Austin South Asian. Jan. 2021 by Austin South Asian

Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 14 No. 02

Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris, in full Kamala Devi Harris, (born October 20, 1964, Oakland, California, U.S.), 49th vice president of the United States (2021– ) in the Democratic administration of Pres. Joe Biden. She is the first woman and the first African American to hold the post. She had previously served in the U.S. Senate (2017–21) and as attorney general of California (2011–17).

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

She subsequently worked as a deputy district attorney (1990–98) in Oakland, earning a reputation for toughness as she prosecuted cases of gang violence, drug trafficking, and sexual abuse. Harris

Incoming U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

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. 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. 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. 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. (Continued On Page 23)

IACT Hosts Community Conversation

get to the critical levels of vaccination that we need in this country... We’ve got to get there sooner,” the Indian American physician told CNN. CNN reported that Murthy said the Biden administration is working to address the vaccine rollout issues that jurisdictions have been grappling with. WASHINGTON – The United States needs to do more to help speed the administration of Covid-19 vaccines, Vivek Murthy, President Joe Biden’s pick for U.S. surgeon general, said Jan. 21. “We cannot take a year in order to

He said the plan includes setting up more vaccination sites, leaning on partnerships with pharmacies and finding people who can help administer vaccines. (Continued On Page 13)

By Sumaiya Malik On Sunday, January 17, the Indian American Coalition of Texas (IACT), a non-profit civic-engagement Indian organization in Central Texas, organized community conversation on Zoom called Coping with Covid-19. The event started with a moment of silence for all those who lost their lives to Covid-19.

Moderated by Pramod Patil, exCommunity Advisory Board Austin PBS and a director of IACT, and Fahd Siddiqui, a board member, the guests included immigration attorney Pooja Sethi, special education teacher Sobia Kidwai, restaurant owner Sanjay Parikh, community member Retired District Judge from India and now Austin resident Bhagirathi Rangarajan, and medical student Faiz Baqai. (Continued On Page 11)

inside

February 2021

Australian Open...........02 Indians Must Have.......03 Oxford University To.....04 Patients With Inactive...05 Biden Appoints.............05 Heartburn Sideline........06 Arun’s Scribblings.........06

March 2021 Health Special 512-828-6709

Keeping The Lights On.07 Home Renovation.........08 Quit Smoking For Good.09 Malik’s Page........10,12,13 Make A Difference........14 Kids Corner.........14,17,22 Picture World Book.......15 SAIVA..........................16 Boosting Your Child’s....18 Biden To Impose..........19 WHO Chief Praises.......19 Make Your Home..........20 Make A Statement........20 Fall In Love..................21 Earth Is Losing Ice.......21 Seven Rocky Planets Orbiting Red Dwarf..........23 Medicaid And CHIP.......24 Indian American Guru Nanda Donates............24 Entertainment.........25,26

Austin South Asian | February 2021

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Nine Active Cases Of Covid-19 In Australian Open Quarantine: Officials One case of Covid-19 among those in quarantine ahead of the Australian Open has been reclassified, local health officials said on January 23, leaving nine active cases in the group of players and support staff isolating in Melbourne hotels. Health officials previously said they were investigating some positive tests for evidence of “viral shedding”, where people who have had the virus continue to shed noninfectious remnants after they have recovered. Covid-19 Quarantine Victoria also said in a statement that the one case of the virus acquired overseas reported on Sunday was not connected to the tennis Grand Slam. Most of the 970 people in the Australian Open quarantine hotels have entered their second week of the 14-day isolation period with the first arrivals due to be freed from lockdown on Friday. While most have been allowed out to train for five hours a day,

around 72 have been confined to their rooms after the positive cases on the charter flights that brought them to Australia.

appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Four players were among the cases initially reported as being associated with tennis but only Spain’s Paula Badosa has confirmed that she tested positive.

Three of the nine cases of Covid-19 linked to the Australian Open were on Saturday revealed to be of

Cases of new variant

Tournament director Craig Tiley told players in a letter on Saturday evening that the environment was not conducive to an easing of restrictions, the Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported. “After consultation with many

Badosa’s quarantine period restarted when the test result was confirmed, meaning the 23-year-old will have almost no time to prepare for the Feb 8 start of the Australian Open. There was bad news for another player in quarantine when the International Tennis Federation denied Dayana Yastremska’s application to have her provisional suspension for a doping violation set aside. The Ukrainian world number 29, who denied using performance-enhancing substances when her positive test for an anabolic agent was revealed in January, has the right to

But we want to minimise the risk to each of you and that’s why we have delayed the expansion and will continue to assess daily.” A rash of complaints from frustrated players on social media in the first few days of lockdown has calmed after some of their fellow competitors urged them to show respect for the efforts the people of Melbourne had made to control the virus. The state of Victoria, which contains Australia’s second-largest city, endured one of the world’s strictest and longest lockdowns last year.

the more transmissible coronavirus variant first detected in the United Kingdom.

of you, we have postponed the planned expansion of the cohorts,” Tiley wrote.

According to local media, that news scuppered plans to allow the players to associate in groups of up to four, rather than the current two.

“Having more people in your cohort is no extra risk to the local community because you are all in quarantine.

The state recorded an 18th straight day with no local transmissions, while Australia as a whole has not reported a case in the community for nine of the last 10 days. (Courtesy: com/)

https://www.reuters.

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Indians Must Have No Confusion About How We Reached Impressive Covid Herd Immunity

India’s masses didn’t have the luxury to ‘work from home’ and follow social distancing, but they might have silently built India’s herd immunity.

coronavirus and developed immunity response as a result.

spread of coronavirus, it proved to be ineffective to various degrees.

This could be easily established

Governments better suited to en-

Covid-19 vaccines seem to have come in at just the right time to provide Indians with an opportunity to forget, forgive and move on. As the world enters a new vaccine phase of the pandemic, we must not forget there are scientific reasons for treating Covid-19 antibody tests at par with vaccination. There is no evidence yet that nature-induced antibodies are any worse, or those produced by the vaccines any better or longer-lasting. This is why we also need to dispel widespread confusion over whether the sweet spot that India finds itself in today, with impressive levels of natural immunity, is a result of controlling the pandemic through measures such as lockdowns and social distancing, or the virus washing through the population rampantly. It must be also understood that the herd immunity India seems to be approaching fast is due to natural immunity response in a large number of infected persons and not something that is naturally in-built in our blood. It is imperative that we are not blinded by the confusion and take full advantage of the data that we now have. It is important that we demand transparency about the rather wide spread of the pandemic, which is good news now given the falling daily death rate, because it means we are fast approaching herd immunity. Availability of vaccines is good news and will only hasten this process. It is understandable why the health ministry is hesitant to talk about the scale of Covid-19 spread, although many of its own experts seem to agree that majority Indians have probably been infected with

through extensive sero-surveys, which our health establishments like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have been economical with from the beginning, not only in terms of conducting surveys but also with sharing their data. This data would show us what is commonly known in basic epidemiology as prevalence — the actual number of people actually infected. This would include those who were never tested, and thus could not be counted. Most of these infections were presumably asymptomatic or of mild nature, and recovered on their own. However, to the extent such surveys were conducted by the ICMR or other bodies, they showed that for every ‘case’ count in India there are 50 or more undetected and hence uncounted infections that were mostly cured on their own, presumably due to natural immunity response. How Covid spread so widely in India

force compliances were able to suppress the spread, only to face a resurgence when they tried to lift their lockdowns, as recently seen in many European countries and China. The development of the pandemic in India, however, had a very different course. It was somewhat late in reaching the country, and thus a lot of hindsight was available to plan a more effective response. Yet, a rather long and stringent lockdown was imposed as the primary response, against the advice of many experts. Although the jury is still out in establishing whether lockdowns slowed down the pandemic, there are reasons why they failed in completely controlling the spread of Covid-19. However, it may well turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as it meant the widespread pandemic was building herd immunity silently and naturally.

It is the nature of any virus to spread quickly (the reason we use the term ‘viral’, signifying something that spreads fast).

First, urban slums were perfect places for the virus to spread quickly, lockdown or no lockdown. In fact, a vast number of poor migrant workers trapped in these slums could have only meant exposing them quicker to the infection.

Although lockdowns were used in most countries to control the

One of the key advisers to the Modi government, Dr Srinath Red-

dy, publicly acknowledged that a more scientific approach would have been to let them go back to their villages during the first wave, but it was probably a political (or bureaucratic) decision to stop their movement for weeks.

testing and counting of cases, the actual number of infections razed through the population by a factor of 50 times or more, as serological test results on a large-scale, sporadic sero-surveys, and mathematical modelling showed.

It was then not surprising that a large number of them were infected, before they were even allowed to go back to their homes.

So, when the number of cases reached over one crore, the actual infection numbers likely crossed 50 crore or more, perhaps 90 crore as government’s own experts recently estimated.

Second, life didn’t stop while strict lockdown rules were touted. ‘Essential’ services had to continue, which meant almost anything on earth could be ‘delivered’ — including pizzas and burgers. There is nothing wrong with this, but it should have been obvious that the virus would not distinguish between what was ‘essential’ and what was not, just like a ‘superefficient’ bureaucracy. Third, as time passed, people realised that Covid-19 was not as risky as it was made out to be. Most of the initial casualties were due to institutional quarantine facilities or hospitals that themselves became hotspots. There was also a realisation, especially among the poor, that this was a pandemic for the rich and fearful who stayed indoors in their airconditioned rooms, as it became evident that the virus was much less likely to spread in open spaces. Many even started believing it was some kind of a conspiracy or hoax, and even refused to be tested. Many started paying lip service to lockdowns, masking and social distancing. In hindsight, all this again may look like a blessing in disguise. The above factors must have contributed to the widespread of Covid-19 across the Indian population, despite the lockdowns and partial ‘unlock’ phases. While the government increased its

No government would want to accept that lockdowns were a terrible idea and that wider spread of the pandemic could result in the build-up of herd immunity and fewer number of deaths. However, it must be kept in mind that governments can neither be blamed nor credited for the spread of the coronavirus, because it was nature at work. Thanks to the immunity brought on by nature, daily deaths related to Covid have come down to approximately 200 from the peak of around 1,200. Unless we are to believe that recent phases of ‘Unlock India’ led to further suppression of the virus, or our medical establishment found some wonder cure that the world doesn’t know about, nothing else can explain the falling number of deaths. Although every life counts, deaths due to Covid-19 always remained a relatively small number in our country, considering the fact that more than 26,000 people die in India every day due to different diseases. For example, reports suggest that about 2,000 people die from diarrhoea and 1,200 from tuberculosis or TB, every day. It would be lazy to attribute the low number of Covid-19 deaths in India to the government’s lockdown policies, in view of the above evidence. (Courtesy: https://theprint.in/)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Oxford University To Test Inexpensive, At-Home ‘Wonder Drug’ That Could Reduce Covid Deaths However, contrary to Butler’s take, the World Health Organization suggested that the drug has encouraging effects.

Paul Marik, from the Eastern Virginia Medical School. “The data is compelling: across Mexico, India, and South America, mortality

The Times said in a report while the drug has been hailed by many as the ‘wonder drug’, others have said it has not been properly evaluated yet.

MEN CAN COOK!

The report said that this batch of medicines will include ivermectin, used primarily to treat livestock and people infested with parasitic worms.

Email your recipe with your photos and see

The trial seeks is to find at-home treatments to catch the disease early and prevent serious illness soon after the symptoms appear. Shedding light on the properties of the new drug, Chris Butler, professor of primary care at the University of Oxford said that while the drug has potent antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, there’s a gap in the data. He also emphasised that the drug has not undergone a rigorous trial.

The trial is looking for people aged 65 and over, or those aged over 50 who have underlying health conditions, through general practitioners, online, and through the UK’s NHS Test and Trace system, Arab News Reported. (Courtesy: https://www.news18. com/)

yourself in print

The medicine works by blocking the entry of a protein into a cell’s nuclei, limiting the replication capacity of the virus. “It could save thousands of lives a day,” said

has fallen.” The drug is approved in the U.K. as a topical agent for skin infections and inflammation.

Info@ AustinSouth Asian.com

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Austin South Asian | February 2021

Patients With Inactive Cancer At High Risk Of Severe Covid-19 Illness

A new study found that patients with inactive cancer and not currently undergoing treatments for the deadly disease also face a significantly higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19.

