IH 060618

India Herald

Web: www.india-herald.com • Editor@india-herald.com • Tel: 281-980-6746

20 Pages

VOL. 24 • NO. 23 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 • P.O. BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487 • PERIODICAL PERMIT USPS 017699 • 25 cents

Padma Bhushan Ved Prakash Nanda felicitated

Ramesh Bhutada, left, and Swatantra Jain, right, honor Ved Prakash Nanda with a shawl and a bouquet.

Photo by ANOOP RATHOD.

By SESHADRI KUMAR noted that Nanda was the only An international legal luminary person in the western hemisphere and recipient of the Government to be awarded the Padma Bhushan of India’s Padma Bhushan award to date. He received the award for in 2018, Prof. Ved Prakash Nanda excelling in the fields of literature was felicitated in Houston on June and education.

2 by the Hindu community.

Ramesh Bhutada, ViceThe felicitation ceremony was President of HSS USA and CEO of held as a part of the Hindu Unity Star Pipes, pointed out that Nanda Day (Hindu Sangathan Divas), was a humble person, despite his an annual event, at the Jain Vikas extraordinary achievements. “I Bharthi Preksha Meditation admire him as a human being,” he Center. added, “who puts spirituality into A legend in his own right, Prof. practice.”

Nanda is President of the Hindu Nanda, in his remarks, Swayamsevak Sangh USA. His responded: “I deserve humility contribution to international law, and that is why I practice it.” In especially in the area of human reference to all the accolades, rights, and his life-long association Nanda said he would continue with the Hindu cause as a ‘selfless to work hard to live up to those servant,’ both in India and abroad, words of praise. has endeared him to community Nanda also made special leaders across the globe. mention of Houston’s Hindu Speakers hailed him as “Vishwa community and described Houston Yogi” and “Lion of Punjab,” as “a model” where Hindus are and repeatedly alluded to his able to come together and work for outstanding quality of humility. the common good.

India’s Deputy Consul General In this context, Nanda pointed in Houston, Surendra Adhana out the lack of unity and civility compared Nanda’s contributions to in many temples and religious that of Lord Krishna in Vrindavan, organizations. The same person holding the Mount Govardhan on who behaves like an ideal human his little finger as an umbrella to being among a group of Americans protect the people from a deluge of is totally the opposite in an Indian rain. The Deputy Consul General See NANDA, Page 2

AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BUSINESS • HEALTH

RONNIE PATEL, MBA, CPA, LUTCF CFP

TM

INSURANCE AGENCY Tel: 281-752-8000 12603 Southwest FreewayTX Ste 100 5901 Hillcroft Ste D4 • Houston, 77036 16126 SW Frwy 120 • Sugar Land, TX 77479 Fax: 281-752-8008 Stafford, TXSte77477

Conference on Bhagavad Gita provides road map for life and living

Conference panelists and master of ceremonies. Dev Shah, left, Pradip Seernani, Bramacharini Shweta, Acharya Gaurang Nanavaty, Joseph Emmett, Narinder Kapoor, Satya Kalra, Guruma Giteshwari, Dr. Virendra Mathur, and Pratik Shah. Not pictured: Dr. Stephen Phillips.

“Spiritual Conference: Road Shweta Pradip Seernani, a long Brahmacharini map for life and living”, a time devotee of the Geeta Chaitanya, Satya Kalra, conference on Bhagavad Geeta, Ashram, prime organizer of the Narinder Kapoor, Dr. was held on May 26 at the conference, formally started Stephen Phillips, and Guru University of Houston campus the event with the blowing Maa Geeteshwari Ji. Each to enlighten people of all ages, of the traditional conch and speaker had a unique and deep backgrounds, and religions invited six renowned speakers understanding of the daily applications of the scripture. to learn and appreciate the to address the gathering.

Seernani was accompanied philosophy the Geeta provides.

The speakers focused on People from different explaining the practical and by Houston’s own Acharya Nanavaty from communities attended the philosophical messages of the Gaurang Chinmaya Mission, as well conference to learn, reflect, Bhagavad Geeta. and discuss the teachings of the The lineup of speakers as the respected Dr. Virendra Bhagavad Geeta. included Joseph Emmett, See GEETA, Page 10

Kirti Jewelers & K.V. Diamonds

Come see our large collection of gold, diamond, ruby, pearl and emerald jewelry in latest, attractive designs.

All of this in our spacious showroom 6655 Harwin Dr Ste A101 • Houston, TX 77036 713-789-GOLD (4653)

We have special low fares on Emirates

281-530-3000; 888-881-LESS; Emergency contact 281-236-8475

Call us for last minute fares! 12808 W Airport Blvd.,#252,Sugar Land, TX 77478

Wholesale consolidator for Qatar and Emirates Airlines; Consolidator for Turkish & Asiana Airlines.We Call us for confirmed do special seats at competitive prices packages to all major cities in India. & tours

WHOLESALER FOR MAJOR CARRIERS

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Emirates Gulf Airways Kingfisher Singapore Airways Jet Airways Sahara Airlines Indian Airlines Eva Airlines Qatar Airways PIA Air India Royal Jordanian China Airlines

CALL

Ramesh Cherivirala, MS, Ph.D, LUTCF Financial Adviser For all your insurance & financial services

Life Insurance Long term care insurance Disability Insurance* 13135 Dairy Ashford Rd.,#550 Fixed# and Variable AnnuiƟes Sugar Land, TX 77478.

Health Insurance* Email: rcherivirala@ Managed Accounts # ft.newyorklife.com.

IRA, 401k, 403b, 529 plans## Bus: (281) 295-2726 Roll over of 401k, 403b, TRS, TSA Cell: (713) 875-4336 Dened Benet Plans

Planning Services: Estate Planning ReƟrement Planning EducaƟon Planning Life Insurance Planning Business Planning Investment Planning Net worth Analysis

# Financial Adviser offers advisory services through Eagle Strategies LLC, A Registered Investment Adviser; ## Registered representative offers securities through NYLIFE Securities, LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC);

Member 2005, 16 & 17 - Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT): Premier associaƟon of nancial professionals, recognized globally as the standard of excellence in life insurance sales performance in insurance and nancial services industry.

Visit his website at www.RCherryFinancial.com

A licensed insurance agency Agent, New York Life Insurance company, 3200 Southwest Freeway, # 1900 Houston, TX 77027; 713-961-4545. *Products offered through one or more carriers not affiliated with New York Life insurance company, dependent on carrier authorization and product availability in your state and locality.

PAGE 2 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018

NEWS

Nanda from Page 1

gathering.

“We become intellectually bankrupt on many issues,” he continued, “but at least in this city, (Houston) you are different.”

Referring to a topic of concern expressed by the youth during a panel discussion on how the second generation would keep its Hindu identity, Nanda said, parents, schools and temples are the three places that can exert a great influence on children.

Many parents don’t know the significance of Hindu rituals and fail to offer a satisfactory explanation to inquiring children.

Sometimes, temples also don’t explain the rituals they perform.

He emphasized the fact that parents and temples should be able to educate children and answer their questions for them to carry on the legacy.

Prof. Nanda concluded by stating that “We have a wonderful heritage. We are the trustees. No other culture has such excellence in philosophy and values. It is our responsibility to ensure that it

survives and continues.

Prof. Nanda, 83, currently holds two chairs: John Evans University Professorship at the University of Denver and Thompson G. Marsh Professor of Law at the Law Center of the University.

On December 2006, his 40th anniversary as a professor, one of his students and an alumni of Denver University made a $1 million challenge gift to the university to establish the Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law at the University of Denver Sturm

College of Law. He has authored 22 scholarly books on international law and policy and nearly 200 chapters and articles in scholarly journals, magazines and newspapers which are widely published.

Prof. Nanda has been a Sangh Swayamsevak since his young days and was a pracharak for 4 years. He has served as President of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and President of the Friends of India Society International.

Earlier in the day, as part of Hindu Sangathan Divas 2018,

three parallel panel discussions were held. The topics of discussion included, Synergizing Seva activities among Houston Hindu organizations, (Lessons learned from Harvey and preparing ourselves for the future,); Creating second generation Hindu youth leadership (Sustaining Hindus and Hindu dharma in the US); and American Hindu identity and awareness for the mainstream community (Educating various sections of the mainstream community about Hindu dharma and its contributions to society.)

INDO AMERICAN ASSOCIATION (IAA) PRESENTS

BOLLYWOOD & HOLLYWOOD

IN BRASS

by RIVER CITY BRASS BAND

Friday, June 22nd

7:30pm | Stafford Centre 10505 Cash Road

The twenty-six member band spectacularly performs musical hits of Bollywood and Hollywood that will have you dancing in your seats!

TICKETS: $35, $45, $65, $85 iaahouston.com or 832-231-3086

 .. SHOP BEST PRICES ONLINE !

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2017 • PAGE 3

NEWS

Karthink Nemmani is 2018 Spelling Bee winner

The 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee took place in Oxon, Md., at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center starting on May 29, with the finals occurring on May 31.

Some 516 spellers competed for $40,000 and a championship trophy.

Karthik Nemmani swayed onstage in a blue hoodie, hands clasped behind his back. In any other year, the 14-year-old from McKinney, Tex., would not have made it to the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. But as a wild-card contender in Thursday’s contest, he took home the top prize, besting a four-time veteran who was all but favored to win.

Naysa Modi was graceful and poised, a 12-year-old from Frisco, Tex., who had participated in previous Scripps national bees but had never won.

This was not the first time she had squared off with Karthik. The middle-schooler had vanquished him in March at the Golden Chick Dallas Regional Spelling Bee. On Thursday, though, she misspelled “bewusstseinslage,” defined by Merriam-Webster as “a state of consciousness or a feeling devoid of sensory components.”

When it was Karthik’s turn at

more than 500 spellers to compete this year, the largest number ever. That’s because the organizers instituted a new program, called “RSVBee,” that allowed participants who had not won a regional or state spelling bee to enter.

Karthik qualified as a wild card through the “RSVBee” program.

Finalists appeared in Thursday’s prime-time competition at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. It was broadcast live on ESPN. This year’s contest was dominated by Texans, who took the top three spots. (The third-place winner was Abhijay Kodali, from Flower Mound.) “It just shows me it is a pretty competitive region over all,” a shy Karthik told “Good Morning America”

Scripps National Spelling Bee winner Karthik Nemmani with his coach, Grace Walters .Courtesy of Pamela Walters. TIME the microphone, the announcer gave him the word, “koinonia,” an intimate spiritual or Christian communion. He asked for the definition, smiled, then spelled it correctly. Naysa congratulated her fellow Texan, eyes welling with tears, as confetti cascaded from the ceiling.

“I had confidence, but I didn’t think it would really happen,” Karthik said after he was presented with his trophy. “I’m just really happy. This has just been a dream come true.”

Karthik, the son of an immigrant from India, was one of

in an interview Friday morning.

He will receive a prize valued at $40,000 over all, including $25,000 in cash, a reference library from Merriam-Webster and a pizza party for his school.

Naysa will receive a $30,000 prize for her second-place showing.

Karthik is one of more than a dozen champions of Indian descent who have dominated the bee for the past two decades.

