Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 13 No. 01
Looking For A Healthy New Year’s Resolution Republic Day - India The most ambitious time of year is upon us: the time to set New Year’s
Makar Sankranti Makara Sankranti or Maghi, is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to the deity Surya (sun). It is observed each year in January. It marks the first day of the sun’s transit into Makara (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
Makara Sankranti is one of the few ancient Indian festivals that has been observed according to solar cycles, while most festivals are set by the lunar cycle of the lunisolar Hindu calendar. (Continued On Page 12)
resolutions. (Continued On Page 21)
Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019: What Is It And Why Is It Seen As A Problem Protests have broken out across India, a few of them violent, against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019.
The Act seeks to amend the definition of illegal immigrant for Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who have lived in India without documentation. (Continued On Page 11)
Republic Day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India. The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, and came into effect on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system, completing the country’s transition towards becoming an independent republic. 26 January was chosen as the Republic day because it was on this day in 1929 when Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion status offered by the British Regime.
5 Things To Do To Tips For Families Gifting Prepare For A Recession Kids Mobile Devices This Holiday Season
Experts agree that periods of economic downturn, or recessions, are unavoidable and often follow a period of market growth.
Buying children mobile devices this holiday season? You’re in good company.
However, experts also acknowledge that it is difficult to predict exactly when the next recession will begin.
Fifty-three percent of children own a smartphone by age 11, and 84 percent of teenagers have their own phones, according to Common Sense Media.
(Continued On Page 18)
(Continued On Page 09)
inside
January 2020
Home Theater Tips.......02 The Picture Book World..4 Getting All Vitamins......04 Should I Be Worried.....06 Arun’s Scribblings.........06 Satellite Constellation...07 Stress Free Tax Season.08 Tips For Families.........09
February 2020 Lawyers Special 512-828-6709
AmericanFood Tradition10 CAA 2019....................11 Malik’s Page........12,13,14 Type 2 Diabetes...........14 Sabarimala Ranks.........15 Vaping Is Not Quitting..16 Dietary Supplements....17 Myths Vs Facts.............17 Student Loan Debt.......18 Prepare For Recession..18 2020 Interior Designs...19 7 Tips For Using...........20 Sleigh Holiday Decor.....20 Healthy New Year.........21 Transfer Money Via NEFT 24 x 7..........................21 Kids Corner....16,22,23,25 Planning To Pay...........24 Entertainment.........26,27
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
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Home Theater Tips For The Big Game And Awards Season
From the Big Game to awards shows, you’ll want to ensure that you are prepared to host all the greatest television events of the season. Here is how to upgrade the viewing experience for you and your guests well before kickoff:
bean bags.
• Consider a projector: Whether you are on a budget or you simply want the best viewing
inch screen for under $1,000, whereas an 80-inch TV is going to run you at least $1,500, if not much more. The LampFree projectors from Ca-
• “Stadium” seating: When it comes to maximum visibility for all, nothing beats stadium seating.
Finally, create a “first row” on the floor by adding comfortable seating options such as pillows and
For easy installation and versatility, consider a wireless speaker system.
Now in its eighth generation, the improved laser and LED hybrid light source offers a 30 percent increase in light output, in addition to an estimated 20,000 hours lifespan with minimal brightness degradation and continuous operation.
• Room Selection:
Each model is fitted with a fully connectable interface, including three types of video and audio inputs, as well as HDMI, RGB and RS-232C terminals.
While you are unlikely able to build out levels in your living room or den, you can replicate the concept in any space by using chairs of differing heights. To create the “back row,” use stools. The next row can consist of the couch, folding chairs or other seating of standard height.
are only 1.7 inches thick, making them the thinnest high-brightness projectors in the industry.
• Better audio: There is no better way to experience your favorite televised events than with surround sound.
experience, consider a home theater projector.
sio’s SLIM series are ideal for any home theater environment.
You can get a projector and 100-
Weighing in at five pounds, they
‘‘For crisper images, you’ll ideally create your home theater in a low-lit room. If that’s not possible, there is good news. These days, high-quality projectors can produce sharp images using intelligent light control that perceives the rooms brightness and adjusts accordingly. With a few upgrades, you can roll out the red carpet for guests, making your home theater the go-to destination for must-watch events. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Picture Book World
By Shachi Kaushik
Make 2020 special by reading picture books. As we start a new year, make a goal to read picture books with your little ones, and help them improve their reading skills. One of the ways to improve a child’s level of school readiness is by reading picture books. Picture books are a great tool, and it makes learning and reading a fun activity for children. The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, A Changing India, And A Hidden World of Art
By Author Barb Rosenstock and Illustrator Claire A. Nivola
and shows the importance of family!
A true story about the Rock Garden in Chandigarh, India. Excellent biography about Nek Chand, a man who grew up in Pakistan. In 1947, due to the partition of India and Pakistan, his family traveled miles to relocate and settled in Chandigarh, India. He missed his home and village, so when he found an area of forestland, he decided to make this space as a secret garden from his imagination. For fifteen years, this Rock Garden was kept a secret. The beautiful secret garden captures Nek’s passion for creating a kingdom from his imagination. A book with fantastic illustrations and an intriguing story. I am Martin Luther King, Jr. By Author Brad Meltzer and Illustrator Christopher Eliopoulos In January, as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day also referred to as MLK Day; this is a great pick as it celebrates Dr. King’s life and legacy. It is one of the New York Times Bestselling picture book biography.
As the story starts by showing Martin Luther King, Jr as a child, it becomes very relatable to children. The book takes you back into history with a depth of information and is presented in a tone appropriate for children. My First Chinese New Year By Karen Katz January 25th is the Chinese New Year, and this is a perfect book to know about the Chinese New Year celebration. The book depicts the traditions of New Year
This book gives readers a glimpse of the traditions and celebrations behind this holiday. It explains the significance of things like the red color, oranges, plum blossoms, and dragons in an easy to understand manner — a fun, colorful book that would make a great introduction to another culture’s holiday. For more resources and book recommendation checkout www.storiesbyshachi.com. Join me every 4th Tuesday of the month for a Hindi-English Bilingual Storytime at the Round Rock Public Library.
Looking To Buy A Home? 2020 May Be Your Year If buying a home is on your near-future todo list, experts say that 2020 may be a good year to make it happen.
“For comparative purposes, in 2000, rates averaged eight percent; and in the 80s, they
Mortgage interest rates are near historic lows, providing you with the opportunity to finance a new home purchase at a much lower cost.
groundwork for your purchase. These include getting a firm handle on your finances, knowing your credit score (and taking steps to boost it if necessary) and familiarizing yourself with down payment options. For more information and tools on home buying and homeownership, visit myhome. freddiemac.
According to a new forecast from Freddie Mac, mortgage rates will stay in the 3-4 percent range for all of 2020 and 2021, giving prospective homeowners substantial time to plan their purchase.
Whether you are making the jump from renting to owning, or looking for a home that better meets your current needs, now may be a great time to consider making your real estate dreams a reality.
This, combined with modest inflation and a solid labor market, makes for good climate to buy a home with a fixed rate mortgage.
Today’s low rates could save you money for years to come. (StatePoint)
For those who are already homeowners, refinancing now may be a good idea. “For those serious about homeownership, today’s sub 4 percent mortgage rates should not be taken for granted,” says Freddie Mac chief economist, Sam Khater.
buying process, there are other important items to think about as well as you lay the
spiked to 18.5 percent.” Khater stresses that while mortgage rates are an essential factor to consider in the home-
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Are You Getting All Your Vitamins? Revamping Your Diet In 2020
Getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need each day is one of the most important things you can do to feel your best. The good news is that you don’t need to devote hours each week to meal prep to ensure you’re healthfully getting essential vitamins.
As you make your 2020 plans to revamp
your diet, here are a few things to keep in mind: • Don’t follow fads: When it comes to your wellness, it’s best to rely on basic science, not the latest fad diets or sports drinks and supplements that rely on added sugars, fillers, preservatives, artificial flavors, sweeteners, dyes, and negatives. Look for products that transparently list all their ingredients. • Drink your vitamins: Did you know that liquids are the most bioavailable form for your body to absorb nutrients? For complete health on-the-go, consider drinking your vitamins. One effective solution is Drink Nutrient, which offers single-serve stick packs that make it easy to get the essential vitamins you need. Among its offerings is Vitamin Coffee, a natural sustained energy booster made from 100 percent Colombian Arabica coffee that offers 50 percent of your daily essential vitamins in each serving. Served hot or cold, it’s a good choice for anyone who needs a caffeine boost without the crash.
Or, to get 100 percent of your daily essential vitamins and 610 mg of electrolytes in one go, consider Vitamin Booster+, which contains real fruit juice, less than one gram of sugar, and is only 15 calories per serving. • De-stress: Too much stress can compromise your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. So, take steps to relax and unwind. Whether it’s through meditation, journaling, cooking or jogging -- discover what hobbies and wellness activities help you reduce your stress levels and be sure to make time for them. • Refuel wisely: If you hit the gym frequently, you likely have tried one or two sports drinks and know how important it is to refuel quickly and wisely after a workout. For optimal high performance, consider upgrading your drink of choice. With double the electrolytes of leading sports drinks, Liquid Nutrient has a potassium-to-sodium ratio intended for high-quality hydration, as well as amino acids for mental focus and muscle repair. • Maximize meals: To maximize meals, make sure the bulk of the calories you consume are not “empty.” Empty calories, such as added sugars and solid fats, contain little to no nutritional value. Fill up on dark leafy vegetables, berries, nuts, seeds and good-for-you fats like avocado and salmon, while avoiding chips, cakes and other junk foods. Don’t let your busy lifestyle get in the way of ensuring you’re getting all the nutrients you need to feel your best. This new year, resolve to revamp your diet for optimal nutrition. (StatePoint)
Austin South Asian | January 2020
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Should I Be Worried About That Condensation on My Windows?
If you take a look at your home’s windows and doors in winter, you may notice condensation. As temperatures drop, it often appears on the inside and outside of these surfaces.
mold and rot.
Perhaps even worse, it could be an indicator that condensation is also occurring within your walls, which
on your windows there are two actions that experts recommend. One, if you have a humidifier, turn it down. The second, use a dehumidifier.
Here’s what you need to know about why condensation occurs, when it matters and what you can do about it: Interior Condensation
While there’s no problem with condensation on the window glass itself, (except for the fact that visibility can be obscured) that condensation could affect wood trim around the windows and lead to
If you have energy-efficient windows, you may notice exterior condensation occur more than you did when you had older, less energy-efficient windows that allowed warmth from inside the home to reach the outside glass pane and dissipate the condensation. Unlike with interior condensation, there’s nothing to worry about in the case of exterior condensation.
When the heat is on inside the home in wintertime, a certain amount of humidity feels good -we breathe easier, our skin is less dry and there’s less static in the air. This is fine usually, but when temperatures outside get extremely low, problems can arise. Under these circumstances, humidity can generate condensation on your windows -- whether they’re old or new -- and this should be managed.
faces -- including your roof, siding, windows and doors.
