Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 15 No. 05
Save Soil
ByMalavika Sangghvi At what looks like a particularly bleak phase in our planet’s life, barely emerging from a pandemic that has killed millions and devastated life, limb, and livelihood; a war that is manifesting horrors beyond human imagination; racial and communal strife and senseless violence; political and economic unrest in every corner of the globe;
OPEN Texas
and the threat of and impact of climate change looming large, you would imagine that a cause like saving soil would not find many takers. Nothing could be further from the truth. On March 21, in a high-voltage send-off in London, 65-year-old Indian yogi, mystic, and spiritual leader Sadhguru embarked on a lone motorcycle journey covering 30,000 km across 27 nations as part of his ‘Conscious Planet #SaveSoil’ initiative, a global race against time to inspire and activate 3.5 billion people (60% of the world’s electorate of 5.26 billion) (Continued On Page 21)
WHO Chief Scientist Warns
By Ali A. Hussain, board member OPEN Austin On March 26, 2022, Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs (OPEN), a global non-profit founded in 1998 to connect entrepreneurs especially those of Pakistani origin, hosted a conference in Austin to provide networking, knowledge sharing and mentoring events to aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs of South Asian origin. (Continued On Page 15)
What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About The BA.2 Omicron Subvariant
With the rolling back of mask requirements and physical distancing, many people have been on a search for a new normal. But there is still reason to be cautious. The highly transmissible and contagious BA.2 Omicron subvariant—dubbed “stealth” Omicron— is now the dominant strain in the United States, causing more than 85% of all COVID-19 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This has led to more questions. Based on the CDC’s genomic surveillance, the BA.2 or stealth Omicron subvariant is responsible for most new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the U.S. BA.2 is a subvariant of the original SARS-CoV-2 Omi-
Dream Vacation............02 Keep Road Safe............02 Gaming Connects.........03 Plasma Donations.........04 Tips To Start Or Expand04 Sunny Season..............05 cron variant (B.1.1.529), along Arun’s Scribblings.........06 with BA.1.1 and BA.3. The BA.2 subvariant has been referred to as HC4A(EC4A)................06 stealth Omicron because it contains genetic mutations that can make it harder to distinguish from the Delta variant using PCR tests compared to the original Omicron variant. That means that while the test can detect a BA.2 infection, it looks like it is the Delta variant instead.(Continued page 12)
What Indian Cinema Can Teach
Personal Information Your personally identifiable information (also known as PII) should be kept as private as possible, especially when you are on the internet (Continued On Page 12)
Hinting that the pandemic is not over, World Health Organisation’s (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan noted that currently Omicron BA.2 is dominant worldwide including in India. (Continued On Page 17)
inside
May 2022
By Vikas Datta In a country like India which has an array of customs, a spectrum of cultures, and a gamut of languages, there is one realm (Continued On Page 27)
June 2022 - Travel Agents Special
512-828-6709 Inflation Putting...........07 Great First Impression..08 Go Green - Earth Day...10 4 Tips For Preparing.....11 Best Campus................12 Essential For Hiking......13 Earth Day Tweaks.........14 OPEN Texas.................15 Ultimate Patio Party......16 Spring Cleaning?......,...17 Kids Corner....18,19,22,23 Bollywood Meets..........18 Brunch Surprise...........20 Protecting Family..........20 Term Insurance Plan.....23 Destress Curly Tresses..23 Careers In The Industry Of Video Games...........24 5 Savings Mistakes Students Must Avoid.........25 Entertainment.........26,27
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Make Your Dream Vacation A Reality With These Cost-Cutting Tips
After more than two years of the pandemic, you’re probably eager to get out and explore the world. But as desire and demand for travel skyrockets, so do the prices to get there. Here are some great ways to maximize your savings, so you can make your dream vacation a reality: 1. Be flexible: If your travel dates are not set in stone, being flexible with timing can help you save substantially. Traveling at off-hours or mid-week can trim your plane or train fare, as can avoiding holiday weekends. This same flexibility mindset can even help you at the airport. If a flight is overbooked, airlines often ask for volunteers to give up their seat in exchange for vouchers, credits and other perks. 2. Bank smart: Consider new online banking solutions, which can help you keep more money in your wallet. For
example, T-Mobile MONEY is an FDIC-insured account that offers its customers zero account fees, (no monthly account fees, no minimum balance fees, no overdraft fees and no transfer fees) as well as industry-lending interest rates that can help you invest in the things you want and need, like plane tick-
ets, gas and dining. Plus, customers receive 1.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on all balances, which means more money back in your pocket and more savings for your next vacation. Globetrotters will also appreciate access to over 55,000 Allpoint
no-fee ATMs worldwide.
dining and more authentic experiences, do as the locals do.
3. Book wisely:
After seeing the must-see sights, be sure to get recommendations and insights from your hotel concierge, rental host, restaurant servers and other locals for the best ways to get off the beaten path.
Look for exclusive travel deals available from T-Mobile MONEY to help you cut travel costs. Customers who use their T-Mobile MONEY card via the T-Mobile Travel site can get up to 50% off hotels and up to 45% off car rentals. 4. Do as the locals do: The areas of a town or region where tourists congregate tend to have the most expensive restaurants and stores. For higher-quality shopping and
5. Eat in: Depending on the type of travel you’re doing, it may make sense to eat some of your meals in to save some money. If there is a small kitchen or grill where you’re staying, make use of it. Visiting a nearby grocery store can actually be an interesting way to take in the local flair of your destination and sample some of the best food the area has to offer. Don’t let money matters wreck your travel plans. With a few smart strategies, you can take the summer vacation you imagined, affordably. (StatePoint)
Keep Roads Safe: Use These Tips to Stop Driving Distracted Driving fatalities in the United States are at the highest point since 2008, yet new research reveals that many are unaware of the enhanced risk and are actively making choices that increase the danger on our roads. According to a new survey from Travelers, 57% of people think roadway safety is unchanged since before the pandemic. At the same time, over a third of drivers have experienced a near-miss because they were distracted while driving. Our devices are a large part of the problem. One-third of respondents believe it is acceptable to use technology while driving and even more admit to doing so -- 79% say they have made or received a phone call while driving, 74% have looked at map directions on a cell phone and 56% have read a text message or email. A growing number of drivers are also taking to social media, with 29% admitting to recording videos
or taking photos using their smartphone, a number that’s increased since 2019 along with the rise of TikTok and other social media platforms.
“While it’s tempting to use your phone, especially when it’s alerting you to texts and calls, doing so is dangerous to you, your passengers and others on the road.”
“When you’re behind the wheel, every second matters, and anything that occupies your mind or vision is a distraction,” says Chris Hayes, assistant vice president of Transportation and Risk Control at Travelers.
To help put a stop to distracted driving, Travelers is offering the following tips: • Turn off notifications: Setting your phone to “do not disturb” before you begin driving is a good idea, as it can help prevent you
from being tempted to check your phone for new notifications. • Prepare beforehand: Check directions or set your GPS before you begin driving. Put your favorite playlist or radio station on before you hit the road. • Let it wait: Do not make calls, text or otherwise manipulate your phone while driving. Even handsfree calls can pull your focus from the road. If you need to text, email, make a call, or use your phone for any other reason, pull over first. • Recruit a passenger: Rely on your passengers to handle technology-related tasks, such as checking GPS, changing the music or radio station, and answering calls or texts. • Speak up: Consider
asking a distracted driver to put down their device. Eighty-seven percent of consumers who use a phone while driving say they would be less likely to do so if a passenger spoke up. • Beware of other distractions: It’s important to make driving your number one priority when you’re on the road, and keep in mind that not all distractions are tech-related. For example, don’t wait until your commute to eat, brush your hair, or apply makeup. Take care of such tasks before you start the car. For more tips and resources, including compelling stories about real-world victims of crashes due to distracted driving, visit travelers.com. “There are more distractions than ever on today’s roadways. Ultimately, making a concerted effort to change behaviors will help prevent injuries and save lives,” says Hayes. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Gaming Connects American Military Members With Loved Ones 5 Exterior Home Upgrades That Deliver a Return on Investment
For military members, video games are not just a fun way to unwind during downtime, they can provide much-needed stress relief and are an opportunity to connect with friends and family. For these reasons, the United Service Organizations (USO) has focused part of its
mission on providing military members with opportunities to connect and relax with video games. Many of these games require players to form collaborative relationships with other gamers, during which service members can discuss the challenges of their lives beyond the screen. Beyond featuring dedicated gaming areas at a growing number of USO centers, the nonprofit hosts gaming events, including the “Operation Play it Forward” Streamathon, which took place over Veterans Day on the USO’s Twitch channel, twitch.tv/theuso. Sponsored by USAA, Pratt and Whitney and GEICO Military, the second annual Streamathon was a 72-hour gaming experience, tripling 2020’s 24-hour event. Service members from around the world were joined by family, friends and special guests, including USO gaming ambassadors, entertainers and celebrities like Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Juju Smith-Schuster and Twitch streamer Tfue. As part of the Streamathon the “Battle of The Branches,” presented by GEICO Military, featured service members teaming
up with top gamers to compete in “Call of Duty: Warzone.”
“Members of the military community, military supporters, celebrities and fellow gamers connected with us during an exciting 72 hours of gaming with some of the most popular video games and creators out there right now,” says Callum Fletcher, USO Director of Global Gaming Operations.
Want to make some serious exterior home upgrades that improve your safety and comfort, add beauty to your home and deliver a return on your investment? Here are five projects that do just that: 1. Install storm doors: Storm doors give you the option of letting in more light and ventilation on fair weather days, while protecting your entry door from harsh conditions and weathering.
In addition, the organization is planning to open more gaming centers in the months to come.
“Gaming provides the military community with opportunities for stress relief and entertainment,” says Fletcher. “And thanks to new technologies, it also provides connection to loved ones, civilians, veterans, and the broader community of gamers.” (StatePoint)
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These doors also have increased sound abatement and meet the most stringent industry standards for storm protection, ease of entry and forced entry.
4. Lower bills: Did you know that you can lower your bills and add natural beauty and privacy to your property by planting trees strategically? In summer, the shade that trees create can help keep your home cool. In winter, they can help block wind and prevent drafts. The Utah State University Forest Extension recommends locating trees no closer than 2.5 times their mature height to the south of a building to avoid winter shading. They also suggest knowing the size and other characteristics of a particular species before planting to avoid future problems, such as hitting power lines.
Since the inception of its gaming program, the USO has hosted 90 events featuring USO gaming ambassadors, celebrity engagements and tournaments.
To learn more about how the USO gaming program has evolved, visit uso.org/gaming. More information about USO entertainment programs can be found at USO.org/MVP. To join the USO Discord, head over to discord. gg/theuso.
Endure sliding glass patio doors from ProVia come standard with ComforTech Warm Edge Glazing, a high-tech glass package that measurably improves thermal performance for greater efficiency and reduced interior condensation.
Additionally, options for interior woodgrain and exterior paint colors, varying internal grid styles and patterns, and multiple choices for decorative glass, internal blinds and hardware allow for customization to fit your personal aesthetic.
In recent years, the emergence of platforms such as Twitch and Discord has allowed service members to connect with their family and friends while deployed or serving in geographically separated locations.
With the support of Razer, gaming centers will soon be well-equipped at Marine Corps Base Quantico and Eglin Air Force Base.
are drafty or get stuck easily, it may be time for an ENERGY STAR-certified replacement.
There are many ways to customize this upgrade to meet your aesthetic and functional needs. Options from ProVia include retractable screens at the top and bottom for more venting options, as well as stylish designs and colors for instant curb appeal. Families might want to consider storm doors featuring heavy-duty, non-removable stainless steel screens ideal for keeping children and pets safely inside. 2. Get summer-ready: Extend your home’s outdoor living area just in time for summer -- plus substantially increase your home value -- with the addition of a deck, patio or porch. Whether you add a small hibachi grill or get as involved as installing a full outdoor kitchen, be sure to include an area to prepare and enjoy meals. A few key touches, like string lights and potted plants, along with cozy furniture, can make the space feel homey. 3. Replace patio doors: If your patio doors
5. Protect your home: If you live in an area prone to extreme weather -- heavy rain, hail, driving wind, frigid temperatures, or scorching heat -- your home needs protection against the elements. CedarMAX insulated vinyl siding provides defense against these harsh conditions and improves energy efficiency as well. The insulation contributes to the rigidity of the panel, increases durability, and provides five times greater impact resistance over hollow siding, protecting against damage by hail, high winds, or contact with your child’s fastball. Color and beauty are also huge factors in this home improvement decision; CedarMAX offers many options to customize the look with both neutral and bold colors and coordinated accessories. It’s resistant to fading, chalking, cracking, peeling, and thermal expansion and contraction, making it a sound investment for years to come. It’s important to see a tangible return on larger home upgrades. The best projects to consider are those that increase your home value, save you money, and add beauty and comfort to your home. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Plasma Donations Save Lives: You Can Help dress.
Human plasma donations are used to produce life-saving medicines for people affected by serious and rare diseases around the world. Experts say that right now there is a critical need for plasma donations.
4. What is the donation process like? While a first-time plasma donation takes approximately two hours, and up to three hours at times, the second donation is typically shorter. CSL Plasma donors will be rewarded for helping to create life-saving medicines and will receive a payment in connection with the donation process. It’s recommended that donors drink four to six 8-ounce glasses of water, fruit juice or other caffeine-free liquid at least two to three hours before donation, avoid caffeinated beverages, avoid alcohol of any type for 24 hours beforehand, eat a meal prior to donation and get adequate sleep.
“Plasma donors do the amazing. They make a direct impact on the lives of patients affected by rare and serious diseases. We strongly encourage those who meet the requirements, and are otherwise eligible, to donate plasma,” says Dr. Jennifer Hanes, who as a division medical director of CSL Plasma, is responsible for the medical oversight of U.S. plasma donation centers. Dr. Hanes is sharing five important things to know about plasma donation: 1. What is plasma? Plasma is a straw-colored liquid that carries red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, helping to maintain a steady level of blood pressure, supporting the immune system and delivering critical nutrients to cells. 2. What is plasma used for? Plasma is used to treat rare and serious conditions, often by replacing crucial proteins a patient lacks. These conditions include primary immunodeficiencies, hereditary angioedema, in-
herited respiratory disease, hemophilia and other bleeding or neurological disorders. Every year, it takes more than 1,200 plasma donations to treat one person living with hemophilia, more than 900 plasma donations to treat one person living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) and more than 130 plasma donations to treat one person living with a primary immune deficiency. Additionally, albumin, a protein contained in our plasma, is used in hospitals and urgent
and emergency care settings to treat trauma, shock, burns and other emergencies that could happen to anyone. 3. Who can donate plasma? To donate at a CSL Plasma center, you must be in good health, be between the ages of 18-74, weigh at least 110 pounds, have had no tattoos or piercings within the last four months, meet health and screening requirements and have valid identification with a permanent ad-
5. Where can I donate? CSL Plasma has more than 300 plasma donation centers across the United States. Visit cslplasma.com for more information and to find a nearby CSL Plasma center. The CSL Plasma donor app is also available for Apple and Android devices. “People depend on plasma donors to live happy and healthy lives, so it’s important to consider donating if you are able,” says Dr. Hanes. (StatePoint)
Tips To Start Or Expand Your Garden And Make It Thrive Starting a garden for the first time or expanding an existing plot is easier than you may think. With a little love and care, your green space will bloom and thrive.
like people, they do better with a buddy. Companion plants help block weeds, prevent pests, create fertile soil, promote pollination and offer plants a place to climb. In fact, people have been practicing this technique for centuries to create vigorous gardens. For more entertaining, easy-to-understand approaches to making the most of your outdoor spaces, check out the Exmark Backyard Life site at exmark.com/backyard.
