Desh-Videsh Atlanta February 2023

The Power of Plants: Demystifying

A Vegan Diet

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The Power of Plants: Demystifying A Vegan Diet

16

What do Oscar-winning director James Cameron, tennis superstar Venus Williams, and environmental activist Greta Thunburg have in common? If you guessed that they all follow a vegan diet, you are correct!

Editor’s View

10

This editorial is being written from India, the country I love the most not because it is my birthplace but because of the good energy I feel everywhere I go, from my friends and family to strangers on the street to Rickshaw drivers.

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards: A tribute to the Indian diaspora 26

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards honor the exceptional accomplishments and contributions of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to India.

Why Indian-American Journalists and American-Media are Negative about India 30

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated about taking tough action against terrorism while assuming the leadership of the G20. The world’s largest issue is terrorism. What! Why can’t I say “Good job” to my kids? 36 Wouldn’t praising kids encourage them to do well? The answer is ‘No!’ I won’t be surprised if you think, “What’s wrong with encouraging my kids?”

Words to Live By.... In today’s world, terrorism has no place. 42

You’ve probably heard the expression “half-full” or “halfempty” used to describe how people tend to focus on either the good or negative aspects of a situation.

Get to Know Raj Subramanian: the President and CEO

44

One of the most recent executives of Indian descent to ascend to the top of the corporate ladder is Raj Subramaniam. He was appointed President and CEO of FedEx.

H-1B Lottery: May the odds be ever in your favor 52

In many ways, the annual H-1B Lottery (March 1 - Mar 18, 2023) is a lot like the Hunger Games. Hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals will have their names entered into this random

No Justification of killing The ‘Father Of The Nation’ 56

“I am a Hindu and I believe in rebirth. I pray to god that I am reborn with Gandhi so that I can kill him again.” Nathuram Godse, the man who, in a cruel twist of irony, brought about

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Dear Readers,

This editorial is being written from India, the country I love the most not because it is my birthplace but because of the good energy I feel everywhere I go, from my friends and family to strangers on the street to rickshaw drivers.

Aruna and I have visited India every year (not including Covid years). Gujarat, and especially Ahmedabad, was where I spent the bulk of my time. Similarly to previous years, I have spent this year living each day to its absolute maximum potential. When I visit India, I don’t see a half-empty glass with fingerprints all over it like some of my fellow Indian-Americans do. Even while I perceive the glass as half empty, I also see the Indians, especially the younger generations, working hard and successfully filling the glass. What I envision is a future filled with promise, optimism, and joy.

This year, I was fortunate enough to be in India on January 26th, India’s Republic Day, to join in the festivities. Consequently, I decided to visit Gujarat Vidyapith, an institute established by Mahatma Gandhi in the year 1920. The energy and motivation of young people never cease to amaze me. I was moved by the enthusiasm with which they sang India’s national anthem and said “Jai Hind.” When I asked each student what they wanted to be when they grew up, I noticed the same air of self-assurance and confidence.

Additionally, I was in India on January 30th, Gandhi ji’s punya tithi (death anniversary ). I paid my respect to this “great soul” by going to Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram, which was established by Gandhi ji on June 17, 1917, on 36 acres of land along the banks of the Sabarmati River. I had the privilege of speaking with Ms. Sonal Parikh, Gandhi ji’s great-great-granddaughter. Ms. Parikh has worked as a journalist, an author, and a translator. Ms. Parikh, who I interviewed, was very candid and said,

“I had a very normal childhood. We didn’t have the burden that we are descendants of the Mahatma. I read his autobiography at a very young age and I was fascinated by his courage. His message of peace and brotherhood is relevant even today... Gandhiji’s values are simple and basic, very easy to understand but not very easy to apply.”

Listening to Gandhi ji’s fifth-generation descendants discuss his ideology was a breath of fresh air.

All the exciting stuff seemed to be happening in Ahmedabad at the same time I was there.

Next I was able to attend the B20 (Business 20) launch meeting, the first of the G20 meetings, which took place at Gandhinagar’s Mahatma Mandir. A large number of international and business leaders from the world’s top economies discussed topics like climate change, innovation, global digital cooperation, and robust global value chains. The subject of the B20 India 2023 conversation is “RAISE,” which stands for “Responsible, Accelerated, Innovative, Sustainable and Equitable Businesses.”

I talked to a few delegates, and one of them pointed out that India has the ingredients necessary for a new type of revolution: an economic transformation that enables Indians to create a new center for global leadership and innovation. The vision includes the integration of Indian start-ups and technologists into global tech giants and the insertion of Indian universities and researchers into global research and development initiatives.

Another delegate said very boldly,

“Unlike the persistent pessimists and innate complainers, I am optimistic about the future of India. India will rise to power and contribute to the building of international peace and goodwill in a balanced manner. Both poverty and unemployment will fade into obscurity. The fact that there haven’t been any significant communal riots in the last ten years is to the credit of the Narendra Modi administration.”

Next, I was treated to a wonderful delight when I went to Rupal, which is close to Ahmedabad, the city where my mother was born. The Navratri utsav “Pyor Ghee Palli” is a popular event held at the Vardayini Mata temple in Rupal. Traditionalists and historians alike agree that it was the “Pandavas” of the Mahabharata era who first began this festival. The villagers draw visitors from far and wide who come to pray for their children and families. The residents parade the Palli out from the center of the hamlet to 27 different spots. Pure ghee, or clarified butter, stored in the ton is waiting to be poured over the “Palli” Rath at each spot. These tons of Pure Ghee are offerings to Goddess Vardayini from the millions of tourists who visit this tiny village every year to see the Palli and pray to her.

My good fortune allowed me to participate in Shri Vardayini Mata five-day punah pran pratishtha mahotsav. Over half a million people attend each day of the five-day festival to soak up the atmosphere and seek the Hindu goddess’ blessings.

As you can see, I had a thrilling journey to India, and I will always cherish the memories I made there.

Until then, be safe and be happy!

Raj Shah Managing Editor

The Navratri utsav

“Pyor Ghee Palli” is a popular event held at the Vardayini Mata temple in Rupal. Traditionalists and historians alike agree that it was the “Pandavas” of the Mahabharata era who first began this festival.

The Power of Plants: Demystifying A Vegan Diet

By Salina Shah

What do Oscar-winning director James Cameron, tennis superstar Venus Williams, and environmental activist Greta Thunburg have in common? If you guessed that they all follow a vegan diet, you are correct!

Are there any Indian celebrities who also follow a vegan diet? Yes, the list is quite long. Shahid Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Sonam Kapoor, John Abraham, Shraddha Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, and more.

Vegan diets have become mainstream, with advocates ranging from professional athletes to health experts to global superstars to environmental activists.

More recently, the release of the popular Netflix documentary,

The Game Changers, addressed misconceptions about health, protein, and strength from vegan diets and generated further buzz and curiosity about this plant-based way of eating. The difference between vegan and vegetarian

What is a vegan diet? Is it like a vegetarian diet?

A vegan diet excludes a broader range of foods from animals. Both vegetarian and vegan diets exclude meat,

Calorie Density Chart

Foods

Vegetables

Fruit

Potatoes, pasta, rice, barley, yams, corn, hot cereals

Beans, peas, lentils (cooked)

Breads, bagels, fat-free muffins, dried fruit

poultry and fish. In addition, a vegan diet also avoids eggs and dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese and butter.

So what’s left to eat? Foods from plants! Vegans predominantly consume grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.

Also, unlike the vegetarian dietary pattern, veganism is a complete lifestyle that excludes animals and animal-based foods from both diet and lifestyle.

For example, a vegan lifestyle minimizes the use of products made from animal skin (such as fur, leather,

Sugars (i.e. sugar, honey, molasses, agave, corn syrup, maple syrup)

Dry cereals, baked chips, fat-free crackers, pretzels, popcorn

and wool), products containing animal ingredients or tested on animals (such as cosmetics), and other forms of animal exploitation (such as zoos, circuses, and animal testing).

A vegan lifestyle and diet is often motivated by concern for animal welfare, environmental impact, and personal health.

Vegan diet for better health

How can adopting a vegan diet help with better individual health?

Compared to animal-based foods, plant-based foods tend to have more fiber, phytonutrients and antioxidants, while having less saturated fat and cholesterol. Since these differences are beneficial for health, consuming only plant-based foods can offer health benefits, and a well-planned and healthy vegan diet can confer even more health benefits.

A healthy vegan diet consists of minimally processed plant-based foods. This means whole plant-based foods that minimize the use of refined ingredients, such as oils, white sugar, and white flour. These healthy vegan foods have lower caloric density, so they contain less calories per pound. The magic is that they can fill you up with fewer calories! As a result, a healthy vegan diet can lead to loss of excess weight and lower BMI.

Also, due to low amounts of dietary cholesterol, a healthy vegan diet can help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. A healthy vegan diet can also lower blood pressure, reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, and is associated with a lower risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer.

Additionally, a vegan diet is helpful for those experiencing lactose intolerance. About 70% of the world’s adult population is lactose intolerant. The prevalence of lactose intolerance

among non-European populations, such as among South Asians, is very high. Since lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products, adopting a vegan diet, which excludes dairy products, can help address common symptoms of lactose intolerance (including stomach pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea).

What do the scientific health studies show?

followed for 18 weeks in the GEICO corporate worksite study. Compared to the control group, employees in the vegan group lost more body weight, decreased total and LDL cholesterol levels, and improved their blood sugar levels. (Mishra et al., 2013)

• In the EPIC-Oxford study of over 11,000 participants, those on a vegan diet had lower blood pressure, lower prevalence of

According to many scientific studies, healthy vegan diets can offer appropriate nutrition while avoiding some of the health hazards linked to excessive consumption of animal foods.

Let’s take a look at a sample of some of the evidence-based research.

