Austin South Asian. September. 2020 by Austin South Asian

Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 13 No. 09

Kamala Harris Kamala Harris, in full Kamala Devi Harris, (born October 20, 1964, Oakland, California, U.S.), American politician who was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat in 2016 and began her first term representing California in that body the following year.

searcher. Her younger sister, Maya, later became a public policy advocate. After studying political science and economics (B.A., 1986) at Howard University, Kamala earned a law degree (1989) from Hastings College.

Protect Environment.....04 Small Business Toolkit...05 Arun’s Scribblings.........06 Outdoor Dining............07 She subsequently worked as a deputy district attorney COVID-19 Study...........08 (1990–98) in Oakland, earn- Malik’s..02,09,11,12,13,15 ing a reputation for tough- 65th Birthday...............10

She was the first Indian American to serve as a U.S. senator as well as the second African American woman. Harris previously was the state’s attorney general (2011–17).

ness as she prosecuted cases of gang violence, drug trafficking, and sexual abuse. (Continued On Page 09)

Her father, who was Jamaican, taught at Stanford University, and her mother, the daughter of an Indian diplomat, was a cancer re-

South Asian American Women \By Sumaiya Malik @SumaiyaSaidThis

The 19th Amendment, ratified a century ago on Aug. 18, 1920, is often hailed for granting American women the right to vote. And yet most Black women and women of color waited nearly fifty more......(Continued On Page 12)

inside

September 2020

Managing COPD Managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is always important, and especially so right now, as individuals living with a chronic lung disease are at a higher risk of severe illness and complications from COVID-19.

However, misinformation about COVID-19 has made it hard for people with chronic conditions to determine how to stay safe. Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, is providing answers to common questions that the millions of Americans affected by COPD may have. (Continued On Page 19)

Austin Area To Begin Sheltering Hurricane Laura Evacuees Today

Austin, TX – In response to mandatory evacuation orders in Galveston County, Austin-Travis County will begin accepting hurricane Laura evacuees at Circuit of the Americas, beginning at 4:00 p.m. today. This effort is coordinated in conjunction with the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center and the ongoing COVID-19 activation. Displaced individuals will begin their intake process at the Circuit of the Americas in parking lot A. At that time, they will be assigned to a shelter by the Capital Area Shelter Hub Plan staff. These shelters will be hotels located throughout the Austin area. Once assigned to a shelter, evacuees will be asked to proceed directly to their designated lodging. Both intake and sheltering processes have been revised to be in accordance with current COVID-19 orders. In contrast to past weather events, evacuees will be sheltered in individual hotel rooms instead of a

large common area. They will be asked not to have visitors to their room and wear a mask whenever outside of their room, wash hands frequently, and maintain 6 feet of distance from others outside of

October 2020 Home - Plumbing & Architect Special 512-828-6709

School Season Tips.......15 5 Smart Ways To Prep..16 Eco-Friendly.................17 ASHA For Education......18 Picture Book World.......18 6 Cool Ideas.................19 Grilling Secrets.............20 Quit Smoking...............20 Drive-In Movie.............21 Kids Corner.....14,22,23,25 Life Insurance..............23 Make A Difference........23 their household. To ensure every- Tips Healthy And Sustainone is kept safe from COVID-19 able Outdoor Dining.....24 amid hurricane Laura relief efforts, Spruce Up Classrooms should an evacuee develop symp- And Workspaces..........26 toms or at risk of exposure, they Enhance Your Backyard will be asked to inform their shelWith Water Features.....26 ter manager immediately. Entertainment..............27 (Continued On Page 06)

Austin South Asian | September 2020

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MFA Production Student Prakshi Malik’s “Embers” at PBS Short Film Festival By Sumaiya Malik

One such filmmaker is Prakshi Ma-

Prakshi Malik is a filmmaker, a

In a world which is homebound because of Covid-19, there should be a lot of time for catching up on on movies and shows we have missed.

Her films have been screened on PBS and at festivals such as Roxbury International Film Festival, Black Harvest Film Festival, St. Cloud International Film Festival and San Francisco Black Film Festival.

Not so, I feel, because there is so many different things to do, that sitting and watching long form films seems a bit difficult especially in one go. Fortunately for us, the world of movies is ahead of the game and to cater to people who have less time, short films have crept into the market. These films seem to have a longer lasting impact too because they drive home a single point and if the production and direction is good, they make the filmmaker rise to fame.

M.F.A. in Film Production at University of Texas at Austin.

She was recently awarded the 2017-18 Student Scholarship by the Association for Women in Media. (https://rtf.utexas.edu/people/ prakshi-malik) lik whose short film “Embers” is an entry in the 2020 PBS Short Film Festival. The short film (8m 55) shows two boys in trouble at school face and how they and their mothers face a racist high school administration.

dancer, and a believer in the transformative potential of storytelling. She grew up in Delhi, India and studied Media and Cultural Studies at Macalester College in MN. She is currently pursuing her

“I want my films to reflect and provoke solidarities amongst people who experience related struggles.

I embrace the unique gifts of collaborative filmmaking and am deeply grateful to all my teachers, friends and audiences who help me grow,” she says in her artist statement at UT Austin Radio-Television-Film page. The 2020 PBS Short Film Festival is a celebration of independent films and filmmaking and a love for the craft. Each year the films highlight topics like social injustice, religion, addiction, public policy, love and all things inspiring. Find the film for free at pbs.org. (https://www.pbs.org/filmfestival/ films/embers).

FREE CLASSIFIED info@AustinSouthAsian.com

Austin South Asian | September 2020

3 Simple Steps To Help Protect The Environment

Each American throws out about 4.5 pounds of trash per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. By incorporating the “Three Rs” (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) into routines, you can help divert some of this waste away from landfills to help protect the environment.

soil for your garden. Reuse

offerings and taking precautions to keep these systems safe and hygienic for customers, making it easier for the eco-conscious to shop sustainably. When packing lunches for the family, ditch the single-use baggies, utensils and sandwich wraps and switch to reusable BPA-free, eco-friendly alternatives.

Here are a few ideas for changing your habits to be more eco-friendly: Reduce Up to 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. is wasted, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. In addition to the unnecessary strain on water and land resources, the excess food that ends up in landfills produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change. By carefully planning before going to the grocery store, you will be more likely to purchase only what you and your family will realistically eat. Even smart shoppers can reduce the amount of unavoidable food waste they produce by starting a composting bin at home. You can turn today’s fruit peels, eggshells and tea leaves into tomorrow’s fertile

There are many ways you can incorporate the “reuse” concept into your food routines. At the grocery store, bring your own reusable tote bag to avoid single-use plastic at checkout. Take this concept a step further with refillable containers, which can be used to stock up on bulk foods. While bulk foods have been a feature of certain supermarkets for years, many stores are expanding their

Finally, when it comes to hydration, you can make a huge impact simply by stocking your fridge with a water filter pitcher and by bringing along a high-quality reusable water bottle with you on-the-go. Recycle Thanks to packaging innovations, there are now essential items you can recycle for the

first time. For example, until recently, toothpaste tubes haven’t been recyclable because most are made of a mixed material that doesn’t have a second life. Now, you can recycle your toothpaste tube with a first-of-its-kind recyclable tube from Tom’s of Maine. Several of the brand’s popular toothpastes are available in the new tube, with all full size Tom’s of Maine toothpastes available in the recyclable tube by the end of 2020. To recycle the tube at home, check the back for the blue flag, which indicates that the toothpaste tube can be placed in your recycle bin with #2 plastics. If your town doesn’t accept #2 plastic, you can recycle your toothpaste tubes and other oral and personal care products, regardless of the brand, through the Tom’s of Maine Natural Care Recycling Program with TerraCycle. To learn more, visit TomsOfMaine.com. By making simple, eco-conscious changes in your daily routine, you can take meaningful steps toward helping protect the environment. (StatePoint)

3 new rail lines and a downtown tunnel. Project Connect from Capital Metro is a comprehensive transit plan. It includes a rail system that travels under downtown—separate from traffic—designed to increase the system’s on-time performance. The plan also includes 3 new rail lines, all-electric buses, 36 miles of new MetroRapid bus service and 9 new Park & Rides. Visit ProjectConnect.com to learn more.

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Honing Your Small Business Toolkit in Uncertain Times

It’s been a challenging year for small businesses, with local shutdowns requiring many operations to close their doors, some temporarily, all while weathering the ripple effects of a global economic downturn.

manual number crunching and leave you wellprepared should your business be randomly audited.

However, experts say that by getting back to basics and honing your small business toolkit, you can run a tighter ship, leaving your enterprise in a better position to survive these difficult times. Here are a few strategies to consider.

Keeping your books in order and automating back-office tasks like this will save you substantial time and energy, which is especially

Automating Accounting Upgrading your accounting software will help you avoid errors that are common with

How Military Families Can Navigate Home Buying in Uncertain Times Like many Americans, the recent pandemic may have you thinking a lot about your current living space and about buying a home. If you’re a military service member, veteran or family member, both new and tried-andtrue tools and resources can streamline the process.

• Know your down payment options: Not all financing options require you to put 20 percent down. For military service members and veterans, VA loans provide low- and no-down payment options for qualified bor-

To get you started, Wells Fargo Home Lending is providing these insights: • Assess your readiness: “The decision to buy is personal. Take into account your goals and financial circumstances,” says Greg Murray, VP, national client relationship manager/military program. “Interest rates are at historic lows, so if you feel financially ready, this is a great time to look.” If you decide to move forward, it’s important to be realistic about what you can afford, and having a rainy day fund is a good sign of your readiness. COVID-19 has reinforced the reality of unexpected economic ups and downs. So, don’t overextend yourself in buying. Leave yourself with the ability to weather economic cycles and afford run-ofthe-mill expenses for home repairs. • Build your team: Enlist a home mortgage consultant who can help you navigate the process, as well as discuss financing options that fit your needs. “Consider working with a military lending specialist who can help you make the most of the home loan benefits you’ve earned,” says Murray. To get a better understanding of the local market, as well as the impact the pandemic may be having on home sales, lean on your real estate agent.

rowers, and don’t require monthly mortgage insurance. Other low down payment options to explore include Wells Fargo’s yourFirst Mortgage program, as well as FHA and rural lending programs. However, it’s important to understand that more money down could reduce your monthly payments and interest paid over the life of the loan, and may also eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance or reduce your funding fee on a VA loan. • Leverage digital tools: At a time when health and safety is top-of-mind, digital tools can offer a contactless experience. While a recent realtor.com survey indicates that 63.6% of consumers looking for a home want to see a property in person before buying, many start the hunt online, and now you have better opportunities to do so. In an ef-

fort to keep clients safe, many realtors offer home walk-throughs using video chat apps. When it comes to the mortgage process, lenders like Wells Fargo offer time-tested digital tools allowing you to handle many aspects of the process remotely, including signing disclosures, uploading documents and simply getting started. In the first six months of 2020, 53% of the lender’s VA applications came through the online mortgage application. To contact a home mortgage consultant, visit wellsfargo.com/military. To access free resources that can help you be a savvier home shopper, visit Wells Fargo’s educational page, myfirsthome.wellsfargobank.com. Also be sure to visit www. va.org for instructions to get a “Certificate of Eligibility,” the first step to getting a VAbacked loan and a key document in using VA loan benefits. Whether you wish to take advantage of historically low interest rates or you’re spending more time at home and want a larger space to accommodate the new normal, leverage as many resources as you can. For military personnel and veterans especially, rest easy in knowing there are resources available to simplify the process. (StatePoint)

important these days when your attention is better spent on the big-picture aspects of running your business. Just be sure to choose a trusted, vetted solution. Ditching Paper Payroll A 2019 survey by Intuit QuickBooks and Kelton Global found that small business owners spend on average 4.5 hours each pay period preparing, calculating, and filing payroll. By automating payroll, you can turn your attention to more pressing needs, such as finding new clients, exploring new digital offerings and maintaining your business. Various tech tools can help you get a handle on what may be your largest expense – paying your workers. A payroll service with a one-day direct deposit feature can be especially valuable, as it allows you to hold onto company cash longer. Overall, automating payroll can give you confidence that employees are paid on time and accurately. Owning Tax Time And while traditional payroll software can be helpful, it may not go far enough – Intuit QuickBooks, for example, has an expanded suite of QuickBooks Online Payroll offerings that enable small businesses to run payroll and file taxes automatically. This saves small business owners valuable time each payroll cycle by eliminating manual data entry and reducing errors. QuickBooks also offers Tax Penalty Protection that guarantees if a customer receives a federal, state, or local payroll tax penalty from an error made while using QuickBooks Online Payroll, QuickBooks will help resolve it with the government and pay up to $25,000 in fees and interest. To learn more, visit www.getqb.com/payrolltools. “Across the board, small business owners today are facing exceptional circumstances, only now they have the option of using new game-changing tools,” says Laurent Sellier, vice president and business leader of QuickBooks Online Payroll. “By overcoming cash flow, payroll and tax challenges, companies can be in a better position to make it through these uncertain times.” (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | September 2020

How People And Businesses Can Reduce Plastic Use, Even During A Pandemic If your effort to reduce your personal plastic use has fallen by the wayside in recent months, you’re not alone -- reusable bags and containers have gotten a bad rap during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a new report shows that they can be a safe, effective way to tackle the global plastic pollution crisis.