Moisture on the outside pane of glass is normal and a good sign that your windows are functioning correctly to prevent warmth from reaching the outside glass. The condensation will dissipate when the outside air temperature rises. Next Steps can lead to unhealthy mold. Unfortunately, the most common sources of home humidity are everyday parts of life, including showers, cooking, doing laundry and even fish tanks. However, if you see condensation
Exterior Condensation Exterior condensation occurs when the dew point temperature approaches the outside air temperature. When the air is saturated and can’t hold any more moisture, water vapor forms droplets on sur-
If there’s no condensation on the exterior of your windows but there’s moisture on adjacent exterior surfaces, this would be a good indicator that it’s time for new windows. Also, if you get constant internal condensation on your windows in
very cold weather and your humidity is low, then upgrading to a more thermally efficient window would be a good idea. Look for high-performing replacement windows with the latest technological advances that offer maximum efficiency and comfort. Third-party recognition for a particular brand or product is a strong indicator that you’re investing in a quality product. A recent “Remodeling” magazine survey of remodeling contractors ranked ProVia vinyl windows as number one in window quality in part because of their features that are tested against the most stringent requirements for air and water infiltration. This winter, pay attention to your home windows, glass doors and other surfaces. Understanding the ins and outs of interior and exterior condensation can help you address potential issues. (StatePoint)
GEJOE WRITES Abandoned I was, on the narrow cold street, As a few days old pup on my feeble feet. Kind hearted some one, picked and wrapped me up, Brought me to you, warmly and safely to keep. Born to an ordinary canine on street, Still you accepted me with kindness too sweet. I arrived to reside with the family, In the cosy home of your own, built newly. Freely roamed within the compound of the house; The open place, the portico and the stairs. I lived with the family like uncrowned prince, Making outside canines feel truly jealous. (2) From day one Mom fed me with
love and nurtured, Daily twice with rice and chicken nicely boiled. Dad used to take me for regular long walks, Morning and evening nearly for fifteen years. In my life no one I tried to scratch or bite, But all were scared to come, crossing the house gate. Protected our home from unwanted strangers, Guarding and watching the place twenty four hours. Several times I have growled and alerted, While few times inside portico snakes encroached. Saving you all from their accidental bite, To arrange in time to get them relocate.
(3) With infection of teeth, my problems started, The treatments gave me only little comfort. My over grown bent nail poking my right leg, Wounded seriously, troubled me for days. You noticed me suffering in severe pain, Got me proper medication, but in vain. My age since I had already over lived, To recover well this time, my body failed. Hard to walk as I had lost my en
ergy, Started loosing my sight disabled to see. I could not eat or drink, run or wag my tail, Just could recognise Dad with my sniff little. (4) Before you handed me over to the Vet, To sedate me with a prick and put to rest, Not to see me suffer, with your pain filled heart, With affection you caressed my head once last. I carry with me that last fond touch
of yours, But to acknowledge that care and your kindness, Before bidding you good bye and stop my breath, I could not wag my tail as I had no strength. I overstayed my life by a few grace years, Because of your affection and lots of care. You loved me more than my affection for sure, Please do not mourn for I am with you no more. (arunsunderraj@gmail.com)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Satellite Constellations: Astronomers Warn Of Threat To View Of Universe From next week, a campaign to launch thousands of new satellites will begin in earnest, offering high-speed internet access from space. But the first fleets of these spacecraft, which have already been sent into orbit by US company SpaceX, are affecting images of the night sky. They are appearing as bright white streaks, so dazzling that they are competing with the stars. Scientists are worried that future “mega-constellations” of satellites could obscure images from optical telescopes and interfere with radio astronomy observations. Dr Dave Clements, an astrophysicist from Imperial College London, told BBC News: “The night sky is a commons - and what we have here is a tragedy of the commons.” The companies involved said they were working with astronomers to minimise the impact of the satellites. Why are so many satellites being launched? It’s all about high-speed internet access. Instead of being constrained by wires and cables, satellites can beam internet access down to the ground from space. And if you have lots of them in orbit, it means even the most remote regions can get connectivity. To give you an idea of the numbers, there are currently just 2,200 active satellites flying around the Earth. But as of next week, the Starlink constellation - a project by US company SpaceX - will start sending batches of 60 satellites into orbit every few weeks. This will mean about 1,500 satellites have been launched by the end of next year, and by the mid-2020s there could be a fleet of 12,000. “These satellites are also big radiowave users… and that means they can interfere with the signals that astronomers using. So it also affects radio astronomy as well.” She warns that problem will grow as the numbers of satellites in orbit increase. What could this mean for research? Dr Clements believes the satellites could have a real impact on observations. “They present a foreground between what we’re observing from the Earth and the rest of the Universe. So they get in the way of everything. (Continued On Page 15)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Tips For A Stress-Free Tax Season
Taxes are an unavoidable fact of life. Unfortunately, they can be somewhat overwhelming, which can cause people to put the task off and miss the deadline. Use these tips for a stress-free tax season:
ation has gotten more complicated over the last year, figure that into the equation.
ing the right tools on hand. Start by keeping your records filed
Get It Over With
Early filing also means an earlier refund -- if you’re due one -- or time to plan to prepare to pay any owed taxes.
Be sure not to underestimate how much time is needed. If your situ-
A printing calculator is a good way to keep records of all necessary calculations. Be sure your printing calculator is up to the task. The two-color ink printer of Casio’s HR-170RC allows you to quickly see both positive and negative numbers to avoid reading errors, and its 12-digit LCD display showcases crisp, sharp numbers for easy viewing.
The sooner you get your taxes filed, the sooner you can stop worrying about them.
To ensure it all happens on time, actually block out time in your calendar to sit down and work on your taxes.
idea to take your time, and do a practice run.
Check Your Work The last thing anybody wants to hear is that they are being audited. You can avoid this anxiety by hav-
in an organized way – both digitally and on paper with a filing cabinet that locks. As you do your taxes, it is a good
A must-have tool for tax season, its functions include a grand total key, cost/sell/margin buttons, sign change, tax calculation, decimal selector and more. Maximize Your Refund While many people look forward
to their tax refund and view it as a windfall, it is important to keep in mind that this money is simply your own income that you overpaid to the state and federal government throughout the year. That said, you should have a smart plan for your refund wisely so that is not wasted on an impulse purchase. A few good ideas for tax refunds is investing the money into a retirement account, using it to pay down debt or padding out your rainy-day fund. This tax season, don’t get overwhelmed. For stress-free filing, stay organized and give yourself plenty of time. (StatePoint)
Top 5 Exciting Space Moments Of 2019 From India’s Chandrayaan 2 mission to the first all-women spacewalk and commercial crew milestones by US-based companies, 2019 offered several exciting moments for space enthusiasts.
degrees east longitude and 45.5 degrees south latitude on the far side of the Moon. The programme Chang’e (named in honour of a goddess who, ac-
satellite missile test - Mission Shakti - in 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 27 announced that the country’s anti-satellite missile suc-
India’s ambitious and keenly watched lunar mission, Chandrayaan 2, was expected to make its soft landing on the surface of the Moon on September 7.
In a big leap for NASA’s Commercial Crew Programme, SpaceX and Boeing conducted the uncrewed flight test of their spacecraft to the International Space Station.
But the Orbiter component of Chandrayaan 2 spacecraft made it to the Moon without any glitch.
The probe, comprising a lander and a rover, touched down at the pre-selected landing area at 177.6
The women spent seven hours and 17 minutes working outside the ISS as it circled the Earth at 27,600 km/h (17,100 mph), Efe news reported. Koch and Meir paused in their work for a few minutes to take a call from US President Donald Trump.
While the whole nation waited with bated breath, Chandrayaan 2’s lander ‘Vikram’ lost communication with the ground stations.
In a huge milestone for China, which is attempting to position itself as a leading space power, the country’s Chang’e-4 lunar probe on January 3 became the first spacecraft to make a soft landing on the far side of the Moon.
In October, astronauts Jessica Meir and Christa Koch made history with the first all-female spacewalk, an excursion to repair a power unit on the International Space Station.
The Elon Musk-owned SpaceX’s cording to Chinese legend, lives on the Moon) intends to send a manned mission to the Moon in the long term and although no deadline has been set, some experts indicated it may be around 2036. India also conducted its first anti-
cessfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit in just three minutes. India is only the fourth country in the world to achieve this feat after the US, Russia and China.
Crew Dragon capsule completed its historic unmanned flight test in March with a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean right on time. Boeing’s passenger spacecraft was launched on its first unmanned flight test to the ISS atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket in December, but the Boeing Starliner spacecraft did not reach the planned orbit. Although Starliner did not reach its planned orbit and dock at the International Space Station as planned, Boeing was able to complete a number of test objectives during the flight related to NASA’s Commercial Crew Programme. The landing of the spacecraft in White Sands, New Mexico, was successful. (IANS)
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Tips For Families Gifting Kids Mobile Devices This Holiday Season
(Continued From Page 01) While there are many great benefits to being digitally connected at a young age, there are certain issues families should address. Once the dust settles after your child receives their gift, consider these suggestions for safer, more responsible mobile device use:
cation monitoring app installed on your child’s device, which offers peace of mind, saves headaches coordinating pickups and can help you locate lost devices in a pinch.
5) Screen Applications for Quality.
4) Download a Parental Guidance App.
It’s good practice to have the App Store blocked using a tool like
Make sure all apps installed on your child’s device pass your approval.
1) Discuss Privilege and Trust. Have a casual, openended chat about the privilege and responsibilities of device ownership. Ask questions about whether their friends own devices, and what they’re most excited to use it for. 2) Set Clear Agreements. Setting clear rules about device usage is essential. Depending on your child’s age, you may agree that the device only to be used for certain purposes (for example: contacting you, FaceTiming relatives, doing homework). Even with older kids and teens, it’s important to discuss appropriate online behavior, healthy digital habits and “screen etiquette.” Consider putting together a “contract” to be displayed somewhere visible. 3) Buy a Protective Case and Warranty. Devices are easy to lose or break -- especially by kids. Consider buying a durable case and screen protector as additional presents, and definitely purchase a warranty through your carrier or a third party. Finally, make sure you have a lo-
Download a parental guidance app onto your own device, such as OurPact, which allows you to install a simple profile on your child’s device.
OurPact.
Then, you can remotely set up automated schedules for when internet and apps are unavailable, or block access manually to the device for a specified period of time.
6) Practice What You Preach!
With such features as URL whitelisting and blacklisting, daily screen time allowances and iMessage/SMS blocking, you can be engaged with how your child uses their device, letting you enjoy the peace of mind knowing they aren’t playing Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja past bedtime when they should be snoozing.
Don’t send emails at the dinner table. Never text and drive.
Available at the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, parents can also sign up for an account at www.ourpact.com.
This way, when your child wants to install a new app, you can research it together.
Kids are more likely to respond to actions over words, so make sure that you’re setting a good example.
Make eye contact when you talk. Last but not least: always put relationships -- especially with your children -- before devices. For a joyful holiday season, be sure any gift of a digital device is used safely and responsibly by the recipient. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
How Much Will This Holiday Season Cost You?
According to one unique and whimsical economic indicator -- The PNC Christmas Price Index -- “true loves” will find all is calm when putting the gifts under the tree this holiday shopping season. To purchase the gifts included in the classic carol, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” it will cost just 0.2% more than it did in 2018, according to the 36th annual holiday economic analysis by The PNC Financial Services Group. While Pipers Piping and Geesea-Laying are unlikely to be on your gift list, most years, the price changes of the goods and services accounted for in the PNC Christmas Price Index closely mirror those in the U.S. Consumer Price Index, making this a useful and fun way to gauge your holiday spending year-to-year. For the full report, visit PNCChristmasPriceIndex.com. Holiday shoppers everywhere take note -- there is no reason to be a grinch this year. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
One And A Half Centuries Of Defining American Food Traditions Think back on some of your favorite family meals over the years and it’s likely that Campbell Soup Company played a role during those important moments around the table.
• Campbell food was served during WWI and WWII, and during the
and President Ronald Reagan’s V8 ad.
An American icon, Campbell is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
Here are some of the most interesting facts about Campbell’s place in American culture:
By the turn of the century, the company flourished as a result of several innovations -- including Dr. John T. Dorrance’s invention of condensed soup, which made nutritious soup more affordable to millions of Americans at just 10 cents per can.
Today, 95 percent of U.S. homes have Campbell products in its cupboards and fridges.
Eighty percent of Campbell’s tomato growers and their families have worked with the company for more than two decades.
For more information, as well as recipes, visit CampbellSoupCompany.com.
• Over the years, the company has grown to include numerous other brands that are staples in American households, among them Pepperidge Farm cookies, Goldfish crackers, Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, Lance sandwich crackers, V8 beverages and Swanson broths.
From tomato soup and grilled cheese on a cold day to green bean casserole, generations of home cooks have made Campbell food, snacks and recipes part of their daily and holiday food traditions.