• Nearly 300 employees were

hypertension, and lower BMI. (Appleby, Davey, Key, 2002)

• From the midwestern region of the US, children with obesity and high cholesterol were studied, along with their parents. The children and parent pairs, who followed a vegan diet for 4

• weeks, experienced a significant reduction in weight, BMI, and cholesterol levels. (Macknin et al., 2015)

• Research conducted on more than 50,000 women over nearly 8

years found, as women consumed higher amounts of dairy milk, they had an increasing risk of breast cancer. (Fraser et al., 2020)

• The Adventist Health Study-2 reviewed prostate cancer risk in over 25,000 men. Compared to other diets (such as nonvegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian), a vegan diet was found to have a protective association with prostate cancer risk. (Tantamango-Bartley et al., 2016)

• In a 6 week study of osteoarthritis patients, patients following a healthy vegan diet reported significant improvement in their physical functional status. (Clinton, O’Brien, Law, Renier, Wendt, 2015)

• Additional study findings of average biomarker values by diet are below:

These studies and more demonstrate that vegan diets can be quite healthy, particularly in terms of lower BMI, lower heart disease risk, lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and lower prevalence of hypertension.

The healthcare profession has also started to recognize this growing mountain of evidence of the health benefits of plant-based foods. As of late 2020, in New York City, all hospitals must offer a healthy plantbased option for every meal. In 2021, Hayek Hospital in Lebanon became the first hospital in the world to adopt a healthful vegan menu. In late 2022, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine announced free evidencebased nutrition and lifestyle medicine education to every health care professional in New York City, so providers can counsel their patients on lifestyle changes, including healthy foods mostly from plants.

But, it’s important to note that, if a vegan diet consists primarily of processed plant-based foods and refined ingredients, optimal health results may not be achieved. So, depending on your health goals, a well-planned and vegan diet comprised of whole plant foods may be more desirable.

Factors to consider with a vegan diet

In cases where diets are not wellplanned and consist primarily of processed and refined ingredients, vegans as well as non-vegans can have nutrient deficiencies. To address potential deficiencies, some foods, like dairy products and plantbased dairy alternatives, are usually fortified with vitamins. If you are considering transitioning to or have adopted a vegan diet, please inform your healthcare provider. They can check your blood work, including your levels of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D, and recommend any vitamin, mineral, and plant-based protein supplementation, if necessary.

From a cost standpoint, quick processed vegan foods or plant-

According to many scientific studies, healthy vegan diets can offer appropriate nutrition while avoiding some of the health hazards linked to excessive consumption of animal foods.

based substitutes can be expensive but convenient. While less processed, healthier vegan foods are relatively inexpensive, but may take more time to prepare. For example, oat milk at the grocery store may be expensive, but making homemade oat milk (using just rolled oats and water) is inexpensive. Planning ahead and doing meal prep in bulk can help keep down the costs of vegan meals while being more time-efficient. For example, when feeding the family, instead of buying cans of prepared and seasoned refried black beans, you can make a large batch from an inexpensive bag of dried black beans and even have extra leftover for a later meal.

Another area to be mindful of is doing some homework prior to eating out at social functions or traveling. Meals are at the center of most social gatherings, such as family dinners or office parties, so planning ahead is key. You can inform others of your vegan diet in advance, offer to bring a vegan

dish to share, or be prepared with substitution ideas when attending events. When traveling, you can use vegan apps to identify local veganfriendly places to eat or maybe bring some back-up options with you (such as nuts, dried fruits, or even a simple peanut jelly sandwich).

Overall, while a vegan diet has many health benefits, there are some considerations that need to be planned around in a practical manner in order for it to be sustainable. It’s important to take into account your lifestyle, dietary needs, and health goals when deciding if this diet is right for you. Additionally, you may wish to consider the broader global benefits on the environment, food system, and world’s population from eating more plant foods.

Broader global benefits of a vegan diet

The global benefits of a predominantly plant-based diet stem from a reduction in the demand for animal-based food production and, as a result, a decreased need for animal agriculture.

• The animal agriculture industry uses an excessive amount of land and water to grow, feed, and raise animals. Further, animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, water consumption, pollution, species extinction, and climate change.

• Consider these statistics about the global animal agriculture industry:

A vegan diet excludes a broader range of foods from animals. Both vegetarian and vegan diets exclude meat, poultry and fish. In addition, a vegan diet also avoids eggs and dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese and butter.

• Animal agriculture is responsible for 91% of the Amazon destruction.

• 1,000 gallons of water are required to produce 1 gallon of milk.

• Livestock cover 45% of the Earth’s total land.

• 90 million tons of fish are pulled from the oceans each year.

• The waste (or excrement) from 1 dairy cow is equal to that of over 150 people.

Climate Change

Global Greenhouse Gas Emission

51% Due to Live Stock and their Byproducts

13% Due to Transport (Road, Rail, Air & Marine

A Plant Based Diet Cuts Your Carbon Footprint By 50%

Livestock is 65% Nitrous Oxide

Responsible for Emissions

A GHG 296x More Destructive Than CO2

Deforestation

1-2 Acres Rainforest are Cleared

Every Second

Animal Agriculture is Responsible for 91 % of Amazon Destruction

Acres of Rainforest Cleared

Palm Oil : 26 Million

Animal Agriculture : 136 Million

Water Use

1 Hamburger = 660 Gallons Water = Equivalent to Showering for 2 Months

The Meat & Dairy Industry Use: 1/3 of Earths Fresh Water

Vegans as well as non-vegans can have nutrient deficiencies. To address potential deficiencies, some foods, like dairy products and plant-based dairy alternatives, are usually fortified with vitamins.

USA Water Use:

5% Domestic

55% Animal Agriculture

Species Extinction

110 Animal and Insect Species are Lost Every Day from Rainforest Destruction

Animal Agriculture is The Leading Cause of Species Extinction Ocean

Dead Zones

Water Pollution and Habitat

Destruction

Waste Waste from A Farm of 2500 Dairy Cows = Waste from a City of 411000 People

Every Minute 7 Million Pounds of Excrement are Produced by Animals

Raised for Food in the US

Fisheries

90 Million Tons of Fish are pulled from the Oceans Each Year

3/4 of the World’s Fisheries are Exploited

For Every 1 Pound of Fish Caught

5 Pounds of Unintended Marine Species are Caught and Discarded as By-Kill

Land Use

1/3 Lands Desertified due to Livestock

Livestock Covers 45% of the Earth’s Total Land

1.5 Acres Land = 37000 LBS Plant

Based Food or 375 LBS Meat

Land Needed to Feed 1 Person for 1

Year

Vegan = 1/6 Acres

Meat Eater = 18x Vegan

The inefficient use and depletion of natural resources by the animal agriculture industry creates an unsustainable and environmentally damaging agricultural practice. Far more than our current global

population of 8 billion people, we grow enough food to feed 10 billion people.

But much of this food is used to feed livestock, where only a fraction of the calories and protein consumed by livestock are converted into food for people. Due to this wastage of resources along with economic instability, climate change, and

geopolitical conflicts, many countries face food shortages and about 800 million people globally go hungry.

Whereas, a vegan diet consisting entirely of plant-based foods is more sustainable and can have a significantly lower carbon footprint by using less overall land, water, and other resources. Adopting a vegan diet would lessen the need for as much

As you experience health benefits, you may find that you’re comfortable with a fully vegan diet or that 75% of your calories from plants is more manageable, sustainable and better for your health. Importantly, find what works for you as you explore the vegan diet – the diet that can support personal wellbeing, animal welfare, and planetary health.

livestock and free up more natural resources and food grown to be available directly as food to feed more people instead of animals. An increase in the supply of plant-based food (which is usually less expensive than animal foods) would also be available to directly tackle world hunger, help address climate change and its role in hunger and malnutrition, and create a more efficient food production system to feed the world’s growing global population.

Of course, climate change, food systems, and feeding the world’s population are complex issues that depend on a myriad of factors, and solutions may differ in different parts of the world. But, from an individual standpoint, making the choice to eat more healthy plant foods is one of the most impactful environmental actions that one can make.

Resources to get started

Along with the environment, animal welfare, personal well being benefits, the development and availability of many new plant-based substitutes for animal-based foods have also fueled the interest in incorporating more vegan and plant-based foods.

Interested in learning more? Maybe you want to dip your toe in the water or maybe you’re ready to

dive in. Either way, explore at the pace that works for you, so you can prepare and plan for the longer run.

• Learn more about the food you eat today and how it is made.

• Watch documentaries about vegan diets or plant-based foods.

• Try different vegan dishes and find reliable ones that you like.

• Use online resources to discover helpful plant-based swaps and alternatives.

• Download vegan dining apps to find local vegan-friendly options.

• Join vegan groups to meet others who are taking this same path. Incremental changes will allow you to gain familiarity with a vegan diet and replace meals at your own pace. 1 meal a week or 1 meal a day or every meal.

As you experience health benefits, you may find that you’re comfortable with a fully vegan diet or that 75% of your calories from plants is more manageable, sustainable and better for your health. Importantly, find what works for you as you explore the vegan diet – the diet that can support

personal wellbeing, animal welfare, and planetary health.

About the Author

Salina is a former actuary and executive in healthcare analytics by profession and a certified master vegan educator by passion. She discovered the benefits of an ethical vegan lifestyle, learned about plantbased nutrition through the eCornell certification program, and adopted a healthy vegan diet as a breast cancer survivor.

Salina founded Ahimsa Consulting LLC to raise awareness of the vegan lifestyle, the dharmic principle of ahimsa, and promote better health outcomes through whole plant foods. She is also an associate producer of They’re Trying to Kill Us, an assistant producer of SLAY, and a board member of the Actuaries for Sustainable Health Care nonprofit. To learn more, please connect via https://www.linkedin.com/in/ salinashah/.

For more information on this article or to view additional pictures, please visit www.deshvidesh.com/feb-atlanta-2023/ or download our Mobile App.