“That message has been out there, but these latest findings show us it’s not only for pa-

The findings of the study were published in the journal ‘JNCI Cancer Spectrum’. Past reports have established an increased risk of severe disease and death for sick or hospitalised cancer patients with Covid-19 compared to patients without cancer, but less is known about patients in the general population. The findings underscore the importance of Covid-19 mitigation, like social distancing and mask-wearing, and vaccinations for all patients, not just those recently diagnosed or with active disease. “Patients who have cancer need to be careful not to become exposed during this time,” said senior author Kara N. Maxwell, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of Hematology-Oncology and Genetics in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the Abramson Cancer Center and the Basser Center for BRCA.

tients hospitalized or on treatment for their cancer. All oncology patients need to take significant precautions during the pandemic to protect themselves,” Maxwell added. The researchers analysed the records of more than 4,800 patients who had been tested for Covid-19 from the Penn Medicine BioBank, a centralised bank of samples, and linked

data from the health system’s electronic health records, to investigate the association between cancer status and Covid-19 outcomes. Of the 328 positive cases through June 2020, 67 (20.7 per cent) had a cancer diagnosis in their medical history (80.6 per cent with solid tumor malignancy and 73.1 per cent with inactive cancer). Patients with Covid-19 -- including both those with active cancer (18) and inactive cancer (49) -- had higher rates of hospitalisations compared to non-cancer patients (55.2 per cent vs. 29 per cent), intensive care unit admissions (25.7 per cent vs. 11.7 per cent), and 30-day mortality (13.4 per cent vs. 1.6 per cent). While worse outcomes were more strongly

Biden Appoints Dev Jagadesan Acting Head Of U.S. International Development Finance Corporation President Joe Biden has appointed Dev Jagadesan as the acting head of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the White House announced.

ficial responsible for DFC’s ethics program and compliance.

With all the senior political appointees in key positions leaving office after Donald Trump’s term ended Jan. 20, Biden made interim appointments pending the Senate approval of his candidates. Most of them are career employees, rather than political appointees.

es facing the developing world today. It invests in projects that create jobs in emerging markets in sectors including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, and financing for small businesses and women entrepreneurs. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights. Jagadesan earned a B.A. in financial management from the Catholic University of America, and his law degree from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law.

An experienced deputy general counsel with a demonstrated history of working in the international trade and development industry, Jagadesan has spent the last two decades with the USIDFC. He started at the corporation in July 2001 as associate general counsel, and continued to move up the latter with other roles such as acting general counsel, acting chief executive officer and president, and deputy general counsel, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Prior to the USIDFC, he spent nearly four years at the U.S. International Trade Commission, and a year as a special assistant U.S. attorney trial counsel at the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corp., where he rose to the rank of major.

In his current position, Jagadesan provides legal support and guidance to all aspects of DFC’s operations and mission. He also serves as the Designated Agency Ethics Of-

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation is America’s development bank. DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challeng-

Others appointed by Biden include Foreign Service Institute Director Dan Smith as acting Secretary of State in the place of Mike Pompeo; Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist as acting secretary succeeding Christopher Miller, who was himself in an acting role after Mark Esper quit; and Central Intelligence Agency Deputy Director David Cohen as acting director in the place of Gina Haspel. Jagadesan, who is the deputy general counsel of the USIDFC, will be the acting CEO in place of David Boehler. (Courtesy: IndiaWest.com)

associated with those with active cancer, patients in remission also faced an overall increased risk of more severe disease compared to Covid-19 patients without cancer. Notably, the proportion of Black patients -- who make up 20 per cent of the patients in the biobank -- was significantly higher in both cancer and non-cancer Covid-19-positive patients (65.7 per cent and 64.1 per cent, respectively) compared to all patients tested for SARS-CoV-2. The findings parallel prior reports showing the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on minority communities. “We really need to be thinking about race as a significant factor in trying to get people vaccinated as soon as we can,” Maxwell said. Studies show that cancer patients have a higher risk of Covid-19 complications, due in part to factors such as older age, higher smoking rates, comorbidities, frequent health care exposures, and the effects of cancer therapies. These latest results also suggest cancer itself and its impact on the body may play a role in exacerbating Covid-19 infections. “Our finding that cancer patients with Covid-19 were more likely than non-cancer patients to experience hospitalization and death even after adjusting for patient-level factors supports the hypothesis that cancer is an independent risk factor for poor Covid-19 outcomes,” they wrote. In a separate, related study published in the preprint database bioRxiv and not yet peerreviewed, Penn Medicine researchers report that cancer patients receiving in-person care at a facility with aggressive mitigation efforts have an extremely low likelihood of Covid-19 infection. Of 124 patients in the study receiving treatment at Penn Medicine, none tested positive for the virus after their clinical visits (an average of 13 per patient). The results suggest those efforts, when combined with social distancing outside the healthcare setting, may help protect vulnerable cancer patients from Covid-19 exposure and infection, even when ongoing immunomodulatory cancer treatments and frequent healthcare exposure are necessary, the authors said. (Courtesy: https://www.hindustantimes.com/)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Don’t Let Heartburn Sideline You During The Big Game It is hard to imagine the Big Game without hot wings, zesty delivery pizza or homemade buffalo chicken dip, despite the anticipated heartburn that might follow.

the whole Big Game experience even more than in previous years.” De-Stress with a Little Fun

and follow it during the game. Delivery pizza arrives with the wrong toppings? Out of chicken wings? Fumble on the field?

On top of all your favorite rich and spicy foods is the anxiety you may get from the game itself, not to mention the built-up stress associated with the past year.

Beat Symptoms Generally characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, other signs of heartburn include acid indigestion, sour stomach, and upset stomach associated with these symptoms.

With stress increasingly being recognized as a contributing factor to heartburn, taking steps to mitigate symptoms can help you better enjoy the game, especially as this year is shaping up to be more unpredictable – and therefore more stressful – than ever. “This unprecedented year is generating anxiety and stress for all those involved in the planning leading up to the Big Game, from event coordinators to the players, advertisers, and fans,” says Kenny White, a sports analyst and legendary oddsmaker known as the “Wizard of Odds.” “But die-hard football fans and casual viewers alike could use some of this uncertainty to actually enjoy

“While the Big Game will once again be full of uncertainties, creative propositions such as the #TUMSBingoSweepstakes can make the whole experience more fun for fans and non-fans alike,” says White.

To stress less, look for ways to have a bit of extra fun around the Big Game. For example, TUMS, the brand that celebrated “TUMSworthy” moments during the game last year, will be launching a new bingo experience on February 1. To participate, download your game board at @TUMSOfficial

Scorching dip? Examples such as these could represent a #TUMSworthy moment on your bingo board. Players who complete B-I-N-G-O by the end of the game are entered into a drawing to win up to $55,000 in prizes.

But you can take action to reduce this discomfort, whether ordering from your favorite restaurant or testing out that new buffalo chicken dip recipe that you have been eager to try. Because eating too fast can contribute to heartburn, one of the most effective ways to alleviate symptoms is to take time to savor all those tasty snacks. Also, consider mixing up your spread with a few items you know

are not heartburn triggers. You might also want to make spectating more active. When you lie flat, your esophagus and stomach are on an even plane, making it easy for stomach acids to flow into your esophagus, which can cause heartburn. Sitting at a 45-degree angle could compress your stomach and make things worse. So, try to get up and move around between plays. You can also turn to America’s #1 heartburn brand TUMS and have some TUMS Chewy Bites on hand. With a main ingredient of calcium carbonate, delivering fast-acting multi-symptom relief, and neutralizing acid on contact to treat the signs of heartburn, TUMS goes to work in seconds to deliver heartburn relief. To learn more, and for more heartburn relief tips, visit tums.com. This Big Game, relax and have fun. With a smart game plan, there is no need to be sidelined by heartburn. (StatePoint)

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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.

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.

Problems propping is a tragedy, Once solved it looks like a comedy. No problem is sans a remedy, So needlessly don’t become crazy.

To keep away distanced from problems, Avoid actions not backed by thinking, And withhold thinking without actions. Still, ladders for growth are, problems solved.

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.

Never magnify any problem Never downplay your skills to solve them. (arunsunderraj@gmail.com)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Keeping The Lights On For Afterschool Programs Afterschool programs help students succeed in school and in life and provide invaluable support to communities. As we’ve seen this year, these programs play an especially important role when students, families, and communities are struggling. Programs across the country have stepped up in the pandemic, providing virtual educational activities, delivering meals and enrichment kits, helping families bridge the digital divide, connecting people to social services, and continuing in-person care for the children of essential workers and first responders. Unfortunately, a large majority of afterschool programs that were open in the fall of 2020 report they are straining to meet the needs of the students and families they have long supported. National surveys of parents and afterschool providers conducted by Edge Research for the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit awareness and advocacy group, find that programs and parents are challenged by virtual learning; program budgets are inadequate to address new safety protocols and students’ emerging needs; and students from low-income families are now less likely than others to have access to afterschool programs. To underscore the value of afterschool programs and the need to invest in them, the Afterschool Alliance recently organized the 21st annual “Lights On Afterschool,” the only national rally for afterschool. It took place throughout the fall and included local, state, and national events – many of them virtual this year – showcasing the skills students hone and talents they develop at their afterschool programs. From virtual STEM fairs and art contests to car caravans and letter-writing to isolated nursing home residents, events focused on academics, civic engagement, STEM education, social and emotional wellbeing, bullying prevention, mental and physical health, and more. “The strength and resilience afterschool programs demonstrated in 2020 was remarkable. Despite scarce resources, programs found ways to help students through what has been, for many families, the hardest of times,” says Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance. “However, there aren’t nearly enough afterschool programs to meet the need, especially now, with so many schools functioning virtually and with school schedules changing without warning. We need to invest much more in afterschool and summer learning programs.”To learn more about the Afterschool Alliance and “Lights On Afterschool,” which will next be held on October 28, 2021, visit aftershoolalliance.org. “In normal times, afterschool programs help students succeed by keeping them safe, inspiring them to learn, and by supporting working parents,” says Grant. “During a pandemic, the support they provide is even more essential.” (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

8 Tips For A Successful Home Renovation Thinking of remodeling your home? From safety and security to product and contractor selection, there are many factors to consider.

sionals. When selecting a contractor, be sure they have references, certification and an understanding

Follow these eight remodeling tips to help minimize hassles during a renovation: 1. Create a budget. Create a project budget and set a spending limit. Whether you plan to utilize savings, home equity loan, line of credit or free up funds through refinancing, now is the time to identify how you will finance the project, and how much you want to spend. 2. Prepare the house. Before work starts, clear all spaces where professionals will be working, as well as walkways they will use to access these areas.

3. Work with reputable profes-

These contractors receive product training, installation resources, offer an exclusive 2-year limited installation warranty, and their expertise and experience in an extensive range of residential projects means they’re able to capture your vision for your home and work with you to provide the right products. Bottom line: working with reputable professionals makes all the difference in the quality of the work and the materials used to complete the project.

Remove valuables and breakables to avoid damage and cover furniture in areas where paint or dust could harm upholstery. Keep other considerations in mind. For example, if you’re renovating the kitchen, you may need to create a temporary food prep area.

mends hiring an Andersen Certified Contractor to do the job.

of the project. For example, when tackling window and door projects, Andersen Windows, Inc. recom-

4. Schedule wisely. Choose a timeframe for your home renovation that best fits your busy schedule. Keep in mind that unforeseen circumstanc-

es can sometimes cause delays. Build this into the timeline so you’re not taken by surprise. 5. Address safety. Talk to your contractor about what COVID-19 measures they practice to help keep customers and employees safe. Find out whether they’re following CDC guidelines for businesses, including always wearing a mask, social distancing whenever possible and frequent hand washing. Also, ask if they offer virtual consultations that allow you to start the process contact-free. 6. Add or update your security system. With professionals frequently coming in and out of your home, a home renovation may be a good time to add or update your security system with reprogrammable smart locks. Offering more convenience and greater control, the Yale Assure Lock for Andersen patio and entry doors for example, is a sleek, keyfree entry lock that makes it easy to grant access to contractors for limited periods of time, lock and

unlock doors from anywhere and monitor from afar. 7. Communicate openly and effectively. If a renovation is done correctly, you may never need to repeat the process. This makes open and honest communication with your home renovation team essential. Be sure to share your vision and to ask questions as they arise. At the same time, expect the professionals working with you to communicate regularly and address all your concerns. 8. Get a return on your investment. Prioritize projects that will potentially raise the resale value of your home. According to FortuneBuilders, the top 10 greatest returns on investment for home renovations include bathroom and kitchen remodels, landscaping, replacing entry doors and replacing windows. It also helps to select products that come with transferrable warranties. This will give your property a tangible leg-up on the market when it’s time to sell. (StatePoint)

5 Tips To Protect Seniors From Financial Scams Right Now Social isolation among seniors is not only linked to numerous negative health consequences like depression and cardiovascular disease, but it’s also a primary contributing factor in financial exploitation and scams.

most common and successful types of scams that exists, as a general rule, additional money equates to

that many seniors are apart from families and friends due to COVID-19. When someone is alone,

According to a recent Wells Fargo study conducted by The Harris Poll, 69 percent of all seniors age 60 and above believe they’re not likely to be susceptible to a financial scam, despite nearly all seniors (97 percent) acknowledging that older people are very or somewhat susceptible to becoming a victim.