The youngster thanked his spelling coach and attributed his success to the encouragement of his father, Krishna Nemmani, an immigrant from Hyderabad, who was in the audience.

Karthik said Thursday that he would spend his winnings on college, and that he hoped to study technology.

India Herald

Established in 1995

by Rajeev Gadgil, Seshadri Kumar & Salim Sindhi India Herald (USPS Periodical 017-699) is published every Wednesday by India Herald, Inc. for a subscription rate of $25 per year. Periodical postage paid at Houston and Sugar Land, Texas. POST MASTER: Send address changes to India Herald, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Texas 77487 Publisher & Editor: Seshadri Kumar www.india-herald.com; email:editor@india-herald.com India Herald assumes no liability resulting from action taken based on information included herein. ©India Herald. All rights reserved.

Hari Venkatachalam Hindu Students Association, Board of Directors

PRESS RELEASE

April 6, 2017Get – AUSTIN, TX –your The Hindu Students rid of staffi ngAssociaproblems and spend more time on sales. tion (HSA) would like to regretfully announce that it will be Good = Good Decisions cancelling its annual Gateway Retreat for the 2017 Numbers year. HSA prides itself in building a strong network of young Hindu Americans, and it looks forward to organizing other events in the future that will link students from its various branches.

HSA has been reorienting itself in recent months to doing more grassroots work. “We have been focusing more on accomplishing work on the local and branch level,” said Mrinalini Vijalapuram, National President of the Hindu Students Association. “We have been doing this through many differMashruwala, ent CPA activities including interfaith events with other religious organizations, building community partnerships, and expanding into other campuses that don’t already have HSA branches.”

While the cancellation of Gateway may come as a disappointment for many prospective attendees, HSA hopes to get feedback from students on other projects and events that interest its branch members. Currently, several projects, including developing HSA’s podcast series and releasing monthly articles that highlight the accomplishments of members from the various campuses have been the focus of the organization’s efforts. HSA welcomes student and community members to get involved in these activities to help further the goals of the organization. “It is important that we meet the needs of the campuses and communities we serve,” reiterated Ms. Vijalapuram. “We want to make sure that we are putting our attention Just dump your Get on projects that will truly benefit them.”

We HAND read every single It all lands on our paper on to the -***Organized page, then name it, code it, secure servers

Succeed In Your Business Implement The “Three D” Principle Delegate • Dirty • Details

Rimple

Comprehensive Paperless Bookkeeping. How It Works:

fax or scanner

Now

MEADOWGLEN RICHMOND

S. GESSNER

BELTWAY 8

WESTHEIMER

A

index and store the page.

We provide Turn-key Services including: • Payroll • Accounts Payable • Accounts Receivable • Inventory • Job Costing • Financial Planning • Tax Preparation & Planning • Loan Packages • Traditional Bookkeeping

Visit us at www.comprehensivepaperless.com or c

PAGE 4 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018

VIEWS

Free Seminar on Loss of a Spouse – The Life After

HOUSTON India House, in a strategic partnership with Share Our Secrets (SOS) ,will be joining hands with Indian American Cancer Network (IACAN), and Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) to organize a free community outreach program: “The Loss of a Spouse: The Life After ” on Sunday, July 8, 2018 from 3.30 to 5.30 p.m. at India House.

This seminar is a followup to the first such seminar held on Oct 29, 2017. India House graciously hosted the program. India House Executive Director Col. Vipin Kumar welcomed the attendees and Dr. Rathna Kumar served as the emcee.

Panelists at the Oct. 29 “Loss of a Spouse” seminar included CPA and IACCGH President Swapan Dhairyawan (left), IACAN President Kumari Susarla, Andrew Hardwick with the Social Security Administration, and SOS Founder Ranvir “Biki” Mohindra.

The speakers touched upon several aspects of life of a surviving spouse from emotional issues to financial

Panelists at the Oct. 29 “Loss of a Spouse” seminar included CPA and IACCGH President Swapan Dhairyawan (left), IACAN President Kumari Susarla, Andrew Hardwick with the Social Security Administration, and SOS Founder Ranvir “Biki” Mohindra. matters covering the period starting immediately after the death of the spouse to longterm life.

The program proved to be a huge success. Feedback was very positive, suggesting that such a program was much needed in the community, and requested similar and related follow-up programs.

The organizers now believe that this topic should have multigenerational relevance and that the separation from a spouse can occur upon death or incapacitation due to agerelated ailments. Being prepared for such an eventuality is important for couples and will

greatly help the survivor/caregiver face the situation. So, the program is not meant only for widows and widowers, but also to help senior citizen couples to plan and live rest of their lives happily to the fullest extent possible.

Younger generation may also find the seminar useful as it helps them to understand the issues facing their parents, or if an accidental death separates the family.

The July 8th seminar will address topics such as key actions to be taken when one of the spouses passes away, the stages of shock, denial and emotions of losing a long-term

companion or a bread winner.

The panelists will comment on communications to friends and relatives, funeral arrangements, documents to be gathered, accessing various benefits such as social security, pension, life insurance, and handling various challenges involved with financial issues, including wills, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and retirement accounts.

A representative from Social Security Administration will discuss survivor benefits and recent changes to SS benefits.

Our community leaders, who are the panelists, will discuss all the other topics.

The first segment of the program will include comments from the four panelists, and the second segment will be a moderated Q & A session, in which the panelists will address questions from the audience.

Please register for the seminar using the following link: www.indiahouseinc.org/lossof-spouse/.

For further information, please contact: Share Our Secrets (SOS): atma.ram1@ gmail.com; India House: vipin@indiahouseinc.org, 713-929-1900; IACAN: iacannetwork@gmail.com, 713370-3489; IACCGH: iaccgh@ iaccgh.com, 713-624-7131.

Southwestern National Bank

Your success is our success !

Let us help you reach your goals • Small Business Administration Loans (SBA Loans) • Commercial Financing • Real Estate and Construction Financing * Industrial * Office * Mixed-use * Retail * Multi-family Financing

* Hotel/ Motel * Convenience Store

We offer many of your bank financing needs, please contact us at : Catherine Liang Jack Kuo Jason Lim Headquarters 6901 Corporate Dr. Houston, TX 77036 713-771-9700

713-995-3210 713-995-3201 713-272-5021

Sugar Land Branch 3508 Highway 6 South Sugar Land, TX 77478 713-272-5028

Kent C. Ta Selina Hsieh Sally Li Dallas Regional Office 500 N. Central Exwy.

Richardson, TX 75080 972-246-1277

713-272-5055 713-272-5010 713-272-5027 Plano Branch 2304 Coit Rd. Suite 600 Plano, TX 75075 972-301-5988

www.swnbk.com Richardson Branch 1131 N. Jupiter Rd. Richardson, TX 75081 972-301-5988

Austin Branch 11220 N. Lamar Blvd. Suite A100 Austin, TX 78753 512-834-8886

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018• PAGE 5

NEWS Indian-Americans welcome ‘The Breakfast Revolution’ with a pledge of 1.1 million power-packed meals to end malnutrition in India Even as India’s growth over the last two decades has made us proud, the epidemic of malnutrition remains unabated.

Each year, half a million children in the country die before their fifth birthday as a result of malnutrition.

Over four years ago in Mumbai, the mother-son duo, Neelam and Dr. Pankaj Jethwani, co-founded ‘The Breakfast Revolution’ (TBR), a nonprofit that aims to end this very epidemic.

As per Dr. Jethwani, “TBR offers an evidence-based nutrition program to the most vulnerable children and mothers in India. At the heart of the program are power-packed meals.

Each meal has large quantities of protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals, covering the dietary deficit in our children. Fast forward four years, we have made progress by providing our program to 60,000+ children and women. But this is a drop in the ocean as malnutrition affects millions. Our single priority is to reach 1 million children by 2022 and provide them their fundamental right to nutrition” The program caught the eye of American philanthropists Mr. Arun Bhansali and Dr. Shirish Patrawalla.

To further grow the scale and impact of TBR, the organization incorporated as a 501c3 charity in the US in 2018. Arun Bhansali, a New Jersey-based entrepreneur and philanthropist, and President of the newly incorporated 501c3 entity stated that, “Now is an exciting time for us - we have growing scientific evidence that our program works. Let us join hands to strengthen India’s national resource and future assets – its

children.”

TBR USA hosted one event each in Manhattan and New Jersey last month. Mr. Bhansali added, “We are extremely happy to see the massive turnout.

More than 100 Indian-American philanthropists attended our two events. Our supporters acknowledge that the epidemic of malnutrition needs our urgent and collective action”.

Since launch, 55 donors have pledged more than $130,000 to support TBR’s meal programs.

Dr. Patrawalla, renowned Cardiologist and Secretary of TBR USA stated, “We are thankful to this overwhelming support in just 1 month. The funds will be used to deliver 1.1 million meals to 6,500 marginalized children. Over the next few years, we hope to build a strong organization that creates a massive difference in the lives of our children”.

Amongst the 100+ attendees was Dr. Anshul Vagrecha, a young Pediatrician. “If we see a severely underweight child in our hospital, the entire clinical staff is summoned to witness the ‘rare event’. However, when I practiced in India, malnutrition in children was the norm. A malnourished child performs poorly in school and is more likely to fall ill often. I donated to TBR because there can’t be a more compelling and more impactful problem to solve”.

TBR hopes to continue to grow its network of supporters in USA. To get in touch with The Breakfast Revolution, please email Dr. Pankaj Jethwani at pankaj@thebreakfastrevolution.org

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

SAT PSAT

GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

ACT SAT Subject

GMAT GRE

PRIVATE SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

ISEE HSPT

LSAT TOEFL

PROF. ENGINEERING LICENSING

OLSAT

FE-CBT

PE

Higher Scores Guaranteed

Most Perfect Scorers and National Merits Annually!

Different Learning Options Available

Classroom

Online

1-on-1

K-12 Math through Calculus, English, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Government and most AP Exams

281-276-7777

www.testmasters.com

facebook.com/testmasters youtube.com/testmasters @testmasters

Supporters of all ages: young professionals and seasoned philanthropists exchanging ideas at TBR’s launch event at Zaika in Manhattan

PAGE 6 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018

NEWS

His dad won the National Spelling Bee in 1985; Now, he competed for the 2018 title

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Atman Balakrishnan has an obvious spelling bee role model to idolize: His dad Balu Natarajan, who won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 1985.

Balakrishnan, 12, from outside Chicago, was one of the more than 500 competitors looking to bring home the trophy at the National Harbor Convention Center, but unlike his competition, he has a father who knows what it takes to win.

For Natarajan, 46, watching his son on the stage is more nerve-racking than when he competed himself.

“Like anything else for a parent, it is much more emotional watching your kid when you don’t have any control over it,” he said. “I have a much deeper appreciation for my parents and their emotional state when I was competing.”

Spelling on the national stage in 1985, Natarajan had the bright lights to face, but unlike today, ESPN wasn’t live streaming the competition and airing the final round in prime time on Thursday night.

It is one of the biggest changes to the Bee that Natarajan has seen, but the advice for being on stage remains the same: Block everything else out and focus on the word.