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Of course, climate change, food systems, and feeding the world’s population are complex issues that depend on a myriad of factors, and solutions may differ in different parts of the world.

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards: A tribute to the Indian diaspora

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards honor the exceptional accomplishments and contributions of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to India. The awards, which were established in 2003, are given out annually by the President of India to honor NRIs and PIOs for their significant contributions to the advancement and development of India. For all NRIs and PIOs around the world, it is a time to be proud of and a testament to the close ties that the Indian diaspora shares.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSA), now in their 17th year, have been announced by the Ministry of External Affairs for 2023.

President Droupadi Murmu will present this prestigious honor to 27 individuals at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

In recognition of their remarkable achievements, non-resident Indians, persons of Indian origin, or organizations or institutions founded and managed by nonresident Indians or people of Indian origin are given the PBSA. It is an endeavor to acknowledge their great contributions to both India and their own nation.

A committee with the Vice President serving as chairman, the External Affairs Minister serving as vice chair, and other illustrious

members from a range of backgrounds carefully reviewed the nominees for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, 2023. The prize recipients, who were chosen by a unanimous vote, represent the excellence the Indian diaspora has accomplished in a range of fields.

The committee’s unanimous decision to honor those who have excelled and succeeded in their respective sectors came from a wide range of professions.

This honor recognizes the great contributions made by the Indian diaspora to both India and their respective nations. It will give them even more inspiration to keep pushing for superiority in their chosen industries.

The subject of this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kal,” Secretary (Consular and Diaspora), MEA Ausaf Sayeed stated in his address to a special briefing.

On January 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally opened the convention. During the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas closing ceremony, President Droupadi Murmu received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

The chief guest will be Mohamad Irfaan Ali, president of Guyana, and the honoree will be Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of Suriname. These two nations have sizable Indian populations.

The following people have been nominated for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2023w:

1. Dr. Darshan Singh Dhaliwal is a business and community welfare expert from the USA.

2. Fedex President and CEO, Rajesh Subramaniam from the USA

3. Professor Jagadish Chennupati is an expert in science and technology from Australia.

4. Prof. Sanjeev Mehta, a teacher from Bhutan

5. Dilip Loundo is a Brazilian professor of art, culture, and education.

6. Dr. Alexander Maliakel John from Brunei Darussalam

7. Dr. Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan, a community welfare specialist from Canada

8. Joginder Singh Nijjar, a Croatian expert in education, culture, and the arts

9. Prof. Ramjee Prasad, a computer scientist from Denmark

10. Dr. Kannan Ambalam, an Ethiopian expert in social welfare

11. Dr. Amal Kumar Mukhopadhyay, a community welfare and medical expert from Germany

12. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali is a Guyana native who works in politics and charity.

13. Reena Vinod Pushkarna is an Israeli businesswoman and humanitarian.

14. Dr. Maqsooda Sarfi Shiotani is an educator from Japan.

15. Dr. Rajagopal, a Mexican expert on education

16. Amit Kailash Chandra Lath is a business community welfare activist from Poland.

17. Parmanand Sukhumal Daswani, a community welfare specialist from the Republic of Congo

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman

Awards (PBSA), now in their 17th year, have been announced by the Ministry of External Affairs for 2023. President Droupadi Murmu will present this prestigious honor to 27 individuals at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

18. Piyush Gupta is a businessperson from Singapore.

19. Mohanlal Hira, a community welfare specialist from South Africa

20. Sanjaykumar Shivabhai Patel is a businessman and community activist from South Sudan.

21. Sivakumar Nadesan, a community welfare specialist from Sri Lanka

22. Dr. Dewanchandrebhose Sharman is a community welfare specialist from Surinam.

23. Dr. Archana Sharma is a scientist and technologist from Switzerland.

24. Justice Frank Arthur Seepersad is a community welfare and educational expert from Trinidad and Tobago.

25. Siddharth Balachandran, an entrepreneur and humanitarian from the UAE

26. Chandrakant Babubhai Patel is a journalist from the UK.

27. Ashok Kumar Tiwary, a businessman from Uzbekistan. Please scan the QR code with a barcode-scanning app on your Apple or Android device.

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Why Indian-American Journalists and AmericanMedia are Negative about India

By Raj Shah

You’ve probably heard the expression “half-full” or “halfempty” used to describe how people tend to focus on either the good or negative aspects of a situation. Extrapolating this comparison, I regret to state that most IndianAmerican journalists and American media outlets’ coverage of reporting on India not only sees the glass half empty but also sees fingerprints all over the glass. Not only they cover mostly negative news about India but when they also cover half truth

Amol Parth recently undertook an in-depth review of more than 3,000 India-related articles carried by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Time

and The Guardian. In his report “An Analysis of Global Media Coverage of Events in India” found a consistent pattern of emphasizing political controversies in India with sensational headlines and keywords. This has resulted in a negative feedback loop from India-centric controversies which has created a perverse incentive for Indian-origin journalists and writers to contribute to global media outlets.

Knowing the fact that popular American Media like New York Times, Washington post or CNN always talks negatively about India, Indian- American Journalists write only negative news about India so they get published in these Media.

India’s Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar recently spoke out against the “biased” coverage of American media, calling out several outlets for their angled coverage of several issues and matters pertaining to India.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said it best when he said “My point is there are biases, there are efforts really, to determine, .... Look, the more India goes its way and the people who believe that they were the custodians and the shapers of India lose ground in India the more actually, some of these debaters are gonna come outside.” Unfortunately, this is a truth that Indian-Americans often have to grapple with. American

media often write only the dark side about India, focusing on terrorism and conflict.

It doesn’t matter what faith the person who’s killed belongs to - if there is a terrorist incident, it gets reported and sensationalized. Indian soldiers, Indian policemen, people working for the government, and citizens going about their business can lose their lives, but these stories do not make as many headlines as other stories do. It’s a sad reality that media coverage shapes opinions and perceptions.

We must remember that it is important to express our opinions and share them with others. We must also take the time to educate ourselves and others on what is right and wrong. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said it best again when he said “We should not let it go. We should contest it. We should educate. We should shape the narrative. This is a competitive world. We need to get our messages out. That is my message to you.”

Op-eds of The New York Times, The Washington Post, Gulf News, The Guardian and others are mostly written by Modi-hating Indians like Rana Ayyub and Swati Chaturvedi.

The Washington Post has access to a number of think tanks within a 2-km radius of their K Street headquarters, such as the Heritage Foundation with Jeff Smith, Carnegie with Ashley Tellis, Observer Research Foundation (ORF) with Dhruva Jaishankar, Stimson Center with Sameer Lalwani, and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) with Richard Rossow.

Despite having access to these think tanks and their experts, The Washington Post’s go-to interpreter of India is Rana Ayyub. This is likely because few outside the policy circle have heard of the other experts and their precision

That Popular American Media like New York Times, Washington post or CNN always talks negatively about India, Indian- American Journalists write only negative news about India so they get published in these Media.

and nuance is for the technically minded. Notably, the Supreme Court rejected her book Gujarat Files –Anatomy of a Cover Up.

Furthermore, foreign journalists in Delhi are influenced by the likes of Rana Ayyub, Arundhati Roy, and Pankaj Mishra who validate their pre-existing views. This is due to the social dynamics of Delhi where White people slot themselves into a social strata that would be well outside their station back home.

Negative news About India is More exciting and sell more copies of Newspaper

Recent studies have found that negative news about India is more likely to be published than positive news. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the Centre for Media Studies found that “negative news about India is more than twice as likely to be published than positive news.” This trend is also seen in social media platforms, where negative news about India has been shown to be more likely to be shared than positive news.

This trend has been noticed by journalists and editors alike. IndianAmerican journalist Manish Vyas said, “Negative news about India is more

likely to be picked up by international media outlets compared to positive news.” Similarly, a prominent newspaper editor noted that “Negative news about India is more likely to be clicked on by readers, thus driving up website traffic and resulting in higher sales of print editions.” It appears that negative news about India is more appealing to the public and therefore more likely to be published and shared.

Indian-American Journalist not Balanced

When Fareed Zakaria, a renowned Indian-American journalist, released his report on the state of India, the author’s opinion of him changed drastically. His writing seemed to be skewed against India, which left the author wondering if his Muslim background had an effect on his journalistic objectivity. What Zakaria failed to recognize was that India is home to a vibrant democracy and is home to people of many different religious backgrounds who live in peace and harmony. Furthermore, Zakaria has never actually visited India, which may have affected his perspective of the country.

Unfortunately, Zakaria’s report was filled with false and baseless claims that were quickly debunked by the Indian government. One such claim was about India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which was misrepresented in the media and blown out of proportion. The CAA allows for certain persecuted minorities from certain countries to gain citizenship in India, but does not take away anyone’s citizenship rights or discriminate based on religion. However, this fact is being ignored as organizations like CAIR are attempting to instill fear into the minds of Hindus that their religious

Recent studies have found that negative news about India is more likely to be published than positive news. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the Centre for Media Studies found that “negative news about India is more than twice as likely to be published than positive news.”

freedom is in danger. This could potentially lead to hateful treatment towards Hindus in the future.

In conclusion, it is clear that Zakaria’s report on India was not balanced or objective. He failed to understand the full scope of India’s history, culture and diversity and instead chose to focus on one aspect that would make for a more exciting story.

Ashley Rindsberg on New York Times covering India

The New York Times’ coverage of India has often been orientalist and portrayed India as a backward place characterised by nationalism, violence, and sexual assault. In one of her articles, Ashley Rindsberg quotes “Death is the only truth” as she watches India’s funeral pyres burn. While the statistics of cases in India are a fraction of what the US or Western Europe experiences, the New York Times’ coverage of China is different from its coverage of India.

For example, headlines such as “Why India’s farmers fight to save a broken system”, “Under Modi, a Hindu nationalist surge has further divided India”, “What the rape and murder of a child reveals about Modi’s India” and “India’s battered free press” all portray India in a negative light.