“For anyone with the inclination, a beautiful lawn and garden is always within reach,” says Jamie Briggs, director of marketing, Exmark, a leading manufacturer of commercial mowers and equipment for landscape professionals and homeowners with a lot of lawn to cut. This is the driving idea behind “Backyard Smart,” a free online video series. These short explainer videos are full of facts and relevant information to answer your most common lawn and garden questions. The following planting strategies come directly from two recent “Backyard Smart” episodes: • Start With Seeds: Looking to add new plants to your garden and flower bed? Try starting from scratch. While most nurseries have limited species of mature plants to select from, there are literally thousands of varieties of seeds available at dirt cheap prices. A quick trip to the seed kiosk in your
local hardware store offers the potential for you to enjoy flowers you’ve never seen and vegetables you’ve never tasted. “It’s easy to be intimidated by the prospect of growing plants from seeds but the truth is that all you need is soil, just the right amount
of water and lots of sunshine,” says Briggs. “Nature will handle the rest.” • Practice “Companion Planting”: Whether it’s growing marigolds alongside tomatoes to block bad bugs or planting corn next so squash to provide shade, plants are kind of
If you’ve always dreamed of having your own, homegrown, fruits and vegetables in your cooking, or brightening your home with fresh-cut flowers, there is no better time than the present to pursue this dream. The long sunshiny days of summer are ideal for developing your green thumb. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Tips For Enjoying The Sunny Season Safely As the days grow long and the weather warms, you’re likely spending more time outdoors. Whether you’re taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood or competing in a triathlon, keep these five sunny season tips in mind:
the damaging effects of free radicals,” says New Yo r k - b a s e d dermatologist, Rachel Nazarian, MD.
1. Replenish fluids: It’s easy to become dehydrated when you’re active. Replenish your fluids by drinking plenty of water and healthy beverages and by consuming waterrich foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Because sweat contains electrolytes, you’ll also want to add foods that contain sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium to your diet. 2. Protect skin: Sun exposure can contribute to the production of free radicals. More free radicals in the body means more damage can accumulate over time, and this DNA damage can cause gene mutations that can lead to skin cancer. This is why a multi-layered approach to skin protection is vital. In addition to recommending daily use of topical broad-spectrum SPF, a 2020 survey found that 87% of U.S. dermatologists recommend that their patients take a daily dose of Heliocare Daily Use Antioxidant Formula
For more information, visit heliocare.com.
as a simple way to help protect the skin. This natural, dietary supplement contains 240 milligrams of a powerful antioxidant formula derived from the extract of Polypodium leucotomos (PLE). Polypodium leucotomos is a tropical fern native to Central and South America that has been used for centuries as a remedy for skin-related conditions. “Adding a daily supplement like Heliocare to your routine is a simple precaution you can take to help your body protect itself from
3. Protect your feet: Wearing properly-fitting, sports-specific footwear can help you avoid overuse injuries such as plantar fasciitis and tendonitis. Over time and mileage, athletic shoes lose their ability to absorb shock and will need to be replaced to help keep the muscles and joints in your feet and ankles protected. Headed for a swim? Always wear pool shoes or flip flops in the locker room to prevent athlete’s foot and skin infections.
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4. Protect your vision: UV light is harmful to eye health and can put you at greater risk for a number of conditions that impact vision. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection is a good idea. A hat with a brim or cap with a visor can offer eyes additional shade with the bonus of protecting your scalp and face too. At the pool, keep chlorine and other disinfecting chemicals out of your eyes by always using goggles. Some pairs even offer UV protection. 5. Ward off bugs: There’s nothing more calming than connecting with nature, that is until biting and stinging bugs find their way to you. When going for walks in the woods, wear long sleeves and use an EPA-approved insect repellent. When you get home, do a quick inspection for ticks. You can also make your yard a safer, more comfortable place to spend time by using a citronella candle or tiki torch to ward off mosquitoes. Warm sunny weather is ideal for fun, active days spent outdoors. Just be sure to take precautions to stay healthy and safe. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
How To Make An Impact This Global Volunteer Month If you’re like many people right now, you’re feeling a particular sense of urgency to roll up your sleeves and be a force for good.
a no barrier, no stigma food distribution center that helps feed over 600 families a week. ” Morse arrives at the center every Saturday at 5:30 a.m. and leads volunteers in packing and handing out food to members of his community. “I got involved in March 2020. It grew into something that I am extremely passionate about,” says Morse.
“When we face difficult times, as we have during the pandemic and now with the war in Ukraine, we also see the best of humanity and it’s natural for people to want to help,” says Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light, a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. “During times of uncertainty, one thing we can be certain of is that the most powerful force of change is one person making a positive difference.”
• After a 30-year Navy career, William Hicks now volunteers in the AARP Tax-Aide program. In addition to personally preparing tax returns for senior and low-income individuals pro bono, he serves as training coordinator for the state of Maryland, leading efforts to train and certify tax preparation volunteers.
That’s why this April, which is Global Volunteer Month, Points of Light is leading a joint effort with Phillips 66 and The UPS Foundation to activate individuals, nonprofits and corporate partners to recognize individual action and inspire more people to volunteer in their communities.
months, we’ve seen powerful stories of everyday citizens rising to the occasion to support their local communities and those abroad,” says Paquin. Getting Inspired
“Throughout the pandemic and in recent
Volunteers can come from all backgrounds,
be of all ages and help in countless ways. Let these amazing stories behind Points of Light’s Daily Point of Light Award honorees inspire you to action: • 17-year-old Henry Morse of New Orleans helps run CultureAid Nola. “We are
Hindu Charities For America (Education & Careers For America (EC4A) In 2010, Harish Kotecha, retired engineer, founded Hindu Charities for America in Austin, TX, with the mission to Bridge Income Disparities Through Education and the motto Serve Where You Live. With the help of hundreds of donors and volunteers, the organization has become highly successful in Austin and has developed a presence in Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. HC4A reached the milestone of 10 years of service in 2020, and these past two pandemic years have given the organization an opportunity to reflect on its past achievements and examine how it can continue to grow by engaging diverse communities and cor-
porate donors. The beneficiaries of HC4A’s work are the children, youth, and young adults in its service areas who are struggling to achieve the American Dream of a good, prosperous life. To date, HC4A has furthered the education of thousands of young people by providing school supplies, scholarships, and other assistance they need to succeed in school. Without this support, many of the organization’s scholarship recipients could not have finished their studies and found goodpaying jobs that offer career advancement opportunities.
HC4A is proud of what it has accomplished, and looks forward to helping thousands more students in the future. In 2021, HC4A’s board overwhelmingly agreed that it must be part of the effort to provide COVID relief in India as the virus ravaged the country. HC4A not only donated oxygen concentrators, but also contributed to construction of an oxygen plant – working with Tata Memorial Center in Mumbai. HC4A is grateful that its efforts helped save countless lives, and it could not have done this without generous assistance from its donors. (Continued On Page 16)
SCRIBBLINGS BY ARUN
COMPLIMENT AND SUPPLEMENT
Does the crops and fruits satiating our hunger, And the trees that provide all, cool shade and shelter, Feel bad for being utilised by us freely? Does the water quenching thirst of living beings, And the clean air aiding for breathing and
living, Feel bad for being utilised by us freely?
That need to be to each other complementing.
If couple feel used by the other unduly, Rift between the married emerges needlessly, Which spoil their days that could have been spent merrily.
For a few days that we are here as gifted guests, Unwise to waste prized life over petty matters. Each other as per Nature, let us complement, For betterment of living, all shall supplement. (arunsunderraj@gmail.com)
Craftily and beautifully the Creator, Created each and everything in Nature,
• “A small drop in the ocean can make a big difference in the world,” says fourth grader Rayansh Boddu, who joined Recycle My Battery as a vice president and recruited more kids to spread the word. He’s also actively working on Smart Can, which will use AI technology to sort materials needed for recycling in trash. He’s placed over 20 battery bins in different locations and collected more than 25,000 batteries for recycling so far. Getting Started Motivation among Americans is high. In a recent Points of Light survey, a third of respondents said they plan to volunteer more than they did before the pandemic. But figuring out where and how to make an impact is not always straightforward and online resources can help. Points of Light Engage is the world’s largest digital hub for in-person and virtual volunteering and community engagement opportunities. There are also 177 innovative volunteer-mobilizing organizations in 37 countries that are a part of the Points of Light Global Network. They provide real-time information on pressing community needs. You can find these by visiting pointsoflight.org/ gvm. The site also offers tips for safely volunteering, along with inspiration for alternative means of getting involved through Points of Light’s Civic Circle, such as using your purchasing power, lending your voice to a cause or urging your employer to action. “We hope you’ll take the time this month to look for volunteer opportunities and to thank a volunteer in your life,” says Paquin. “Every action, no matter how small, can have an impact and change a life.” (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Is Inflation Putting A Damper On Your Summer Travel? How To Save
After two years of restrictions, summer road trips are top of mind for those looking to get out of town. With rising inflation showing no signs of braking, soaring automotive costs, including gas prices, repairs, rental cars and auto insurance, are threatening to put a damper on summer fun. This is why many consumers are preparing their budgets now to find ways to save. In a recent Experian survey, 76% of Americans say they are actively looking for ways to significantly trim expenses from their monthly budget. The same survey found that a third of Americans who have auto insurance feel their recurring bill hurts their wallet the most. And 28% who have auto insurance say it’s a recurring bill that they’ve had to decide between paying or not paying to avoid going without
basic necessities such as shelter, food, electricity and utilities. Reports show that auto insurance rates are expected to continue to rise in 2022, meanwhile gas prices are the most expensive they’ve ever been. It’s no surprise then that 34% of Americans say they’re cutting back on driving expenses to save money during the current pe-
riod of inflation. Proactively finding ways to reduce costs allows consumers to get ahead of rising prices before they break the budget, and research shows that many consumers are already thinking about reaching out to their insurance provider to see if they can negotiate a cheaper price on their auto insurance.
son tools.
Seventy-eight percent of Americans who have auto insurance report they are likely to contact their auto insurance provider in order to negotiate a better rate within the next three months. Meanwhile, 24% say they are trying to save money by using online price compari-
“Inflation is hitting many consumer’s budgets and we encourage Americans to explore how to find ways to save on recurring bills. Make sure to keep your credit score high to obtain the best rates and terms on credit, and utilize all the resources available.
Consumers can access their Experian credit score and report online for free and try our auto insurance shopping service to compare rates,” says Rod Griffin, senior director of Public Education and Advocacy at Experian. Experian’s service can take the hassle out of finding better car insurance rates for your same coverage. It delivers multiple, tailored rates from more than 40 leading and well-established auto insurance carriers to consumers, potentially saving them more than $900 per year. To learn more, visit www. experian.com/save. As inflation continues to soar, finding ways to save money is becoming even more important. Reducing the cost of monthly expenses like auto insurance can go a long way in helping consumers keep more money in their pockets during their summer road trips and beyond. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
5 Tips To Make A Great First Impression How To Choose The Best Baby Interviewing for your dream job? Going on a promising first date? Meeting your girlfriend’s parents? Here’s how to make a great first impression during all the most important moments: 1. Be on time: To arrive at your destination calm, collected and without breaking a sweat, give
From coffee drips to spaghetti mishaps, unexpected wardrobe malfunctions can happen to anyone and any time. Always be prepared to remove the most common on-the-go stains. Pack a portable stain remover like the OxiClean On the Go Stain Remover Pen. Working like an eraser,
to-go kit in your car, bag or desk drawer can include dental floss, nail polish for touch-ups, an emergency pair of panty hose, lipstick or lip balm, breath mints, hair ties, moisturizer and anything else you need to make on-the-fly adjustments.
Monitor To Meet Your Needs
Creating a baby registry? Upgrading the nursery? If you’re like most
4. Dress for the occasion: It’s im-
nursery as needed. Hint: to create the ideal sleeping environment and ease fussiness, look for a model with adaptive lighting that automatically adjusts to the brightness of your nursery in day or night. • Greater connectivity: Wi-Fi technology is a good solution for on-the-go parents who want the ability to check in, even when someone else is on caregiving duties.
yourself more than enough time for travel. Take into account such unforeseen circumstances as traffic, road closures and parking snafus. If you’re in an unfamiliar area, consider mapping your route the day before. 2. Prepare for the unexpected:
it’s designed to tackle tough stains without leaving a residue, ensuring your outfit looks as fresh as it did when you put it on in the morning. 3. Pay attention to details: Other small details relating to your overall presentation matter. In addition to a portable stain remover, a small
portant to dress right for the occasion, particularly in professional contexts. While standing out is often a good thing, following the (often unspoken) dress code will help ensure you’re only doing so for the right reasons. 5. Be well-rested: Get a great night’s sleep. Not only will you look your best if you show up wellrested, you’ll also be thinking more clearly, be more engaged, ask more insightful questions and field your own responses more carefully.