“At a time when communities of color are disproportionately impacted by both the plastic pollution crisis and COVID-19, reusable

According to the report, here are just a few of the reusable systems and companies that can instill confidence during the pandemic:

• The Wally Shop, which recently expanded nationally, and Zero, also offer grocery delivery with reusable containers. • To-go reusable models such as CupClub enable customers to borrow a reusable cup, use it, then return it at a drop-off point to be cleaned.

The new report from Greenpeace USA, “Reusables Are Doable,” available at greenpeace.org/usa/ reports/reusables-are-doable, highlights various reusable programs globally that have continued or can be used during the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring strong sanitization or contactless systems for cups and containers. The report seeks to assure retailers, restaurants and other large brands that a pandemic doesn’t need to mean shifting toward widespread disposable plastic. Indeed, 130 health experts have weighed in to reinforce the public health necessity of moving away from singleuse plastic and to detail how reusables can be used safely during a pandemic.

cording to FDA standards, and uses them for future products. Loop has reported a sales increase during the pandemic.

• Takeout meal systems such as Dispatch Goods partner with local restaurants to provide meals in reusable containers that customers return for commercial cleaning. systems are not only possible right now, they are needed more than ever,” says Greenpeace USA plastics campaigner, David Pinsky. “Reusable systems can protect workers, customers and our environment by meeting basic hygiene and distancing requirements, and can help get people back to work.”

• Contactless coffee systems have been embraced by hundreds of cafes worldwide to minimize waste. With this system, a customer places their reusable cup on the counter, backs away, and allows the barista to fill it with a separate cup that doesn’t touch the customer’s. • Loop, which launched in 2019, offers well-known grocery brands to customers in reusable containers. The company collects used containers, sanitizes them ac-

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• Algramo, based in Chile, uses vending machines and an electric vehicle delivery service that allows people to pay for only the amount of product they need in reusable containers. “It is time for restaurants, retailers and all food businesses to end their reliance on useless plastic packaging, bags and containers,” says Pinsky. “Individuals who want to see continued action on the plastic pollution crisis can get involved by encouraging their favorite businesses to continue to prioritize reuse in ways that maintain proper hygiene and safety.” (StatePoint)

Austin Area Laura Evacuees..

(Continued From Page 01) Testing is available for free from Austin Public Health. Those with a vehicle can sign up for testing via the online portal, located at AustinTexas. gov/COVID19. If you do not have access to a vehicle, testing can be arranged at the shelter. To get tested at the hotel you are staying at, please call 512-972-5560 during regular business hours to schedule an appointment. Evacuees will be provided three meals a day and access to a phone, internet, and television. For the most up-to-date information regarding the hurricane Laura evacuation by text message, text “ATXShelter” to 888777. Periodic updates will be sent through this platform about shelter operations, the status of affected communities, and transportation availability back to the coast. Alternatively, call 512-978-1510 regularly for updates. Finally, for information about City operations and traffic conditions, monitor the City of Austin social media on Twitter (@austintexasgov) or the City website at www.AustinTexas.gov/help.

PROBLEMS

“Need not worry if you can solve it, No use worrying if you cannot” ; Wise have concluded on problems thus. But problems in life sure challenge us. Problems propping is a tragedy, Once solved it looks like a comedy. No problem is sans a remedy, So needlessly don’t become crazy.

Arise problems while choices plenty, Giving leeway for doubting amply. What’s right and wrong, What’s correct and not, A dilemma to chose what is apt. Open and ask your inner conscious, Beseech guidance fair from your parents,

May discuss with competent persons, These makes easy to decide what’s right.

To keep away distanced from problems, Avoid actions not backed by thinking, And withhold thinking without actions. Still, ladders for growth are, problems solved. Never magnify any problem Never downplay your skills to solve them. (arunsunderraj@gmail.com)

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Tips For Healthy And Sustainable Outdoor Dining

The fall season is the ideal time of year to dine outdoors. To create a healthy and sustainable outdoor dining experience, consider these tips:

Bottled water contains microplastics and contributes to waste. Consider a more sustainable option with a reusable water filter pitcher that doesn’t ruin your outdoor look.

• Reduce and reuse/ditch the plastic: Ditch the single use cups, plates and utensils and instead, serve meals using reusable dinnerware made from sustainable, shatterproof materials designed for outdoor use. Use rimmed plates to help reduce spills and wine charms or a set of glasses with unique colors to make it easy for each person to identify their glasses. • Cook completely outdoors: Set up your cooking and prep stations outside for an authentic start to finish al fresco experience. Consider going beyond the grill and turning a portion of your backyard into a full outdoor kitchen, complete with coolers and storage and working space. This will not only make you a more versatile outdoor chef, but also, it eliminates the need to rush between the kitchen and your outdoor set-up, enabling you to enjoy more fresh air, more time with your family and a streamlined food prep experience. • Stay hydrated but ditch the bottled water:

chemicals, including PFAS and chlorine. The sleek and sustainable design is available in 7-cup and 10-cup sizes made from either glass or BPA-free materials. Avail-

able at LifeStraw.com, Walmart.com and Target.com • Highlight fresh flavors: Fall can actually be prime planting season. Cultivate an organic garden for access to herbs such as mint, basil and dill, which you can toss into meals for a fresh and nutritious burst of flavor, as well as use to create herb bouquets for an aromatic tablescape. • Beat bugs: Evening meals are often enjoyed at dusk, which is, unfortunately, the most active time of day for biting bugs. Fend pests off naturally and keep diners comfortable safely with a citronella candle or other natural solutions like lemon eucalyptus, peppermint oil and lemongrass oil. This fall, make your outdoor space the heart of the home by transforming it into an area where you can enjoy healthy, sustainable meals with your family. (StatePoint)

One great option is the LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher, which protects against over 30 contaminants, including bacteria, parasites, microplastics, lead, mercury and

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Austin South Asian | September 2020

Are You Eligible For This COVID-19 Study?

A new COVID-19 study is currently enrolling patients, and researchers believe it has the potential to change the course of the virus around the world. The study is examining the effects of Colchicine, a widely available and inexpensive anti-inflammatory drug on one of the most common, and most debilitating side effects of SARS-CoV-2–acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

such patients require admission to ICU wards to be provided with respiratory support via mechanical ventilation. One research team believes they

shown that the most closely related virus to SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is Sars-CoV-1. That’s the virus that caused SARS caused 15 years ago,” says Dr. Tar-

Cytokine storms in COVID-19 are common and potentially do more damage than the virus itself, causing some patients to develop pneumonia or ARDS, which are lifethreatening lung conditions. Many

Colchicine is a widely available, inexpensive drug that has already been in use for years in the treatment of conditions like gout, familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and viral pericarditis. The side effect profile is well-known and side effects are rare. The groundbreaking study is called COLCORONA. Like most studies, patients are assigned either a course of the study medication or a placebo for 30 days.

ARDS is caused by an intense inflammatory response that results in what’s called a cytokine storm. Cytokines are molecules that signal to inflammatory cells that there’s a problem within the body that needs their attention. Any normal immune response involves cytokines. In a cytokine storm however, they’re released in larger numbers than necessary, resulting in an immune response out of proportion to the threat at hand, whereby immune cells attack healthy tissues.

treated globally.

However, this study is unique as it is contact-less, helping protect health care workers and the population at-large from unnecessary risk of virus exposure. may have the solution, however. Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, director of the Research Centre at Montreal Heart Institute, professor of medicine at the University of Montreal, and primary investigator of the study, believes that these cytokine storms seen in COVID-19 patients are manufactured by a tiny inflammatory cell part, or organelle, called inflammasome. Colchicine, targets that one tiny organelle. “More than 10 years ago, it was

dif. “It’s very close to SARS CoV-2 and it was shown in this very elegant paper that SARS CoV-1 directly activates inflammasome.” Dr. Tardif and his team are currently enrolling patients with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis for a Colchicine study. If his hypothesis is correct, it could change the way COVID-19 is

To enroll, patients can call the hotline to speak with a dedicated healthcare professional who will explain the study and verify their eligibility, as well as to receive and sign the informed consent document. The study medication is then delivered to the patient’s door within four hours and the patient is remotely followed for 30 days. To enroll or learn more, visit

https://en.colcorona.net or call the 24-hour Hotline at 1(877) 5366837, which is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. The COLCORONA trial is currently available in a number of countries as well as the New York Tri-State area, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, and Houston, with plans to open in Jacksonville, Gainesville as well as throughout Arizona, Mississippi, and Alabama. The team also plans on expanding the study into Georgia and the Carolinas. The trial is funded by the Government of Quebec (Canada), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the US National Institutes of Health and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Sophie Desmarais, Montréal philanthropist, daughter of the late business mogul, Paul Desmarais Sr. Interested patients should consult their health care providers for more information and to find out if study materials are available in their area. (StatePoint)

Back-To-School Season Essentials For College Students The back-to-school season may look and feel different this year, but there are some essentials which can aid college students no matter how and where their learning takes place in the fall. • Caffeine fix: Late to bed, early to rise -- most college students rely on coffee to fuel this grueling schedule. Seek out an easy to use, low-maintenance coffee maker that doesn’t require a ton of space. When paired with an insulated to-go cup, quick caffeine fixes can help students not only when they’re burning the midnight oil or getting out of bed, but also when they’re heading out the door.

• Musical tools: Studies suggest that learning to play music has the power to foster the personal growth needed for

achieving self-fulfillment later in adulthood, making a Casio keyboard one great addition to any students’ dorm room or bedroom.

Portable and compact, they offer a range of features for musicians to learn, practice, record and perform. • Lighten the load: With so many electronic versions of textbooks available these days, an e-reader can be a useful tool for students looking to lighten their load, as well as organize all their reading material in one place. Not only that, e-versions of books tend to be less expensive than their traditional counterparts, which can over time, represent significant cost-savings. • Wearable tech: With multiple alarms that can help

students keep track of class schedules, a Casio Pro Trek Watch is not only helpful on-campus or when learning remotely, but is also a great outdoor companion. With GPS, location memory, water resistance and triple sensor technology, those looking to get outdoors after sitting in front of a computer for hours on end will find its features useful on the trail or lake. With some preparation and the right tools, college students can look forward to a successful school year ahead. (StatePoint)

Healthcare, Education, Economy Top On The List In Candidate Forum

By Sumaiya Malik @SumaiyaSaidThis On Saturday August 15, WiseUp TX, IACT, Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, Korean American Association of Greater Austin, SABA Austin, APAPA, AACCC, ACAN, and Network of Asian American Organizations joined forces to host three candidate forums for the broader Asian community within the Central Texas area. All in Austin metroplex were invited to join the Facebook Live through Zoom for free. This was first of three incredibly informative forums focusing on the candidates running for State Representative and State Senate and was moderated by Azra Siddiqi from WiseUp TX. Azra Siddiqi planned some well thought out questions based on what each candidate talks about on their pages and in interviews. Time was limited, but well spent with issues like healthcare, education, economy and the pandemic top on the list. Candidates who attended are listed along with their web addresses. Here is a summary of conversations with each candidate:

ty Campaign of which she is a part of and said, “A large number of accidental death of young children, [and] suicide-related [deaths happen due to] accessibility to fire arms.” She added that guns are also acquired through theft and the Statewide campaign talks to gun owners to think about this. About Vote by Mail she said, “Governor has said voters have more time to go vote early.” “Voting by mail has it’s glitches,” she added. She talked about the pandemic and how it affects our schools,” We expect the pandemic to go on. It affects our schools.” Bill Strieber (Republican) TX HD48 https://strieberforaustin.com/ Fifty-three-year-old native Texan, Bill Strieber (Republican), is a business executive with environmental and biotech business experience. He talked about a steep decline in quality of life in Austin, increase in crime and police being limited in their ability to do their job. “There is fear to get out of the car,” he said. “I am going to work to defund city council,” he added. He wants to work on property taxes and school funding. He has homelessness as #1 on his agenda.

Incumbent Donna Howard (Democrat) HD48 https://teamhowardtx.com/

Also talking about schools reopening Strieber said, “From biological perspective we will never have 100% coverage vaccine ever.

Representative Donna Howard has served in the Texas House of Representatives since 2006.

I am all for opening up as soon as possible.” To many years in the wrong direction.

She is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and sits on its Article III Subcommittee which oversees education spending in the state budget. Howard serves as Vice Chair of the House Administration Committee and is also a longtime member of the Higher Education and House Administration Committees. She has worked on Covid-19 impact, nursing and critical care, served on Eanes School Board. She is a part of Austin Chambers task force to reopen business to open economy. Howard talked about Statewide Gun Safe-

Incumbent Vikki Goodwin HD47 (Democrat) https://vikkigoodwin.com/ “I’m current state representative, mom, wife and 27 years in district,” said Goodwin introducing herself. Vikki Goodwin represents Texas House District 47 in western and far south Travis County. S he was a co-author of landmark school finance reform (HB 3), as well as the law boosting retired teacher pay (SB 12). (Continued On Page 11)

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Kamala Harris (Continued From Page 01) Harris rose through the ranks, becoming district attorney in 2004. In 2010 she was narrowly elected attorney general of California—winning by a margin of less than 1 percent—thus becoming the first female and the first African American to hold the post.

occasional interruptions—from Republican senators. In June 2017 she drew particular attention for her questions to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was testifying before the intelligence committee on alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election; she had earlier called on him to resign.