• Campbell Soup Company was founded four years after the Civil War ended in 1869 by a fruit merchant and an icebox manufacturer.
• Campbell’s tomato growers harvest over 1.5 billion pounds of tomatoes per year.
Apollo missions, offering troops and astronauts comfort and a taste of home. • Campbell’s influence can be seen in American pop culture throughout the years, from Andy Warhol’s iconic paintings of Campbell’s Soup cans to the enduring “M’m! M’m! Good!” jingle to other cultural icons like the Campbell Kids
• The Green Bean Casserole, invented by Campbell employee Dorcas Reilly in 1955, was served at 20 million dinners this past Thanksgiving. During the holiday season, Green Bean Casserole recipes were viewed more than 6 million times on the Campbell’s Kitchen website.
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Campbell’s history and American history go hand-in-hand. A part of American kitchens and culture for generations, its foods reflect the trends and tastes of the country. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Is Your Perception Of Used Cars Out-Of-Date?
Even as more Americans turn to the used car market for affordable vehicle options, a recent survey suggests that outdated notions about used cars persist. Consumers not only think that used cars on average are older at the time of sale than they actually are, but also less expensive, according to an Ally Financial survey of more than 2,000 American adults conducted by The Harris Poll.
many people lump all used cars in with old clunkers,” says Matt Arnold, senior regional vice president of Auto Finance at Ally.
or considering doing so, Arnold offers the following tips:
“It’s time to let go of old stereotypes. With a used vehicle, you’ll either end up with a lot more car for your money, or a lot more mon-
Think practically about which features are necessary.
• Prioritize needs and wants:
Some nice-to-have tech features
“Even though many Americans are buying used cars, the survey shows
The minimal cost is worth the investment, and some car dealers will provide it for free upon request. • Know your budget: Beyond the purchase price, your automotive budget should include insurance, finance costs and ongoing maintenance and repairs. • Research finance options:
On average, the survey finds that Americans think the average age of a used vehicle at the point of sale is 6.6 years, but the 2019 Edmunds Used Vehicle Report puts the average age at 4 years. The Ally survey also finds that on average, consumers believe that the average price of a used vehicle is $9,860 when it’s actually more than twice that amount -- $20,664 -- according to Edmunds.
• Get a vehicle history report:
A healthy down payment can reduce monthly costs -- at least 10% of the purchase price is recommended for a used car. • Go online:
ey in your wallet.” For those shopping for a used car
add to the price and can cost thousands of dollars in repairs if they break.
Book or Edmunds for a specific vehicle’s local market value. • Consider a service contract: Protection plans help provide peace of mind and can cover expenses for repairs and replacement parts that may no longer be under a manufacturer’s warranty. To learn more about car buying and ownership, visit ally.com/doit-right/car. “Ultimately, today’s used vehicles are better quality and feature more options than ever before. A 75,000mile used vehicle is in an entirely different category than it was just a few years ago,” says Arnold.
Auto dealers want buyers to walk away feeling good about their purchase and welcome well-researched shoppers.
“With many of the same tech and safety features that new cars offer but at a significantly lower price point, they’re a smart alternative for all budgets and lifestyles.”
Prepare yourself by checking online resources like Kelly Blue
(StatePoint)
Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019: What Is It And Why Is It Seen As A Problem (Continued From Page 01) They will be granted fast track Indian citizenship in six years.
It aims to protect such people from proceedings of illegal migration. The cut-off date for citizenship is
Indian citizenship, under present law, is given either to those born in India or if they have resided in the country for a minimum of 11 years.
So far 12 years of residence has been the standard eligibility requirement for naturalisation.
other questions.
What is Centre’s logic behind the bill?
Amit Shah says that the Bill would not have been necessary if the Congress did not agree to Partition on the basis of religion.
Centre says these minority groups have come escaping persecution in Muslim-majority nations.
At the first hearing on petitions challenging the CAA, the Supreme Court declined to stay the contentious law but asked the Centre to file its reply against the petitions that say it violates the Constitution.
However, the logic is not consistent – the bill does not protect all religious minorities, nor does it apply to all neighbours.
The petitioners say the Bill discriminates against Muslims and violates the right to equality enshrined in the Constitution. Here’s a primer.
The Ahmedia Muslim sect and even Shias face discrimination in Pakistan.
Who makes the cut? The legislation applies to those who were “forced or compelled to seek shelter in India due to persecution on the ground of religion”.
tration where the OCI card-holder has violated any provision of the Citizenship Act or any other law in force.
December 31, 2014 which means the applicant should have entered India on or before that date.
The Bill also proposes to incorporate a sub-section (d) to Section 7, providing for cancellation of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) regis-
Rohingya Muslims and Hindus face persecution in neighbouring Burma, and Hindu and Christian Tamils in neighbouring Sri Lanka. The government responds that Muslims can seek refuge in Islamic nations, but has not answered the
Some say it is like Partition, is that true?
However, India was not created on the basis of religion, Pakistan was. Only the Muslim League and the Hindu Right advocated the two nation theory of Hindu and Muslim nations, which led to Partition. All the founders of India were committed to a secular state, where all citizens irrespective of religion enjoyed full membership. Either way, this logic for the CAB also collapses because Afghanistan was not part of pre-Partition India. (Courtesy: https://economictimes. indiatimes.com/)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Condé Nast Traveller Lists Pakistan As Top Holiday Destination 2020 By Sumaiya Malik London-based luxury and lifestyle publication Condé Nast Traveller (CN Traveller) named Pakistan the top holiday destination for 2020 in their November edition, sighting relaxed visa restrictions, a high profile visit by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the leadership of Imran Khan, the current prime minister of Pakistan as reasons for Pakistan ‘finally getting the focus [it] deserves.’
In the past few years, international travel icons have highlighted Pakistan as a land of tourist interest, but nothing has drawn as much attention on the country as this latest honor from Condé Nast. According to the magazine, the country’s best attractions include the towering Karakorum Mountains, Shandur Pass, dubbed as ‘Roof of the World’, the Kalash region, and Badshahi mosque in Lahore. But, as someone who grew up there, I can safely say that the culture and
Makara Sankranti (Continued From Page 01) Being a festival that celebrates the solar cycle, it almost always falls on the same Gregorian date every year (January 14), except in some years when the date shifts by a day for that year. The festivities associated with Makar Sankranti are known by various names, such as Maghi (preceded by Lohri) by north Indian Hindus and Sikhs, Makara Sankranti (Pedda Pandaga) in Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal (also called Poush sôngkrānti), Karnataka and Telangana, Sukarat in central India, Magh Bihu by Assamese, and Thai Pongal by Tamils. Makara Sankranti is observed with social festivities such as colorful decorations, rural children going house to house, singing and asking for treats in some areas (or pocket money), melas (fairs), dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts. The Magha Mela, according to Diana L. Eck (professor at Harvard University specializing in Indology), is mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Many observers go to sacred rivers or lakes and bathe in a ceremony of thanks to the sun. Every twelve years, the Hindus observe Makar Sankranti with one of the world’s largest mass pilgrimages, with an estimated 40 to 100 million people attending the event. At this event, then they say a prayer to the sun and bathe at the Prayaga confluence of the River Ganga and River Yamuna at the Kumbha Mela, a tradition attributed to Adi Shankaracharya. Makara Sankranti is set by the solar cycle of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, and is observed on a day which usually falls on 14 January of the Gregorian calendar, but sometimes on 15 January. It signifies the arrival of longer days. Makar Sankranti falls in the Hindu calendar solar month of Makara, and the lunar month of Magha (the festival is also called Magha Sankranti or Magha festival in parts of India).It marks the end of the month with winter solstice for India and the longest night of the year, a month that is called Pausha in the lunar calendar and Dhanu in the solar calendar in the Vikrami system. The festival celebrates the first month with consistently longer days. There are two different systems to calculate the Makara Sankranti date: nirayana (without adjusting for precession of equinoxes, sidereal) and sayana (with adjustment, tropical). The January 14 date is based on the nirayana system, while the sayana system typically computes to about December 23, per most Siddhanta texts for Hindu calendars. As per the solar calendar, after one year, the Sun comes to the same location 20 minutes late every year, which means the Sun needs 1 day extra after every 72 years in the sky. That’s the reason why Makar Sankranti sometimes shifts from 14 January to 15 January, and so on.
hospitality will take center stage, regardless of the city you visit. To encourage tourism, Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, announced that Pakistan would offer electronic visas to citizens of 175 countries.
and travel YouTuber Mark Wiens
Mirza has captured treaded and unexplored parts of the mountains to the coast to invite tourists and climate change activists alike.
As part of the new rules, there will no longer be restrictions on visas for journalists. Nor will there restrict areas which visitors would require no-objection certificates to travel to. International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved operators will now also be allowed to bring tour groups to the country. (Arabianbusiness.com March 2019.) The Pakistani government will grant visa-on-arrival facilities to 50 countries. It will additionally provide e-visas to citizens of 175 countries. Previously, visa-on-arrival privileges were extended to only 24 countries. Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton made a five day high profile visit to Pakistan this October, which “has been lauded as a complete success, an excellent display of the British royalty soft power that very few nations can match,” adding to the nations appeal (Forbes Magazine Oct 10, 2019). Many claim the Royal visit occurred thanks to Prime Minister Imran Khan, who personally invited Prince William to visit all those places that his late mother Princess Diana had been to, encouraging him to relive what she experienced. In February 1996, Diana went to Pakistan to visit the then married Jemima Goldsmith and Imran in Lahore to raise funds for Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital. The royal couple isn’t alone in their love for Pakistan. Canadian Youtuber Rosie Gabrielle (162K followers) is travelling through Pakistan on a motorcycle and recording her adventures through videos, Instagram (@rosiegabrielle) and Facebook posts. Her scenic videos and daring solo travels into the labyrinth of mountains and streets of Pakistan have helped its tourism industry. Food
Beauty of Pakistan (1996).
Austinites can either purchase the book on Amazon or see its pages online to get an idea of the breathtaking natural beauty through the photographer/blogger’s website. https:// w w w. i r f a n - m i r z a . com/.
(@migrationology 1 million followers) called Pakistan the trip of a lifetime. He wrote “People don’t accept my money for food or stuff because I am guest here or they say “you pay us by visiting our country” I am seriously in love with its beautiful natural beauty and people’s hospitality.” Polish blogger Eva Zu Beck (@evazubeck 447K followers) informed her followers that Pakistan could “become the number one tourist destination in the world.” She added, “Yes, there is a lot of work to be done, but if we pull together, we can build an incredible future for Pakistan as a sustainable, all-round, epic travel destination.” This is great timing for the recently published book, Pakistan – Beauty and Splendour – By Irfan Mirza. The breathtaking photography in the book has a deep calling to make Pakistan a travel destination. Accidental photographer Irfan Mirza came into his passion for Pakistan fifteen years ago on a work trip to Europe where he purchased his first SLR camera. There was no looking back. He chronicled the most inaccessible scenery of Pakistan and recorded it in this picture book, a first in modern day - the last equivalent being Mohammed Amin’s The
Tourism has definitely picked up as seen by tour groups going from USA to Pakistan on a regular basis. Austinites Anila and Ahmed Moledina toured Pakistan this summer listing northern areas as far as Patrice Chowk at Pak-China border, Gilgit and Hunza Pass, Gulmit, Kunjareb Pass, Spe Syng, Naran in Pakhtoonkwa, Islamabad and Karachi coast as the places they visited. “The landscape reminded me of various parts of Switzerland and Norway, only for a fraction of the price,” said Ahmed when he shared the contact information of their Pakistani travel agent Murad Khan (+923212200015) who specializes in Northern area travel in the country. Incident free and a smooth sail, the couple raved about the hospitality they enjoyed, intelligent tour guides who managed the whole trip, the number of cars in their tour, the team that went ahead to make sure the guesthouses were ready and the security that enabled them to continue their journey in what seemed to be a trip of a lifetime. Pakistan’s mention in Condé Nast Traveller is a welcome spotlight for all those who are a part of the country and for those who are eager to visit. More information at: https://www.cntraveller.com/ gallery/best-holiday-destinations-2020
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Dubai Diary: Kulfilicious On Um Suqeim Street – An Unusual Ice Cream Parlor
By Sumaiya Malik
array of desserts!
