap rich rewards from now. Some of you will be travelling long distance to attend to some important task. You may temporarily develop taste for hot and spicy food. LEO (July 23 to August 22): Strong Mars in third after 15th will bring desired and much awaited changes in life. Fresh opportunities will knock at your door. Positive planets will bring all energy back and once again after long time you will feel very motivated. Some of you may initiate a legal process to reclaim what belongs to you. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22): You will finally make up your mind and invest heavily in some project after 15th. Saturn’s

move will reduce earlier stress up to a great extent. You may be sending a check to government in shape of some penalty, fine or taxes. You will need lots of patience with some one younger in age. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22): It will be better not to take any impulsive moves and keep an eye on your blood pressure as Mars transit in your sign is not good. All suspense will be over and you will start to see things very clearly and set your mind on goals. Property deal can also take final shape around 15th. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 22): Saturn’s transit in your sign could be little tricky. You will need to be careful when making any heavy investment or extending loan to some one. Do not take any body’s words for granted and have it in writing. Do not fall for too good to be true schemes.

You will change job this month. SAGITTARIUS (November 23 to December 22): A new member will be added in the family soon. Financially you will do very well and there are chances of some kind of jackpot right after 15th. Any change in career at this point will be favorable. You may finally win a legal battle also this month. A long distance trip is also in the air. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19): Saturn in eleventh will bring much awaited boost in life after 15th. You could be rolling into big money. Some of you will be involved in a huge project with some very like minded people. Boss will finally take your appeal seriously and take prompt actions. You will join a charity organisation also. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18): Saturn’s transit in tenth from 15th and onward will be fruitful. You will be relieved of all stress and sufferings of the

past 2 1/2 years. Listen carefully and act seriously on the advice or lead given by a colleague. Offer will come on a silver platter and you will jump onto it. PISCES (February 19 to March 20): Saturn’s transit into ninth from 15th and onward will be little tricky. Plan things well and do all home work and have backup before you make any big financial commitments this month. You will be successful in recovering some old payments also but partially. You will be invited to few parties.

parashar@parashar.com www.parashar.com 510-886-4370

Austinites Celebrating Ramadan In Community Iftaars (Continued From Page 01) The holy month was much awaited and extensive plans were made within the community to break fasts in large community settings. The idea was to intermingle within the community, invite others and let the kids play together and share. Parents and elderly were and are always included and food is also sent ailing elderly. At the start of Ramadan, community leaders or friends who wanted to see each other every weekend during fasting formed groups in the north and south of Austin as well as Lakeway, and Round Rock.

Groups of up to 32 families each began gathering once on the weekend to have organized iftaar together. Mirchi Restaurant and Brushy Creek Communithy centers are examples of two places, were reserved for such gatherings. Since the number of families is large, the groups have reserved restaurants which serve halal food or have booked community centers where arrangements for banquet style gatherings have been made and the meal is delivered by a restaurant or catering service. These are large gatherings where children of all ages meet friends

and share stories of their Ramadan experience. Seven or eight families act as a host per iftaar and host the rest of the families in the group. Each family gets a turn in the hosting so at the end of four iftaars, each family has had its turn to host. The rest of the three weekends they come as a guest. Uzma Khan, the organizer of Austin/Round Rock group emphasized that the children of hosting families should present something related to Ramadan. Children of all ages work together to prepare their presentation.

In one iftaar, the nine children of the host families prepared Ramadan food packages for Syrian refugee families and went personally with their parents to deliver the grocery packages. Each set included flour, sugar, rice, dates and other staples. The children shared their experience of purchasing the packages and going together to meet the Syrian families. Another group of children are donating to Muslim Community Support Services of Austin. For their presentation, they are also preparing a Q/A about Ramadan to share information about the holy

month. Ramadan brings together the whole community. It propagates a feeling of good will and brotherhood and is all-inclusive. Everyone is welcome regardless of who he or she is and what they do. By the time it’s Eid ul Fitr four such iftaars have been hosted within each community group. And countless iftaars have been hosted in all parts of town propagating a sense of good will.

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Teaching Kids To Accept Others

While racism and bigotry continue to exist in this country, experts say that social change is not impossible.