“I liked the feeling of being up there — being on stage and being on television,” Balakrishnan said. “But I didn’t really think about that. I just thought about me and (pronouncer) Dr. Bailly and the word.”

His word: cantico, meaning “a ceremonial dance of the Algonquian Indians of the Atlantic seaboard,” according to Merriam Webster.

The sheer number of words and influence of technology has also changed the Bee since Natarajan competed. He had to physically look up words in a dictionary to study and needed to know only around 10,000, whereas his son studies online and may need to know between 40,000 and 80,000 words, he said.

Balakrishnan said he gets up every morning around 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. to study on his own. His dad, mom and coach, among others, also help him prepare.

“He does a lot,” Natarajan said. “To be able to just see him get here through all his hard work, that’s the most important thing. And I’m really proud of him.”

And while the sixth grader says his dad is his inspiration, he doesn’t feel extra pressure from him.

“He encourages me to do it, but he says it’s fine if I don’t want to,” Balakrishnan said.

“But I want to, so he pushes me to work harder.”

The father-son team want to

win this year, but they’re realistic with it being Balakrishnan’s first year on the national stage. Balakrishnan said he has a goal of winning in the next few years, and he and his dad are proud of making it this far.

“The goal was to get here,” Natarajan said. “It’d be nice to make it to Thursday morning, but 90% of the people don’t. So we’ll see what happens.”

Either way, Natarajan has seen his son improve and mature making it this far.

“I learned through the spelling bee what hard work is, and I got closer to my family. And we’ve done that,” Natarajan said. “The sky is the limit as to what we could get, but even if nothing else happens from here, we’ve gotten quite a bit already.”

Right, Atman Balakrishnan, 12, and his father Dr. Balu Natarajan from outside Chicago. Atman is competing in the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. Natarajan won the bee in 1985.

—USA Today

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 • PAGE 7

PHILOSOPHY

Light and Sound

By Dr. Vijai S Shankar MD.PhD. The enlightened in ancient times have proclaimed that life is a play of light and sound.

The enlightened in modern times have proclaimed that life is an optical and auditory illusion of light and sound. The enlightened of both times are wise, but their proclamation appeals to knowledge as philosophical and not realistic, according to reason and logic of daily life, to every modern man and woman.

So what could the understanding of the enlightened be is the question that every modern man and woman should enquire?

The enlightened in ancient times, by seeing light and that everything exists in light, understood that everything that exists, including vegetation, animals, humans and nature, is a play of light.

The enlightened in ancient times, by noticing that vegetation, animal and humans make sound and sound exists in air, water, fire and earth, understood that life is a play of light and sound.

The enlightened of the modern times understood that a moment in life is not made by humans. They understood that the moment in life contained vegetation, animals and nature much before the moment included humans within it.

The enlightened of the modern times understood that a moment in life is precise. They also understood that everything that exists in the moment is precise and nothing other than what is present in the moment could be present.

The enlightened of the modern times understood that since every atom of nature, vegetation, animals and human beings is light, they are all illusions of light. By this understanding the enlightened of modern times understood that life is a play of light’s precision.

The enlightened of the modern times understood that since fire, air, water, vegetation and animals make sound, the sound must be happening in life in precision in every precise moment.

The enlightened of the modern times understood that sound is happening to human beings in life in precision in every precise moment, just as it does in nature, vegetation and animals.

The enlightened of the modern times also understand that the sounds happening to: entire vegetation, entire animals, entire human beings and to the entire nature happen in precision and precisely in the same moment.

The enlightened of the modern times also understand that, in this precision of entire life of light and sound, only the

Vijai S. Shankar sounds of humans precisely appear as illusory words with illusory meaning.

When this deep understanding, with deep reason and logic of precision, happens to modern man and woman, they will understand the wisdom of both

the ancient and modern enlightened being: that life is a play of light and sound, meaning an optical and auditory illusion of light and sound respectively.

Published on www.academy-advaita.com Editor’s Note: Man has been blessed throughout the ages by the revelations of enlightened beings that reach deeply into our daily lives. Nevertheless, our confidence that we are able to initiate, manage and complete the tasks necessary to provide for our extensive and precise needs is amply demonstrated by our daily vocabulary, both spoken and written. When there is prosperity or poverty, well-being or suffering, praise

or blame may be conveyed through attendant language.

This may include addressing a higher authority. If life is a play of light and sound. If life is an optical and auditory illusion of light and sound. If the deep understanding of the wise reveals that such is life. If the intellect of man may be transformed gradually to share this understanding. Let it be so and with this the complement of profound gratitude.

Julian Capper, UK. German Translator’s Note: Man lives a complicated life, he or she at least believes.

There are so many different opportunities and opportunities to seize, at the right moment.

As in ancient Greece, the philosopher and statesman Pitta-

kos said: “Know the right moment.” This, of course, means the right moment to do or to leave something. The author of this saying was counted among the “seven wise men”. However, wisdom is to admire the precision of life, rather than believing that through knowledge one could know the right time to act. The true, deeper wisdom of this article by Dr. Shankar reveals the precision of life: life is just a singular, precise, fluid movement, and the many different opportunities and opportunities to miss are illusory thoughts in the mind. Whoever understands this no longer misses life and no longer takes knowledge for wisdom.

Marcus Stegmaier, Germany

iEducate Summer Camp | June 4 - June 28

iEducate empowers college & high school youth to design and lead on-campus camps that are open and free to students at Title I elementary schools. The youth leaders manage classrooms of 12-15 elementary school students with a ratio of 1:4, allowing the students to receive more personalized instruction and engage in thought-provoking dialogue. The experience is not only a unique work and leadership experience for the college & high school youth, but also a chance for these role models to serve the communities that lack access to summer enrichment opportunities.

About iEducate iEducate (a 501c3 nonprofit) works with school districts to systematically engage college & high school youth in order to close achievement gaps at a foundational level. One of our goals is to build a cost-effective & scalable model for school districts to offer equitable summer opportunities to all elementary students - a key factor in closing the achievement gaps in low-income communities.

The Summer Model We work with several partner organizations to aggregate a curriculum that reinforces key TEKS as well as exposes students to engineering, art, debate, entrepreneurship and soft skills. The camps are led entirely by a team of college & high school students, participating in everything from lesson plan design to fundraising, and eventually day-to-day operations. On the final day of the camp, parents and special guests are invited to a presentation during which the elementary students demonstrate what they have learned and the projects they have worked on.

College & HS youth hold the following roles: ● ● ● ●

Curriculum designer – design topical lesson plans for all classrooms to choose from Campus coordinator – manage camp operations and interface with school district staff Master teacher – lead instructor, delivering lessons and managing classroom volunteers Classroom volunteer – supporting the master teacher in small group instruction & activities

The camp was first piloted in 2017 at 10 elementary schools, involving 120 youth and serving 450 elementary students. The 2018 camps will involve ~150 youth, serving over 500 4-5th graders across 12 elementary schools in HISD, KIPP, and Spring ISD. Enrichment curriculum was developed and contributed by the following partners: ● ● ● ● ●

College/HS youth​ (design of lesson plans, reviewed by school districts) Junior Achievement​ (financial literacy) United Way ​(daily book club, guided reading & discussion) Lemonade Day (entrepreneurship) Houston Dynamo (nutrition & fitness)

● ● ● ●

Houston Urban Debate League (debate) Children’s Museum, in collaboration with United Way (STEM kits & activities) Seven Lakes Robotics, Katy ISD (STEM & engineering activities) Texas French Arts Alliance (social & emotional learning through art projects)

Check out this link to hear from last year’s leaders on their experience: ​https://goo.gl/HZpuiG

To contact iEducate’s summer team, email ​summer@iEducateUSA.org

iEducate | summer@iEducateUSA.org | (713) 589-2427

PAGE 8 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018

NEWS Google wants to bring everyone online in India through its next billion plan For the $108-billion Google, each user going online is a data goldmine even if he or she is earning and spending just a couple of dollars a day.

If you bump into a lanky, blonde and bespectacled American at Borivali railway station during morning rush hour, don’t be puzzled. That’s Josh Woodward, and he knows more about you that you could possibly imagine! Over the past two years, Woodward and his team have been trying to understand how Mumbaikars live — their daily routine, what kind of business they do, what they spend on, how they commute, how often they use their phones and apps or the kind of information they are looking for.

For Woodward, based out of the Mountain View, California headquarters of Google, such deep understanding of microcosms is critical. He’s a group product manager on Google’s Next Billion Users (NBU) team — the motley crew that’s trying to get more people online.

Besides Mumbai, which was the focal point, the teams comprising UI, UX (user interface, user experience) experts, research designers and engineers, spent time in Mathura, Hyderabad, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. They interacted with 1,200 people in Borivali alone — and covered 9,000 people as part of their quest to comprehend the lives of Indians. Google’s search for new internet users is going hyperlocal!

NBU teams of three or four, comprising members from the US, Sydney, Singapore and India, started at 6:00 am — taking morning walks with locals, shadowing them through the day on buses, local trains and at roadside eateries and keeping awake till midnight. They saw firsthand what makes the Maximum City tick and how technology can solve some of the problems — like locating a 24-hour chemist, a tutor, a coach. Woodward spearheaded the project and visited India at least four times during product development. The result: on May 31, Google launched an app in Mumbai called ‘Neighbourly.

This announcement went almost unnoticed, overshadowed Patanjali’s Kimbho launch and BJP’s bypolls setback.

But for Google, the low-key beta launch is another big step in getting new users online and gaining insights into what those who are already online use mobile internet for. Neighbourly is a ‘Mumbai first’ product from Google and is unique in catering to a single city. In coming weeks and months, the app will be rolled out across more cities.

“Getting trustworthy hyperlocal information is tough. We chose Mumbai as it has 20 million people, from all over the world and speaking multiple

languages,” said Woodward, in a phone interview from Mumbai. The app works in English, Hindi, Marathi and six other Indian languages.

The local discovery and community app is a platform to find anything from a doctor, ATM or petrol pump to a mechanic or badminton coach, within 2 km radius. And India is a perfect market — if you develop for India, where less than half the 1.3-billion population is online, you have a product that will work everywhere. In an interview with ET in 2017, Sundar Pichai, chief executive, Google, said, “Over time, you will see more global products that are developed in India first.

That’s our aspiration.”

Neighbourly joined the long list of tweaks and apps by Google for India first; such as offline videos for YouTube, payments platform Tez, twowheeler navigation on Google Maps, Android Oreo (Go edition) to improve experience on low-RAM phones, Google Assistant for Reliance Jio phones, new apps like Google Go and Files Go, built from scratch and Google WiFi stations in partnership with Indian Railways. “When we build better products for India, we eventually build better products for everyone,” said Caesar Sengupta, vice-president, NBU, at a Google for India event in December 2017.

CLIMBING ON Every few minutes, people use a free product or platform from Google, via search, videos, payments or maps. The apps also help collect more data on what people do. The larger vision is to get the next billion users online— many of whom are in India and South East Asia, Africa and Latin America.

India’s diversity makes it an attractive launch pad. Rajan Anandan, vicepresident, South East Asia and India, Google, says, “We have a mission: Internet for every Indian. And to get there, we have to address all barriers — affordability, devices, products, languages and services.”

The Internet can astound and assist new users in equal parts.