Ashley Rindsberg is trying to understand why there is a difference in the coverage of China and India. She is examining how the media can use their reporting to shape our opinions on foreign countries and cultures. In doing so, she is shedding light on how we as readers form our own narratives based on the news we consume.

This trend is likely to continue as India’s significance as a subject of global media interest is expected to rise even further with India all set to assume the presidency of the G20 come December. With such a wide array of potential stories, Indianorigin writers and reporters are likely

We must remember that it is important to express our opinions and share them with others. We must also take the time to educate ourselves and others on what is right and wrong.

to find it difficult to remain impartial and focus on both sides of the story. The real reason for American media to Bash India

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A recent report examined the digital readership growth of The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Time, and The Guardian outlets in India between 2019-2021. This report found a strong correlation between viewership spikes in India and controversial topics. The NYT saw its readership decline globally by 8 per cent, but its Indian readership rose by 22 per cent during this period. Similarly, Time, which carried controversial cover stories on India during this period, saw a rise in readership of 50 per cent in India. Even the BBC saw nearly five-fold growth in India over its global growth on the back of its highly provocative reportage on the riots in Delhi and Covid-19 deaths in India.

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Clearly, American media outlets are using sensational stories and negative coverage to attract Indian audiences. This is a smart marketing strategy, but it is also detrimental to the true representation of India and its people. Instead of perpetuating stereotypes, it is important for these outlets to provide balanced news coverage that accurately portrays India and its people.

What! Why can’t I say “Good job” to my kids?

By Dr. Namitha Raju

Wouldn’t praising kids encourage them to do well? The answer is ‘No!’ I won’t be surprised if you think, “What’s wrong with encouraging my kids?” I am myself recovering from being in the ‘good-jobbingcamp’ for a very long time and still catch myself saying it occasionally! I always assumed that saying “Good job” encouraged kids. I believed praising kids was a valuable parenting skill to build a kid’s confidence. While praising may seem like it encourages kids to do well, surprisingly, I have learned that it erodes a child’s inner confidence!

Let’s start by backtracking a bit. Many of us have grown up in a home where our parents were quite frugal with their praises but liberal with their disapprovals, and we felt unappreciated. This led us to believe that praising our kids can help their confidence. It turns out that just as criticism negatively affects one’s self-esteem, praise has its own fair share of negative impact! When I first learned about the way praise negatively affects one’s confidence, I was somewhat surprised. A disappointment followed this revelation because I felt miserable about having deliberately practiced praising for so long!!

Let me first share why praising our kids is not a good idea. Any praise aimed at our kid’s character or the outcome (e.g., smart, intelligent, pretty, brave, good job, excellent grades) focuses on something a kid has no control over! A kid can only control what he can do, not what the result is. Moreover, praise is an external motivator that hinders one’s ability to build intrinsic motivation.

Let us take a specific example where an adult praises a kid who solves a puzzle by saying, “You are so smart!”. To secure this reputation or acceptance from the adult, kids may not attempt a more challenging puzzle for fear of losing this “reputation” in case he/she may fail. This causes pressure each time he/she sees a difficult problem at first. Instead of exploring it further, they start withdrawing under the pressure of not being able to meet the expectation that has been set for them. Thus praising takes away our kid’s curiosity to explore challenging tasks. Moreover, when adults who are usually very vocal in their praise are silent in their response to a child’s task, it sends a message to the child that they are not good enough. Further, in the case of activities where

Why praising our kids is not a good idea. Any praise aimed at our kid’s character or the outcome focuses on something a kid has no control over! A kid can only control what he can do, not what the result is. Moreover, praise is an external motivator that hinders one’s ability to build intrinsic motivation.

there aren’t any opportunities for praise, kids may tend to avoid it or be apathetic about it.

No matter how young our kids are, they are in the process of finding an identity for themselves and can quickly latch on to labels like “smart or intelligent, or kind.” This dependency or addiction on others’ praise to feel accomplished doesn’t serve kids well in their self-growth. Kids can lose their internal compass in assessing themselves and may not build the ability to self-evaluate. Another side effect is that it creates “people-pleasers” who tend to go out of their comfort zone to do things for others to receive acceptance and maintain desirable labels!

So, what’s the alternative to motivating our kids?

The best alternative is not to say anything when they do something. The idea is not to ignore them or their work but to stay away from any kind of evaluation, positive or negative. It’s best not to say anything because the completion of the task or activity without any external influence will provide the child with an opportunity for self-evaluation. If that feels like a difficult transition for you and your

child, then participate and engage with the kid and get curious about your kid’s activity in the task. Instead of telling them what you think, you can ask them what they think about it. For example, in the case of the puzzle example, you can say, “How do you

feel about completing the puzzle? Did you use any strategy to work through it?”. These questions try to bring the child’s focus back on their own actions, as the parent provides the scaffold for their thinking processes.

Parents have shared with me that in their relationship with kids, offering praise or showing approval for a job well done is the only time they feel like they are connecting with kids. However, if we think deeply, this conditional connection is not our intent for our kids. Conditional acceptance kills our kid’s curiosities, depriving them of developing the critical qualities that make them lifelong learners!

So, if you are, as I was, in the “goodjobbing-camp,” I would encourage you to reconsider your approach. As parents, we want to consider our motives for offering praise. Let us ask ourselves if our comments will

The best alternative is not to say anything when they do something. The idea is not to ignore them or their work but to stay away from any kind of evaluation, positive or negative. It’s best not to say anything because the completion of the task or activity without any external influence will provide the child with an opportunity for self-evaluation.

give them a sense of control or if it will make them seek us for approval. As parents, we are all doing the best we can to ensure that our kids can achieve their maximum potential. I hope this revelation helps you in this endeavor!

About the Author

Namitha Raju is a Certified Master Parent Coach. She coaches parents to develop deep connections and peace in their relationships with their kids. Her company, Beautiful Bonds, is based on the principle that emotional growth, healthy relationships, and personal transformation are the keys to fulfilling parenthood. Dr. Raju received a Ph.D. in Psychology, where she studied early development. As a mom of two kids, she found that her academic experience couldn’t rescue her from her day-to-day parenting challenges! Her curiosity led her to garner the expertise necessary to inculcate deep connections between parent and child. She serves parents virtually throughout the US. If you would like to find out more, please visit https://beautifulbonds.me.

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In today’s world, terrorism has no place.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated about taking tough action against terrorism while assuming the leadership of the G20. The world’s largest issue is terrorism. The world must speak in one voice and act in unison against terrorism, without any political considerations, he said. “We must enlist religious leaders, thinkers, and opinion leaders in a societal effort against extremism that is specifically directed at young people,” he continued.

It will be appropriate to discuss terrorism in light of Hindu scriptures while G20 leaders are discussing the battle against terrorism.

Raj Shah Managing Editor

Each country has an air force, a navy, an army, and a police force. These organizations act as both the people’s collective power and the nation’s guardians. It is the dharma. Indeed, it is dharmic for rulers to conduct their legal responsibilities and to use the required force, even lethal force, in the armed forces and security forces that protect their families and nations. Without this collective group of defenders, peacemakers, and peacekeepers— the legal system, the central administrative organizations that oversee the

Only criminals, anarchists, arsonists, and terrorists violate the law in the name of dharma and support their claims with quotes from the Mahabharata or any religious scripture. The Mahabharata prohibits anarchy. There is no support for terrorism in the Mahabharata.

legal system, the armies, fleets, and air forces—could the priests do their duties? The businessmen could buy and sell their goods. The ability of the farmers to plant and harvest their crops Could the children play freely in the fields and on the streets? No. The answer is obvious.

Only criminals, anarchists, arsonists, and terrorists violate the law in the name of dharma and support their claims with quotes from the Mahabharata or any religious scripture. The Mahabharata prohibits anarchy. There is no support for terrorism in the Mahabharata. The Mahabharata outlaws prostitution, drug trafficking, and the acquisition and sale of illegal weapons to protect and preserve society’s values. The Pāṇḍavas, the main characters of this ancient Hindu scripture, were not troublemakers. They weren’t inciting unrest. Furthermore, they weren’t financing their struggle through extortion. They weren’t even using the sale of drugs to finance their conflict. They weren’t using prostitutes to further their cause in combat, either. They weren’t even actively seeking out women to join them in their fight. Kids weren’t being taught how to trap their victims, either.

Dharma includes protecting one’s nation as well. But does that entail taking over other nations or stealing their land? Did the Pāṇḍavas intend this to happen? No, of course not. To keep their rule over their realm, they were only maintaining the status quo. Let’s not take it for granted that everyone has unrestricted freedom of action based solely on the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The mere allegation that Krishna lied stole some butter, and was mischievous in the Hindu scripture does not give the average

individual the right to lie, steal, or be mischievous whenever they please—and perhaps to make these things a way of life. Clearly, this is not dharma. Simple, unadulterated lawlessness

In today’s world, it is unquestionably against Hindu dharma and against what the Mahabharata teaches to establish a nation or even business on another person’s estate or on property that has been forcibly stolen from their domain or usurped.

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The Pāṇḍavas, the main characters of this ancient Hindu scripture, were not troublemakers. They weren’t inciting unrest. Furthermore, they weren’t financing their struggle through extortion.

Get to Know Raj Subramanian: the President and CEO of FedEx and 2023

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardee

One of the most recent executives of Indian descent to ascend to the top of the corporate ladder is Raj Subramaniam. He was appointed President and CEO of FedEx, making him one of several IndianAmericans who have achieved success in the international business world.

Raj Subramaniam is in charge of directing the company and ensuring its success going forward in his capacity as president and CEO of FedEx Corporation.Since joining the firm in 2004, Raj Subramaniam has held various senior positions in operations and marketing across the FedEx portfolio of operating entities.

He brings to the position his broad background in international leadership, sharp business acumen, and emphasis on globalization. Under his direction, FedEx has advanced its digital capabilities and transformed the customer experience, both of which represent substantial advancements.