“Just follow the news and you’ll find ugly instances of racism occurring every day,” says Stephen L. Kanne, author of the new historical

novel, “The Lynching Waltz.” “But it’s never too early or too late to promote long-term change through actions and words.” Kanne, inspired by the way Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” fueled the anti-slavery cause in the 19th century, hopes his new novel can help abolish racism in the 21st. Based on a personal childhood incident, “The Lynching Waltz” recounts the story of a town that defies a visiting stranger’s attempts to exclude black children from participating in a beloved rite of passage -- a ballroom dance class called Fortnightly. Kanne deeply affected by the 1947

incident in his hometown of Glencoe, Illinois, says that books that bring to life the cruel realities of history can help make it clear to modern readers why these events should not be repeated today, and that tales of triumph over racism can be inspiring. Kanne, who was recently chosen as annual presenter of his novel at the National Press Club for the 106 Juneteenth Celebration, is discussing why the lesson of acceptance is still important so many years later and how to pursue this topic with young people. He offers the following suggestions to families. • Encourage children to have var-

ied friendships. • Make history come alive with historical fiction. Visit museums, watch historical films and read historical books. • Become familiar with and discuss current events together. • Teach early on that different backgrounds and beliefs must not lead to hatred. “By addressing these issues headon with our youngest citizens, we can strive to end racial intolerance in this country,” says Kanne. (Statepoint)

How To Get More Bang For Your Buck When Buying A Used Car Everyone knows used cars are cheaper. But how do you make sure you are not getting a lemon? Don’t rule out a Certified PreOwned (CPO) vehicle, say experts. “A CPO is not just hype from the automotive industry,” says Rob

“The certification process offers a guarantee that you are leaving the lot with a vehicle in good condition, and an accompanying warranty offers your wallet some protection, too.” Christman offers five top reasons to consider a CPO.

With a CPO, you will have access to a detailed and itemized checklist of all the items inspected by a professional mechanic, as well as assurance that the vehicle passed inspection or was brought up to standards. Furthermore, backing this with a warranty adds additional peace of mind that the purchase is safe and reliable. Trust Knowing that the dealership took the time to inspect the vehicle and complete and document repairs leads to a higher transaction satisfaction and greater trust between dealer and buyer. Security

Christman, director of Sales, Fixed Operations at Cox Automotive.

Safety CPOs have been inspected, repaired and certified as safe to drive.

For many people, a vehicle is the second biggest purchase made in a lifetime. A CPO warranty can help you set a realistic automotive budget by eliminating unexpected expenses on costly repairs. More Car for the Money

Automobile depreciation is the single largest expense in owning a new car. Indeed, a new vehicle will lose up to 19 percent of its value in the first year. You can purchase more car with your money by buying a vehicle which has already seen that depreciation. For example, the amount of money you might spend on a new base model might buy you a similar, certified pre-owned car loaded with options. Warranty A warranty offered with a CPO gives you coverage for major issues and will usually cover roadside ser-

vice, towing and emergency situations which could arise during your ownership. Check with the dealership for details and limitations. To compare the top CPO programs, and learn more about the process of buying and owning a Certified PreOwned vehicle, visit “Top CPO Programs” at bit.ly/20GgKdd. While nearly every manufacturer and dealership offers a CPO program, remember that terms and benefits can vary greatly, so whatever you opt for, do your research for the best deal possible. (Statepoint)

Austin South Asian | July 2016

July 2016 Community Calendar We have compiled this event listing based on the information available on the web site (where ever possible) of the community/organization as of third Friday. Please check with the organizers to confirm its accuracy. We request all South Asian organizations to email us (info@austinsouthasian.com) their community calendar on or before 20th of every month, for the events happening next month. We will carry listing of all South Asian non-profit organizations in Austin. If the Name, Contact info is not correct or has changed email us (info@ austinsouthasian.com) the changes you want to see. E&OE.