Madhu Mishra, a female security guard at an office in central Delhi, who recently went online, says, “Internet has added more predictability to my daily routine. I check train timings daily on Google to see whether it’s late and decide whether to take a bus or train back home to Ghaziabad.”

She also bought a ceiling fan, after a price comparison on Google. “Google gave a better idea of what’s available and the price points,” says Madhu, who does voice search in Hindi to look up information. She uses a Spice phone and spends `198 a month on a 3G Idea Cellular connection, which gives

Google CEO Sundar Pichai her 5 GB data.

Madan Kumar, a watermelon vendor in Delhi, is not yet online but spends `100 a month on an Airtel connection. For Madan, affordability is a challenge that he wants to overcome soon as he feels his earnings will improve if he goes online. Anandan expects at least four billion people worldwide will be online sometime this year, though a significant part of offline people will be in India, a situation Google wants to change.

CVL Srinivas, country manager, WPP India and chief executive, GroupM South Asia, feels, “NBU programme is a great initiative. A lot of divides that exist in India, be it gender, income, education or employment, can be effectively and speedily bridged through digital.”

OF DATA AND SOAP Vivek Wadhwa, Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School, says, “It’s a data game, be it free WiFi, Gmail or anything else.” Google learns more about users and targets them. “Those earning as low as $2 a day, spend that on something, say soap. If Google can give data on what soap 30 million poor people use, it will be a goldmine for companies such as Levers etc,” adds Wadhwa.

The likes of Levers, Godrej, ITC and Colgate Palmolive will save lot of time-to-market on ground research and instead get that information from Google. The big challenge is that there are 1 billion mobile phone users and less than 400 million of them use the Internet. With its multiple, seemingly unrelated platforms, Google’s goal is common for — track and know what people do. This will translate into ads and revenue for Google.

Woodward says, “Monetisation is fairly product-specific.

There won’t be one size fits all, but vary from product to product, though my current goal is not monetisation but to solve problems that users face.”

USER IS THE PRODUCT For a user, the products and platforms are free, but that’s how the digital ads framework works. “If you are not paying for it, you are the product,” says

Advit Sachdev, chief marketing officer, Infibeam. He explains, “For Google, the user is the product and they want more of them so they can market those products and data generated from their daily transactions — be it information search or payment or watching videos.”

Once Internet companies such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn et al have user information, programmatic technology — or algorithmic sale and purchase of ads space in real time — steps in. Anything a user does online – visiting a website, the location, ID and past history — is captured and sent to an ad exchange.

On the other side, are advertisers — brands that pay get to show the ads. All this happens in less than 100 milliseconds.

So, when Madhu searches for a ceiling fan, Havells, Crompton, Luminous or Usha will compete to show her their ads.

To refine the process for advertisers, Google needs to keep collecting data and improve, return on advertising (RoA).

Google is also rolling out WiFi in collaboration with Indian Railways and looking at new partnerships as with Pune city.

Sanchit Vir Gogia, founder, Greyhound Research, says, “When you use WiFi, the depth of data collection is better.

Also, Google doesn’t have to pay Vodafone or Airtel to buy data if the user is accessing net on free WiFi.” In all, Google is rolling out WiFi at 400 railways stations in India. Raman Kalra, entertainment, media and sports advisory leader, PwC India, says, “At present, about one-third of the digital ads market is going waste due to poor targeting. If you have better data, returns can improve. As the user base scales to 1 billion in India, there are multiple ways to monetise — advertise, cross sell, market data.” For instance, better information could tell whether a customer can afford a Carrier, LG or an O-General air-conditioner.

Even new regulation like Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will help Internet companies. “With GDPR, the quality of data Google and other internet companies have will improve and that will increase trust of users

and advertisers on that information, leading to improved monetisation in future,” adds an internet honcho who did not wish to be named. GROWING FORTUNES For Google, India is a small but growing market.

Google India crossed the $1 billion sales milestone in fiscal 2017, posting a turnover of Rs 7,208.9 crore (about $1.11 billion), a 22% jump from Rs 5,904 crore in the previous corresponding period. Almost all of this is digital advertising revenue. Google and Facebook corner almost 70% of the digital ad pie in India, growing at 30% a year and expected to be Rs 12,337 crore in 2018, according to GroupM. The overall ad market will be Rs 69,346 crore in 2018, a 13% jump over 2017. The digital ad market is burgeoning but unlike in the past, the competition is catching up with Google.

Srinivas says, “With competition growing from over-thetop platforms for videos and from ecommerce players, the digital ecosystem is expanding rapidly beyond one or two players.

This, in turn, is leading to a lot more product innovation from existing players to retain or grow their consumer base.”

Google is part of the race. For instance, shoppers on Amazon or people checking out restaurants on Zomato are bypassing Google to search within these apps. To compensate for this loss of users, Google needs to continue adding new ones. “For Google, to increase demand for its platforms, it needs new users. All initiatives are linked to this goal,” says Rakesh Yadav, founder, AdGlobal, a digital advertising platform whose clients include Maruti, Nestle and Coca-Cola.

“Google has the mindshare.

To translate that mindshare into marketshare, is the gap it needs to bridge,” says DD Mishra, research director, Gartner India. Google is in no hurry. It wants to keep creating demand for internet and get more users online via new products such as Neighbourly and Tez. As for consumer spends online and monetisation prospects, Anandan says they are tied to per capita incomes.

“At around $2,000 per capita, you don’t have much disposable income. At between $2,000 and $4,000 per capita, people will spend on better homes, healthcare and education. Beyond $4,000, it is entirely disposable income.”

Anandan expects that tipping of $4,000 per capita income to happen in about seven years, by 2025.

By then, Madhu will probably be searching for an airconditioner and Madan will run a full-scale fruit mart. And Google will have more data than anyone else on their daily lives, along with that of a billion-plus mobile internet users The Economic imes

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 • PAGE 9

MGL 2018 Contests make a great summer vacation project!

Mahatma Gandhi Week 2018 citywide contests are a great summer project for all school children! By participating in these contests not only will the children make good use of their vacation time, they will also learn universal values of Truth, Nonviolence, Love and Service by participating in these contests. Children can participate in multiple contests depending on their interests. Besides learning universal values, your children will develop writing skills, oratory skills and other skills which will be a tremendous asset for rest of their lives. The winners will be awarded their prizes at 1000 Lights For Peace, grand celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday (October 2), at The Miller Outdoor Theatre on Sunday, October 14, 2018. More details will come in future newsletters.

The Indian Music Society of Houston presents

Pt. Parameshwar Hegde Saturday, June 16th 7:00 p.m. at Cullen Hall University of St. Thomas St. Thomas University

Tickets IMS Members: Free Non-Members: $25

Satish Hampiholi

Surya Upadhyaya

Tickets at imshouston.net or call 713-922-2501

PAGE 10 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018

COMMUNITY

Geeta

From Page 1

Mathur – both community leaders were key components in making the event successful.

In an effort to attract youth attendees, the conference was located at none other than the city’s hometown college, University of Houston (Main Campus). The seats quickly filled up with people from different walks of life as they all gathered to experience a broadening of their spiritual horizons.

In his address, Gopal Savjani, Chairman and CEO of Ansh Labs stated “We need more of this for our youth. The program was not only fun, but intellectually beneficial. The conference was emceed by Dave Shah (23), and Pratik Gandhi (24), two young men who volunteered to bridge the gap between the speakers and attendees. “We really enjoyed the informative speakers, but also really appreciated the Emcees who brought a ton of energy and entertainment throughout the entirety of the event. As a college student, the messages by the speakers

and the Emcees resonated with me and attendees close to my age.” said Jay Shah, an attendee.

The organizers of the event plan to organize this on a biennially basis and expect tremendous growth due to the success of the first conference.

With rapid technological advancement and information overload, the youth can greatly benefit from efforts like these that communicate the ancient knowledges in a manner that’s easily understood.

“The best way to get the youth more involved and inclined to learn the teachings of the Gita is simply by being an example that they can look up to” said Brahmacharini Shweta Chaitanya Ji responding to a question that many parents had with regard to youth involvement and interaction. The conference built the foundation for more youth involvement in various aspects and hopes to create a community where this scripture can be applied to anyone who is looking to have a deeper understanding of spirituality.

Download the free Indiaherald App from the Playstore

Willy, Nanayakkara & Associates ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW

BACK TO A TLANTA

INTEGRITY

DIGNITY

COMPETENCE

SPECIAL ADVISORS

CHIRANJAYA “ CHIRO” NANAYAKKARA Managing Attorney

JAMES W. PARKER Associate Attorney

GARY SPENCER Associate Attorney

ROBERTO ZAVALETA Associate Attorney

THOMAS P. FISCHER

Former District Director of Immigration

THOMAS R. HUTSON Former Consul General

GEORGE R. WILLY

OF COUNSEL

ROGER PIPER

Former District Director of Immigration

JIMMIE BENTON

Former Immigration Judge

Principal Attorney

Deportation

Employment Based

Naturalization

Family Based

Investment Visas

EB1 / EB2 / EB5

Professional Visas

Canadian Immigration

Skilled Worker Visas

30 MIN FREE CONSULTATION GRWPC.COM

Masala Radio @ AM 1110 Every Thursday: 4:00 to 4:30 pm

Geetanjali Radio @ AM 1320 2nd and 3rd Saturday: 3:00 to 3:30 pm

Andhra Mirchi @ AM 1050 Every 2nd Saturday: 1:00 to 1:30 pm

•Over 30 years of practice in Immigration Law. •Member of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association since 1989.

•Providing representation for Canadian Immigration through our associates in Canada.

•Over 16 Languages spoken by the Firm’s staff.

HOUSTON • ATLANTA • CANADA • MUMBAI - INDIA

HOUSTON: EVERY THURSDAY | (281) 265-2522 | (888) 529-5990 | IMMIGRATION@GRWPC.COM ATLANTA: EVERY 1ST & 3RD MONDAY | (404) 937-6868 | (888) 529-5990 | ATLANTAIMMIGRATION@GRWPC.COM

PAULINE APPELBAUM

Former Immigration Regional Counsel USCIS

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 • PAGE 11

IMMIGRATION LAW OFFICES OF

DAKSHINI R. SEN, P.C. Attorneys at Law Texas Location: 6200 Savoy Dr, Ste. #270 Houston, TX 77036 Tel: 713-278-1677 / Fax: 713-278-1656 New York Location: 1123 Broadway, Ste. #909 New York, NY 10010 Tel: 212-242-1677 / Fax: 212-

Dakshini R. Senanayake, B.S., LL.M. Licensed by the Supreme Court of New York

242-1688

H-1B, L1, P3, TN, O1, R1, E1/E2 and other nonimmigrant visas Employment & Family based Green Cards, PERM / I-140, I-130/I-485 & Citizenship

Web: www.dakshinisen.com

Email: dakshini@dakshinisen.com

HARDIK VYAS

Youngest Astrologer in North America Vaastu & Gem Stone Consultant; Hindu Priest for all Pujas & Marriages Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Gujarati & Marathi Astrologer Hardik Vyas, a famous young face in Vedic Astrology from India is in Houston. Call for guidance on Health, Wealth, Education, Career, Business, Property, Love & Passion, Marriage & Compatibility, Horoscope-Making, Child Problem, Luck & Fortune, Peace & Prosperity, Karma & Economic success.