Bombay Express Indian Vegetarain Restaurant Vegan Friendly
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512-491-5055
(Take-Away is possible on all items on the menu)
While you only get one shot at a first impression, there’s no reason to stress. With a little preparation and attention to detail, you can ensure you’re on top of your game, come what may. (StatePoint)
parents, you probably have questions about baby monitors. Thanks to many new and exciting technological advancements, these essential gadgets have totally transformed over the last few years. To choose the best one to meet your needs, here’s what to know and consider about the latest features: • A fuller picture: For a fuller picture of your child’s slumber, look for a model that not only features both audio and video monitoring, but also gives you greater control over how you view your baby. VTech Communications, Inc., a leading manufacturer of award-winning baby monitors, has launched its first-ever line of LeapFrog Baby Monitors. Among the line-up is the LF920HD, which offers 360-degree horizontal viewing capability and an 80-degree vertical tilt angle on its built-in, wideangle lens. Plus, advanced color night vision technology allows you to see your baby with vivid clarity, even in low-light on its 7-inch, 720p high-definition LCD parent unit display. • Multiple functions: Some of today’s top-of-the-line monitors double function as nightlights, giving you the ability to remotely light the
This is why four new LeapFrog baby monitors were just introduced and additional models will be released later this year that offer a 5-inch, 720p high-definition LCD parent unit display to be used at home, as well as the option to see and hear your baby remotely on a smartphone or other device through a free synced app. Bonus: the app also offers an array of expert tips and advice about sleep and child development inspired by the experts at WeeSleep and LeapFrog. The monitors are available online and at select retailers. • Soothing sounds: Sometimes all a baby needs to get to sleep is to be comforted. That’s why some baby monitors play soothing sounds when crying is detected. Nothing beats a lullaby from you though. Monitors featuring two-way, talkback intercoms allow you to comfort your infant from any room of the house, or in the case of models with Wi-Fi, from your smartphone. There’s no comparison between today’s best baby monitors and those of just a few years ago. New technologies are offering better sleeping environments for babies and unprecedented peace of mind for parents. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
AUSTIN ENERGY’S NOTICE OF INTENT TO CHANGE RATES Austin Energy has reviewed how much it costs to provide electric services to its more than 500,000 customers. Based on this cost-of-service study, Austin Energy is proposing an increase to its base electric rates to accurately reflect the utility’s current operating environment. Starting April 18, 2022, the proposed new base rates will be available to the public as part of Austin Energy’s Base Rate Filing Package. To facilitate the base rate review process, the City has hired an Impartial Hearing Examiner (IHE), who will conduct a review of Austin Energy’s base rate proposal. The IHE will help the Austin City Council’s decisionmaking process by organizing the opinions and information presented by Austin Energy and any of its customers who want to offer their input. Then, the IHE will prepare a formal recommendation to the City Council about how best to proceed with the rate proposal. The City Council has the final authority to set retail rates. Approved base rates will go into effect starting in 2023. To participate in the formal IHE process, you must (1) be an Austin Energy customer, and (2) submit a request to participate. People who wish to participate in these proceedings should notify the IHE as soon as possible, as the deadline to request participation is May 18, 2022. More information, including a copy of the guidelines explaining how to formally participate and how to file a request to participate, is available at austinenergy.com/go/rates. The public may also review Austin Energy’s Base Rate Filing Package, once it is released, and submit a feedback form at SpeakUpAustin.org/rates.
Customer Driven. Community Focused. © Austin Energy
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Small Steps You And Your Family Can Take To Go Green This Earth Day If you’re like many parents, you want to set a good example for your children and teach them how they can positively impact the world around them. However, when it comes to sustainable efforts, the responsibility of saving the environment can seem like a monumental task.
To make shopping for ecofriendly footwear easier, Rack Room Shoes created a shoppable page on its website featuring shoes made with sustainable materials. Visit: rackroomshoes. com/cs/sustainablematerial. Choose Paper Over Plastic
Going green while parenting might sound challenging, but small steps can make a difference, especially as more companies and brands are getting in on the effort to go green. Get started on the right foot this Earth Day with the following tips and insights: Choose Eco-Friendly Shoes Children’s feet grow fast and need to be replaced often. That’s why you can consider selecting footwear that incorporates eco-friendly features. Here are a few sustainable options:
• Teva’s signature sandal straps are made from recycled plastic bottles to reduce waste. The brand offers styles for men, women, and children. • Birkenstock’s classic and modern footbed sandals, which come in various colors, are made from nat-
ural materials such as cork, natural latex, and jute. • The TOMS Earthwise Collection includes an assortment of on-trend flats with a 50% recycled cotton canvas upper and a non-removable insole made with 50% eco-content for a seamless fit.
With a bit of creativity, you can replace plastic utensils, sandwich bags, and single-use beverage containers at home with sustainable, reusable alternatives. Also, try purchasing favorite household items in bulk instead to limit the amount of packaging you consume. While individual efforts are important, companies will also need to embrace change. Retailers, such as Rack Room Shoes, are enacting company-wide initiatives. They have begun replacing plastic bags with paper in many locations and
will be using only paper bags, chain-wide, in the coming months. The company also recycles, utilizes energy efficient lighting and has sustainable flooring at many locations. You and your children can make an impact by taking a reusable tote when you shop and learning about your local recycling program together. “It’s important to work with our customers, associates and partners to positively impact our environment,” said Rack Room Shoes president and CEO Mark Lardie. “We are making progress by continuing to identify ways we can evolve our products and processes for a more sustainable future.” The small steps you take to go green will keep the planet healthy for generations to come. (StatePoint)
To Create A Greener Future This Earth Day, Rethink, Reuse And Refill Humans produce over 380 million tons of plastic every year, according to Plastic Oceans. Because plastic doesn’t biodegrade, it creates waste, litter and pollution. But there are steps you can take to reduce your own contribution to this mounting problem. Here are a few ideas to consider this Earth Day:
nies can convert plastic into a valuable resource. • Ditch single-use items: Speaking of plastic bottles, the array of amazing reusable water bottles available today will have you breaking your single-use bottle habit in no time. Models today include all kinds of innovative features that make it easy to make the switch, including water filtration, insulation, sleek designs and built-in straws.
• Hold the plastic: Ordering in tonight? Chances are you don’t need the plastic utensils that come with your meal. The good news is that many online food delivery platforms offer you the option of forgoing plastic forks, knives and spoons. If this option isn’t available, you may be able to use a “special instructions” field to make the same request. • Write right: Switch to brands that are working toward sustainable solutions, such as Pilot Pen. Since 2007, Pilot has been producing premium pens with recycled content, like B2P. B2P (or ‘Bottle-2-Pen’) Gel pens by G2 contain 89% post-consum-
But refilling goes beyond just water bottles. Eighty-seven percent of Pilot’s best-selling pen brands, including B2P, G2, Precise and erasable FriXion, are 100% refillable and reusable?
er upcycled plastic, and are the world’s first pens made of recycled plastic bottles. With 2.5 million
plastic bottles entering landfills every hour in the United States, this is a good example of how compa-
Simply swap out the empty ink refill for a fresh one and use your favorite pen again and again. It’s a small step you can take to create less plastic waste for continued use.
• Rethink your household routine: Studies show that 39% of shoppers in the United States want “sustainable” options. Roughly the same amount also look for premium quality from the items they choose for their families. So many household items are packaged in plastic, but more sustainable alternatives are available, from zero waste bathroom products to eco-friendly cleaning supplies. Product packaging is also getting eco-friendly updates. Roughly 77% of Pilot’s retail packaging contains recycled materials, and the company is committed to continuing to increase this percentage in the coming years. Manufacturers like Pilot make it easier to make greener choices without having to give up your favorite products. The small choices you make matter. By reducing your use of plastic today, you can help write the story of a more sustainable tomorrow. (StatePoint)
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4 Tips For Preparing Your Home To Sell In Today’s Market In the current market, houses are selling fast – meaning there’s typically no need to spend time and money on large home repairs and renovations to get an offer. Instead, homeowners should focus on quick, easy DIY projects to give their space a facelift before listing – here’s how.
moving snow and ice. If the home’s exterior is in need of a little more TLC, consider adding a pop of color to the front door
with a fresh coat of paint, installing unique shutters for visual interest or updating to a new mailbox. Pull it all together with a seasonal wreath or welcome mat. 2. Paint As N e e d e d . Moving into the interior, spruce things up by refreshing walls with new paint. Rather than redoing every room, focus on painting over bright, bold colors with a neutral palette more likely to appeal to the masses.
1. Enhance Curb Appeal. “The exterior of your home sets the tone for what buyers can expect inside,” says Lindsey Mahoney, DIYer behind Building Bluebird and licensed realtor with Rigali Group at Danberry. “If a buyer pulls up to a house where the outside is in disrepair, it sets off red flags that the home may have hidden issues from neglect.” The simplest way to enhance your home’s curb appeal is to maintain the yard, regardless of the season or weather. Depending on the climate, homeowners should consider cutting the grass, planting flowers and greenery, raking leaves, watering the grass and flowers, or re-
To get started, tape off the room with FrogTape Multi-Surface
Painting Tape. The tape is made with PaintBlock Technology, a super-absorbent polymer that instantly gels to form a micro-barrier that seals the edges of the tape. This will prevent bleed and leave the walls with crisp, clean lines that won’t need touch-ups. 3. Make Minor Repairs. As you’re gearing up to sell, pay close attention to minor things that may need to be updated or repaired. For example, leaky faucets, loose cabinet handles or doors that stick are all minor fixes – but ignoring them could leave potential buyers assuming that there are larger problems within the home. Do a careful walkthrough before listing to look for any small fixes that need to be made. 4. Declutter and Clean. A messy house is a major turnoff for potential buyers, so prioritize decluttering and cleaning. Start by eliminating as many personal items as possible, including toiletries, kids’ items and personal décor like fam-
ily photos, fan memorabilia and religious and political objects. It’s also important to spruce up the appearance of beds, couch pillows and counters in the kitchen and bathrooms. “If you have a small closet and your clothes are jammed into it, take out half so it looks like there is room to add more,” Mahoney recommends. “You don’t want your buyer’s first thought to be that they won’t be able to fit their belongings in the bedroom closet.” Once things are organized, each room should receive a deep clean, including wiping surfaces, floors and baseboards, as well as cleaning any appliances, sinks, toilets and showers. As the open house approaches, open doors and windows for fresh air and natural light, leaving the home looking and smelling pleasant for potential buyers. (StatePoint)
New Research Sheds Light On How People Are Taking Civic Action New research is offering insights into how the world can recover and rebuild from the pandemic, along with how individuals and organizations can address issues they care about in their communities. “Civic Life Today: The State of Global Civic Engagement,” which was commissioned by Points of Light and designed and executed by INFLUENCE|SG, studied attitudes around civic engagement in the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Brazil. “We believe that the most powerful force is the individual who has realized their power to make change happen. However, everyone can be more impactful when working together,” says Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light, the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to accelerating people-powered change. “This report is intended to reveal ways to act effectively -- making it easier for individuals to find these opportunities and organizations to create them.”
spondents wanted their countries to support, with healthcare ranked the leading issue in the United States.
The report also supports Points of Light’s Civic Circle, a framework that helps people understand that there are many ways to do good. The nine activities outlined by the Civic Circle are: listening and learning, using one’s voice, social entrepreneurship, volunteering, public, national or military service, using one’s purchasing power to express values, working, voting, and donating. Whether you’re a business leader hoping to mobilize your employees, a nonprofit or NGO leader looking to connect individuals to your cause, or an individual wanting to support
your community, the Civic Circle and these key report takeaways can help you get started: • Pandemic effects are universal: The same social issues and personal costs have been shared by people everywhere. At the country level, healthcare, education, and the environment/ climate demand attention. On a personal level, the health of others in the community is where the most impact has been felt, followed by individuals’ financial and mental health. • Issues leading civic engagement: Education, the environment, and healthcare were the top issues re-
• How people prefer to take action: The most common Civic Circle actions taken by respondents were using one’s voice (influencing one’s network through social media, advocacy, or other form of expression), listening and learning (learning about a cause or social issue), and volunteering (intentionally helping someone else). However, perceived barriers to civic engagement linger -- two of the top three reasons people cited for a lack of social issue involvement were financial in nature, reflecting the perception that being civically involved means donating money. • Virtual volunteering is here to stay: Volunteerism has not only remained important, it’s on the rise, with 54% of global respondents saying, “I plan to volunteer more than I did before the pandemic.” Of those, the vast majority intend to do so primarily via virtual op-
portunities. • Calls for corporate involvement: Individuals see companies as having an obligation to get involved. Indeed, a majority of respondents said they expect companies to address social challenges. At the same time, respondents are measuring a given company’s sincerity by the way it treats its employees. On Tuesday, May 10 at 1 pm ET, Points of Light will host a webinar with INFLUENCE|SG to discuss the research findings in more detail. To register and download the report, visit pointsoflight.org/civicengagement-research. “At a time when the whole world is facing a common challenge, we’re excited to see people take action. According to this report, 80% of Americans took at least one civic action in a 30-day period, up from 52% in May 2020. That statistic itself is amazing,” says Paquin. “If we hope to move forward together, it’s this positive energy that we must capture.” (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
How To Protect Your Personally Identifiable Information (Continued From Page 01) There are a lot of cyber cr Your personally identifiable information (also known as PII) should be kept as private as possible, especially when you are on the internet. There are a lot of cyber criminals out there, all waiting to find a way to hack into people’s computers and devices to steal valuable information that they can use to steal money or identities. What are some of the ways that you can work toward protecting your personally identifiable information on the internet? Check out the tips below to get started. Remove Information That’s Easy To Find While you might be doing everything possible to keep your information as secure as possible on
head to the Radaris opt out page for instructions on how to request removal. Protect Your Computer From Viruses And Hackers
your end, a people search website might be displaying that exact same information for anyone to access. Want to see what we’re referring to? Head over to Spokeo and do a search using your full name to see if any listings appear. You might discover that they’re allowing people to find your contact information and background details super easily. If that is the case, it’s time to take action by requesting
the removal of that information through the Spokeo opt out page. Spokeo isn’t the only people search site out there, though. There’s also Intelius. So if they’re showcasing your personally identifiable information too, head to the Intelius opt out page. Yet another example, among many, that you should check is Radaris. Once again, if this site is displaying your information for all to see, it’s time to
What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About The BA.2 Omicron Subvariant (Continued From Page 01) The AMA’s What Doctors Wish Patients Knew™ series provides physicians with a platform to share what they want patients to understand about today’s health care headlines, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In this installment, AMA member Nancy Crum, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Avita Health System in Galion, Ohio, discusses what patients need to know about the BA.2 Omicron subvariant. Dr. Crum is also an alternate delegate in the AMA House of Delegates for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. BA.2 is a modified version of BA.1 “As we’ve hit year three of the pandemic, the virus … has mutated and changed over time,” said Dr. Crum. “The major variants are named according to the Greek alphabet—Alpha, Beta, Delta and now Omicron.” “If it’s a more minor shift in the genetic sequencing, then it becomes a subvariant,” she said, noting that “Omicron BA.1 was the major variant that supplanted Delta and that happened over the winter months. “And now we have BA.2, which
is a modified version of the BA.1 that’s becoming the most prevalent in the United States,” Dr. Crum added. It’s more contagious, but not more severe “The concern is that even though our COVID-19 rates are super low right now—at least where I work—could this variant or the variant after this one take off and cause increasing numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths again?” said Dr. Crum. That’s because the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron is “more transmissible.”
surge of cases over the next several weeks?