After taking office the following year, she demonstrated political independence, rejecting, for example, pressure from the administration of Pres. Barack Obama for her to settle a nationwide lawsuit against mortgage lenders for unfair practices.

Harris’s memoir, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, was published in January 2019. Shortly thereafter Harris announced that she was seeking the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

Instead, she pressed California’s case and in 2012 won a judgment five times higher than that originally offered. Her refusal to defend Proposition 8 (2008), which banned same-sex marriage in the state, helped lead to it being overturned in 2013.

From the outset she was seen as one of the leading contenders, and she drew particular attention when, during a primary debate, she had a contentious exchange with fellow candidate Joe Biden over his opposition to school busing in the 1970s and ’80s, among other race-related topics.

Harris’s book, Smart on Crime (2009; cowritten with Joan O’C. Hamilton), was considered a model for dealing with the problem of criminal recidivism. In 2012 Harris delivered a memorable address at the Democratic National Convention, raising her national profile. Two years later she married attorney Douglas Emhoff. Widely considered a rising star within the party, she was recruited to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Barbara Boxer, who was retiring. In early 2015 Harris declared her candidacy, and on the campaign trail she called for immigration and criminal-justice reforms, increases to the minimum wage, and protection of women’s reproductive rights. She easily won the 2016 election. After taking office in January 2017, Harris began serving on both the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Judiciary Committee, among other assignments. She became known for her prosecutorial style of questioning witnesses during hearings, which drew criticism—and

Although Harris’s support initially increased, by September 2019 her campaign was in serious trouble, and in December she dropped out of the race. She continued to maintain a high profile, notably becoming a leading advocate for social-justice reform following the May 2020 death of George Floyd, an African American who had been in police custody. Her efforts silenced some who had criticized her tenure as attorney general, alleging that she had failed to investigate charges of police misconduct, including questionable shootings. Others, however, felt that her embrace of reform was a political maneuver to capitalize on the increasing public popularity of social change. As racial injustice became a major issue in the United States, many Democrats called on Biden, the party’s presumptive nominee, to select an African American woman—a demographic that was seen as pivotal to his election chances—as his vice presidential running mate. In August 2020 Biden chose Harris, and she thus became the first Black woman to appear on a major party’s national ticket. (Courtesy: britannica.com/)

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Austin South Asian | September 2020

65th Birthday Brings Key Decisions Regarding Health Care

Your 65th birthday is an important milestone. That’s when you become eligible for the federal Medicare health insurance program. Medicare is a popular, affordable health insurance program for Americans 65 and older, and those under 65 with certain disabilities, providing hospital coverage (Part

A) and physician visits (Part B) to those who qualify. But it can be complicated. To decide what coverage is best for you, take inventory of your current and future health, work and economic standing, including your personal preferences and goals. Here are a few tips to consider

from Cigna, which serves hundreds of thousands of Medicare customers nationwide. 1. Timing is important! Medicare has a seven-month window around your 65th birthday called the Initial Enrollment Period. It begins three months before your 65th birthday and extends three months past your

COVID-19 & Cyclone Amphan Relief “The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.” The Dalai Lama We at Asha For Education - Austin (AfE-A) are thankful to the community for supporting our recent relief efforts. Your generous contributions have enabled AfE-A to provide much-needed relief to our affected project partners. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown in India have threatened the livelihoods and well being of the most vulnerable sections of society in unprecedented ways. The onset in late May of AMPHAN, one of the most powerful cyclones to hit the Indian subcontinent in recent times, has exacerbated matters further. What follows is a summary of three of AfE-A’s focused initiatives to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and AMPHAN. Fellowship Siddamma Siddamma is a grassroots activist who has been working towards uplifting the conditions of underprivileged, native, tribal communities in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Your generous contributions to AfE-A have aided Siddamma, whom we have been working with since 2005, in providing relief to more than 2000+ families of the indigenous Irula tribe in over 75+ villages across Tamil Nadu. These families did not have ration cards and therefore could not avail of any government relief supplies. COVID-19 had severely impacted these communities by taking away their livelihood due to state-mandated lockdowns. The 10 kilograms of rice that was provided on behalf of AfE-A to each of these affected

Irula families in villages belonging to Chengalpet, Thiruvallur, Cuddalore and Vellore districts, have gone a long way in ensuring their short-term food security. Samarth Ganjam Samarth, a residential school for children with physical deformities

and disabilities in the Ganjam district in Odisha. Its association with AfE-A started in 2020. The school empowers disabled children by providing them elementary level education and vocational training thereafter to enable their self-sufficiency. Working with Samarth’s Director, Dr. Kakala Ananda immediately after the onset of COVID-19 and related lockdowns, AfE-A helped in providing dry ration and safety kits to each of the resident children and staff families for 3 months. Shortly thereafter, the onset of AMPHAN severely damaged the roofs of the school and the physiotherapy unit, which serve over 200 students and patients. AfE-A assistance helped in replacing both roofs and installing a television that is being used as an educational tool for the students. Antyodoy Ashram

The onset of AMPHAN caused massive structural damage and destruction to Antyodoy Anath Ashram, an orphanage located in the village of Paunshi, in West Bengal and cut off all access to power and clean water. Your contributions to AfE-A have enabled Antyodoy to replace rooftop solar panels that were blown away by the storm, repair the main water tank and fix broken doors, windows, and toilets. Additionally, grocery kits and hygiene kits were distributed for over 360 affected families in the village. Thanks to your generous patronage, we continue to provide relief to our project partners and education and AfE-A has been identified as one of the top six non-profits providing COVID-19 relief in India. Asha for education is a lowoverhead, 100% volunteer-driven 501c(3) organization that works on education in India with the belief that education is a critical requisite for socio-economic change. It has been rated a 4-star charity on Charity Navigator for 7 consecutive years for being a low-overhead, transparent, and accountable organization. Importantly, it means your donation has a big impact on children, teachers, and schools who need our help, support, and motivation. Donate and learn more about us https://austin.ashanet.org/ Contact austin@ashanet.org

birthday month. Enrolling outside this window could result in higher premiums on Medicare Part B for the rest of your life. If you’re still working, your path forward depends on the size of your company. If you work for a company with fewer than 20 employees, generally, you must sign up for Medicare at 65. If you work for a larger company, you can keep your company’s plan and enroll in Medicare without penalty later – usually when you retire – or enroll in Medicare immediately. However, by switching, your spouse could lose coverage if they’re currently on your company’s insurance. If you’re not working and you’ve already filed for Social Security, the process is much easier. You’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65. Sometimes called Original Medicare, this doesn’t include prescription drug coverage. 2. Original Medicare doesn’t cover everything. Original Medicare covers hospital and physician expenses, but there are cost-sharing requirements and limits on what’s covered. Consider how you’ll cover things like dental, vision, hearing and pharmacy. You can buy supplemental plans, or you can buy a Medicare Advantage plan (also known as Part C), which covers everything that Medicare does and provides additional benefits, including, in many cases, prescription drugs (also known as Part D). 3. You have many options. With Original Medicare, Medicare Ad-

vantage, Medicare Supplement (also known as Medigap), and Prescription Drug Plans, there are many choices to make. Understanding your budget, health needs, doctor preferences and lifestyle will be important in making the best choice for you. 4. Get help. For more information, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Or visit the Medicare Plan Finder website at Medicare.gov/plan-compare. Find local assistance through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at www.shiptacenter.org. You can also contact individual Medicare plans. For instance, you can learn more about Cigna plans at www.cigna. com/medicare. Consult your benefits administrator at work and talk with friends and family members who’ve been through the process. 5. Use it. Know your available benefits. Find out about wellness checks and preventive screenings needed for your age and health status, and get them. Take advantage of Medicare Advantage extras, like gym memberships, to actively engage in your health and well-being. As you turn 65, it’s important to do your homework regarding health insurance. However, if you find out that the plan is not the right fit, all is not lost. You can make changes during Medicare’s Annual Election Period, which occurs every year from October 15 to December 7. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Healthcare, Education, Economy Top On The List In Candidate Forum

(Continued From Page 09)

issues close to her heart.

“We are going through a tough challenging time,” referring to the pandemic and added, “I’ve been working with public schools, free masks distribution, census… Stakes are high next session.”

Incumbent Gina Hinosoja HD49 (Democrat) http://www.ginaforaustin.com/

against Republican candidate Larry Delarose who was not present. She supports police reform and does not support defunding the police.

When asked about education reforms being big on her platform and how Covid-19 pandemic will affect cuts, Goodwin said, “We have to pay teachers well. We will reach into the Rainy Day fund. TX has a healthy Rainy Day fund.”

He is prolife and he is in favor of lowering the permitting fee to obtain a gun owner’s license to $0 to assure a financial burden is not a barrier to those that want to lawfully carry. He will stand against incumbent Democrat, Vikki Goodwin. Michael Clark HD47 (Libertarian) Veteran, small business owner, Michael Clark, is running against Goodwin and Berry in the upcoming elections for HD47. All about individuals keeping your tax money safe. His main issue are two: Leagalize drugs and eliminate property taxes. “Payroll tax belongs to people and so does House Tax,” he said. Jessica Tiedt HD20 (Democrat) https://www.jessica4tx.com/ Tiedt is the nominee running against Republican incumbent Terry Wilson. Passionate about education and equality. Important issues for her are the economic crisis and what schools are going through. She talked about failing rural hospitals and how health care becomes a priority for her. Broad Band Internet and Stone quarries are two

Lucio Valdez HD52 (Republican) https://luciovaldez.com/ Valdez is running for election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 52 against incumbent Democrat James Talarico. He retired from the US Army in 2017. “Public safety and security is my stance,” he said. He also wants “to take care of safety, protect borders, and students in schools.” Lucio Valdez has not yet completed Ballotpedia’s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Justin Berry HD47 (Republican) www.berryfortx.com Local Austinite and a twelve-year senior police officer, Justin Berry, has been endorsed by Governor Greg Abbot. As a police officer he has work with a diverse community.

are on his agenda.

Gina Hinojosa is an American lawyer and politician. She is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing the 49th District. Hinojosa was sworn into the Texas House on January 10, 2017, after winning the November 2016 general election. This will be her third term if she is re-elected. Her priorities are education, campus carry and reproductive rights. Her webpage says, “Public universities need the same right as private universities to opt out of campus carry, and we need more funding for mental health.” Hinosoja talked about meeting demands of the pandemic, “is not business as usual Its probably 2 years more we need to make sure it’s safe.” To adapt to the pandemic she said, “Stop high stakes standardized testing at this time.” Incumbent Celia Israel HD50 (Democratic) https://celiafortexas.com/ Celia Israel is a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 50 since 2014. Her current term ends on January 11, 2021. She is running for re-election

Sporting a blue and white, statement tee shirt with ‘Power of Difference’ written on it, Israel talked about working on economic crisis across party lines, being stuck in traffic and transportation issues. She also talked about George Floyd legislation which would likely pass. “As a body we have agreed for those who are not black to listen to those who are,” said Israel when talking about better race relations. In 2019, Israel filed a House Bill to“end the curfew for minors.” She added, “There should be no criminal record for that.” Eddie Rodriguez HD51 (Democrat) https://www.eddiefortexas.com/ Eddie Rodriguez is a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 51. He assumed office in 2003. His current term ends on January 11, 2021. Rodriguez’ talked about Affordable Housing and said, “Property taxes need to stay in the district to allow for affordable housing.” This will be this re-election to 10th term. Public education, equality, 2021 universal broadband in rural areas and criminal justice reform

Incumbent James Talarico HD52 (Democrat) https://www.jamestalarico.com/ Talarico is a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 52. He assumed office on November 21, 2018. “Poor student stories motivated me to run,” he said, talking about his candidacy. He currently serves as the youngest member of the Texas Legislature, sitting on both the Public Education Committee and the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee. “If I am re-elected I am going to continue to be a partner to local communities. My job is to be your cheer leader and support that at state house,” said Talarico who is all for increasing minimum wage. In his first term, Rep. Talarico helped write historic school finance reform legislation that infused Texas schools with $11.6 billion in new education funding. Incumbent John Bucy III HD136 (Democrat) https://bucyfortexas.com/ Elected in 2018, Bucy III represents western Williamson County in the Texas Legislature, including

Northwest Austin, Cedar, Park, Leander, and the Brushy Creek area. “My values are Democratic and Republican… is fighting for Texas values,” said Bucy as he took the Zoom call from the car. “Education is top priority, lower property taxes, suburban areas we don’t want to price people out,” he said. “We want to invest in education to keep property taxes low,” he added. Bucy is all for PreK for all, supporting local and small businesses. He especially appreciated Asian American and how they contribute to his district. “We have to expand the table,” he said when talking about how committed the Asian American community is for a strong future for our children. Bucy is against increase in taxes. He would like to close tax loopholes and fight for health care. Mike Guevara HD136 (Republican) https://ilikemikefortexas.com/ Guevara is a partner in a law firm, has spent 20 years in district, has been married 13 years, is an attorney from UT Law, husband, and father. He has worked with congressman, legislative sessions and as prosecutor worked with three police departments and across party lines. Guevara is the founder of Williamson County’s Adoption Day and helps families navigate the legal field during the adoption process. Cedar Park Council Member. He is concerned about Rainy Day Fund running out as it is designed to be used one time. These candidates will be a part of the ballot on November 4. Austin South Asian will continue to follow the next two candidate forums in upcoming issues up to the elections.