For those who have any ties to South Asia, kulfi is a comfort food, a milky dessert available on street kiosks and also in grocery stores and “mithai ki dukaan”, (dessert shops). Like an apple pie, Kulfi needs no introduction to even a child.
There were four kinds on the table that night - malai Kulfi, Mango kulfi, saffron kulfi and the high-
cream rolls (which I suspect were his favorite) from a well known bakery. “Where is this delicious Kulfilicious?” I asked. “On Um Suqueim
A sign “Stick no bills,” is written on a whitewashed cobbled wall. Clearly, the parlor is thriving with great reviews.
By chance I had Kulfi from Kulfilicious in Dubai last year when I made a brief stop on the way back from winter break in Pakistan to visit my sister Huma and family.
The plan was to just have coffee and do ‘gup shup’, but for Anahita coffee clearly means coffee and an
By the time I got back home in Austin, TX, I had seen hundreds of pictures of the ice cream shop and its desserts on a website called Zomato (another Yelp, I assumed). I saw that the parlor looks like a truck stop from Pakistan and India… there is a rickshaw sticking out of a wall in one corner and tables and chairs for customers to enjoy the scene while eating.
Kulfi is not new to me either. I have grown up in Karachi regularly having this milky dessert. But I settled in the US where such desserts become occasional luxury not to be indulged in at all if one can hold one’s appetite.
That very evening we decided to walk over to visit our relatives and dear friends Anahita and Tariq who lived nearby.
kulfi on a stick because it reminded me of my childhood in Karachi.
The first main branch of Kulfilicious was set up in 2014. It was based on the Indian street concept. light, the long bar on a stick which I had only had in Karachi before.
Street!” he replied as if I would know.
Tariq told us of this quaint little place called Kulfilicious where Tariq had picked up the dessert for the evening along with a dozen
The Kulfi was mouth watering and neatly cut into cubes and we kept on trying flavor after flavor, my favorite being the traditional long bar
and opinions - Learn a new language
- Could be something minor like giving a speech if you’re a shy introvert - Meet new and different people, people you normally would not talk to - Take time for family and friends
“That’s why the tuk-tuk (local for rickshaw) and the sign to prevent graffiti,” explained Sharlaine, the manager on the phone. The owners are partners - two ladies, Savitha and Meghna - who are now running fifteen branches.
“There is one in Abu Dhabhi as well and a new one [opened] in Oman,” she added. The branches deliver through local affiliates. There is a large population of South Asians working and living in Dubai and looking from the flavors of back home. As I write this, I am making a mental note about having that kulfi again on my next trip to Dubai. With fifteen locations in such a small city, there is sure to be one near Huma’s house where we could go, but I am keen to go to the Kulfilicious on Um Suqeim Street for this is the one that will tie me to that fun evening with family and friends and the happy taste of being in Karachi while growing up even though we would be far from there and in Dubai. Kulfilicious – a kulfi ice cream parlor Umm Suqeim Street – Al Barsha 1, Dubai +97143460616 Instagram | @kulfilicious_uae Twitter | @kulfilicious
Some Ideas For New Year’s Resolutions (From A College Sophomore Who Hasn’t Completed Any To Date)
By Sameer Malik
Austin South Asian found an important advice for him in Good Housekeeping Magazine: “Try some of these lifestyle tweaks each day, and you’ll not only jumpstart a healthier body and mind - you’ll feel fantastic and so psyched to make 2020 your best year every.”
- Get in shape, physically and mentally - Treat people the way they wish would to be treated - Be mindful of people’s thoughts
- Pick up a new hobby - Do something wild and outside your comfort zone - Bungee jumping? - BASE jumping
MEN CAN COOK! Info@Austin SouthAsian.com
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Austin South Asian Invites Contributions From Readers And Community
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Pakistani Actor Zeba Shehnaz Of Fifty-Fifty Fame In Us With Laughter Night With Umer Shareef By Sumaiya Malik By the time the article gets printed, the first performance of Laughter Night with Umer Shareef would be done and the theater team would be proceeding to Houston for the next show.
earth and was immediately willing to converse and take a picture. She was simply clad in the tradi-
tional shalwar Kameez, with hair tied in a neat bun kept in place by a hair clip.
Directed and produced by Syed Furqan Haider and a Pakistani veteran cast with comedians Umer Shareef, Zeba Shehzad (Fifty-Fifty fame), film and Pakistani television artist Naeema Garaj, Irfan Malik and Tabu Khan, this comedy stage show will travel in the US to other cities such as Houston, Denver, Vancouver and Montreal.
She had demurely draped a black ‘chadar’ around herself. I remember Ms. Shehnaz for instantly switching from one character to another with her slap stick comedy, in Fifty-Fifty, a comedy show on the lines of Saturday Night Live where a team of actors switched to different characters in short skits. The show was written by Anwar Maqsood and had other veteran actors such as Ismail Tara, and Bushra Ansari. Fifty-Fifty touched many lives and
Ms. Shehnaz became an overnight sensation whose characters reflected real lives. In conversation Ms. Shehnaz said she has been coming to the US since 1984 for shows. She hopes that the Pakistani diaspora would shower her with as much affection and a warm welcome as her Indian counterparts receive when they arrive for shows in the US. One can follow Zeba Shehnaz through her Facebook Page.
FREE CLASSIFIED
By chance I was travelling on the same flight as Zeba Shehnaz from Karachi to Dallas. I recognized her from Fifty-Fifty days and realized she was with five members of her team.
info@AustinSouthAsian.com
Ms. Shehnaz is extremely down to
How Simple Steps May Prevent Type 2 Diabetes More than one in three Americans -- over 84 million people -- have prediabetes, which is a serious condition that often leads to type 2 diabetes and other significant health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
aware of their risks for developing the disease and advising them on interventions,” says Dr. Patrice A. Harris, M.D., M.A., president of the AMA.
can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. The AMA is focused on improving the health of the nation by leading
Despite its prevalence, nearly 90 percent of people with the condition don’t know they have it.
“Preventing type 2 diabetes starts with ensuring that people are
A one-minute self-screening risk test available at DoIHavePrediabetes.org can help you determine where you stand. The AMA encourages those with high scores who learn they may be at risk for prediabetes to consult their doctor to confirm a diagnosis, as well as to find out how lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods and being more physically active can help
The good news is that prediabetes can often be reversed. The first step is learning your risk, say experts. As part of its efforts to lead the charge in preventing chronic diseases and confronting public health crises, the American Medical Association (AMA) is encouraging all Americans to learn their risk for type 2 diabetes and take action accordingly during November, which is Diabetes Awareness Month.
are committed to helping America achieve no new preventable cases of type 2 diabetes.”
prevent type 2 diabetes. For additional resources, visit amapreventdiabetes.org and cdc.gov. The prevalence of adults diagnosed with diabetes more than doubled in the past 20 years, making it more important than ever that Americans find out whether they have prediabetes. Armed with that knowledge, they can take steps to manage or even reverse the condition. (StatePoint)
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“Research shows that people who are aware of their condition are more likely to make the necessary long-term lifestyle changes that
the charge to prevent chronic disease. As the cornerstone of that effort, we
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15
Austin South Asian | January 2020
Sabarimala Temple Rakes In Rs 156 Crore As First-Leg Of 41-Day Annual Pilgrimage Comes To A Close
Sabarimala: The first leg of the 41day annual pilgrim season of the famous Lord Ayyappa temple here comes to a close on Friday with the auspicious Mandala puja sans any protest over the women’s entry issue unlike the turbulence witnessed last year.
a batch of review petitions against its earlier verdict to a larger bench, the state government had said those women desirous of visiting the hill temple should get a “court order” and it would not encourage activism.
The peaceful atmosphere saw a surge in the pilgrims inflow after the season commenced on November 16, resulting in revenue collections of over Rs 156 crore so far compared to the Rs 105.29 crore in the corresponding period in 2018. The hill shrine, which draws devotees from various parts of the country, had witnessed unprecedented protests by right-wing outfits and BJP workers last year after the CPI(M) led LDF government decided to implement the September 28, 2018 Supreme Court order lifting the traditional bar on women and girls in menstrual age from offering prayers. However, this year in the backdrop of the apex court’s decision to refer
During this season, some young women who came to Sabarimala were not allowed by authorities to trek to the Ayyappa temple. Amid protests from right-wing outfits, Bhumata brigade activist Trupti Desai and some other women in the 10-50 age group were sent back from Kochi.
With peace and tranquility returning to the Ayyappa shrine, there has been a sharp increase in the arrivals of pilgrims from various parts of the country, especially the southern states, and the revenue collections too rose during the ongoing season.
ing the corresponding period. According to the Travancore Devaswom Board, the apex state-run temples’ body which manages the hill shrine, this year’s collection is expected to go up further when the coins offered are also counted.
As per the figures for the last 39 days, a total of Rs 156.60 crore had been collected at the hill shrine under various heads, including through the sale of ‘appam’, and ‘aravana’ ‘prasadams’ and through the ‘hundi’ collections, according to the authorities.
“The highest revenue for the same period was recorded in the year 2017, which was Rs 164.03 crore in 39 days. It is expected that the earnings this year would be not too low from the 2017 collections when the coins are also counted,” TDB president N Vasu told reporters on Thursday. According to TDB figures, sale of “Aravana” (a sweet delicacy) accounted for a major share of reveunes. A total Rs 67.77 crore was collected this time through the sale of Aravana, compared Rs 40.99 crore last year.
Last year, when the hill shrine witnessed the most turbulent days in its history over the women’s entry issue the collections could touch only Rs 105.29 crore dur-
“The pilgrim season has been peaceful so far. Compared to previous year, there is a remarkable increase in terms of the arrival of pilgrims. Last year, there was a dip in the number of devotees in view of tensions,” Vasu added.
Meanwhile, the Sabarimala shrine and its premises are witnessing heavy rush as the annual Mandala puja falls on Friday. The ceremonial procession carrying ‘thanka anki’, the sacred golden attire for adorning Lord Ayyappa, reached the shrine from the Parthasarathy temple at Aranmula this evening amid high security. The Ayyappa idol was decorated with the sacred ornaments during the evening puja ahead of the Friday’s mandala puja as per the customs. The late Chitra Tirunal Balarama Varma of Travancore dynasty offered the Anki weighing 420 sovereigns (aprox 3.3 kg), to the temple deity in 1973. Ahead of Mandala Puja, the Thanka Anki is taken from Aranmula to Sabarimala in a ceremonial procession, a practice introduced by the TDB. The motorised chariot, carrying the sanctified Thanka Anki, was given a rousing reception by devotees at various places enroute to the hill shrine.
Satellite Constellations: Astronomers Warn Of Threat To View Of Universe (Continued From Page 07) “And you’ll miss whatever is behind them, whether that’s a nearby potentially hazardous asteroid or the most distant Quasar in the Universe.”
Leicester said some of the problems could be fixed. “The numbers of satellites do sound frightening, but actually space is big - so when you superimpose them all on the sky, the density of these things is not going to be very large,” he said.