SCHEDULE: AARC July 02 and July 16, Saturday, 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM, Longevitology Practice is offered to those who are interested in maintaining health without medical intervention. FREE. July 2: Community Room 8,AARC; July 16: Community Room 1, AARC. July 03, Sunday, 07:00 PM - 11:00 PM, Chaand Raat Festival Eid shopping, henna, nail art, food, kids’ activities, games and much more. FREE admission, food and other goods available for purchase. Ballroom, AARC. July 06 And July 20, Wednesday, 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM, Austin Project Management Toastmasters - Improve public speaking and leadership skills. Please RSVP: vpm@apmtoastmasters. org. FREE. Community Room 8, AARC. July 11 to July 22, Monday to Friday, 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM, Troubadours Studio: Storytelling Youth Camp, Session III - Explore varied and rich Asian storytelling traditions. Parents invited to enjoy a showcase of student-produced storytelling projects. Early drop off and late pickup options available. $270 resident, $300 non-resident. AARC Produced. July 12, Tuesday, 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM, CommUnity Care Asian American Health Diversity Forum - Learn about CommUnityCare programs and services and share feedback for improvement. Snacks and refreshments served. Please RSVP by July 8: communityrelations@ communitycaretx.org. FREE. Ball-

room, AARC Collaboration. July 13, Wednesday, 01:30 PM - 05:00 PM, GAACC Connect Forum for Minority Business - This workshop is for small business owned, managed, and controlled by minorities and/or women who wish to work in local, state, and federal government contracting. 1:30 to 2:30: Certification workshop conducted by the City of Austin’s Small & Minority Business Resource Department; 2:30 to 3: Successful stories from Aztec Promotion Group; 3 to 5: Roundtable Networking Session. FREE, but please register online. Ballroom AARC Collaboration. July 15, Friday, 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM, AARC Community Exhibit Reception - View works by Teruko Nimura, Marlon Chen and Lynne Brotman and listen to the artists speak about their exhibits. Refreshments served. FREE. Ballroom, Foyer, Hallways and Great Lawn AARC Produced. July 16, Saturday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, District 1 Town Hall Meeting Quarterly Town Hall meeting hosted by Council Member Ora Houston. Light brunch available. FREE. AARC Ballroom. July 20, Wednesday, 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM, Aquatic Master Plan Alternatives Public Meeting - Stakeholders and the general public are invited to attend and provide feedback on the Aquatic Master Plan for the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department. FREE. AARC Ballroom. July 25, Monday to August o5, Friday, 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM, Asian Adoptee Teen Camp - Engage in leadership and identity

building activities in this new camp for teen adoptees. $225 resident, $250 non-resident. AARC Produced.

Austin Hindu Temple

July 27, Wednesday, 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM,

Pradosham Abhishekam to Lord Shiva

NAAO Board Meeting Monthly meeting of the Network of Asian American Organizations. FREE. Community Room 8, AARC.

July 08, Friday, 06:30 PM,

July 30, Saturday, 12:00 - 04:00 PM, Pista Sa Nayon - A grand celebration of Filipino performances and more! Enjoy a day of music, dances, product showcases, palaro (games), foods and feel the community celebration of the Filipino Culture and fun. FREE admission. AARC Ballroom. ONGOING The Recreational and Intergenerational Community Education (RICE) program is designed to address wellness and education needs, with a focus on the underserved Asian American community. Most activities are free or low cost. Visit our website for more information and complete list of activities. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 to 11:30am | RICE: Senior Tea & Coffee. FREE. Community Room 8 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 12 to 1pm | RICE: Senior Lunch Social. FREE. Community Room 8 Wednesdays, 10am to 6pm | Job assistance with City of Austin employment. FREE. Computer Lab Thursday, July 7 and 24, 10:30am to 12pm | RICE: Senior Tai Chi with Vince Cobalis. FREE. Ballroom