Dr. Crum noted that most experts “say it’s 30% to 60% more transmissible, so it’s a risk—especially if it gets into a nonimmune population—to be able to skyrocket in terms of the number of cases. However, fortunately this variant is not more virulent in terms of causing more severe disease,” she said.
Sore throat is a common symptom “We’ve been seeing a lot more of sore throat and pharyngitis that we didn’t really see before,” said Dr. Crum. Some of the other symptoms experienced are “very similar to the other coronaviruses such as febrile illness and respiratory symptoms.” “Patients can also have gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, and loss of taste or loss of smell, although I’ve seen that a lot less with the newer variants,” she said, noting that symptoms for BA.2 may also include muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting, and congestion.
Other countries have seen outbreaks “People are really concerned because: one—yes, it’s here in the United States, and two—yes, it’s caused outbreaks in other countries. So what this is going to mean for us is really the big question,” Dr. Crum said. “Is it just going to be there at low levels causing a few cases or are we going to see an up-
“And then the other question is, will we get yet another variant that’s going to supplant BA.2 that’s going to start up in the future and how impactful will these future variants be?” she added. “The concern is that people are discontinuing mask wearing, opening up venues and getting rid of a lot of the COVID-19 precautions, which may provide a foothold for this and future variants then to take off.”
(Continued On Page 13)
Remove Information That’s Easy To Find
Another way to protect your personal information is by installing software that will help protect your computer against malware, viruses, ransomware, and cyber attacks. If you can keep hackers out effectively, and you know how to protect yourself by avoiding things like phishing scams, you can rest assured that you are doing something every day to keep your data secure. In addition to using software, there are other things that you can do daily to protect yourself. For example, make it a point to visit only secure websites that you trust, don’t click on links in emails unless you are absolutely sure that it is safe to do so, and use encryption, firewalls, and a VPN to further help prevent the theft of your data.
While you might be doing everything possible to keep your information as secure as possible on your end, a people search website might be displaying that exact same information for anyone to access. Want to see what we’re referring to? Head over to Spokeo and do a search using your full name to see if any listings appear. You might discover that they’re allowing people to find your contact information and background details super easily. If that is the case, it’s time to take action by requesting the removal of that information through the Spokeo opt out page. Spokeo isn’t the only people search site out there, though. There’s also Intelius. So if they’re showcasing your personally identifiable information too, head to the Intelius opt out page. Yet another example, among many, that you should check is Radaris.
Turn On Two-Step Verification For Logging Into Your Accounts
Turn On Two-Step Verification For Logging Into Your Accounts
This can help ensure that, even in the event that a hacker were able to figure out the password to your account, they wouldn’t be able to access it easily. With an extra step in the login process (such as having a security code sent to your cell phone as a text message), you can keep intruders out and protect your personal information.
It should go without saying that you should only use strong passwords that are difficult to guess and filled with uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers. But if you have the option of turning on two-step verification on any of your accounts, do so. This can help ensure that, even in the event that a hacker were able to figure out the password to your account, they wouldn’t be able to access it easily. With an extra step in the login process (such as having a security code sent to your cell phone as a text message), you can keep intruders out and protect your personal information. The bottom line is this: protecting your personally identifiable information is important, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. In addition to only sharing these details with legitimate businesses you trust completely, following a few steps can help you keep your data from getting into the wrong hands. (Courtesy: www. IndiaWest.com)
The bottom line is this: protecting your personally identifiable information is important, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. In addition to only sharing these details with legitimate businesses you trust completely, following a few steps can help you keep your data from getting into the wrong hands. iminals out there, all waiting to find a way to hack into people’s computers and devices to steal valuable. information that they can use to steal money or identities. What are some of the ways that you can work toward protecting your personally identifiable information on the internet? Check out the tips below to get started.
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Essential Everyday Carry Items For Hiking Everybody has their own list of everyday carry items that they cannot do without when they leave the house. When you go hiking, everyday carry items become all the more important, as you may have to deal with a multitude of situations when you are a little further away from civilization. Here are some of the top everyday carry items needed for hiking trips. In its most fundamental sense, everyday carry (EDC) is defined as a collection of items that are useful for a person to be able to go about their day. EDC items are usually needed to handle everyday situations, and typically include wallets, keys, phones, and watches. For some people, the list may expand to include things such as selfdefense items, flashlights, notepads, and pens.
regularly opt for an EDC box subscription box, to ensure they are well-equipped for their days spent out and about. If you’re putting together a list of essential EDC items for your hiking trips, here are the things you should consider adding to it. Flashlight
If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, the list of EDC items you take with you will expand from your usual items. When out hiking, you need to be prepared
for many situations you wouldn’t normally come across, particularly if you live in a well-connected or urban community. Some people who go out walking and hiking
What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About The BA.2 Omicron Subvariant (Continued From Page 12) If there’s a question, take a test “We’re seeing very low rates of positivity for coronavirus right now and we’re actually seeing more influenza,” said Dr. Crum. That’s why “everyone coming in with any of those symptoms gets both a COVID test and an influenza test at the same time.” Many states have low positivity rates “The good news is that many places in the United States continue to report decreased or very low rates of cases and hospitalizations,” Dr. Crum said. “So, we really haven’t seen this variant take off. “But we do need to be careful because we still have quite a few unvaccinated people in the United States and if we’re going to take away masks and other preventive strategies, we’ve got to be cautious,” she added. Vaccines and booster doses still work
“Data suggests the vaccines are protective against BA.1 and BA.2. I haven’t seen data to suggest that vaccines would not be helpful for the current circulating variants,” said Dr. Crum. “We’re still recommending people get their primary series and their booster vaccines accordingly.” “The question I’m getting now is do we need a second booster? And the answer’s going to be, yes,” she said. “If you’re 50 or older and it’s been at least four months since your last booster,” or if you have a compromised immune system, you are eligible for another mRNA booster to increase protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Additionally, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago may now receive a second booster dose with an mRNA vaccine. “These days, we still just recommend people get the vaccine if you haven’t because there is protection against the current circulating virus,” said Dr. Crum.
Long COVID is affecting many “One of the things that’s amazing about this virus is the different problems people have come in with,” Dr. Crum said. “It’s not just simply a short-term illness with a sore throat or a cough, rather up to 30% of people are having long COVID—defined as four weeks or more of symptoms—with all kinds of issues from shortness of breath to fatigue to hearing problems to dizziness to ocular symptoms.” “What this new variant is going to look like as far as its propensity to cause long COVID, we don’t know, but I would expect for us to see more people with long term issues,” she said. That is why it’s important “to have people protected not just for the short-term illness, but from the issues that people can have for months and maybe even years after having COVID-19.” “It’s very common to see young, previously healthy people that now can’t go back to work or now are having all these issues,” she added. “It’s not the old people or the people with severe disease. (Continued On Page 21)
If you don’t already carry a flashlight in your day-to-day life, you should definitely consider adding one to your hiking EDC kit. Many people rely on the flashlights available on smartphones these days, but as soon as your phone battery dies, you lose all the extra functionalities with it too. Having a flashlight with you when out hiking should be considered a necessity. If your hike takes longer than you planned and it gets dark, you will have a guaranteed source of light. (Just make sure you bring fully charged batteries!) Not only does a flashlight bring a guaranteed source of light, it will allow you to save the battery on your smartphone for more important things, such as making emergency phone calls when you have service. Flashlights are also a good self-defense tool. If you feel like you are in a hostile situation, flash the light in someone’s eyes to buy a few seconds to get away. Portable Charger Thinking about cell phones, most people carry one with them, even if they are spending a day out in nature on a hike. A cell phone is a great EDC item while hiking, although it’s important to remember that you won’t necessarily have cell phone service in more remote areas. If this is the case, preserve your phone battery while out hiking by putting your phone on airplane mode. This will stop the phone from constantly searching for connectivity, which drains a battery rapidly. And always have a back-up plan when it comes to your phone, by bringing a remote charger with you. If you do get into any trouble, you will hopefully be able to get some cell phone service at some point to make an emergency
phone call. Multitools People who enjoy day hiking rather than camping are often particularly aware of wanting to travel light. This can stop them from carrying tools with them that could be important if your hiking trip doesn’t go as planned. In this instance, a multitool can be a good compromise as a hiking EDC. Good multitools have many functionalities all in one, including a knife blade, can opener, screwdriver, saw, wire stripper, and more. If it’s a small multitool, you won’t get quite the same power or effectiveness as carrying these tools as individual items, but it will still go a long way towards helping you in an emergency situation. Lighter If you get into trouble on a hiking trip and have to stay out longer than planned, you will absolutely need a source of heat and light. What’s more, you won’t even notice the space that a lighter takes up in your daypack. The main thing to ensure is that the lighter you pack is in good working order and has plenty of fuel left in it. For people who really want to ensure they have a good lighter for outdoor situations, good outdoors shops do sell flameless, waterproof, and windproof lighters, which could be a great addition to your hiking EDC kit. Remember that a lighter is about more than making a fire. You may be able to use it to cook food, as a candle, or as an emergency beacon too. Water Filter In any hiking situation that doesn’t go quite to plan, you will want to know you have access to safe drinking water. This is why adding a water filter, or water purification tablets, to your pack is something you don’t want to miss. Again, this is something that doesn’t take up much space, but can help to ensure you stay safely hydrated during your hiking expedition. (Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Six Earth Day Tweaks You Can Make To Your Shopping Habits Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a good time to consider making more sustainable tweaks to the way you shop. With major companies leading the charge, it’s easier than you might think. For example, Amazon co-founded and became the first signatory to The Climate Pledge in 2019. Now, more than 300 companies have signed the Pledge and committed to reaching net-zero carbon by 2040, working together and taking bold steps to decarbonize their businesses and fight climate change. As part of the Pledge, Amazon is working to reduce carbon emissions across its own operations, from adding 100,000 electric delivery vehicles to its global delivery fleet and investing in renewable energy, to inventing machine
fications that help protect the natural world. A new private brand, Amazon Aware, now features thoughtfully-designed, affordable, everyday essentials across fashion, home and beauty made from materials such as recycled polyester, organic cotton, and bio-based ingredients with certifications from the Climate Pledge Friendly program specific to product type.
learning algorithms to arrive at the best possible packaging choices for deliveries. Here are six tips to shop more sustainably for yourself: 1. Browse wisely: When browsing
Amazon, you can now shop from a selection of more than 300,000 products from more than 20,000 fan-favorite brands such as Honest Company, Columbia and Burt’s Bees designated as “Climate Pledge Friendly.” This ensures these products have one or more of 39 certi-
2. Learn more about small brands: Brands, entrepreneurs and startups are overcoming the challenges associated with launching new products. Amazon Launchpad, which provides businesses with support, is sharing unique stories from brands with more sustainable products, including South Korean vegan skincare line, Melixir, as well as GOODSAM, SHANTI BAR, and
Creative Teens Have A Chance To Win College Scholarships An annual scholarship contest is once again helping creative teens
pay their college expenses. Here’s what to know:
Duck brand’s 22nd Annual Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest awards nearly $25,000 in scholarships to the creators of the best Duck Tape prom attire.
ence prom at all, yet we had more young designers than ever before crafting at home and showing off their artistry virtually,” said Ashley Luke, senior product manager at Shurtape Technologies, LLC, the company that markets the Duck brand.
New and experienced crafters alike who are enrolled in high school or home school are invited to enter their beautiful and bold dress and tuxedo designs through June 8.
“Now it’s time for the next generation of talented teens to put their creativity to the test.”
“Over the last two years, many students didn’t have the opportunity to experi-
For important contest dates, more information about this year’s rules and to enter, visit StuckAtProm. com. No matter what inspires you, be it art and animals or culture and high fashion, it’s your turn to shine. So pull out your scissors and skills and start making your award-winning masterpiece. (StatePoint)
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White Leaf Provisions at Amazon. com/Launchpad-Earth-Day. 3. Reuse: Discover and buy refurbished products that have been professionally inspected and tested to work and look like new. At Amazon Renewed, you can find great prices on pre-owned smartphones, laptops, tablets, desktops, and cameras, across top brands. Products are backed by a 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee. You can also look for items offered by Amazon Warehouse to find quality pre-owned, used, and open-box items, all of which have passed a 20-point quality inspection and are backed by a 30-day return policy. 4. Donate: Shop at smile.amazon. com and AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchases to the charity of your choice at no extra cost to you. Participating organizations include a wide range of environmental charities. Additionally, in celebration of Earth Month, U.S. customers can now say “Alexa, grow a tree” to donate $1 to plant one tree through One Tree Planted, an environmental charity that supports reforestation around the world. 5. Don’t trash it, trade it in: Did you know you can trade in certain devices, cell phones and video games for an Amazon gift card? Through Amazon’s Trade-In program, the devices are either restored and resold, or recycled, ensuring a more sustainable way to dispose of devices. 6. Recycle: Learn how to recycle packaging in your community by visiting the Amazon Second Chance page at amazon.com/amsc. Additionally, when your orders arrive, find details of how to recycle and dispose of packaging by clicking on the “Returns & Orders” section of your account. The website also features information on how to trade in and recycle products, and how to find open-box and refurbished devices. For more sustainability stories and tips, visit amazon.com/earthday. Your purchasing decisions matter and small steps can collectively make a difference. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
5 Ways To Celebrate Summer with Today’s Newest Tech
Warm summer days are perfect for pool parties, cookouts, and bike rides. With the latest technology, there are endless ways to enhance
modern in the corner of any room, to cooling mattresses that can keep any type of sleeper comfortable throughout the night.
