Austin South Asian. March. 2023

Austin

$29 Million To Improve Roads

Asha Austin, the local chapter of Asha for Education, is a non-profit organization geared towards catalyzing socio-economic change by providing underprivileged children with access to education. Our chapter is completely volunteer driven,

comprised of passionate individuals from Austin striving to make a difference to the society. We currently support 7 projects in India that focus on children with special needs and/or alternate (Continued On Page 21)

American Cricket Education Council (ACEC) Aim To

“Educate

Americas For Cricket”

Michael Chambers said, “In an important addition to support our mission and vision to ‘Educate Americans for Cricket’

Hartford, CT: In a very positive development that will help the game of cricket reach the next level in the USA, Cricket Hall of Fame (CHoF) announced their acquisition of the team dedicated to cricket education in the country, the American Cricket Education Council (ACEC).

Commenting on the development, CHoF Executive Director, Mr

CHoF has launched the American Cricket Education Council (ACEC) and it supersedes USA Center for Excellence in Cricket (USACEC) which has been around since 2008. Our Hall of Fame members and supporters will offer their time and expertise as key investments to promote and support cricket in western part of the world (Americas).” (Continued On Page 20)

By Erica Brennes

A $23 million federal grant, plus $6 million from Austin tax payers approved bond money, means $29 million of improvements to make streets around Austin safer for all

Yoga For Eyes

users. KXAN traffic anchor Erica Brennes sat down with the city to learn more where the money from the “Safe Streets and Roads For All” program will be used.

J(Continued On Page 21)

Many of the yogic poses/asana and exercises are aimed at improving the functioning of specific organs of the body. Yoga provides a series of eye exercises that improves the function- ing of the eyes and helps to over- come various eyerelated problems, such as (Continued On Page 25)

tions ambassador, announced her candidacy for president, becoming the first major challenger to former President Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination.

The announcement, delivered in a tweeted video, marks an aboutface for the ex-Trump Cabinet official, who said two years ago that she wouldn’t challenge her former boss for the White House in 2024.

(Continued On Page 11)

Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and United Na-

Nikki Haley

Asha

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What To Know About The Future Of Cancer Treatment

ous cells, we are hoping to enhance the ability of NK cells – that is natural killer cells – to eliminate residual disease,” says RJ Tesi, MD, CEO of INmune Bio Inc., (NASDAQ: INMB), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company.

“NK cells are part of our innate immune system and are essential for survival. In addition to directly killing infected cells and cancer cells, NK cells facilitate crosstalk between the innate and adaptive immune system.”

As Dr. Tesi goes on to explain, NK cells play a critical role in killing cancer cells that remain after such treatments as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

by making themselves effectively invisible, the immune system can’t identify them and therefore can’t kill them. This failure of the immune system to eliminate residual disease is the cause of cancer relapse.

INKmune, INmune Bio Inc.’s lead product, activates resting NK cells into a primed state to kill cancer. Currently in clinical trials, this therapy is already showing promising results. INKmune-primed NK cells have demonstrated an ability to kill several types of cancer cells. To learn more, visit inmunebio. com.

For many patients, initial cancer treatments are not enough, and residual cancer cells that survive these treatments can cause relapse.

But new research is seeking to harness the immune system to target residual disease, thereby helping patients avoid relapses and live

longer.

“Using a novel mechanism of action that directly targets the cancer-

While modern cancer therapies can effectively eliminate most cancer in a patient, to eliminate all cancer cells, the patient’s immune system needs to do its part and kill the residual disease.

When cancer cells evade NK cells

“Chemotherapy and radiotherapy reduce the tumor burden, but are not always curative alone,” says Dr. Tesi.

“To eradicate the disease and turn cancer relapsers into survivors, we also need an effective immune response to control residual cancer cells left behind after primary treatment.” (StatePoint)

Tips For Nurses Struggling With Their Mental Health

you happier. Those in home healthcare let you make your own schedule, match you with assignments that fit your needs and preferences, and offer variety, support, flexibility and better nurse-to-patient ratios. To explore these benefits, visit careers.

interimhealthcare.com. During the ongoing challenges plaguing the nursing industry, it’s important to focus on your wellness. Doing so can help you get back to focusing on making a difference in the lives of your patients.

(StatePoint)

5 Financial Tips For Newlyweds

February is the month of love and one of the most popular times of year for couples to get engaged. According to a recent study, 36% of respondents said Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day to propose. If you’re about to get married or just walked down the aisle, here are five things to do to ensure your financial health.

While the worst of the pandemic is behind us, if you’re a nurse, you know its effects live on. Ongoing staffing shortages spurred by pandemic-related layoffs and resignations have created conditions in many healthcare settings that are untenable for workers, inspiring nurses in some areas of the country to go on strike.

In this climate of high stress and tension, anxiety, depression and burnout are common, but industry experts say that if you’re a nurse experiencing these mental health issues, there are steps you can take to feel better, including rethinking the way you deliver self-care and care for your patients.

“Nursing is largely about caring for others, but it’s important to take time each day to focus on your own wellness,” says Jennifer Sheets, president and chief executive officer of Interim Healthcare Inc.

“While many traditional nursing jobs aren’t able to offer the amount of time and space needed to recharge with self-care, careers in the home healthcare industry offer flexibility, good work-life balance and great job satisfaction.”

In an Interim Healthcare Inc. survey, 71% of licensed medical professionals reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has led them to consider a career shift to home healthcare as a way to reconnect with why they got into healthcare in the first place. Fortunately for patients and nurses alike, the home healthcare field is growing in size and scope.

Once associated primarily with senior care, it now extends to many other facets of care -- from caring for acute illnesses like COVID-19, to complex medical care for chil-

dren, to specialized care for chronic diseases, dementia and hospice. In fact, much of the technology and clinical capabilities of the hospital are available at home, making home care possible for more patients, and ultimately allowing for more nurses to make the switch. Beyond rethinking your role in the nursing industry, Sheets offers these additional mental wellness tips:

• Understand the symptoms of mental health issues, like anxiety, depression and burnout. If you are living with these issues, talk to a trusted friend or family member about what you’re experiencing and consider addressing your concerns with a mental health professional. Telehealth is making it easier to fit counseling or therapy into a weekly schedule, particularly one that changes from week to week.

• While depression and anxiety can feel lonely, know that you’re not alone. Other nurses are feeling the same way right now. Lean on colleagues for support.

• Implement activities around self-care and set aside time for yourself. Breathing exercises, meditation and yoga can be powerful stress relievers, and studies consistently show that even just a few minutes of regular moderate or vigorous exercise can reduce your risk of depression.

• Simplify daily tasks to ease mental health symptoms. Whether it’s relying on apps to help you check off items on your to-do list, or being more realistic about the social commitments you make, there are many ways to ensure your life outside of work doesn’t unduly add to your stress.

• Look for job opportunities that will make

1. Determine how you will handle finances. They say money can’t buy love and happiness, but talking about it in a marriage, or even beforehand, goes a long way. You’ll want to discuss whether you’ll have a joint bank account and credit cards, separate accounts or a combination of the two. It’s a personal decision, so consider the pros and cons. It’s also a good idea to know the roles you will play. For example, will you or your partner pay the day-to-day bills? The other

to go through the trouble of getting a medical exam, but that’s not always necessary. For example, Erie Insurance has a policy called ERIExpress Life, which may be able to provide protection with a simple application process and no physical medical exam. Colaizzo recommends people consult with their insurance agent to find the right life insurance policy and coverage amount that’s best for them.

3. Protect your bling. Chances are you spent a lot of time and money picking out rings you’ll love and wear every day. Unfortunately, burglaries are more common than you may think. According to the FBI, there were more than 1.1 million burglaries in 2019. Protect your wedding jewelry, and any other expensive jewelry, by adding these items to your homeowners or renters policy. It is advisable to have photos and documentation of the value of the ring and other valuable jewelry in the event of a theft or a loss.

person may want to manage the monthly mortgage and auto expenses, or even the long-term investments and retirement funds. If you need help coming up with a plan, you may want to seek the advice of a financial counselor.

2. Get life insurance. You may not realize that February is also Insure Your Love Month, a time to think about protecting your loved ones if something unfortunate should happen. “If you have people who depend on you – including your new spouse – chances are you need life insurance,” said Lou Colaizzo, senior vice president, Erie Family Life. “While it’s hard to think about the possibility of not being there for a loved one, it’s so important to plan for.” Colaizzo added that some people may hesitate to seek out life insurance because they don’t want

4. Update your car insurance. Notify your agent to make sure you’re both covered to drive each other’s cars. You may also be eligible for savings, such as a multicar discount or bundling your car insurance with homeowners and/ or life insurance. Additionally, some insurance companies offer a lower rate for married couples.

5. Make updates to your records if you change your last name. It’s a big decision and takes a lot of work if one of you decides to change your name after marriage. It’s important to be patient and diligent as the entire process may take several months. Remember to update all the appropriate forms, including a new Social Security card, driver’s license, passport, bank accounts and credit cards, among other considerations. Additionally, notify your employer for payroll and health insurance coverage updates. Getting married is an exciting, big life event. While you and your partner start your new life together, have an open conversation about financial considerations and double check to make sure you’re covered to protect the life you’re building.

(StatePoint)

How To Turn Your Finances Around In The Months Ahead

Many consumers are feeling financial strain after a challenging economic year in 2022. One in three Americans say they are struggling to get by or are in trouble financially, according to Lincoln Financial Group’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker. The study also found that people aren’t necessarily seeing any relief in sight, with 76% believing factors like inflation, market volatility and debt will worsen.

However, there are a few bright spots. Those who had specific financial goals last year were two to three times more likely to say various aspects of their personal finances improved. They were also three times more likely to say they did a great job on their overall financial wellness last year and twice as likely to be optimistic about their finances in 2023. So where should you start in creating and reaching your own financial goals?

“Lincoln’s research underscores the importance of taking a definitive approach,” said Ed Walters, senior vice president, Lincoln Financial Network, the wealth management arm of Lincoln Financial Group. “While fi-

nancial goals don’t need to be complicated, you should be able to easily track and monitor your progress. Consumers’ wallets are stretched thin with many competing financial priorities, so now is a great time to get back to the basics.”

Lincoln Financial Group recommends setting these three goals to help turn your

finances around in the months ahead:

1. Develop and stick to a budget. Keep it simple. Start with fixed expenses like mortgage, rent, savings and car payments, then move to the more flexible expenses like groceries and entertainment. Instead of establishing a fixed amount, bucket the flexible expenses together and adjust how you allocate your money monthly to address your needs and plans for that month. Tap into budgeting calculators and other expense management tools.

2. Save some money from every paycheck. Now that you have a simple budget in place, take a few minutes to review those monthly expenses, from mortgage and car payments to morning coffee. Cutting a little bit here and there may reveal extra money to set aside. Those funds can be put toward an emergency savings account, employer-sponsored retirement plan or college fund, or be used to prioritize investments. You’ll be surprised how quickly a little bit adds up over time.

3. Work with a financial professional. Lincoln’s study found consumers who are advised by financial professionals are more successful in meeting their goals. A financial professional can help tailor a holistic plan to your specific needs, as well as educate you about various insurance and retirement solutions.

“It’s important that you’re honest with yourself about where you are financially and what your goals are,” said Walters. “With a little discipline, knowledge and guidance, you can have a strong financial year and see long-lasting results.” (StatePoint)

Why You Should Consider A Hybrid For Your Next Vehicle

With gas prices surging and national efforts being made to reduce carbon emissions, you may be eyeing car models that promise to reduce or even eliminate your reliance on gas.

However, depending on your lifestyle, location, finances, driving habits and other factors, you may not be ready to go fully electric just yet.

The good news? A hybrid is a great transitional vehicle to put you on the path to more sustainable driving now. Here’s why:

Hybrid vehicles, which combine smaller gas engines with battery-powered electric motors, make it possible for anyone to contribute to the fight against carbon emissions and reduce their gas expenses.

In fact, today’s hybrids achieve 20-35% better fuel economy than conventional internal combustion engines, according to Green America.

In the short term, hybrids are a cost-effective option compared with most all-electric vehicles currently on the market.

While a battery electric vehicle will save you even further on fuel costs down the line, the average transaction price for one of these

rides is still well above $60,000.

A hybrid is also a key alternative to electric vehicles for those who live in locations where the current electric vehicle infrastructure doesn’t yet support everyday transport, or for those who don’t own a home where they can charge a vehicle at night.

With greater fuel economy than a traditional internal combustion engine, and requiring no

lifestyle overhaul to operate, hybrids are one way to reduce carbon emissions today.

Given these varied benefits, and the rising number of available vehicles with a hybrid powertrain, it’s no surprise that annual hybrid sales in the United States have more than doubled since 2019.

As you shop around, be sure to look for manufacturers with hybrids available across their

entire lineup, from pickups and SUVs to sedans.

This will help you find a model that matches your needs. Sporting blue badges, it’s easy to spot Toyota’s hybrid options on the lot.

While hybrid technology has historically cost more, prices are leveling, and budget-conscious buyers will find options under $30k, including the Corolla Hybrid and the all-new Prius.

Boasting all the latest safety and multimedia features, along with sleek exterior design, you won’t have to compromise on style or performance in the quest for efficiency.

To learn more about electrified vehicles, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell electric and battery electric cars, visit toyota.com/electrified.

Whether you are experiencing pain at the pump or simply want to live more sustainably, making your next vehicle a hybrid is an effortless step you can take to save money at the gas pump and reduce your carbon footprint. (StatePoint)

How To Shop For Spring Household Essentials With Ease

Whatever your spring plans include cleaning your living spaces top to bottom or taking up an outdoor fitness routine, you’ll likely need some household supplies to fuel your seasonal endeavors.

With so many new products being introduced all the time on both store shelves and online, you may be wondering which items have already passed muster with other consumers. Fortunately, resources exist to help you quickly hone in on the best of the bunch.

Product of the Year USA, the largest consumer-voted awards program centered around product innovation, recently announced the winners of the 2023 Product of the Year Awards. Determined through a national study of 40,000 American shoppers in partnership with Kantar, a global leader in consumer research, each winner’s packaging boasts a red seal of approval.