Vaastu Shastra is an ancient science. Fix an appointment for personal visit to your home, plot, business/office, shop, factory, or hotel. Gain peace of mind and prosperity by doing little changes as per Vaastu Shastra. Simple, Easy, Scientific & Affordable solutions/remedies to overcome problems in your Horoscope and Vaastu.

Astrology & Vaastu Shastra are Science of Nature, and are not related with any religion, caste, or community. It is an Occult Science and gift of nature for the welfare of the people.

Listen to Hardik Vyas live on 1320 AM Shoba Joshi’s Geetanajali Radio

E-mail: askfuture@hotmail.com Ph: 832-298-9950 www.toaskfuture.com

devesh pathak cpa OL AD 11-2-15.pdf

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

4

11/2/15

12:07 PM

Multi-disciplinary Indian arts non-profit launched in Dallas The founder of the DFW South Asian Film Festival (SAFF), Jitin Hingorani, in partnership with the founder of One Society

by Shastra, Anu Agarwal, launches a multi-disciplinary, Indian arts non-profit in North Texas called DIAC, the Dallas Indian Arts Collective. The organization’s mission is to educate, entertain and enrich the lives of North Texans by creating a crosscultural platform to promote understanding and appreciation of Indian arts, whether performing, visual or literary.

“Arts creates (ex)change,” said Hingorani, “and through the success of SAFF, we have noticed that Dallasites are hungry for quality South Asian programming in our art-friendly city. Much like the independent films we bring to North Texas every year, we NOW hope to bring independent artists -- dancers, singers, playwrights, authors, painters, sculptors -- to add to the vibrancy of our cultural landscape.”

“Art invokes the human spirit, while pushing our boundaries to think, act and feel unorthodoxly” said DIAC co-founder Agarwal. “We aim to provide a much-needed platform for these artists, so that they can share their unique and relevant stories with the community-at-large.”

DIAC’s launch production is writer/director Isheeta Ganguly’s musical play THREE WOMEN, a saucy, sensual satirical spin on the lives of Bengali author Rabindranath Tagore’s three female characters, then and now. Isheeta Ganguly will travel from India with actors Avantika Akerkar, Mahnaz Damania and Chrisann Pereira, and actor Samrat Chakrabarti (special guest narrator) will be traveling from New York City. The play will be shown FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY at the Marshall Family Performing Arts Center at GreenHill School (4141 Spring Valley Road in Addison) on Thursday, June 14th from 7 to 9 p.m.

Visit www.diactexas.org.

Download India Herald Free App at the Apple Store or Andorid Playstore.

PAGE 12 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018

Consulate General of India, Houston, in partnership with various supporting organizations, invite you to celebrate International Day of Yoga

Thursday, 21st June 2018 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Midtown Park, 2811 Travis St, Houston, TX 77006 RSVP at yogadayoftexas2018.eventbrite.com Opening Remarks by Consul General of India, Dr. Anupam Ray Yoga Asana Practice Guided relaxation Closing Remarks Celebration with Colors

yogadayoftexas.org

facebook.com/yogadayoftexas

instagram.com/yogadayoftexas

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 • PAGE 13

NEWS Hindustan Unilever to launch ‘traditional’ breakfast such as khichdi, upma

MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever (HULNSE -0.03 %), the country largest consumer goods firm, plans to launch traditional South Asian breakfast options such as khichdi, upma and pongal in a pronounced deviation from its earlier strategy to familiarise the Indian shopper with a more global menu, which included noodles and pre-mixed soups.

The new products, made of millets such as jowar and bajra under its ayurveda brand Ayush, will mainly compete with MTR, Kellogg’s, PepsiCo and Marico in the Rs 3,000-crore breakfast market, where consumers have been switching from western cereals to either traditional Indian or healthier alternatives.

HUL’s entry into the segment is also seen as a pre-emptive move aimed at taking the fight to Patanjali, which sells dalia, corn-flakes and oats but also has plans to launch similar products later this year. The Indian unit of Anglo-Dutch consumer giant, however, said it will address some of the key barriers such as use of preservatives and health concerns around packaged foods that have led to the low consumption of such items in India.

“Lever Ayush Foods marks our entry into the health and naturals food segment. With our brand vision of traditional ingredients being made contemporary, we will be able to democratise the benefits of ayurveda inspired recipes to the Indian consumer and do our part in making India healthy,” said GeetuVerma, executive director - foods at HUL. It is test marketing the new range in Chennai.

In India, the packaged food market is heavily skewed toward biscuits and salty snacks that together is nearly Rs 50,000 crore in size. In comparison, other food segments, especially the breakfast cereal industry, has not made much progress as it has failed to convince Indians to switch their eating habits.

When making a choice, Indians have always preferred health to taste. With products such as corn-flakes hit by the convenience and lifestyle trends, there is also a bigger appetite for protein over carbohydrates.

“Indians are moving to packaged breakfast options and the main switch is happening between traditional, home cooked breakfast to easier solutions like ready to cook or eat options,” said Aditya Bagri, director at Baggry’s that sells muesli, oats and cornflakes. “There is a segment looking for healthy or functional stuff and also for solutions to our traditional foods made easy.”

Analysts also expect such products to eventually compete with the likes of ubiquitous udipi joints and Irani cafes that cater to most out-of-home breakfast eaters.

Some cereal segments have been growing well – especially those perceived as healthy, such as oat-based products that have seen Marico or PepsiCo’s Quaker Oats launching masala variants to cater to the Indian palette.

HUL, which sells brands such as Knorr and Kissan, clocked nearly Rs 1,147 crore from its foods division during FY18. Ayush, which was originally launched in 2001, was relaunched in the personal care space with several mass-market products ranging from toothpaste and skin cream to soaps and shampoos.

The market has also seen shifting consumer taste toward natural or herbal brands, mostly in personal care, especially after Patanjali’s entry.

While growth at the Baba Ramdev-led firm has tapered off, newer players could add to competition. Last month, Nestle India announced that it will add breakfast cereals from joint venture Cereal Partners Worldwide to its portfolio.

94% of engineering graduates are not fit for hiring, says this IT stalwart A McKinsey report had flagged the issue more than a decade ago when it said just a quarter of engineers in India were actually employable.

Last year, a study by employability assessment company Aspiring Minds created a stir by claiming that 95 per cent of engineers in the country were not fit for software development jobs. IT veteran TV Mohandas Pai has termed the study “total rubbish”. Pai, the Chairman of Manipal Global Education, has been a CFO and a board member at InfosysNSE -1.50 %. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw—founder, chairperson and managing director of biotechnology company Biocon— too disagreed with the findings.

Now an industry veteran’s observations have echoed the findings of the study.

CP Gurnani, CEO & MD of Tech Mahindra, has said that 94% of engineering graduated were not fit for hiring. “The top 10 IT companies take only 6% of the engineering graduates.

What happens to the remaining 94%?” he said in an interview to TOI. Due to to the widening skill gap, now industry has to retrain even those who get hired. “If you come to Tech Mahindra, I have created a five-acre tech & learning centre. Other top companies have also created similar facilities to skill employees. For learnability, skill development and being ready for the market, the onus is now shifting onto the industry,” he said.

Commenting on the poor quality of engineering graduates, Gurnanai said, “Let me give you an example from a city like Delhi. A student scoring 60% marks cannot pursue BA-English today, but can definitely go in for engineer-

ing. My point is simple — are we not creating people for unemployment? The Indian IT industry wants skills. For example, Nasscom says 6 million people are required in cybersecurity by 2022. But we have a skills shortage. The point is if I am looking for a robotics person and instead I get a mainframe person, then it creates a skill gap. This comes as a big challenge.”

The Aspiring Minds study claimed that only 4.77 per cent candidates could write the correct logic for a programme—a minimum requirement for any programming job. More than 36,000 engineering students form IT-related branches of over 500 colleges took Automata—a Machine Learning based assessment of software development skills—and more than 60% could not even write code that compiles. Only 1.4 per cent could write functionally correct and efficient code, it said.

It said employability for roles such as mechanical design engineer and civil engineer stood at a meagre 5.55 per cent and 6.48 per cent respectively. The lowest employability percentage was for the chemical design engineer role at 1.64 per cent. Employability in the domain-specific roles was the highest for electronics engineers at 7.07 per cent.

A McKinsey report had flagged the issue more than a decade ago when it said just a quarter of engineers in India were actually employable.

India’s problem of substandard engineering education is now widely known. Except IITs and other prestigious technology institutes, most engineering colleges are unable to provide education to engi-

neering student that would get them suitable jobs. At the root of the problem is mushrooming of low-quality engineering colleges over the years. As students from such colleges fail to get suitable jobs, they face decline in enrolment. Now a large number of these colleges are being closed down.

There will be around 80,000 less seats in engineering this year in the country. This will lead to around 3.1 lakh seats less in four years. According to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), nearly 200 ‘substandard’ engineering colleges have applied for closure. Since 2016, the number of engineering seats has been on the decline. According to AICTE, it is around 75,000 annually. In 2016-17, total intake capacity at undergraduate level was 15,71,220, of which total enrolment was 7,87,127, which is just around 50.1 per cent. In 2015-16, total intake was 16,47,155, of which enrolment was 8,60,357, which was 52.2 per cent AICTE wants to close down about 800 engineering colleges across India. There are no takers for their seats, and admissions are plunging in these colleges every year. Nearly 150 colleges are closed down voluntarily every year due to stricter AICTE rules. According to a rule of the council, colleges that lack proper infrastructure and report less than 30% admissions for five consecutive years will have to be shut down. AICTE has approved the progressive closure of more than 410 colleges across India, from 2014-15 to 2017-18.

—The Economic Times

PAGE 14 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018

NEWS Shashi Tharoor summoned as accused in wife Sunanda Pushkar death case

Shashi Tharoor with Sunanda Pushkar.

A Delhi court on Tuesday probe report and summon him summoned Congress leader as an accused.

Shashi Tharoor as an accused Mr. Tharoor in a tweet isin the case of death of his wife sued a statement calling the Sunanda Pushkar. charges against him “preposDirecting him to appear be- terous and baseless”. fore the court on July 7, Ad- The post mortem report had ditional Chief Metropolitan stated that there were injuries Magistrate Samar Vishal said: on the body of Pushkar, Mr. “There are sufficient material Shrivastava said. When the at this stage to proceed against court asked the prosecutor Tharoor. I have gone through about the cause of her death, and perused the charge sheet he said it was due to poisoning, and documents filed along but added that the matter was with it. Upon the police report, under investigation.

I take cognizance of the charg- Will contest charges, es of abetment of suicide of the late Sunanda Pushkar and says Shashi Tharoor committing cruelty upon her The Congress leader, howby Shashi Tharoor.” ever, refused to speak further On May 28, the court reand urged the media to respect served the order on taking his and his family’s right to cognizance of the charges. privacy as the matter is subAdditional public prosecutor judice.