Subramaniam has recently implemented revolutionary projects such as same-day delivery, first-mile package pickup service expansion, and the integration of FedEx Air Freight into the FedEx Express network. He is also in charge of initiatives to lessen the negative effects on the environment, including the usage of electric vehicles, biofuels, and renewable energy sources. Raj Subramaniam was born in Trivandrum, India.Before earning his Master of Science from Syracuse University, he studied at IIT Bombay.

Raj holds positions on several governing bodies, including those of FedEx Corporation, First Horizon Corporation, the Advisory Board for the China Center of the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, and the US-China Business Council.

Journey of Raj Subramanian

Raj Subramanian was born to committed educators in Thiruvananthapuram, India. Raj’s father wanted him to enter the civil service. Raj, however, opted to pursue a career in technology. Raj was

People who come in from India bring certain skills, and with the global economy’s focus on the digital transformation, those skill sets are increasingly valued

given the chance to study for MS at Syracuse University in the US under the Jamshedji Tata scholarship.

To cover the cost of his MBA at Texas University, his professor offered him the position of teaching assistant as he finished his studies. Raj was then appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of FedEx in 2019, after joining the company in 2009 as an Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Raj is married to IIM Ahmedabad alumna Uma, and three other members of his family have worked for FedEx. His perspectives on Indian Americans

Regarding IndianAmericans’ contribution to the world economy, Raj Subramanian has a lot to say. In the current environment of digital transformation, Subramanian believes that Indian-Americans bring to the table specific skill sets that are becoming more and more valuable. “People who come in from India bring certain skills, and with the global economy’s focus on the digital transformation, those skill sets are increasingly valued,” he says. He also thinks it’s a good thing that there are more people of Indian descent working in the US now than there were 30 to 40 years ago.

As Subramanian specifies, “In the past 30 to 40 years, there has been a critical mass of Indian-born workers in the US. Just more of us are here!”

Additionally, Subramanian is pleased with the contributions Indian-Americans contributed in containing the Covid pandemic in India. He stated: “Particularly when we were dealing with the COVID second wave in India back in April,

it was really illuminating.” On short notice, we set up a Zoom call over the weekend, and 60 Fortune 100 CEOs present since there is such a strong

industry leaders on the west coast, but I am an example of how that is not the case.”

Advice to Indian-Americans

Raj has some excellent advice for IndianAmericans. He thinks it’s crucial to learn and evolve rather than becoming complacent with what one already knows. “You can’t become stuck on what you already know and expect it to sustain you for the rest of your life.” You must always be learning.The ability to adapt is a crucial additional factor.

desire to assist with the crisis in India.

If the skill sets that Indian Americans bring to the table are valued, then “absolutely,” Subramanian said in response to the question of whether he felt that they were underrepresented in leadership positions at prestigious corporations.

He said, “I am a living, breathing illustration of the complete opposite of what you just said.”

“Yes, initially there were many tech

Maintain some of your core principles, but also keep an open mind to different situations, welcome other cultures, and discover new things, advises the speaker. Raj also suggests that people outside themselves consider how they may contribute to society. “I also tell individuals to constantly think beyond themselves— imagine what you can contribute to society as a whole,” he continues.

It need not be a major undertaking; it may easily occur in your neighborhood. Indian-Americans are in a good position to benefit from the many opportunities available in the US. Indian-Americans should try to learn, adapt, and make a difference while keeping Raj’s counsel in mind.

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Hindu Religion& Educational Books for Kids

Set of 5 Books (FREE SHIPPING)

Special Discounted Price : $45.00

We Love Diwali

Written by Raj Shah

Illustrated by Kamlesh M. & Natasha S.

We love Diwali, takes you inside the homes of families living in America where Hindus, Jain and Sikh children together celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. In their own words, the children take turns explaining the different customs and traditions celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs during Diwali. The children gather together to participate in a Diwali pooja.

ISBN: 978-0-9642962-1-3

Illustrated by Kamlesh M. & Natasha S. Holi Hai!

Written by Raj Shah

Holi Hai, explains why Hindus celebrate Holi, the festival of colors all around the world in the spring season. This colorful book teaches children living in America the universal message of the victory of good over evil. It also explains the ancient story of Radha and Krishna and why they celebrated Holi. The Holi celebration consists of traditions such as lighting a bonfire and burning Holika, the evil sister of Prahalad. ISBN: 978-0-9642962-3-7

Welcome to our Beautiful Mandir!

Written by Raj Shah

Illustrated by Kamlesh M. & Natasha S.

The mandir or the temple is not just a sacred place for the Hindus, but is also a ground for learning. While children find great joy in visiting the mandir, they also learn about the principles of Hinduism in simple ways. This story helps us all understand the basic ideals of Hinduism through the eyes of children.

ISBN: 978-0-9642962-6-8

The Complete Ramayana in 100 Tweets

Written by Raj Shah

Illustrated by Kamlesh M. & Natasha S.

The Ramayana is among the greatest of Hindu epics. However, it is also a wonderful story for all children as it is interesting and filled with events, and also has plenty of lessons to teach. In keeping with the times and the trends of the millennium, we bring the story of Rama in a simplified form for children to understand, presented as 100 tweets that encapsulate the most important moments of the story.

ISBN: 978-0-9642962-5-1

The Complete Mahabharata in 100 Tweets

Written by Raj Shah

Illustrated by Kamlesh M. & Natasha S.

The Mahabharat is among the greatest of Hindu epics. However, it is also a wonderful story for all children as it is interesting and filled with events, and also has plenty of lessons to learn. In keeping with the times and the trends of the millennium, we bring the story of the Mahabharat in a simplified form for children to understand, presented as 100 tweets that encapsulate the most important moments of the story.

ISBN: 978-0-9642962-9-9

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Indian-American from Atlanta, AC Charania, becomes NASA Chief Technologist

AC Charania praised his successor, commenting, “Charania is an experienced leader in managing large, rapidly shifting technology portfolios.

I am eager for him to apply his knowledge and enthusiasm at NASA.”

AC Charania has made history as the second consecutive IndianAmerican to become the NASA Chief Technologist. This is a tremendous achievement for Charania and for the Indian-American community, as well as for all of us who are inspired by the possibilities of space exploration. Charania succeeds Bhavya Lal, another Indian-American.

Who is AC Charania?

AC Charania received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s in economics from Emory University.

Before joining NASA, Charania held several significant posts, including vice president of product strategy at Reliable Robotics and stints at Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic.

Charania’s work at SpaceWorks Enterprises was diverse and included incubating two startups and leading the formation of the FastForward industry group. He also served on the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Commercial Advisory Board.

The prestigious post at NASA demonstrates Charania’s exceptional credentials, as well as his passion for space exploration, which is inspiring. Charania is set to take NASA’s technological capabilities to a whole new level, and his contributions to the agency will be invaluable.

Charania was eager to take on the job, saying, “The rate of advancement we seek in the 21st century is dependent upon selecting and maturing a portfolio of technologies into systems to execute our missions. I now look forward to the opportunity to work with the entire community to increase the rate of space and aviation progress.”

As Chief Technologist, Charania will focus on aligning agencywide technology investments with mission needs across six mission directorates. Bhavya Lal noted that “technology plays a vital role in every NASA mission.” He said, “Ensuring that we’re pursuing the

best policy objectives allows this a gency to continue to serve as a global leader in innovation.”

He praised his successor, commenting, “Charania is an experienced leader in managing large, rapidly shifting technology

portfolios. I am eager for him to apply his knowledge and enthusiasm at NASA.”

We wish AC Charania the best luck in his new role and look forward to seeing what exciting innovations he brings to NASA.

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The prestigious post at NASA demonstrates Charania’s exceptional credentials, as well as his passion for space exploration, which is inspiring. Charania is set to take NASA’s technological capabilities to a whole new level, and his contributions to the agency will be invaluable.

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Two mathematicians of Indian descent in the US and Canada get Padma awards

S.R. Srinivasa Varadhan, an Indian-American, earned the Padma Vibhushan, while Sujatha Ramdorai, an Indian-Canadian, was awarded the Padmi Shri for their outstanding achievements in the fields of science and engineering.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs announced the Padma Award winners on January 25 in honor of Republic Day 2023. Mulayam Singh Yadav, Zakir Hussain, KM Birla, Sudha Murty, Raveena Tandon, and others were on the lengthy list of 106 recipients.

The highest civilian honors in India are called Padma Awards. The Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards are granted in three categories to

Varadhan joined the Courant Institute in New York as a postdoctoral scholar in 1963, and he never left. At the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, he is currently a professor of mathematics and a Frank J. Gould Professor of science.

recognise individuals who have made outstanding contributions to a variety of sectors and disciplines, including art, social work, literature, education, public affairs, etc.

Srinivasa Varadhan, who was born on January 2nd, 1940 in Chennai, is renowned for his important contributions to probability theory.

The Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters awarded the professor of mathematics the 2007 Abel Prize “for his important contributions to probability theory and in particular for developing a unified theory of huge deviations.”

Varadhan graduated with a master’s from the University of Madras in 1960, and from the Indian Statistical Institute in Calcutta in 1963.

Varadhan joined the Courant Institute in New York as a postdoctoral scholar in 1963, and he never left. At the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, he is currently a professor of mathematics and a Frank J. Gould Professor of science.

He received the Margaret and Herman Sokol Award from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at New York University (1995), the Birkhoff Prize (1994), and the Leroy Steele Prize (1995). (1996).

The Indian government gave him the Padma Bhushan in 2008.

Sujatha Ramdorai, an algebraic number theorist affiliated with the University of British Columbia in Canada, is well-known for her contributions to the Iwasawa theory.

She also won the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in 2004. She is the first Indian to get the

coveted Ramanujan Prize from the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in 2006.

She also received the KriegerNelson Prize in 2020 for her outstanding contributions to mathematical research.