2. SmashUps. SmashUps from American Greetings are customizable videos that you can personalize and send via email, text
fun for the whole family, including Uncle Sam selfies. SmashUps can be sent for almost every occasion including birthdays, weddings, and retirement. Or you can send messages just to say “congrats” or “thinking of you.” Regardless of the celebration, SmashUps are almost guaranteed to entertain everyone from dads to grads. 3. Waterproof Tech. Whether it’s a pool party or a day on the lake, a quality cooler isn’t the only thing you’ll need.
this summer’s activities and celebrations. 1. Beat the Heat. The sweltering summer heat can be hard to handle. Luckily, the latest in cooling technology includes everything from fancy fans that look sleek and
Another great way to keep cool this summer is to invest in a quality drink cooler or insulated water bottle that you can bring along with you to cookouts and pool parties to keep your drinks ice-cold, all day long.
message or share on social media for a number of holidays and celebratory occasions throughout the year. There are SmashUps specifically for celebrating summer holidays, including a Juneteenth message from Alicia Keys, a special Father’s Day news bulletin from Kevin Nealon, and Fourth of July
Have you considered if your favorite technology is waterproof? Whether it’s your speaker, phone or camera, you’ll want to make sure it’s safe by choosing one that is already waterproof or finding a case that can seal it off from water damage. 4. Bluetooth Thermometer. Grilling outside is a summer staple. If you’re stumped on a unique gift this Father’s Day, consider a
Bluetooth meat thermometer. The handy device allows Dad to monitor the internal temperature of the food on the grill from his phone, so he can spend more time mingling with guests, or cooling off in front of the TV. 5. Fitness. The warm summer weather leaves plenty of options for outdoor physical activity. Whether it’s a walk, run, bike ride or swim, there is a variety of technology to keep you on track with hitting your fitness goals. For the walkers and runners, Bluetooth headphones can motivate you for the duration of the workout. For the bikers, there are odometers that can be added to the bike to track how far you’ve gone. For swimmers, waterproof smartwatches can be worn to track the outputs of a swim. The latest technology has something for everyone to help improve your life and the way you celebrate this summer. (StatePoint)
OPEN Texas Celebrates Pakistani And South Asian Entrepreneurs (Continued From Page 01)
The audience listened with keen interest when Rabeel Warraich, the CEO and Founder of Sarmayacar, shared his knowledge as Pakistan’s first and largest institutional venture capitalist to showcase how Pakistan is at a tipping point for explosive growth. “I loved the passion everyone has especially for building up opportunities back in Pakistan,” Emily Lewis-Pinnell, VP of Cloud at NTT Data Services who attended the conference said.
The conference, which was convened at the UT Commons Conference Center at 10100 Burnet Road, Austin, had something for everyone in their entrepreneurial journey. “As you begin to take this journey it is important to have a network around you to help and guide you,” Taimur Rashid, CBO at Redis who attended the conference said. “Entrepreneurs are taking the leap, and more importantly looking for the right mentorship.” More than 200 investors, founders, C-Suite executives, entrepreneurs, government representatives, and professionals attended the conference. Panels included “Taking the Leap unto Entrepreneurship’’ and “Opportunities in Pakistan,” talked about technology to use to power startups. Delivering the keynote
The day-long conference included a startup pitch competition called Demo Day. address, Omair Tariq, the CEO and founder of cart.com, a company that grew to $150M in its first year, spoke about his life and death experiences in Pakistan that motivated him to live a life without any
regrets. Aasim Hasan, partner at Moneta Ventures, talked about the thriving ecosystem for venture capital in Austin.
As a part of this segment, some startups practiced delivering pitches to a panel of investors. The six startups, Byonyks, Mecha-
Sense, Mecca Digital, PixelOne, AthleisureX, and Manaky, covered a wide variety of industries from healthcare to fashion and travel. The judges rated Manaky and their model of building travel experiences in Pakistan the most promising startup. OPEN thanked SOALTech, Austin Peace Academy, The Property Center, Sarmayacar, Polymer DLP, and SpecTower Realty group in making this event possible. “You have the critical mass now, and you’ll really start something big from here,” Jahangir Piracha, CEO of Engro Petrochemicals, said about OPEN Austin. A virtual Demo Day is planned for this September. For more information on events in Austin please visit austin.openglobalweb.org.
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Plan The Ultimate Patio Party With This Checklist If you’re like many people, you’re more than ready to gather friends together. Whether you’re planning the bash of the century or just want to turn a run-of-themill afternoon into a bonified party, use these tips to make your outside gathering pop: Great Food Barbecues are always popular, but you don’t need a huge grill set-up to entertain guests outdoors. In warmer weather, you may prefer to keep guests cool and wellfed with light bites like Vietnamese sum-
dient -- Disorderly TeaHouse -- at Sprouts, Meijer, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Safeway. Or you can have it delivered. For $5 off on Drizly, use the promo code “DTHCincodeMayo” between April 28 and May 8, code “DTHMemorialDay” between May 15 and May 31, and “DTHFirstTasteofSummer” between June 1 and June 22. (Courtesy of Drizly. 21+. New users only. Void where prohibited).
Austin South Asian | May 2022
Hindu Charities For America (Education & Careers For America (EC4A) organization become recognized more for what it does, it will expand its services through broader engagement with the population at large. Those interested in learning more can visit the new website at ec4a.org.
Great Jams
(Continiued From Page 06) The pandemic also forced HC4A to rethink how it could continue fund-raising events in new and creative ways.
mer rolls, charcuterie, fresh dips, seasonal veggies, cold pasta and fruit salad. Fun Games Keep spirits high with fun activities. Lawn games like cornhole, Spikeball and oversized Jenga are perennial favorites. For those that prefer to take it easy, be sure to include games that can be played at the table, like Cards Against Humanity and all of its various iterations. Do you and your friends have a competitive streak? Set up a bracket system and host a knockout tournament. Winner gets bragging rights until the next party. Surprising Libations Hard teas are trending, hard. They make for a delicious daytime sipper on their own, but can also serve as the perfect base for warm weather cocktails -- especially when they’re made from authentic ingredients. Lagunitas’ Disorderly TeaHouse, a 100-calorie, gluten-free, premium spiked, sparkling tea is brewed using guayusa leaves -- an Amazonian botanical herb -- and features natural fruit flavors, like yuzu lemon, raspberry and blackberry. Try it alone or make this simple slushie recipe your party’s signature cocktail: lagunitas.com/story/disorderly-teahouseslushie. You can pick up the main ingre-
The right music can make a good party great. Be the perfect host (and DJ) by just hitting play on this already carefully-curated “Steep Cuts” playlist from Lagunitas. Featuring artists like Kurt Vile, The Linda Lindas and Jack White, it celebrates all things disorderly like mosh pits, sound blasting out of garages, and dancing with wild abandon: open.spotify.com/playlist/2E2GGB9TYIeOvvwjRY6 VzX. Be sure to make the most of your playlist with high-quality, durable speakers designed to deliver great sound in outdoor spaces over the revelry. Those that link to other Bluetooth speakers are a good choice for creating surround sound -- perfect for that impromptu dance party. Take the Party into Night Should your party extend into the evening, you’ll want to be prepared. Remember that at dusk, the bugs come out in full force, so consider citronella candles to ward them off. For cool nights, consider having a heat lamp or smokeless portable fire pit on hand to keep guests nice and toasty. For ambiance and to illuminate the fun, hang string lighting or paper lanterns. With this patio party checklist, you can give every party you throw this season something a little extra. (StatePoint)
Instead of in-person events, HC4A successfully funded its school-supply and scholarship programs in 2020 through digital outreach. Thanks to countless volunteers and donors, HC4A had its best year ever! The leadership team also took time to consider other changes that will move HC4A forward. Its name—Hindu Charities—implies who the organization is, but it does not convey what it does. When making presentations to potential service recipients or donors, HC4A’s representative often had to explain that it is not a religious charity, nor does it serve Hindus only. In fact, presenters pointed out that Hindu students are rarely beneficiaries of the organization’s work. After much discussion and deliberation, the leadership team concluded that the time had come to transition the focus of Hindu Charities from who it is to what it does. The team decided that new branding was necessary, and agreed that the most appropriate name would be one that reflects HC4A’s focus on supporting education that leads to careers. Thus the new brand is Education & Careers For America or EC4A. The registered name Hindu Charities for America does not change—who it is helped establish presence in the community. Now, as the
Mr. Kotecha, having spent most of his time over the past 20 years doing volunteer work since his retirement in 2001, has decided it is time to spend more time with family and addressing health issues. While he will step away from core responsibilities of EC4A, he will remain as Founder and moral guide as the organization expands in new ways. Mr. Kotecha stated, “we have built HC4A with tactical vision – moving forward we must build it with strategic vision.” He announced that Pankil Matalia will take the lead on carrying out this strategic vision. “Pankil will continue our school-supplies and scholarship-funding programs, and he will also look at other effective programs that will grow our services and chapters over time,” Mr. Kotecha said. Mr. Matalia will begin his new role by leading a return of Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt, EC4A’s annual school-supplies fundraiser, on June 26, 2022, at the Jewish Community Center in Austin from 4-7 PM. Mr. Kotecha concluded, “I know that many believe in and support EC4A’s mission and will provide Pankil and his team the support they need to take EC4A from Good to Great! I am looking forward to continued growth and success for EC4A!” Scholarship awards to Capital Idea in memory of EC4A former Foundation Board Chair Late Dr. Ishvar Thakkar! From Left to right: Steve Jacobs (Exec. Dir., Capital Idea), Amy Silvery (Amy Silvey Dir. of Development & Communications, Capital Idea), Jaya Thakkar (Foundation Board Member, EC4a), Dinesh Vakharia (VP Programs, EC4A) & Barbara James (VP Programs, EC4A)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
WHO Chief Scientist Warns Of Omicron BA.2, New Variants: How To Survive COVID Without Lockdown. 5Pts (Continued From Page 01)
Guidelines can be made according to epidemiology. Public health measures should be tightened as the infection progresses.
And several other variants like the XE, BA.4 and BA.5 have also been detected. Under such circumstances, it is extremely essential to maintain all COVID rules to curb the spread of the virus.
Vaccination is the best measure: Immunity wears off over time and even complete vaccination with Omicron does not protect against infection. However, a full course of vaccination is the best defense against serious illness, she reaffirmed.
The WHO expert also indicated that there is no need for another lockdown-like measure in the future, but ‘all people must wear masks’ as a precautionary measure. Follow Covid guidelines: In an interview with Navabharat Times, Swaminathan asserted, COVID is an airborne virus in which closed, crowded places with poor ventilation are at risk. “So, as long as covid continues to spread
among people, it is good to maintain caution.” Listing out the preventive measures, she said: If everyone wears a well-fitting face mask, the risk of
spreading it can be greatly reduced. Those who have symptoms of respiratory illness should stay at home and everyone should keep washing their hands.
“In the cases of fast-spreading viruses like Omicron, we saw that it was difficult to stop the infection, but it was possible to prevent the deaths due to vaccination.” he also informed that WHO is closely
monitoring the situation to see if the vaccine composition will need to be modified. Lockdown-like measures not needed: Speaking about lockdown-like measures, she said, “In the early days of the pandemic, there was no other way to stop the virus from spreading. Today we have good testing facilities, vaccines and even some useful medicines. So we don’t need to adopt crude measures like lockdown.” However, whether the government should make masks mandatory or not, all people must wear masks. (Courtesy: https://www.livemint. com/)
Spring Cleaning? Tips To Dust Off Your Financial Matters While a new study conducted by Lincoln Financial found that eight in 10 employees would rather clean their house than their finances this spring, prioritizing a deep clean of your finances can provide not just a fresh start to the season, but a se-
“By taking it one step at a time, just like you would tackle one room at a time when spring cleaning, you can make small improvements that will set you up for future success.”
• Start at the kitchen table. Have a conversation with your loved ones or a financial professional to set expectations and get the right plan and benefits in place to make sure you’re protecting your family for the future. Bedroom: The survey found that 74% of employees would rather clean out their closet than review their 401(k) investments. • Don’t let worries keep you up at night. Close the closet door and sleep well knowing you’re saving enough for the retirement you envision.
cure financial future. “While many know they want to improve their financial wellness, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming,” said Sharon Scanlon, senior vice president, Customer Experience, Producer Solutions and Retirement Plan Services Operations, Lincoln Financial Group.
To freshen up your finances, consider these area-by-area tips from Lincoln Financial: Kitchen: Research showed that 78% of employees would rather scrub their kitchen appliances than figure out how much life insurance they need.
Leverage dashboards and calculators in your employer-sponsored retirement plan to determine how much you’ll need to save for a secure retirement and take advantage of the options available to you, like in-plan guaranteed income, to ensure your savings last a lifetime. Exterior: Research showed that 65% of employees would rather wash their home’s windows than
meet with a financial professional. • Make things clearer with an outside perspective. Financial professionals can help you see the path ahead, create a holistic financial plan and explore financial products that can help secure your future, like life insurance, annuities and long-term care solutions. Home office: Lincoln Financial found that 57% of employees would rather dust off every shelf than calculate how much they will need in retirement. • Dust off more than knick-knacks. Don’t let the benefits and resources your workplace offers collect dust on a shelf. Reach out to your HR or benefits team for more information. From a retirement plan to services like Hospital Indemnity and Disability, these products can help protect you and your family from financial burden. Even simple steps, like increasing your retirement plan contribution or setting savings goals, can have
positive long-term impacts. Bathroom: Lincoln Financial found 58% of employees would rather create a detailed budget than scrub their grout and tile with a toothbrush. • Start with a clean slate. With more motivation to create a budget than scrub the bathroom, take the initiative and tap into financial wellness and budgeting tools. Make sure your budget includes savings to ensure you’re maximizing the power of compound interest. To learn more about keeping your finances tidy, and additional products, tools and financial services designed to help, visit lincolnfinancial.com. “While cleaning offers immediate results, it’s just as important to set aside time to analyze your finances. Ensuring you have the right benefits today while planning and saving for tomorrow may take more time, but the results are worthwhile and can last a lifetime,” said Scanlon. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Kids Corner
Abhiveer Annoji Vasundhara Varadarajan
Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt Returns! By Harish Kotecha After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the popular “Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt” is returning live and in-person. This year’s theme is “REVIVAL 2022-Communities Reunite.” This fun, family-friendly, multicultural event raises funds for school supplies for homeless and economically disadvantaged children in the Austin area. Hindu Charities for America, doing business as Education and Careers for America (EC4A), with the support of Shalom Austin and the Jewish community, is putting on this important local event for the eighth time. Come join us on Sunday, June 26, 2022, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center on the Dell Jewish Community Campus, 7300 Hart Lane, Austin, Texas, for an evening of music, food, dance, and networking. Cultural performances and a sumptuous vegetarian Indian meal will highlight the event. 100% of the
proceeds will go to school supplies for children in need in Austin. Over the last 10 years, we have helped more than 12,000 students receive much needed school supplies. This year we hope to raise $40,000 to help over 1,100 homeless students in Austin and Manor ISDs, as well as children of veterans and refugees in need. This cross-cultural fundraiser, and its related annual school supply packing event provide opportunities for different communities in Austin to come together to help economically disadvantaged students. Both events are also family friendly, allowing children an opportunity to directly help other children. The school supplies purchased with the funds raised at Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt this year will be packed into backpacks for distribution to local school districts and other organizations assisting students.