He said it would be particularly troublesome for telescopes taking large surveys of the sky, such as the future Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) in Chile. He explained: “What we want to do with LSST and other telescopes is to make a real-time motion picture of how the sky is changing... “Now we have these satellites that interrupt observations, and it’s like someone’s walking around firing a flashbulb every now and again.” But Prof Martin Barstow, an astrophysicist from the University of
“And because the satellites have known positions, you can mitigate. A satellite is going to be a dot in an image and it might appear as a transient burst of light - but you will know about it and can remove
it from the image. “It will cost effort and work for observatories to deal with it, but it can be done.” For radioastronomy, however, the constellations could pose more of an issue - especially for relatively new telescopes, such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The radio signals the satellites use will be different from the ones astronomers are looking for, but they could still interfere, said Prof Barstow. What do the companies involved say? SpaceX told the BBC that they
were actively working with international astronomers to minimise the impact of the Starlink satellites. For their next launch, they are trialling a special coating that is designed to make the spacecraft less bright to see if this will help. OneWeb said they wanted to be a “thought leader in responsible space” and were putting their satellites into an orbit of 1,200km so they would not interfere with astronomical observations. Ruth Pritchard-Kelly, vice president of OneWeb, said: “We chose an orbit as part of our dedication to responsible use of outer space… And we’ve also talked to the astronomy community before we launched to make sure that that our satellites won’t be too reflective, and that there won’t be radio interference with their radio as-
tronomy.” She added that it shouldn’t be a case of having to choose between connectivity and astronomy. “There is no question that the entire world is entitled to be connected to the internet…. So it’s going to happen. And probably three or four of these systems are going to happen,” she said. “And the question will be working with the other stakeholders to make sure that we’re not interfering with them, whether they are existing satellite technologies, or the mobile phone on the ground, or the astronomy community. “We know we’re going to work it out with everybody.” Stargazers will be watching the skies to see if a compromise can be found.
16
Austin South Asian | January 2020
Kids Corner
CHILDREN ARTICLES Children Email Us Your Articles
Vasundhara Varadarajan 8 years
info@AustinSouthAsian.com
Why Vaping Is Not Quitting Smoking Ending a tobacco addiction can be tough. While many smokers may think that e-cigarettes are a quitsmoking product, the American Lung Association is reminding people that e-cigarettes are a tobacco product and that switching to vaping is not the same as quitting. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not found any ecigarette to be safe and effective in helping smokers quit. In one study, only 10.1 percent of the smokers
who used e-cigarettes quit smoking
after six months, while 26.6 percent of smokers who did not use ecigarettes quit. Another s t u d y found 80 percent of the smokers giv-
en e-cigarettes did not quit, but switched, and instead became addicted to e-cigarettes, which produce a number of dangerous chemicals including acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde, causing irreversible lung damage, lung diseases -- and even death. Advocates say that it’s critically important that the FDA crack down on these false claims, but in the meantime, those seeking to quit smoking should talk to their healthcare providers about devel-
The Adventures Of Randy & Square Kid
oping a quit plan. To learn more about the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking Plus program, visit lung. org/stop-smoking. Deciding you want to quit smoking is the first step toward a healthier future. For the best possible chance of success in breaking your addiction for good, seek out methods with proven results. (StatePoint)
Abhiveer Annoji
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Do You Know What’s In Your Dietary Supplements?
Dietary supplements help people get the nutrients they need to thrive, and 77 percent of Americans take them, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).
manufacturers will be introducing the new labels early, so it’s smart for everyone to get familiar with
agree that the information on the label helps them make purchasing decisions, and being label wise,
“While some of the changes to the label are more obvious than others, all of them are important to understand,” says Wommack.
However, experts say that in order to make smart choices down the line, it is necessary to understand changes being made to product labels. “The Food and Drug Administration has mandated that all dietary supplement products feature updated labeling by January 2021 to reflect the evolution of the American diet, as well as advancements in nutrition science,” says Brian Wommack, senior vice president of communications at CRN. “Larger manufacturers will comply by January 2020, and many other
information is featured and why, and making smart, well-informed purchasing decisions.
To help you understand the transition, CRN has identified some of the noticeable aspects of the new Supplement Facts label: • New Daily Values (DVs) will reflect the latest nutrition science and changes in American diets.
the updates now.” Eighty-two percent of Americans
according to Wommack, means being committed to reading product labels, having knowledge of what
• Vitamins A, D, and E will change from amounts in International Units (IU), to the more common measures of milligrams (mg) and micrograms (mcg).
• Folic acid, an important nutrient before and during pregnancy, will be listed as folate and measured in micrograms of dietary folate equivalents (DFEs). • If sugar is added to the product, you will see the amount and percent DV. To learn more about the coming changes, as well as for more tips and advice on reading supplement labels, visit BeLabelWise.org or follow the conversation at #labelwise. “We all have unique nutritional needs. So, talk with your healthcare practitioner to understand how these label changes might impact you,” says Wommack. (StatePoint)
Myths Vs. Facts Of Landing A Skilled Trade Job With the demand for skilled trade workers growing nationwide, you may be looking to launch your career, change professional paths, or hone current skills in order to advance in your industry.
• Myth:
As you go about the process, consider these few myths and facts about landing a skilled trade job:
Not all certification programs offer the same quality education, nor are they associated with the same breadth of job opportunities.
• Myth:
All training programs are pretty much the same. • Fact:
“Not only do contractors prefer working with NATE-certified technicians, consumers look for this certification as well because it ensures that a knowledgeable, welltrained and highly experienced technician will service their home heating or cooling system,” says Anthony Spagnoli, NATE’s director of training and education.
• Fact:
ships, network and learn as you go.
Skilled trade careers are in especially high demand today, offering long-term job security, a good living and room for advancement.
This is especially important for those who have traditionally been underrepresented in a given industry.
To learn more about existing growth opportunities, tune into the podcast “Blue is the New White.”
You can find mentors on-the-job, at industry events and through online resources such as Women in HVACR, which among its initiatives, connects young women in the industry with mentors.
It will be hard to find training in my local area.
Available for download on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, this is also a good resource for those seeking to get their foot in the door.
• Fact:
• Myth:
There are numerous free resources available to connect you with local training opportunities.
Career support will be hard to come by once I receive my certification. • Fact:
Veterans and their spouses for example, can seek career assistance from organizations such as amvets. org. In the case of the HVACR industry, locating training organizations in your zip code is as simple as visiting natex.org, which provides online services to English and Spanish speakers, as well as certification and recertification.
Connecting with a seasoned professional who can act as your mentor is a great way to build relation-
Those in the HVACR industry, for example, can set themselves apart by getting North American Technician Excellence (NATE) training.
• Myth: Skilled trade careers don’t offer room for growth.
Visit womeninhvacr.org/mentorship to learn more. Looking to break into HVACR or another skilled trade industry? Check out available resources which can help you get trained, certified and employed with confidence. (StatePoint)
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18
Austin South Asian | January 2020
How Companies Can Help Employees With Student Loan Debt After paying monthly student loan minimums, many Americans have just enough to cover basic living expenses, which means that when unexpected expenses arise, they often end up defaulting on their student loans.
ing anxiety and a distracted workforce, with many people spending hours of their workday wondering how to meet financial commitments. A majority of borrowers
According to research, those with student loans say that getting help with refinancing or repaying their loans would ease their stress so they can focus on their job. When
It’s no wonder that student loan debt is a top financial stressor for so many. There’s good news, though. Not only can employers help employees with student loan debt, but doing so is in everyone’s best interest. Here’s how:
Instead of continuing to pay a high rate for the lifetime of the loan, employers can work with education benefits providers, such as BenefitEd, to direct employees toward private refinancing options such as U-fi. Even saving a small amount each month can substantially lower the total cost paid over the life of the loan.
Reducing Anxiety A growing number of employees are entering the workforce with student loan debt. About 43 million adult Americans carry a federal student loan, owing $1.5 trillion in federal student loan debt, and Americans also owe an estimated $119 billion in student loans from private sources not backed by the government, according to the Center for American Progress. Experts say that this debt is caus-
Some may wonder whether refinancing is worth their time and effort, but research shows that many people who take out student loans have a high interest rate, and on average, borrowers take 20 years to pay off their student loan debts.
with student loan debt report being worried about paying off their student loans, according to research reported by Phy.org from the University of Missouri, research which also found a strong link between student loans and mental stress for borrowers.
such assistance is offered, employees appreciate that their employer cares about their financial well-being, and ultimately becomes more engaged and involved in the success of the business. Refinancing Education
Employees are likely to appreciate having the option to refinance loans as well as receive education and financial advice from their employers, say experts who name supporting employees’ financial health as a great way to increase employee loyalty and engagement. Avoiding Loan Default Nationally, the default rate on stu-
dent loans is increasing. In 2018 alone, student loan delinquencies amounted to over $166 billion. Missed payments can affect someone’s credit score for years. It can also affect employment opportunities as some employers are now checking candidates’ credit scores before making job offers. If employees receive advice on refinancing their student loans or receive repayment assistance from employers, they’ll be more likely to make their monthly payments and less likely to deal with the consequences of a poor credit score. To learn more about how employers can support future and current employee financial needs, visit youbenefited.com. There are many ways companies can support their employees who are currently managing student loans, and when they do, experts say they’ll have a happier, healthier and more grateful workforce. (StatePoint)
5 Things To Do To Prepare For A Recession
(Continued From Page 01)
place ahead of a recession.
It is important to manage the pieces of your financial life knowing that a market decline is possible, regardless of the exact timing.
• Develop a cash flow. The simple technique of identify-
• Maintain a healthy emergency reserve fund. If you are still working, maintain six to 12 months of expenses in a
A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can provide you with competent, ethical advice on how to financially prepare to weather a down market. Here are five steps you can take today to get ready for a possible recession: • Create or revisit your financial plan. Now is a good time to update your financial plan, including your savings strategy for retirement, to ensure it can withstand a market decline. If you do not yet have a financial plan, start working to put one in
• Pay down your debt. While incurring debt can be a smart financial choice, carrying too much of it -- particularly highinterest debt -- can be dangerous, especially during a recession.
safe, liquid account. Retirees should aim to keep 12 to 24 months’ worth of expenses in reserve.
Be sure that your allocation is tied to your long-term financial goals, instead of basing it on the market’s ups and downs.
Prioritize paying off your highest interest consumer-related loans (credit card and auto) and then work your way down to the lower interest ones. Try to avoid taking on any new debt.
A CFP professional can provide you with guidance on navigating any of these financial moves to prepare for a recession. To find a CFP professional near you, visit letsmakeaplan.org.
• Maintain a diversified portfolio.
The good news is that recessions do not last forever.
Creating and adhering to a diversified portfolio spreads your risk across different asset classes. ing how much money is coming in and how much is going out can help you develop a short-, intermediateand long-term plan that keeps you in control of your finances.
maintain your desired level of asset allocation.
You may need to rebalance periodically by trading up assets to
Taking these proactive steps now will help protect you from significant financial damage and quickly recover from potential losses. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
2020 Interior Design Trends On The Horizon The beginning of the new year is a natural time to think about refreshing the look of your home, and in 2020, “cozy” and “warm” are trending keywords for interior design, according to experts, with luxurious textiles, inviting color palettes, and warm mixed metals found across all design styles.
While neutral color schemes are tried-and-true, in 2020, you’ll want to turn to an updated palette consisting of warm, earthen under-
finishes. Now, warm tones of natural brass, bronze and copper mixed with sil-
While a maximalism approach is on the horizon, clean and modern design schemes continue to reign.
To make the most of your space this year, consider this design advice from Alkire and the experts at Progress Lighting: Materials, Shapes and Finishes
Try vibrantly-colored velvets furnishings, pillows and throws. Wallpaper is making a comeback: use it in small areas like powder room walls, or make a splash with a floral accent wall. Style Evolution Overall design trends are evolving. Homes that were previously traditional are now termed “new traditional” as they take on fun, youthful elements that keep the design fresh.
“Use a minimalist approach, allowing patterned décor to add pops of color,” advises Eliza Alkire, trend expert and product designer for Progress Lighting. “Accent this with hanging planters and potted greenery to enhance the character of any room with an organic look.”
teriors as well as rustic farmhouse spaces.
tones. Choose lighting finished in mixed metals to accent the neutral scheme while adding visual interest and depth. Recent years have seen lighting combine black chrome and gold
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ver and black will be found across lighting designs, cabinet pulls and plumbing hardware. Move over, stainless steel! Just remember to keep the look uncluttered by not mixing more than two or three metals in one space. Geometric shapes are dominating design trends. Adding lighting in triangle, diamond, hexagonal or combination of geometric shapes is one of the easiest ways to transform a space and add wow-factor. Make sure to balance statementmaking lighting with clean, classic patterns and colors on furnishings and accessories. Create warmth with tactile elements. Luxurious, richly-textured fabrics like velvet, suede and leather work nicely with clean, contemporary in-
Lighting fixtures have mixed metal finishes or are designed in new takes on classic silhouettes, such as large lanterns and chandeliers done in linear shapes. Mountain style goes beyond a rustic, cabin look to take on a modern form with clean lines, neutral color palettes and uncluttered interiors.