Estimated to affect one in 10 older adults and cost billions annually, the threat of elder financial fraud is pervasive, and especially so right now. With seniors more isolated than ever due to the pandemic and stimulus checks being sent to millions of Americans nationwide, experts suggest that seniors and their families be extra vigilant. “Scammers look for key time periods where money and private financial information are in motion. Not only is IRS fraud one of the

with isolation is the number of seniors who feel their chances of falling victim to a financial scam is unlikely.

When asked about their peers, the poll found that 47 percent of all seniors knew someone who had already fallen victim to a scam. additional fraud,” says Ron Long, head of Aging Client Services at Wells Fargo.

physically or socially, they often miss out on the added benefit of a second pair of eyes and ears.”

“Scammers are banking on the fact

Compounding the risks associated

“The results indicate what most of us want -- the ability to age relatively unaffected from the realities associated with aging,” says Dr. Marti DeLiema, a gerontologist

and consultant for Wells Fargo’s Aging Client Services. “The problem is that when someone doesn’t feel they’re at risk, they’re unlikely to take precaution.” To better protect seniors from elder financial fraud and abuse, consider these tips from Wells Fargo: 1. Don’t wait for a crisis. Seniors should speak with trustworthy family members about financial plans, as well as consult them when something doesn’t feel right. 2. Stay up-to-date. Seniors and families should draft and periodically update legal documents such as wills, healthcare directives and powers of attorney. (Continued On Page 10)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Tips To Make This The Year You Quit Smoking For Good Is “quitting smoking” on the top of your list of goals for the year? Was it last year too? Here are some insights from those in the know into kicking this habit to the curb for good. “They say old habits are hard to break, and when it comes to my dad’s addictive smok-

To do that, we’re all making better choices for a healthier, longer life,” says Nguyen. • Get Help: Quitting is often associated with challenging physical symptoms. However, products that deliver controlled, therapeutic doses of nicotine can relieve cravings and help with difficult physical withdrawal symptoms. “One of the biggest ways I’m supporting my dad is stocking him up on effective, pharmacist-recommended smoking cessation products from Walgreens, which are much more affordable compared to similar products,” says Nguyen. Before getting started, anticipate which products might work best for your needs. While patches are a great choice for many people who like to “set it and forget it,” those who prefer to keep their mouth busy might prefer using a product like Walgreens Nicotine Gum. Available in 2 mg or 4 mg strengths, each piece lasts about 30 minutes and you can chew up to 20 pieces per day.

ing habits, I couldn’t agree more,” says Linh Nguyen, the Houston style, fitness and mom blogger behind A Beautiful RAWR. “He knows smoking is detrimental to his health, but the thought of not having it be part of his daily routine has been a challenging, intimidating, and in some ways, scary idea for him to grasp.” Nguyen’s family has resolved to help her father make this the year he quits smoking for good. For those 18 and older, consider these tips and insights she is sharing into the process. • Identify your motivations: Quitting a smoking habit can be very difficult, but knowing why you want to quit can help you stick with it when things get tough. “I think the biggest motivator for my dad to quit this year is our growing family. His grandkids are his world and I know he wants to be around to watch them grow up.

Similarly, Walgreens Lozenges also come in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths and are a good choice for people who may avoid gum due to TMJ problems. • Build a plan: Quitting is highly personal. For a greater chance of success, look for resources that help you build a personalized plan. For example, the Walgreens team offers free live support and healthcare clinics in your area, as well as expert advice, treatment and tools available at walgreens.com. “If they can help my dad quit after 50-plus years, they can definitely help you or a loved one,” says Nguyen. For additional support and information, visit cancer.org or call the American Cancer Society 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-227-2345. When you quit smoking, you can lower your risk for a number of health problems including lung disease, lung cancer and heart disease. If you are attempting to go smoke-free, be sure you have all the support and tools you need. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Black History Month’s Theme: Family, Almond Biscotti Or Should We Say Pakistani Cake Rusk Representation, Identity, Diversity By Sumaiya Malik

By Sumaiya Malik

diversity.

Each year Americans set aside February also called Black History Month to focus on historical hindsight on the contributions that people of African descent have made to this country.

Why everyone should celebrate the Black History Month:

Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States observe the month annually as a way of remembering important

1. Celebrating Black History Month allows us to pause and remember the stories of African Americans so we can commemorate their achievements. 2. Celebrating Helps Us to Be Better understand the privileges the

Old habits die hard. And good habits live.

Evening tea was served at 5 p.m. It either came with Marie Biscuits, sweet “Bakar Khani” or cake rusk in our home in Karachi, Pakistan. If we had guests coming, other savories were added to the menu, but the presence of these items remained a constant on the tea tray. Much later, when I got married and moved to the US, the tea-time continued (a mug of coffee got added for my husband) even if we were busy with work or kids. Bakar Khani and cake rusks were available but not of “Ideal Bakery” at the corner of Khayaban-e-Tanzeem and 26th Street. Other cookies took the place of Marie Biscuits and sometimes La Madeleine croissants showed up with the tea. Being a diehard fan of cake rusks, I did not try biscotti for a long time. My reasoning, that biscotti is a natural combination with coffee. But once I did try, I realized the similarities!

people and events in the history of the African diaspora. Americans have officially celebrated Black History Month since February 10, 1976, when President Gerald R. Ford established it as a national observance in an address that lauded its founder, African American historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Carter Woodson, known as the father of black history, was the son of former slaves. He worked his way out of the Kentucky coal mines to become a Harvard-educated historian and journalist. Disheartened to discover that history books excluded the black experience in American life, he took on the challenge of writing a proud and true African American history into America’s national consciousness. This year’s theme is Black family, representation, identification and

American society has gained. 3. It helps break unfair stereotypes and assumptions and provides the chance to focus on different aspects of the African American narrative. 4. It helps provide our community the opportunity to learn about a past and of a people of which they may have little awareness. Things to do in Austin to honor the month: 1. Buy something from a Black owned business. 2. Watch a documentary about Black history on Netflix. 3. Read a chapter out of the works of Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and James Baldwin. Attend Black History Month Virtual Festival. More information at https://asalh.org/festival/

So, for all my tea time people who enjoy cake rusks, here is a recipe that I have learned to perfect at home. I enjoy this biscotti with tea. They are not cake rusks from Ideal Bakery, but they sure are an ideal reminder. Living with old habits happy and content!

• 6 tablespoons butter • 2/3 cup sugar • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoons vanilla extract • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder • 2 large eggs • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour • 1 cup Almond Flour

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) one baking sheet.

baking sheet. Divide it in half and shape it into two 9 1/2” x 2” logs, about 3/4” tall. Straighten the logs, and smooth their tops and sides, a wet spatula or wet hands. Bake the dough for 25 minutes. Remove it from the oven. 5. Lightly dampen the logs with wet hands, making sure to cover the sides as well as the top. Softening the crust just this little bit will make slicing the biscotti much easier. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. 6. Use a sharp knife to cut the log crosswise into 1/2” to 3/4” slices. As you’re slicing, be sure to cut straight up and down.

2. In a medium-sized bowl, beat the butter, sugar, salt, vanilla, and baking powder until the mixture is smooth and creamy. 3. Beat in the eggs; the batter may look slightly curdled. At low speed of your mixer, add the flour, stirring until smooth; the dough will be sticky. 4. Plop the dough onto the prepared

7. Place each biscotti sideways. Return the biscotti to the oven, and bake them for 25 to 30 minutes, until they feel very dry and are beginning to turn golden. They’ll still feel a tiny bit moist in the very center, if you break off a piece; but they’ll continue to dry out as they cool. 8. Remove the biscotti from the oven and transfer them to a rack to cool. Store airtight at room temperature; they’ll stay good for weeks. Enjoy with a well-brewed cup of tea.

5 Tips To Protect Seniors From Financial Scams Right Now (Continued From Page 08) 3. Automate. Seniors should consider signing up for direct deposit, automatic bill pay and large transaction alerts. 4. Prioritize security. Seniors should keep checks and credit cards locked away, and update passwords when information is compromised. They should also carefully review credit reports, account statements and bills for unusual activity or charges.

5. Be aware. Families can help seniors stay aware of the latest and most common scams, as well as help them identify potential red flags, including: • Alleged emergency situations involving family members, often grandchildren, requiring immediate payment. • Lottery winnings requiring upfront cash payment for taxes and other fees. • Phone calls from alleged govern-

ment agencies, such as Social Security, threatening arrest or penalties. For more information on fraud prevention, visit wellsfargo.com. “Aging resiliently requires planning ahead and not shying away from difficult conversations,” says Long. “We have to talk with our older loved ones about the risks, the warning signs and prevention -- and we have to keep talking.” (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

IACT Hosts Community Conversation: Coping With Covid-19

(Continued From Page 01)

her work commitments.

Each guest shared how Covid-19 altered their plan for the year and how they tried to cope with it. “We were in a great shock the first few weeks,” said Sanjay Parikh, the owner of Masala Wok. “We lost 40 to 50% of our sales,” Parikh added.

Sethi is also a member of the Quality of Life commission in Austin. For special education teacher, Sobia Kidwai, the home had to turn into four offices.

Faiz Baqai, a medical student enrolled in the Moderna vaccine program as his aging grandmother lives with them and he felt he needed to protect her from exposure. He also trusted the medical advancement in the field.

organization that promotes a sense of well-being, belonging and fulfillment for older adults of South Asian heritage through community engagement, education, partnership building, and advocacy & civic involvement.

One room per child and between

Retired District Judge from India

Being someone who had seen pre-

IACT has held several successful forums to educate the community on topics or issues pertaining to non-partisan political and civic engagement. For more information about Indian American Coalition of Texas please visit https://iactexas.org/

Dealing with vendors, cutting hours of employees, training new ones, and not making it to funding from the government in Round 1 were issues the restaurant dealt with.

MEN CAN COOK!

“The second round, we had money coming in which helped us bring back our business,” he said. Pooja Sethi, who also ran for the office of the City Council District 10 this past November elections talked about how she juggled work, school of her child, her campaign and taking care of

“To be together and grateful is a lesson we learned,” she said when talking about the pandemic. All agreed about being grateful.

Email your recipe with your photos and see yourself in print her husband and her, two separate rooms for her children who went to school from home through Zoom.

Bhagirathi Rangarajan is a member of SAIVA, SAIVA is a central Texas-based 501(c) (3) nonprofit

vious pandemics in India, she hardly stepped out of the house.

Info@Austin SouthAsian.com

It’s Go Time, Austin! Join us to learn more about plans for two new MetroRapid lines, Pleasant Valley and Expo. Live Zoom Meetings: February 2 – 4 Self-Guided Virtual Open House: February 2 – March 12 Take part in our live or self-guided virtual public meetings, beginning in early February 2021. Visit ProjectConnect.com to learn more and see meeting details. For language translations or accommodations, please call (512) 904-0180. Requests must be made to Capital Metro at least three working days (72 hours) prior to virtual scheduled meeting date.