July 01, Friday, 7:00 PM,

Jagannath Netrotsavam July 09, Saturdy, 05:30 PM, Jagannath Ratha Yatra Ratha Anukula Homam, Pahandi, Chera Pahanra, Ratha Yatra, Aarathi. July 16, Saturday, 07:00 PM, Pradosham Abhishekam to Lord Shiva. July 17, Sunday, 10:30 AM, Sri Jagannatha Bahuda Yatra - Jagannatha Parivar returns to the temple as a procession. July 18, Monday, 06:30 PM, Pournami Samuhika Sri Satyanarayana Puja Samuhika Sri Satyanarayana Puja - Devotees are requested to bring 8 Betel Leaves, 2 Coconuts, 20 Coins, 1 Red Blouse Piece for Kalasam, Flowers, Fruits and Prasadam. July 19, Tuesday, 10:00 AM, Guru Purnima / Vyasa Purnima - Guru(Vyasa) Puja, Vishnu Saharanamam and Veda Parayanam. Juy 19, Tuesday, 05:00 PM, Sri Navavarana Puja July 20, Wednesday, 9:30 AM,

Shravana Nakshatram Abhishekam to Lord Venkateswara. July 22, Friday, 06:30 PM, Sankatahara Chathurthi Bala Ganesha Abhishekam and Homam. July 25, Saturday, 07:00 PM, North Starts

Indian

Shravan

Masa

July 30, Saturday, 10:00 AM, SriDevi BhooDevi Sametha Srinivasa Kalyanam and Shiva Parvati Kalyanam. July 31, Sunday, 07:00 PM, Pradosham Abhishekam to Lord Shiva. July 16, Saturday, 01:00 PM, Austin Marathi Mandal organizes Indoor Sports Day at Northwest Recreation Centre, 2913 Northland Drive, Austin, TX 78757. July 24, Sunday, 12:00 PM, Bibi Bridal Show: Austin TX is at Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704. Ticket Information: bibibridalshow Austin $ 15.00 bibibridalshow Austin $ 20.00 $15 Admission Includes a Gift Bag Full of Goodies. Pre-Register at BibiMagazine.com for Discounted Admission. Call for more information or vendor opportunities: 832.534.2424.

Austin South Asian | July 2016

THEME: GREAT POETS ACROSS 1. Angry walk 6. Bell and Barker, e.g. 9. Fields and Basinger 13. Donny’s singing sister 14. *T.S. Eliot poem, “____ Wednesday” 15. Loosen laces 16. Glorify 17. *Theodor Geisel, ____ Dr. Seuss 18. Daughter of a sibling 19. *Wordsworth or Shakespeare 21. *He hears America singing 23. Pig’s digs 24. Discharge 25. Exchange for money 28. Grey, of tea fame 30. Like oxen put together 35. Second-hand 37. Saintly glow 39. Theater play 40. Ancient Scandinavian symbol 41. Pinch to save 43. F.B.I. operative 44. Nathaniels, to their friends? 46. Fencing weapon 47. Fail to mention 48. Swell 50. Unforeseen obstacle 52. Pub offering 53. *Cyrano de Bergerac had a big one 55. Cathode-ray tube 57. *Famous Russian poet 61. *”The Canterbury Tales” poet 65. Ernest, to mommy 66. Tarzan’s mom 68. Famous nurse Barton 69. Decorate 70. *____ McKuen, poet and songwriter 71. *”The Waste Land” poet 72. Lubricant 73. ATM extra 74. Slow on the uptake

DOWN 1. Eurasian duck 2. It made Danny DeVitto a star 3. Word of mouth 4. Paper plants 5. The smallest, at the clothing store 6. “Howdy, ____!” 7. Pose a question 8. Medieval oboe 9. Make with needles 10. Individual unit 11. Flexible mineral 12. “____ but not heard” 15. Like the States 20. Nursemaids in India 22. Battleship game success 24. Oval 25. *”Auld Lang Syne” poet 26. “Round up the ____ suspects!” 27. Yiddish shrew 29. Garden ____ 31. Jason’s vessel 32. ABBA’s “_____ Mia!” 33. Not your grandmother’s mail 34. *”Divine Comedy” poet 36. Like Mariana Trench 38. Bad luck predictor 42. *”Do I dare to eat a ____?” 45. Like RMS Titanic 49. Person of interest, acr. 51. Honored with presence 54. Chow down voraciously 56. Ballerina’s skirt fabric 57. Ring like a bell 58. Pakistani language 59. Prig or snoot 60. Engage for service 61. Surrender territory 62. Jealous biblical brother 63. *”____ & Psyche” by Robert Bridges 64. Goes with interest 67. *”The Raven” poet

SUDOKU

Sudoku

Please email your sudoku answers to info@austinsouthasian.com. Name and photo of the inviduvidual with first correct answer will be published in July 2016 issue.