Ramdorai, who worked at the National Knowledge Commission from 2007 to 2009, is currently a member of the National Innovation Council and the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India.

After receiving her B.Sc. from St. Joseph’s College in Bengaluru in 1982, she went on to earn her MSc. from Annamalai University in 1985.

Ramdorai obtained her Ph.D. in the domain of Witt rings of varieties and quadratic forms over function fields from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

Sujatha Ramdorai, an algebraic number theorist affiliated with the University of British Columbia in Canada, is well-known for her contributions to the Iwasawa theory.

H-1B Lottery: May the Odds be ever in your favor

In many ways, the annual H-1B Lottery (March 1 - Mar 18, 2023) is a lot like the Hunger Games. Hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals will have their names entered into this random drawing. However, unlike the Hunger Games, these H-1B hopefuls actually want to be selected. If you are one of the fortunate 85,000 applicants selected via the lottery, your employer sponsor will be able to petition for you to obtain an H-1B visa. What exactly is an H-1B visa? Why do so many talented individuals want to come to the U.S. for an H-1B?

There are several important requirements to qualify for an H-1B visa. First of all, you must be in a “specialty occupation” that usually requires at least a bachelor’s degree. Many specialty occupations are more obvious like software engineer, however, if you are not sure if your job would qualify it is best to consult with an experienced immigration attorney. Second, your employer must be a legitimate U.S. business and present you with a formal offer letter. Third, your employer must be willing and able to pay you the prevailing wage according to your job title and location. Your attorney should be able to screen the eligibility of both the company and the employee for the H-1B process.

Advantages of the H-1B visa

1. It’s a dual-intent visa. While it is still technically a non-immigrant visa, while you’re on an H1B visa, your employer can sponsor you for a green card.

2. It lasts 3 years and can be renewed to last for a total of 6 years.

3. You will earn a prevailing wage.

4. You can come from any country.

5. You can bring your spouse and minor children to live with you in while on your H-1B

6. Most importantly, companies that need qualified foreign employers are willing to sponsor top talent for H-1s.

Disadvantages of the H-1B visa

1. There is an Annual Cap.

2. There is a random lottery where the selection in recent years can be difficult (possibly as low as 10-15% depending on the number of entries)

3. Unlike an E-2 visa which could be renewed for as long as the employer/ company is

operating, an H-1B has a fixed timeframe of only 6 years.

4. You must be in a “specialty occupation” to qualify for an H-1B visa

5. Like any employment visa, it is tied to your employer; if you lose your job, you’ll lose your visa.

Why are the H-1B lottery chances so low? The USCIS only selects 85,000 H-1B applicants each year in the lottery. 20,000 of those applicants are reserved for foreign nationals who hold U.S. Master’s degrees (or higher). If you have a U.S. Master’s degree, your chances of selection are higher, but still may only be around 1 in 3 depending on the number of submissions. Essentially, hundreds of thousands of aspiring H-1s are aiming to be one of the 65,000 selected, so the odds are not great.

In December 2022, Boeing received a huge order of several hundred 787 Dreamliners from United Airlines. Boeing realizes it does not have enough engineers and needs to recruit domestic and foreign engineers. In this situation, Boeing would then need to open applications to hire 30 more engineers to fill in the demand for the huge order. After hiring 10 American engineers, they identified 100 foreign candidates that they could potentially hire to fill the remaining 20 vacancies. Boeing’s legal counsel likely advises them that these engineers will need to be placed in the March H-1B lottery. Since the odds of selection may be less than 20%, Boeing likely anticipates that at best, 20 of these engineers will be selected. After the lottery, Boeing will likely have their legal team begin

the process to draft H-1B petitions for around 20 of the engineers who were selected. Companies of any size can still take advantage of the H1-B lottery, submitting even just one applicant. The H-1B Lottery only has a nominal fee and the registration process can easily be done by any U.S. company.

One additional problem with the H-1B visa that needs to be addressed is layoffs. If you are on an H-1B visa or any other employment-based visa, if you lose your job you will lose your work authorization and status in the United States. The recent tech layoffs have displaced thousands of foreign workers and put their status and U.S. futures in doubt. Still, this shouldn’t discourage a foreign employee from considering or accepting an H-1B visa. The H-1 is still a wonderful tool for a career and a path to a longterm future in the United States. Additionally, while the odds of selection in the H-1B lottery are not great, this should also not discourage you or your future employer from placing your name in the lottery.

The hard work comes after selection and at that time it is best for employers to hire an experienced immigration attorney. Once an applicant is selected in the lottery, the petitioning company only has 90 days to complete the H-1B visa application. If you are a U.S. company that is planning to hire foreign employees on an H-1B, it is a good idea to contact an attorney now or at least before April. “H-1B Season” is a busy time for many law firms that specialize in employment-based immigration. A good number of reputable firms are or soon will be at their H-1B capacity to accept so many H-1B clients each

About the Author

U.S. Immigration Attorney Seth Finberg is a 2005 graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law. Seth is a member of the Georgia Bar, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and serves on the

year due to the work involved. It’s advised no to wait till May before hiring an attorney as an H-1B rush job is not ideal, even if your lawyer has the ability to take your case.

This article does not constitute a solicitation or provision of legal advice and does not establish an attorneyclient relationship. The answers provided should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter on time.

Business and Investment Committee for the South Florida chapter of AILA. Mr. Finberg is the owner and founder of South Florida based Finberg Firm PLLC and he represents clients nationwide and internationally in business, employment, and investment immigration. He can be reached by phone at (954)-843-3568 / (954) 249-6603 or by email at seth@finbergfirm.com or www.finbergfirm.com.

No Justification of killing The ‘Father Of The Nation’

By Dr. Mohini Shinde

Editor’s Note

It has been 75 years since we have lost our beloved Gandhi ji. On January 30th, 1948, Godse assassinated Gandhi ji, the most well-known proponent of nonviolence in the world. This tragedy serves as a reminder that the road to independence was not easy and that there will always be people who seek to sow conflict and division. Where there is extremist ideology, innocent people will always be killed.

Here is an article by Dr. Mohini Shinde, Hindu Scholar who was born and finished high school and college education from the same town as Nathuram Godse, who killed Gandhi ji.

Please read her views on Gandhi’s assassination.

Raj Shah Managing Editor

“I am a Hindu and I believe in rebirth. I pray to god that I am reborn with Gandhi so that I can kill him again.” Nathuram Godse, the man who, in a cruel twist of irony, brought about a violent end to the most prominent advocate of nonviolence in the world, said as much. He said

Mahatma Gandhi was a symbol as well as a human being. He spread the value of nonviolence throughout the world. He forced the colonial powers to submit via shame. He had faith in humanity and the idea of a tolerant people bound together by the concept of India.

this calmly, like a man who fully believed in his ideas and was assured of his conduct, rather than with a raging passion that clouded his judgment. Nathuram Godse was a violent, murderous, and fanatical religious fanatic. a man who invoked passages from the Bhagavad Gita to defend his behavior. A man who undermined all India and Hinduism stood for, including tolerance, democracy, and secularism. Certainly, let’s construct a temple for him!

Religious fanaticism in our day and age is a danger to world peace. We support the idea of religious acceptance. We issue strongly worded declarations denouncing the Taliban and ISIS. We have read carefully written essays warning against combining politics and religion. We are thoughtful, contemporary people who prefer to imagine secularism as an ethereal good circling above our heads.

But repressed demons have emerged from our murky underbelly and entered primary school textbooks, public statements, and parliamentary debates. The webs of restraint that had held it all together are being broken by wheels that have been set in action and are silently whirling. State legitimacy is being conferred on voices that require opposition. Due to the allure of the future, we are currently being forced backwards.

Mahatma Gandhi was a symbol as well as a human being. He spread the value of nonviolence throughout the world. He forced the colonial powers to submit via shame. He had faith in humanity and the idea of a tolerant people bound together by the concept of India. He had faith in

something more profound than religion. Sadly, once the British Empire faded into history, politics underwent a dramatic change in nature that made it difficult to tame. In his later years, Gandhi was a lonesome man, engaged in a solitary conflict, and battling for a philosophy.

India hadn’t yet accepted its own identity. The wall of solidarity that had expelled our oppressors has developed communal fissures. Hindu radicals viewed Gandhi as a traitor to Hindus, who were ‘his people’ by accident of birth. Instead of giants, there were groups of irate minions fighting. Gandhi was trampled by the ants at his feet because he held fast to a higher ideal.

Famously, Godse emphasized his admiration for Gandhi’s integrity. He was a failed politician, he said, but “I used to admire him as a saint because he always told the truth, which was not easy.” He was at conflict with Gandhi’s philosophy. And shooting him over it was acceptable. Godse rationalized murder by giving it a reason and a lofty objective. Godse committed terrorism.

He felt alone and distant immediately after the murder. He had been a member of the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha, both of which he had derived inspiration from, and both of which went to great measures to distance themselves from possibly the most despised man in the nation at the time. Later, Gopal Godse, his own brother, confirmed to the fact that Savarkar and the RSS were not entirely blameless for the conspiracy. Nathuram Godse never quit the RSS, he revealed. A Hindu Mahasabha

Nathuram Godse never quit the RSS, he revealed.

A Hindu Mahasabha member named Digambar Badge testified against Savarkar, whose approval, he claimed, allowed the Mahatma to be killed.

member named Digambar Badge testified against Savarkar, whose approval, he claimed, allowed the Mahatma to be killed. Faces are coming out of the shadows, and in a nation governed by positive forces, they now have the audacity to finally reveal who they really are.

Hindu radicals from all over the nation have been celebrating November 15 as “Maryrdom Day” since Godse’s hanging on that day. In Maharashtra, plays that praise Godse’s crime play to full audiences. Everything has now come to light in the open.