“Today’s savvy consumers expect products that are smart, efficient and easy to use. At the same time, the amount of access they have to different merchandise is unprecedented,”

says Mike Nolan, global CEO of Product of the Year Management. “We’re proud to be providing shoppers and their families with trusted guidance and information as they sort through their many options.”

Demonstrating the ever-evolving trends seen in the U.S. market, the year’s winners are a round-up of the top products for function, design, packing or ingredients. As you stock up on spring essentials, consider the

following 16 winners in household and personal care categories:

• Auto Dish Care | Cascade Platinum Plus – Procter & Gamble

• Body Cleanser | Dial Body Wash –Henkel

• Car Care | RainX Truck & SUV Wiper Blade – ITW Global Brands/Rain-X

• CBD | CBD Sleep Gummies – Sky Wellness

• Children’s Health | Children’s ZYRTEC

Allergy Chewables – Johnson & Johnson

Consumer Health

• Digestive Health | Dulcolax Chewy Fruit Bites – Sanofi Consumer Healthcare

• Hair Growth | Nature’s Bounty Optimal Solutions Hair Growth – Nestlé Health Science

• Home Cleaning | FamilyGuard Brand Dis-

infectants – S.C. Johnson & Son

• Home Essentials | Ziploc Endurables – S.C. Johnson & Son

• Immediate Relief | Carmex Weather Guard

Lip Balm – Carma Laboratories

• Mattress | Nectar Premier Mattress – Resident Home LLC

• Topical Pain Relief | Icy Hot Pro – Sanofi Consumer Healthcare

• Weight Management | Nature’s Bounty Optimal Solutions Metabolism Booster – Nestlé Health Science

• Wellness Device | Aspercreme Flexi-Motion – Sanofi Consumer Healthcare

• Wellness Supplement | Nature Made Wellblends – Pharmavite LLC

• Women’s Daily Supplement | Nature’s Bounty Optimal Solutions Advanced Hair Skin & Nails – Nestlé Health Science

For additional information about this year’s winners, visit productoftheyearusa.com. Whether you tend to shop for household essentials online or in brick-and-mortar stores, it’s smart to rely on resources that can help you make better choices. (StatePoint)

How To Spend Wisely At The Grocery Store

Whether you are packing school lunches or hosting a dinner party, you want your fridge and pantry to be stocked with the highestquality foods for the best value. Thankfully, there’s a better way to navigate store aisles than just picking products at random and hoping for the best, one which doesn’t involve hours of product research.

Product of the Year USA, the largest consumer-voted awards program centered around product innovation, recently announced the winners of the 2023 Product of the Year Awards across 36 trending categories. Determined through a national study of 40,000 American shoppers in partnership with Kantar, a global leader in consumer research, the winners represent the best new products when it comes to thoughtful design, quality and innovation.

“It’s easier than ever for today’s consumers to be overwhelmed by choice. Far beyond retail aisles, they now have direct-to-consumer options, grocery delivery in the palm of their hands, and a never-ending stream of their favorite influencers reviewing products,” says Mike Nolan, global CEO of Product of the Year Management. “It’s important to us to help consumers and their families cut through the noise.”

To make your visits to the supermarket a

breeze, consider this year’s 20 food and beverage winners, listed by category:

• Bread | ALDI-exclusive Specially Selected French Baguette – ALDI

• Breakfast | Quaker Puffed Granola – PepsiCo

• Cheese | ALDI-exclusive Emporium Selection Feta Block Assortment – ALDI

• Coffee Creamer | Lactose-Free Flavored Creamer in French Vanilla and Sweet Cream

– Organic Valley

• Condiment | ALDI-exclusive Burman’s Dipping Sauces – ALDI

• Convenience Meals | Hot Pockets Deliwich – Nestlé USA

• Entrée | Pasta-Roni Heat & Eat – PepsiCo

• Frozen Dessert | ALDI-exclusive Sundae Shoppe Gelato – ALDI

• Keto | ALDI-exclusive Benton’s Keto Cookies – ALDI

• Meal Replacement | Complete Nutrition Shakes – Soylent

• Meal Solution | Bob Evans Mashed Cauliflower – Bob Evans Farms

• Non-Chocolate | HARIBO Berry Clouds –HARIBO of America, Inc.

• Non-Dairy | ALDI-exclusive Friendly Farms Non-Dairy Whipped Toppings –ALDI

• On-The-Go Snack | ALDI-exclusive Park Street Deli Sweet Snack Selects – ALDI

• Premixed Drink | ALDI-exclusive Zarita Margaritas – ALDI

• Salty Snack | Takis Hot Nuts Fuego – Barcel USA

• Smoothie | DOLE BOOSTED BLENDS

Berry Spark Smoothie – Dole Packaged Foods

• Snack & Appetizer | El Monterey Chili Cheese Chimichanga – Ruiz Foods

• Soft Drink | Nitro Pepsi – PepsiCo

• Wine | ALDI-exclusive Don’t Mind If I Do Sauvignon Blanc – ALDI

For more information about this year’s winners , visit productoftheyearusa.com.

Want to feed your family the foods that other shoppers have already tried and loved? Whether you’re filling your virtual or physical cart, be sure to lean on consumers tools that can help you make better choices.

(StatePoint)

How The Right Pair Of Shoes Can Support Your Wellness, Hobbies And Goals

Looking to stay motivated and achieve your personal goals? New shoes might just be the answer.

Not only can they update your wardrobe, helping you look and feel your best, but they can also support your physical and mental wellness, help you try out new hobbies, and even take small steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

It’s important to replace old, wornout sneakers before embarking on a new exercise routine.

When gearing up, check out brands like Nike, New Balance and Asics for athletic footwear that combines style, comfort and performance.

Ready to try out a new hobby or get back into an old one? Nike Signa-

ture Basketball styles from Lebron are on-trend and are great choices for running, jumping and playing,

while Brooks Ghost running shoes feature a cushioned insole and lightweight rubber outsole in fun,

vibrant colors to help you push your limits. Perhaps you’re looking to carve out more time for relaxation and quiet activities. You can get cozy and comfortable with the right footwear.

The HEYDUDE soft, comfortable slip-on styles are perfect for lounging at home or enjoying some selfcare.

And if your goals include adopting more sustainable practices and reducing your impact on the environment, consider selecting footwear that incorporates eco-friendly features, like the Nike Court Vision sneaker, which contains at least 20% recycled content by weight.

For more footwear inspiration to fuel your lifestyle, visit Rack Room Shoes in-store or online at www.rackroomshoes.com. Whether it’s for fitness, self-care, trying out a new hobby or making a difference, there’s a pair of shoes to meet your needs. (StatePoint)

Does Your Business Qualify For The ERC Federal Assistance Program?

The strength of the country relies on its estimated 33.2 million small businesses, which comprise 99.9 percent of all American businesses.

COVID threatened, and in some cases forced, the closure of many small enterprises and tens of thousands are still reeling from the aftermath of the full pandemic.

In an effort to offer some relief, the federal government created the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Program under the IRS that has already helped thousands of qualifying businesses receive up to $26,000 per employee.

Unfortunately, not enough small business owners are aware of the program.

Others don’t think they will qualify, leaving billions of dollars on the table that could help them recover and continue to move forward.

Companies such as ERC Helpdesk, www.erchelpdesk.com, have been created to help small businesses determine their qualifications and navigate the ERC program.

Now is the perfect time for business owners around the country to see if they make the cut.

SCRIBBLINGS BY ARUN

WHO WANTS THIS

Children are happy because of their innocence, And all their needs are met by parents or elders.

Elders are not so happy, since they realise, That they have to meet themselves, all their basic needs.

Name and fame, wealth and health whatever one achieves,

At the end breathing last, leave and go like orphans.

In life with so much pain, sufferings and struggles, Who wants this existence, for few paltry pleasures.

(arunsunderraj@gmail.com)

The program is flexible enough that most businesses will likely be eligible. The average claim is $150,000, but there is no cap on the amount.

“I was the owner of a marketing business that assisted dozens of small business owners so I witnessed firsthand the challenges and sweat equity involved in taking such a big risk,” said ERC Helpdesk chief marketing officer, Greg Ross-Smith.

“Our founder was and remains a small business owner himself who was initially told his businesses would not qualify for an ERC and there was nobody he could find to make sense of the program.

When he finally learned about the program details and what the actual qualifications are, not only did he apply and receive funds, he decided to create a way to assist other small business owners in taking advantage of the funding available for their businesses.”

Here are the basics to see if you

qualify:

• Your business is based in the United States.

• You retained and paid W2 employees during 2020 and 2021.

• Your business was impacted by COVID restrictions in one or more of the following ways:

1. Loss of revenue

2. Supply chain disruptions

3. Full or partial shutdown of your business

Now a growing industry, ERC companies are popping up all over so be wary about who you work with. Ideally, try to work with a company you know, or at least one that understands the needs and inner workings of a small business.

Often, it helps to work with a smaller sized ERC business that’s accessible and that will work with your submission on a one-on-one basis. Bigger isn’t always better in this industry.

Of course, partnering with a company that maintains a high approval rate for its clients is a criti-

cal point of measurement as many companies can waste your time and get your hopes up by simply submitting anything knowing the chances of success are slim.

Finally, to the degree you can determine it, try to work with a company that will process your application as quickly as possible while focusing on reducing errors that can delay the process.

“So many small businesses are built organically with the participation, support and hard work of family and friends.

As a result, we understand the investment of time, resources and relationships that go into every business we work with,” said RossSmith.

“In the ERC business, integrity, trust and customer service rule and that’s what I’d urge all applicants to consider in navigating their eligibility for the program.

Our only goal is to help them qualify and then maximize their efforts and amount of compensation they receive.” (Statepoint)

A small business can receive an ERC even if it received PPP.

How You Can Help Protect Workers And The Environment

In an effort to better align with consumers’ values, many industries have made reforms to reduce their impact on the environment while better protecting workers.

However, a new report says that for grocery stores, it’s business as usual when it comes to the way they source tuna.

The Tuna Retailer Report from Greenpeace USA, found at www. greenpeace.org, evaluated and graded the 16 largest grocery retailers in the U.S. market, looking at how careful the corporations were in ensuring that their tuna supply chains respected environmental sustainability and human rights standards.

The bottom line: none of the retailers received a passing score on human rights issues or is doing enough to combat forced labor and modern slavery.

“We cannot afford slow or incremental progress when talking about

these issues – these are people’s lives,” says Mallika Talwar, senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace USA, who notes that due to the isolated nature of deep sea fishing, workers are particularly vulnerable to mistreatment.

At the same time, the retailers are making slow but steady improvements in the area of environmental

sustainability, with just two of the 16 retailers scoring a passing grade in this category.

Advocates say that U.S. consumers have largely been kept in the dark about these realities and retailers continue to make profits without making changes, but that the $42.2 billion industry can chart a differ-

ent course.

“America’s largest grocery retailers have the economic power to influence change through their sourcing decisions and business practices,” says Talwar.

According to Talwar, it’s a growing problem. Nearly 6 million metric tons of tuna are removed from the ocean every year, an amount that has increased 1000% in six decades, according to researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of Western Australia.

In 2018 alone, tuna vessels worldwide netted $11 billion, while grocery stores earned almost four times that amount from their sales of tuna products in the same year.

“We need at least one retailer to step forward and lead the way on human rights in the tuna industry. One company could be all that’s needed to start a trend that would make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of workers around the world,” says Marilu Cristina Flores, senior oceans campaigner, Greenpeace USA.

“Consumers can also play a role in increasing visibility of these issues. As they’ve done with clothing manufacturers and other economic sectors, they can press their retailers to source their tuna responsibly.” (StatePoint)

Top 5 Smartphone Features You Can’t Live Without

Smartphones are our lifeline – we use them to connect us to just about everything and everyone in our world.

Americans check their phones an average of 344 times a day — once every four minutes — according to a 2022 Review.org survey.

But when was the last time you upgraded your phone? If it’s been more than two years, you may be missing out on some of the latest tech upgrades.

Here are five must-have features to consider when shopping for a new smartphone:

• Battery Life: When it comes to battery life, you may not realize what you’ve been missing out on until you start using your new phone.

A decade ago, smartphone battery capacity ranged from 1560mAh to 3200mAh, according to findings from Android Authority.

Today, that capacity typically ranges from 4000mAh to 5000mAh, with some batteries as large as

6000mAh. And, the latest development of USB-C ports has allowed for faster charging capabilities, charging a near dead phone in just 30 minutes.

Look for phones with fast charging technology, from 15W to 20W, and wireless charging options.

phone, allows you to store media, files and games, and ranges anywhere from 64GB to 128GB, even 256GB and higher in some of the latest models.

Random Access Memory (RAM) is used for short-term data like apps, photos and videos.

take photos versus digital cameras, according to 3D Insider.

If you’re an avid photo taker, make sure your new phone features editing software, a variety of camera lenses, like ultra-wide and telephoto, and special functions like night mode to optimize lighting.

• Network: How you stay connected is an important decision. The latest deals can help you select a phone and wireless provider.

For example, Samsung just unveiled its latest Galaxy S23 lineup, and T-Mobile is the only provider that can light up 5G standalone three-carrier aggregation, unleashing faster speeds and better responsiveness for some of the newest 5G smartphones – 16% faster speeds on average than phones without it.

when they choose the Magenta Max plan, that family gets four new phones and saves a total of $4000.

To learn more about Samsung’s latest Galaxy S23 Series lineup, visit www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/ brand/samsung.

• Security: Gone are the days of remembering a PIN or typing in a password to safely access your phone’s data.

Biometric security features like fingerprint, facial or voice recognition are crucial for keeping your private data secure.

• Phone Storage: Storage matters, especially if you’re a business owner, gaming enthusiast or social media influencer.

Read-Only Memory (ROM), the internal main storage on your

The more RAM you have, the more multitasking you can do. When purchasing a new phone, look for at least 6GB to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of ROM.