With open layouts and tall ceilings, sweeping views command attention. Lighting is oversized, with airy, open designs meant to cast light without obstructing views from the plentiful windows in the space. For fans of farmhouse style, this look has taken a delightful turn, with fewer rustic details and more modern charm. Subtle hues go beyond a white and gray palette into the realm of soft greens and blush pinks. Lighting is inspired by historical design with industrial details like working pulleys, but is combined with clean lines for a relaxed, casual vibe. For more tips and inspiration, visit Progress Lighting at progressltg. com/Inspiration. To stay on-trend in the new year, think cozy, warm and inviting. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
7 Tips For Using Credit Cards Safely Credit cards are a useful tool for managing personal finances and building credit, but they also expose you to a number of risks -including identity theft and credit card fraud. Thankfully, experts say there are many simple, proactive steps you can take to help protect yourself when using a credit card. Here are seven tips for guarding your credit. 1. Monitor your credit reports. To identify any suspicious activity, periodically request and review your credit reports and your children’s from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. These companies will provide you with a free credit report once per year. Consider requesting a different agency’s report every four months at no charge for more frequent monitoring. If you see any signs of identity theft, credit card fraud or other scams, contact the
credit bureaus right away. 2. Activate fraud alerts. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion also offer free credit fraud alerts. When a po-
Fraud alerts last for 90 days but can easily be renewed. You only need to contact one credit bureau to set up alerts -- that company will notify the other two.
need to contact all three credit bureaus to freeze your reports. Note that it may take several days to lift a freeze if you need to apply for credit. Also, credit freezes do not prevent fraudulent transactions on your existing credit accounts. 4. Review credit card statements carefully. Check your statements as soon as you receive them to make sure there are no fraudulent charges. Contact your card issuer if you see anything suspicious. 5. Enroll in bank notification programs. Most banks offer a credit card notification program which will alert you to account charges over a preset amount.
tential creditor sees a fraud alert on your credit file, they will take additional steps to verify your identity before authorizing new credit.
3. Freeze your credit. Placing a freeze on your credit reports will prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name. You will
6. Protect your passwords. Change logins and passwords monthly, use password generators and sign up for two-factor authentication. Security experts recommend a mini-
mum of 14 characters for creating a secure password. 7. Shop online carefully. Avoid making payments or accessing financial information on unsecured wireless networks, such as those at coffee shops, hotels and restaurants. Your phone should be treated like your computer: password protect it, too. A Certified Financial Planner professional can help you protect your assets from this type of risk and pick up the financial pieces if your information falls into the wrong hands. To find a CFP professional near you, visit www.letsmakeaplan.org. With a few simple tools and a bit of diligence, you can safely use and continue to build your credit. (StatePoint)
Sleigh Holiday Décor With These On-Trend Design Tips There’s something magical about the winter holiday season -- perhaps it’s the moments spent with loved ones, the aroma of sugar cookies and peppermint, or the cozy, twinkling lights.
glitzy combination of copper and silver or black and chrome look festive without overwhelming your year-round color palette. Consider
But when it comes to decorating, there are hundreds of different styles and determining your personal holiday aesthetic can be difficult. Whether you’re looking to simply spruce up for guests or go all out with elaborate centerpieces, welltrimmed trees and accessorized mantels, try creating the right ambiance by decorating based on your personality.
With the dual-tone Fusion finish series from Moen, available on the brand’s Via bathroom faucet, contrasting matte black and chrome finish elements give the appearance of a surface etched clean to create crisp edges. 2. Infuse farmhouse vibes. If you gravitate toward shiplap, exposed brick and a rustic, cozy design vibe, you can still transform your home into the “Fixer Upper” of your dreams without a sprawling farmhouse.
From festive finishes to colors that are merry and bright, here’s a list of top trends and how to bring them to life this holiday season. 1. Mix metals. If you love combining gold with stainless or bronze with nickel in your everyday décor, there’s no need to stop mixing metals when it comes to holiday decorating. The
even extend the look to your bathroom faucet.
combining various metallic accents through garland ornaments and holiday tablescapes. You can
Infuse this charming style in your space with plaid accent blankets and reclaimed wood signs that
spread holiday cheer. Consider adding in vintage elements, like decorative plates, cross-stitched tablecloths and clear vases filled with pinecones for a wintery look. This trend is sure to give your space that down-home feeling and radiate comfort for holiday guests. 3. Create an industrial aesthetic Traditional red and green décor may not be for you, but you can still deck the halls, even with an industrial-chic style. The key to creating an edgier holiday look is to combine utilitarian design with worn textures from raw materials. Think galvanized metal accents, Edison bulb string lights, copper pipe candle holders and upcycled pieces. If you’re in the market for a new kitchen faucet to help with holiday feast preparations and meal cleanup, a matte black Paterson spring faucet from Moen offers a commercial kitchen look with the reach, flexibility and functionality required for residential use. Plus, it’s equipped with Moen’s Power
Boost spray technology to help you fill pots and pans faster and make cleaning plates and serve ware a breeze, so you can enjoy more quality time with loved ones. 4. A minimalist makeover. Those that embrace the KonMari lifestyle with minimalism can easily extend the “less is more” mindset to holiday décor. Achieve an uncluttered style by decorating only a few areas, or incorporate a simple and modern, yet feminine, gold and white palette. The powder room is a great space to adorn, as it will likely see heavy holiday traffic from guests. Delicate details, like Brushed Gold drawer pulls and accessories from Moen paired with well-placed greenery offer a simple design that speaks volumes. ‘Tis the season for your home to be jolly, so put a festive twist on your interior updates to create a warm, inviting environment that reflects your individual design personality. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Looking For A Healthy New Year’s Transfer Money Via NEFT 24X7 Resolution? Don’t Overlook Your Eyes
(Continued From Page 01)
pep talk or preparation period.
All the parties have been hosted, the marshmallows have been toasted and you’ve binged on your new favorite TV show the entire month of December.
Making an appointment is easy: you simply show up and your eye doctor tests different aspects of your vision and eye health.
Now you’re asking yourself, “What do I want to accomplish this year?” A New Year’s resolution is, for all intents and purposes, a good thing. Now consider this twist on the standard resolution format: opt for a few, small, lifestyle wins rather than mounting an all-out assault on
Save the maximum effort for a goal further down your list, knowing an eye exam is a small investment of energy that reaps huge health rewards. • It Doesn’t Take All Year: You can be certain that unlike most resolutions where some level of delayed gratification is the motivator, a comprehensive eye exam
eye exam offers an incredible look into your overall health. In fact, an eye exam is often the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your health. During your visit, the eye doctor will examine your eyes to check their visual acuity (or how clearly you see), and for any signs of eye conditions like dry eyes, digital eye strain, glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. “More significantly, a comprehensive eye exam gives eye doctors an unobstructed view of the eyes’ blood vessels and optic nerves, both of which can give away signs of chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and even some cancers years before a person shows symptoms,” notes Dr. Chinn. Unfortunately, many outward signals of diseases and conditions don’t appear until some damage has occurred, making eye exams powerful, preventative tools to keep tabs on what’s quietly happening in your body.
your current habits – more resolution-lite, if you will. Choose resolutions that have clear start and end points, and that are attainable for you. Most of all, resolutions should make you feel good – that’s the whole point, right? “A resolution that checks all the boxes is to get an eye exam,” says VSP network doctor, Jennifer Chinn. If you have loved ones in mind, bring them. Their eyes will thank you. Here’s why: • It’s Easy: With a comprehensive eye exam, there’s no uncomfortable warm-up,
provides immediate results. “All within your visit, you’ll learn the shape your vision is in, and, if you wear glasses or contact lenses, whether your prescription has changed,” Dr. Chinn says. • It’s Really Healthy:
To find an eye doctor near you, visit www.vsp.com/eye-doctor. You don’t need 20/20 vision to see that the case for a 2020 eye exam is clear. Make this the year you commit to an annual trip to the eye doctor. (StatePoint)
From December 16, you can transfer money online using the National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) route 24x7, i.e., any time of the day and any day of the week.
NEFT transactions after usual banking hours of banks are expected to be automated transactions initiated using ‘Straight Through Processing (STP)’ modes by the banks. The Reserve Bank of India stated earlier on in the month, that bank customers will be able to transfer funds through NEFT around the clock on all days including weekends and holidays from December 16. Added to this, in November, the central bank had directed from January 2020 banks can no longer charge savings bank account holders for online transactions in the NEFT system. What is NEFT? NEFT is a nation-wide payment system that allows transfer of funds from one bank account to another. Individuals, firms and corporates can transfer the money from one bank branch to any other bank account held by individual, firm or corporate in the country. The beneficiary, i.e., the bank account in which money has to be transferred will receive the money within two hours. NEFT transactions can be used for payment of credit card dues to the card issuing banks, payment of loans EMI etc.
Readers And The Community.
This will allow the bank customers to transfer the money all around the clock. Earlier, NEFT payment system operated for customers from 8:00AM to 7:00 PM on all working days except on 2nd and 4th Saturday as banks remain close on that day.
Email To: Info@Austin
According to RBI’s circular issued on December 6, here is how the NEFT system will operate:
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There will be 48 half-hourly batches every day.
Beyond ensuring great vision, an
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The settlement of first batch will commence after 00:30 hours and the last batch will end at 00:00 hours. The system will be available on all days of the year, including holidays.
The existing discipline for crediting beneficiary’s account or returning the transaction (within 2 hours of settlement of the respective batch) to originating bank will continue. Member banks will ensure sending of positive confirmation message (N10) for all NEFT credits. All provisions of NEFT procedural guidelines will be applicable for NEFT 24x7 transactions as well. No charges on online NEFT transactions RBI has mandated banks to not to charge any fees on NEFT transactions done by savings account holders from January 1, 2020. According to the central bank’s press release, this move is aimed at pushing savings bank account customers to transfer money using electronic modes via NEFT. The central bank in its monetary policy review held in July 2019 had announced its decision to do away with the charges levied for NEFT and RTGS transactions. RBI’s statement said, “In order to provide an impetus to digital funds movement, it has been decided to do away with the charges levied by the Reserve Bank for transactions processed in the RTGS and NEFT systems. Banks will be required, in turn, to pass these benefits to their customers.” In July, almost immediately after RBI’s saying that banks should remove charges on NEFT, State Bank of India announced waiver of charges on NEFT, RTGS and IMPS. (Courtesy: https://economictimes. indiatimes.com/)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020 THEME: BEST-SELLING AUTHORS ACROSS 1. Fresh talk 5. Jet follower 8. Sherlock Holmes’ assignment 12. U in I.C.U. 13. Tiny river 14. Fires 15. Weather ____ 16. *”How to Make an American Quilt” author 17. Distinguishing feature 18. *Master of legal thriller 20. “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” singer 21. Keyboard key 22. G, in solfa 23. *Master of Western fiction 26. Flavorful rice dish, pl. 30. Former name of Tokyo 31. Broadcasting devices 34. Whiskey without water 35. Dried fruit and spices, in a pie 37. Member of Shoshonean people 38. Discombobulate 39. Drawn to light 40. Young traveler’s inn 42. “____ it or lose it!” 43. Hindu spiritual retreat, pl. 45. Chase away 47. Philosophical system 48. Single-cell protozoan 50. Home on a limb 52. *James Bond creator 54. Cafe option 55. Site of Taj Mahal 56. First queen of Carthage 59. Goes up or down 60. Jiffs 61. What accomplices do 62. 2 aspirin, e.g. 63. Old college one 64. Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday
DOWN
1. Blazer or Explorer 2. Baptist leader? 3. *”I ____ The Body Electric” by Whitman or Bradbury 4. Sound setup 5. Like a ballerina 6. “I do” spot 7. Thieve 8. *Master of romance and particularly prolific 9. Palm tree berry 10. Sleigh runners 11. Is, in Paris 13. Podium 14. Counter seat 19. Habituate 22. Female sib 23. Helping theorem 24. Bye, in Castile 25. Calendar unit of time 26. *William Shakespeare or Dr. Seuss 27. Sick and tired 28. Wrong answer adjective 29. *Her every novel was a best-seller 32. Abbott and Costello, Rocky and Bullwinkle, etc. 33. “____ all fun and games...” 36. *Master of detective novel 38. “My wife can vouch for me,” e.g. 40. Expression of doubt 41. Swellings 44. Daisy-like bloom 46. Summer shoe 48. *Master of the dime novel 49. Bryan Stevenson’s “Just ____” 50. Brussels’ org. 51. JFK or ORD postings 52. Like Usain Bolt 53. Hurtful remark 54. Dropped drug 57. Bear’s hibernation place 58. Pro baseball’s “Master Melvin”
SUDOKU Sudoku
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
For Healthier Eating, Grill More In The New Year Planning to follow a trendy diet like keto in 2020 or simply want to eat right? There’s good news -grilling can be a great option for you to kickstart eating healthier in the new year. Indeed, the American Heart Association recommends it.