Atul Shrivastava argued that Soon after a Delhi court there was sufficient material summoned him in a case relaton record to prove the charges ing to death of his wife, Conagainst Mr. Tharoor of subgress leader Shashi Tharoor on jecting Pushkar to cruelty and Tuesady dubbed the charges thereby abetting her suicide. against him as “preposterous The Delhi Police have charged Mr. Tharoor under and baseless” and the product Sections 498 A (husband or his of a malicious and vindictive relative subjecting a woman campaign against him that he to cruelty) and 306 (abetment will vigorously contest.

In a statement, he said he of suicide) of the Indian Penal maintains steadfast conviction Code. that ultimately the truth will Reading out from the charge prevail through the judicial sheet, the prosecutor informed system.

“I would like to rethe court that Pushkar had in an iterate my position that I find email to Mr. Tharoor expressed the charges preposterous and her wish to die. “I do not care baseless, the product of a maliabout the tests. I have no will to live, all I pray for is death,” cious and vindictive campaign Mr. Shrivastava read out from against myself.

“I will continue to vigorousthe charge sheet, in support of ly contest these charges and the charges against the Conmaintain steadfast conviction gress leader, while urging the that ultimately the truth will court to take cognizance of the

prevail through the judicial system that we are privileged to have in our country,” he said.

He, however, refused to speak further and urged the media to respect his and his family’s right to privacy as the matter is sub-judice. “I will refrain from commenting on this issue further until such time as the next scheduled hearing of the case,” he said.

Mr. Tharoor said he has taken note of the developments in the case being heard by the Patiala House Court in relation to the circumstances surrounding the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar.

He said that he had fully cooperated from the very beginning with the investigating team and will continue to maintain that due legal process must be followed in all aspects related to this case.

His remarks came soon after the Delhi court summoned him on July 7, saying there were sufficient grounds to proceed against him. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal took cognisance of Mr. Tharoor’s alleged offences of abetment of suicide and committing cruelty towards Ms. Pushkar.

“I have heard the prosecutor. I have gone through and perused the charge sheet and the documents filed along with it. On the basis of police report (charge sheet), I take cognisance of offence of abetment of suicide of late Sunanda Pushkar and committing cruelty upon her by Dr Shashi Tharoor,” the judge said.

“There exists sufficient grounds to proceed against Tharoor for commission of offences of Section 306 and 498 A of IPC. Issue summons to him for appearance for July 7,” the court added.

The Delhi Police had on May 14 accused the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram of abetting Pushkar’s suicide and told a city court that he should be summoned as an accused in the four-and-half year-old case, claiming there was sufficient evidence against him.

Pushkar was found dead in a luxury hotel room on the night of January 17, 2014.

One or two of his statements have been taken out of context, says Goa Archbishop’s office

A “new trend” of mono-culturalism, which demanded uniformity in what and how one ate, dressed, lived and even worshipped, was putting human rights at risk, pastoral letter said.

The Goa church authorities on Tuesday tried to downplay the comments of the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Ferrao, in his annual pastoral letter that the Indian Constitution is in danger owing to the current political environment in the country.

The Archbishop’s Secretary, Fr Joaquim Loila Pereira, said “one or two statements” made by the Archbishop were taken out of context. “One or two statements of the Bishop have been taken out and I will say taken out of the context and made an issue of. We will not make any further comments or give explanations of the letter. If you want, you read the pastoral letter online and try to understand the context of why it is being said, what is said,” he told presspersons. The pastoral letter released on Sunday, among other things, said that Indian Constitution was in danger and added that a “new trend” of mono-culturalism, which demanded uniformity in what and how one ate, dressed, lived and even worshipped, was putting human rights at risk. It said, “Today, our Constitution is in danger, a reason why most of the people live in insecurity. Particularly, as the general elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our Constitution better and work harder to protect it.”

Who is Savita Halappanavar?

A man walks past a mural showing Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian dentist who had sought and been denied an abortion before she died after a miscarriage in a Galway hospital, with the word YES over it, in Dublin,Ireland.

“Savita! Savita!” chanted men and women, young and old, who gathered at Dublin Castle last weekend to celebrate the news that, by a clear majority, Ireland had voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment that effectively bars women from having abortions under most circumstances. The case of Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old dentist originally from Karnataka, who died of septicaemia in 2012 after she was refused an abortion at University Hospital Galway, has been at the heart of the heated debate in the weeks running up to the May 25 vote.

The images of Savita that made their way onto billboards, placards, flyers, murals and social media — smiling confidently at the camera, her face framed by thick, lustrous black hair — represented to many what was so fundamentally wrong about the system. That a person so full of energy and with so much to live for could have her life cruelly cut short by laws out of tune with society’s march provoked widespread outrage.

What’s the situation?

Abortion has been illegal in Ireland as long as the state has existed, but lobbyists fearing change pushed for the 1983 Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. It treated “the right to life of the unborn” child as equal to the right of life to the mother and followed a referendum in which over two-thirds supported the inclusion of the amendment, though on a turnout of 53%.

Over the coming year society changed rapidly, including supporting gay marriage in 2015. However, the abortion legislation remained firmly restrictive, allowing terminations only when there was a risk of suicide or harm to the health of the mother (but not in the event of rape). Attempts were made to ease restrictions, including through a case which made its way all the way to the European Court of Justice, to little avail.

While some who sought abortions were able to travel abroad, including to the U.K. where over 1,60,000 Irish women had terminations between 1980 and 2016, many were unable to do so.

What was her impact on vote?

The 2012 death of Halappanavar helped to catalyse a grassroots campaign for change. Immediately after her death, protests, and candle-light vigils were held nationwide. While some pointed to the lack of clarity in legislation, many pushed for a fundamental change. They included — powerfully — her parents who from the outset were adamant that laws needed to change fast to ensure no one suffered the fate of their daughter.

In the end, following weeks of formal campaigning, over 66% voted to scrap the amendment, while just one rural county, Donegal, voted to keep it. The government has emphasised the broadbased nature of the vote — cutting across age, class, gender and locality.

Leo Varadkar, the Prime Minister, had pledged a referendum on abortion after coming to power, though his precise views on what needed to change remained unclear. “The people have spoken,” he said after the result, which he said indicated “we trust women and we respect women to make their own decisions and their own choice.”

What happens now?

The government is pushing for the legalisation of abortions on request (and subject to medical advice) for the first 12 weeks, and in rarer cases up to 24 weeks. Legislation could be in place by year-end.

Will there be Savita’s Law? There are pleas for the new law to be called Savita’s Law. The vote in Ireland has also spurred calls for a change across the border in Northern Ireland, where abortion rules remain highly restricted, compared with the rest of the U.K. The British government — eager to please its highly conservative Northern Irish ally, DUP, has pushed back against calls for change. Longer term, however, it is hard to see how political forces can ignore the powerful message sent by tragic cases such as Halappanavar’s.

— Vidya Ram in The Hindu

NEWS Film Federation seeks steps to release ‘Kaala’ in Karnataka

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 • PAGE 15

Dynamics of India-U.S. ties cannot influence defence relationship with Russia: Nirmala Sitharaman Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said India had made it clear to the United States that its relationship with Russia was lasting and the dynamics of Indo-U.S. ties cannot influence it.

“I like to make it clear here that in all our engagements with the U.S., we have very clearly explained how India and Russia’s defence cooperation has been go-

ing on for a very long time,” Ms. Sitharaman said in response to a media query pertaining to the U.S. advising India to not go ahead with purchase of S-400 anti-missile system from Russia.

“It’s a time-tested relationship and India has got quite a lot of defence assets from Russia. Assets, spares, servicing, we have a continuous relationship with Russia,” she noted.

Ms. Sitharaman said the U.S. sanctions against Russia would not be impacting “this particular characteristic of India-Russia defence cooperation”.

Negotiations with Russia for S-400 were in the final stage, she pointed out, “The S-400 deal has been on for a very long time and we have reached the final stage negotiations. That explains it all,” she said.

PM Modi meets US Defence Secretary The ban on superstar Rajinikanth’s coming movie ‘Kaala’ in Karnataka over his reported statements on the Cauvery row prompted a national film body to request the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce today to expedite it’s release in the state.

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) is upset with Rajinikanth’s reportedstatement that whichever government comes to power inKarnataka should implement the Supreme Court order on Cauverywater sharing in toto.

The chamber recently decided not to allow screening of his movie Kaala, due for release on June 7, in the state.

The film star has often faced the wrath of pro-Kannada organisations for his comments on the Cauvery issue.

Film Federation of India president Sakshi Mehra told PTI that it has requested SIFCC to hold talks with KFCC to get the movie released, in the interest of the film industry.

SIFCC secretary L Suresh said they had sent a letter to KFCC to solve the problem by convening a meeting with the Kannada outfits .

“I have spoken to KFCC president Sa Ra Govindu and also written a letter to him. The KFCC would probably call for a meeting with the outfits tomorrow or the day after,” he said.

Suresh said it is unfortunate that cinema is being mixed with politics, which would only result in a loss to the film industry.

“The ban on Kaala will not only affect the Tamil film industry, but also the Kannada film fraternity and the Indian film industry as a whole,” he said.

Karnataka Rajinikant Fans Association too has written to KFCC, seeking chief minister H D Kumaraswamy’s intervention to solve the issue.

“Politics should not be mixed with cinema. Rajinikanth had made remarks on the formation of Cauvery water board, which could be beneficial to both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,” president of Karnataka Rajinikanth Fans Association, Rajani Santosh said. ‘Kaala’ is scheduled for a worldwide release on June 7.

A hero’s welcome was given to the ancient bronze idols of emperor Raja Raja Chola I and his consort Lokamadevi, recovered from an Ahmedabad museum, at the king’s territory of Kumbakonam on Friday. Unreserved praise for the Idol Wing police team that effected the retrieval was there for all to see. Inspector General of Police, Idol Wing, A.G. Ponn Manickavel, led his team of officers in producing the two priceless icons before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kumbakonam, Ayyappan Pillai, hearing the cases related to idol thefts. After recordings and verifications, the magistrate ordered the idols to be handed over to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and its Assistant Commissioner in Kumbakonam Bharaneedharan took official custody of the two ancient icons.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in Singapore, days after the Pentagon renamed its Pacific Command as Indo-Pacific Command in a largely symbolic move to signal India’s importance to the US military.

Mr. Modi, who is here on the last leg of his three-nation tour, held a closed-door meeting with Mr. Mattis during which both sides discussed all security related issues of mutual and global interests, sources said.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue which was addressed by the Prime Minister last night. In his keynote address at the Dialogue, Mr. Modi had said an “Asia of rivalry” will hold the region back while an Asia of cooperation will shape the current century. Asia and the world will have a better future when India and China work together with trust and confidence while being sensitive to each other’s interests, he had said.

“We should all have equal access as a right under international law to the use of common spaces on sea and in the air that would require freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law,” he had said.

Mr. Mattis also addressed the dialogue where he stressed upon freedom for all and “reaffirmation for rule based order”.

The meeting between the two leaders assumes significance as in his address Mr. Mattis has stressed upon both countries working together and with other nations for ensuring peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. “It is only appropriate that waterways remain open for all nations,” he said.