• Camera: Phones have nearly replaced traditional cameras, with 90% of people using only their smartphones to

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

And switching to what studies have shown is America’s largest, fastest and most reliable 5G network comes with perks.

New customers can get $200 off via a virtual prepaid card (allow 8 weeks) for each line they switch to T-Mobile – that’s $800 off for a family of four.

And paired with T-Mobile’s offer to save $800 on the new Samsung Galaxy S23 lineup via bill credits

Most new smartphones feature indisplay fingerprint screening and facial recognition, and more institutions like online banking apps are using this method now over passwords.

Other important deciding factors include overall phone display, size and water resistance.

Priorities may vary from person to person, but selecting what’s important for your new smartphone is something only you can determine. (StatePoint)

Solo Travel Tips - 7 Recommendations For Venturing Out Alone

(Family Features) Whether you’re a lone wolf at heart or looking to broaden your sense of independence, traveling solo can be a richly empowering and satisfying experience.

Setting out on your own has many practical advantages. You’re not worrying about accommodating another’s schedule, interest or needs, and you’re free to decide what you want to do and when. Solo travel also elicits some mental and emotional benefits, as you experience a unique sense of freedom, liberation and self-sufficiency.

If you’re considering a solo journey, consider these tips from the book “101+ Tips for Solo Women Travelers,” which is offered by Overseas Adventure Travel in free digital and print editions.

Make Sure Your Passport is Updated

Many countries now require your passport to be valid for six months after your return to the United States. If you don’t have a passport, or need to renew one, apply for one as soon as possible. Ideally you should have your application in six months before you depart. (Continued On Page 14)

South Asians 15 Times More Likely Die From Climate Change Impact: Guterres

South Asia is the hotspot of the climate crisis with the people there most prone to die from its impact, according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

“South Asia is one of the world’s global climate crisis hotspots -- in which people are 15 times more likely to die from climate impacts than elsewhere,” he said on Monday.

“As always, those developing countries least responsible (for climate change) are the first to suffer” because of it, he added at a UNsponsored fund-raising conference

affected by the floods that hit Sindh and Balochistan, killing more than 1,700 people and laying waste to 1.8 million hectare of farmland, according to the UN.

Guterres, who has made fighting climate change one of the major pillars of his agenda, held developed countries to their promise made at last year’s UN conference in Egypt on climate change to fund developing nations’ efforts to cope with it.

“Developed countries must deliver on their commitment to double adaptation finance, and meet the

“I am deeply frustrated that global leaders are not giving this life-ordeath emergency the action and investment it requires,” he added.

Guterres also brought up the issue of the international debt burden faced by some countries, notably Pakistan, which he called “a victim of the man-made disaster of a morally bankrupt global financial system”.

“I renew my call to global leaders and multilateral development banks to join forces and develop creative ways for developing countries to access debt relief and con-

FILMS. 13+ LANGUAGES. 10+ COUNTRIES. 1 FILM FESTIVAL.

The 8th Indie Meme Film Festival is a back this April, bringing the best of South Asian and Iranian cinema to audiences through in-person screenings, Q&A's, mixers, and filmmaker events

Nikki Haley Announces Run For President, Challenging Trump

(Continued From Page 01) But she changed her mind in recent months, citing, among other things, the country’s economic troubles and the need for “generational change,” a nod to the 76-year-old Trump’s age.

“You should know this about me. I don’t put up with bullies. And when you kick back, it hurts them more if you’re wearing heels,” Haley said. “I’m Nikki Haley, and I’m running for president.”

Haley, 51, is the first in a long line of Republicans who are expected to launch 2024 campaigns in the coming months. Among them are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

President Joe Biden has said he intends to seek reelection in 2024, stalling any jostling for the Democratic nomination. Haley has regularly boasted about her track record of defying political expectations, saying, “I’ve never lost an election, and I’m not going to start now.”

If elected, Haley would be the nation’s first female president and the first U.S. president of Indian descent. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley grew up enduring racist taunts in a small South Carolina town and has long referenced that impact on her personal and political arc.

In the three-and-a-half minute video, Haley referenced that past, saying she grew up “not Black, not white — I was different.” Despite that, Haley insisted that America is not a racist country: “Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Playing in the background of her video were images of media reports related to The New York Times Magazine’s Pulitzer Prizewinning “1619 Project” — which centered the country’s history around slavery. Haley never mentions Trump by name in the video, instead saying “the Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again.”

Haley leans into a call for “a new generation of leadership,” which has become the refrain of her messaging leading up to the launch. There appears to be openness among Republicans to new leadership, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. In an open-ended question asking Republicans to choose who they want to lead their party, a majority of Republicans didn’t choose either Trump or DeSantis, considered the former president’s top rival. But they also didn’t have a clear alternative in mind.

Eleven other politicians, including Haley, are named by just 1% of Republicans as their preferred leader.

In a statement, Taylor Budowich, spokesman for Trump’s super PAC, said Haley was “just another career politician.”

“She started out as a Never Trumper before resigning to serve in the Trump admin,” he said. “She then resigned early to go rake in money on corporate boards. Now, she’s telling us she represents a ‘new generation.’ Sure just looks like more of the same, a career politician whose only fulfilled commitment is to herself.”

Before entering politics, Haley

was an accountant. She defeated the longest-serving member of the South Carolina House in 2004 in her first bid for public office. Three terms later and with little statewide recognition, Haley mounted a long-shot campaign for governor against a large field of experienced politicians.

She racked up a number of highprofile endorsements, including from the sitting South Carolina governor, Mark Sanford, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a tea party darling.

With her 2010 victory, Haley became South Carolina’s first female and minority governor — and the nation’s youngest at 38.

She earned a speaking slot at the 2012 Republican National Convention and gave the GOP response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union in 2016.

The defining moment of Haley’s time as governor came after the 2015 murders of nine Black parishioners in a Charleston church by a self-avowed white supremacist who had been pictured holding Confederate flags.

For years, Haley had resisted calls to remove the Confederate flag

stering her own public persona.

One of her most memorable moments as U.N. ambassador came in 2018 after National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow suggested Haley had suffered “momentary confusion” when she said Russian sanctions were imminent.

“With all due respect, I don’t get confused,” she responded. The first half of the quote became the title of her 2019 memoir.

Her departure from the job later that year fueled speculation that she would challenge Trump in 2020 or replace Pence on the ticket. She did neither.

from the Statehouse grounds, even casting a rival’s push for its removal as a desperate stunt. But after the massacre and with the support of other leading Republicans, Haley advocated for legislation to remove the flag. It came down less than a month after the murders.

In the 2016 presidential primary, Haley was an early supporter of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, later shifting to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. She ultimately said she would back the party’s nominee.

Shortly after Trump’s victory, he tapped Haley to be his U.N. ambassador, a move that rewarded Henry McMaster, the lieutenant governor who was the nation’s first statewide elected official to back Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Haley’s departure cleared the way for McMaster to ascend to the governorship he had sought, since losing a bruising primary to none other than Haley seven years earlier.

With her Senate confirmation, Haley became the first Indian American in a presidential Cabinet.

During her nearly two-year tenure, Haley feuded at times with other administration officials while bol-

Instead, Haley returned to South Carolina, where she bought a home on the wealthy enclave Kiawah Island, joined the board of aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co., launched herself on the speaking circuit and wrote two books, including the memoir.

After the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection, Haley initially cast doubts on Trump’s political future but said she wouldn’t challenge him in 2024.

She later shifted course, citing inflation, crime, drugs and a “foreign policy in disarray” among her reasons for considering a White House campaign.

During his South Carolina stop last month, Trump told WIS-TV that Haley had called to seek his opinion on running for president. Trump pointed out her earlier pledge not to run against him but said he made no attempt to stop her.

“She said she would never run against me because I was the greatest president, but people change their opinions, and they change what’s in their hearts,” Trump said. “So I said, ‘If your heart wants to do it, you have to go do it.’” (Courtesy: https://apnews.com/)

Dr. Sharmila Makhija Walton School Of Medicine Founding Dean, CEO

By Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj. com)

he Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) announced Monday (Feb. 13) the hiring of Dr. Sharmila Makhija as its founding dean and CEO. Makhija will begin the job in May 2023.

First announced in March 2021, the medical school is a standalone sister organization of Bentonville nonprofit Whole Health Institute, created in 2020 by Walmart Inc. heiress and philanthropist Alice Walton.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Makhija to the AWSOM team and to the region,” Walton said in a statement. “Her background and commitment to medical education will advance our work in equipping physicians to tackle challenges of the 21st century by focusing on the physical, mental, social, and emotional health of the people and communities we serve.”

According to the release, Makhija’s expertise utilizes a collaborative approach across the healthcare delivery system. She is a surgeon and women’s health expert, most recently working as department chair of obstetrics and gynecology and women’s health, professor of gynecologic oncology, and the Chella and Moise Safra Endowed Chair at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System in Bronx, N.Y.

“Sharmila has an impressive career that spans academic, clinical, and business settings — and tremendous success in inspiring teams and communities,” said Walter Harris, president of healthcare transformation for Art and Wellness Enterprises (AWE), a services organization supporting nonprofits founded by Alice Walton, including AWSOM and Whole Health Institute.

“Her leadership and passion will promote the vision to transform medical education and care, starting with creating a new pipeline of physicians.”

AWSOM is being built on approximately 20 acres east of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

along Northeast J Street, north of First Presbyterian Church.

Construction of the 154,000-square-foot building will start this spring. Polk Stanley Wilcox is the lead architect for the project. Crossland Construction is the general contractor.

“The opportunity to build a medical school from the ground up, with the vision of philanthropist, Alice Walton, is a dream come true,” Makhija said in a news release.

“Healthcare delivery is fractured and in need of transformation so that all Americans can have access to the respectful care they deserve.

Training the doctors of the future, within a culture of diversity and inclusivity, is central to that transformation. Our goal is to build a new medical school and be a leader in improving health and wellness. I can’t wait to meet the wonderful community of Northwest Arkansas and get started!”

Makhija earned her B.A. in chemistry from Cornell University, her medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at the University of Louisville Hospital and a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

She received her executive MBA from Emory’s Goizueta Business School. She has held faculty positions at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she contin-

ued as a WRHR scholar, tenured associate professor and received the medical education award and the Argus Teaching Award from the medical school.

At Emory University, she was division chief of gynecologic oncology, a Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Cancer Scholar, and the Leach Endowed Chair in obstetrics and gynecology. She served as department chair of obstetrics, gynecology and women’s health, tenured professor of gynecologic oncology, and the Donald E. Baxter Endowed Chair in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

While at the University of Louisville, she was the chief medical and operations officer for the Center for Women’s and Infants and an instructor for the course “Economics of Health Sector Management” at the UofL College of Business, executive MBA program. She presently serves on the board of Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit founded by Christy Turlington Burns focused on improving maternal health care worldwide; the Clinical Leadership Committee of the American Hospital Association; and as deputy editor of JAAPI, a peer-reviewed medical and healthcare journal of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI).

Makhija has received numerous awards for her dedication to women’s health, including the Spirit of Achievement Award at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Humanitarian Hero, Good Housekeeping.

An international expert on gynecologic cancer, Makhija’s hiring is notable because, according to the most recent data available from the Association of American Medical Colleges, women account for 16% of medical school deans.Pending accreditation, AWSOM will welcome its first class of students in 2025. (Courtesy: https://talkbusiness.net/)

Southwestern National Bank Scholarship 2023

$1,000 Scholarship Awards

About The Southwestern National Bank Scholarship Program

Southwestern National Bank Scholarship Program is funded by Southwestern National Bank (Member FDIC) to recognize and assist outstanding high school graduates reduce the financial burden for college.

Southwestern National Bank Scholars are selected based on their financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement. Each year a total of $5,000.00 will be awarded to five selected scholars. Each scholar will be awarded $1,000.00.

Eligibility

1. Demonstrates financial need for college tuition, book & supplies, and expenses

2. U.S. high school graduating seniors

3. Has a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (un-weighted)

4. Will enroll in an accredited U.S. college full-time for the entire academic year 2023/2024

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

1. A completed Southwestern National Bank Scholarship Application Form

2. An official high school transcript

3. Copies of the most recent document(s) demonstrating the financial need (Family’s 1040 Federal Income Tax Return Form, qualification for School Free/Re-

duced Lunch Program, etc.)

4. Two letters of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, and/or other advisors

5. A two-page typed essay stating why you should be awarded a scholarship. Please include:

• Financial need for this scholarship for educational purposes

• Personal and academic achievements. Give specific examples.

• Academic plans and career goals. Give specific examples.

• Past and current involvement, as well as future towards making a difference in your community

Application Process & Award Announcement

1.Please send your application package to Southwestern National Bank, Attention Scholarship Program-Ling Chuang, 6901 Corporate Drive, Houston, Texas 77036.

2. Applications and all supporting documents must be received by May 15, 2023, for application to be considered.

3. An interview may be part of the application process for all semifinalists.

4. Scholarships for the 2023 Scholarship program will be announced by mail in June 2023.

Please Contact Us

For scholarship application and information, please contact the Scholarship Coordinator by e-mail at ling.chuang@swnbk.com

Indie Meme Is Back With The 8th Indie Meme Film Festival & It’s 10th Year In The Community!

Indie Meme, a non-profit organization supporting independent cinema and filmmakers from South Asia and Iran, is excited to announce the return of the Indie Meme Film Festival (IMFF2023). Additionally, it’s Indie Meme’s 10th year in the community facilitating conversations through socially relevant, independent cinema from South Asia & Iran, as well as forums designed for exchange of perspectives. Scheduled from April 12 to April 16, this film festival will be held at the Austin Film Society theater, providing the perfect backdrop for the best in independent cinema.

With more than 20 films covering over 13 different languages from 10 different countries, the 8th Indie Meme Film Festival is set to be one of the most exciting events of the year! From short films, feature films and documentaries, this film festival aims to showcase a spectrum of diverse stories from the most talented filmmakers from South Asia. Oscar Nominations, Debut films, INternational & US Premiers, Celebrities and Controversies are all a part of this year’s programming!