The Hindu Mahasabha is preparing to step up its operations by bringing Godse’s philosophy of religious hatred to Hindu temples across the nation after the Uttar Pradesh state police

foiled their attempts to construct statues of Godse at many designated locations. “We have a committed group of young people who are filled with nationalistic zeal and who are willing to risk being arrested to erect Godse’s statue at the Raj Ghat, but we don’t want to operate that way.

A leader of the Hindu Mahasabha stated, “We simply want to promote the concept of ‘Akhand bharat’

(united India), which was Nathuram Godse ji’s primary goal.

What message are we conveying when we elevate a terrorist? When so many of our nation’s great leaders have statues in their honor at the very least, why should a temple be constructed for Godse, a murderer? Will the murderer of Gandhi’s words soon be found in the literature that our children read in school? Will his radical program get more supporters and emerge? What distinguishes one terrorist act from another? If Godse had been a Muslim, would he have been hailed as a martyr? We must comprehend that terrorism is not a religious issue. Whatever the motivation, murder is never justified, and this is something we must all realize. The way to do it is definitely not by constructing temples. How deep will we go before the darkness engulfs us and suffocates us?

About the Author

Dr. Mohini Shinde is a professor of religions of India and has taught Hindu religion and world religion in several US universities before her retirement. Her research was on religion and politics in South Asia. In her research engagements, she lived several years in India where she studied vedas and upanishads. She lives in California with her husband.

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What distinguishes one terrorist act from another? If Godse had been a Muslim, would he have been hailed as a martyr? We must comprehend that terrorism is not a religious issue. Whatever the motivation, murder is never justified, and this is something we must all realize.

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DHARMIC NATION: Freeing Bharat, Remaking India

By R. Jagannathan

We are amidst a battle between dharma and adharma. Bharat’s uniqueness is its dharmic character, held up by mainstream Hinduism and three other major religions—Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism—which were birthed here, not to speak of the myriad other smaller vanvasi and other traditions that argued with one another and yet co-evolved to create this unity in diversity. Despite being home to more than a billion Hindus, India faces threats both from outside and inside from those who want to dismantle this civilization even as their own is falling apart from the excesses of wokeism, secularism and Islamism.

India, inheritor of a 5,000-year civilizational heritage that is co-terminus with the idea of Bharat, faces extreme challenges in the twenty-first century, where forces inimical to its dharmic heritage would want to eviscerate it eventually. Western academia and India’s liberals, including some sections of the judiciary and the bureaucracy, are using internal fault lines to push woke Hinduphobic ideas.They are also creating imaginary divisions between Hinduism and Hindutva and trying to promote fissures among Hindus in India and those who have made their homes abroad.

This book is a call to all Hindus to rediscover the essential dharmic heritage of Bharat and close ranks to defend dharma. For this, Hinduism must become a partly missionary religion once more, and encourage Indians who follow Islam and Christianity to become more dharmic in character. For India to rise, a rediscovery of Bharat’s dharmic nature is vital. Dharma must defeat adharma.

Revolutionaries : The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom

By Sanjeev Sanyal

“The official narrative of India’s freedom struggle has almost entirely been about the nonviolent political movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. However, it is Sanjeev Sanyal’s contention that there was a continuous parallel armed struggle against British colonial rulers that can be traced to the very beginning of colonial occupation. It abated for a while after the First War of Indian Independence in 1857, but re-emerged from the beginning of the twentieth century. It is not that people are unaware of Rashbehari Bose, Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Sachindra Nath Sanyal and Subhas Chandra Bose, but the impression one gets from reading historical accounts is that theirs were individual acts of courage that did not have an impact on the larger Independence movement. However, this is not the entire picture, as the revolutionary struggle operated through a conscious network that sustained armed resistance against the British for over half a century. They had well-developed institutions, thinkers and wide popular support. Indeed, as Subhas Bose demonstrated, they were capable of defeating popular candidates in the Congress’s internal elections. In Revolutionaries, Sanyal examines India’s freedom struggle from the revolutionary perspective, how the baton was passed from one generation to the next, and, ultimately, why the British were forced to leave India. The book presents an exciting story that interweaves intrigue, high drama, assassination, global espionage and treachery with the courage and heroism of the revolutionaries. “

India And Faraway Lands: 5,000 Years Of Connected History

By Ashutosh Mehndiratta

‘India and Faraway Lands’ is a compact yet panoramic exploration of the story of India from a global perspective. Meticulously researched and lucidly told, the book takes the readers on a journey around the world, in reverse chronological order, tracing pivotal events and unravelling intriguing connections with India—starting with the present that is more visible and relatable to the readers and moving towards the past that is relatively lesser known. Ashutosh Mehndiratta’s retelling of the evolution of the United States, Britain, Ireland, Russia, Germany, Japan, France, Portugal, Central Asia, China, Rome, Persia, and Greece provides a context often missing in conventional histories of India. Along the way are recounted fascinating tales of travellers, the earliest accounts of interaction between the East and the West, forgotten cities that were once glorious, and books that changed the course of history. While there are many excellent works on world history as well as Indian history, there are not many books where the stories of India and the world are juxtaposed. ‘India and Faraway Lands’ aims to fill that gap and will at once inform and entertain the readers.

The Great Escape: A True Story of Forced Labor and Immigrant Dreams in America

By Saket Soni

The astonishing story of immigrants lured to the United States from India and trapped in forced labor—told by the visionary labor leader who engineered their escape and set them on a path to citizenship.

In late 2006, Saket Soni, a twenty-eight-year-old Indian-born community organizer, received an anonymous phone call from an Indian migrant worker in Mississippi. He was one of five hundred men trapped in squalid Gulf Coast “man camps,” surrounded by barbed wire, watched by guards, crammed into cold trailers with putrid toilets, forced to eat moldy bread and frozen rice. Recruiters had promised them good jobs and green cards. The men had scraped up $20,000 each for this “opportunity” to rebuild hurricane-wrecked oil rigs, leaving their families in impossible debt. During a series of clandestine meetings, Soni and the workers devised a bold plan. In The Great Escape, Soni traces the workers’ extraordinary escape, their march on foot to Washington, DC, and their twenty-three-day hunger strike to bring attention to their cause. Along the way, ICE agents try to deport the men, company officials work to discredit them, and politicians avert their eyes. But none of this shakes the workers’ determination to win their dignity and keep their promises to their families.

Weaving a deeply personal journey with a riveting tale of twenty-first-century forced labor, Soni takes us into the lives of the immigrant workers the United States increasingly relies on to rebuild after climate disasters. The Great Escape is the gripping story of one of the largest human trafficking cases in modern American history—and the workers’ heroic journey for justice.

Brown Girl Chromatography: Poems

By Anuradha Bhowmik

Anuradha Bhowmik’s life as a Bangladeshi-born American girl growing up as a first-generation immigrant in the United States gives shape to this debut collection. Brown Girl Chromatography interrogates issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality in a post-9/11 America while navigating the poet’s millennial childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. The poems follow Bhowmik as she learns about the cruelties in both American and Bangladeshi worlds without any guidance or instruction on how to survive these conflicting spheres. Any visible traces of her Bangladeshi life result in racial ridicule from her peers, while participating and assimilating into American culture is met with violence and abuse at home. As language and memory intersect, Bhowmik draws on pop culture and free association to examine her displacement from many angles and make meaning out of hurt.

Georgia

Atlanta Metro

Magh Purnima

When: 02/05/2023, 4:00 PM

Where: Shree Sadhana Mandir

5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd STE 733, Norcross,30071

Contact: 770-310-5944

Email: vedjoshiji@gmail.com

Host: Shree Sadhana Mandir

Valentines Party 2023

When: 02/11/2023, 8:00 PM EST

Where: Astro Celebrations

3835 Windermere Parkway, Cumming,30041

Contact: Swetha Pakala 678-883-3460

Host: Atlanta Community Events

Bollywood Valentine Party

When: 02/11/2023, 10:00 PM EST

Where: Josephine Lounge

3277 Buford Highway Northeast, Atlanta,30329

Contact: Shokat Hasnani 404-488-4488

Host: Jasani Entertainment

The Entertainers - Akshay

Kumar and Team Live in Atlanta

When: 03/03/2023, 8:00 PM

Where: Gas South Arena

6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth,30097

Contact: Shaphalie Bavani 770-904-9297

Host: Jasani Entertainment & Vency Entertainment

Kumbh Sankranti

When: 02/12/2023, 4:00 PM

Where: Shree Sadhana Mandir

5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd STE 733, Norcross,30071

Contact: 770-310-5944

Email: vedjoshiji@gmail.com

Host: Shree Sadhana Mandir

Bollywood Dance Party - Valentines Day

Special - DJ Beat Banger

When: 02/17/2023, 9:00 PM EST

Where: Loquom Lounge

915 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell,30076

Contact: - 770-299-1090

Host: Atlanta Desi Events

Mahashivratri Pooja

When: 02/18/2023, 3:00 PM

Where: Impact Conference Center - Global Mall

5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross,30071

Contact: - 770-310-5944

Email: vedjoshiji@gmail.com

Host: Shree Sadhana Mandir

Great Composers Day 2023

When: 02/18/2023, 10:00 AM

Where: Hindu Temple of Atlanta

5851 GA-85, Riverdale,30274

Contact: - 678-357-6647

Email: camaga.atlanta@gmail.com

Host: Carnatic Music Association of Georgia- CAMAGA

Maha Shivaratri

When: 02/25/2023, 3:00 PM

Where: Chinmaya Niketan

5511 Williams Road, Norcross,30093

Contact: - 678-615-7088

Email: atlanta@chinmayamission .org

Host: Chinmaya Mission Atlanta

Pankhi O E Kalshor Karyo

When: 02/25/2023, 8:30 PM

Where: Berkmar High School

405 Pleasant Hill Rd, Lilburn,30047

Contact: Bharat Bhalal 470-886-9555

Host: 101 Distributors

Sewa Presents Holi Hai

Description: Sewa Presents Holi Hai

When: 03/11/2023, 11:00 AM

Where: Cumming Fair Ground

235 Castleberry Rd., Cumming,30040

Contact: - 203-512-5260

Host: Sewa International

Sunday,

Alexperience - Musical Standup Comedy

When: 03/12/2023, 5:00 PM EST

Where: Berkmar High School

405 Pleasant Hill Rd, Lilburn,30047

Contact: 971-770-2740

Email: globalmediaboxoffice@gmail.com

Host: Global Media LLC

Taj Express Bollywood Jukebox

When: 03/26/2023

Where: Atlanta Symphony Hall

1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta,30309

Contact: 404-576-8909

Email: info@parachaentertainment.com

Host: Paracha Entertainment

Anirudh Live Music Concert

When: 04/09/2023, 6:00 PM EST

Where: Gas South Arena

6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth,30097

Contact: 310-889-5159

Email: info@balajientertainment.com

Host: Shri Balaji Entertainments - Atlanta

Georgia Congressman McCormick praises Indian-Americans, says 1% of US population pays 6% of taxes

“Although they make up about 1 percent of American society, they pay about 6 percent of the taxes. They are amongst the top producers, and they do not cause problems. They follow laws. They don’t have the problems that we see other people have when they come to the emergency room for overdoses and depression anxiety because they’re the most productive, most family oriented and the best of what represents American citizens. God bless my Indian constituents,” said the US Congressman.