• Be versatile: A healthy diet is a versatile diet. Look for a grill offering multiple cooking options, including baking, roasting and
• 2 teaspoons cracked pepper • 1 teaspoon cumin • Dash of salt • 4-6 garlic cloves
Use these tips to make healthier meals prepared on the grill:
• Eat fresher: Round out recipes by including fresh vegetables. For the best flavor and highest nutritional value, look for locally-grown produce. Vegetables make an excellent addition to any meal as grilled kabobs or chopped up and tossed in your favorite chili.
ter 6-8 hours), it should easily start to pull apart. Don’t pull apart the whole shoulder yet.
• Add spices to a bowl. Set aside.
• Remove roasting pan from grill and set aside for 1 hour. Remove lid to help speed cooling.
• Grate ginger into a separate “wet ingredients” bowl. Mince garlic cloves and dice onions into the same bowl. Juice limes and add chicken bone broth, aloe leaf juice, Truvia and Truvia Nectar. Mix and set bowl aside.
“Grilling is a year-round way of life, bringing together family and friends,” says Jeff Thiessen, president of Pit Boss Grills. “Luckily, those watching their diets can still get healthy foods with the fun and flavor of a backyard barbecue.”
• Let your spices do the heavy lifting: You can add exciting and bold flavor to any recipe using seasoning mixtures. Spice up foods like veggies or lean meats with seasoned rubs or marinades for amazing flavor without all the calories.
degrees F. Make sure your flame broiler is closed, you’ll want to use indirect heat.
smoking, such as Pit Boss Grills. Their 8-in-1 versatile grills allow you to do it all with one-of-a-kind hardwood flavor. • Try it yourself: For a delicious spin on a favorite barbecue classic, try this Healthy Hawaiian Pulled Pork, right from the Pit Boss playbook.
• 1 3-inch ginger, fresh • 1-2 limes • 4 cups no sodium added chicken bone broth • 1/4 cup olive oil • 4 teaspoons paprika • 6-8 pounds pork shoulder/butt • 1/2 sweet onion • 2 packets Truvia • 2 tablespoons Truvia Nectar
Ingredients:
Directions:
• 2 cups aloe leaf juice • 1 teaspoon coriander, ground
• Set grill to “smoke.” Once the pot catches, turn the grill up to 300
• Once cooled, shred pork into a separate bowl, removing fat. If adding marinade for additional flavor, skim fat off the top and discard.
• Add the oil to your Pit Boss Cast Iron Roasting Pan and coat the bottom and sides. Place pork inside.
• Pair with fresh grilled veggies, delicious fruit or make tacos or salads, and voila!
• Coat pork with dry rub.
To shop grills, as well as find cooking tips, grilling resources and additional recipes, visit pitboss-grills. com.
• Pour wet ingredients around the pork. Cover with lid and set on the grill. • Check every couple hours, basting if needed. When internal temperature reaches 195 degrees F (af-
By following the keys to healthy grilling, you can create guilt-free meals in 2020. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Make Planning To Pay For College A New Year’s Resolution
When it comes to financial resolutions, a new survey suggests that creating a plan to pay for college should be top of mind for more families. Only 54 percent of parents are comfortable with their plan to pay for their child’s college education, according to a College Ave Students Loan survey conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights.
• Ask family members to gift or contribute toward the cost of education. • Fine-tune the college application process to save money. For example, zero in on state schools for in-state tuition, or schools where
As you solidify your New Year’s resolutions, consider the following financial strategies: • Apply for reputable scholarships and grants early and often. One easy one to apply for is the College Ave Student Loans $1,000 Monthly Scholarship Sweepstakes. • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), even if your family has a high income. Doing so is the only way to access the big pool of financial aid available from the U.S. Department of Education, which awards over $120 billion annually in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study programs and loans. What’s more, states and some individual schools use it to determine aid packages as well.
your child’s grades and SAT scores are above average to boost the likelihood of receiving merit aid. • Ninety-one percent of parents currently
help or plan to help their child pay for college and 75 percent of parents expect their child to help pay, which means that for most families, a candid discussion about what you can afford and how much you expect him or her to contribute is essential. • Financ i a l a i d letters arrive in the spring. R e view this, and if your e x pected family contribution (EFC) i s more than you can afford, reach out to the financial aid office to discuss. • If needed, borrow federal loans in the student’s name first.
They carry special benefits, such as public service forgiveness and income-driven repayment options not typically available on private loans. • When federal loans in the student’s name don’t cover you fully, consider a private student loan or parent loan with a good interest rate. You may also need to find a cosigner with strong credit. With the pre-qualification tool offered by College Ave Student loans, you can find out if your credit qualifies for a College Ave loan and what rates to expect before applying. Pre-qualification does not affect your credit score, making this a convenient way to get your ducks in a row. To learn more, visit CollegeAveStudentLoans.com. “Families would be wise to prioritize their plan for financing college so they are not taken by surprise when the first tuition bill is received,” says Joe DePaulo, CEO and co-founder of College Ave Student Loans. “Knowing where the money is going to come from is essential.” (StatePoint)
Resolving To Start A Business? Website Trends To Consider For 2020
Is your New Year’s resolution the big step of
Web development platform Wix recently took a look at website creation data for the U.S. in 2019 and found some interesting facts. One significant statistic found is that about 50 percent more websites were built the week after January 1 than the week prior.
starting a business? One of the first things you’ll need to do is build a website. Today a website is not only your brand, but it also provides the tools you need to operate your business, and is the central point for you to communicate with your customers.
That means that if you decide to start
a business early in 2020, you likely won’t be going it alone. A key website feature to keep in mind when building your site is live chat.
Almost half of sites implement a live chat feature to communicate with current customers and attract potential new customers. In any business, it’s important from the beginning to be responsive to customers, and doing so can be a key differentiator in growing your business. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Panchmahal district in Gujarat, India. It is located around the historical city of
Champaner, a city which was founded by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Dynasty, in the 8th century. He named it after the name of his friend and general Champa, also known later as Cham-
paraj.
of Gujarat.
The heritage site is studded with forts with bastions starting from the hills of Pavagadh, and extending into the city of Champaner.
There are palaces, entrance gates and arches, mosques, tombs and temples, residential complexes, agricultural structures and water installations such as stepwells and tanks, dating from the 8th to the 14th centuries.
The park’s landscape includes archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage monuments such as chalcolithic sites, a hill fortress of an early Hindu capital, and remains of the 16th-century capital of the state
The Kalika Mata Temple, located on top of the 800 metres (2,600 ft) high Pavagadh Hill, is an important Hindu shrine in the region, attracting large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year.
drakala Vav. The site is 50 kilometres (31 mi) east of Baroda and 42 miles (68 km) south of Godhra, whose history is recorded from the 2nd century AD and which has many religious monuments of Gujarati Sultans (of Turkish descent), Rajputs, and Jains. It includes the Palace of Mahmud Begada, grandson of Ahmed Shah, who founded Ahmedabad City, Jama Masjid and other mosques. The setting is undulating hillocks and plateaus. There are steep rock exposures formed by ancient volcanic eruptions and lava flows.
The transition between Hindu and Muslim culture and architecture in the late 15th to early 16th century is documented in the park, particularly the early Islamic and preMughal city that has remained without any change. It was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2004.
Champaner is located at 22°30′N 73°30′E, about 1 mile (1.6 km) to the south of Pavagadh Hill. Pavagadh Hill rises to a height of 800 metres (2,600 ft), has a geological setting of reddish-yellow stone, and is considered to be one of the oldest rock formations in India.
The Champaner-Pavagadh heritage site is spread over an area of more than 1,329 hectares (3,280 acres) with a buffer zone of 2,812 hectares (6,950 acres). In addition to the Primary Heritage Zone of 983.27 hectares (2,429.7 acres), there are several other sites which include: Kabutarkhana, Maqbara, Maqbara Mandvi, Maqbara near Patidar Village, Malik Sandal Ni Vav, Hathikhana, Sindh Mata, Sikander Ka Reuza, Babakhan Ki Dargah, Nau Kuan Sat Vavdi, and Chan-
The highest point of the hill presents an undulating forested topography in the direction of Jambughoda. The Pavagadh Hill has a historical fort where the ancient Kalika Mata Temple is situated. The path to the summit passes through many old gates and cuts through staircase-like natural ledges of rock with precipitous sides. Midway up this path is a flat area strewn with boulders. Above this point there is a very steep scarp with a marble temple and two lantern towers.
Akbar And Birbal The list of blinds One day emperor Akbar decides to give alms to all the visually challenged people in the kingdom. He orders his courtiers to make a list of all such people. The courtiers make the list ready and share it with the emperor. Akbar takes a look at the list and says, “Very well. Take this list to Birbal. Make sure that these people get good alms tomorrow at the bazaar.” Birbal looks at the list, goes to Akbar and remarks, “Your majesty, this list is incomplete.” “What do you mean incomplete?” exclaims Akbar. “Your majesty the list must be longer as we missed several such people. Give me a day’s time and I will prove it,” says Birbal.
Akbar agrees. The next day, Birbal takes a frame of an old cot, sits at the crossroads of
the bazaar, and begins weaving the cot with a string. A servant stands next to Birbal with a pen and a scroll. A courtier passing by the bazaar sees Birbal, asks, “Hey Birbal! What on earth are you doing?” Birbal does not reply but mumbles to his servant, who then scribbles something on the scroll. Soon, a crowd gathers around Birbal. Each time someone enquires Birbal, he mumbles to his servant, who then writes on the scroll. The news of Birbal’s antics reaches the court and Akbar arrives at the bazaar. “What
are
you
doing
Birbal??” he asks. Without replying, Birbal continues to weave the cot, takes the scroll from the servant’s hand, and hands it over to Akbar. “Here is the list of blinds your majesty.” Akbar looks at it and is shocked to see his name at the very end of the list. “What nonsense is this?! Why is my name on the list?” the irked emperor asks. “Jahanpanah, you and all the others in the list asked me what I was doing despite it being evident that I was weaving my cot. So, don’t you all deserve a place on the list?” Akbar understands his folly and bursts into laughter. “Well done Birbal. You just opened my eyes by proving me blind!” says the amused Akbar.