The meeting comes days after the U.S. renamed its oldest and largest military command - the Pacific Command - to Indo-Pacific Command, amid heightened tensions with China over the militarisation of the South China Sea. The U.S. move came in the wake of

a series of measures by China that have raised tensions in the South China Sea. China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area.

The U.S. also rejects China’s claims of ownership of the area. The Pentagon’s move is also reflective of the growing importance of India in U.S. strategic thinking.

India was granted the ‘Major Defence Partner’ status by the previous Barack Obama Administration, providing for transfer of technology and deeper cooperation in the defence sector. In 2016, India and the U.S. had signed a crucial logistics defence pact enabling their militaries to use each other’s assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, making joint operations more efficient. Soon after coming to power, the Trump administration had renamed Asia Pacific as Indo-Pacific and identified India as one bookend of the region.

VHP asks Hindus to unite to protect Sri Venkateshwara temple of Tirumala A meeting of Hindu religious heads and leaders of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Hyderabad has called upon the Hindu community to unite to protect the Sri Venkateshwara temple of Tirumala and other institutions under the Tirumala Tirupati Devsthanam.

The meeting was called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the wake of the allegations of mismanagement in the TTD and some of the jewels of the Tirumala temple going missing. Expressing deep concern over the alleged mismanagement in the TTD affairs, the meeting demanded that Dharmik Mandali should be constituted and the Government and political interference in the TTD management should be ended. The meeting also wanted the Government to order a thorough probe in to the allegations of the theft of the jewels and allay the apprehensions of the devotees.

The meeting was attended by the head of the Hampi Peeth Sri Vidyaraniya Bharati, prominent seer Sri Paripurvananda Swamy, founder of Hindu Temples Protection Committee Sri Kamlananda Bharati and many other religious figures. State VHP President M Rama Raju, working president Surinder Reddy, former State Government Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao were also present in the meeting.

The meeting also demanded that the State Government should consult the religious heads on the steps to be taken to protect the sanctity of the temple.

The next meeting will be held at Tirupati on June 9 and issue a declaration with guidelines to unite the Hindu society, a press release of VHP said.

A row was kicked up last month with a former Chief Priest of Tirumala temple Ramana Deekshitulu alleging that many ancient jewels of the temple were missing and there were serious irregularities in the management of the temple.

The ruling Telugu Desam party on the other hand alleged that the BJP was hatching a conspiracy to destabilize the state by leveling baseless allegations regarding Tirumala temple.

PAGE 16 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018

NEWS

Singapore re-sanctifies 148-year-old Hindu temple

The Sri Krishnan Temple was established in 1870 in Waterloo Street, which was then known as Church Street.

Communications and Information Minister S Iswaran and priests flown in from India led some 10,000 devotees at a ceremony to re-sanctify a 148-year old Hindu temple here.

The ceremony that began at 9:15 am yesterday, marked the start of a 48-day consecration process of the temple that underwent renovation for over four years at a cost of nearly SGD 4 million, The Straits Times reported on Monday.

Maha Samprokshanam, as the ceremony is called, is organised every 12 to 15 years in Singapore’s Hindu temples, many of which were built by Indian migrants over 100 years ago.

In the four-year process, the temple committee collaborated with artists and technical advisers to review and endorse ideas for the renovation.

The dome and the statues around it were clad in gold-plated copper, while decorative works on the pillars required two sculptors crafting them on site for over three years.

In the main hall, eight cement shrines were replaced with onyx sanctums. The stone, chosen for its durability, were sourced from India and tested at the National University of Singapore for authenticity and hardiness.

The Sri Krishnan Temple was established in 1870 in Waterloo Street, which was then known as Church Street.

The temple remains at its original site and was gazetted for conservation in June 2014.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Iswaran said the temple showed how Singaporeans shared one another’s beliefs and culture, leading to a sense of community and mutual respect.

“One very interesting feature of this temple is the fact that it has appealed to Singaporeans of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds,” he said.

Virginia politicians woo Indian-Americans ahead of polls

The population of Indian Americans in the Virginia suburb of Washington DC has increased significantly in the past one decade. In 2010, there were more than 100,000 Indian Americans in Virginia, an increase of 112 per cent since 2000.

Ahead of mid-term polls in November, political parties in the U.S. state of Virginia are trying to woo Indian Americans as their increasingly swelling number can play a key role in deciding the election results.

At a time when the voting percentage in mid-term elections is coming down, the Indian American community, whose number has increased significantly in recent years, can make a big impact by coming out to vote in large number and deciding the winner, said Delegate David Reid.

Seeking a re-election from the Virginia Assembly District 32, Mr. Reid urged Indian-American to be politically active.

The population of Indian Americans in the Virginia suburb of Washington DC has increased

significantly in the past one decade. In 2010, there were more than 100,000 Indian Americans in Virginia, an increase of 112 per cent since 2000.

However, there has been a substantial surge in the Indian American population. Neighbourhoods like Ashburn in Loudon County in the last few years have emerged as Little India.

Nearly a dozen political leaders, delegates and those running for various elected offices this November turned up at an event organised by Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE) in the Ashburn suburb of Washington DC on Sunday.

“This is a recognition of the increasing presence of Indian Americans in Virginia,” said Satish Korpe, a member of the IAFPE. Observing that the community has “not been that active or that involved” in the past, Delegate Mark Keam called for increasing the presence of Indian Americans and other Asian

Visit Google Playstore or Apple store and download the free India Herald App today.

US receives over 5,000 tips on H-1B visa fraud: Official

More than 5,000 complaints of H-1B visa fraud and abuse have been received by a federal agency on a dedicated email helpline that was launched by the Trump administration last year, an official said.

“As of May 21, 2018, the USCIS has received over 5,000 tips to the dedicated H-1B email address,” Philip Smith, a Spokesperson for the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) told PTI. After US President Donald Trump signed “Buy American, Hire American” executive order last year, Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) established email addresses dedicated to receiving information about suspected H-1B and H-2B fraud or abuse.

FDNS leads USCIS’s efforts to combat immigration benefit fraud.

Anyone (including both American workers and workers who suspect they or others may be the victim of H-1B or H-2B fraud or abuse) can email ReportH1BAbuse@uscis.dhs.gov or ReportH2BAbuse@uscis.dhs.gov to submit tips, alleged violations, and other relevant information about potential fraud or abuse, Smith said.

The USCIS, however, did not provide any other details with regard to the nature of complaints, the companies involved and which country’s high-tech professionals were the victims of H-1B visa fraud and abuse.

“Pursuant to the Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, FDNS has helped the

agency investigate the H-1B program to protect American workers,” Mr. Smith said.

In April 2017, USCIS FDNS created and implemented the Targeted Site Visit and Verification Program (TSVVP) as part of its continuous efforts to enhance the integrity of the immigration benefit process, he said.

“This targeted approach focuses on H-1B dependent employers (those who have a high ratio of H-1B workers as compared to US workers, as defined by statute); Cases that we cannot validate the employer’s basic business information through commercially available data; and employers petitioning for H-1B workers who work off-site at another company or organization’s location,” Mr. Smith said in response to a question.

FDNS officers resolve background check information and other concerns that surface during the processing of immigration benefit applications and petitions.

Resolution often requires communication with law enforcement or intelligence agencies to make sure that the information is relevant to the applicant or petitioner at hand and, if so, whether the information would have an impact on eligibility for the benefit.

FDNS officers also perform checks of USCIS databases and public information, as well as other administrative inquiries, to verify information provided on, and in support of, applications and petitions.

Smith said administrative inquiries may include targeted

site visits — Inquiries conducted in cases where fraud is suspected.

FDNS uses the Fraud Detection and National Security Data System (FDNS-DS) to identify fraud and track potential patterns, he said.

The USCIS has formed a partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in which FDNS pursues administrative inquiries into most application and petition fraud, while ICE conducts criminal investigations into major fraud conspiracies, he said.

According to the USCIS, the H-1B visa program should help US companies recruit highlyskilled foreign nationals when there is a shortage of qualified workers in the country.

“Yet, too many American workers who are as qualified, willing, and deserving to work in these fields have been ignored or unfairly disadvantaged,” the USCIS says on its webpage.

Employers who abuse H-1B visa program may negatively affect US workers, decreasing wages and opportunities as they import more workers from abroad, it said.

Highly popular among Indian technology professional, the H-1B visa is normally issued for three years and renewed for another three years.

The US Congress has a cap of 65,000 H-1B visas per year.

It also issues another 20,000 H-1B visas to those who have masters and higher education from a US academic institute.

groups in politics.

“We have to make change in the country where we live. We have to have representation,” he said. Until the community has people who represent them directly, they need to elect people who can make policies favourable for them.

A former State Department official Alison Friedman, running for Congress from Virginia, said she is inspired by the two school girls she met in a remote Bihar village where she visited in her role as an American diplomat. “First time I went outside of U.S. is India.

I went to a school in Bihar

where people were studying under the tree,” she said.

“Make sure that your rights are secure in America. Who we are in the government, not only impacts your community, but also the entire world. If they can do it in Bihar, we can do it here,” said Ms. Friedman, who is seeking to unseat Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock from the 10th Congressional District of Virginia.

Bharat Bhargava, a former Bush Administration official, said that Indian Americans have come a long way and have accomplished a lot in various parts of life, but there

is need to increase their presence in politics. Indian American Sant Gupta, past president of local Durga Temple, said that Indian Americans need to actively participate in the general elections.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who was vice-presidential candidate for the 2016 presidential elections, sent a lengthy video message for the event in which he praised the contribution of Indian Americans in the country and the State. Mr. Kaine, an influential Democratic Senator is seeking re-election in the November polls.

COMMUNITY

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 • PAGE 17

Asia Society Women’s Leadership Series ends with Women in Fashion Evening

Designers/panelists Khanh Nguyen, Chloe Dao, Naina Shah, Becky Hollands, and moderator Joy Sewing.Asia Society showcased four of today’s most talented Asian Designers, Chloe Dao, Becky Hollands, Khanh Nguyen, and Naina Shah.

HOUSTON, May 29, 2018 — Asia Society Texas Center (ASTC) completed the third year of the Bank of America Women’s Leadership Series (WLS) with a sold-out event entitled Women in Fashion. WLS is ASTC’s flagship program showcasing distinguished female professionals. The May 17 event was moderated by Houston Chronicle fashion reporter Joy Sewing, and the panelists were designers Chloe Dao, Becky Hollands, Khanh Nguyen, and Naina Shah. Three of the designers have Texas roots (Dao, Hollands, and Nguyen), while Shah splits her time between Mumbai and NYC. After the program and Q&A at ASTC, the evening continued across the street at The Southmore. At the post-event reception, guests mingled with the panelists, viewed the panelists’ designs on-display, indulged in nibbles from Cordúa Catering, and enjoyed music on the Southmore’s seventhfloor poolside deck.

The fourth year of the Women’s Leadership Series (WLS) will kick off this fall (date and program TBD). The WLS committee is chaired by Mandy Kao WLS committee member Nancy Allen, left, with Leela Krishand Y. Ping Sun, and the pro- namurthy gramming focuses on women for influential women of Asian descent, as well as women enwho are making a substantive gaged in leading efforts reflected in the Asia Society mission, to impact in society and business. share their personal and professional experiences.