On January 12, 2023, Georgia Congressman, Dr. Rich McCormick addressed the US House of Representatives for the first time. He commended the Indian Americans for being patriotic, law-abiding, and good friends. The Indian Consul General in Atlanta, Dr. Swati Vijay Kulkarni, who is going back to her own country, was also recognized by him. In his first House of Representatives speech, the Georgia lawmaker also called for immigration reform.

“I rise to this occasion to just appreciate my constituents, especially those who have immigrated from India. We have a very large portion of my community that’s made up of almost 100,000 People who have immigrated directly from India. One out of every five doctors in my community is from India. They represent some of the best citizens we have in America. We should make sure that we streamline the immigration process for those who come here to obey the law and pay their taxes.”

Indian-Americans pay over 6% of all taxes despite making up only 1% of society, according to McCormick, who represents Georgia’s 6th Congressional District. He lauded the community’s efficiency and morality.

As Dr. Swati Vijay Kulkarni leaves her position as consul general in Atlanta and heads back to India, McCormick tweeted, “I wanted to send a little tribute to her and our outstanding Indian-American community in Georgia, who are excellent patriots, upstanding citizens, and terrific friends.”

The third-largest Asian ethnic community, including 4.2 million people, is Indian-American. Politics is only one of the many fields in which Indian Americans are successful. Indian immigrants living abroad have improved US-Indian relations.

Around 200,000 Indian students give the US economy USD 7.7 billion. It represented 23% of remittances for 2020–21.

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McCormick tweeted, “I wanted to send a little tribute to her and our outstanding IndianAmerican community in Georgia, who are excellent patriots, upstanding citizens, and terrific friends.”

Brian Kemp, A Friend Of Indian-Americans Sworn In As Georgia Governor

By Ravi R. Ponangi

On January 12, in front of a sizable crowd of residents from all over the state, Republican Brian Kemp took the oath of office for his second term in office. The Governor’s oath of office was given by Carla Wong McMillian, a justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. Later, other statewide constitutional officers who had been elected in the previous fall were sworn into office by Governor Kemp. Before a number of GOP leaders, former governors Nathan Deal and Sunny Perdue, lawmakers, members of Kemp’s cabinet, several

supporters, and his family, the swearing-in ceremony took place.

The governor spoke at his inauguration about his plans for his second term and the recent successes of Georgia, which has recovered from the global epidemic stronger than ever because to the fortitude of its people and the leadership of

all of our elected authorities. The governor made plans to work with the Georgia General Assembly to improve classrooms, make streets safer, generate well-paying jobs, and expand economic possibilities during his speech.

Musical pieces were played by the British Brass Band from the University of Georgia. offered by the Georgia State Patrol. The National Anthem was performed by Mackenzie Carpenter, Timothy Miller sang “America the Beautiful,” and Officer Max Brewer gave the Pledge of Allegiance.

He is well-liked by the Indian population in Georgia, according to many. Since 2007, he has gone to Indian American events. On the basis of merit, he has nominated nearly 20 Indian Americans to the highest levels of government.

The National Anthem was performed by Mackenzie Carpenter, Timothy Miller sang

“America the Beautiful,” and Officer Max Brewer gave the Pledge of Allegiance.

Hindu Temple of Atlanta hosts a “Navodaya 2023” celebration for devotees.

By Ravi R. Ponangi

worshippers entered the two temples. After praying, they went around greeting one another with “Happy New Year’’ wishes, stopping by and shopping at the HTA Gift Shop as well as at numerous booths inside the auditorium. A clown entertained and engaged the kids. Popcorn, face, nail, and palm painting, as well as balloon twisting, were included in the entertaining activities for kids. Food and Indian festivals go together! Everyone enjoyed the diverse menu of South Indian vegetarian delicacies, including spicy idli sambhar, masala dosas, tamarind or curd rice, upma, boondi laddoos, Mysore Pak, samosas, Mysore Bonda, and savories that were lovingly prepared in the Temple’s kitchen by the kitchen staff and a large number of volunteers and served in the roomy banque The feast hall remained crowded with worshippers savoring delectable cuisine.

The Hindu Temple of Atlanta celebrated Vaikunta Ekadasi on January 2 and “Navodaya 2023,” the temple’s trademark event, on January 1 with a lot of fervor, fanfare, and dedication. In order to gain the blessings of the divine for a successful and healthy 2023, thousands of devotees from Georgia and neighboring states flocked to both Shiva and Balaji temples.

The 20th Navodaya and Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations drew about 15,000 devotees and guests who participated in daylong festivities on both days. The temple’s deities were all garlanded with new flowers, and daily rites known as Archanas were performed. In addition to the many merchants and stores that were put up, there were many other events. As the day went on, more and more

The temple’s founding trustee and former president, Dr. Manga Raju Vanapally, inaugurated the new executive committee for the years 2023 and 2024. Aravind Goli, a seasoned volunteer, has been named the temple’s new president. On January 1, additional office holders and committee chairs took on his duties as well.

The Temple’s former president, Dr. Sarvesh Naidu, issued the 2023 Calendar/Panchangam, which was specially timed for Atlanta’s sunrise and sunset. Thousands of people rely on the accuracy of the HTA Calendar because it is well-known and reputable. The HTA profiles are depicted on the calendar. By detailing the most significant religious holidays and festivals on the Hindu calendar, the HTA fills a significant need in our community.

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Managers, Laundry, Housekeeping Couple, and Front Desk Agents needed in Nashville, TN. Large managers apartment available. Across the street from a Indian grocery store and restaurant. Competitive Pay. If interested email at kisanhospitality@gmail.com

Looking for a live in care taker for my mom. Duties include some personal care and basic house duties as well as taking to doctor appointments. If interested please call Rajeev at 954-270-2784 or Anil 954-218-2112 Thank you

Please contact Ramswarup Shastriji for Srimad Bhagwat katha, Vedic ceremonies and Sanskrit lessons. Contact : 352-219-8470

Vaikunta Ekadasi Celebrations at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta

On Monday (January 2) morning, hundreds of worshippers flocked to the Balaji temple in honor of the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival. The Hindu Temple of Atlanta in Riverdale celebrates Vaikunta Ekadasi, an important day that is regarded as Lord Vishnu’s once-a-year power moment. Since early in the morning, devotees have been patiently waiting in lines to see Balaji in Vaikunta Dwaram. Early on January 2nd, the Vaikunta Dwaram, built especially for the occasion, was made accessible to pilgrims. Hindus all across the world have the belief that anyone who enters this Dwaram on this Vaikunta Ekadasi day purges themselves of all sins and achieves moksha. On this day, according to devotees of Vishnu, “Vaikunta Dwaram,” or “the portal to the Lord’s Inner Sanctum,” is opened. The Lunar calendar’s Margashirsha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is referred to as a “Vaikunta Ekadashi.” Highlights of Vaikunta Ekadasi at the temple on this auspicious day include special prayers, continuous chanting of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana, Archanas, and Bhagavadgita Parayana by the students of Mysore Datta Peetham. Religious ecstasy filled the entire temple.

The Hindu Temple of Atlanta’s outgoing president, Prashanti Asireddy, gave a quick overview of the organization’s most recent successes. She expressed her gratitude and gratitude for the opportunity to serve as HTA’s president for the years 2022 and 23. The temple has exited COVID, and it has experienced a difficult period with a decline in donations from worshippers. There was a lot of doubt about how we would pick up, run, and move forward. However, through the goodness of God, benefits resulted from that, making the temple financially sound. Many followers are coming, and we are doing great after 1.5 years. We have excellent

By Ravi R. Ponangi

patrons, trustees, volunteers, priests, staff, and EC members who have all generously supported the temple without hesitation. Prashant Asireddy expressed gratitude to the temple community, asked for continued support, and urged followers to take part in, give, and volunteer in order to uphold tradition and make HTA great.

Aravind Goli, the new temple president who assumed office today, spoke about his plans to advance the temple’s operations. He praised the trustees for giving him the chance to lead the temple as president for the years 2023 and 2024. The newly elected Executive Committee extends a warm invitation to the entire Indian community to visit the temple at any time of the year to take part in all activities and receive the Lord’s blessings. He claimed that HTA is leading efforts to better Indian immigrants’ culture, traditions, and practices while also fostering interest in Hinduism in Indian children who were born and raised in this country.

The Hindu Temple, a famous and beautiful landmark in Riverdale, Georgia, is well recognized for providing the Indian community with spiritual, cultural, and educational services. The Temple has made a significant contribution to Georgia’s religious variety and multicultural image.

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