Our 2022 school supplies packing event will be held at the Jewish Community Center on July 24, 2022, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. EC4A was founded in 2010 on the principle of Serve Where You Live™ and provides a vehicle for those that have thrived in the United States to give back to the communities that they live in and that have provided them opportunities for success. Our mission is to bridge income disparity though education. One special opportunity for giving back is EC4A’s Foundation Board in which prominent community members make a generous annual donation, act as ambassadors for EC4A in their respective fields of achievement, and are recognized at EC4A events. The Foundation Board members are provided with tables at both of EC4A’s annual fundraisers (Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt and the Fall Scholarship Gala). For more information on joining the EC4A Foundation Board, contact info@ec4a.org.
Tickets for the 2022 Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt will be available soon though our website at
ec4a.org, email at info@hc4a.org for ticket information or to be a sponsor, donor, or volunteer.
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Pakistan Monument The Pakistan Monument is a national monument and heritage museum located on the western Shakarparian Hills in Islamabad, Pakistan.
different cultures of the people of Pakistan. The four large petals represent each of the four cultures, the Punjabi, the Balochi, the Sindhi and the Pakhtun.
movement and musical and dance themes. The landmarks portrayed include Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Khyber Pass and Minare-Pakistan.
The monument was constructed to symbolize the unity of the Pakistani people. It is dedicated to the people of Pakistan who sacrificed their “today” for a better “tomorrow”. Its elevation makes the monument visible from across the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area and is a popular tourist destination.
The three smaller petals represent: the minorities, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. All seven petals, though independent of each other, stand together in unison to form the nation of Pakistan. Standing together, they are protecting the star and the crescent of the flag of Pakistan.
Other than the People’s Monument, there is a museum which narrates the history and tells the story of the creation of Pakistan. These two structures are connected by a large piazza, known as the Freedom Plaza. Though the name of the architect–Arif Masoud–is inscribed in stone in the main Dedication Plaque located at the beginning of the main plaza–he has honored all construction workers by placing their hand impressions all along the long walls flanking this Freedom Plaza on both the sides.
The plan for a National Monument was first envisioned in 2002 by the government of Pakistan then assisted by Uxi Mufti, son of Mumtaz Mufti. The Ministry of Culture was tasked to organize through Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners; a national monument design competition based on the theme of signifying strength, unity and dedication of the people of Pakistan into an icon representing an independent and free nation.
From a total of 21 submissions, 3 were short-listed. The final design proposed by Arif Masoud was selected and approved on 10 July 2003. The foundation stone was laid on 25 May 2004, completed in 2006 and inaugurated on 23 March 2007 by President General Pervez Musharaf. Covering a total area of 2.8 hectares (6.9 acres), the design of the monument is rooted in the rich
Mughal architecture of the Subcontinent.Its petal shaped structure is derived from the traditional muqarnas of Mughal architecture. As the architect says: “We should learn from history but not remain in it.” He used today’s technology to modernize the historical form of the muqarnas. The resultant petal-shaped structure emphasizes the importance of unity and togetherness of the people of Pakistan. Rather than symbolizing the four provinces (as is mistakenly observed), it represents the four
The star of the flag in the monument is designed in shiny black granite with golden stars, which represent the people who sacrificed their life for Pakistan. The moon crescent is made from stainless steel with inspirational writings of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal. The petals are built of granite (projecting in a suspended cantilever form, among the largest in Asia) and its inner walls are covered with artwork depicting various landmarks of the Pakistan, notable people of Pakistan’s independence
At the farthest end is a viewing platform which gives a bird’s-eye view of Islamabad City. From air the monument looks like a star (center) and a crescent moon (formed by walls forming the petals), these represent the star and crescent on Pakistan’s flag.
Akbar And Birbal Shorten The Road
Akbar was on a long road journey to a neighboring kingdom on a hot day. The heat vexed him. He complained about the long road to Birbal. Birbal commented that he could shorten the road.
dles,” came Birbal’s reply.
Akbar agreed. Birbal started asking the riddles one after the other. Akbar would take time to solve the tricky riddles. Right when Akbar solved the fifth riddle, he said, “Too bad you could not shorten the road and I managed to solve all your five riddles,” he said triumphantly. Birbal smiled. “But I have shortened the road huzoor. We are at the destination.” Akbar noticed that they had reached their destination.
to their witty and entertaining themes. These stories are also filled with humor, intellect, and inspiring morals. Engage your children in reading some interesting short and funny Akbar-Birbal stories to help their imaginations develop while having a fun time. These stories are perfect for reading when feeling bored or low, and you may also pick them for your child’s bedtime story routine. Altogether, these stories are certain to give you and your children a great reading and learning experience.
“Really? Please do that if possible,” said the intrigued Akbar.
Akbar-Birbal stories for children have always been popular due
“Sure, your majesty. But before that you have to solve five rid-
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Protecting People And Property From Wildfires Today, one-third of all U.S. homes are in what are known as wildlandurban interface (WUI) zones, regions in or adjacent to areas prone to wildland fires. As with many types of disasters, wildland fires are increasing in severity and frequency. This is because of the continuously changing climate. However, there are things we can do now to help protect properties, ensure the safety of residents, and strengthen local communities. Building Safety Month is an annual international educational campaign to raise awareness about building safety codes and the work of code professionals. Organized
by the International Code Council every May, it serves as a helpful reminder that one of the most effective ways to prepare for, prevent, and mitigate wildland fires and other natural hazards is by adopting, implementing, and enforcing up-to-date building codes and standards. “While forest management and traditional wildland fire suppression activities reduce the severity of WUI fires, unless rigorous wildland fire codes and standards are also adopted and enforced, lives and property remain at risk,” says Karl Fippinger, CEM, PMP, vice president of Fire and Disaster Mitigation for the International Code Council.
scaping can make a big difference in the event of a wildfire, so consider regularly removing leaves, tree limbs and low-hanging branches from around your home, as well as clearing any dead brush and dense vegetation. Also, store firewood and other easily flammable things at least 30 to 100 feet away from the house, sheds, or other structures.
As Fippinger notes, building codes such as the International Wildland-
A Brunch Surprise For Mom
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate and treat your mom to a delicious breakfast or brunch. Whether it’s a meal in bed or a beautiful spread on the dining room table, make
fruit topping options are nearly unlimited. Pick your mom’s favorites and decorate the top however you please. Or, let the little ones get creative and put their own spin on
Filling:
2 1/4 cups vanilla Greek yogurt 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 package gelatin Toppings: strawberries, sliced blueberries kiwis, sliced
the day special with simple recipes that are sure to impress. Try this Brunch Fruit Tart with a tasty granola crust and colorful fruit topping to start Mother’s Day in style. It’s a sweet option to begin her day on the right note. With a crunchy crust and smooth center, this tart is balanced, easy to make and a beautiful addition to the menu. It’s also easy to customize as the
To make crust: Preheat oven to 350 F. In large bowl, combine granola, butter and honey. Grease 11-inch tart pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line bottom of tart pan with parch-
an essential Mother’s Day meal.
ment paper.
For more brunch recipes, visit Culinary.net.
Press granola mixture into tart pan. Place tart pan on baking sheet and bake 10 minutes. Cool completely.
Brunch Fruit Tart Recipe adapted from homemadeinterest.com Crust: 4 cups granola mixture 1/2 cup butter, softened 4 1/2 tablespoons honey nonstick cooking spray
To make filling: Using mixer, combine yogurt, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract and gelatin until whipped completely. Pour yogurt mixture into tart crust. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Top with strawberries, blueberries and kiwis. (Culinary.net)
Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) have been shown to be effective and should be adopted by both communities within WUI zones, as well as areas that may soon be in the crosshairs due to a changing climate. The IWUIC focuses on the use of ignition-resistant building materials, screens to prevent embers from penetrating into eaves and under foundations, creating defensible space, and providing access to water supplies for fire services. The National Institute of Building Sciences found that adopting the 2015 edition of the IWUIC in 10,000 census blocks across the country would generate $4 in wildland fire mitigation savings for every $1 invested. Additionally, retrofitting 2.5 million affected homes to the 2018 IWUIC could provide a nationwide benefit-cost ratio as high as $8:1. Fortunately, FEMA’s new Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program prioritizes the adoption and implementation of hazard-resistant codes like the IWUIC. In addition to supporting the enforcement of up-to-date building codes and standards at the community level, low-cost wildland fire prevention and mitigation activities can provide homeowners with an additional layer of protection and peace of mind: • Tidying your yard: Simple land-
Furthermore, consider plants with high moisture content, which are more fire-resistive and with appropriate distance, can help create a firebreak around your home. However, it will be important to control the height and spread of ground covering vegetation. • Maintaining your home: Keeping gutters, eaves and your roof clear of leaves and other debris is vital as these actions can help feed the flames of wildland fires. If you’re thinking of potential renovations or remodels, consider including fire safety features on any decks, porches, fences and other add-ons. For example, consider building with listed and approved fireresistant materials. Also consider disconnecting combustible fencing from your home and other structures and replacing those connections with fire-resistant fencing materials. If you have a deck, remember to clear debris underneath and create a defensible space around it. “Each year, wildfires cause insurmountable damage – resulting in mounting costs with enormous economic and environmental impacts. However, by investing more now to ensure our communities have the proper protections, we can mitigate the damage and support a faster recovery in the aftermath of a disaster,” says Fippinger. For more information about building safety and disaster preparation, visit iccsafe.org. (StatePoint)
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(Continued From Page 01) to support policy redirections to safeguard, nurture and sustain soils and ensure a basic minimum of 3-6% organic content is maintained in them across the globe. His route will take him through the chilly, icy winters and rain of Europe, to the scorching summers of the Middle East, into the monsoons of India, through the Netherlands, France including Paris, Germany, Italy, Prague amongst others, to reach New Delhi on June 5 and onward for another 2-3 weeks to culminate in Southern India. “No matter how sophisticated our technologies are, there is simply no alternative to soil, neither here nor anywhere else in the known universe. The disastrous consequences of soil extinction are well beyond what we will be able to withstand. This is why, as a generation, we must take action now to restore our world’s soil.” He’d said, on the eve of his historic mission, which is supported by a galaxy of global leaders such as renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, His Holiness Dalai Lama, and Klaus Schwab, executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Deepak Chopra, Tony Robbins, Matthew Hayden, Chris Gayle, Juhi Chawla, and Sanjeev Sanyal, amongst others. It is the third week of Sadhguru’s 100-day journey and there appears to be a groundswell of support, song, dance, seminars, and spontaneity involving a dazzling assemblage of political, environmental, social, cultural, business and spiritual leaders and ordinary citizens, wherever he goes. It is as if weary to their bones by the relentlessness of the gloom and doom news cycle, people are thrilled to embrace a cause that champions hope, positive action, and a commitment to our collective future. It is as if they realise the universal truth of our shared humanity: that we are created from soil and will return to it one day. And that, beyond borders and boundaries –we have a collective responsibility to
Austin South Asian | May 2022
Save Soil each other and the planet. By any standards, the cause is compelling: According to almost every environmental authority, the planet’s biggest existential threat is not climate change, water scarcity, global pandemics, or even the outbreak of a nuclear war, but that the very basis of life and the source of our existence- the world’s soil is getting extinct at an alarming rate, due to unsustainable agricultural practices, unabated deforestation, and runaway urbanisation. The data is chilling: The UNFAO believes that 52% of the world’s agricultural soil has already been degraded, resulting in a massive drop in the nutritional quality of the foods we consume (a 60% drop in India’s vegetables alone). The WEF believes that food production could fall by 30% in 20 years if soil extinction is not prevented and according to the UNCCD, if left unchecked 90% of earth’s soil could be degraded by 2050, leading to mass migrations, conflicts, civil wars, loss of livelihoods, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, and generations of severe malnutrition and under-nutritioned people. From Maria Helena Semedo, deputy director general of FAO, to Dr Naoko Yamamoto, assistant director general, WHO, to Bishow Parajuli, country head, India WFP, to soil microbiologist Dr Elaine Ingham, the experts have been issuing dire warnings that if not addressed on a war footing, soil extinction could lead to unimaginable tragedy and disaster for current and future generations across the world proving to be not just an ecological challenge but an existential threat to all life forms on the planet. As expected, there is striking consensus amongst authorities on the advantages of soil regeneration too: it would alleviate poverty levels by raising the incomes of the world’s poorest who rely on agriculture by 75% according to the World Bank, and significantly decrease the CO2 levels in the atmosphere, increase crop production by up to 20-40% and raise water reserves by 37 tril-
lion litres according to the IUCN. This championing of larger causes that lie beyond the pale of spirituality is not new for Sadhguru. As far back as 1990, when he said he began planting trees in what he calls “the most difficult terrain – the minds of people.” in an ecodrive aimed at greening the Velliangiri Hills, around his ashram in Coimbatore, to Project GreenHands, a state-wide campaign involving millions of volunteers across Tamil Nadu in the first decade of 2000s, to his Rally for Rivers in 2017, which saw him drive 9300 kilometres from Kanyakumari to the Himalayas, activating
162 million people said to be the largest ecological campaign in the world which has resulted in a national policy change on how India treats its rivers, to Cauvery Calling which works on the ground with farmers in the Cauvery Basin, Save Soil is one more initiative in his three-decade commitment to nature and our generation’s interaction with it. ‘Soil extinction is not just another ecological challenge. It is an existential threat. If we do the right things now, we can significantly turn this situation around and regenerate the soil in the next 15-25 years.’