Austin South Asian | February 2021

2020: The Year I Went Back To School

By Sumaiya Malik @SumaiyaSaidThis In the summer of 2019, I pulled out a GRE preparatory book that had been on the shelf for six years. It had been this long I had thought of taking the test and going to graduate school at UT Austin.

always had a spot for paints and canvas in the kitchen. When the non-profit to promote the arts took off, and more than 200 attendees showed up to our events, I realized

rector of the school and also made arrangements to attend a class that interested me. Both went well! The professors were most welcoming and even encouraged me to apply even though I wasn’t happy with the GRE. They said, I had enough writing and published work behind me, so I should not hold back.

Life, I thought, had no room for more stuff to do. There was always too much happening and other things took precedence. “Ab nahin to kabhi nahin,” I talked out loud in Urdu to myself. “If not now, then when?” I repeated in English. I wanted to hear this about my desire to go back to school louder than my thoughts about how many things I had on my plate. Married, with collegiate children, responsibilities of the household, family, friends, all added up to a full life that I thought had no space. A non-profit I had started with friends was making headway, my writing was regularly being published in newspapers. My oil paintings were getting more intense. “If I went back to school, it would be either the visual arts or journalism,” at least I had two crafts to choose from. I knew I wanted to write about stories that were more serious, and research based. At the same time, I had painted all my life. I chose journalism and consciously decided to keep my art as an escape route to sanity as it had done in my early years. Early into my marriage I had figured out that to be happy as a stay home mom raising kids, I had to have mental stimulation. That came to me in the form of oil paintings and community work. I would dive deep into the arts, teaching myself techniques to improve my skills. One summer, I did a self-immersion in Modern Art that culminated into a trip to the Guggenheim in New York City. My kids and my husband enjoyed my art endeavors. As I learned about things that interested them, they learned about art from me. We

And least of all because of age! An older candidate going back to school was a common feature in graduate school. no one was writing about it in the news and that’s how I began writing! But going back to school was a serious commitment and I wasn’t sure how my family would take it. Surprisingly, it was easy. My husband who has always encouraged self-reliance was only supportive. “You have the privilege to do what you want,” he said. My kids were amused and excited. Most of all, they were not new to the idea. They had heard it all along. My mother was skeptical initially, but soon went along when she saw how much it meant to me. My dad, if he was alive, would have been thrilled! I didn’t buy a new GRE book. I didn’t hire a tutor. I used the same book and joked with my kids to tutor me. They took it on seriously. And when I filled out the application, they even looked at my resume. I smiled through the GRE, just grateful that the process was on. If I didn’t get admitted I would try again next year. The GRE was also fun! My score was below mediocre, but I wasn’t deterred. I took an appointment with the di-

This March, I found out that I had got in! The graduate program of Journalism at UT Austin took in 8 students. I was one of them.

I see a difference in myself and my home. I have come to appreciate a lot of things. I don’t take time for granted anymore. Life had to be reorganized. But that happened in time. My daughter and husband had always enjoyed cooking. Now I appreciated it even more. Staying at home during the pandemic made it easier to transition from homelife to school. With things on Zoom, my time at home only grew. My kids started feeling excited that mom would be in graduate school. My husband told his friends! My dad would have been so proud. My mom accepted it! She feels my excitement and has started enjoying what I do. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 1880, women earned only 1.3 percent of all master’s degrees conferred in the United States. By 1910, wom-

en earned more than a quarter of all master’s degrees. The rate of women’s master’s degree completion began to soar after 1980, and by 2010, women were awarded roughly 50 percent more master’s degrees than their male peers. This year, the statistics are 57.6%! Knowing that you are not alone gives you strength. I am sharing my story because you are not alone in aspiring for something that may seem out of reach at first. You just have to take a leap of faith. Consider what you are passionate about and keep your family in the loop at all times. Ask them how you would move forward with the plan. Take one day at a time. One doesn’t know if success will follow. But know that every day spent trying to accomplish your dream is a day worth living especially when your family is behind you.

I would be pursuing university education the same time as my children. Then Covid-19 pandemic happened! Classes went online and my semester began with the rest of full-time students, on Zoom. A new life of many smiles started. Lots and lots of work, but a world of opportunities opened in front of me. The curriculum is hard, but the hard work is so rewarding. One semester is behind me. It’s a 30-credit-hour program. I already see a difference in my writing. Most of all

Vaccs Facts is a weekly series of COVID-19 vaccine updates published by Austin Public Health. For more on the most updated vaccine information go to: austintexas.gov/covid19-vaccines

Austin South Asian | February 2021

What To Do On Valentine’s Day

By Sumaiya Malik

The month of February is marked by the arrival of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. On this day, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine.

cided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

But what is the history behind the day and what can we do to celebrate it are questions that come to mind. There are mysteries about Valentine’s Day and how it originated, but History.com talks about one legend which “says that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II de-

When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.” After his death, the day would become annual celebration in his memory.

The day has nostalgic connotations for many as people look back at who t h e y really love and w i s h t h e m whether they are a family member, a friend o r some-

one they are romantically inclined towards.

“One does not need a fancy dinner or romantic gifts, or even a significant other in order to celebrate Valentine’s Day, as the true celebration lies in the appreciation of loved ones. Whether it may be a significant other, a friend, family member, or even a pet, the essence of Valentine’s Day lies in your heart and not in how others choose to celebrate it,” an article called The deeper purpose of Valentine’s Day, said in the Retriever, a publication of the University of Maryland. In fact, having love in one’s life makes life more comforting and livable.

A study cited by healthline.com said. “Lasting love is consistently linked to lower levels of stress.” A loving relationship can increase your lifespan. A few benefits include decreased risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, improved immune health, and faster recovery from illness. According to Country Living Magazine, here are some ideas: 1. Take a hike. 2. Take an online class. 3. Walk around town in a Covidsafe way. 4. Cook something at home. 5. Go for a drive. 6. Make crafts with family. 7. Write Valentine’s Day cards. 8. Have a movie marathon at home.

Why Getting Tech Savvy Doesn’t Have To Be Hard More than 12 million people are currently employed in tech-related occupations in the U.S., either as information technology (IT) professionals or employees of technology companies. Yet employer demand for tech workers is still strong in many markets and industries, including technology, financial services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, government and education. Unfortunately, misperceptions about tech occupations persist. People assume that in such jobs, you’re relegated to working alone writing software code or that you need to be a math genius or have an advanced academic degree to even get your foot in the door. These misperceptions can discourage qualified candidates from exploring career options in the IT field. “Today’s IT professional plays a leading role in virtually every business and industry, identifying innovation and technologies that can determine the future of an organization,” says John McGlinchey, executive vice president for global certification with CompTIA, a nonprofit association for the IT industry. “Companies are eager to hire people who communicate ef-

fectively, are comfortable working as part of a team and are creative in identifying how to use technology to make a business more efficient and profitable.”

In fact, 62% of executives surveyed for CompTIA’s “Workforce and Learning Trends 2020” report ranked soft skills such as relationship building, persuasion, integrity and confidence with equal importance to hard technical skills when it came to hiring for their tech workforce. For anyone thinking about a career in tech, the best first step is to learn more about the technologies of today and tomorrow, and the occupations associated with these innovations. Many free resources are available. Here are three examples:

The Future of Tech (www.futureoftech.org) is a growing library of resources on what’s new and what’s next in the world of technology. Topics such as artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, big data and the internet of things are highlighted on the site, which is designed for anyone interested in learning more about technologies that are shaping the way we live and work. The IT Career Roadmap (www. comptia.org/content/it-careerspath-roadmap) offers insights into a variety of career paths, including tech support, networking, cybersecurity, data and software and web development. The IT Salary Calculator (https:// www.comptia.org/content/it-salary-calculator) allows you to explore salary estimates for different tech occupations at different levels of expertise. The calculator includes salary data from 400 dif-

ferent metropolitan areas covering 85% of the U.S. population, from an IT support specialist in Portland, Maine ($52,750) to a cybersecurity analyst in Portland, Ore. ($101,530). “If you don’t believe technology is a viable career choice, consider all of the things you’ve done today that are made possible by technology -- from the car you drive and the streaming entertainment channels you enjoy to a telehealth visit

with your doctor and the ease and efficiency of online banking,” says McGlinchey. The IT field is no longer a world of pocket protectors and motherboards. With more people using more devices than ever before to stay connected to one another, industry experts say that today’s IT workforce is open for business for anyone with great curiosity, creativity, personality and versatility. (StatePoint)

Incoming U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy Calls For Speeding Up Administration Of Covid Vaccines (Continued From Page 01) “We hear often from both local and state leaders that they’re worried about the workforce – that we may not have enough people to actually deliver the vaccine to meet the demand,” he said. Biden has said that his administration will deliver 100 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in his first 100 days in office. But the Murthy said that the president aims to surpass his target of delivering 100 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in his first 100 days in office.

“Make no mistake, his goal is not only to meet that, but it’s to exceed that,” he said and added that Biden is taking an “even-keeled” approach, taking into account areas where things could go wrong, including the supply of vaccine, channels for distribution and vaccine hesitancy. Meanwhile, media reports said that Biden Jan. 20 asked Surgeon General Jerome Adams, whom Trump nominated for a four-year term back in 2017, to step down from his post. (Courtesy: ANI)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Kids Corner

Abhiveer Annoji

Vasundhara Varadarajan

Comics

Make A Difference - Our Choices By Vidya Kumar January 6th will always be an indelible mark in my memory. We all watched in horror the insurgents storming the state capitol and we had no words to explain how this happened. We all are sure that when we voted none of us had any idea that such an event even in the wildest dreams can take place in America. It taught me a lesson forever that when we are the king makers, we need to choose whom we vote very diligently. Surely, it is not enough that the policies align with our thinking for a person to get our precious vote. We need to know how much he exhibits the leaders ship qualities that is required for the person to get to

the position. What type of leader we want to choose? One who is willing to listen to us with empathy, thoughtfulness, concerns for the common man and one who places the country and the people above himself? What about morality, discipline, hardworking, transparency, respecting the rule of law and that no one is above the law of the country? What about boundaries of ethics, what are the values and how much does one work within the framework of constitution?

Ravana by all accounts was a great administrator and effective ruler yet no one considers him worthy of being a leader due to his lack of morality. He is considered evil though he had some positive qualities. It is imperative that we look at the person first irrespective of conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican so that the right person is put in the temple of democracy who respects the constitution, the country, the people first rather than his interests.

To Advertise 512-828-6709

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Picture Book World

By Shachi Kaushik

come for the family together.

Picture books are considered windows into other cultures, so how about exploring something new from these picture books.

Ruby decides to draw a picture of the family and deliver it herself.

As we celebrate the love month, snuggle together with your little ones read a book together. Ruby’s Chinese New Year Author Vickie Lee and illustrator Joey Chou

It’s Chinese New Year’s, and sadly, Ruby’s grandmother isn’t able to

For Valentine’s day, this a fun read.

Along the road to her grandmother’s, she encounters all twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac. The journey does present an obstacle, but it all ends in celebration. The backmatter has information about the Chinese New Year and the zodiac included in the back. There are also a few easy-tomake crafts. The illustrations by Joey Chou are colorful and vibrant.

The Porcupine is excited about Valentine’s Day and wants everyone in the forest to experience true love.

The small details add to the story depicting the Chinese New Year celebration.

Porcupine plays a cupid and uses its quills as arrows on all the animals in the forest!

This book is available in Austin Public Library and Round Rock Public Library.

The poking irritates the animals, and they plan to gather to discuss this problem.

PORCUPINE CUPID Author Jason June and Illustrator Lori Richmond

As the animals gather to complain, they start to pair up with another animal.

The illustrations are bright and colorful, bringing each animal’s expression to life. A book that will leave you with a smile.

In the village, a teacher sought to change that and build a school for grandmothers, the Aajibaichi Shala.

This book is available in Austin Public Library and Round Rock Public Library.

The story is narrated by a little girl. Every day, she walks her grandmother to school.

Grandmother School Author Rina Singh and Illustrator Ellen Rooney

The book shows a sweet relationship between the little and her grandmother. The book also The illustrations are charming and colorful, depicting the village and takes you to Maharashtra, a state in India. A book to discuss the privilege of literacy in different countries. This book is available in Austin Public Library and Round Rock Public Library. Happy reading.

Many grandmothers in India can’t read or write. The story is based on a true story from the village of Phangan, India.

