email: editor@fbindependent.com
VOL 12 No. 37
Phone: 281-980-6745
www.fbindependent.com
FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City
Prime Minister Modi’s visit starts a new phase in India-U.S. relations
MAYOR’S SHINDIG. Some 500 people showed up on the evening of Sept. 3 at the Stafford Center to applaud the 50 years of work Mayor Leonard Scarcella has put into his town. Above, Stafford City Councilmembers Virginia Rosas, left, Ken Mathew, Cecil Willis, Mayor Leonard Scarcella, Alice C. Chen and Don Jones, are all smiles, pointing to the tantalizing cake, a symbol of the mayor’s 50 years in office. See story on Page 2. Photo by STEVEN DAVID.
College of Technology is open at UH-SL
Ribbon cutting ceremony at the University of Houston at Sugar Land for the new UH College of Technology building. (Photo Credit/UH at Sugar Land) (L to R): Rep. John Zerwas, UH System Student Regent John D. Fields, UH System Regent Gerald W. McElvy, UH President Renu Khator, Associate Vice President UH at Sugar Land Jay Neal, College of Technology Dean Anthony Ambler, Rep. Rick Miller, UH Vice President Governmental Relations Jason Smith. Story on Page 3.
New Flood Maps open for public comments
New revised preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in Fort Bend County. Officials encourage property owners to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or
questions about the information provided and participate in appeal and comment periods for the maps. The new flood hazard information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been generated in coordination with local community, state, and FEMA officials. Significant community review has already taken place.
Appeals/comments may be submitted from 9/27/2019 through 12/26/2019: •Cities of Simonton and Weston Lake and unincorporated areas of Fort Bend County Residents may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect. An See MAP, Page 3
By SESHADRI KUMAR The participation of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the “Howdy Modi!” community summit in Houston may enter the record books for its sheer size as no other foreign dignitary other than the Pope would have been welcomed by 50,000 people nor has any head of state ever received such a vast reception in a foreign country. But the scope of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Houston is much larger than the mamooth File picture of Prime Minister’s previous meeting with President size of the crowd as the visit has Donald Trump at the White House. unprecedented significance with Modi has welcomed the special U.S. oil companies. the potential to start a new phase gesture of President Donald U.S. Energy giants like in the India-U.S. relationship. Trump in joining the Howdy Exxon are eager to enter the This event brings together the Modi! event. Indian market. Saudi Aramco President of the world’s most In a tweet, Mr. Modi said,@ has already committed to a $60 influential democracy, the Prime narendramodi billion investment in India. In Minister of the world’s largest The special gesture of the one trillion dollar energy democracy, and a bipartisan President @realDonaldTrump market, India buys about $100 delegation of Governors, to join us in Houston billion worth of energy products Members of Congress, Mayors, highlights the strength of the from the U.S. Hence, the focus and other public officials. relationship and recognition of and attention on the Houston oil The world already got a the contribution of the Indian industry and it is occurring not a surprise treat, (not a sudden community to American society day sooner. tweet) from President Trump, and economy. #HowdyModi. The Prime Minister is also announcing his meeting with Narendra Modi expected to remotely inaugurate Modi. @narendramodi two significant Indian projects The White House Press A special gesture by @ in Houston, the Eternal Gandhi Secretary said in a statement: POTUS, signifying the special Museum and the Gujarati Samaj “On Sunday, September friendship between India and of Houston’s new building. 22, 2019, President Donald J. USA! Meanwhile, the Texas India Trump will travel to Houston, Delighted that President @ Forum has been meticulously Texas, and Wapakoneta, Ohio, realDonaldTrump will join planning and executing a very to underscore the important the community programme in challenging task of holding partnerships between the United Houston on the 22nd. a public reception at NRG States and India, and Australia. Looking forward to joining Stadium, a venue nearly three “In Houston, President Trump the Indian origin community times the size of the Madison will participate in an event with in welcoming him at the Square Garden in New York. Prime Minister Narendra Modi programme. The sheer logistics of getting of India. The event, “Howdy, Underscoring Prime Minister about 52,000 names entered and Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Modi’s standing relationship entry passes delivered via email Futures,” is expected to draw with President Trump, it is no is a stupendous accomplishment. tens of thousands of people. surprise that he chose to share During the NRG event, Prime It will be a great opportunity the stage with Modi, when Minister Modi is expected to emphasize the strong ties hundred other heads of states to have a luncheon with the between the people of the United are eager to have an audience Congressmen and Senators as States and India, to reaffirm the with the U.S. President. at least 50 of them have already strategic partnership between Modi is visiting Houston confirmed. the world’s oldest and largest directly and it is not a side trip Simultaneously, the Prime democracies, and to discuss from his visit to New York. It is Minister is expected to attend a ways to deepen their energy and the other way round. private reception of all partner trade relationship. The Prime Minister is landing organizations, volunteers and “President Trump will then directly in Houston to restore other invited VIPs at NRG travel to Wapakoneta, Ohio, the city’s pride of place and Stadium before he departs where he will be joined by in recognition of the energy for New York by 4.30 p.m. on Prime Minister Scott Morrison capital’s enormous trade ties Sunday, Sept. 22. of Australia for a tour of with India in the oil and gas The “Howdy Modi” summit a new, Australian-owned sector. So far, all visiting Indian has been organized with the manufacturing facility. This visit dignitaries have been paying support of more than 1,000 will demonstrate the strong trade attention to the IT sector on the volunteers and 650 Texas-based and investment relationship west coast. Welcome Partner organizations, between the United States and Now, the focus is on the said Jugal Malani, chairman of Australia and President Trump’s energy sector. The first official Chair, Howdy Modi! Organizing successful efforts to restore the business of the prime minister Committee. He compared the United States as the world’s after landing in Houston on the challenging task to conducting leading destination for foreign afternoon of Sept. 21 will be a 100 Indian weddings at the direct investment.” very high level energy round same time. Prime Minister Narendra table with a dozen top CEOs of
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