He’d tweeted this week, even as he met a galaxy of scientists, UN officials, environmentalists and ordinary citizens. “If we are committed to nourishing our planet and future generations, we must nourish the very source of Life. Time to come together to #SaveSoil. Let Us Make It Happen.” On 12 June, the Save Soil campaign and Sadhguru are expected to reach Mumbai, where a resounding welcome involving some of the city’s foremost thought leaders, including film stars, sportsmen, corporate statesman and society leaders is being planned. (Courtesy: https:// www.hindustantimes.com/)
What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About The BA.2 Omicron Subvariant (Continued From Page 13) It’s really hitting people at the prime of their life and people who never were hospitalized for COVID that just can’t shake the symptoms that go on and on.” “Sometimes people say, ‘Oh, if I get COVID, no big deal,’ but that’s a very naïve because many of these patients then will develop long term symptoms, which is really horrible and often life-altering” Dr. Crum said. The length of time sick varies “There are patients that don’t meet the definition of long COVID, but they’re certainly having symptoms longer than just a few days or a week,” said Dr. Crum. While some are referring to this as “medium COVID,” there isn’t a scientific name for it just yet. Whether it is medium COVID or some other term, “we’ve really seen the whole gamut from one day of symptoms from COVID-19 and then everything is well to one year or more of symptoms and things are still really bad,” she said. Prior infection may offer protection “Certainly, if you’ve had a COVID infection, let’s say with BA.1, you would likely have some protection via natural immunity against BA.2,” said Dr. Crum. But “vaccination is better than getting the
infection and assuming protection, meaning even if you’ve had previous coronavirus infections, there’s still a clear benefit for vaccination in terms of the immunity that you’ll have against future variants,” she said. Reason to worry “There’s certainly cause for concern, mainly because it’s so transmissible,” Dr. Crum said. “What will happen with this in the next few weeks? None of us know. “My sense is that we’re not going to have a major outbreak that’s going to return us to where we were a few months ago in terms of our case counts,” she said. “But for some people, they will get infected with this new subvariant. It’ll be highlight transmissible to their family and friends and we should keep our guard up.” “We need to pay careful attention to see if rates will start to go up, and if so, we may need to go back to some of the mandates,” Dr. Crum said. “I know nobody wants to hear that, but that’s really the reality of where things are.” Immunocompromised need extra protection “A lot of those populations, especially the very immunosuppressed, will not have great immune responses to the vaccine or to having COVID infection in the past,” said
Dr. Crum. “They’re a population that we have to be especially concerned about. “We have prophylactic monoclonal antibodies that have been developed and could be considered in those patients who we really think do not have good immunity against the virus,” she added. “But the reality is that traditional prevention strategies of masking and hand hygiene remain important for these groups.” “The best thing we could do is all be immune against coronavirus so that these variants could slowly fade away,” Dr. Crum said. “That means vaccination, having COVID or both. If you’ve had a COVID infection, we still want people to get vaccinated to provide them with even more protection against the variants that circulate. Studies have clearly shown the benefit of vaccination despite prior COVID infection.” The AMA has developed frequently-asked-questions documents on COVID-19 vaccination covering safety, allocation and distribution, administration and more. There are two FAQs, one designed to answer patients’ questions (PDF), and another to address physicians’ COVID-19 vaccine questions (PDF).
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
THEME: MOTHER’S DAY
64. Do like a model
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Wild onion 5. Standardized testing acronym 8. Accounting degree 11. Hunted by hunter 12. Don Johnson’s TV role, 1996-2001 13. Run ____ of the law 15. Mercantile establishment 16. Chemistry Nobelist Hahn 17. *Deborah Guarino’s “Is Your Mama a ____?” 18. Manner of controlling yourself 20. Tiny bit 21. Willow twig 22. Nutcracker’s distinguishing feature 23. Like a longer route? 26. German white wine 30. *Mom’s little one 31. Bear the expenses of 34. Knock about 35. Dodge 37. “____ the fields we go” 38. Binary digits code 39. Bear den 40. Northern peat bog 42. Modern address 43. Analyst in a chemical lab 45. Smooth, as in surface of the lake 47. Gangster’s pistol 48. Eyelid infections 50. Wafting emanation 52. *”Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1” portrays this artist’s mother 55. Evil one 56. Simmering feeling 57. Prepare for publication 59. Give benediction 60. Heston’s foes in 1968 sci-fi movie 61. Boundary 62. Communism or Taoism 63. P in #1 Down
1. Dashboard acronym 2. Kuwaiti or Saudi 3. *Maman alternative 4. Kaa of “The Jungle Book” 5. French composer Erik Alfred Leslie ____ 6. He made his fortune in fur trading 7. *Jord is mom to this hammer-wielding mythic thunder god 8. Chesterfield or ulster 9. Feline-inspired shoe brand 10. ____ ____ mode 12. Not quite a nun 13. Spy’s cover 14. *Popular Mother’s Day gift 19. Cast somebody there 22. Almond-induced state? 23. Type of monument 24. Pepsi and Coke 25. Tiny purses 26. Actor Wahlberg 27. Loci, sing. 28. #39 Across, pl. 29. *Lorelai Gilmore’s mother 32. *How many children does Queen Elizabeth have? 33. Hi-____ 36. *Daenerys Targaryen’s “babies” 38. End of a shoelace 40. *”How I ____ Your Mother” 41. Knights’ breastplates 44. Gridiron measure, pl. 46. In the Land of Nod 48. Guillermo del Toro’s “The ____ of Water” 49. *Amy Chua’s “Battle Hymn of the ____ Mother” 50. Rembrandt’s paints 51. Regard 52. Sandwich alternative 53. Edible root of taro plant 54. Semis 55. Hoover’s agency 58. Casual attire
Sudoku
Please email your sudoku answers to info@austinsouthasian.com. Name and photo of the inviduvidual with first correct answer will be published in June 2022 issue.
To Advertise In ASA Call 512-828-6709
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Importance Of Reviewing Your Term Insurance Plan The primary objective of buying term insurance is to financially secure the future of your loved ones in your absence. The policy provides a lump sum amount to your dependents after your death. The amount is tax-free and can be used by your family as and when needed. Now, you must have purchased term insurance at an early stage in life or are still planning to buy the policy. What’s important is to understand that you need to review your term insurance plan at least once a year. As you grow older, your responsibilities and priorities change. Therefore, reviewing your policy will ensure that you have adequate financial protection at all life stages. Below we enlisted a few reasons why you should review your term insurance plan. Take a look! Increase in responsibilities. At the time you purchased the term insurance plan, you might be single or newly married. Going ahead, your responsibilities are going to increase. You may decide to have children, and your financial needs are bound to change over time. Therefore, as and when your dependents increase, you will have to consider making necessary changes to your term insurance cover-
age. That way, everyone’s financial future is secure, even after your death. Change in financial liabilities. Financial goals evolve as you grow old. Moreover, yours and your family’s financial need will increase going ahead. Besides, you might also have certain financial liabilities to repay. Considering all this, the term insurance coverage chosen at the start of the policy may not be sufficient. In case something happens to you in the future, the amount received as the death benefit should be able to cover your family’s financial requirements and repay any pending liabilities. Therefore, reviewing your policy will help you consider this aspect and opt for a higher cover. Adverse reports regarding your insurer. If you have been coming across many negative reviews about your insurer, maybe it is time for you to review your term insurance policy with this insurer. You can consider switching to a more reliable insurance provider who offers a wide range of features and benefits. Besides, there will be a difference in the premium amount based on your desired coverage and rider
benefits. You can use the term insurance calculator to determine the cost of your term plan and make an informed decision. Changes in career and income. As you grow in professional experience, your income grows simultaneously. Your salary at the start of the career and a few years down the line will be different. Based on these changes, yours and your family’s financial needs are bound to change too. Therefore, it is essential to re-evaluate y o u r term insurance requirements as you grow old. That way, if anything were to happen to you suddenly, your dependents will be able to continue leading the standard of living in your absence. Tax Benefits As you know, term insurance provides several tax benefits as well. The premiums paid towards the policy can be claimed for tax deduction under Section 80C of the old income tax regime. Plus, the death benefit received by your family members is tax-free under Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Besides, if you have a term insurance plan with critical illness cover, you can claim additional deduction under Section
April 2022 Sudoku Answer
Ms. Ketika Tyagi
Mr. Yudhveer Bagga
80D of the Income Tax Act. (Cour-
tesy: https://indiawest.com/)
Destress Curly Tresses By YUBA KHAN & HINSHARA HABEEB Curls have made a comeback with every curly hair girl adoring her coils, twists, and turns that occur naturally. The journey from stress to loving your tress is a process of knowing and understanding your curly hair. Summer is a season of mixed emotions for every curly hair girl as it may be a period of frizz and damage due to the humidity. With the change of seasons comes a necessity to re-evaluate your hair care regimen. A curly hair girl may begin by learning more about her hair type which will help her understand better how to care for it correctly. We recommend washing your hair, massaging in the conditioner, rinsing, and naturally scrunching it dry. In its most natural state check how much it bounces and continue from there. Ditch daily shampoo routines during summers as frequently shampooing curly hair can cause breakage. First, we need to find out if you have wavy hair, loose curls, or tight curls? There are nine different varieties of curls termed according to their texture ranging from 2A to 4C. Further classified into three different curl patterns: wavy, tight, and coiled. Curls in type 2A to 2C are wavy. Types 3A through 3C generally consist of tight curls. Indian curly hair type mostly ranges from type 2C to 3C though a single head can have a mixture of more than one hair type. Once you have identified your curl type, here are steps to follow the ‘Curly Girl Method’ created by Lorraine Massey. The first step method is cleansing. The three common cleansers that have been mentioned in the curly girl method are clarifying shampoo, moisturizing shampoo, and co-wash (conditioning wash). We should avoid products that contain sulphates and silicones as these are drying agents, blocking moisture absorption. Instead, use
mild cleansers that consist of cooling elements like peppermint and tea tree oil ingredients. The clarifying shampoo completely cleanses your scalp and helps start the curly girl method on a clean slate. It is generally used only once or twice a month to get rid of all product build-up. The moisturizing shampoo can be used for gentle cleansing of the scalp and hair once or twice a week. Co-washes too have cleansing ingredients, but these ingredients will not dry out your scalp. Since it’s safe to use daily, it is a good product to use if you work out daily during summers. The second step consists of conditioning. Curly hair’s lovely twists conceal a secret: they’re craving moisture! The twists, make it harder for natural oils from the scalp to reach the terminals of the tresses, causing hair to burn out at the endpoints and become prone to breaking. Resulting in frizz, we need to calm it down by keeping it from expanding in the summer heat. Conditioning is the most important step in the curly hair routine – a curly girl cannot skip this step! Conditioners and masks are those products that help in combatting dryness and frizz – 2 main issues faced by curly hair girls. Now that you’re ready for styling, you can apply the leave-in conditioner or curl cream. Styling products are used after post-wash and are supposed to stay in your hair. Complete the third step by applying a gel to seal all the products. Curly hair has its individuality; it is a gift and makes every curly hair girl stand out. Wearing hairstyles that are easy going is a great way to enjoy the summer months. Space buns are a classic hairstyle that women of all ages may wear. You can also create your own bangs, style your hair in a half-updo with the other half out and a few strands pulled out from the front and you are ready! Lastly, we insist to keep it natural and always remember to hydrate. (Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Careers In The Industry Of Video Games The gaming industry is on a sharp rise, with a majority of gamers consisting of millennials and generation Z, which is mainly today’s teenagers.
They develop characters and storylines, which they then guide through production. However, they must collaborate with artists, audio engineers, and programmers.
As noted by Mypaperwriter.com, millennials comprise 29%, while
Computer Programmers and Software Developers. It involves the
panying instruction and documentation. Translators and Interpreters. They convert the dialogue within characters into different languages. Translators change the documentation and instructions from their pri-
firms through call center help. Stranded customers can receive help from them via email, online chat, or phone calls.
and ways of selling. Sales Representatives. They ensure the sale of video games to retailers and wholesalers on behalf of the publishers.
They mostly tend to the financial details and business side of the product development and ensuring that they are ready for marketing.
Conclusion
Producers also oversee every personnel and ensure that the production process falls within the budget and time constraints set. Marketing Managers. They coordinate the marketing activities of the publishers besides the formulation of trade strategies for products to their consumers. Research Analysts for the Market. They design surveys for determining potential purchasing preferences for customers.
generation Z includes 27% of all video game players.
implementation of the vision of the game designer’s products.
Such a huge demand within this growing industry opens possibilities for work opportunities, especially for the youth. So are you among this group considering a break in this industry?
Developers engage in designing video game software in line with the expectation of the designers. Programmers, on the other hand, make the code that actualizes the design into readable video game instructions.
Work Opportunities in The Gaming Industry Video games often involve designing, which encompasses picking a concept, design level, and concept besides having a computer and artistic skills. Such enables you to program, create dialogue and stories so that the idea materializes. So the work opportunities involve the following in the industry of video games. Game Designers. It is one of the most coveted jobs in the gaming industry. The career involves coming up with and developing concepts that they transform into video games.
It’s a vital part of the development team when it comes to developing video games. They ensure the visual life of the video game by creating a series of images contained in the video game. Audio Engineers. Here, experts use electrical and computer equipment to make video game soundtracks. Everything audio within a video game, including sound effects and background music, is a result of their work. They have a myriad of roles in the industry of gaming. Writer script stories that the games build from and also write character dialogues. Technical writers make the accom-
mary languages to other required languages.
The data they generate is useful for assisting publishers in deciding the type of video game services and products to sell, pricing,
The gaming industry is rapidly expanding and has a lot of opportunities for those who would love to pursue careers in this industry. (Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)
MEN CAN COOK! Email your recipe with your photos and see yourself in print
Info@Austin SouthAsian.com
Game Testers. Testers of video games offer quality assurance for video game companies. They ensure the proper functionality of games and that the documentation and instructions are clear.
Contact us to sign-up! 512-592-0065 | austin@bktexas.com
Tester also identifies bugs and problems, and it’s their job to report their outcomes to developers and designers. Specialist in Technical Support. They link the public and the video game
in Round Rock near I-35 and FM 1431
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
5 Savings Mistakes Students Must Avoid In College Do you often feel broke at the end of the month? Are you saving right or at all? Well, here are 5 savings mistakes to avoid in college so that you can manage your finances better.
consider using a debit card linked to your student savings account.
Not Starting to Save Early It’s always good to start saving early. That can help you finance your needs with your own money. So, you’ll become financially empowered at a very young age and soon need not depend on your parents’ money. To meet this end, consider asking your parents to open a minor savings account for you before you turn 18 years of age. You can use it as your own student savings account once your parents open it in your name. You can use the savings to finance your academic as well as other purchases. High Uncontrolled Spending Overspending is common among college students. These often include buying premium watches or shows and designer clothes when a less costly brand may offer equally good products. Often the cause of such boundless spending is following the herd.
Instead, try to handle money more prudently. Also, build the habit of depositing at least a little amount every month in your student savings account. Lack of Monthly Budgeting or Tracking Spends Set a monthly budget for your needs. If you can save some money after financing your needs, go for fulfilling your wants. How to stick to that budget when you are spending? Carry limited cash in your wallet. Instead,
Less cash may help check your temptations to go beyond your budget. Besides, using a debit card for transactions can help you track them in the passbook of your account. Make sure to keep the passbook updated to know exactly how much your current spends are, and control them if needed. Overlooking Cost-Effective Savings Options Do you think that all good things in life cost more? Well, you’ll be happy to prove yourself wrong. You can open a future savings account with no minimum balance requirement yet you can maximise your earnings up
to a high annual interest rate. Plus you can get free general banking services and a debit card. So, opt for such a cost-effective savings option from a reputed bank right away. Not Saving while Insuring Health Did you know you can insure your health while also saving (and growing) money? Such a facility is offered by a health savings account. But what is a health savings account? By opening this account in certain banks, you can claim settlement on both reimbursement and cashless basis. You can get coverage for pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation charges for 30 days and 60 days respectively plus daycare treatment. Moreover, you can get a high interest rate to grow your savings. The account facilitates no pre-policy medical examination. Besides, with a small annual premium, you can even get considerable super top-up health insurance. Ensure to not make the above mistakes and save the right way to handle your finances responsibly.(Courtesy: https://indiawest. com/)
The First Vehicle For A Student — What Should You Pay Attention To? A student’s car is the first own vehicle for many. The independent, adult life, often connected with moving to a new, larger city, is a perfect time to buy one. However, not every car will make the life easier in the long run. We provide advice on what car to choose to ensure that the students’ idyll does not change into an expensive prob
cident. Below, please see some tips on how to choose a student’s car.