For more resources and fun activities to keep your little ones busy check out the website www.SmartyHathy.com

3 Tips To Own Your Financial Outcome In 2021

2020 was more than just a health crisis, it had ripple effects on nearly every aspect of our lives, including our long-term financial plans.

of 2020, you’re not alone,” says John Kennedy, head of Retirement Solutions Distribution at Lincoln Financial Group.

Research from Lincoln Financial Group shows that personal finance concerns have intensified over the past year.

“The good news is that with some

to pandemic-proof and own your financial outcome in 2021: 1. Talk with a financial professional. If you’re not already, consider talking to a financial professional

Nearly half of Americans say they are preparing for the 2020 election’s impact on their investments and retirement accounts, and a vast majority have expressed a need for financial education to help them be better prepared for the future. As uncertainty continues amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Americans’ hopes of a comfortable retirement are at risk. “If you are nearing your retirement years, the events of this past year may have been especially concerning, and if you are rethinking your retirement plans altogether in light

one. They are well-positioned to help you consider a broad range of solutions that best address your individual needs and situation. 2. Protect your income. Your advisor may suggest diversifying your portfolio to include an annuity, which is a financial product that can provide you with protected income in retirement. Solutions like an annuity can help you feel better prepared to navigate volatility, protect the retirement savings you’ve worked hard for, as well as provide a legacy for loved ones.

smart steps and proper planning, you can set yourself up to feel more in control of your finances in the year ahead and for years to come.” Kennedy offers the following tips

about your goals, roadblocks and concerns, especially given today’s circumstances. Lincoln’s research shows that nearly a third of Americans agree that now is a good time to talk with

“With annuities, you have options for both protected growth and income that can help you feel more secure that you can maintain your lifestyle in a down market,” added Kennedy. 3. Stay the course. New research shows that an unpredictable market

concerns more people than actual investment losses. But while market twists and turns may take you for a ride, it’s important to resist the temptation to jump off altogether. By proofing your portfolio to weather market ups and downs, you can guard against market losses, while keeping your money invested for growth. For more resources and tips, visit www.lfg.com. As you look ahead to a new year, it can be empowering to shift focus onto matters within your control. Proper financial planning, along with strategies that offer protection and opportunities for growth, can help you feel more secure as you work toward your investment goals. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

SAIVA Wellness Program

Indian Classical Music, Mantras, Naad Yoga – Therapeutic Use By Manasi Joshi-Singh As the Universe was being formed, it first resounded with the vibration of the primordial sound (naad) “AUM”. It is to this AUM, that the journey of sound, and profound impact on all beings, can be traced. Ancient sages, musicologists studied and discovered many wonderful facts about music, and its connection with the human body. Sound in the human body emanates from the brahmagranthi (deep within the pelvic area) and impacts the 72000 naaDis (channels), as it makes its way upward

to be expressed through the lips. Musicologists discovered healing effects of the seven musical notes “s r g m p d n” upon each of the seven Chakras – energy Centers in the body. Raag Music is the abstract expression of notes. Different Raags are aligned with the 8-fold samaychakra (24-hour time cycle), as well as the rituchakra (cycle of seasons). Moreover, Raag music is also found to have a therapeutic impact on the 7 chakras. This is due to the association with the bio rhythm and environmental rhythm. Similarly, the 52 letters of Sanskrit

(alphabets, vowels) – moolaaksharas, associated with each chakra, when recited, act subtly on that part of the body.

• Raag Darbari Kanada is used to

When recited with AUM prefix, they become powerful beeja (seed, which has potential) mantras. NaadYoga, is a type of Yoga, that delves into connecting (uniting) our personal vibration with the universal vibration.

Good Music is indeed a doorway to sat-chit-ananda, the divine happiness.

It uses mantra, raag music, aumkar sadhana to achieve this union.

Om Shantih Shantih Shantihi!

Some examples of therapeutic effect of music: • Solar Plexus/Naabhi/MaNipur Chakra is cleansed by Raag Bhimpalasi, Malkauns

• The “THH” utterance in “ViTTHala, ViTTHala” is one of the beejmantras for Heart/Hruday/ Anaahat Chakra, so it has healing effect for heart ailments.

relieve stress/headaches/insomnia, Raag Marwa for hypertension, Raag Bhoop for stomach ailments…

To join in on Saturday Yoga and Saatsang classes, please email saivacommunications@gmail.com

Healthy, Safe And Affordable Home Cleaning Tips When it comes to keeping your home healthy, safe and clean, it’s all about balance. Using the following tips, you can make 2021 the year you perfect your cleaning technique affordably:

Strike a Balance Contrary to what you might assume, there’s no need to use a disinfectant cleaner on every surface,

of bleach is a great way to disinfect properly where and when it’s needed. Be sure to use approved products,

Voted a 2020 Product of the Year by more than 40,000 consumers, Art of Green works on many surfaces and comes in two uplifting scents, Lavender Eucalyptus and Citrus and White Flowers.

Get Prepped Before getting started, wash your hands. Not only does it help you to avoid spreading germs, it’s also a great way to get into a cleaning mindset. You can also give yourself a little motivational boost by putting on some great tunes. Check out the Ultimate Cleaning Playlist on Spotify, which features danceable hits spanning decades, or create your own. According to the experts, a bit of preparation can even streamline your efforts. “Before any cleaning session, I take a few minutes to de-clutter. This makes the process of dusting and wiping down surfaces so much easier,” says Erin Chase, AlEn Cleanfluencer and busy mom of four.

ly-derived cleaning products, such as Art of Green wipes and sprays, which are hardworking and safe for sensitive skin, making them good choices for “over and over” cleaning around kids and pets.

You can also help protect the planet by choosing products from companies committed to building a cleaner, more sustainable world.

even in the age of COVID-19. High-touch areas such as doorknobs, light switches, remotes and countertops should be disinfected daily. You should also be sure to disinfect after visitors, and continually disinfect surfaces touched by sick household members. However, it’s important use strong cleansers mindfully. The power

such as Cloralen Disinfectant Bleach, and follow the instructions on the label. Don’t use bleach on porous surfaces and never mix cleaning products -- in particular don’t mix bleach with ammonia. This can result in dangerous fumes you shouldn’t breathe. Go Green When You Can For everyday messes, use natural-

Many products from AlEn USA are made with sustainable ingredients, and the company recycles more plastic than it uses.

“The good news is that these products also offer great value, making it possible to get an effective eco-friendly clean at an affordable price,” says Chase. To learn more, visit alenusa.com, artofgreen.com and cloralen.com. Celebrate a Job Well-Done “Cleaning is an opportunity to refresh your mindset,” adds Chase, who makes sure to celebrate a job well done with self-care rituals. “After cleaning, I always wash my hands and apply my favorite hand lotion.” With a few smart cleaning tips, you can create an environment that helps protect the health and safety of your family and your pets. (StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | February 2021

Statue Of Unity

The Statue of Unity is a colossal statue of Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950), who was the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home minister of independent India and adherent of Mahatma Gandhi during the non-violent Indian Independence movement. Patel was highly respected for his leadership in uniting 562 princely states of India with a major part of the former British Raj to form the single Union of India. The statue is located in the state of Gujarat, India. It is the world’s tallest statue with a height of 182 metres (597 feet). It is located on the Narmada River in the Kevadiya colony, facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam 100 kilometres (62 mi) southeast of the city of Vadodara and 150 kilometres (93 mi) from Surat. Kevadia railway station is located at a distance of just 5 kilometres from Statue of Unity. The project was first announced in 2010 and

the construction of the statue started in October 2013 by Larsen & Toubro, with a total construction cost of ₹2,989 crore (₹29.89 billion; US$422 million).

to donate their used farming instruments. By 2016, a total of 135 metric tonnes of

It was designed by Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar, and was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018, the 143rd anniversary of Sardar Patel’s birth.

The statue can be seen within a 7 km (4.3 mi) radius. The monument is constructed on a river island named Sadhu Bet, 3.2 km (2.0 mi) away from and facing the Narmada Dam downstream.

Narendra Modi first announced the project to commemorate Vallabhbhai Patel on 7 October 2013 at a press conference to mark the beginning of his 10th year as The Chief Minister of Gujarat. At the time, the project was dubbed, “Gujarat’s tribute to the nation”. A separate Society named Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust (SVPRET) was formed under the chairmanship of the Chief minister, Government of Gujarat, to execute the project. An outreach drive named the Statue of Unity Movement was started to support the construction of the statue. It helped collect the iron needed for the statue by asking farmers

The statue and its surroundings occupy more than 2 hectares (4.9 acres), and are surrounded by a 12 km (7.5 mi) long artificial lake formed by the Garudeshwar weir downstream on the Narmada river.

the court. Everyone was surprised by Birbal’s reply.

The statue is divided into five zones of which only three are accessible to the public.

Akbar And Birbal

“I did not expect that reply, Birbal. Justice is more important than a meager gold coin,” Akbar said with a tone of disappointment. “I am sorry, your majesty. But I believe one must ask for what one does not have. Your rule has ensured that there is justice everywhere. However, I am running short of money. Therefore, I chose the gold coin.” Akbar broke into a warm smile and rewarded Birbal with 100 gold coins.

Justice Or The Gold Coin One day Akbar asked Birbal what would he choose if he were given a choice between a gold coin and justice. “I will certainly choose the gold coin Jahanpanah,” came the quick reply from Birbal. Akbar was surprised. There was silence in

The previous tallest statue in India was the 41 m (135 ft) tall statue of Lord Hanuman at the Paritala Anjaneya Temple near Vijayawada in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

scrap iron had been collected and about 109 tonnes of it was used to make the foundation of the statue after processing. A marathon titled Run For Unity was held on 15 December 2013 in Surat and Vadodara in support of the project. The Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest statue at 182 metres (597 ft). It rises 54 metres (177 ft) higher than the previous record holder, the Spring Temple Buddha in China’s Henan province.

Austin South Asian Invites Contributions From Readers And Community

From its base to the level of Patel’s shins is the first zone which has three levels and includes the exhibition area, mezzanine and roof. The first zone also contains a memorial garden and a museum. The second zone reaches up to Patel’s thighs, while the third extends up to the viewing gallery at a height of 153 metres. The fourth zone is the maintenance area while the final zone comprises the head and shoulders of the statue. The museum in the first zone catalogues the life of Sardar Patel and his contributions. An adjoining audio-visual gallery provides a 15-minute long presentation on Patel and also describes the tribal culture of the state. The concrete towers which form the statue’s legs contain two elevators each. Each lift can carry 26 people at a time to the viewing gallery in just over 30 seconds. The gallery is located at a height of 153 metres (502 ft) and can hold up to 200 people.

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Maintaining A Sense Of Normalcy While Routines Stay Disrupted

With the roll-out of the vaccine taking place slowly, it may be awhile longer before life returns completely to normal.

your pre-pandemic bedtime and set your alarm for your regular wake hour.

do list. • Get dressed:

However, if you have been working remotely, it may be a good idea to reincorporate some of the elements of your regular routine into your schedule now.

For better work-life balance, try to structure your day as you once did, setting regular business hours. Be sure to include breaks so you don’t experience burnout. And, if your weekdays once included time for socializing with colleagues, make time for it now. Set up a virtual coffee meeting, lunch or happy hour.

• Rise and shine:

Get to sleep each week night at

• Structure your day: When working remotely, it’s easy to feel like the workday has no clear beginning or end.

Not only will maintaining a sense of normalcy help you to feel more productive and more like yourself again, it could also help make the transition to the workplace smoother when it does occur. Here are a few ways to go about it:

Have you let your morning schedule slide into chaos during the pandemic? Now is the time to get back to your regular hours.

sense of style and feel good about how you look.

With no commute, you may find yourself with some extra time in the morning. Use it to get organized for the day, exercise or check items off your to-

Dress as though you are heading into the workplace. Wear pants that don’t have an elastic waistband, do your hair and wear accessories. Regain your

• Use tech tools: Stay accountable to your new schedule as well as your fashion goals with wearable tech, such as the Casio Edifice Watch.