To Advertise In ASA Call 512-828-6709

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Tips To Combat Packing Stress When Moving boxes can be nerve wracking. Don’t dig around the grocery store last minute. Instead, purchase boxes in a variety of sizes and levels of durability from an easy to find brand like Duck brand. Then, color code each box with tape, to know where it goes on moving day. While moving will always contain some stress, the right moving supFrom finding a new home to selling one’s current home, the moving process can be a big source of stress. Among the top stressors is packing. In fact, in a recent survey, commissioned by Duck brand, conducted online by Harris Poll, over half of Americans (56 percent) say packing to move is extremely/very stressful. It doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some tips to reduce packing pain.

• Purge before packing: Diminish the workload by first cleaning out items you no longer need. • Pack carefully: Forty percent of those who would find it frustrating to pack when moving worry about items breaking. Eliminate anxiety by wrapping fragile items with cushioning material, like Bubble Wrap.

plies and strategies can streamline the task of packing. (StatePoint)

MEN CAN COOK! Info@ AustinSouth Asian.com

Dish and glass kits provide pouches and dividers to protect delicate goods. Lastly, secure your boxes with quality packing tape, like EZ Start Packaging Tape. • Buy boxes: Scrambling to find enough

June 2016 Sudoku Answer Correct Answer: Mr. Yudhveer Bagga

Ms. Kiran Jayanthi

Ms. Ketika Tyagi

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Healthy Sleeping Tips For Young Children

For babies and young children, high quality sleep is crucial for development and overall health. By adopting good, safe sleep habits early, the entire family can get

However, any sleep children do get should be as safe as possible, as sleeping presents hazards just like any other activity. With that in mind, Blanchard is of-

Your baby will start to pick up on these habits as sleep cues.

crib mattresses. More information can be found at www.newton.rest.

• For safety, the crib should be free of bumpers, blankets, pillows, wedges and stuffed animals.

• Children tend to make a mess. Keep bedding clean and avoid build-up of bacteria or mold. Wash linens regularly and seek out a washable mattress.

• Sleep safety evolves as your child develops, so consider developmental milestones. Once your little one rolls over, make sure that she is no longer swaddled.

the rest needed to thrive. “I’ve heard it quoted that anyone who says they ‘sleep like a baby’ has never been a parent! Ask most parents and one of their top priorities is for both kids and parents to get more sleep,” says Dr. Deena Blanchard, a partner at Premier Pediatrics in NYC.

fering parents great tips for helping young ones sleep soundly and safely. • At around six to eight weeks of age, infants start to develop circadian rhythms. At this point, create a consistent routine before bedtime, such as dimming lights.

It’s always best to put your baby on her back to sleep, but once your baby rolls over, it’s not necessary to go into the room and flip her onto her back. Likewise, when your child starts to pull to stand, make sure the crib mattress is adjusted to the lowest level and there are no nearby items that she can pull into the crib. • Go green. Choose paint, furniture and a baby mattress for your child’s bedroom that are free of harmful chemicals. Read labels carefully. Conventional and even organic mattresses typically have waterproof covers that contain PVCs that children breathe in all night.

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(Take-Away is possible on all items on the menu)

However, a mattress made from fibers woven to create air pockets offers maximum breathability. For example, the Newton Wovenaire Crib Mattress, does not emit chemicals, and is a safe option that does not compromise comfort. Its breathable design prevents overheating and in an independent scientific study, the mattress demonstrated significantly lower suffocation risk as compared to other

“One of the most important things

I`ve learned as a parent is that there are many things you don’t have control over,” says Dr. Blanchard. “However, creating a safe and comfortable sleep space is something you can control, and doing so can help your whole family sleep more soundly.” (StatePoint)