One of the highlights of IMFF 2023 is the Opening Night Indian film “Goldfish”, presented by filmmaker Pushan Kriplani with the lead star, actor Kalki Koechlin in attendance. “Goldfish” is a powerful and touching film that tells the story of a young woman who returns home to deal with her mother’s dementia and the scars of her childhood. With its insightful portrayal of mental health and complex family relationships, “Goldfish” is sure to be one of the most talked-about films of the festival this year.

The Oscar nominated “Tell It Like Woman” with filmmaker Leena Yadav in attendance will be the

South Asia Diaspora ( films set in the US, Canada, Australia and UK) all make the diverse and representative slate of this year’s programming.

African Elephants Now Listed As Endangered

Photo: Jeremy Goss

415,000 elephants remain in Africa, across both species.

kick off event of Imff2023. It’s an anthology of short films, made by women, about women set in 7 different countries and the song ‘Applause’ from the soundtrack of the film by songwriter Diane Warren, is nominated at the Academy Awards this year.

The not to be missed, Iranian film “Leila’s Brothers” will have its Texas Premier at the 8th Indie Meme Film Festival. Saeed Roustaee’s film was touted as “‘The Godfather’ of Tehran” by critics. Taraneh Alidoosti’s performance is riveting as Leila!

Indie Meme is proud to have scored TWO Internationals Premiers this year - “Dhabari Quruvi” and “Eikhoigi Yum”

“Dhabari Quruvi” (Sparrow, It’s father Is Unknown) by the veteran filmmaker, Priyanandanan is an exquisitely shot film featuring a completely indigenous ( tribal) cast from Attappadi, Kerala. In the Irula language, the film will screen at Imff2023, with hopefully the filmmaker in attendance.

The inspiring & beautiful “Eikhoigi Yum” (Our Home) a Manipuri film directed by Romi Meitei features an 11yr old boy, from a fishing community in Loktak Lake, who has an undaunting spirit to excel at school against all. The filmmaker will be in attendance for its International Premier!

In addition to these the 8th Indie Meme Film Festival will also feature a variety of genres and themes centered around intersectionality, queer experiences, socio-political complexities, and many others.

Films from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan as well as the

The contender for the Best International Documentary at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards - “All That Breathes” will also be one of the highlights of IMFF2023. Team Indie Meme will be rooting for it at the Oscars!

Author, Historian, Vivek Bald & stand up artist, actor and comedian Alaudin Ullah’s “In Search of Bengali Harlem” will have it’s Texas Premier with them in attendance.

Indie Meme is also delighted to feature Alum filmmaker Vinay Shukla’s 2nd documentary “While We Watched” at the 8th film festival, having screened his first documentary feature “An Insignificant Man” in 2017 at the 2nd Indie Meme Film Festival!

Whether you’re a fan of independent film or simply looking for unique entertainment, the upcoming Indie Meme Film Festival is the perfect place to be.

To make sure you don’t miss out on the fun, be sure to buy your badges for the 8th Indie Meme Film Festival on Indiememe.org/IMFF2023. And if you’re a fan of independent cinema and South Asian & Iranian culture, this is an event you won’t want to miss. This festival solidifies Austin’s place on the World map as it continues to be “the best international passport” as awarded by The Austin Chronicle in 2016.

About Indie Meme Org:

Indie Meme is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting independent cinema and filmmakers from South Asia & Iran. With a focus on promoting diversity and cultural exchange, Indie Meme provides a platform for the best in independent South Asian cinema, and brings the work of these talented filmmakers to audiences across the United States.

In an unprecedented decision, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species has just separated African elephants (which have historically been treated as one species) into two distinct species—forest and savannah—and elevated their respective statuses from “vulnerable” to “critically endangered” and “endangered.”

Previously, due to a lack of scientific data on elephant population

These assessments and population trends are extremely worrisome, but the change in status may come with a silver lining, if it results in new resources and attention being directed to the poaching crisis and other pressures faced by elephants.

As rangers across Africa put their lives on the line to protect elephants and stem the supply of ivory to Asia, we hope to also see increasingly stiffer penalties for convicted poachers and traffickers of ivory.

It is possible that the elevation in status could trigger increased poaching attempts, as rarer animal parts from species with greater potential to go extinct in the wild are often in higher demand on the black market and in places where ivory is still legally traded.

genetics, the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and the African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) were treated as a single species by the IUCN.

However, new genetic research has made it possible to assess their individual populations, resulting in more accurate listings that will hopefully translate into more meaningful protection across the continent. Based on recent assessments, the African forest elephant—whose population fell by more than 86% over a 31-year period—has been listed as “critically endangered.”

The African savannah elephant has been listed as “endangered,” in response to a population decline of at least 60% in the past 50 years.Current estimates suggest that around

But it is important to recognize that some subpopulations of elephants are actually thriving due to successful conservation efforts, such as in the Greater Amboseli ecosystem we strive to protect.

This includes not only tireless anti-poaching and anti-trafficking efforts, but also diligent humanwildlife conflict mitigation and appropriate land-use planning to allow space and resources for elephants and other migrating wildlife.

In Big Life’s area of operation, we are proud that zero elephants have been poached for the last 2+ consecutive years, and the local population is thriving.With your help, we intend to keep it that way. Protecting these animals, and their habitat, is more important now than ever. Thank you, as always, for your support. (Courtesy: https:// biglife.org/)

How To Perform Your Own Home Energy Audit

Running a household can get expensive. Between regular maintenance and utility costs, things can add up quickly over the course of a month.

One of the most costly parts of owning a house is typically heating and cooling. If your house isn’t sealed or energy efficient, your heating and cooling costs may climb every season.

However, an energy audit is one way to find air leaks and other inefficiencies around your house. Consider these tips from the experts at Best Pick Reports to perform a home energy audit and take steps to address any issues.

What to Look for During the Home Energy Audit

Attic

• Check to see if the holes for your wiring, plumbing and piping are properly sealed and insulated.

• Check the hatch leading into the attic for air leaks. Test for air leaks by closing all the windows and doors then turning on the air conditioner or furnace. Hold a lit stick

of incense near the hatch. If the smoke rises between the hatch and the frame, there might be a leak.

Ductwork

• Test for air leaks by turning on the heat or air conditioning in your home and feeling the ducts for any leaks. If you aren’t sure, shine a flashlight on the ducts and see if any dust is blowing.

Furnace and Water Heater

• Check the manufacture date on the furnace and water heater. These appliances lose efficiency over time. Furnaces should be replaced after 25 years, on average. Water heaters should be replaced after 10 years.

• Check your water heater’s insulation. If the water heater is hot to the touch, it isn’t retaining heat properly.

• Check the furnace filter. If it’s dirty or hasn’t been replaced within the last three months, your HVAC system may be working too hard.

Windows and Doors

• Check for drafty windows or

doors by closing all the windows and doors then turning off the air conditioner, furnace and fans.

Hold a lit stick of incense near all sides of the window or door frame and underneath the door. The direction the smoke wafts will tell you if there’s a draft.

What to Do After Your Home Energy Audit

Now it’s time to address any issues you found. Some of these fixes are straightforward enough you can likely handle them on your own. For others, you might need to bring in a professional.

Attic

• Seal holes around wires or pipes with high-temperature, flexible caulk or spray foam.

• Insulate your attic hatch by attaching foam insulation to the back of the hatch. If the hatch door doesn’t have weather stripping, add some.

Ductwork

• Repair leaky ductwork with duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape.

• Insulate ducts as needed with duct insulation material rated at least R-6.

Furnace and Water Heater

• Replace furnace filters at least every three months.

• Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket (R-8 or higher).

• Insulate the pipes attached to your water heater with foam pipe insulation or insulating tape.

Windows and Doors

• Replace failed caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors.

• Add a door sweep to exterior doors to eliminate the gap between the floor and the bottom of the door.

These home energy audit fixes are often just the beginning of making your house more efficient. To maximize your home’s efficiency, hire a professional home energy auditor to do a full inspection, both inside and outside. Visit bestpickreports. com and fivestarrated.com to find experts in your neighborhood.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images (Family Features)

Solo Travel Tips - 7 Recommendations For Venturing Out Alone

(Continued From Page 08)

Look for Trips with No Single Supplement

Often, quoted rates are “per person, based on double occupancy.” This is because travel hosts know they can make more from a couple traveling than an individual. You can avoid paying a single supplement premium by being willing to match with a roommate or traveling with a tour company or cruise line with free or low-cost single supplement fees.

Use the ATM

As an affordable and convenient way to get cash, you can avoid wasting time in line at a bank or currency exchange bureau by visiting an ATM.

While you’ll likely incur a fee for

using an ATM that’s not part of your bank, it is often less than the commission you’d pay at an exchange bureau. Plus, you can avoid additional fees by calculating how much you’ll need for the trip and making one withdrawal as opposed to multiple smaller withdrawals.

Download Entertainment Before You Leave

When traveling, Wi-Fi can be expensive, slow or just not available. Before you leave, download music, e-books, podcasts, favorite tv shows or movies to enjoy while

you’re en route or during down time.

Join Group Tours

Once you reach your destination, you may enjoy joining small groups for excursions or to explore local cuisine. Or you can make your entire journey a group experience.

A small group adventure with Overseas Adventure Travel has many benefits, and built-in dining companions is just one of them.

Take Precautions in Your Hotel Room

When you check in, ask the receptionist to write your room number down instead of announcing it so everyone can hear. Make sure your room’s locks work on both the door into the hallway and the balcony.

Never let any repair person or staff member into your room without confirming with the front desk first. Bring a rubber doorstop, which makes a hotel room door nearly impossible to open. Finally, have an exit plan: Know where the nearest exit is located and the route from your room.

Make New Friends

For some, making friends seems to happen naturally while traveling alone by chatting with strangers at a neighboring restaurant table or striking up a conversation while waiting in line at a store. If those situations don’t occur naturally, there are useful apps that can connect you with local people as well as fellow travelers.

Find more tips to prepare for your journey at oattravel.com.

Whatsapp Starts

Rolling

Out

Picture-In-Picture Mode For Video Calls On Iphones

Instant messaging platform WhatsApp has finally started rolling out picture-in-picture mode for video calls on iOS, as spotted earlier by 9to5Mac, reported The Verge, an American technology news website.

mode, although you might need to wait a little while before using it as WhatsApp says this feature will roll out the feature “over the coming weeks” and the same goes for the handful of other features bundled in the update, reported

Does COVID-19 Impact Cardiovascular Health?

While the world seems to have reset back to pre-covid life, many are still recovering from a myriad of health problems often referred to as long COVID. Even if the COVID-19 infection was mild, lingering symptoms can appear weeks or months after detection and can happen to anyone.

Persistent tiredness, dizziness, a racing or pounding heart, chest pain, shortness of breath, joint or muscle pains, brain fog, and anxiety, are all symptoms of long COVID observed in affected patients.

Alongside long COVID cases, we are seeing that sudden cardiac arrest cases have also significantly increased in India, especially in younger age groups. According to research from the American Heart Journal, people in their mid-30s to mid-40s are witnessing a 13% increase in sudden cardiac arrest.

A possible link between COVID-19 & Heart Health

Patients with a history of COVID-19 should pay extra attention to their cardiovascular health. Research has shown that the risk of developing heart ailments is ‘substantially’ higher among COVID-19 survivors than those with no history of the infection. “Individuals who have previously been diag-

al in their 30s must undergo timely preventive screenings, evaluate familial risks, and take appropriate action. Even if one is occupied with work, one must try to incorporate some exercise into their schedule. Everyone must be mindful of their diet, gain strength, and practice breathing exercises and yoga to keep the body active.

“Patients who are at risk of experiencing heart ailments or more

According to the outlet, this feature, which WhatsApp first started testing last year, lets users open up other apps during video calls without any disruptions.

WhatsApp will reduce your video call to a small window that sits atop whichever app you go to, similar to FaceTime’s picture-inpicture mode.

This enables you to participate in the call while looking up information online, reading a relevant book, or even playing a game.

The most recent WhatsApp update for iOS (version 23.3.77) gives users access to picture-in-picture

The addition of customizable avatars that you can use as stickers and profile images, support for longer group descriptions and subjects, and the option to add subtitles when sending documents are all examples of this.

As per The Verge, WhatsApp also introduced brand-new status capabilities earlier this month that allows users to share their status with a select group of people, reply to someone else’s status with an emoji, record voice updates, and more.

(Courtesy : https://www.businessstandard.com/)

The correlation between heart health and COVID-19 is something that cardiologists and researchers are probing into across the world. To investigate this further, a study is being conducted by The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Several cardiologists and forensic experts from AIIMS will conduct a review of the most recent cases of sudden cardiac arrests and a verbal autopsy, to determine the cause of death – COVID-19 being one of them.

“COVID-19 affects one’s organ systems in numerous ways, especially Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS), where different body parts swell up, affecting their functioning.

While most individuals recover completely after 12 weeks, in some cases, the symptoms can last longer. It is challenging to draw a definitive conclusion on long covid causing chronic health issues given the unavailability of global data,” says Dr Rakesh Kumar Jaswal, Director & HOD Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Mohali. However, if one complains of persistent chest pain that is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating, or shortness of breath, urgent medical intervention is advised.

nosed with a heart ailment such as heart rhythm disorder, suffered a heart attack, have a weak heart or have a family history of cardiovascular diseases are the most vulnerable to a sudden cardiac arrest,” adds Jaswal.

Individuals with any of these conditions are at a high risk of long COVID and must remain extra cautious, keeping their heart health as the main priority. Additionally, if the individual suffers from any of the below symptoms, a medical checkup is advised on an immediate basis:

Chest pain

Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeats

Unexplained high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing

Shortness of breath

Fainting or near fainting

Lightheadedness

Effective Surveillance is Key

To reduce the risk of heart ailments and prevent cardiac arrests, it is recommended that every individu-

specifically cardiac arrests can get an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) device. It is a device that can monitor and improve the heartbeat and deliver electrical shocks during potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias to restore the normal heart rate.

It is a tiny, battery-operated device that is inserted into the chest to track patients’ heartbeats and identify irregularities,” opines Jaswal.