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
How The 2010S Changed Hindi Film By Uday Bhatia In years to come, the Hindi cinema of 2019 is unlikely to be recalled with fondness. Even a standard 10-best-film list would be difficult, considering the utter lack of contenders. The few bright sparks were Zoya Akhtar’s joyous hip hop drama, Gully Boy, Abhishek Chaubey’s revisionist dacoit film, Sonchiriya, and two fine festival titles from 2018: Vasan Bala’s Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota and Ivan Ayr’s Soni. Apart from this, there was little to cheer about—and a lot to rue. This year’s Hindi cinema was marked by a nation-love bordering on the pathological. Various levels of patriotic pride informed historicals (Manikarnika, Panipat), political propaganda titles (PM Narendra Modi), war films (Uri: The Surgical Strike), team-building dramas (Mission Mangal), action blockbusters (War) and thrillers (Batla House). The national anthem played a few times, the flag was waved incessantly. Many films in 2019 reflected a mood of unrest, with themes of militaristic pride, cattle protection, caste oppression, and fears of invasion and internal terrorism. It’s a bit of a downer to end a fascinating decade in Hindi cinema. At the start of the 2010s, we were watching films on TV and DVD. By the end, everyone was streaming “content”. The “100 crore club” no longer had the weight it did in the 2000s: Baahubali’s Hindi version became the first film to breach the ₹500-crore mark, and Thugs Of Hindostan could make ₹300 crore and be considered a huge failure. There were changes in the films themselves: Songs no longer looked or sounded the way they used to; settings were as likely to be Bhopal or Aligarh as Delhi and Mumbai. Here are seven tectonic shifts that marked Hindi cinema in the 2010s: Two of the Khans still have the biggest hits In the 2010s, as in the 2000s and the 1990s, if you wanted a really big hit, you cast the Khans—two of them, that is. Not a single Shah Rukh Khan film figures in the top 10 earners of the decade (net gross,
Box Office India). Salman Khan, on the other hand, has Nos. 3 (Tiger Zinda Hai, ₹339 crore), 6 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan, ₹315 crore) and 7 (Sultan, ₹300 crore). Aamir Khan has Nos. 2 (Dangal, ₹374 crore) and 4 (PK, ₹337 crore)—and he made a killing overseas with Dangal and Secret Superstar. Shah Rukh is still a force—if you total up his box office earnings for the decade, he’s in second place behind Salman. But he’s a diminishing one, crowded out by contemporaries like his fellow Khans and Akshay Kumar, younger stars like Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor, and Hrithik Roshan. Kumar might be the decade’s most dependable actor, churning out two films a year like clockwork, which nearly always make ₹100-150 crore. While films built around female stars were still a rarity, several that did get made were memorable, especially Queen (Kangana Ranaut), Neerja (Sonam K. Ahuja) and Pari (Anushka Sharma). Alia Bhatt barely put a foot wrong, but it was arguably Deepika Padukone’s decade, with monster hits in Padmaavat, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Chennai Express, and a lovely muted turn in Piku.
forced the Hindi industry to think of tentpoles and franchises—but they are yet to get it down to a science.
The top-grossing Hindi film wasn’t really a Hindi film
Not the same song and dance
Many of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time were from this decade. Still, it’s a delicious bit of irony that the biggest earner of all was S.S. Rajamouli’s action fantasy Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, a Telugu film “made simultaneously” in Hindi but clearly not of that language. The Hindi version made ₹510 crore (the worldwide collection across languages was ₹1,810 crore). Along with the first Baahubali film, which released in 2015, its success was a warning bell for Hindi cinema, which has since tried, but not managed to replicate, its superior VFX and storytelling brio. There were other commercial threats. India had been a white whale for Hollywood: long pursued, never captured. But The Jungle Book ( ₹258 crore across languages) opened the floodgates. Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame grossed ₹294 crore and ₹464 crore respectively. It
National interest Filmic patriotism has been on the rise through the decade. It wasn’t just the films themselves—in 2016, playing the national anthem before the start of every movie became mandatory. If this was a reflection of the increasing premium placed on patriotic pride and, especially after 2014, aggressive nationalism, it’s also true that films tried their hardest to sell the nation to its citizens. Films that weren’t enamoured of the country—Haider, Mukkabaaz—were few and far between.
dexterously between languages and dialects, bringing wit and poetry to films that often didn’t match up. The evolution of film music was accompanied by changes in how the songs appeared on screen. The lip-synced number was eschewed in favour of the musical montage, especially in small to mid-budget films. Vishal Bhardwaj and Sanjay Leela Bhansali still had lip-synced songs, but this essential Indian film tradition could be on its way out. As the song montage grew in richness, the art of choreography dwindled. Apart from Bhansali, Bhardwaj, Anurag Basu and Zoya Akhtar, few directors seemed interested in the potentialities of the song sequence. A new Middle Cinema
tention—Netflix CEO Reed Hastings announced they were spending $400 million ( ₹2,845 crore) over 2019-20 in India, a number that could well be matched by rivals Amazon, Hotstar, Apple and Disney. Even in a country like India, where the theatre experience is a ritual, an increasing number of people regard streaming as the more cost- and time-effective way of viewing everything but the biggest blockbusters. Then there is streaming’s ability to attract talent—an actor like Pankaj Tripathi or Rasika Dugal can now choose the better pay and billing of a streaming show over a supporting role in a bad commercial film. The benefits of streaming are many, but for Indian film-lovers, the greatest service is access to films in languages other than one’s own, properly subtitled and available for viewing mere months after the theatrical (or festival) release. Perhaps in the next decade, this increased familiarity will lead to freer movement of talent and the emergence of a truly pan-Indian cinema, cutting across language and geography. Rise of the non-star
The multi-composer album went from novelty to industry mainstay in the 2010s. While some composers—A.R. Rahman, Vishal Bhardwaj, Amit Trivedi—still commanded enough respect to not have to share album space, younger hitmakers like Badshah and Tanishk Bagchi were usually pulled in for a party song or two, which was then combined with a sad number, a happy number and a Sufi track. Sometimes it worked, but it mostly sounded like what it was—a bunch of disparate artists participating in something they don’t have ownership of. There have been some memorable sounds: Sneha Khanwalkar’s earthy, hip Gangs of Wasseypur, the album of the decade; Amit Trivedi’s Lootera and Bombay Velvet; the Mumbai rap scene crystallized in Gully Boy. Yet, the true glory belonged to the words, not the music. Amitabh Bhattacharya, Irshad Kamil, Kausar Munir, Varun Grover and Shellee moved
Middle Cinema saved Hindi film in the 2010s, offering a vital alternative to the often anodyne mainstream. Middle-class Delhi was an important setting in the early years of the decade—Band Baaja Baaraat, Ankhon Dekhi, Vicky Donor—but later, there was a crucial exodus to tier 2 and 3 towns (Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Bareilly Ki Barfi). Ayushmann Khurrana was at the centre of this movement, as were Bhumi Pednekar, Rajkummar Rao and Pankaj Tripathi. This new Middle Cinema dovetailed with arthouse film (Masaan, Titli, Tumbbad) and the mainstream, with titles like Sui Dhaaga and Badrinath Ki Dulhania—an attempt to combine the virtues of small films with big stars. Gently down the stream Streaming platforms have only been around in India a few years, but their impact already seems potentially industry-altering. For one, there’s the fight for viewer at-
This decade, several actors joined Manoj Bajpayee and Irrfan Khan in the fertile middle ground between superstardom and niche acclaim. After years of bit parts and obscurity, Nawazuddin Siddiqui broke through in 2012 with Kahaani and Gangs Of Wasseypur; he became an arthouse muse overnight, supplementing that with scene-stealing work in “mass” films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Rajkummar Rao emerged simultaneously, an actor with an affinity for quietly determined strivers: Shahid, Aligarh, Newton. Khurrana and Pednekar became the king and queen of the new Middle Cinema, displaying, like Taapsee Pannu, a willingness to refuse outright commercial work. Add to this Pankaj Tripathi, Rasika Dugal, Seema Pahwa, Brijendra Kala and Sanjay Mishra, and you have an embarrassment of riches. Hindi cinema will have to work hard in the coming years to keep them away from streaming TV and film. (Courtesy:https:// www.livemint.com/)
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Austin South Asian | January 2020
Meena’s Traditional Rural Exciting Update On Thala Ajith’s Valimai! Look For Thalaivar 168! After Ner Konda Paarvai, the offi- Ramoji Film City and it was said
Superstar Rajnikanth had recently started shooting for his 168th movie Thalaivar 168 directed by
Viswasam with Thala Ajith is produced by Sun Pictures.
derabad.
The team of Thalaivar 168 is shooting in Ramoji Film City Hy-
that the team had shot action sequences involving Ajith.
and co-starring Shraddha Srinath, Vidya Balan, Arjun Chidambaram and Rangaraj Pandey, Thala Ajith has joined hands again with H Vinoth for his 60th movie Valimai.
Now the team is shooting in Rekha gardens, Chennai in a three day shoot plan. Valimai will have Ajith playing a police officer, and Yuvan Shankar Raja scores music for this movie which has cinematography by Nirav Shah.
It was announced officially that actress Meena is pairing with Rajnikanth 24 years after their superhit Muthu directed by KS Ravikumar, and now the photos from the sets with the gorgeous Meena sporting a traditional, rural look have turned viral across social media. The pretty looks of the actress has taken Rajnkanth fans to the days of Ejaman where she was paired with him for the first time.
Siva, and this movie from the director after the huge success of his
cial remake of 2016 hit Bollywood movie Pink, directed by H Vinoth
Thalaivar 168 also stars Kushbhu, Keerthy Suresh, Prakash Raj, Soori and Sathish and has music by D Imman and cinematography by Vetri.
Valimai is produced by Boney Kapoor’s Bayview productions LLP which produced Ner Konda Paarvai as well, and the team had began shooting last week in Hyderabad’s
It has been rumoured that Yami ‘Good Newwz’ Actor Akshay Kumar: Would Gautam might play the female lead in Valimai. Love To Make A Film On Depression Chiranjeevi Turns Into A Government Employee Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, views for doing a film on depres- also matters and we don’t know For Koratala Siva’s Film? Deets Inside! popularly called as Khiladi Kumar, sion since it’s the biggest thing In- why people do such things. There is known for doing diverse roles and films.
From doing a patriotic film to end his year with a comedy film, Akshay has time and again proven his
dia is currently facing.
must be some reasons to it.
The question was raised in context to Television actor Kushal Punjabi who committed suicide last night at his residence.
But all I can say is guys be brave enough, face the problem. it’s a lovely life you have, it’s beautiful body you have cultured, your parents have looked after you, given birth to you.
Released amid massive expectations in five Indian languages, Chiranjeevi’s last outing Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy scored a decent success at the global box-office.
Don’t just let it go. Everybody has problems. I know it’s very easy for me to just say it.
His film ‘Good Newwz’ has hit the theatres today which also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kiara Advani and Diljit Dosanjh. Today, the actor met media for an interaction where he expressed his
Akshay said, “I have worked with Kushal Punjabi. One of my films he was there.“ Further elaborating on depression, the ‘Housefull 4’ actor said, “Everybody has their own things. Some people are lucky enough to understand it, some don’t. Family
It’s a hard thing. If I would ever get a chance to make a film on depression because it’s one of the biggest thing India is going through, I would love to do a film on what happens in a depressed mind.” Meanwhile, Akshay is all set for the New Year celebrations with family as he is heading to South Africa for 15 days. Post that, he will start shooting for the last schedule of ‘Laxmmi Bomb’.
Directed by Koratala Siva, the shooting of the bigbudget project has reportedly begun the other day at a specially erected set in Kokapet. While sources claim that this maiden schedule will proceed till Sankranthi, speculations are rife that Chiranjeevi will be seen as an employee of the endowments department in the film. Popular actress Trisha seems to be the frontrunner to romance the 64-year-old actor in the social drama.
But I think so we should fight it out and just work on it and just not try to take away your life, and deal with depression.
versatility through his impeccable performances and film choices.
After enjoying the victory, Chiranjeevi has officially kicked-off his 152nd film on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra.
Though the Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi versions failed to create an impact, the original film smashed all the existing records in the Telugu states and the US diaspora barring the numbers set by Baahubali and Saaho.
This most-anticipated project is jointly bankrolled by Konidela Production Company and Matinee Entertainments. While acclaimed cinematographer Tirru is handling the camera, Sreekar Prasad will take care of the editing part and the music director is yet to be revealed.
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Austin South Asian | January 2020