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Why South Asian American Women Must Vote This November (Continued From Page 01) years to actually be given the right to vote in 1965 (except in California, Illinois, and New York where it happened earlier).

South Asian American women are a part of this highly influential group.

Since 2000, the citizen votingage population (CVAP) of women of color has increased by 59 percent—a gain of more than 13.5 million potential votes.

To understand their rights to vote they must dive into the history of Suffrage and fortunately with the centennial of Suffrage this month (18 August), there is enough information available to go through key facts. It’s also perfect timing to go through historical data especially because this is the year Americans go to the polls in November to elect their representatives and affect the future of their country.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women are the fastest growing and perhaps the most diverse racial demographic of women voters in the United States. These voters have roots in dozens of different countries and possess multitudes of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. (Americanprogress.org)

In simple language, here are some reasons why South Asian women must

take the time to vote this year. They are condensed from an outline written by Alice Stone Blackwell, one-time editor of the Women’s Journal around 1896. For full details go to Progressive Era to New Era (1900-1929), Library of Congress. 1. Because it is fair that those who pay taxes and obey the law must have a say in making them. 2. Because legislation that women desire would come more easily if they voted. 3. Because laws they don’t favor would be amended more quickly. 4. Because disenfranchisement helps keep wages down. 5. Because the proportion of highly educated voters would go up. 6. Because it would increase moral and law-abiding vote. 7. Because it would lead to fairer

treatment of women in every sector. 8. Because it influences public affairs. 9. Because it would increase influence on legislation regarding protection of children. 10. Because it would make it harder for notorious candidates to get elected. 11. Because it would increase women’s influence. 12. Because it would boost women’s confidence. 13. Because it would help women who need help get it. 14. Because it is a maxim in war. 15. Because it has proved to be good! With US Senator Kamala Harris (CA) on the Vice-Presidential Democratic ticket, a woman of South Asian descent, it becomes imperative that South Asian women go out and show full support.

Meet Judge Dimple Malhotra Of Travis County Court At Law #4 By Sumaiya Malik @sumaiyasaidthis Judge Dimple Malhotra is the first and only Asian American female Judge in Travis County. She emerged as a clear winner in the Democratic runoff on July 14 for Travis County Court at Law #4 with 55% of the votes. Malhotra comes to the prestigious position of Judge with perseverance, compassion and empathy, along with a desire to serve the community. Her term will last four years. Judge Dimple Malhotra’s life is a living example of the American Dream. Born in India, she moved to the US with her parents at a young age — her mother arriving first to work as a nurse. Malhotra attended UT Austin for both undergraduate studies and for law school. Her career took her and her husband, who she met at UT Law, to California in 1998 only to return to Austin in 2004. Throughout, she worked in nonprofits or for

the government and accumulated years of experience dealing with domestic violence and family abuse cases.

Malhotra presides over is a specialty court that deals almost exclusively in misdemeanor domestic violence cases.

The Travis County Court Judge

The court also oversees a diversion program for people charged w i t h prostitution called Phoenix Court. The day after her election, Sumaiya Malik of Austin South Asian spoke w i t h M a l hotra about her candidacy a n d future

plans as a judge: SM: Congratulations on the big win! Could you tell us more about your role? JDM: Thank you! The Travis County Court is a civil court which hears bench trials and jury trials. It is a specialty court which hears misdemeanor and domestic violence cases. I handle a docket of 3K to 4K cases of domestic violence every year. I preside over the protective order docket. I hear those who say they have experienced assault harassment. There are hearings on Fridays. This hasn’t stopped [even in time of Covid-19 pandemic]. Violence has [in fact] increased in pandemic. [I also oversee] the Phoenix Court – Whenever participants are arrested for prostitution, we address the issues leading to prostitution. Prostitution is a form of human trafficking. We need to address prostitution and victims of sexual assault at a young age.

SM: How did you start working for the government? JDM: My career in the government started as a non-profit staff attorney at the Women’s Advocacy Project. [Later] I ended up at the Travis County Attorney’s office in the prosecutor position, handling new arrests related to family violence cases. Eventually I became Chief Prosecutor and then Head of family violence cases. When Judge Denton [the prior Judge at Travis County Court at Law #4] retired, I went through the selection process [to take his place]. The seat had to be filled… Nineteen people applied including my opponent [Margaret Chen Kercher]. Most of them were defense lawyers. Only one prosecutor of violent crimes. A couple of us had experience and I was one of them. (Continued On Page 13)

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Meet Judge Dimple Malhotra Of Travis County Court At Law #4 (Continued From Page 12) SM: You started a support group for South Asian immigrant women who suffered from domestic violence — many of whom did not speak English — to provide them with a safe space to meet others who were similarly situated. How did that come about?

vide resources, and provide contacts for housing. At some point I started getting phone calls on the hotline from South Asian immigrant women asking to speak with me (during the high-tech boom).

JDM: [We moved to] the Bay area at the end of 1998. I started looking for a Support Network for Battered Women.

These were women on H1 visas. Wife or Husband on H1 visa experiencing domestic violence, in the same predicament of not wanting to report for possible immigration status, fear shame, children…

My [job] function was to take new offence reports of domestic violence.

So, I started realizing I am having individual conversations with them, serving as their outlet.

I would contact the victim to pro-

These women were afraid to call

someone they knew. I thought it would be amazing for these women to help one another and not feel isolated. I raised the suggestion to these women to form a group. We would meet a group in the meeting. I sat back. They shared their experiences.

The Second Forum with Facebook live was hosted by WiseUp TX, IACT, Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, Korean American Association of Greater Austin, SABA Austin, APAPA, AACCC, ACAN, and Network of Asian American Organizations on Saturday, August 22 for the broader Asian community within the Central Texas area. It focused on the candidates running for Congress and was moderated by Shenghao Wang from Austin Asian Communities Civic Coalition. Wang is a Harvard Law School graduate and a proud local activist, AACCC steering committee member and volunteer with APAPA. Below is a list of candidates present and what they said. Ted Brown Libertarian Congressional District TX-17 https://tedbrown.org/ Brown is a Libertarian who advocates for personal and economic freedom, limited government and is anti-war. He also feels that it should be easier to get any kind of permit or license from the city. His main issues are national debt, cutting spending in the pentagon and

“bring our troops home.” He feels that the US should not be involved all over the world. He believes in free trade and ending the war on marijuana.

He spoke in depth about the state of police department. “We need to change laws regarding police,” he said and highlighted programs that givespolice access to military equipment. “There is a big disconnect between police and public,” he added. Rick Kennedy Democrat Congressional District TX-17 https://rickkennedyforcongress. com/ Software engineer by profession, Rick Kennedy’s main concerns are health care and immigration. He talked about the government’s inadequate response to Covid-19. Pete Sessions Republican Congressional District TX-17 www.petesessions.com “The American Dream is still alive!” repeated Session during his conversation with Wang. “There are reasons why so many people have come to the US to make their lives and children’s lives better,” he added. He feels that the Ameri-

Classes range from 18 weeks to 52 weeks depending upon assessment of individual defenders.

I knew that having the safe conversations helped them deal with what was happening in their homes.

Travis County Counseling and Education Services (TCCES) is the agency that provides assessment to make the determination about how long a BIPP course an offender should complete.

SM: Could you guide us to organizations that help offenders unlearn domestic violence behavior?

The BIPP class is ordered as part of probation. It can also be part of a protective order.

JDM: The Batterers Intervention Prevention Program (BIPP), a class designed to address the behavioral

If a person who commits domestic violence gets probation of say two years, [as a] part of probation, they will in almost all cases be required to complete a BIPP class as well.

Zoom Candidate Forum #2: Congressional Districts 17, 21,25, 31, and 35

By Sumaiya Malik @SumaiyaSaidThis

issues of offenders who commit domestic violence.

can dream best accomplished when people have jobs and opportunities and they plan for their future to make their jobs better. He presented an upbeat image of the stock market as well. When asked if he thought Donald Trump followed rule of law that is of utmost value to Sessions, he said he thinks the president and the attorney general both do follow the rule of law. He clarified that he only agrees with the president 98.5% of the time. Wendy Davis Democrat TX-21 https://www.wendydavisforcongress.com/ “I’ve served in Texas state senate for 6 years,” said Davis and reminded the listeners of her 13 hour filibuster on June 25, 2013 to block Senate Bill 5, a measure which included more restrictive abortion. She is the first person in family to go to college. She would like to make sure that people are able to support their families and have access to health care. “We should celebrate diversity and welcome those who come here with open arms,” she said talking about immigration. (Continued On Page 15)

The idea behind the BIPP class is that the offender can unlearn the controlling behavior that causes them to behave violently in their relationship. SM: How has your perspective as an immigrant judge affected your decision-making? JDM: I carry that perspective all the time. When you are dealing with victims and defenders, it is something to keep in mind. As prosecutor if we knew victim is undocumented, we can see reluctance in prosecution and [he] might not show up for trial. This affects prosecution. If I know the victim is threatened, I can grant a temporary U-Visa to [enable the victim] stay in the US. I won’t levy fines, as immigrant communities struggle financially. It affects how I order. SM: What advice would you give to someone just starting law school? JDM: Do what you love! When you do that, doors open for you. I was in the minority as an advocate. I remember feeling the pressure after law school to make money where you would have status, but

that was not in my heart. I stayed true to my passion. I made little money. It’s the time that I put into the nonprofit sector [in which] I learned empathy and humanity. Always be true to yourself and follow your passion. It will lead you to the right direction. SM: What does the future hold for you? JDM: I hope to continue and stay in this court for some time. Domestic violence will plague our community for years to come. I have four years [until] another election. No limit on the number of times I run. [But] It takes effort, time and money. Domestic violence is a big issue in our country. According to National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) 34.5% of Texas women and 35.1% of Texas men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. After stay-at-home orders were issued across Texas in March, reports of domestic violence calls surged in all major metro areas. The SAFE Alliance, a group that’s working to end domestic violence and abuse, has received more than 3,000 domestic violence calls, texts and chats in the Austin area since March – a 17% increase from the same time last year. If you or a loved one is a victim of domestic violence, seek help. The Asian Family Support Services (AFSA) is an organization that provides support to South Asian Women experiencing domestic abuse. (https://www.afssaustin.org/) Additionally, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can help victims, survivors of domestic violence. Call 1-800-799-7233 or chat w/ an advocate on their website.

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Kids Corner

SAIVA Volunteer Spotlight: Hetal Matta

Vasundhara Varadarajan

Hetal Matta has lived in Austin for 14 years. Her husband and she have a sweet 8 year old daughter. Both her husband and she work in semiconductor/chip design companies. Other than Yoga and Ayurveda, she loves exploring nature with family. Growing up, she has always been interested in learning the most optimum way to physical and emotional health and wellbeing. After getting settled in my career/ profession, her humble yearning/seeking and pull towards spirituality began 15 years ago and she started studying eastern scriptures. She has been practicing yoga and the ayurvedic way of living for the last 12 years. Since the last 5 years, she has learnt eastern classical yoga and powerful yogic practices from Isha Foundation and Sadhguru and since then my personal practices have been deepened, formalized and established. I simply treasure the yoga and wellness opportunities to volunteer for Isha Foundation, North West Austin community and Saiva community. I continue to evolve as I continue onto this path of service. Seniors from the Saiva community are an inspiration to all of us, their valuable wisdom comes from real life experiences serving them and their blessings are extremely special. Mahatma Gandhi describes; “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. “Paropakaram Artham Idam Shareeram”- “The body is given for the wellbeing of others.” I am forever grateful to all masters who have dedicated their lives to transmitting the science of classical yoga and eastern classical wisdom. It is only through this grace, I continue to serve be able to perform “Saiva”. Thank you for your service, Hetal! We appreciate you and your teachings you provide. Please contact saivacommunications@ gmail.com for participation information.

Comics

Abhiveer Annoji

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Zoom Candidate Forum #2: Congressional Districts 17, 21,25, 31, and 35 (Continued From Page 13) Davis served on public education in state senate. She believes ‘that student safety is prime.’ When asked how long she has been in the district, she said, “I have an apartment in District 21 since 2009” She has lived continuously for more than five years.

fighting corruption and is in favor of fair taxes. Talking about her education, she said she was a recipient of Pel Grant. She would also like to reduce the cost of healthcare. In the chat on Facebook following the forum, she went into details and

She worries that 401s are being lowered down. “We have more than enough wealth to bring [cost of] health coverage down,” she said. She would like education to be debt free and wants to take these things to Washington DC and make

Bill Kelsey Libertarian TX-25 https://kelseyforcongress.com/ “I grew up in Jordan,” said Kelsey when he talked about having international experience. He travelled to India and Afghanistan as well.

This is what you have to do.” He shared that his daughter is a physician and he appreciated the work of healthcare workers during the pandemic. Julie Oliver Democrat TX-25 https://julieoliver.org/ Julie Oliver will be on the November ballot against incumbent Republican Representative Roger Williams and Libertarian Bill Kelsey. She reminded the listeners that TX-25 covers 30% of Travis County, Austin, Burnet, Killeen, all the way up to outside Forth Worth and Dallas. She emphasized how she is

Lloyd Doggett Democrat TX-35 https://www.votedoggett.com/

In his opening dialog, Doggett reminded listeners that he was part of the first Asian Pacific Islander Month celebration in Austin.

He said that he is tired of our government’s view of immigrants and added, “I have always appreciated immigrants I wish to simplify the process.