With the rising cases of sudden cardiac arrests across the country, the more everyone knows about the condition, the more prepared they will be to handle an emergency.

Individuals must take the appropriate steps to keep their hearts healthy and talk to experts about cardiac arrest warning signs, ensure people around are equipped with the right training in CPR and have information about the advanced treatment ahead.

(Courtesy: https://www.news18. com/)

The Verge.

Kick Winter’s Chill With Hearty Chowder

help prevent disease, making them a key source of nutrients during wintertime.

When your family needs a warm-up on those frosty days, put sweetpotatoes at the center of mealtime (with an added kick) in this Jalapeno Sweetpotato Chowder. Loaded with the flavors of winter comfort, it’s a filling meal that makes enough for a crowd so no one goes hungry.

Visit ncsweetpotatoes.com to find more comforting meal ideas.

Colder, shorter days call for a little comfort. Cozying up with a hearty meal on brisk winter evenings can help fight off the chill while savoring favorite flavors alongside the ones you love.

Avoid venturing into the cold for a trip to the store by turning to a pantry staple like sweetpotatoes. As one of the most versatile veggies, they’re easy to add to a variety of recipes while enhancing both flavor and nutrition. Perfectly suitable for

both simple and elevated dishes, they can be baked, microwaved, grilled, slow cooked or prepared on the stove so their sweet taste

never goes out of style.

Their long shelf life – up to four weeks if stored properly in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources –means you can rely on sweetpotatoes throughout the winter as an on-hand ingredient.

Additionally, as a “diabetes superfood” according to the American Diabetes Association, they’re rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health and may

Jalapeno Sweetpotato Chowder

Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission

Servings: 6

2 large North Carolina sweetpotatoes, baked

1 small onion, 1/4-inch diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 quart chicken or vegetable stock

2 cups cooked chicken, cubed

1 1/2 cups whole corn kernels

2 teaspoons minced jalapenos

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon salt

chopped scallions, for garnish

Peel baked sweetpotatoes; discard skin and puree.

In soup pot, saute onion in butter until softened. Add pureed sweetpotato and stock, as desired. Bring to boil, reducing liquid slightly.

Add chicken, corn, jalapenos, heavy cream and salt. Simmer 10 minutes.

To serve, ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped scallions. (Family Features)

3 Steps To Help Pets Achieve And Maintain A Healthy Weight

Pet parents often show love for their pets with food. However, that extra “love” can lead to weight gain, which can increase the risk of developing other medical conditions.

More than 50% of pets are overweight, but 90% of pet parents with an overweight pet don’t realize it, according to research from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a global leader in science-led nutrition.

To help transform the lives of pets, Drs. Vernard Hodges and Terrence Ferguson, stars of Nat Geo Wild’s “Critter Fixers: Country Vets,” are encouraging pet parents to take a proactive approach to maintaining their pet’s weight.

“As veterinarians, we want every pet to live a long and healthy life,” Hodges said. “That’s why pet parents should actively monitor their pet’s weight and address it in real time with the guidance of their veterinarian.

We are proud to be a part of Hill’s ‘End Pet Obesity’ campaign to help pet parents learn about the

impact of even a few extra pounds and equip them with the tools and resources they need to help their pets achieve and maintain a healthy weight.”

Consider these simple steps to get started:

Take the L.O.V.E. Test

To help assess a pet’s weight, use the L.O.V.E. Test, which includes four simple actions:

Locate the pet’s ribs

Observe from above

View from the side

Evaluate feeding behavior

“Sometimes, under all their beautiful fur, it’s hard to realize our pets have gained weight, and even just a few extra pounds can have an impact on their energy and overall wellness,” Ferguson said.

“Taking the L.O.V.E test is an easy way to evaluate a pet’s body condition to determine if it’s time to take action.”

Pet parents who have concerns about their pet’s weight should seek their veterinarian’s guidance. Conversation starters include:

Is my pet at an ideal weight?

How can I help my pet reach an ideal weight?

How can food help manage my pet’s weight?

Switch to the Right Food

“Obesity is one of the greatest health risks for pets, and what a pet eats is one of the most important decisions a pet parent can make,” Ferguson said.

“Whether your pet is a new addition to the family or has just eaten a little too much, now is a great time for pet parents to reset nutritional habits and make sure their pet is at a healthy weight – starting with the food they feed.”

Pet parents should work with their veterinarian to choose the right food to support their pet’s weight

loss journey. Weight management products can help pets achieve an ideal weight, including Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight, which has shown to lead to weight loss within 10 weeks in 70% of pets fed this nutritional food. For obese pets, veterinarians may recommend a therapeutic food.

“We have been studying the impact of nutrition on how pets’ bodies function for over a decade,” said Dr. Karen Shenoy, chief veterinary officer of Hill’s Pet Nutrition U.S. “We learned lean pets have a different biology than overweight pets.

This guided our development of formulas that both help support a pet’s metabolism for a healthy body weight and taste great. With the guidance of a veterinarian, it can be as simple as feeding the right kind of ‘love’ to lose the weight.”

To learn more and access free tools and resources for pet weight management, visit endpetobesity.com.

Schedule a Visit with a Veterinarian

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (Family Features)

Nathu La Pass

Nathu La is a mountain pass in the Dongkya Range of the Himalayas between China’s Yadong County in Tibet, and the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal in Bengal, South Asia.

The pass, at 4,310 m (14,140 ft), connects the towns of Kalimpong and Gangtok to the villages and towns of the lower Chumbi Valley.

The pass was surveyed by J. W. Edgar in 1873, who described the pass as being used for trade by Tibetans. Francis Younghusband used the pass in 1903-1904, a diplomatic British delegation to Lhasa in 1936-37, and Ernst Schäfer in 1938–1939. In the 1950s, trade in the Kingdom of Sikkim utilized this pass.

Diplomatically sealed by China and India after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the pass saw skirmishes between the two countries in com-

ing years, including the clashes in 1967 which resulted in fatalities on both sides. Nathu La has often been compared to Jelep La, a mountain pass situated at a distance of 3 miles (4.8 km).

The next few decades saw an improvement in ties leading to the reopening of Nathu La in 2006. The opening of the pass provides an

alternative route to the pilgrimage of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, and was expected to bolster the economy of the region by playing a key role in the growing Sino-Indian trade. However, while trade has had a net positive impact, it under-performed, and is limited to specific types of goods and to specific days of the week. Weather conditions including heavy snow-

fall restricts border trade to around 7 to 8 months.

Roads to the pass have been improved on both sides. Rail routes have been brought closer. It is part of the domestic tourist circuit in south-east Sikkim.

Soldiers from both sides posted at Nathu La are among the closest along the entire Sino-India border.

It is also one of the five Border Personnel Meeting points between the two armies of both countries. 2020 border tensions and the coronavirus pandemic has affected tourism and movement across the pass.

Name and meaning

The name “Nathu La” is traditionally interpreted as “the whistling pass”, or more commonly as the “listening ears pass”. The Chinese

The Biggest Fool In The Kingdom!

King Krishnadevaraya loved horses and had the best collection of horse breeds in the Kingdom. Well, one day, a trader came to the King and told him that he had brought with him a horse of the best breed in Arabia.

He invited the King to inspect the horse. King Krishnadevaraya loved the horse; so the trader said that the King could buy this one and that he had two more like this one, back in Arabia that he would go back to get.

The King loved the horse so much that he had to have the other two as well. He paid the trader 5000 gold coins in advance.

The trader promised that he would return within two days with the other horses.

Two days turned into two weeks, and still, there was no sign of the trader and the two horses. One evening, to ease his mind, the King went on a stroll in his garden. There he spotted Tenali Raman

writing down something on a piece of paper. Curious, the King asked Tenali what he was jotting down.

Tenali Raman was hesitant, but after further questioning, he showed the King the paper. On the paper was a list of names, the King’s be-

ing at the top of the list. Tenali said these were the names of the biggest fools in the Vijayanagara Kingdom!

As expected, the King was furious that his name was at the top and asked Tenali Raman for an explanation.

government explains it as “a place where snow is deepest and the wind strongest”.

According to G. S. Bajpai, it means “flat ground from where the hill features gradually rise to right and left”. Lepcha people who are native to the region call it ma-tho hlo/ na tho lo; which may have possibly evolved to the present usage of the word.

Geography

Map of south-east Sikkim and lower Chumbi Valley (Survey of India, 1923): Nathu La, labelled ‘Natu La’, depicted with a cart track passing through it.

Nathu La is a mountain pass on the Dongkya Range that separates Sikkim and the Chumbi Valley at an elevation of 14,250 feet (4,340 m). The pass is 52–54 kilometres (32–34 mi) east of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, and 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Yatung Shasima, the headquarters of the Yadong County (or the Chumbi Valley).

Tenali referred to the horse story, saying the King was a fool to believe that the trader, a stranger, would return after receiving 5000 gold coins.

Countering his argument, the King then asked, what happens if/ when the trader does come back?

In true Tenali humour, he replied saying, in that case, the trader would be a bigger fool, and his name would replace the King’s on the list!

Moral – Don’t believe strangers blindly.

Nathu La is one of the three frequently-used passes between Sikkim and the Chumbi Valley, the other two being Cho La and Jelep La. Historically, Nathu La served Gangtok, while Cho La served the former Sikkim capital Tumlong and Jelep La served Kalimpong in West Bengal.

Nathu La is mere 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Jelep La, as the crow flies, but the travel distance could be as much as 10 miles (16 km). On the Tibetan side, the Chola route led to Chumbi, the Nathu La route led to a village called Chema and the Jelep La route led to Rinchengang, all in the lower Chumbi Valley.

Even today, heavy snowfall causes the closure of the pass, with temperatures as low as −25 °C (−13 °F) and strong winds.

The Nathu La and Jelep La passes were part of the trade routes of the British Empire during the 19th and early 20th century.

Kids Corner

Building A Strong Financial Foundation For Kids: Tips And Strategies For Parents

By Ankoor Pathak Junior at Vandegrift High School Austin, TX

The current inflation situation, cost of living, and job losses are top-ofmind concerns for many people. With more people living paycheck to paycheck (about 64% of Americans*) and the lack of adequate retirement savings, it’s important for kids to learn the basics of sound financial management.

Here are five strategies they can use to start building good financial habits.

1. Understand Needs and Wants

Differentiating between needs and wants is an essential skill in personal finance. It’s important to teach

kids to prioritize their spending on necessities, such as food, shelter, and clothing, before indulging in wants like expensive items, entertainment, and eating out.

By teaching kids to prioritize their spending on necessities first, they will be better equipped to make informed financial decisions in the future.

This will help them avoid overspending on wants and leave enough money for their future financial goals. Living within the means creates a foundation for a stable financial future and avoids financial hardship in adulthood.

2. Avoid Impulsive buying habit

Prioritizing delayed gratification

over instant gratification is a key aspect of personal finance. Teaching kids the difference between buying something today and saving up for it is important.

For example, if they want a new video game system, they might be tempted to buy such a game system on a credit card now. However, if they save their money and wait until the Cyber Monday sale, they can buy the same game system using the saved money at very likely a cheaper price.

This concept can also be applied to larger financial decisions, such as saving for a home, a new car, or an expensive vacation. Teaching kids the value of saving and waiting for what they want will lead them to avoid impulse purchases that

can harm their long-term financial goals. Delayed gratification also helps kids develop patience and discipline, two important qualities in personal finance management. Achieving financial freedom is mostly a test of delayed gratification.

3. Learn Budgeting

The 50-30-20 budgeting rule is a popular, simple, and effective way for kids to understand money management. This rule suggests dividing their income into three categories: 50% for necessities, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and investments.

The 50-30-20 rule emphasizes the importance of setting aside money for savings and investments, which can help kids achieve their financial goals in the future.

Adherence to a budget plan assures living within the means or living within your income level. By teaching kids about budgeting, parents can equip them with the tools they need to achieve financial security and independence.

4. Understand the Power of Compounding

Compounding is the process of earning interest on interest. Taking advantage of compounding is a crucial aspect of personal finance management. Teaching kids about the importance of saving and investing early is very important. The earlier they start saving and investing, the more time their money has to grow through the power of compounding.

If a 22 yr. old college graduate invests $1000 each month till age 60, he/she would have accrued $3.8 million assuming an average 9% return each year. But a delay of 10 years would have accrued $1.5 million.

Kids need to understand that they need to start investing at an early age and continue over many years.

To take advantage of compounding, kids should aim to save at least 20% of their income. This saved money can be invested in well-researched mutual funds, bonds, and/ or large-cap company stocks.

5. Balance of Savings/Investments and Fun

The 50-30-20 budgeting rule allocates 30% of your income towards wants, which can be used for entertainment, leisure activities, etc. It is possible to enjoy life while still living within your means. By budgeting for needs, wants and savings one can have fun and enjoy life while still being financially responsible.

It is important to remember that while it is okay to have fun and spend money on wants, it is crucial not to exceed the budget and spend beyond one’s means. This can lead to financial stress and difficulties, which can undermine the goal of achieving financial stability.

In conclusion, teaching kids about personal finance is essential in today’s world where the economy is constantly fluctuating, and people are not able to manage their finances properly.

By imparting financial literacy to their kids at a young age, parents are developing a solid financial foundation for them that is essential for building long-term financial freedom.

* CNBC: Lending Club’s paycheck-to-paycheck report is based on a survey of nearly 4,000 U.S. adults in December 2022.

Planning A Balanced, Plant-Based Diet For Kids

Caregivers who follow a vegetarian, vegan or other plant-based diet may wonder whether it’s wise for their children to follow the same eating plan.

A well-balanced vegetarian diet can meet a baby or child’s needs, although it’s important to make sure children eating plant-based diets are getting enough protein-rich plant foods and other essential nutrients, according to Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN.

If you’re contemplating a plantbased diet for your child, you can learn more about the essential nutrients every child needs with this insight from Malkani and the nutrition experts at Plum Organics.