Cityworks Academy Seeks Applications For 2016 Session

Learn the A to Z of City operations The City of Austin is accepting applications through July 22 for its eighth annual CityWorks Academy, 14 weekly sessions in which residents learn the “A to Z” of City operations. The academy is an incredible opportunity for individuals to get involved in local government and to learn first-hand from staff about the vital programs and services the City provides. CityWorks Academy is designed to give a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at City government. Classes will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and some Wednesdays, Sept. 6 through Dec. 16. Classes are conducted at various City facilities, allowing participants to experience municipal government behind the scenes.

staff who share information about the City’s operations and discuss key issues facing the Austin community. CityWorks Academy applications are available online at www.austintexas.gov/cityworks or at Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St., Third Floor Reception area. CityWorks Academy participation is limited to 30 individuals. Since the program’s beginning in 2009, more than 150 Austin residents have graduated from the academy and some have gone on to serve on City boards, committees and other leadership positions. Each year the City receives more than 250 applications for the program’s 30 spots. For more information, call 512974-2955 or email at Marion.Sanchez@austintexas.gov

CityWorks Academy is led by City of Austin Executive Team members, Department Directors and

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Mirzya Trailer To Be Launched At IIFA We recently got a glimpse of the eternal love story of Mirza and Sahiban in the recently released teaser of Mirzya. While everyone is anxiously await-

The said trailer will be unveiled on June 23.

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Y-Films & The ‘6 Pack Band’ Win India’s First Ever Cannes Grand Prix Glass Lion After having won hearts all over because of its uniqueness, Y-Films

Speaking about the achievement, Ashish Patil (Y-Films- Brand Part-

Reviving the folklore of eternal lovers Mirza and Sahiban, Mirzya is adapted to suit the taste of con-

We, at Y-Films, are honored & humbled to bring home India’s 1st Cannes Grand Prix Glass Lion. We are also thrilled to have partners like Brooke Bond Red Label & Mindshare who gave this ballsy idea wings. Bajao taali!” On the other hand, Madeline Di Nonno (Head-Glass Lions jury and CEO of the Geena Davis Institute) said, “The approach was incredibly inventive, in actually creating a band and using music and some very popular experiential pop-culture entertainment, which was very significant.

ing the trailer of the same, filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has decided to launch the same on a much bigger platform. With the entire Bollywood gearing up to attend the international awards gala IIFA in Madrid Spain, we hear that Rakeysh too is headed to the city. The launch of the trailer of his most ambitious film has been planned during the award ceremony.

temporary audiences. Marking the debut of Anil Kapoor’s son Harshvardhan as well as model-turned-actress Saiyami Kher, Mirzya is written by renowned poet and lyricist Gulzar and is set in the backdrop of Rajasthan. With music composed by Shankar Ehsaan Loy and produced by Cinestaan Film Company & ROMP Pictures, Mirzya is slated to release on October 7.

And then, backing it up with some incredible videos, which really engage consumer and speak to our humanity.

and the ‘6 Pack Band’ (India’s first transgender pop band) created history by beating 30 odd brands across the world and winning the coveted ‘Cannes Grand Prix Glass Lion’ at the Cannes Lions Festival.

nerships & Talent Management), “From an idea that started at a traffic signal to it now picking up what is considered the ultimate benchmark for judging creativity.

The said campaign, which was in collaboration with Mindshare Mumbai and Brooke Bond Red Label, won the award for its extraordinary campaign around gender rights and outreach.

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It hit all the check marks that we could possibly want.”

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Randeep Hooda Is The Only Thing Worth Watching In This Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Starrer

When posters of the film carry not the face of the actor playing the titular character but the star backing the project, you know exactly what you will get.

ed—thrown in a box for months, limbs contorted, hung upside down and flayed till bloody, till he was