Talking about how best to deal with Covid-19 pandemic he said, “I would like a society in which the presidents could get up there and say this is what the scientists are telling me.

It’s borderline authoritarianism,” he commented. To him, top down approach is simply not working.

Lloyd Doggett II is an American attorney and politician who is a U.S. Representative from Texas. A member of the Democratic Party, he has represented a district based in the state capital and his hometown, Austin, since 1995, currently numbered as Texas’s 35th congressional district.

She reminded the listeners that her opponent U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a freshman Republican from Austin.

I will do everything I can. I welcome everybody from everywhere.” Kelsey complimented his opponent Democrat Julie Oliver for having a health plan he too agrees with.

down the economy is simply not the answer.

“Your culture and family values

said, “Medicare is prohibited by law from negotiating pharmaceutical pricing. And there has been so much consolidation in the industry driving up costs.” “One more point of clarificationuniversal healthcare through M4A does not mean government-run healthcare; it’s not the VA. It means that Medicare pays the bills and the patient doesn’t receive surprise billings,” she clarified. Donna Imam Democrat TX-31 https://votefordonna.com/ All of NW Austin and suburbs such as Round Rock, Leander, Georgetown, Liberty Hill, Killeen, with the largest armored military base and Temple, come under TX-31. Imam is running for Congress because she wants to solve common man issues of being laid off, difficulty in paying high health insurance, and high cost of college education.

it a reality for every single thing in our country. Clark Patterson Libertarian TX-31 http://www.clarkpforcongress. com/ Patterson brought attention to government debt. On his website he has twelve proposals to combat ‘US federal debt of 23.2 trillion’. To combat the current US federal debt of $23.2 trillion and the current US unfunded liabilities of $210 trillion, Clark Patterson ardently advocates, at a minimum, the following twelve (12) Libertarian proposals which include ending war on drugs, poverty and terrorism. When talking about finding solutions to the global pandemic, Patterson shared “Freedom is the only way to work our way out of this.” He opposes mandatory lockdown and thinks freedom is the only way to work our way out of this. “New development in creating the vaccine is the answer. Shutting

have made my home time much stronger,” he addressed the community. “The wall fails to recognize the value of immigrants in our country,” he said talking about Donald Trump’s administration trying to build the wall on the border. He wished everyone to stay safe and healthy and asked aloud, “What has happened to our beloved country? It is the result of Donald Trump’s denial and betrayal.” Doggett thought that until we resolve the health crisis, we cannot get economic growth. Doggett urged the listeners with a line of action saying, “I hope you will do all things necessary to leave no Asian American behind on census and voting. Let’s vote to protect our democracy from Trump.”

School Season Tips for Productive Days and Restful Nights

Whether your child is learning in a classroom or digitally, establishing a steady family dynamic is essential to a successful school year. One area where this is particularly important is ensuing that kids and parents alike get plenty of sleep. Good sleep equates to better health and performance, stronger immune systems, and plays a key role in the ability to learn, solve problems, and maintain a healthy mental outlook. Setting a regular bedtime and wake time, limiting screen time before bed, and turning to solutions such as Natrol Melatonin Gummies or Fast Dissolve can help get more restful sleep. To learn more, visit natrol.com. Kids crave routine: it lets them know they are in a secure and loving environment and helps them perform better at school. Maintaining the same meal time, down time and bedtime routines that you would during a typical school year can help establish a sense of normalcy during this period of uncertainty. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | September 2020

5 Smart Ways To Prep For Back-To-School Without The Stress

Whether the new school year means your kids will be heading back to the classroom, learning remotely, or a mix of both, back-toschool will most likely be stressful.

breakfast, pictures and a first day of school outfit.

2. Simplify Shopping. Create a checklist of items you’ll need

out, so you don’t have to make multiple trips. In addition to the usual supplies, stock up on extra face masks, personal tissues and hand sanitizer.

Thinking ahead can help prepare everyone for a new way of learning, and simplify the transition from the slow ease of summertime to the bustle of the school year. Follow these tips so that everyone is ready when the first bell rings.

Even if children are remote-learning this fall, keep first day of school traditions alive with their favorite

3. Set Up a Homework Station. A dedicated space to store supplies and paperwork is key to staying organized. Let kids take pride in this space so they want to spend time studying there by having them create their own accessories and decorating them to their liking.

1. Resume the Routine. Summertime schedules are often lax, but a more structured routine is important during the school year. At least a week before classes start, reestablish set bedtimes and mealtimes to ease everyone back into school year habits.

siblings concentrate – and even blue light filtering glasses for kids that will be in front of a computer or tablet more than usual.

to buy, as well as plan out where you’ll make purchases. Check school dress codes and required supply lists before you head

If your child will be learning virtually, you may want to consider adding items to the list like extra USB chargers and ports, noise-cancelling headphones – to help older

Duck Tape provides an easy, inexpensive way to add flair to school gear. Cover notebooks and folders in a favorite Duck Tape design, customize desk organizers and décor with cool on-trend colors, or craft one-of-a-kind creations, like pencil pouches and tablet covers. Available in more than 250 colors, designs and licenses, there’s a roll to suit any kid’s style.

How To Save Time And Money Preparing For Back-To-School Season As the summer draws to a close, many families are prepping for the new back-to-school season. While this academic year might

Don’t let the school supply list overwhelm you! Whether you’re picking up binders, folders, pens, pencils, paper,

Back-to-school season often feels hectic for those who find themselves balancing a new schedule. However, when it comes to feeding your family, you can take some of the pressure off with DG Easy Meals. The site features weekday recipes that will help you save on kitchen staples. Each recipe offers simple steps using affordable ingredients to make breakfast, lunch and dinner a breeze.

look a little different from previous years, there are still many ways to save on the essentials your family needs. To get ready, check out the savings and organizational tips below from the discount experts at Dollar General. School Supplies

crayons or scissors, you can find everything you need to kick off the year affordably at Dollar General, which is offering more than 200 back-to-school items for $1 or less, as well as a digital coupon for $5 off of a $15 purchase through Sept. 12. Easy Meals

For families looking for easy ways to stay on top of their nutrition goals, browse the site’s “better for you recipes“ section at dollargeneral.com. Distance-Learning Essentials Make sure your family is ready to take on the challenge of distance learning with a variety of supplies, including a great set of headphones to help your student focus if they need to attend class virtually.

You can also help students stay on track with a new planner or calendar that they can keep in their backpack or learning space. Organization will help your family navigate the challenges this backto-school season might bring, so make sure you’re prepared with the extra supplies you need for a successful school year. Preparing your family for a new routine can be both exciting and stressful. With a few tips and tricks, your family can save time and money on essentials and be ready to take on the new challenges this back-toschool season brings. (StatePoint)

4. Stick to the Schedule. Once the hustle and bustle of the school year kicks into high gear, it’s important that students, parents and teachers stay on track. Find a unique way to display activities, homework or personal messages to your kids like a “quote of the day.” You can use colored tape and chalkboard tape to outline a fun activity chart on a dry erase board or chalkboard easel. In addition to to-do lists and homework assignments, make sure to include outdoor time for recess and opportunities for arts and crafts. At the end of each day, sit together to check off everything that’s been completed and help your kids update the schedule for the next day – this way they stay engaged and excited for what’s to come. 5. Label Supplies. Kids are forgetful and it’s easy for supplies to become misplaced or swapped with other children. To ease your mind about your child sharing pencils or accidentally grabbing the wrong backpack, have a night where you sit down and label supplies with colorful Duck Tape. Your child can select favorite colors and customize folders for each subject. If learning from home, this is also great way to prevent “he stole my pencil” arguments amongst siblings. For more back-to-school craft projects and DIY inspiration, visit duckbrand.com. Simple preparations can help your family adjust to a new schedule and new school year. (StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | September 2020

New Tools Offer A More Complete Education About Native Americans To start the new school year, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian is offering new K–12 distance learning resources and live programs for teachers and students who are interested in a more inclusive, accurate and complete education about Native Americans.

ideas about exchange. The museum’s educators will lead a series of virtual fields trips focusing on a variety of different topics for students in grades 4 through

grams are conducted via Microsoft Teams and can be booked through Microsoft’s Skype in the Classroom website. The field trips should be reserved

Here is a look at the latest offerings:

Students can hear from young Native activists and change makers from across the Western Hemisphere who are working toward equity and social justice for Indigenous peoples. In the U.S., Native Americans experience higher suicide rates than any other racial or ethnic group, and mental wellness is an integral part of combating this issue.

The museum’s national education initiative, Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°), offers digital lessons for K–12 students, teacher guides and videos. Several lessons are also available in Spanish. The newest module, “Early Encounters in Native New York: Did Native People Really Sell Manhattan?,” designed for grades 4 and 5, provides Native perspectives, images, documents and other sources to help students and teachers understand how the 17th-century fur trade brought together two cultures, one Native and the other Dutch, with different values and

About Our Future” is targeted to middle and high school students.

12, including Indian removal, Indigenous innovations and treaties between the U.S. and the Native Nations of the Northern Plains. These free, live, interactive pro-

at least two weeks in advance. A minimum of 10 students is required to register. The new series of free webinars “Youth in Action: Conversations

During the second Youth in Action webinar on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 4 p.m. (EDT), students can join a conversation about community healing and learn how Native youth at the forefront of the mental health movement are addressing mental wellness by creating their own community-based programs, resources and advocacy. To sign up, visit smithsonian.zoom.us. The museum is partnering with Teaching for Change to present a virtual teach-in about Indigenous

peoples’ histories and contemporary experiences with food and water justice for teachers on Sept. 12. Keynote speaker and internationally renowned environmental justice advocate Winona LaDuke (member of the Mississippi Band Anishinaabeg of the White Earth Reservation) will kick off a program of interactive workshops featuring classroom resources available on the museum’s Native Knowledge 360° website and provided by the Zinn Education Project’s Teach Climate Justice Campaign. The teach-in will be held virtually via Zoom, and the $15 registration fee will cover online classroom resources. Through these new distance learning programs, teachers and students can learn about the rich, complex and dynamic histories and cultures of the Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere. (StatePoint)

Eco-Friendly Home Cleaning Hacks

With families spending more time at home, messes are on repeat and cleanups are often an hourly routine. At the same time, many households are looking to reduce their environmental impact affordably.

Opt for Green Cleaners

Over 50 percent of people are looking for cleaning products that

If that describes you, consider solutions working for other consumers, such as Art of Green multipurpose cleaning sprays and wipes.

They are also safe for use around kids and pets, safe for sensitive skin and not tested on animals, making them a good choice at a time when families are looking to cut back expenses, and make the switch to more natural products.

The good news is that saving money and the planet can go hand-inhand at home. To green up your clean up and create healthier spaces, consider these tips: Reduce and Reuse Ditch paper towels for reusable cloths and sponges. Make sure to wash them regularly on the highest heat setting (dishwasher for sponges, washing machine for cloth) to avoid spreading messes around. Your old t-shirts and towels make fantastic reusable cleaning tools. Use old towels on your refillable sweeper mops, and cut t-shirts into large squares to be used as rags and dusting cloths.

supplies are as tough on grease and grime as mainstream brands, but free of harsh chemicals and cost far less than most green cleaners.

reduce the number of harsh chemicals their families are exposed to, according to a Lightspeed/Mintel survey.

Recently named number one in the Green Cleaning category by Product of the Year USA, the nation’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation, these cleaning

“This is the perfect time to take steps toward a greener home,” says Erin Chase, founder of $5 Dinners and Art of Green “cleanfluencer.” “As a busy mom of four boys, it’s the first affordable green cleaning option I’ve tried that actu-

ally works.”

To find Art of Green, visit artofgreen.com or purchase at Target. com. Follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook for their cleaning tips and tricks. Foster Cleaner Air Skip store-bought air fresheners. Instead, simply boil lemon, cinnamon, cloves or any favorite plant for a natural, lasting aroma. You can further promote fresh air at home simply by opening windows whenever possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends doing so to reduce the spread of coronavirus. For a healthy home, prioritize cleaning habits that reduce your environmental impact and limit the harsh chemicals to which your family is exposed. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | September 2020

ASHA FOR EDUCATION

ASHA FOR EDUCATION PRESENTS ITS FIRST EVER ‘VIRTUAL CONCERT SERIES’ All proceeds go towards supporting COVID-19 relief efforts & on-going education needs of Asha projects in India Global event (live-streamed), September 12 - October 17, 2020 - Asha for Education (Asha), a 501(c)(3) global non-profit organization, is hosting its first-ever series of virtual concerts to help raise funds to support our projects in India during this critical time. The virtual concert series comes as a part of Asha for Education’s

pacting our projects across India, and forcing hundreds of thousands of students to turn to remote education during these times, Work an Hour 2020 will be highlighting projects that have been developing and implementing innovative solutions to deliver effective and impactful educational resources and instruction during the pandemic.

For the latest information about the event series and artists, please visit aka.ms/wah2020events.

These projects, run by grassroots nonprofits in India and supported by your donations, strive to bring change in the lives of thousands of children through education.

To support our fundraising efforts, please visit aka.ms/wah2020. For more information about Asha for Education, please visit our website at www.ashanet.org.