Iron

Starting at about 6 months, babies’ iron reserves are low and they need iron from food sources. Iron is essential for brain development and healthy immune systems, as well as overall growth. Heme iron from animal-based foods is absorbed better than non-heme iron found in plant foods, but you can increase the absorption of non-heme iron by offering meals that include a plant source of iron – found in foods like beans, legumes, quinoa, chia seeds, leafy greens, nuts, nut butters and tofu – and a vitamin C-rich food, such as broccoli, strawberries or cantaloupe. Vitamin C helps boost non-heme iron absorption.

Vitamin B12

Important for development of the nervous system, vitamin B12 also plays a role in the prevention of anemia and affects some behavior and mood regulation. Dietary sources of B12 include primarily animal products (meat, fish, eggs and milk), although some B12 can be found in nutritional yeast and fortified cereals. Infants likely get enough vitamin B12 from breast milk or formula, but as their milk intake begins to taper between 9-12 months, vegan babies may benefit from supplementation.

Vitamin D

Most people know vitamin D is good for strengthening teeth and bones, but it also supports calcium

absorption and promotes optimal functioning of the immune system. The only known naturally occurring plant-based food source of vitamin D is some varieties of mushrooms. Formula-fed infants drinking more than 32 fluid ounces do not generally need a supplement, but breastfeeding infants may need to be supplemented.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These essential fatty acids are important for brain development,

learning and behavior. There are three types of omega-3s, including EPA, DHA and ALA. EPA and DHA, the most critical, are found mainly in fish or algae. Breast milk and formula often contain omega3s, as well. For plant-based tots who don’t eat fish, the ALA in foods like chia seeds, flax seeds and walnuts can be an important source of omega-3 fatty acids. Consider an option like the Mango & Pineapple, White Bean, Butternut Squash & Oats

blend from Plum Organics, which provides omega-3 ALA from chia seeds and offers a convenient way to add important nutrients to a toddler’s plant-based diet.

Calcium

Calcium is important for strengthening bones and teeth, as well as muscular and nervous systems and heart function. For most infants, formula, breast milk or a combination of the two will provide adequate intake of calcium. Plant-based dietary sources of calcium include tofu, beans, fortified cereals, green leafy vegetables, tahini, sesame seeds and almond butter.

Zinc

In addition to the important role it plays in immune health, overall growth and development, zinc is a vital component of cell turnover and repair. Breast milk provides adequate zinc to meet a baby’s needs, but over time the concentration of zinc in breast milk decreases (even

if the mother takes supplements). Whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals, beans, legumes, chickpeas and nuts are all plant-based sources of zinc.

Protein

Most children who eat plant-based diets easily meet their needs for protein, which is essential for adequate growth and development. Plant-based baby food blends like the Carrot, Sweet Potato, Corn, Pea and Chicken pouches from Plum Organics offer a no-mess, portable way to provide about 18% of an average 6-12-month-old’s daily protein needs. Other sources of plant-based protein include beans, legumes, whole grains, vegetables, nuts, seeds and soy.

Caregivers should speak with their pediatricians or registered dietitians about any nutrition-related concerns and always consult them before starting any supplements. Find more information to support your child’s nutrition needs at plumorganics.com.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images (Family Features)

Some Parents May Needlessly Give Kids Fever-Reducing Medicine: Study

In the winter, when kids are regularly exposed to circulating viruses at school or daycare, a warm forehead is one of the first clear signs a child has caught a virus, and it has been found that some parents may reach for medication too quickly when children feel warm, a new study showed on Monday.

While most parents recognise that a low-grade fever helps a child’s body fight off infection, one in three would give fever-reducing medication for spiked temperatures below 100.4 -- which isn’t recommended, according to the US-based CS Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health at the University of Michigan Health.

Moreover, if the fever was between 100.4 and 101.9 degrees, half of the parents would use a medicine, and a quarter would likely give another dose to prevent the fever

from returning.

“Often parents worry about their child having a fever and want to do all they can to reduce their temperature. However, they may not be aware that in general the main reason to treat a fever is just to keep their child comfortable,” said Mott Poll co-director and Mott paediatrician Susan Woolford, M.D.

“Some parents may immediately rush to give their kids medicine but it’s often better to let the fever runs its course.

Lowering a child’s temperature doesn’t typically help cure their illness any faster. In fact, a low-grade fever helps fight off the infection,” they added.

The report is based on 1,376 responses from parents of children ages 12.

Two out of every three parents

polled believe they know whether their child requires fever-reducing medication, according to the study. However, just over half are confident that they understand how temperature readings can vary depending on the method used.

“A quarter of parents would give their child more medicine to prevent a fever from returning even though it doesn’t help them get better,” Woolford said.

“If a child is otherwise doing well, parents may consider monitoring them and using alternative interventions to help keep them comfortable”, she added.

However, if a newborn or infant under three months old has a fever, they should see a doctor right away, according to Woolford. (Courtesy: https://odishatv.in/)

Over $2 Million In Grants Awarded To Protect And Preserve Austin’s Historic Places

AUSTIN, TX – The City of Austin Economic Development Department announced more than $2 million in grant funds to preserve historic designated places in Austin through the Heritage Preservation Grant.

These grant awards will be used for capital, planning, educational, or marketing projects to promote tourism through preservation activities. Successful projects will restore historic cultural assets and promote history-informing stories associated with Austin’s diverse history. All projects must be frequented by and accessible to tourists and convention delegates.

“The places and stories that represent Austin’s history demonstrate an enduring legacy of community, culture, and history while investing in their physical stability,” said Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Executive Director of the Economic Development Department. “We are honored to award grantees with the preservation resources necessary to advance these projects.”

Austin City Council approved the grant awards on February 9, 2023. Below is the full list of 2023 grantees and preservation grant projects.

2023 Heritage Preservation Grants Hillside Farmacy: $29,880

ADA-Compliant Pathways and Parking

Austin Parks Foundation: $30,000

Henry G. Madison Log Cabin Structural Improvements Plan

Downtown Austin Development Corporation: $30,000

Heritage of Republic Square Programming and Events

Pollen Architecture: $30,000

Friends of the Ney Museum Comprehensive Restoration Plan Update

Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, Inc: $40,000

Real Places Conference

Indie Meme.Org: $45,600

Indie Meme Asian American His-

torical Archival Project at Austin History Center

Housing Authority of the City of Austin: $82,000

Pathways at Rosewood Courts

Tourism Kiosks: Amplification of African American History in Austin

Neill-Cochran House Museum: $109,000

Museum Slave Quarters Restoration

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue: $137,293

HVAC Repairs due to water damage and Exterior Site Improvements

Leadership Austin: $138,875

Walk of the Town Multilingual Interactive Tour Development and Promotions Phase II

E4 Youth, Inc & RWHC Historic District: $150,000

Rogers Washington Holy Cross

Historic District Mixed Reality Tour Development

Broken Spoke: $175,000

Roof Repair

Flower Hill Foundation: $215,132

Restoration and Rehabilitation Project

Huston-Tillotson University: $217,848

Old Administration Building Restoration

German Texan Heritage Society: $240,684

Historic Staircase and Reconstruction

Austin Theatre Alliance: $250,000

Paramount Theatre Exterior East Wall Rehabilitation

Preservation Austin: $250,000

McFarland House Renovation

Funding for the Heritage Preservation Grant Program, which is managed by the Economic Development Department’s Heritage Tourism Division, comes from 15% of the Heritage Preservation

Fund as approved by City Council in Resolution No. 20181004-033. This year’s grant featured new criteria informed by the 2022 Cultural Funding Review Process by the Economic Development Department, which was a three-year public process to center equity and inclusion in the City’s Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) investments in arts, heritage, and music.

These 17 awardees of the Heritage Preservation Grant represent the first commitments of the Cultural Funding Review Process. The Economic Development Department acknowledges the extraordinary cultural and creative talent that exists in the city contributing to Austin’s economic success and to the city’s identity.

In upcoming months, additional programs will launch to support arts & culture in Austin including Live Music Fund Event Program, Elevate, and Nexus.

These new funding programs are structured to encourage new talent, support established cultural producers, and invest in the development of diverse cultural institutions that are rooted in and representative of the communities they serve.

For more information on the Heritage Preservation Grant or other upcoming grant opportunities, visit www.austintexas.gov/edd.

About the City of Austin Economic Development Department

The City of Austin Economic Development Department supports business growth, creative industries, and local communities. These programs build an equitable, sustainable economy to improve the lives of all Austin residents.

To learn more about helpful resources, visit www.austintexas. gov/edd and subscribe to our newsletter. Connect with us @ AustinEconDev on Facebook, @ AustinEconDev on Twitter, and @ AustinEconDev on YouTube.

CHoF launches American Cricket Education Council (ACEC) With Aim To “Educate Americas For Cricket”

(Continued From Page 01)

The Cricket Hall of Fame (CHoF), first in the world established in 1981 is a non-profit organization dedicated to cost-sharing development of and meaningful support for our heroes (Honorees and Inductees) who have contributed to the game of cricket over the years, from maintaining the grounds to

pace with their expanding role and increased responsibility with regards to legal requirements in the USA & to meet sports culture.

“ACEC advocates for rigorous education and training to prepare coaches or instructors at schools and colleges / universities within the USA education and sports system to adhere to best professional practices and promote cricket education in the academic profession through professional activities.

advancing trusted community engagement, and who in the true spirit of the game have also been engaged in quality of life development activities that their local urban or rural communities view as important and sustainable.

CHoF Board Director and Visionary, Mr Jatin Patel said, “Our credentialing is to combine resources, expertise, and infrastructure to empower scholastic cricket to educators and faculty members at colleges / Universities with enhanced resources and professional development opportunities and strengthen the future of the cricket coaches’ / educators and institutional instructors.

Our Apex Panel members work in a variety of settings and carry vast experience with expertise in the US education & sports system and field of cricket. CHoF will connect to its vast network of legends and Cricket Hall of Fame inductees, including professionals in all these settings.”

Patel also added that rapid changes in the sport of cricket demands that instructors frequently update and enhance training skills to keep

Apex panel will lead and manage the programs with plans to expand the team to include other expertise who carry common values to support our vision and mission,” said Patel.

The first cricket game in the USA was played during 1845 but it has missed adequate and organic education programs with qualified and knowledgeable people to sustain the growth and development of the game here.

It’s been long due in the Americas, and Cricket Hall of Fame is the right group which cares about cricket and their support for education by forming ACEC as one important step to make difference in educational institutions with proper course work to start or expand programs at the schools and colleges. ACEC is prepared to Begin programs with 2023-24 academic year in USA through CricEdu.com also link will be accessible under Crickethof.org.

From Left Charles Peterson, with cricket hall of famers Sir. Alvin Kallicharran and Jatin Patel at University of Minnesota (UMN) during 2014. As cricket education pioneers discussed & laid foundation plan for CricEdu.

Austin Has $29 Million To Improve Roads, Transportation Department Aiming At Underserved Areas

(Continued From Page 01) oel Meyer with the Vision Zero program in the city’s transportation department explained the federal grant program and how it will affect Austin’s roads.

The Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program was enabled by the Federal bipartisan infrastructure bill. “. Meyer called it “an unprecedented investment in improving transportation safety on our nation’s roads.”

It’s $5 billion over the next five years, available to cities and states and communities across the country,” Meyer explained. “Austin received around $23 million last week for our application for Safe Streets and Roads for All

And we’re really excited to get that extra funding to kind of continue the work we’re already doing to improve the safety of our streets here in Austin, but also do some new things that we haven’t been able to do before.”

Brennes: “There’s some new things that you guys have your eye on?”

Meyer: “Yeah, so you know, a lot of the work we do now is really focused on some of the top crash intersections in Austin.

We’ve done a lot of work where we’ve used bond funding through the last few bond cycles to make improvements at some of our major intersections. And we’ve seen some really great results, they’re seeing a 30% reduction in serious injury and fatal crashes at those locations.

So, some of the funding that we received through this grant is going to go towards things like that. But it’s also going to allow us to do things that are more systemic.

Things that are looking at lower cost treatments, like lighting, or improving ADA curb ramps, or doing signal improvements at dozens of locations throughout the city. So that’s one example. But we’re also going to be looking to do new things like a city wide lighting study.

So we know that the vast majority

of our fatal crashes are happening at night and in dark conditions, so we really wanted to make sure that we had a holistic strategy for improving street lighting throughout the city, in conjunction with Austin Energy. So we’re going to be working with them to develop a citywide lighting study to kind of take a holistic look at that issue.

And then there’s some other things using technology. So we have about a million dollars carved out for video analytics, basically being able to look at dozens of locations throughout the city, recording video at those locations and using some advanced software, with some of our technology partners to diagnose some of the safety issues that we’re seeing out there.”

They’ll also be running a lighting study. While Meyer acknowledged the challenges Austin Energy is facing after the impacts of the early-February ice storm, he noted that the development period over the next few months will allow the transportation department to make sure its partners are on board and in alignment with the project.

Recent power outages from the ice storm have also highlighted the importance of good lighting after some collisions were caused by dark traffic lights.

“I think it’s something people sort of take for granted,” Meyer said. “But you know, there’s some gaps in our lighting system, and there’s certain locations that just don’t have lighting for whatever reason.

And so, we want to make sure that we’re really understanding where those opportunities are, and really have a kind of sustainable strategy going forward both from, you know, a prioritization standpoint, but also a funding standpoint, and making sure all the different city departments that touch streetlighting are all on the same page.”

Brennes: “Let’s talk about some of the areas some of the intersections, stretches of roadways that you guys had highlighted in the grant application. I looked over those.

Do you think those will all see some improvements, or will you have to pick through the priorities within those areas on the map?” But, you know, one of the really important things in terms of locations that we’re trying to do with this grant is really prioritize equity. So we’ve committed to spending at least half of these funds in underserved communities in Austin. And we think we’ll probably be able to exceed that as well.

Meyer: “You know, a lot of these roadways that we’ve sort of been looking at have a lot of things in common. They were built at a time when Austin wasn’t as big as it is now. And they were originally designed as sort of high speed, arterial streets or even highways at one point.

So as we’ve seen Austin grow and develop, we’ve seen new developments come into these areas, we’ve seen a lot more pedestrian activity, a lot more biking activity.