With full-time Smartphone Link technology, this timepiece enables you to stay up-to-date and on time. When paired to a compatible smartphone via Bluetooth, you can access the correct time in your current location and for up to 300 cities worldwide, as well as your calendar, receiving notifications for tasks, meetings and events. Featuring five alarms, a stopwatch, countdown timer and a two-year battery life, this water-resistant timepiece can be a highly functional tool as you transition back to a regular schedule. If working from home long-term has you feeling sluggish and unproductive, get back to your regular schedule. Maintaining a sense of normalcy can help get you out of the rut. (StatePoint)

Boosting Your Child’s Confidence Can Help Them Land A Tech Job

Confidence is a great thing. It can make people more open to learning new skills, pursuing new opportunities and living new experiences. When it comes to career choices, confidence, or rather a lack of it, can keep qualified and motivated individuals from even considering certain fields.

have the qualifications or skills to work in tech, creating a confidence gap that contributes to the lack of diversity in the tech workforce,” Thibodeaux continued.

people in plain and simple language about what a career in technology truly entails. That includes making sure they un-

Technology is at the forefront of this dilemma, according to those in the industry, who also note that lingering misconceptions may be widening a “confidence gap.” “For too long we’ve been telling young people that the best jobs of the future will require advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering or math,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association. “The reality is that the vast majority of good paying jobs in the next 30 years won’t require a STEM degree.

“To close this gap we need employers to open the door to more candidates with non-traditional backgrounds, and for parents and role models to encourage all young people to look at opportunities in tech when they think about their career options.”

“Unfortunately, many students have concluded that they don’t

Thibodeaux explains that a great first step is to speak with young

derstand that working in tech isn’t always about engineering, coding, calculus and Silicon Valley. It’s also about customer service, teamwork, curiosity, communication and problem solving. It means working for any size company in any industry and in any location.

Equally important, young people need to know about the many resources available to them to learn about careers in tech, network with others who share their interests and acquire the skills that will help them land a job. Here are a few examples:

league.org

• The Technology Student Association is a national, nonprofit career and technical student organization of 250,000-plus middle school and high school students that offers exciting opportunities in networking, competitions, leadership and community service. For more information, visit tsaweb.org

The tech industry is in the midst of a massive new wave of innovation.

• The National Cyber League offers students of all ages gamemeets-edutainment competitions simulating real-life cyberthreats in a safe environment so students can learn how to defend against threats.

“Don’t think that you need to be a math or science genius or that you need to have coding skills or that if you’re not good at ‘computational thinking’ you don’t have a chance. All you need is confidence in yourself,” says Thibodeaux. (StatePoint Media)

To learn more, visit nationalcyber-

• TechGirlz inspires middle school girls to explore the possibilities of technology through the creation of free, fun, interactive “TechShopz” led by industry professionals, community leaders and students. Get the details at techgirlz.org.

Advances in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, bionics, robotics, healthcare and many other areas are changing virtually every walk of life. To turn these possibilities into realities, millions of knowledge workers and technology professionals will be needed.

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Biden To Impose South Africa Travel Ban To Combat New Covid-19 Variant US President Joe Biden will impose a ban on most non-US citizens entering the country who have recently been in South Africa starting Saturday in a bid to contain the spread of a new variant of Covid-19.

She added the agency was “putting in place this suite of measures to protect Americans and also to reduce the risk of these variants spreading and worsening the current pandemic.”

mandates sought by U.S. health agencies. Some health officials are concerned that current vaccines may not be effective against the South Africa

US President Joe Biden will impose a ban on most non-US citizens entering the country who have recently been in South Africa starting Saturday in a bid to contain the spread of a new variant of Covid-19, a senior US public health official told Reuters. Biden on Monday is also reimposing an entry ban on nearly all non-US travelers who have been in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland and 26 countries in Europe that allow travel across open borders. “We are adding South Africa to the restricted list because of the concerning variant present that has already spread beyond South Africa,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat, the CDC’s principal deputy director, in an interview Sunday.

countries to the list if needed. The South African variant has not yet been found in the United States but at least 20 U.S. states have detected a UK variant known as B.1.1.7. Current vaccines appear effective against the UK mutations. The South African embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. CDC ORDERS COMING

Then-President Donald Trump directed on Jan. 18 those restrictions on Brazil and Europe be lifted effective Tuesday but Biden’s proclamation will rescind that decision. Biden, who took office on Wednesday, is taking an aggressive approach to combating the spread of the virus after Trump rejected

variant, which also raises the prospect of re-infection.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director (CDC) head Rochelle Walensky will sign a separate order Monday requiring masks on all airplanes, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-share vehicles for all travelers two and older, officials said.

The South African variant, also known as the 501Y.V2 variant, is 50% more infectious and has been detected in at least 20 countries.

The new requirements are set to take effect in the coming days, they said, and masks can be removed for brief periods while eating or drinking.

CDC officials told Reuters they would be open to adding additional

On Tuesday, new CDC rules take effect requiring all international

WHO Chief Praises India, Modi For Support To Global COVID-19 Response GENEVA, Switzerland – World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Jan. 23 expressed gratitude to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continued support to the global COVID-19 response against the pandemic.

22. Contractual supplies are also being undertaken to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Morocco, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

Taking to Twitter, the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the U.S. State Department said: “We applaud India’s role in global

Large consignments of Covishield vaccine doses were flown in special Indian aircraft to Seychelles, Mauritius, and Myanmar on Jan.

India’s a true friend using its pharma to help the global community.” Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had announced that a flight carrying two million doses of India-made coronavirus vaccines landed in Brazil.

“Thank you, India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for your continued support to the global COVID-19 response. Only if we #ACTogether, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods,” Tedros tweeted. In a bid to fight the pandemic, India has supplied COVID-19 vaccines to its neighbors including Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

cine began with Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal and will extend to others.

“Trust the ‘Pharmacy of the World’. Made in India vaccines arrive in Brazil,” Jaishankar tweeted.

The United States on Jan. 22 “applauded” India for gifting COVID-19 vaccines to several countries including the Maldives, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, saying New Delhi is a “true friend” which is using its pharma industry to help the global community.

health, sharing millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in South Asia. India’s free shipments of the vac-

Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. (Courtesy: https://www.indiawest.com/)

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air travelers 2 and older to present a negative coronavirus test taken within three calendar days of travel or proof of recovery from Covid-19 to enter the United States. The CDC will not, as it said on Jan. 12, consider granting temporary waivers to airlines to exempt some travelers from countries with limited testing capacity. Numerous US airlines last week had asked CDC for waivers, airline officials said. But CDC officials said they would consider case-by-case humanitarian exemptions for some travelers if needed. CDC officials noted 120 countries currently have mandatory Covid-19 testing requirements for international travel. The CDC order says travelers should self-quarantine for seven days upon return to the United States and consider getting a new Covid-19 test within three to five days of returning to the United States. “With the pandemic worsening and these more contagious variants emerging it’s not the time to lift restrictions on international travel,” Schuchat said. CDC officials have for weeks discussed the possibility of adding these testing requirements before U.S. domestic flights or requiring testing upon return from international travel but have made no decisions. The US restrictions barring most visitors from Europe have been in place since mid-March when Trump signed proclamations imposing them, while the Brazilian entry ban was imposed in May. The restriction, along with the new South Africa ones, mean most nonUS citizens who have been in one of those countries within the last 14 days are not eligible to travel to the United States. Permanent US residents and family members and some other non-US citizens are permitted to return to the United States under the order. (Courtesy: https://www.reuters.com/)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Make Your Home A Sanctuary – Even If COVID-19 Arrives On Your Doorstep Winter has brought with it a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. And while the rollout of preventive vaccines has begun, the manufacture and delivery of sufficient doses to inoculate all Americans will take months. Because the disease can be unpredictable, everyone should take precautions to mitigate its spread, especially when it makes an appearance at home. While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends physical distancing, mask-wearing and other healthrelated measures, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) also recommends additional guidance when a household member is known to be infected, to help reduce risk to other household members. Filtrete Brand, a leading air filtration brand of 3M, has also made some of this information available at Filtrete.com/3M. First, prepare a clean sanctuary within your home, either an isolation space – for someone who has contracted COVID-19 – or a pro-

tected space – for someone who may be at high risk of getting the coronavirus. Location is especially important. When the weather is warmer, the ideal isolation space should be on a low floor; in cooler months, a high floor.

a protected space, supply filtered, outdoor air. • Doors: For an isolation or pro-

However, for protected spaces, the location should be just the opposite: on a high floor in warmer weather, and on a low floor in chilly weather. The reason for this is to prevent having air naturally gravitate towards protected spaces as a result of seasonal temperature differences. Earmarking space is a good start. To further optimize the space for preventing the spread of infection, you can address these key elements as applicable to your home, understanding there is variation in home construction, HVAC systems, and climate: • Windows: Keep windows closed as much as possible throughout the home. In an isolation space, use a window-installable product to provide exhaust ventilation. In

tected space, always keep the door closed. For added safety, install a draft stopper under the door or hang plastic sheets in front of the room’s entrance. • Vents: If you have a forced-air

heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, seal all vents in the isolated or protected space. By doing so, you’ll prevent its air from entering other rooms.

use only by the occupant of the separate room.

However, if the room you select has the home’s o n l y HVAC return vent, it may be wisest to choose another room.

• Air purification: A system such as the Filtrete Air Purifier with HEPA filtration can help capture unwanted air particles, including viruses and bacteria, in a protected space.

• Portable heating/ cooling: If you’re able to seal off all vents, you may require a portable room heater or air conditioner so that thermal conditions can remain comfortable.

For more information on preparing a clean sanctuary at home, visit www.Filtrete.com/3M.

• Private bathroom: If possible, designate a private bathroom for

For a protected space, only run the bathroom exhaust fan when the facilities are in use. For an isolated space, run the bathroom exhaust fan continuously at high speed.

Be sure to change the filter regularly, per instructions or according to the device’s electronic filter life indicator. While Filtrete Air Purifier Filters don’t stop or prevent the transmission of COVID-19, they do improve indoor air quality.

To stay up to date, consult the CDC and other health authorities, as well as ASHRAE for the latest guidelines, updates and recommended precautions around COVID-19. (StatePoint) 3M Sponsored Content.

Make A Statement: 3 Comfortable Yet Stylish Shoe Trends To Try In 2021 While comfort will continue to reign supreme for clothing and accessories in 2021, when it comes to footwear, there are a variety of fun fashion trends that make a statement. The good news is that there’s no need to overhaul your entire closet. And it’s easier than ever to incorporate on-trend pieces into a comfortable and casual outfit. According to Alyson Stanley, buyer for national retailer Rack Room Shoes, simple clothing choices paired with shoes featuring leopard print detailing, pops of pastel, or silver accents make getting dressed easy and fun. Whether walking around the neighborhood, enjoying a socially-distanced event, or leading a Zoom meeting, here are some tips on how to stay cozy and on-trend this year. Animal Prints: In the past, mixing

patterns was taboo, but according to Stanley, it’s now encouraged. Sneakers, clogs, and casual shoes with animal print accents serve as a neutral accessory that can be mixed and paired with any item in the closet. Nike’s Court Vision Low Sneaker puts a fun twist on cheetah print accents, while the adidas Puremotion Adapt is a stylish slip-on sneaker with a crisscross leopard print pattern. Metallic Accents: Athletic shoes featuring a hint of shine or iridescent details provide a versatile option for those getting their steps in or committing to fitness goals. Because metallics such as rose gold, silver, and gold can mesh with a broad range of color palettes and design styles, they are “the new neutral.” For those on-the-go, athletic shoes such as the Nike Swift 2 and the Nike Court Vision are se-

lections that offer a touch of silver, gold, or platinum detailing.

shades (think lavender, mint green, and bubblegum pink). The possi-

classic clogs are surprisingly comfortable and functional, you may not be aware that they now come in many pastel-colored options such as mint, lilac, and a pattern featuring a baby blue shade swirled with cloud forms. For all your family’s footwear needs, visit rackroomshoes.com for online shopping or curbside pickup options. “Though many of us are still spending the majority of the day working, exercising, and taking classes online from home, clothing and accessories still afford us the opportunity to express our unique style,” says Stanley.

Joyful Pastels and Playful Patterns: This season’s footwear features a palette of cotton candy-inspired

bilities to incorporate these colors into this season’s outfits are limitless. While you may know Crocs’

“The patterns and color trends for shoes in 2021 can bring joy to everyday outfits for the entire family.” (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Fall In Love With These Valentine’s Day Decor Ideas

As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, celebrations may include romantic dinners, Galentine’s Day plans or even family fun. The experts at Dollar General have provided a few budget-friendly decor ideas that everyone will love.

living room for a fun indoor movie night. Decorate it with a holiday-themed blanket and pillows to help create a unique and memorable Valentine’s Day.

arch by taping or stringing together pink, white, red and heart-shaped balloons. Create another space for photos by hanging streamers and a heartshaped garland from windows or

ing gals to express appreciation or positive quotes. This can easily be celebrated digitally by distributing Galentine’s Day kits to friends, so everyone can that share in the decorating and celebrating.