For this year’s Work An Hour virtual concert series, we will be featuring several prominent South

- September 19, 2020 Usha Uthup & Jolly Mukherjee September 26, 2020 Hamsa (Rohith Jayaraman & Layth Sidiq) - October 3, 2020 Amit Tandon - October 17, 2020

Did you know reading with your children is one of the ways to rekindle emotional closeness with them. As the school starts, don’t forget to read a book together. Snuggle together before bedtime, or schedule a reading hour on weekends, or whatever works with your family schedule as reading can create a special bond with your little one. Bears Make the Best Science Buddies By Author Carmen Oliver, Illustration by Jean Claude

Asian musicians and a stand-up comedian who will each provide an hour-long performance to help raise funds for our cause.

Work an Hour, or WAH (as it is popularly known), is a global, online fundraising campaign based on a simple concept: Donors are requested to symbolically “Work An Hour” towards the cause of children’s education by donating an hour’s worth or more of their salary.

All events will be live-streamed to a global audience.

With COVID-19 drastically im-

Each live-streamed event will take place at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 10:30pm IST on the following dates: Guitar Prasanna - September 12, 2020 Hariharan & Kavita Krishnamurti

Asha for Education (Asha) is a global, fully volunteer-run 501(c) (3) non-profit with the mission to catalyze socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged children. Asha is an established non-profit that is well-known amongst many Indians globally, has been around for 29 years and currently has over 40 chapters worldwide with 1500 volunteers working towards its cause.

Asha donates ~96% of its proceeds directly to the programs it supports, and has received a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator for several years now. In 2020, Asha has played a crucial role in helping provide financial support to our project partners due to devastation caused by the COVID-19 lockdowns in India as well as by the Amphan Cyclone earlier this year, and as a result has also been recognized as a top non-profit on Charity Navigator for COVID-19 Relief Efforts.

PICTURE BOOK WORLD By SHACHI KAUSHIK

‘Work An Hour’ campaign, an annual online fundraiser that highlights the issue of illiteracy in India to donors worldwide.

About Asha for Education

With the school year starting, here is a brilliant book to add to your bookshelf. A wonderful follow up to ‘Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies’ and ‘Bears Make the Best Math Buddies’, here comes another one ‘Bears Make the Best Science Buddies.’ In this book, Bear helps in the sci-

ence lab with the experiments. With four different science experiments, the bear roves from station to station, helping the class. He shows that for any experiment it’s important to practice safety, ask questions, use our five senses: - sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch and every experiment leads to a discovery. The bright, vibrant illustrations capture a diverse classroom.

friend’s lost toy, and then by reunites a scared puppy with his owner. She realizes that she has everything she needs to be super girl and can do it without the cape too. Illustrations are beautiful showing a strong Indian American girl. Monsoon Afternoon By Kashmira Sheth, Illustrations by Yoshiko Jaeggi

The back matter in the book includes a cookie and milk experiment that all children can do. Super Satya Saves the Day By Raakhee Mirchandani, Illustrations by Tim Pallen

A wonderful story about a boy and his Dadaji. Seeing the rain, the boy asks each person in his family to join him to play outside in the rain, but he discovers that his mother and father, his grandmother, and his older brother are all too busy doing other things. Satya is little girl, is convinced that she will have a terrible day without her superhero cape, which is at the dry cleaners. As the day unfolds, she finds her own superpowers without her cape and has a super day even without her cape. She first by finds a

Fortunately, his Dadaji, has all the time in the world, and the two spend a wonderful rainy afternoon together as they float paper boats, take a walk and notice the nature around them. The story is set in India has the colorful illustrations. Happy Reading.

Managing COPD During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Q: What additional steps should I take to prevent becoming ill with COVID-19? Because COVID-19 is a new disease in humans, our immune systems haven’t yet developed defenses against it and there’s currently

no vaccine. The best way to avoid illness, regardless of age or health status, is avoiding exposure to the virus. For individuals living with COPD, stringent adherence to safety precautions is vital. Stay home as much as possible. When in public, maintain social distance of at least six feet, wear a cloth face covering and encourage others to do the same. Also, wash your hands often and clean, then disinfect, frequently touched surfaces. Q: How can I maintain control of my COPD during the COVID-19 pandemic? COPD control is especially vital right now in case of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. Continue controller medications for COPD to maintain lung health. To limit potential exposure to COVID-19, find out if mail-order pharmacy options are available to you, and if your insurance allows, secure a 90-day supply of prescription medications. Don’t delay important visits or ignore flare-ups or new symptoms. COPD complications can become serious if left untreated. If telemedicine isn’t an

option, bear in mind that doctor’s offices have adopted new safety practices during in-person visits. Q: Should I continue to use my nebulizer at home? Taking medication correctly is a major component in successfully

controlling chronic lung diseases. In certain areas, there have been reported shortages of metered dose inhalers (MDIs) due to increased demand in healthcare settings. Nebulized therapy continues to be a safe, effective way to take inhaled medications at home during the pandemic, though special steps should be taken if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Some patients find that nebulized therapy is more affordable. Talk to your physician if you have concerns about affording your prescribed medications or delivery options. Also, visit Lung.org/nebulizers to access video tutorials on proper nebulizer use and maintenance. Q: What additional precautions should I take if I have suspected or confirmed COVID-19? If you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19, maintain home isolation to protect other household members. This includes the following additional safety precautions when using your nebulizer: • Wash your hands before and after treatment. • Use your nebulizer in an area that

minimizes potential exposure of aerosolized droplets to other household members. You might consider an outdoor patio or porch, or a room indoors where the air is not recirculated throughout the house and nobody else will enter for 1-2

hours, which is long enough for the droplets to no longer be airborne. • Clean and disinfect your nebulizer. Your healthcare provider will work with you on when you can discontinue home isolation and resume normal nebulizer use. Contact them at the first sign of new, severe or concerning respiratory symptoms for a home treatment plan. While most people recover from COVID-19 at home, having COPD elevates risk for severe symptoms. Seek emergency care for the following symptoms: trouble breathing, pain or pressure in your chest, development of a bluish tinge to your lips or face, and new confusion or inability to wake or stay awake. Q: Where can I find trusted information? You can trust the American Lung Association to provide sciencebased information and resources. Visit Lung.org or call 1-800-LUNGUSA for more information about COPD, COVID-19, nebulized therapy or any other respiratory topic. Development of this educational resource is supported by Theravance Biopharma. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | September 2020

6 Cool Ideas For Family Fun Month August is National Family Fun Month, and what better way to enjoy the end of summer than by making lasting memories with your loved ones?

Now is the perfect time to get some fresh air and enjoy your family’s favorite outdoor activity. Finding the nearest fishing hole or picnic spot is easy with a timepiece that

Whether exploring the great outdoors or making music, families can take the opportunity to spend some time together.

can help you navigate the terrain.

Here are a few fun ideas to consider: • Play ball: Head to a nearby park and play soccer, basketball or baseball. Get competitive by selecting teams in advance and wearing matching colors to show your team spirit. • Sing-along: Using new technology, you can take your family sing-along to the next level. Using a Casiotone keyboard, download favorite songs, print out the lyrics and have each family member sing a verse or two. You can even connect your phone to the keyboard to play music from your song library. • Game day: Rainy day? No problem. Let every family member pick a favorite board game and spend the day playing each one. • Get outdoors:

For example, Pro Trek watches provide quad sensor technology that detects compass bearing, barometric pressure, altitude and temperature, plus an accelerometer for counting steps, all which can support your outdoor adventure. • Learn a skill: From painting to pickling to Portuguese, there are a range of online classes available that can help your family master a new skill right from the comfort of home. Pick something fun to learn together and get started today. • Movie night: Create a movie theater in your backyard in an instant with a projector. The LampFree projectors from Casio provide easy set-up and high brightness, making them a good choice for a portable home theater. Just pop the popcorn and get your comfy seating arranged and you will be ready to watch your favorite stars under the stars. With a range of indoor and outdoor activity ideas, you can make the most of this National Family Fun Month. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Grilling Secrets For Your Labor Day Weekend You’ve been grilling all summer long, which means you may be in need of some new ideas this Labor Day Weekend. Experts say, no matter what equipment you’re using, the secret to making a big impact on the flavor of your food is BBQ pellets.

fired flavor that truly elevates the overall grilling experience.

• Fold a large handful of pellets in foil and crimp the edges. Poke a few small holes in the pouch and place it on top of the burner or coals.

“With the amazing wood smoke flavors that cooking with wood pellets offer, it’s truly a game changer for any backyard barbecue,” says Ben Madden, product manager at Bear Mountain BBQ Woods, crafter of gourmet, hardwood pellets. Bear Mountain BBQ pellets are made from 100% premium all-natural hardwoods, with no flavorings, fillers, or additives, which create amazing wood-smoke flavor. Pellet grills have soared in popularity over the past few years and show no signs of slowing down, mostly due to the flavor, versatility and convenience they provide over other types of grills. Using a pellet grill along with hardwood pellets creates wood-

method is great for smoking food on gas and charcoal grills.

This works great to reverse-sear food -smoking first, then finishing over higher heat.

No pellet grill? No problem. Here are some alternate ways to use pellets on any type of grill or smoker. • Fill a pellet smoking tube as directed by the manufacturer and light the pellets using a torch. When the flame goes out, the pellets will smolder and smoke. This

Just keep in mind, different pellet blends create different flavors. The team at Bear Mountain has dialed in the right combinations of hardwoods to craft the best flavor for different types of grilled meats and vegetables. A rule of thumb is stronger hardwoods add richness to beef, medium to mild woods pair perfectly with chicken, pork and vegetables, and lighter fruitwoods complement

the delicious flavors of seafood. Having a variety of pellet types handy can help you become a more versatile grill master. So what should you serve this Labor Day Weekend? For a dish that’s both down home and a cut above, try this Reverse Sear TriTip recipe. Tri-tip is a perfect cut of meat to reverse sear and lock in that juicy, smoke flavor with a high-temperature finish. Straight from Bear Mountain’s recipe collection, you can use a pellet grill or a gas or electric grill with the folded foil method. Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 1-2 hours, depending on size Ingredients: • 2-3 pounds tri-tip trimmed • 3 tablespoons Coffee Spice BBQ Rub (recipe on bearmountainbbq. com) • Olive oil

Preparation: 1. Lightly coat the meat with olive oil, then Coffee Spice Rub to completely cover the meat. 2. Set grill to 225 F. When up to temperature, place meat on the center of the grill and close the lid. 3. Slow cook to approximately. 120 F, then increase the temperature to high to sear the outside. 4. Continue to cook until reaching an internal temperature of 130 F (for medium-rare). 5. Remove from the grill, tent with foil and let sit for 15 minutes. Remove foil, slice and serve. For more recipes, tips and information about Bear Mountain pellets, visit bearmountainbbq.com. With a few new grill techniques, you can make this Labor Day Weekend all about incredible flavor. (StatePoint)

Tips To Quit Smoking For Good Kicking a smoking habit is a gift that keeps on giving. Your body will experience health benefits almost immediately and in the years to come. While quitting is often easier said than done, relying on tools and support can help. Here are a few tips to help you quit for good: • Set a date to quit with meaning behind it. • Anticipate the challenges associated with withdrawal symptoms and plan to potentially use smoking cessation products to meet them head-on. Though many such products are available without a prescription, talk to your provider or pharmacist first, as they can interact with other

medications you take. • Check out programs that allow you to quit on your terms. For example, the Walgreens team can help you build a personalized plan, with free live support and healthcare clinics. Support options and additional resources are available at walgreens. com. Finally, when it comes to this challenge, take it from those who’ve been there.

“The best way to change any habit is to really want to change. Find a support group to help. Having someone who’s going through the same thing can help you with the hurdles you may face,” says Zippy Sandler, social media influencer of Champagne Living, who turned to Walgreens to help her quit smoking. “Also, keep using smoking cessation products until you’re confident that you won’t pick up a cigarette again…ever!” (StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | September 2020

Tips For Enjoying A Drive-In Movie Experience

Social distancing guidelines across the country have made visiting a conventional movie theater difficult, if not impossible. However, what was once a relic of the past has now become an innovation in entertainment, the drive-in movie theater.

them make the most of the experience. Here are five of their top tips: 1. Arrive early.

If your drive-in allows it, bring your favorite movie-viewing snacks like popcorn, soft pretzels, candy and soda.

Many theaters allow guests to ar-

4. Safely enjoy with friends.

The drive-in movie theater is nearly as old as the automobile itself.

If you’re a MINI owner, check with your local MINI owner’s club about a drive-in movie rally.

No drive-in theater near you? No problem. Try hosting your own. For more drive-in tips and fun facts, visit miniusa.com/drivein.

5. Pack strategically. Be sure to pack a blanket in case there’s an evening chill in the air.

Indeed, Walmart recently announced more than 160 of its parking lots will be converted into drive-in movie theaters around the country and many small businesses are doing the same.

To shed light on this rediscovered institution of cinema, MINI USA created a guide for drivers to help

popcorn buckets.

You can even bring two-way radios or set up a group chat on your phone for live commentary of the movie.

While today, there are about 300 drive-in theaters across the country, many more are popping up wherever there is space.

“A drive-in movie is the ideal event for anyone with a car because they can get out for a drive to enjoy a common experience with friends and family while taking appropriate social distancing precautions,” says Rah Mahtani, marketing communications manager for MINI USA.

You can still safely go to the movies with your friends while staying socially distanced. Meet at a nearby location to rally to the drive-in in separate cars.