And so the context has really changed and there hasn’t really been a holistic approach to to making these streets more in line with the character, the surrounding character. So what we’re trying to do is go back and retrofit these streets to make them more friendly to people, regardless of the mode that you’re using.

So we have a lot of tools in our toolbox to do that, including better street lighting, you know, looking at the different pedestrian facilities at intersections and making sure we have sidewalks and bikeways, and things like that. But a lot of these things, we can do at really low cost.

That’s what is most exciting about this grant program is that we can go in and use pretty low cost materials and change the character of the street to make it safer for everyone. There are certain locations where we will have to make bigger investments, and we’re looking to do things like roundabouts or protected intersections that at certain, you know, high crash major intersections. But we’re also really try-

ing to focus on that that more systemic approach, looking at longer corridors, and understanding what we can do with lower cost treatments.”

The transportation department has $23 million granted from the federal government to work with, plus around $6 million from the city that was enabled through the 2020 mobility bond, Meyer said. “In total, it’s around $28.5 million that will be spending through this through this grant, which is really exciting. We really wanted to give credit to the community for really supporting Vision Zero over the last three bond cycles now,” Meyer said. “Dedicating funding for Vision Zero, we wouldn’t have been able

to apply for this grant if we didn’t have that local match funding. So being able to have those resources to leverage that into more funding through the federal government has been really, really great and is going to allow us to expand the work we’re doing so just thank you for the community.”

Exact locations have not been released by the city, however on their grant application, they designated some areas deemed “underserved” to examine. That includes roads like Cameron Road around Rundberg Lane and Braker Lane, Montopolis Drive around Burleson and Stassney Lane, among many more.

(Continued From Page 01) education models. We also support one fellowship in India with a focus on empowerment of over 25,000 tribals. This year, we are participating in Amplify Austin Day, which is our city’s annual day of giving!

It is a 24 hour online fundraising event held from March 1st, 6 pm CST to March 2nd, 6pm CST, and provides a wonderful opportunity for our entire community to come together and give generously towards non-profit causes that are close to our hearts.

The Amplify Austin initiative, created by “I Live Here, I Give Here”, is one of the largest single-day fundraising campaigns in Central Texas for local nonprofits.

Many corporates will be matching employee donations made on Amplify Austin Day, allowing the impact of your support to go even further. In 2022, a total of $5k donated by supporters like you were doubled to $10k with corporate matching.

This year, we are hoping to exceed these numbers with your generous contributions! If you’re interested in contributing, please visit https:// www.amplifyatx.org/organizations/asha-austin

Your contributions from 2022 were instrumental in supporting the education of underprivileged children in India through Asha Austin’s projects. This year, we are hoping

that you will contribute even more than last year to help them tide over these difficult times.

Volunteers at Asha Austin take extensive efforts to help local folks get fit and build community spirit by offering training for long-distance races, including 10k, half marathon and full marathon. Strides of Hope, our long-distance endurance training program, was started in 2005, and has successfully trained over 400 local community runners of all ages and experience levels. Each mile run and each dollar raised by these runners helps provide a better future to underprivileged children in India.

Asha for Education is a 100% volunteer-driven, registered 501-c(3) organization, and donations made to Asha are 100% tax deductible in the US.

Moreover, did you know that Asha for Education has been rated 4-star by Charity Navigator for being a low-overhead, transparent and accountable organization for seven consecutive years?

Most importantly, it means that your donation has a huge impact on children, teachers, and schools that need our help, support, and motivation. Let us all come together and give open-heartedly to those who need it the most! To learn more about us or if you are interested in volunteering, visit us at https://austin.ashanet.org/.

Support Asha Austin At Amplify Austin Day On March

THEME: BOARD GAMES

ACROSS

1. G in mg

5. Medicinal amt.

8. Say no

11. Popular Scotch mixer

12. Country dance formation

13. List of candidates

15. Certain battery component

16. Exclamation of sorrow

17. *”The Game of Unspeakable Fun”

18. *”Fascinating two-handed strategy game”

20. Dutch cheese

21. Not quite right

22. *”I thee ____”

23. Crème de ____

26. Where Japan is

30. Part of circumference

31. Threatened Asian or African odd-toed ungulate

34. Ready for picking

35. Reasons to sue

37. Romanian money

38. English county

39. Popular Arabic name

40. Lemon, in Paris

42. Latissimus dorsi, for short

43. Angola’s southern neighbor

45. Dairy farm glands

47. Relax, or ____ out

48. Brooke or John Jacob, of New York

50. USPS delivery

52. *Cards against what?

55. Medicinal plant with purple berries

56. Bug-eyed

57. Tiny bottle

59. a.k.a. jumping bone

60. Plucked string instrument

61. Makes a mistake

62. *”____ Day,” desirable square in The Game of Life

63. Bard’s before

64. Rip apart

DOWN

1. Govt. property org.

2. Fabled fliers

3. Mine passage

4. India’s Chennai, pre-1996

5. Flooring choice, pl.

6. Hose woes

7. 100 centavos in Mexico

8. Rum cake

9. Particle in A-bomb

10. What’s-old-is-new-again prefix

12. Somewhat late

13. Be at the helm

14. *Not chutes

19. #39 Across, pl.

22. Is no longer

23. *Trade, build, settle this island

24. Oenophile’s concern

25. Curtain fabric

26. *Connect how many?

27. Theater passage

28. Asparagus unit

29. Written works

32. Hipbones

33. Butterfly catcher

36. *Like pursuit of no vital importance

38. “____ ____ a high note”

40. A Camel, for short

41. Result of equipment failure

44. The beauty of the ball?

46. Morgan Freeman in “Driving Miss Daisy,” e.g. 48. Sign of bad news 49. Inflict a blow 50. Supernatural life force 51. Drunkard, slangily 52. Exhibiting

How To Manage Birth Defects For A Lifetime

An estimated 1 in 33 babies is born with a birth defect, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While some require minimal intervention after birth, many birth defects affect the individual, parents and families across a lifetime.

Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part of the body. They may affect how the body looks, works or both.

They can cause problems in overall health, how the body develops or how the body works, and may range from mild to serious health conditions.

Awareness of birth defects across the lifespan helps provide affected individuals, parents and families the information they need to seek proper care. Learn more about birth defects at each stage of life from the experts at March of Dimes:

Before and During Pregnancy

Not all birth defects are preventable but protecting a mother’s health before and during pregnan-

cy can help increase the likelihood of a healthy baby. Having adequate folic acid for at least one month before getting pregnant and throughout the pregnancy can prevent major birth defects.

Other important steps include receiving proper prenatal care from a doctor, preventing infections, avoiding alcohol and drugs, controlling conditions like diabetes and avoiding getting too hot.

Infancy

Babies who are diagnosed with a

birth defect during pregnancy or at birth may need special care. Similarly, monitoring for certain birth defects can help pinpoint a potential problem and ensure the baby begins receiving supportive care for better survival rates and quality of life.

Examples include newborn screenings for critical congenital heart defects and monitoring bladder and kidney function in infants and children with spina bifida.

Childhood

February 2023 Sudoku Answer

Mr. Yudhveer Bagga

Mr Venkata Rao Tirupathi

Ms Ketika Tyagi

Correction

For children born with heart defects and conditions like spina bifida, muscular dystrophy or Down syndrome, early intervention services and support can make a significant impact on a child’s success in school and life.

They can help children with learning problems and disabilities; school attendance; participation in school, sports and clubs; mobility adaptations; and physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Adolescence

Many adolescents and young adults who have birth defects begin working toward a transition to a healthy, independent adult life in their later teen years.

This may involve insurance changes and switching from pediatricians to adult doctors.

Other areas of focus might include medications, surgeries and other procedures; mental health; social development and relationships within and outside the family; physical activity; and independence.

Adulthood

Certain conditions, such as heart defects, can cause pregnancy complications or affect sexual function. Talking with a doctor about your specific condition can help you understand your risk.

In addition, every pregnancy carries a 3% risk of birth defects, even without lifestyle factors or health conditions that add risk, according to the CDC.

Women who have had a pregnancy affected by a birth defect may be at greater risk during future pregnancies.

Talking with a health care provider can help assess those risks. A clinical geneticist or genetic counselor can assess your personal risk of birth defects caused by changes in genes, as well as your risk due to family history.

Find more information about birth defect prevention and management at marchofdimes.org/birthdefects.

International Mother Language Day 2023

Siddharth Garg.

International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is annually observed on 21 February. The day is observed with the aim of promoting awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism. The date represents the day when four young students were killed in Dhaka due to the Bengali and Urdu language controversy.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images (Family Features)

5 Ways To Manage Your Weight

For many people who wish to work toward a healthier weight, one of the greatest obstacles is figuring out where to begin.

These tips from SlimFast consultant and registered dietitian Maryann Walsh show it doesn’t take a drastic lifestyle overhaul to make an impact.

Eat Mindfully

Many people who struggle with their weight benefit from being more conscious about what they’re eating and why. For example, consider your eating habits, such as eating even when you’re not hungry whether that’s because it’s mealtime and you think you should eat, you’re satisfying a craving or using a tasty snack to cope with stress.

Recognizing why you’re eating is an important step toward correcting destructive eating patterns, but so is paying attention to the other details of the eating experience, including what you eat and how it makes you feel. Ultimately, this may allow you to choose healthier foods that nourish your body for the long-term, rather than the brief satisfaction that comes with less nutritious choices.

Consider Intermittent Fasting

One weight-loss method many people find success using is intermittent fasting, which involves abstaining from all food and beverages for a specified time period each day or week. While going too long without food can sometimes lead to excess hunger then overeating later, in shorter, controlled fasting timeframes one can often more easily achieve a caloric deficit, which is required for weight loss.

Prepare for your fasting phase by choosing foods that support satiety. Options like SlimFast’s Intermittent Fasting line of meal bars and protein shakes can help avoid a sense of deprivation with tasty flavors like the Vanilla Cupcake Snack Shake Mix and Vanilla Almond Crunch Complete Meal Bar. The shake mixes deliver 15 grams of slow-

digesting protein, compared to whey protein, to help curb hunger, along with more than 20 vitamins and minerals. The meal bars clock in with 15 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber.

Manage Stress

When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, which also raises insulin and can drive hunger and trigger cravings for comfort foods. In fact, that’s the very reason people tend to overeat when they’re under pressure. Light exercise and meditative practices can help you manage your mental strain. You might also consider talk therapy with a friend or professional or spend time unwinding with a book or music.

Get Proper Sleep

Poor sleep habits affect your weight in numerous ways. One is that when you’re feeling tired, your hunger and satiety hormones, ghrelin and leptin, can be affected, leading to an increase in caloric intake and subsequent weight gain. Additionally, when you’re tired, you’re more likely to take shortcuts like skipping workouts or opting for unhealthy convenience foods. All are reasons to make better rest a bigger priority.

Track Eating and Exercise

When you’re not paying attention to what you eat and how you move, you may not even realize how your habits are affecting your health. Logging what you eat, especially if you use a tool like an app that helps you see the nutrition breakdown, may give you a clearer idea of the quality and quantity of your intake. Similarly, when you’re specifically writing down the time you’re committing to physical activity, you’ll find it easier to identify patterns and pinpoint where you can make adjustments to increase your exercise.

Visit SlimFast.com to find more resources on weight management and intermittent fasting.

(Family Features)

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (woman and man exercising)

Travel Trends Break From Routine In 2023

Travel in 2023 will be about saying “no” to normal, breaking routines and searching for experiences without compromises. Whether it’s flying to those once-in-a-lifetime events or hosting group celebrations at a vacation rental home, travelers are no longer adapting to the next new normal, but creating their own status quo altogether.

“We see a detailed and robust picture of travel into 2023,” Expedia Brands President Jon Gieselman said. “We’re seeing a surge in trips to culture capitals, a new wave of interest in wellness retreats and a spike in demand for outdoor destinations beyond just beaches and mountains. It’s not a new normal so much as people branching out to unexpected trends in what we’re calling the ‘no normal.’”

A close look at these trends suggests there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to travel in

vacation rentals rather than focusing on location. In fact, more than half (57%) of travelers would rather book a unique vacation home to be with their people in a lesserknown destination than a less interesting, less equipped vacation home in a popular area.

Cowboy-Cations

Rustic getaways are on the rise as travelers crave private vacation homes with abundant space and exhilarating views. Cue the cowboy-cation, offering an intimate escape in the rugged wilderness. Demand for homes in western destinations increased by more than 30% from September 2021-August 2022. Plus, 42% of U.S. travelers find inspiration in outdoorsy destinations and landscapes that include log-lined cabins, flickering fires and sweeping vistas.

Travelers can live out their western fantasies by booking a luxurious lodge, ranch retreat or farmhouse that fits the whole crew. Destinations across Montana, Colorado and other western states spring to mind, but the cowboy-cation is not confined to the U.S. For a home on the range in Europe, travelers are booking converted barns and farmhouses in Italy, Spain, France and the United Kingdom. Thrill-seekers can also embrace their inner cowboy in Australia, where farmhouses in the outback overlook acres of wineries and wild brush.

Hidden Gems

2023. Insights sourced from the company’s first-party data, and from custom research of thousands of travelers and industry professionals across 17 countries, show food, abundant space and unconventional destinations are influencing travel choices.

Consider these conclusions from the experts at Vrbo:

Foodie-Menities

Kitchen credentials are a must with travelers looking to plate up at their own convenience in a private vacation home. Outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens and air fryers are the top three foodie-menities travelers crave. Additionally, nearly half of U.S. travelers (43%) use cooking to cut down on costs.

Travelers are looking for amenities in their

Travelers are exploring unassuming locales and new places. Top hidden gems in the U.S. have one thing in common: beautiful lakes where travelers can take in tranquil views. Demand for private vacation homes in these unconventional destinations has increased by 30% or more since September 2021:

• Nampa, Idaho

• Greensboro, North Carolina

• Layton, Utah

• Irmo, South Carolina

• Oneonta, New York

• Hampton, Virginia

• Bristol, Rhode Island

• Spokane, Washington

• Las Cruces, New Mexico

• Missoula, Montana

Find more ideas to plan an adventure that’s uniquely your own at Vrbo.com or by downloading the app.