Romantic Night in for Two

DIY Valentine Crafts

Make a night in special by adding a few romantic details around the home.

For a fun family night in, set aside time to create crafts with the kids.

Spruce up the dining table with a vase of fresh roses, candles and a decorative tablecloth—all of which is available at your local Dollar General the week of Valentine’s Day. Also consider filling the room with colorful heart-shaped balloons and bowls of sweet candies. Dress up a wall or mantle with a banner and some of your favorite photos. Pitch a blanket fort in the

Be Mine, Galentine

walls.

For those spending the holiday with friends, incorporate all the fun Valentine’s Day decor into a Galentine’s Day celebration. Assemble a picture-perfect balloon

Fill glass vases with red and pink candies for a charming coffee table centerpiece. Lastly, a message board could provide a fun opportunity for gather-

Crafting can be a great way for kids to express themselves, plus their creations can serve as cost-effective decorations. One example is to hang a paper heart chain, like a garland, above a fireplace or along kitchen cabinets. For this easy and adorable craft, gather red and pink craft paper, rib-

bon or string, scissors and tape. Cut out hearts and a small hole in a corner to string ribbon or string through. Another fun option is to gather the family to paint glass jars with hearts or sayings. Place tasty treats like cookies or candies inside or use the jars as a vase for flowers. Don’t forget front door decorations! Find the directions to craft an easy DIY Coffee Filter Wreath for the door on DG’s crafts web page. For more holiday decoration inspiration and ideas, visit dollargeneral.com and browse under the Inspiration tab. By planning ahead and seeking out decoration tips and tricks, anyone can be ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day with less stress and hustle. (StatePoint)

Earth Is Losing Ice Faster Today Than In The Mid-1990s Earth’s ice is melting faster today than in the mid-1990s, new research suggests, as climate change nudges global temperatures ever higher.

Aside from being captivated by the beauty of polar regions, “people do recognize that, although the ice is far away, the effects of the melting will be felt by them,” he said.

only about 1 percent of all land ice atop land, Slater said. Across the Arctic, sea ice is also shrinking to new summertime

Altogether, an estimated 28 trillion metric tons of ice have melted away from the world’s sea ice, ice sheets and glaciers since the mid1990s. Annually, the melt rate is now about 57 percent faster than it was three decades ago, scientists report in a study published Monday in the journal The Cryosphere. “It was a surprise to see such a large increase in just 30 years,” said co-author Thomas Slater, a glaciologist at Leeds University in Britain. While the situation is clear to those depending on mountain glaciers for drinking water, or relying on winter sea ice to protect coastal homes from storms, the world’s ice melt has begun to grab attention far from frozen regions, Slater noted.

The melting of land ice -- on Antarctica, Greenland and mountain glaciers -- added enough water to the ocean during the three-decade time period to raise the average global sea level by 3.5 centimeters. Ice loss from mountain glaciers accounted for 22 percent of the annual ice loss totals, which is noteworthy considering it accounts for

lows. Last year saw the secondlowest sea ice extent in more than 40 years of satellite monitoring. As sea ice vanishes, it exposes dark water which absorbs solar radiation, rather than reflecting it back out of the atmosphere. This phenomenon, known as Arctic amplification, boosts regional

temperatures even further. The global atmospheric temperature has risen by about 1.1 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times.

Wolken was a co-author on the 2020 Arctic Report Card released in December, but was not involved with the new study.

But in the Arctic, the warming rate has been more than twice the global average in the last 30 years.

In Alaska, people are “keenly aware” of glacial ice loss, Wolken said. “You can see the changes with the human eye.”

Using 1994-2017 satellite data, site measurements and some computer simulations, the team of British scientists calculated that the world was losing an average of 0.8 trillion metric tons of ice per year in the 1990s, but about 1.2 trillion metric tons annually in recent years.

Research scientist Julienne Stroeve of the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado noted the study had not included snow cover over land, “which also has a strong albedo feedback”, referring to a measure of how reflective a surface is.

Calculating even an estimated ice loss total from the world’s glaciers, ice sheets and polar seas is “a really interesting approach, and one that’s actually quite needed,” said geologist Gabriel Wolken with the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.

The research also did not consider river or lake ice or permafrost, except to say that “these elements of the cryosphere have also experienced considerable change over recent decades.” Courtesy: https:// www.livemint.com/)

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Austin South Asian | February 2021 THEME: VALENTINE’S DAY

64. *Lovers’ reunion

ACROSS

DOWN

1. “You’re the ____!” 5. Horse color 8. Interesting person, acr. 11. *Feeling of the heart 12. Nevada city 13. City in Belgium 15. Use a whisk 16. Greek H’s 17. *Popular Valentine’s Day delivery, pl. 18. *”Love means never having to say you’re sorry” movie 20. Ballpark calls 21. Strong adhesive 22. Greek letter N, pl. 23. Lord’s subordinate 26. Given to drinking 30. Ovine mom 31. Old storage medium 34. Fairy-tale beginning 35. Politician Pelosi 37. Tokyo, once 38. Bone hollows 39. Sky bear 40. Fitted with a name tag, e.g. 42. “Ever” to a poet 43. With more seeds 45. Attic 47. Summer sandwich? 48. Fraternity letter 50. Medieval headdress 52. *Only day more popular than Valentine’s for card giving 56. Like blue sky 57. Walk the Pacific Crest Trail, e.g. 58. Samoan money 59. *Dionysus’ pipe-playing companion 60. Affirm 61. Give off 62. Plays for pay 63. *Color of Valentine’s Day

1. Cry like a baby 2. Canyon sound 3. Convict’s weapon 4. Conical dwellings 5. Get on juice diet, e.g. 6. Opposite of binary 7. Like a gossipmonger 8. Exterminator’s target 9. Change for a five 10. Part of T.G.I.F. 12. Like an abridged classic 13. Tiler’s paste 14. *”I Will Always Love You” singer 19. Stupefied 22. Us, in Mexico 23. *Cupid’s mother 24. In the know 25. Common thing? 26. Smoke plus fog 27. Lay to rest 28. Rocks at mountain base 29. *Symbol of Valentine’s Day 32. Infantry’s last row 33. Roulette bet 36. *Chocolatier, pioneer of the heart-shaped box 38. ____ apple 40. Risk something 41. Between eggy and eggiest 44. Feeling worse than before 46. Gave away 48. Thin piece 49. Annoyed 50. Russia’s alternative to caesar 51. Aries or Taurus, e.g. 52. Burn to a crisp 53. MADD member, colloquially 54. Climbed down, as from a carriage 55. Fill beyond full 56. Pharaoh’s cobra

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 March 2021 issue.

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Kamala (Continued From Page 01) 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. When she took office in January 2017, Harris became the first Indian American in the Senate and just the second Black woman. She 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 occasional interruptions—from Republican sen-

ators. In June 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. 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. 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. 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

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Harris

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 s o c i a l 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 Biden chose Harris, and she thus was the first Black woman to appear on a major party’s national ticket. In November she became the first Black woman to be elected vice president of the United States.

various other Republicans challenged the election results, claiming voter fraud. Although a number of lawsuits were filed, no evidence was provided to support the allegations, and the vast majority of the cases were dismissed. During this time Harris and Biden began the transition to a new administration, announcing an agenda and selecting staff.

Cruz (Texas), announced that they would challenge the electors of various states.

By early December all states had certified the election results, and the process then moved to Congress for final certification. Amid Trump’s repeated calls for Republicans to overturn the election, a group of congressional members, which notably included Senators Josh Hawley (Missouri) and Ted

She later denounced the siege— which many believed was incited by Trump—as “an assault on America’s democracy.” On January 18 she officially resigned from the Senate. Two days later, amid an incredible security presence, Harris was sworn in as vice president. (Courtesy: Britanica)

Shortly after the proceedings began on January 6, 2021, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. It took several hours to secure the building, but Biden and Harris were eventually certified as the winners.

Seven Rocky Planets Orbiting Red Dwarf Star Might Have A Similar Composition The densities of the eight planets in our own solar system vary widely. The seven TRAPPIST-1 planets possess similar densities the values differ by no more than three per cent. This makes the system quite different from our own.

In the ensuing weeks Trump and

JANUARY 2021 Sudoku Answer Mr.Yudhveer Bagga

The seven rocky planets orbiting the the red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 have remarkably similar densities, which provides clues about their composition. Located about 40 light-years away, TRAPPIST-1 is home to the largest group of roughly Earth-size planets ever found in a single stellar system. Previous calculations determined that the planets are roughly the size and mass of Earth and thus must also be rocky, or terrestrial as opposed to gas-dominated, like Jupiter and Saturn. The new paper, published in the Planetary Science Journal, offers the most precise density measurements yet for any group of exoplanets planets beyond our solar system. The more precisely scientists know a planet’s density, the more limits they can place on its composition. Consider that a paperweight might be about the same size as a baseball yet is usually much heavier. Together, width and weight reveal each object’s density, and from there it is possible to infer that the baseball is made of something lighter (string and leather) and the paperweight is made of something heavier (usually glass or metal). (Continued On Page 24)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Fighting Flu And Staying Healthy All Year With Medicaid And CHIP Each year, millions of Americans get sick from “seasonal influenza” (“the flu”). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 38 million people got sick with the flu during the 2019-2020 flu season.

get their yearly flu shot. The flu is a serious illness, but getting the flu shot helps lower the number of hospital visits and deaths. Remember, even healthy kids can get sick from the flu and spread it to family and others.

The CDC recommends getting a flu shot early in the season, but getting it at any time during the flu season can help.

also other services like preventive care, well-child visits, dental and vision care, and mental and behavioral health care.

Medicaid offers free or low-cost health insurance for eligible kids up to age 21; the Children’s Health

Eligibility varies by state and depends on your household size and income. On average, a family of four earning up to $50,000 a year or more may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.

The flu is more dangerous than the common cold and children are at higher risk for developing serious complications.

Enrollment is open all year, but you have to renew your health coverage yearly.

More than 12 million children under the age of 18 were diagnosed with flu last year, and of those children diagnosed, more than 52,000 were hospitalized. However, there are preventive steps parents can take to protect their children and family from the flu. Flu viruses change each year, so the best way to keep your kids and teens healthy is to make sure they

Catch Up on Missed Care

This year, it’s more important than ever for children 6 months and older, as well as adults, to get a seasonal flu shot.

Insurance Program (CHIP) covers eligible kids up to age 19. Medicaid and CHIP covers vaccinations for children, like the flu shot, but

from iron oxide, but like its three terrestrial siblings, it has a core composed of non-oxidized iron.

Because they’re positioned too close to their star for water to remain a liquid under most circumstances, the three inner TRAPPIST-1 planets would require hot, dense atmospheres like Venus’, such that water could remain bound to the planet as steam, but Agol says this explanation seems less likely because it would be a coincidence for all seven planets to have just enough water present to have such similar densities.