‘Sarbjit’ , based on the story of a man incarcerated in a Pakistani jail for over two decades, while his sister fought a dogged battle for his release, opts for high-pitched saccharine-laden melodrama : the star is equally high-pitched, leaving the actor to bring up the rear. Sarbjit’s story has been welldocumented. He lived with his family—old father, wife Sukh ( Chaddha), and fiercely loyal sister Dalbir ( Rai) in a Punjab village close to the Indo-Pak border. He strayed over the line one night, and was nabbed by the Pakistani patrol. That’s when his ordeal start-

forced into a false confession, and jailed. The devastated Dalbir , ever protective about her ‘bhai’, takes up cudgels on his behalf. And she keeps going through the long and hard grind : her appeals to officials

on either side of the border fall mostly on deaf ears, with only a few light-in-the-tunnel moments. (Watch Aishwarya Rai, Randeep Hooda starrer Sarbjit leaves viewers emotional on Day One) There is heft in the story. The horror of a human forced to suffer physical and mental torture, and used as a political pawn between India and Pakistan and their see-sawing relations, is wrenching. The family is caught in a terrible cleft, neither able to forget, nor properly mourn. But the treatment is cloying and sentimental, and manipulates you

into weeping without actually feeling.A real-life tale which is inherently so full of drama and heartbreak has no need to be artificially revved up. But mainstream Bollywood doesn’t know any other way to do things. ‘Sarabjit’ should have been called ‘Dalbir’, because it is Aishwarya doing all the heavy-lifting, but to distressing little impact. First off, she is all wrong for the part, her attempts at the rural Punjabi accent slipping up every so often. And then she goes full tilt at her lines, ratcheting up the volume, to such an extent that you want to tell her to hush. When she does go silent, even if precisely for two and a half scenes, she is able to convey her pain and anguish so much better. If she had modulated her act, ‘Sarbjit’ would

have been a better film. And of course there is the superfluous `giddha-shiddha’ : when will Bollywood make a film on Punjabi characters minus this cliché? Richa Chaddha hovers mostly in the background, with only one or two scenes which she owns. One noble Pakistani shows up, in the shape of a lawyer ( Darshan), who believes that Sarbjit is innocent. The rest is taken over by Ms Rai, straining every sinew, delivering loud lectures to both Indians and Pakistanis, and, heaven help us, Talibanis. I did tear up a couple of times, but only for Sarbjit. Randeep Hooda is mostly shown inside his dark, fetid cell, his hair filthy, his hands gnarled. He nails the look and the accent, letting neither overpower him, and is the only reason to sit through this sagging saga.

Bollywood Film Exposes Plight Of Women Trapped In India’s Drug Trade

By Rina Chandran MUMBAI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A new Bollywood

film gives a rare glimpse into the exploitation and enslavement of women in India’s drug trade, highlighting how the stigma surrounding women drug users leaves them vulnerable to abuse. ‘Udta Punjab’ (Flying Punjab), directed by Abhishek Chaubey and released last week, shows how one of India’s most prosperous states has been blighted by drug use, with corrupt politicians and police complicit in the trade that largely afflicts young men. Alongside a drug-addicted rock star, the film tells the story of a nameless young female migrant worker, who is enslaved by a gang of drug dealers, made an addict and forced to have sex with multiple men. Eventually she escapes amidst a dramatic shoot-out, as the rock star and a corrupt cop turned good come to her rescue. Once considered a male-only problem in India, drug addiction is rising among women, who are more likely to be subject to abuse and less likely to seek help, experts say. “We have seen a big uptick in female drug users in recent years, even though a majority of them don’t seek help because of the enormous stigma they suffer,” said Shaveta Sharma, a senior psychologist at the Hermitage rehabilitation center in Amritsar in Punjab. “They suffer far more than male

users, as they are neglected by their families and the state on one hand, and physically and sexually abused by dealers and partners on the oth-

er,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. About 70 percent of the state’s young men are addicted to drugs or alcohol, according to a 2013 government report. One in 10 female students has taken drugs, it said. COUGH SYRUP There are more than 11 million drug users in India, according to recent data, which does not show how many are women. Once confined to India’s wealthy, substance abuse now straddles all socioeconomic groups and ranges from addiction to heroin and cannabis, to methamphetamine and codeinebased cough syrup. The impact of drug use is far greater on women because they “tend to lack access to the continuum of care”, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in its annual drug report this week. Women drug users are more vulnerable and more stigmatized, and far less likely to enter treatment programs, it said. In India, more than 40 percent of female drug users surveyed by UNODC for a 2008 report - among the few to focus on women - said they were forced to have sex in exchange for drugs or money. A third said their livelihood came from sex work and/or peddling drugs. Such abuse is graphically illustrated in the film, which shows the young woman locked up and constantly