(Family Features)

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Yoga For Eyes: Improve Eyesight Naturally

(Continued From Page 01)

* Myopia or short sightedness

* Hypermetropia or long sightedness

* Various other eye-related disorders

In the present-day world, about 35% of the population suffers from myopia and hypermetropia in varying degrees.

These disorders are usually overcome using powerful glasses and lenses which correct the refractive errors of the eye.

However, one needs to understand that glasses never cure bad eyesight. In fact, using powerful glasses can worsen eye problems. Therefore, one should use glasses only when absolutely necessary.

Other than a few diseases such as cataract and glaucoma which occur due to bacterial infections, many eye disorders are related to the malfunctioning of the ocular muscles caused by chronic mental and emotional tensions. Yoga techniques help to alleviate various disorders related to defects in the eye muscles such as myopia and hypermetropia.

Practicing these yoga eye exercises regularly for a few months can go a long way in facilitating the normal functioning of our eyes.

Note: Before starting these exercises, it is always recommended to splash your eyes with cold water a few times. Remember to keep the head and spine straight throughout the exercises.

1) Palming

* Sit quietly with eyes closed and take some deep breaths to relax completely.

* Rub the palms of your hands vigorously, until they become warm and place the palms gently over your eyelids.

* Feel the warmth of the palms being transferred onto the eyes and the eye muscles relaxing. Your eyes are being bathed in soothing darkness.

* Stay in this position until the heat from the hands has been completely absorbed by the eyes.

* Keeping the eyes closed, lower the hands.

* Once again rub the palms and repeat the process at least three times.

2) Blinking

* Sit comfortably with your eyes open.

* Blink around 10 times very quickly.

* Close your eyes and relax for 20 seconds. Slowly take your attention to your breath.

* Repeat this exercise about 5 times.

3) Sideways viewing

* Sit with legs straight in front of the body.

* Now lift the arms keeping your fist closed and your thumbs pointing upward.

* Look at a point straight in front of you in level with your eyes.

* Keep the head in this fixed position, focus on the following one after the other, by shifting your vision to the

- Space between the eyebrows

- Left thumb

- Space between the eyebrows

- Right thumb

- Space between the eyebrows

- Left thumb

* Repeat this exercise 10 to 20 times.

* After completing this exercise close your eyes and rest.

Observe the following breathing pattern as you perform the above exercise

* Inhale in the neutral position

* Exhale while looking to the side.

* Inhale and come back to the center.

4) Front and sideways viewing

* Sit with legs straight in front of the body

* Then place the left [closed] fist on the left knee ensuring that the thumb points upwards.

* Look at a point straight in front and in level with your eyes.

* Keeping the head in this fixed position.

* Breathing out, focus your eyes on the left thumb.

* Breathing in, focus your eyes at a point in front and in level with your eyes.

* Repeat the same process with the right thumb.

* Then close your eyes and rest.

5) Rotational viewing

* Sit with legs straight in front of your body.

* Place the left hand on the left knee.

* Hold the right fist above the right knee, with the thumb pointing upwards. Keep the elbow straight.

* Now keeping the head still, focus your eyes on the thumb.

* Make a circle with the thumb, keeping the elbow straight.

* Repeat this exercise five times each in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.

* Repeat the process with the left thumb.

* Close and rest the eyes and relax completely. Observe the following breathing pattern during this exercise

* Inhale while completing the upper arc of the circle.

* Exhale while completing the lower arc.

6) Up and down viewing

* Sit with legs straight in front of your body. With both the thumbs pointing upwards, place both the fists on the knees.

* Slowly raise the right thumb keeping the arms straight. Follow the motion of the thumb upwards with the eyes.

* When the thumb is raised to the maximum, gradually bring it down to the starting position and continue to keep the eyes focused on the thumb all the while keeping the head still.

* Repeat the same process with the left thumb.

* Practice this 5 times with each thumb.

* The head and the spine should be kept straight throughout.

* Close the eyes and relax. Observe the following breathing pattern as you perform the above exercise

* Inhale while raising the eyes.

* Exhale while lowering the eyes.

7) Preliminary nose tip gazing

* Sit in a cross-legged pose.

* Lift the right arm straight directly in front of the nose.

* Making a fist with the right hand, keep your thumb pointing upward.

* Focus both eyes on the tip of the thumb.

* Now bend the arm and gradually bring the

thumb to the tip of the nose, all the while having the eyes focused on the tip of the thumb.

* Remain in this position for a while with the thumb held at the tip of the nose with the eyes focused there.

* Continuing to gaze at the tip of the thumb, gradually straighten the arm.

* This constitutes a single round.

* Perform at least five such rounds. Observe the following breathing pattern as you perform the above exercise

* Breathe in while the thumb is pulled to the tip of the nose.

* Retain inside while holding the thumb at the tip of the nose.

* Breathe out as the arm is straightened.

8) Near and distant viewing

* Stand or sit by an open window with a clear view of the horizon. Keep the arms by your side.

* Focus on the tip of the nose for 5-10 seconds.

* Repeat this for about 10 to 20 times.

* Close and relax the eyes. Observe the following breathing pattern

* Inhale during close viewing.

* Exhale during distant viewing.

After completing all the above exercises, lie in shavasan (corpse pose) for a few minutes and relax completely. Breathe gently and normally, and do not resist any thoughts or sensations during the exercise.

In the present-day world, about 35 % of the population suffers from myopia and hypermetropia in varying degrees. These disorders are usually overcome using powerful glasses and lenses which correct the refractive errors of the eye. However, one needs to understand that glasses never cure bad eyesight. In fact, using powerful glasses can worsen eye problems. Therefore, one should use glasses only when absolutely necessary.

Other than a few diseases such as cataract and glaucoma which occur due to bacterial infections, many eye disorders are related to the malfunctioning of the ocular muscles caused by chronic mental and emotional tensions.

Yoga techniques help to alleviate various disorders related to defects in the eye muscles such as myopia and hypermetropia. Practicing these exercises regularly for a few months can go a long way in facilitating the normal functioning of our eyes. (Courtesy: https://www.artofliving.org/)

SIR Movie Review : Dhanush Steals The Show In This Tale Of Empowerment

Logesh

Balachandran, TNN

SIR Story: Despite the politics around education in the 90s, an assistant maths teacher takes it upon himself to transform underprivileged students.

SIR Review: Stories of the common man rising to become a saviour for the society have always been a staple in cinema. Venky Atluri’s Sir seems loosely inspired by Hrithik Roshan’s Super 30, but the central theme of the film is powerful enough to stand tall.

Sir begins in the present, with three students going on a nostalgic trip through an old VCR cassette. The man they’re reminiscing about is

Bala (Dhanush), an assistant teacher who gets caught in the chaos of the privatisation of education in the

90s. He is left to prove his mettle in an abandoned government school with no support from his parents

and administration. How he survives while managing to uplift underprivileged students forms the story.

While the fall and rise of a social reformer is a tried-andtested trope, director Venky Atluri manages to tick most of the boxes and present a commercially empowering film. Sir fails to be an extraordinary film due to its larger-than-life moments, however, it tries to hold the pulse of the audience with good set-ups and pay-offs.

Dhanush is the USP of Sir, his effortless performance and screen presence pays off. The sequences in which his character comes up

with innovative ideas to educate the students are enjoyable. Despite the dubbing, a few dialogues create a lasting impact when he speaks on social equality.

Samyuktha plays a biology teacher and Dhanush’s counterpart. She looks refreshing and plays her part decently. Ken Karunas does an impressive job, so do the actors who play other students. Samuthirakani plays a role he can pull off in his sleep. He doesn’t play a typical villain and has only a few sequences that show off just how menacing he can be. The film is technically sound. Sir is a film that has no time for nonsense, but it could’ve been better.

Exciting Sequel To ‘The Big Bull’ Is In The Works, Says Anand Pandit

On the occasion of Abhishek Bachchan’s birthday, producer Anand Pandit has expressed the desire to work with the star again as he announced that the sequel to the 2021 film ‘The Big Bull’ is in the works.

Pandit says, “I was being asked continuously whether I would make a sequel... Yes, I am happy to share that an exciting sequel to

‘The Big Bull’ is in the works and this film certainly will offer a worthy progression to the premise of a financial genius who once again goes too far.”

This announcement is significant in view of Abhishek Bachchan’s birthday on February 5.

Pandit says, “Yes, I want to create

a film that does justice to the immensity of his talent. He is a very gifted actor and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with him.”

“The sequel hopefully will give us another opportunity to make magic together.”

The producer is in the process of buying the rights of a book and

says, “I can’t divulge much about what the sequel will be based on but the premise is going to be very interesting.”

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‘The Big Bull’ was released on

Disney Plus Hotstar in 2021 and was a fictional tale of a notorious stockbroker named Hemant Shah.

SRK’s ‘Pathaan’ To Become First Hindi Film To Gross $100 Million Without China Release

Continuing its powerhouse run at worldwide turnstiles, Shah Rukh Khan’s espionage actioner ‘Pathaan’ has topped the global box office century mark (that is, in million dollars), getting there in 12 days on Sunday, reports ‘Deadline’.

And now with its earnings going up to $103.6 million through Monday, it is the first Bollywood movie to reach the $100-million milestone without a China release, ‘Deadline’ adds.

The split sits at Rs 526 gross crore ($64.2 million) in India and $39.4 million from overseas markets. Already, the Siddharth Anand-directed movie is the biggest Bollywood movie ever globally in the original

After 28 Years, Aditya Chopra Records First On-Camera Interview For ‘The Romantics’

a huge highlight for the film fraternity, cinephiles and Hindi cinema audience at large.

The trailer of ‘The Romantics’ also revealed a stark fact wherein a number of iconic cinematic names hate the word ‘Bollywood’ which has been casually used for decades to describe the Hindi film industry.

Bollywood, a portmanteau of Bombay and Hollywood was originally coined by the West to describe Hindi cinema. Over time Bollywood has grown to become a popular term today.

Hindi language.

This is where, according to ‘Deadline’, it gets slightly confusing in terms of the records posted. Aamir Khan-starrers ‘Dangal’ and ‘Secret Superstar’, both Bollywood titles, remain ahead of ‘Pathaan’ worldwide, but that includes more than $100 million each from China, where the movies were dubbed for local audiences.

Similarly, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, which features Salman Khan, who also appears in ‘Pathaan’, is still ahead globally, having had a dubbed China release. There is no word yet on a China window for ‘Pathaan’.

In India, notes ‘Deadline’, where box office earnings are measured in both gross and net figures, ‘Pathaan’ maker Yash Raj Films reports that the film’s Rs 438.5 crore net takings surpassed the net of the Hindi-dubbed version of the Yashstarrer ‘KGF 2’ (it was originally in the Kannada language).

Next ahead of ‘Pathaan’ on a net basis is S.S. Rajamouli’s ‘Baahubali 2’ with a Rs 510-crore ($61.7 million) lifetime collection in Hindi (the film was originally in Telugu).

Whichever way you slice it, as ‘Deadline’ puts it, ‘Pathaan’ is having an incredible ride. (Courtesy: https://news.abplive.com/)

YouTube’s Neal Mohan Is The Newest Indian-origin CEO In The Tech world

From Google and Microsoft to Cognizant and Adobe, a growing number of technology-focused firms are today led by Indian-origin chief executives. Neal Mohan, who was named the next CEO of streaming service YouTube, is the newest name added to the growing list of Indian-origin CEOs of global corporations.

The head of Yash Raj Films, Aditya Chopra, known for staying away from the cameras and media interactions, has recorded his first on-camera interview for ‘The Romantics’, a Netflix global docuseries.

The last time Aditya gave an interview was for a print magazine in 1995.

As superstar Hrithik Roshan says in the trailer, Aditya Chopra is regarded as the brain who shaped “the contours of the industry” and hearing him share insights about YRF is

The fourpart docuseries by Netflix celebrates legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra, YRF’s legacy and its impact on Indian pop-culture for the last 50 years.

It stars 35 personalities, including the mega-stars who have closely worked with YRF over the years. They will collectively dive into the history of Hindi cinema through the lens of YRF’s impact in making the industry and its leading stars a household name globally through its path-breaking and generationdefining films.

The docu-series, through the words of the mega-stars on Hindi cinema, will address the identity of Hindi film industry in the West and how these celebrities feel the term ‘Bollywood’ is not inclusive to other film industries of India and, thus, they despise it.

‘The Romantics’ released on February 14, 2023 as a tribute to Yash Chopra, who is regarded as the ‘Father of Romance’ in India because of his iconic romantic films like Silsila, Lamhe, Kabhi Kabhie, Veer-Zaara, Dil To Pagal Hai, Chandni, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, etc.

(Courtesy: https://www.outlookindia.com/)

Mohan succeeds Susan Wojcicki, one of the early employees of Google. The search giant in its early days functioned out of Wojcicki’s garage. An Indian-American executive and a close aide of Wojcicki for 15 years, Mohan has been the chief product officer at YouTube since 2015. He had earlier had a stint with Google which he joined in 2008.

A Stanford graduate, Mohan has also worked with Microsoft as a manager in corporate strategy. He had previously worked at DoubleClick, an online advertising company that was acquired by Google in 2007. Mohan is recognized for his expertise in digital advertising and has also been credited with playing a key role in the development of several of Google’s advertising products, including AdWords, AdSense, and DoubleClick. Wojcicki in her letter to employees announcing her exit said Neal has set up a top-notch product and UX team and played pivotal roles in the launch of YouTube TV, YouTube Music and Premium and Shorts.

Today, there are many Indian-origin CEOs at the helm of global tech companies. Search giant Google’s parent Alphabet is led by Maduraiborn Sundar Pichai. An IIT Kharagpur alumnus, he was appointed Google CEO in August 2015. Pichai was only the third chief executive of the company after former CEO Eric Schmidt and cofounder Larry Page. Four years later, in December 2019, he became the CEO of Alphabet. (Courtesy: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/)