A small pillow can also help support your back through the movie. Bring a small trash bag, too for all of your wrappers, empty cups and rive up to an hour before the show begins. Take advantage of this time to pick the best parking spot and stretch your legs. If the snack bar is open, grab a treat! 2. Bring the right car. A MINI Convertible is ideal for an open air viewing experience under the stars, while the MINI Countryman has room for the whole family. 3. Bring snacks.

It’s no secret that over the past several months, almost everything we took for granted in our lives has changed dramatically, even nights at the movies. By taking a cue from the past, you can still enjoy the silver screen with extended family and friends. (StatePoint)

Prepping For A Successful School Year Whether heading back to the classroom or back to a digital device this fall, it is important to be prepared. Get your children set up for academic success with the following resources and gear:

• Math tools: Did you know that there are free math resources available online that can help to alleviate the challenges posed by remote-learning?

With so many distractions that can derail a student’s attention, a good set of noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. • Music instruction: Give kids the tools they need to play music wherever and whenever they’d like. With the ultra-compact LK-S250 keyboard, novices can easily learn to play favorite songs using the instrument’s Key Lighting system and library of built-in songs. By connecting to the free Chordana Play app, they can take lessons further by mastering favorite tunes from downloaded MIDI files. The class-compliant USB port connects to any Mac, PC, iOS or Android device with no drivers needed.

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• Comfortable workstation:

No material herein or portions thereof be published without the wirtten consent of the publisher. The deadline for advertisement and article is 20th of every month.

A few considerations will improve ergonomics and comfort, for better focus when working at home. Consider a height-adjustable table or desk as well as an adjustable chair in order to accommodate your growing child’s needs. If possible, select an area for your child to work that gets plenty of natural light. A good desk lamp is also essential.

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And lastly, if your car doesn’t already have one, bring a phone charger.

Check out Casio’s learning site, available at CasioEducation.com/ remote-learning, which provides math activities, YouTube videos, an online calculator and downloadable resources. The brand also offers a variety of models of scientific and graphing calculators, providing students of all levels with the features they’ll need to make the grade. • Headphones:

• Functional fashion: The best accessories also serve a purpose. Look for a watch that has a range of features that help students stay on task. Check out the Pro Trek line of watches. Its different alarm settings can be used to keep a schedule. Be sure kids are equipped for a successful school year, no matter where or how their learning takes place. (StatePoint)

THEME: 1980s LYRICS ACROSS

Austin South Asian | September 2020

1. Lascaux and Mammoth, e.g. 6. At the stern 9. Eyeball rudely 13. Inuit boat 14. And not 15. Sing like Sinatra 16. Manicurist’s file 17. Old-fashioned “before” 18. *”If you __, I won’t cry. I won’t waste one single day” 19. *”Steve walks warily down the street with the brim pulled way ____ ____” 21. *”She’s just a girl who claims I am ____ ____” 23. “Play it, ____,” from “Casablanca” 24. Boris Godunov, e.g. 25. *”All right stop collaborate and listen, ____ is back...” 28. Between Phi and Kappa 30. Restriction limiting use of lights during air raid 35. J.D. Power awards competitors 37. *”Oh, back on the chain ____” 39. Ann Patchett’s novel “Bel ____” 40. Slightly 41. Algorithmic language 43. French “place” 44. Kind of potato masher 46. Brickowski’s brick 47. Cleopatra’s necklace 48. Canine’s coat 50. Sol or fa 52. National Institutes of Health 53. *”____ Christmas, I gave you my heart” 55. Trinitrotoluene 57. *”You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar when I ____ ____” 60. *”I wanna dance with somebody, with somebody who ____ ____” 64. Lithograph, for short 65. Holstein sound 67. Radio sign 68. Killed, like dragon 69. Commotion 70. Yiddish shrew 71. Sleep in rough accommodations 72. Gourmet mushroom 73. Cancel an edit, pl.

DOWN

1. Whispered from a prompting booth 2. Shells and such 3. *”Meeting you with a ____ to a kill” 4. Brings home the bacon 5. First U.S. space station 6. Again 7. *”Hello, is it me you’re looking ____?” 8. Weight of refuse and chaff, pl. 9. Black and white cookie 10. One from Goa 11. *”And I’m never gonna make it like you do, making ____ out of nothing at all” 12. Compass reading 15. One of religious orders 20. Last letter of Greek alphabet 22. Experienced 24. Sine over cosine 25. *”I long to see the sunlight in your hair and tell you time and time again how much ____ ____” 26. Northwoods dwelling? 27. The Goldbergs sibling 29. *”Cuase I’m your ____ cool one, and I’m built to please” 31. Scotch ingredient 32. Kitchen tear-jerker 33. Wombs 34. *”Ooh, what’s the matter with the crowd I’m seeing? Don’t you know that they’re out of ____?” 36. Petals holder 38. *”Wake me up before you ____” 42. It creates instant millionaires 45. Count on, two words 49. One from Laos 51. Emissaries 54. Poison ivy or Poison oak 56. Religious doctrine 57. Venus de ____ 58. Greek Hs 59. Not that 60. Pilot’s stunt 61. Not loony 62. Catcher’s gear 63. Geological time periods 64. Psychedelic acronym 66. Lyric poem

SUDOKU

Sudoku

Please email your sudoku answers to info@austinsouthasian.com. Name and photo of the inviduvidual with first correct answer will be published in October 2020 issue.

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Austin South Asian | September 2020

5 Common Questions About Life Insurance

COVID-19 has significantly impacted our lives in many ways. It has even led some people to start reconsidering the importance of life insurance to protect loved ones who would be left behind should something happen. “If you’re researching life insurance for the first time, don’t be surprised if you find it intimidating and confusing. Life insurance can be complex, and everyone’s needs are different -- there is no onesize-fits-all,” says Louis Colaizzo, senior vice president of Erie Family Life. “The best advice is to talk with your insurance agent who can walk you through how the various coverages work and help you determine the type and amount that’s right for you and your family.” In the meantime, here are answers to five of the most common questions people have about life insurance from Erie Insurance: 1. Can you get life insurance during the pandemic? Most healthy people can still purchase cover-

age but there may be a different process, as insurance companies

with a simple application and no physical exam.

pay off debts, such as credit cards and even a mortgage. 3. How much does life insurance cost? The cost will vary based on the type and amount you purchase, but it is often much more affordable than many people think. Depending on the type of policy and amount of coverage, a policy can cost less than $15 per month. 4. Is it taxable? Most of the time the death benefit from a life insurance policy is not taxable for beneficiaries, which is one of its advantages when it is part of an overall financial plan.

are making changes to provide quotes while maintaining social distancing. Others may offer insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. For example, Erie Insurance offers a policy called ERIExpress Life that was designed to serve people who may have thought the process was too lengthy or complicated. It offers affordable life insurance in as little as a few minutes

2. Why is life insurance important? Maybe you just got married, had your first child, bought a house or are thinking about putting a child through college. Whatever major life change is happening, that’s usually when people think about life insurance. Life insurance can provide peace of mind and ensure your loved ones are able to handle not only final expenses, but also

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5. What’s the difference between term and whole life insurance? Term provides coverage for a specific number of years and is gener-

ally the most affordable option. For example, some people may buy a term life insurance policy so it’s in effect just long enough to pay off a mortgage or cover a child’s college tuition costs, but later it is no longer needed. Whole life insurance is designed to last a lifetime and builds cash value. “Now that you have some basic information under your belt, a next step is to have a deeper discussion with your insurance agent to find out whether you need life insurance and if so, what type and how much,” says Colaizzo. “When it comes to life insurance, the only wrong choice is doing nothing at all.” (StatePoint)

Make A Difference – Kids At Home By Vidya Kumar As the school year re-opens this year due to pandemic parents need to make life changing decisions in the first quarter. Whether it is okay to send kids to school or whether it would be good to keep them at home and do distance learning. For some explaining to the kids why they have decided the particular option and how it is going to affect them as a family needs to be thought out thoroughly. As long as the kids had summer vacation it was much easier to keep them at home but now with the start of the school year even if it is distant learning how do you keep them engaged at home for such long hours and then trying to keep up the pace of school year with homework, projects and studies is not easy. And if the parents are working then all the more they need to attend to work. As I know from working from home sometimes it becomes long hours and working late into the night is the norm rather than the option.

Also how do you keep pace with feeding the family? Earlier if one was behind then at least we had the option of going out letting kids to buy food. Now we have to cook at home and it is time consuming and also one needs variety and constant feeding. I have bought all the dry fruits and have a box of mixed dried fruits on the counter. Any time one feels like munching take a few pieces. It is healthy, protein rich and has several vitamins included and it does not require any preparation. Maybe, another suggestion is asking kids to help in the kitchen which makes it a family event. Even as simple as putting the dishes out, or loading the dishes in the dish washer, setting the table for lunch or dinner and then helping to clear the same does feel like the kids are being included and for the parents any help is welcome. When office, school, home and play all are under one roof involving the family in all the activities will feel like everyone is contributing.

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Tips For Healthy And Sustainable Outdoor Dining

The fall season is the ideal time of year to dine outdoors. To create a healthy and sustainable outdoor dining experience, consider these tips:

and turning a portion of your backyard into a full outdoor kitchen, complete with coolers and storage

more fresh air, more time with your family and a streamlined food prep experience.

One great option is the LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher, which protects against over 30 contaminants, including bacteria, parasites, microplastics, lead, mercury and chemicals, including PFAS and chlorine. The sleek and sustainable design is available in 7-cup and 10-cup sizes made from either glass or BPA-free materials. Available at LifeStraw. com, Walmart.com and Target. com.

Use rimmed plates to help reduce spills and wine charms or a set of glasses with unique colors to make it easy for each person to identify their glasses.

• Highlight fresh flavors:

• Cook completely outdoors:

and working space.

Set up your cooking and prep stations outside for an authentic start to finish al fresco experience.

This will not only make you a more versatile outdoor chef, but also, it eliminates the need to rush between the kitchen and your outdoor set-up, enabling you to enjoy

Consider going beyond the grill

that doesn’t ruin your outdoor look.

• Stay hydrated but ditch the bottled water: Bottled water contains microplastics and contributes to waste. Consider a more sustainable option with a reusable water filter pitcher

Fall can actually be prime planting season. Cultivate an organic garden for access to herbs such as mint, basil and dill, which you can toss into meals for a fresh and nu-

tritious burst of flavor, as well as use to create herb bouquets for an aromatic tablescape. • Beat bugs: Evening meals are often enjoyed at dusk, which is, unfortunately, the most active time of day for biting bugs. Fend pests off naturally and keep diners comfortable safely with a citronella candle or other natural solutions like lemon eucalyptus, peppermint oil and lemongrass oil. This fall, make your outdoor space the heart of the home by transforming it into an area where you can enjoy healthy, sustainable meals with your family. (StatePoint)

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Why Your Child’s Back-To-School Eye Exam Is So Important This year, going back to school may mean attending class physically or virtually, with states and districts deciding on a case by case basis. Wherever your child attends school this fall, eye exams are essential for a successful academic year. Here’s what to know:

encing a vision problem. As a result, they may be compensating for vision issues by turning their head to the side, squinting or holding reading material up close or far away.

Be sure to share any behaviors or symptoms with your child’s doctor that could be related to eye health. You should also mention all the activities and sports your child participates in which may be impacted

• When should I get my child’s eyes checked? The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend having vision checked regularly, starting in infancy. Not only will an eye exam help provide the clear vision necessary for a child to see the blackboard and work on digital devices without straining, but this essential visit can also detect a broad range of issues related to eye health and overall wellness. Kids -- and adults for that matter -don’t always know they are experi-

Contact lenses may give the wearer a full field of clear, focused vision and many eye care professionals believe that children who demonstrate responsibility are excellent candidates for them. With many teens preferring contact lenses over glasses, this upcoming eye exam may be a good time to get your child fitted. And it makes sense in the current environment, as contact lenses can be a great alternative for glasses that fog up with a face mask. Contact lenses that provide comfortable vision when working for long hours on digital devices can also prove to be beneficial.

• What information should I share at the appointment?

by vision. • Are contacts right for my child?

Research has shown that half of teens are almost constantly online -- between smartphone usage, video games, and school work -it’s important to know that digital devices can contribute to reduced

blink rates, which can lead to dryness. Ask your eye doctor about lenses that have a high moisture content, feel comfortable throughout the day and are easy to insert, like Biotrue ONEday contact lenses from Bausch + Lomb, which maintain nearly 100 percent of their moisture for a full 16 hours. The brand’s daily disposables are also a great choice for first-time wearers, as there is no need to clean and store the lenses after removal, just dispose of them and start with a fresh new pair each day. For more information, visit, BiotrueONEdaylenses.com. Make the most of the back-toschool season by scheduling an eye exam for your child. With healthy eyes and good vision, you can set your child up for a successful academic year. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Iron pillar Of Delhi

The iron pillar of Delhi is a structure 23 feet 8 inches (7.2 metres) high with 16 inches diameter that was constructed by a “King Chandra”, probably Chandragupta II, and now stands in the Qutb complex at Mehrauli in Delhi, India.

major centre of Buddhism, although Vaishnavism may have existed there.

It is famous for the rust-resistant composition of the metals used in its construction. The pillar weighs over six tonnes and is thought to have been erected elsewhere, perhaps outside the Udayagiri Caves, and moved to its present location early in the Delhi Sultanate.