drugged while a series of men abuse her. In typical Bollywood fashion, she finally shakes the drug habit herself through sheer grit. The UNODC predicted in its 2008 report that there would be a “feminisation” of substance use among women in India, with patterns imitating male substance abuse, including rising violence and crime. Last year, the Indian government pledged more funds for counseling, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. But the stigma persists: ‘Udta Punjab’, which has been declared a critical and commercial hit, ran into trouble with the censor board for its representation of drug use, and state officials complained that it defamed Punjab. Sharma said it is a fair depiction and a call for action. “We need a completely different approach to female drug use, and we need it soon,” Sharma said. “Otherwise, we will have a very serious problem on our hands.” (Reporting by Rina Chandran, Editing by Jo Griffin and Ros Russell; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women’s rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change.

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Watch: I’m A Gora, And I love Bollywood — When An American Comedian Lands In India India has always fascinated people from the West, and Bollywood especially do (also, Holi!).

Haven’t you seen the video of Coldplay’s Hymn of the Weekend? Though, many stereotype and glorify India for popular ideas like poverty and lack of law and order that have found their way to the West, there is also yoga and the drama. So when chef-turned-actor-turnedcomedian Edward Sonnenblick narrates his experience of being a Bollywood-obsessed American living in India, it’s like realising a whole new hilarious side to Incred-

ible India. His 8-minute performance where

he talks about how Lagaan (a movie almost every foreigner has watched!) influenced him, how interactions and issues on road (read accidents) pan out and are resolved, and his first visit to a hotel in Mumbai in nothing short of a scene out of a movie. We bet, you won’t stop laughing at his Hindi accent! Sonnenblick worked as a chef for 15 years in California, when he immigrated to India a couple of years ago to become the next Tom Alter.

‘Kabali’ Frenzy: AirAsia Announces Special Flights For The Film’s First Day, First Show Thalaivar fans in Bengaluru who

the option to fly to Chennai on a

Low-cost carrier AirAsia has signed an agreement to become the airline partner for the eagerlyanticipated film Kabali, according to the Business Standard. Bengaluru fans, who want to catch the first show on the first day, will be able to fly to Chennai on a special flight. The package, priced at ₹7,860, will be inclusive of the flight ticket, a movie ticket, an audio CD, Kabali merchandise, breakfast, lunch and snacks.

want to watch his upcoming film Kabali on 15 July, will now have

flight catering specifically to them.

Austin South Asian | July 2016

Waiting With Nasiruddin Shah In Austin

By Sumaiya Malik

Theater in Austin.

On July 24, Indie Meme will screen multi-award-winning film,

This is a morning show and the first time that Indie Meme is bring-

Waiting, with Nasiruddin Shah and Kalki Koechlin at the Southwest

ing a big name in their movies.

This film is about two people whose lives are disrupted by their spouses who go into coma. Tara, a newly w e d fiercely independent woman has her life turn upside down after her husb a n d Rajat meets with a serious accident. At the h o s pital, she meets Shiv, an elderly retired professor whose wife of

40 years has been in the coma for eight months. The two strike an unlikely friendship, but will grief drive them both insane, or can two lonely strangers support each other? ‘Waiting’ is a realistic, sensitive tale about life, lasting love, impending loss and letting go. It is a film about grief and also about confronting it. Poignant, tender and humorous the brilliant cast draws you in and you wait with them and sometimes for them. There will be a member mixer after the film in an adjacent room at the theater and Alka Bhanot, the

founder of Indie Meme, is trying to confirm a Skype call with the filmmaker during the event. Director Anu Menon along with a cast member is expected to join the call. “It made me cry five times and laugh… I’d watch is again and again,”Alka is passionate about Waiting. Important to note that the film is in English and Hindi/Urdu which makes it easy to understand and sub-titles are available. It has received favorable reviews on Twitter. For more information, please visit: http://indiememe.come/waiting.

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Austin South Asian | July 2016