A student’s car should have several basic properties to ensure that using it will make life in the city easier and not more difficult. It needs not be impressive, expensive or extra fast. It must fulfill its major function, i.e. go from the students’ dormitory to the university and enable to return home for the weekend safely.
Car maintenance — the parts for the student’s car should be inexpensive and easily available. This will help to avoid high costs in the case of failure which may happens in older cars. This criterion is important for one more reason — inexperienced drivers are more prone to have collisions. Some scratching or broken bumper are parts which are easier to repair at some lower cost.
What is more, it cannot be expensive in terms of its purchase price and maintenance costs. Although this may sound strange, it should not be perfect so that we are not sorry if there is any collision or ac-
The car price — as most of us know students who enter the adult life often have a limited budget. This means the car they choose must not cost too much. Today, you can find many older, second-hand cars for an affordable price.
The car size — the vehicle should be compact. Most universities are situated in larger cities with heavy traffic and limited space. A small,
compact car will make it easier to drive in the streets and to find some place to park. Economical — a student’s car should have low fuel consumption. The optimum consumption in the city is ca. 5–6 liters. Small cars do not consume much fuel which makes driving them more economical. How to safeguard from unforeseen expenses? The first car, particularly the one to be driven by young people, may be exposed to many hazards. Collisions and accidents happen even to experienced drivers, but those who start their driving adventure stand a higher chance of causing or participating in some incident. This is why, in particular when the driver is a student with a limited budget, before going on a road everyone should buy an appropriate car policy which will minimize the
risk of unforeseen expenses and painful consequences. The most important components of the policy include: Assistance — it will ensure the first, basic assistance and support at the time of any fortuitous event. This is not only related to providing the most important information, including emergency phone numbers or assistance facilities, over the phone, but also child care when her or his guardians suffer in the accident. Third party liability insurance — it will ensure protection if any loss is caused to any third party or their property as a result what we do. The guaranteed sum of the third party liability insurance should be at least EUR 100,000. Accident insurance — it guarantees covering the costs and any benefit disbursement if our health suffers as a result of the fortuitous
event. This is important also during foreign trips as it provides coverage for the accident-related treatment or rehabilitation. What is more, the accident insurance guarantees compensation if the insured person dies. Comprehensive cover — this policy will ensure disbursement of the relevant compensation if the car is damaged due to the injured party’s fault. It covers also theft of the vehicle, the act of the forces of nature and the so-called vandalism acts (or more general third party acts). If you want to choose the appropriate insurance for you, use the car insurance calculator. Thanks to that, you will compare different policies and choose the appropriate one for you and best matching your needs, and then you will easily buy it online in several simple steps, without leaving your home. (Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
Shahid Delivers A Knockout Performance
Gowtam Tinnauri’s ‘Jersey‘, a remake of a popular Telugu film by the same name, is about the struggle of Arjun Talwar, a gifted cricketer from Chandigarh, Punjab. It is his journey from being a successful batsman who throws in the towel and how, a demand from his son, who hero-worships him, for the Indian jersey on his birthday, which he is unable to fulfil, makes him bounce into the cricket field, at the age of 36 with grit and determination, and earn one for his son, forms the crux of this narrative.
The film is tediously long and delves too much into the intricacies of the cricket matches, although shot
beautifully. One is almost transported to the cricket stadium, sometimes needlessly. The thrill and nail-biting excitement of a match are offered in abundance but not necessarily compulsory, as they do not propel the story forward.
Rajkumar Hirani, SRK’s ‘Dunki’ To Release In December 2023
MUMBAI (IANS) Fans of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani have reason to be excited as their first collaborative film ‘Dunki’ is to be released on December 22, 2023. This is the first time SRK is playing a protagonist in Hirani’s film, earlier the filmmaker delivered some of the celebrated films with superstars like Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Ranbir Kapoor among others. The makers released a small witty video on social media to make the announcement. Talking about the collaboration Hirani said, “Through the course of my career Shah Rukh Khan has always been on my wish list and after trying to collaborate several times in the past, we were finally destined to have ‘Dunki’ mark our partnership. The energy, charisma, humor and charm that he brings to a film is unparalleled and I look forward to bringing that magic to the big screen.” Adding to that SRK said, “Raj Kumar Hirani is one of the finest filmmakers of this generation, we have always spoken about working together and I am extremely happy we are finally doing it with ‘Dunki’. We have just started shooting this month and I am cherishing every moment of it. Raju ke liye main Donkey, Monkey…kuch bhi ban sakta hoon!” The film is written by Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijaat Joshi and Kanika Dhillon. The film is JIO Studios, Red Chillies Entertainment and Rajkumar Hirani Films presentation. As Taapsee is playing a pivotal part opposite SRK in the film, she said, “I am beyond excited to embark on this journey and be a part of this very special film. It’s my first time working with Rajkumar Hirani and Shah Rukh Khan, two people who I deeply respect and admire.” The first schedule of the film is on floors with the next schedule being shot extensively in Punjab. (Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)
The story is narrated in a compelling manner, enough to keep you engaged. Yet, the first half encapsulating his life, romance, and entry as well
as exit from cricket, narrated in a non-linear manner feels unduly long. The film belongs to Shahid Kapoor, who delivers an outstanding performance as the frustrated and helpless Arjun Talwar, who has been written off by everybody. Shahid essays the character with the requisite maturity and restraint, exhibiting his emotions with subtlety, suppressing the raging volcano within. Pankaj Kapur as Arjun’s coach, mentor, and well-wisher, who believes in his talent, delivers a realistic portrayal, as does the little Kittu (Ronit Kamra), who is expressive and plays Arjun’s son. He is a natural, and the father-son bond is heart-warming. Mrunal Thakur, as his wife Vidya, delivers her part effectively. The music complements the film but does not really stand out enough, to leave an impact. The film is beautifully shot by Anil
Socialize - 4:00 PM Program Starts - 4:45 PM Dinner - 6:15 PM Program Ends - 7:00 PM
Mehta, and his lens captures every trace of emotion on Shahid Kapoor’s distraught face with ease, as well as the finer nuances of the cricket matches, making them look larger than life. The film lacks drama, and except for an unexpected twist at the end it lacks the intrigue factor. There are poignant moments aplenty that tug at your heartstrings and make you empathize with Arjun, but high-octane drama and gripping moments, the plot is devoid of, making the graph of the film appear to be meandering on an even keel. Director Gowtam Tinnanuri extracts natural performances from each actor and handles the subject astutely but lays undue emphasis on the cricket matches. With a runtime of 174 minutes, the narrative tests your patience, but you hold on. Overall, ‘Jersey’ is a poignant journey that touches your heart, irrespective of whether you are a cricket fan or not. (Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)
BOLLYWOOD MEETS
BORSCHT BELT
Dances of India Prepare to be mesmerized with Dances of India, a showcase of various regional performances. Experience the potpourri of the rich Indian culture through this dance showcase.
A Fun-Filled Cultural Exchange Fundraiser
SUNDAY June 26, 2022
4 - 7 PM
Savour the food menu assembled from Austin Area restuarants, served at your table! With Chai and Jewish Desserts!
REVIVAL 2022 - Communities Reunite
Presented by HC4A (dba) Education and Careers For America & Jewish Community
Sponsorship $500 Reserved seating for 10 guests. Listed in program materials.
Sponsorship $200
Tickets and reserved seating for 2 guests. Program, website listing and social media promotion.
JCC Community Hall, 7300 Hart Lane, Austin 78731
100% of proceeds will pay for school supplies for homeless children in Austin area! The Indian and Jewish communities will come back together on July 24, 2022 to pack backpacks full of school supplies.
Ticket Price: Adults $50 Children 6 - 18yrs $10 Children 6 yrs and younger, free if registered
Tickets & Sponsorship:
www.EC4A.org Contact: info@hc4a.org
Vecteezy.com
By TROY RIBEIRO
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
‘Divided By Distance, United In Expression’: What Indian Cinema Can Teach
(Continued From Page 01) where all this diversity freely interacts and influences each other, and may offer a model of assimilation that the wider polity and society can aspire too.
19th century Lakhnavi Nawab with elan, a Bengali evoke mannerisms of a Tamil coconut vendor, an actor from Sikkim can playing a Pathan, or even an Arab – there are no shortage of such examples.
This is Bollywood, whose contribution to the idea of India, based on unity in diversity, has not received due emphasis, possibly since it is primarily seen a medium of entertainment. This ‘idea’ is, by no means, perfect – sometimes descending to stereotypes in some of its depictions, but still has seen more widespread – and voluntary – integration and creation of a composite sense of nationhood than any other endeavor. Be it actors and the others that make up a success of a film – the music composer, the playback singers, the choreographers and the fight directors, as well as themes, Bollywood has rarely seen a regional divide – north-south, or east-west, for that matter. It has, however, long been oblivious of the northeast – but that is a failing of a large swathe of Indian popular culture too. As language differences again swirl
up or are instigated, it is worth taking a relook at how Bollywood dealt with regional divisions/differences over its long years. In one respect, it has been successful – ethnic Pathans can play debauched/dissolute Bengali landed gentry, Punjabis can convincingly represent Goans or even Chinese with panache, a Tamil Muslim can step into the anklets of a north India nautanki dancer with aplomb, a Gujarati can essay the role of a mid-
In case you can’t identify these, they are, in the same order, Dilip Kumar and Rehman in “Devdas” and “Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam”, respectively, Premnath in “Bobby” and Madan Puri in “Aanken”, respectively, Waheeda Rehman in “Teesri Kasam”, Sanjeev Kumar in “Shatranj Ke Khiladi”, Mithun Chakraborty in “Agneepath” (the 1990 version), and Danny Denzongpa in “Sanam Bewafa” and “Abdullah”. While at one level, the above ex-
Yash Emotional About Overwhelming Success Of ‘KGF: Chapter 2’ BENGALURU (IANS) – Kannada star Yash, who is overjoyed with the overwhelming response to
‘KGF: Chapter 2‘, posted a video on social media in which he expresses his gratitude for the biggest win in his theatrical career.
Yash recounts an anecdote in the video, saying, “There was a small village that had been facing a drought situation for quite some time so, the villagers decided to have a prayer meet and people turned out in large numbers but there was one boy.”
am like that little boy who believed he would witness this day, and I am in a position where thank you is sufficient, but I would like to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart.”
“He was the only one who appeared with an umbrella. Some called it overconfidence, but it was – faith”, Yash said.
‘KGF: Chapter 2’ was released nationwide on April 14, 2022, destroying a few records and creating some new ones. Helmed by Prashanth Neel, ‘KGF 2’ stars Yash as Rocky Bhaai, an underdog who rises as a super powerful don. (Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)
The ‘Googly’ actor continued, “I
Yash’s emotional speech concluded as he said, “I’d like to express our appreciation on behalf of the entire KGF team. I hope you’re enjoying the film and will continue to do so. Finally, I’d like to say that your heart is my tent!”
amples of Bollywood stalwarts’ “chameleon” abilities may be just as a measure of the actors’ histrionic abilities, for actors, all over the world, have played diverse roles – an Arab Christian has played a Russian poet, a Nazi German officer and even ‘Che’ Guevara, or a Scottish one a Soviet submarine captain (Omar Sharif and Sean Connery, respectively), it assumes significance in India, where differences can assume entirely new dimensions of polarity. Being a film industry operating largely in Hindustani and geared majorly towards its speakers but located in a western Indian but cosmopolitan port city, which draws in a large influx of migrants from all over the country, Bollywood obviously can draw in talent from a wider expanse that what its normative catchment area. And Southern India has been quick on the mark here – especially as far as Bollywood leading ladies are concerned. While Hema Malini and Rekha are the oft-quoted examples, before Sridevi, Meenakshi Seshadri and Jaya Prada and Vidya Balan, in recent times, it was Padmini Ramachandran, or Padmini, as she was known, who filled the void left by the exit from Nargis from Raj Kapoor’s life and banner, in “Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai” and then in “Mera Naam Joker.” In “Sangam”, which came between these, Vyjanthimala did the honors. And then there was Waheeda Rehman, who hailed from a Tamil Muslim family, not from Hyderabad as commonly thought, and then Tabassum Hashmi or ‘Tabu’, who is from Hyderabad. However, South Indian male actors – Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi, mainly, did appear in many Bollywood hits, but never matched their female counterparts. M.B. Shetty, or Shetty, had a more long career as a stunt director off screen and well-recognised bad man on screen. Music composers/playback singers
are too well known – K.J. Yesudas, A.R. Rehman, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan, Chithra, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, but one who’s background is that not that known was Shankar, of the Shankar-Jaikishan duo. Though of north Indian descent, he grew up in Hyderabad and was fluent in Telugu. There is an anecdote when the duo was composing the music for one song of one of Raj Kapoor’s most famous films, Shankar kept repeating a Telugu phrase while fine-tuning the melody and lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri hit on it to frame the ‘mukhda’ – we know the song as “Ramaiyya Vastavaiya” from “Shree 420”. And then, the inspirations. The phenomenon of hit Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam films being remade in Hindi is not that recent as the current generation thinks. Ever wonder where such landmarks of Bollywood where the inspiration for Jeteendra’s spy caper “Farz” (1967) or mythological thriller “Pataal Bhairavi”, Rajesh Khanna’s political satire “Aaj Kaa M.L.A Ram Avtar” (1984), Sanjeev Kumar’s “Khilona” (1970) or Dilip Kumar’s “Ram aur Shyam” came from – all were successful Telugu films earlier. Meanwhile, Bollywood aficionados have Malayalam cinema to thank for “Aap Ki Kasam” (1974), “Julie” (1975), and “Masoom” (1983), Kannada for Dilip Kumar’s “Gopi” (1970), Amitabh Bachchan’s sole triple role outing “Mahaan” (1983), and the risque “Anubhav” (1986), and Tamil for Ashok Kumar-Kishore Kumar starrer “Bhai-Bhai”(1956), “Miss Mary” (1957) – one of Meena Kumari’s rare comic outings, Dilip Kumar’s “Aadmi” (1968), and even “Shakti” (1982), among many others. Real life inspires reel life, but this is one case where India would be better served with reel life inspiring real life. (Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)
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Austin South Asian | May 2022