Based on paleographic similarity to the dat-

Moreover, Mathura lies in plains, and only contains some small hillocks and mounds: there is no true giri (hill) in Mathura.

However, archaeological evidence indicates that during the Gupta period, Mathura was a

This conclusion was partly based on the fact that the inscription mentions Vishnupadagiri. This conclusion was endorsed and elaborated by Michael Willis in his Archaeology of Hindu Ritual, published in 2009. The key point in favour of placing the iron pillar at Udayagiri is that this site was closely associated with Chandragupta and the worship of Vishnu in the Gupta period.

While the pillar was certainly used as a trophy in building the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and the Qutb complex, its original location, whether on the site itself or from elsewhere, is debated. According to the inscription of king Chandra, the pillar was erected at Vishnupadagiri (Vishnupada). J. F. Fleet (1898) identified this place with Mathura, because of its proximity to Delhi (the find spot of the inscription) and the city’s reputation as a Vaishnavite pilgrimage centre.

According to them, the pillar, with a wheel or discus at the top, was originally located at the Udayagiri Caves.

In addition, there are well-established traditions of mining and working iron in central India, documented particularly by the iron pillar at Dhar and local place names like Lohapura and Lohangī Pīr. ed inscriptions from Udayagiri, the Guptaera iconography, analysis of metallurgy and other evidence, Meera Dass and R. Balasubramaniam (2004) theorized that the iron pillar was originally erected at Udayagiri.

The king of Delhi, Iltutmish, is known to have attacked and sacked Vidisha in the thirteenth century and this would have given him an opportunity to remove the pillar as a trophy to Delhi, just as the Tughluq rulers brought Asokan pillars to Delhi in the 1300s.

It is not certain when the pillar was moved to Delhi from its original location. Alexander Cunningham attributed the relocation to the Tomara king Anangpal, based on the short pillar inscription ascribed to this king. Pasanaha Chariu, an 1132 CE Jain Apabhramsha text composed by Vibudh Shridhar, states that “the weight of his pillar caused the Lord of the Snakes to tremble”. The identification of this pillar with the iron pillar lends support to the theory that the pillar was already in Delhi during Anangpal’s reign. Another theory is that the relocation happened during the Muslim rule in Delhi. Some scholars have assumed that it happened around 1200 CE, when Qutb al-Din Aibak commenced the construction of the Qutb complex as a general of Muhammad of Ghor. Finbarr Barry Flood (2009) theorizes that it was Qutb al-Din’s successor Iltutmish (r. 1210–1236 CE), who moved the pillar to Delhi

AKBAR AND BIRBAL STORIES Who is the emperor?

Birbal once visited a kingdom as an ambassador of Akbar. The ruler of the kingdom, who heard a lot about Birbal’s intellect, wanted to test it. The king got a dozen lookalikes to dress like him and made them sit on a throne identical to the real throne. Birbal entered the court. He had never seen the king, and now he was greeted by 13 rulers! Birbal knew he was being tested. He panned his head around to take a look at the “kings”. He set his gaze on one of the kings. Birbal walked towards him, bowed, and said, “Greetings your majesty.” The king was astonished and so were the lookalikes. “How did you know I was the real king? We

have never met before?” said the amazed ruler. “Your majesty, the confidence on your face set you apart. While your lookalikes kept giving you glances to see your reaction, you continued seeing straight without the need to see the reaction of others. Only an emperor can display such

fortitude, and that is how I identified you.”

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Austin South Asian Invites Contributions From Readers And Community

Austin South Asian | September 2020

5 Back-To-School Projects To Spruce Up Classrooms And Workspaces Back-to-school season is upon us once again, but this year’s circumstances are far from normal. Many parents and educators alike are still unsure what the coming months will look like, and their district plans and policies could change overnight, even after classes are underway. Whether you’re a parent preparing your kids to resume learning virtually at home or a teacher working to create a safe and welcoming environment for those returning to the classroom, there is a cost-effective secret weapon that can be used for countless projects: shelf liner. Here are five fun and useful ways to use shelf liner this back-toschool season: 1. Dress up classrooms or workspaces. From sprucing up a classroom’s desks and shelves to per-

sonalizing storage areas in a home learning space, shelf liner can help you add fun pops of pattern to your décor while protecting surfaces from damage and messes. Use coordinating colors to tie the whole room together.

causing mold and mildew on the liner.

learning are bound to take their studying into new places around

5. Label supplies. It’s more important than ever before that students keep their personal items separate from the rest of their classmates.

2. Laminate with liner. Don’t have a laminating machine handy? Protect name tags, emergency contact cards, health information and other classroom resources by applying Duck Brand clear adhesive laminate liner to the front and back of the item. This simple DIY laminating process creates a water-resistant barrier and helps prevent damage in little ones’ backpacks and desks. 3. Contain dirt and grime in hightraffic areas. Prepare for back-toschool messes with a shelf liner featuring antimicrobial protection, which prevents the growth of odor-

Similarly, use liner to protect desks, shelves and other classroom surfaces at school.

Clear liner can help organize each child’s items around the classroom or home learning space with fun, colorful labels. Simply draw their name or cut out letters from construction paper, then use liner to easily adhere the DIY labels.

Line a small section of the floor near your entryway to create a designated “drop zone” for dirty backpacks, shoes and sports equipment. 4. Protect desks and workstations. Students taking part in virtual

the home.

For more information about all of the ways you can use clear adhesive liner during back-to-school season, visit www.duckbrand.com.

Use clear liner to catch rings or condensation from drinks, as well as other spills or messes in your home office and other living spaces.

As you do your back-to-school shopping, consider versatile supplies that can simplify the task of preparing for the year. (StatePoint)

Tips To Enhance Your Backyard With Water Features Enhancing your backyard? Experts say that the sights and sounds of water features make them one of the most impactful additions to consider.

do it in a way that accommodates their potential space and budget constraints,” says Scott.

ponds are best incorporated into a natural setting, and contain many of the same plants.

the water, as well as vegetation to create oxygen and provide a natural food source.

• Water gardens and fishponds:

“Water features not only increase visual interest, but the bubbling sounds add a sense of calm to any outdoor space,” says landscape designer, Doug Scott, of Redeem Your Ground in Atlanta, Ga. “They also attract birds, butterflies and more, literally bringing life into your backyard.”

Water gardens are gardens of plants that live in and around water. Best when incorporated into a

“The added bonus of fishponds is that you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of koi and goldfish, while providing them a home,” says Scott.

Additionally, you must provide adequate protection for the fish from the land and air predators that will likely pay your pond a visit. On the plus side, fishponds will attract an abundance of non-predatory wildlife to your yard. “Although adding a pond or water garden is more involved than just buying a fountain and plugging it in, the life it’ll bring to your family outdoors is limitless,” Scott says.

So, how do you select the right water feature for your yard? According to Scott, here’s what to consider:

• Waterfalls and streams:

• Fountains: With a wide range of shapes, sizes and options to complement any space or budget, fountains are one of the most common types of water features for homeowners across the country. They’re also relatively easy to install and maintain. “Fountains create the sights and sounds my clients are looking for and they

natural setting, they enable homeowners to add such vibrant plants as water lettuce, water lilies, horse tail, blue iris and sweet flag to their landscapes. Much like water gardens, fish-

Scott cautions that when compared to other water features, fishponds do add expense and necessary periodic maintenance. Beyond stocking the pond, you’ll need a pump to aerate and circulate

Waterfalls and streams create a meandering setting that helps you connect one space of your yard to another. Functionally, they also help manage draining. However, due to the engineering required for successful installation, Scott highly recommends most homeowners work with a professional on such a project. This minimizes the chances of things going

wrong. To learn more, check out the new Exmark Original video, “Done-InA-Weekend Projects, Go With the Flow,” in which Scott discusses the various benefits, maintenance needs and other considerations of each water feature type. The episode can be found by visiting Exmark.com/Backyard. Exmark’s Backyard Life is part of a unique multimedia destination focused on helping homeowners make the most of their backyard. While visiting the site, you can also access other Exmark Original Series, including “Prime Cuts,” “Done-In-A-Weekend Extreme Projects” and “Dream Yards.” Installing a water feature in your yard is an effective way to add vitality and beauty to the space. However, it’s important to understand the long-term maintenance requirements of your specific project. (StatePoint)

Alia Bhatt And Ranbir Kapoor’s Wedding Postponed To 2021

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s wedding in December was going to be the event of the year, however it seems like the pandemic has dampened the festivity.

celebration.

scheduled to hit the screens in De-

Austin South Asian | September 2020

Gunjan Saxena The Kargil Girl Review: Janhvi Kapoor Movie The story of the first Indian Air Force woman pilot who was part of the 1999 Kargil conflict is readymade movie material, and a great hook: who is Gunjan Saxena, and what made her want to fly so bad that she braved concerted antagonism in a tough male-dominated field?

A source exclusively informed ETimes that Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt have decided to take the plunge next year and skip 2020. It is not just the pandemic, but even professional assignments are expected to keep the couple busy in the coming months, pushing the wedding to 2021. Buzz is that Alia had even approached Sabyasachi to design a lehenga for her wedding and now that has been put on hold. Alia stood like a pillar of support to the Kapoor family when Rishi Kapoor passed away in April this year. She has also become a constant at all Kapoor family get-togethers, be it the annual Christmas lunch, Neetu Kapoor’s intimate birthday get-together or Kapoor Khandaan’s elaborate Raksha Bandhan

It is just about time that Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt take the wedding vows and make it official. Bhatt and Kapoor families have been meeting, we only hope it is to decide the details.

cember 2020.

Interestingly, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s first ever onscreen collaboration - ‘Brahmastra’ was also

(Courtesy: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)

However, the pandemic has not just postponed the wedding, but buzz suggests that this sci-fi drama has also been pushed back.

Dhanush’s Jagame Thandhiram Will Release Only In Theatres, Confirm Makers Ever since Suriya announced that Soorari Pottru will have an OTT

With buzz doing the rounds that Dhanush’ s Jagame Thandhiram

In his post, he said that the entire team is waiting to see Dhanush go Rakita Rakita on the big screen soon. He also added that one shouldn’t believe in rumours. He said, “#Jagamethendiram... Jagam is still healing & not back to normal. Until then, be patient for the theatres to open & don’t believe in rumours. The entire team is waiting to see @dhanushkraja go #rakitarakita on a big screen soon. Just #chillbro.”

release in October, there has been a buzz that many other Tamil films, which features big heroes, will follow the OTT route.

will also be released on an OTT platform, the film’s producer Sashikanth S, took to his social media to rubbish the rumours.

With this news being out, fans started trending the hashtag #WeWantJTOnTheatres. Jagame Thandhiram, directed by Karthik Subbaraj, is an action thriller, which has Dhanush in the lead role. The film has James Cosmo, Aiswarya Lekshmi and Joju George in the lead. The music is by Santhosh Narayanan, and the first single from the film, Rakita Rakita Rakita was released recenty.

The Lucknow-born Saxena, played by Janhvi Kapoor, is sky-struck from an early age, fighting for a window seat with her older brother (Bedi) during a flight, pulling away from the conventional route of good girls getting a degree-andgetting married, and being buoyed by a supportive father (Tripathi), in her determination to become a pilot. We know that the real Flt Lt Saxena, who retired as Squadron Leader in 2004 as permanent commission was not available at the time, was on board with the creation of her reel version. So authenticity, whether it is the technical stuff Gunjan has to learn, or the military terminology she has to master when she gets to the Udhampur airbase, just ahead of the Kargil ‘war’ breaking out, is not so much an issue. The film was always going to be judged on whether Kapoor is able to carry off the author-backed role, and whether the film soars. On both those counts, Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl is a mixed bag. What’s nice is the restraint, and lack of fuss with which the film is done. Trumpets don’t blast our ears every time there’s a sortie, even though Gunjan does get her backlit ‘Top Gun’ moment, as she strides out to the field from the hangar, uniformed and ready to go. The difficulty of being a lone fe-

male amongst a bunch of young men, bristling under the pressure of having to salute a woman, or having to watch their tongue, is all there. But staying away from highpitch shouldn’t come off as lack of drama: even as the film follows its required beats, with Gunjan struggling against the standard ‘fauji’ what-arewomendoing-here misogyny, training and finally being able to take off, fighting off the enemy and rescuing injured colleagues, it stays a tad too sedate. We see Gunjan flying into peril, but our hearts are never in our mouths. As for Kapoor, she does get better as she goes along, but performancewise, she is still clearly a work-inprogress. She was excellent in her small part in Ghost Stories, and going by that, I was expecting more. In a smart move, there’s no visible pancake, and the flyaway hair and uniform worn as one, not a tightlyclinched costume, makes her look real. She is the unmade-up lodestar around which the film and its characters revolve, and the supporting cast is solid, even if defined only by what it can do for Gunjan. Tripathi, as the real wind beneath her wings, is too good an actor to be hidden, but everyone else, including Bedi who is given clunky lines around worrying about ‘Gunjan’s ‘suraksha’, Vij, as a senior officer who backs her, or Vineet Kumar Singh, a co-pilot who moves from hostility to like, could have been written with more depth, and flavour. The best part though, and for which the film truly deserves a medal, is its choosing to steer clear of chestthumping, flag-waving, ugly jingoism. In a throwaway line, the girl who wanted to be pilot says: I only want to fly. Could the film have been better? Undoubtedly. Women following their dreams against patriarchal odds? Absolutely.

Austin South Asian | September 2020