This is also a good time to catch up on other care and necessary preventive services your child may have missed because of COVID-19, like routine well-child visits and vaccinations. Routine well-child visits help health care providers ensure children are growing and developing normally, including meeting important developmental mile-

stones and provide age-appropriate counseling and immunizations to keep children healthy. With Medicaid and CHIP coverage, parents can schedule preventive visits for their children. Your provider will tell you how to be safe and how to get important care to protect your kids’ health now and for the future. Preventive care can keep you, your family and community healthy. Get covered with Medicaid and CHIP and catch up on care to prevent disease. Don’t forget to schedule your child’s yearly flu shot and protect your child’s health. To learn more about Medicaid and CHIP, visit InsureKidsNow.gov or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877543-7669) to speak with an enrollment specialist and get covered today. Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (StatePoint)

Seven Rocky Planets Orbiting Red Dwarf Indian American-Founded Company Guru Nanda Donates 6.5 Million Masks To Various Charities Across U.S. Star Might Have A Similar Composition

(Continued From Page 23) The densities of the eight planets in our own solar system vary widely. The seven TRAPPIST-1 planets possess similar densities the values differ by no more than three per cent. This makes the system quite different from our own. The difference in density between the TRAPPIST-1 planets and Earth and Venus may seem small about eight per cent but it is significant on a planetary scale. For example, one way to explain why the TRAPPIST-1 planets are less dense is that they have a similar composition to Earth, but with a lower percentage of iron about 21 per cent compared to Earth’s 32 per cent, according to the study. Alternatively, the iron in the TRAPPIST-1 planets might be infused with high levels of oxygen, forming iron oxide, or rust. The additional oxygen would decrease the planets’ densities. The surface of Mars gets its red tint

By contrast, if the lower density of the TRAPPIST-1 planets were caused entirely by oxidized iron, the planets would have to be rusty throughout and could not have solid iron cores. Eric Agol, an astrophysicist at the University of Washington and lead author of the new study, said the answer might be a combination of the two scenarios less iron overall and some oxidized iron. The team also looked into whether the surface of each planet could be covered with water, which is even lighter than rust and which would change the planet’s overall density. If that were the case, water would have to account for about five per cent of the total mass of the outer four planets. By comparison, water makes up less than one-tenth of one per cent of Earth’s total mass.

Guru Nanda, a Buena Park, Calif.based manufacturer of farm-tohome aromatherapy and other health and wellness products founded by Indian American entrepreneur Puneet Nanda, has donated more than 6.5 million masks to various charities and non-profits across the country.

Some of these seven planets have been known since 2016, when scientists announced that they had found three planets around the TRAPPIST-1 star using the Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope (TRAPPIST) in Chile. Subsequent observations by NASA’s now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope, in collaboration with ground-based telescopes, confirmed two of the original planets and discovered five more. (Courtesy: news18.com)

total of 163,128 sets of toothpastes and toothbrushes to the organizations. Recipients of the donations include the San Antonio Hospital Foundation in Upland, Calif.; Localheartsfoundation.org; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Feedthechildren. org; Social Security Works Education Fund’s Masks for America project; MedVets, a veteran-designated non-profit; and Carson, Calif.-based St. Philomena Catholic School. “It is incumbent on all of us as individuals, corporations, and global citizens to do everything we can to help stop the spread of Covid-19,” said Nanda.

The masks will be used to help these organizations in their efforts to protect frontline workers, other staff and family, patients and the larger communities they support during the ongoing Covid-19-crisis, the company said in a press release. The company also donated a

“As a longtime Southern California manufacturing company, we at Guru Nanda have the wherewithal to provide massive quantities of masks, and we are proud to work with so many esteemed charitable partners to deliver them to those that need them most.” (Courtesy: IndiaWest.com)

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Vijay Sethupathi Praises Vijay For ‘Master’ Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe To Hit Screens On November 4 Success And Hits Back At Controversies Vijay Sethupathi’s recent role as an antagonist in ‘Master’ has been receiving a lot of applause. The

praised Vijay for ‘Master’ success and overlooked the controversial questions. Also, Vijay Sethupathi

film ‘800’. The question somewhere irked the actor on which he said that from now onwards the makers should start revealing the story of the film even before its release.

Superstar Rajinikanth’s next, Annaatthe, is all set to hit screens on November 4.

He also explained that films are made for fans and not to create controversies. The actor refrained from answering any questions related to ‘800’ thereafter. The action drama ‘Master’, which is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has been doing well at the theaters.

skilled actor has delivered one of the memorable performances in his filmy career.

thanked Vijay for giving equal space for him and other actors in the film.

Now, in a recent interaction with the Press, Vijay Sethupathi has

During the interaction, Vijay Sethupathi was also asked about the

The film has revived the cinema industry, which is highly affected because of the pandemic attack.

The film’s production house made the announcement on its social media page and said that the film will be a Deepavali release.

Vijay has played the role of a professor for the first time, and the film has reportedly collected more than Rs 200 crore at the worldwide box office.

The production house captioned it, “#Annaatthe will be releasing on November 4th, 2021! Get ready for #AnnaattheDeepavali! @rajinikanth @directorsiva @KeerthyOf-

“Unethical,” Says Producer Boney Kapoor Reacting To Rajamouli’s Release Date Of RRR At a time when the movie-theatre business is struggling for survival it comes as shock to know that S

Even more shockingly, both the films feature Ajay Devgn in the cast.

Dussehra week this year. He very specifically told Rajamouli to speak to Boney Kapoor before announcing his release date. But Rajamouli went ahead without consulting Boney.”

ficial @immancomposer.” Annaatthe is an action drama directed by Siva, which stars Superstar Rajinikanth, Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, M e e n a , Khushbu, Prakash Raj, Vela Ramam o o r t h y, George Maryan, Sathish and Soori to name a few. Music for the film is D Imman, cinematography by Vetri and editing by Ruben. Veteran singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, had recorded an introduction song for Rajinikanth in the film, which marks his last song after his death.

Auction And Action: Mahesh Begins Sarkaru Vaari Paata In Dubai The much awaited update for all Superstar fans arrives with the shooting of ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’

This is going to be a month long schedule and later the team will return to the city for another sched-

commencing. “The Auction and the Action begins. #SarkaruVaariPaataShuru,” tweeted 14 Reels Plus.

ule. Scenes involving Mahesh and the female lead Keerthy Suresh are being canned in this Dubai.

And now Boney is very very upset. “Of course I am upset! This is most unethical. I announced my release date for Maidaan six months ago.

S Rajamouli has chosen September 13, 2021 as his release date for RRR.

Apparently, Ajay told Rajamouli to speak to Boney before announcing the RRR release date.

This is the same date that Boney Kapoor had announced for his production Maidaan six months ago.

An informed source tells me, “Ajay is aware that his prestigious bio-pic Maidaan on football legend Syed Abdul Rahim was due in the

At a time when we should all be coming together to save the movie industry, he (Rajamouli) has gone and done this,” says Boney angrily. Would this clash of two big Devgn starrers be avoided? Post the Covid crisis the last thing we need is a box office battle on one Friday when there are so many barren Fridays staring in the film industry’s anxious face.

Being directed by Parasuram Petla, the shooting is taking place in Dubai.

Thaman is composing music for ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’ being coproduced by Mythri Movie Makers and 14 Reels Plus banners.

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Netflix’s Counter To Aha Digital Giant Netflix is undoubtedly one of the most popular online streaming platforms. The OTT is focusing more on regional content particularly Telugu content and a new Netflix original titled ‘Pitta Kathalu’ is all set for streaming soon.

‘Pitta Kathalu’ is an official remake of Lust Stories. During the announcement of Pitta Kathalu, Netflix made a great noise. Naturally, it hasn’t gone down well with Aha. That’s when Aha tried to poke Netflix. Aha tried to attack Netflix’s promotion strategy with a satire. Today, Netflix gave it back to Aha by posting a picture saying, ” No Fighting..

Badhyatha Undanakkarle” and captioned, “Veedu, veedi yeshaalu!”. This tweet of Netflix is going viral. Earlier Aha wrote, “Manadi elago 100% Telugu ne kada? Ika brushing-lu avasaram ledu!” Aha captioned with a picture saying, ‘Ma Daggara Enno Originals Unnay. Arustunnama?’. Aha’s jibe at Netflix has gone viral too. Hope, Netflix and Aha put these to rest and work with a healthy competition.

White Tiger Review: A Stunning Masterpiece There are so many layers to this drama of demoniacal discrimination that defines the New India, that you may need to watch the film at least twice to even begin to understand what director Ramin Bahrani has done to Arvind Adiga’s celebrated 2008 novel.

Balram Halwai is that fly on the wall whom we don’t even notice while we go about our business of living a satisfactory life by our own definitions. In one telling sequence NRIAshok(Rajkummar Rao) and

ics of a social structure where we don’t even treat our subservients as human beings. The cruelty and insensitivity of the invisibility of the indigent class functions on two levels: the obvious sadistic kind of exploitation,

Without beating around the bush let’s get one thing straight: The White Tiger is no ordinary film. It is an exceptionally deep and brutal study of India’s complicated class structure. It ruthlessly opens up wounds of discrimination and exploitation that never healed. We may call the underprivileged class in India what we please. Their plight and status remain unchanged. As the Indian social structure hurls dangerously towards a total anarchy with the have-nots reduced to simple noughts in the tricks of official demography, a film such this, made by an outsider posseses the dispassionate distance of vision to see the truth and confront probe and excavate truths about social discrimination that we scarcely recognize. Our hero in The White Tiger is a wily,shrewd opportunist, a driver in a family of fortune hunters.

his America-bred Indian wife Pinky(Priyanka Chopra Jonas) make out in the backseat as if the driver is invisible. The driver has his hands on the front of his pants as he stares into rear-view mirror. Such moments define the class distinction and the moral dynam-

here represented by Ashok’s arrogant father(Mahesh Manjrekar) and his uncouth elder brother(Vijay Mourya) who are nakedly contemptuous of Balram’s poverty and powerlessness. There is the other far more subtle form of exploitation represented by the so-called liberal broadminded couple played by Rao and

Chopra-Jonas .

a conscience.

Both are fine in their assigned status in this exceptional adaptation. But it is Adarsh Gourav who is the magnificent mainstay of the drama.

In his voiceover Balram admits Ashokdidn’t deserve the treatment Balram gave him.

Balram

the narrator, hero,villain and jester of the plot young Gourav is scarily real, exceptionally incharacter building B a l r a m ’s fortunes from the dirt to the skies,in a pyramid that provokes us into questioning the power structure of a society thriving on an inequality that can blow up in our faces any time. Adarsh Gourav’s Balram is a sociological aberration,in his words the one who has woken up while the world is asleep, a square among circles who has his affluent revenge on the moneyed but also allows himself the luxury of

But then if you are going to make omelettes eggs have to broken. The next time you get your underpaid minion to massage your legs remember it’s your neck he wants to wring. The White Tiger bursts the myth of the wellbeing of the master-slave relationship in our society. It is one of the most relevant films in recent times. Apt, opportune and germane to the Indian socio-political reality even though it is set in 2007, this film is, more than anything, an unconditionally engaging yarn with a central performance whose authenticity will haunt you for as long there is cinema about social inequality. It was Balraj Sahni and Bimal Roy who set the socialistic ball rolling in Do Bigha Zameen 67 years ago. Now it is Adarsh and Bahrani’s turn. Except that the powerless nowhereman in The White Tiger won’t take the atrocities lying down. There is blood on his hand and he isn’t hiding it.

Austin South Asian | February 2021

Cricket Lovers Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai Celebrate India’s Fairytale Victory

Though they lead big tech firms in the Silicon Valley in the U.S., cricket still runs in their veins and Jan. 19, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella congratulated the Indian team, following their remarkable 2-1 series win over Australia in the four-test Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“One of the greatest test series wins ever. Congrats India and well played Australia, what a series

For Nadella, the leadership values he learnt while playing cricket in India helped him compete vigor-

Shubman Gill (91), Rishabh Pant (89*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (56), all played brilliant knocks as India chased down a mammoth 328 on the final day of the fourth and final test at the Gabba, thus pocketing the series 2-1 to retain the BorderGavaskar Trophy. Nadella tweeted: “Last hour of the last day of the last test. Test series for the ages. Congrats to Team India!”

out the best in everybody - during his 25-year career at Microsoft. “The only poster I really wanted was one of my cricketing hero, the Hyderabadi great M.L. Jaisimha, famous for his boyish good looks and graceful style, on and off the field,” Nadella wrote in his memoir, “Hit Refresh.” For the cricket-obsessed Nadella, the game has been life, and more. It was cricket that shaped the contours of his professional and personal life. “No matter where I am, this beautiful game is always in the back of my mind.

#INDvsAUS,” tweeted Pichai.

ously in the face of uncertainty putting the team first and bringing

The joy, the memories, the drama, the complexities, and the ups and downs - the infinite possibilities,”

Nadella wrote in the book. Nadella said recently that Sachin Tendulkar is his favorite cricketer from the past while he loves to see Virat Kohli batting nowadays. In July 2019, Pichai had attended the crucial World Cup match between India and England at Edgbaston. The BCCI had posted an image of Pichai posing with batting great Sachin Tendulkar on its social media pages. An avid cricket fan, Pichai had admitted of dreaming of being a cricketer during his growing up years and idolized Sunil Gavaskar and, later, Tendulkar.

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