The series provides a platform

Naina Shah creates intricate decorations for European and American fashion houses using traditional Indian craftsmanship.

She and her mother run the Mumbai-based bespoke embroidery company Aditiany which specializes in custom hand embroidery and beading and produces hand-finished embellishments for the likes of Gucci, Erdem, and Alexander McQueen. Naina grew up in New York and learned the trade by working with her mother who founded Aditiany in 1991. The atelier has helped transform a mohair sweater into a garden of silk trompe-l’oeil roses (Dolce & Gabbana), hand-beaded an entire custom jumpsuit tailored to model Bella Hadid’s body (Alexander Wang), turned a velvet Saint Laurent smoking jacket into a galaxy of embroidered stars for Keith Richards, and the gold sequin snakes that wound up on the Renaissance-inspired gowns of Gucci’s cruise 2018 collection are the handiwork of Aditiany artisans. Naina was recently featured in the New York Times Style Magazine.

Sheela Rao, left and Monjula Chidambaram

PAGE 8 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 PAGE 8 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 PAGE 18 INDIAHERALD HERALD• •WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY,MARCH JUNE 6,30, 2018 8 • •INDIA 2016

COMMUNITY CALENDAR COMMUNITY CALENDAR COMMUNITY CALENDAR COMMUNITY CALENDAR COMMUNITY CALENDAR kids 4 to 18 yrs - meditation, Yoga, Arya Samaj Satsang

Art Museum Yoga Meditation classes: MonArya Samaj Satsang Sri Meenakshi Temple Brahma Kumaris Weekly Havan Satsang every from 10 a.m. to 127-8 noon.

Kannappan Art Museum will be Sunday Fri @ 6:00-6:45am and pm,

Weekly Havan Satsang every 10 a.m. to noon.

8Apr FriSchool 7:00 p.m Brahma is 12 pleased DAV Sanskriti Sundays a.m. tofrom 12 noon.

- Havan, Hindi open for public Tuesday 5.30UgaPM10Sunday Sat-Sun @Kumaris 7:00-8:30am, 10 am-2 DAV Sanskriti School Sundays 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Havan, Hindi dhi Telugu and Kannada New to announce a new location in and Naitik Shiksha classes.

DAV Montessori School for ages 2 to @ 7 to 7.30 PM, Saturday 10AM to pm. Visiting hours are Sat-Sun and Naitik Shiksha classes.

DAV Montessori School for ages 2 to Year Houston at 14333 Pavilion Point years.

Call Arti Khanna 281-759-3286.

Free Yoga classes on Sat. 2 PM, Sunday 12 noon to 4 PM. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact us at (832)7 years.

Call Arti Khanna 281-759-3286.

FreeAtYoga classes onHwy Sat. 14- Apr Thu p.m Tamil (77083)(near Beechnut and Sanskrit & Upanishad classes Tue.379-8888, 6-8 p.m.

14375 Schiller Rd. Address: 2341 N.7:00 Galveston Ave, houston@bktexas.com, Sanskrit & Upanishad classes Tue. 6-8 p.m.

At 14375 Schiller Rd. New year 6).

Daily Raja Yoga Meditation (bet Westpark & Bellaire off Hwy 6).

281-752-0100.

Pearland, TX 77581. or bktexas.com to sign-up for (bet & Bellaire off Hwy 6).

281-752-0100.

14-Westpark Apr Thu 8:30 a.m Vishu classes are offered to the comDurga Bari Temple classes. All Raja Yoga MeditaKani Darshanam munity free of charge.

Visit the Mission Durga Bari temple isChinmaya open from tion teachers at the Houston center 15Apr Fri 7:00 p.m Sri center for a tour every SaturChinmaya Mission youth, and children.and There are15+ no weekly 9 toSunday 11 a.m.satsangs and 4 tofor7 adults, p.m. Mon. are samarpit have years of Rama Navami day or children Sunday anytime between Sunday satsangsand for adults, youth, andfor children.

There are weekly Balavihar classes satsang during the sumthru Sat. Sandhya aartiSunday at 6:30 teaching experience. no 15-Apr Fri 6:00 Sunpm 11:00 –Sept.

1:00 during pm. Located The Balavihar classes and Sunday satsang foram children thecenter summer.

Regular weekly will resume on 13. at p.m.

Temple closes at 7classes p.m.

Dwajarohanam, Mahotsavam is open 7ondays a TX week.

Contact mer.special Regular weekly classes will resume Sept.

13.

Located at Chinmaya Prabha, 10353 Road, Sugar Land, 77498. day from 9 a.m. to Synott 7 p.m.

Chinmaya Mission -New 1st day is may us between atSugar (832) 379-8888, houston@ Chinmaya Prabha, Synott Road, Land, TX 77498.

New members visit the welcome 8 a.m.

- 8:45 a.m. or Temple located at10353 13944 Schil- desk Summer schedule 16-Apr Satvisit p.m Poo bktexas.com, bktexas.com to members the welcome between 8 or a.m.

- 8:45 a.m. or 10:15 a.m.

Visit www.chin mayahouston.org or call Bharati ler Rd a.m.-11:30 (off may Hwy 66:00 bet.

Bellaire & desk Both BalaVihar and adult classPallakku, Meenakshi Pattasign-up for classes and tours.

All 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Visit www.chin or call Bharati Sutaria 281.933.0233.

Westpark).

Call Ganesh Mandal at esmayahouston.org will remain closed from May bbhishekam Raja to Yoga Meditation Sutaria 281.933.0233.

713-797-9057 / 832-423-8541.

27th September 8th. teachers Classes 24-Apr SunMeditation 9:30 a.m Ma- will at theresume Houstononcenter each Sephave Vipassana Sunday, Vedanta Society hotsavan final day, Meenakshi 15+ years of teaching experience.

“Register forSociety Houston area VipasVedanta Society tember 9th.

New Drive member regVedanta of Greater Houston, 14809 Lindita (77083) Chinmaya Mission Kalyanam sana Meditation course as taught istration for Bala Vihar will be Vedanta Society of Greater Houston, 14809 Lindita (77083) has classes every Sunday from 10:30Sunday a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Drive on of satsangs forGospel adults, 30-Apr Sat 9:00 a.m Sita by S. N. Goenka.

July 6 to 18, conducted in Chinmaya Smrti hasRamakrishna, classes every Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Gospelon of Sri 1st & 3rdfrom Sunday; Bhagavad Gita, 2ndon Sunday; youth, children.

Located at Rama Kalyanam 2018, Oct. 19 to 31, Dec. 74thHall onand Saturday, August 12th Sri Ramakrishna, 1st2018, & 3rd Sunday; Bhagavad Gita, 2nd Sunday; on works of Swami Vivekananda, Sunday; Holy Mother Sarada’s Chinmaya Prabha, 10353 Synott to 19, 2018.

All courses are FREE. 2 PM to 5Mother PMtoand Sunworks of5thSwami Vivekananda, 4thfrom Sunday; Holy Sarada’s Gospel, Sunday.

Swamis of Ramakrishna Order visit conduct Road, Sugar Land, TX 77498.

Donations are accepted from those day, August 19th from 9:30 Sri Radha Krishna Gospel,and 5th lectures.

Sunday. Swamis of Ramakrishna Order conduct retreats www.houstonvedanta. org or visit 281-584-0488.

New tomembers may tovisit the who upon completing the trainAM 12 Noon.

Detailed inforretreats andTemple lectures. www.houstonvedanta. org orbetween 281-584-0488. welcome desk 8 a.m. ing to contribute for future will be provided at the On wish the auspicious occasion of mation Durga Bari - Temple 8:45ofa.m. or 10:15 a.m.-11:30 students.

Instruction in Vipassana time registration.

No regisNav Ratri,Bari thetemple Temple will have Durga Bari Temple Durga is open from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.

Mon. a.m.

Visit www.chin mayahousmeditation is given in ten-day retrations will be done for Bala Mata Ji Ki Chauki & Akhand Durga Bari temple isatopen from 9ton.org to 11 a.m. and 4Bharati top.m.

7 p.m.

Mon. thru Sat. Sandhya aarti 6:30 p.m.

Temple closes at 7 Sunday or call Sutaria treats.

VisitPath. www.siri.dhamma.org Vihar during September 2018.

Ramayan Mata Ji Ki Chauthru Sat.from Sandhya aarti at7 6:30 p.m.

Temple closes at 7 p.m.

Sunday special 9 a.m. to p.m.

Puja services Priest Bishnupada 281.933.0233.

Arya Samaj Satsang For more information: Viski

by Mahant Ravi Shanker Puri. Puja special from 9 a.m. to Temple 7 p.m. services - Priest Bishnupada Goswami 281-597-8100 is located at 13944 Schiller Rd (off Vedanta Society Weekly Havan Satsang every Sunit www.chinmayahouston. on Friday April 08, &2016 start- isCall Goswami 281-597-8100 Temple located at 13944 Schiller Rd (off Hwy 6 bet.

Bellaire Westpark).

Ganesh Mandal at 713-797Vedanta Society of Greater Housday from 10 a.m.onwards. to 12 noon.

DAV org or call Bharati Sutaria ing Akhand Hwy07:30PM 6832-423-8541. bet. Bellaire & Westpark).

Call GaneshLindita Mandal at 713-7979057 / ton, 14809 Drive (77083) Sanskriti School SundaysSaturday 10 a.m. 281.933.0233.

Ramayan Path starting 9057 / 832-423-8541. has classes every Sunday from to 12 noon.

Havan, Hindi April 09, 2016 at 5:00PM and on- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Shiv Mandir Naitik classes.

DAV MonVedanta Society wards Shiksha until Sunday AprilShakti 10, Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, 1st Shiv Shakti Mandir tessori School for ages 2 to 7 years.

Vedanta Society Greater Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir, Open of daily 7 a.m.Housto 8 2016 7:00 PM. Prasad Will6640&Harwin.

3rd Sunday; Bhagavad Gita, Call Arti Khanna 281-759-3286.

14809 Open Linditadaily Drive (77083) Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir, Harwin.

7 engagea.m. to 8 p.m.

Allafter major festivals, as well as ton, birthdays, naam karan, served Ramayan Path.

For6640 2nd Sunday; on works of Swami Free Yoga classes on Sat. Sanskrit has classes every Sunday from p.m.

All major festivals, as well as birthdays, naam karan, engagement andinformation other ceremonies.

Virat Mehta4th 713-278-9099 or further pleaseCall callPandit Vivekananda, Sunday; Holy & Upanishad classes Tue. or 6-8 Call p.m.

10:30 a.m.Mehta to 12:30 p.m. on Gospel ment and other ceremonies.

Pandit Virat 713-278-9099 or Hardik Raval 361-243-6539 for puja or other ceremonies. temple at 281-933-8100 visit Mother Sarada’s 1st Gospel, 5th At 14375 Schiller Rd. (bet Westof Sri Ramakrishna, & 3rd SunHardik Raval 361-243-6539 for puja or other ceremonies. www.SRKT.Org. Temple is lo- Sunday. Swamis of Ramakrishna park Bellaire off‘The Hwy 6).

281- day;Within’ Bhagavad Gita, 2nd Sunday; Universe cated&11625 Beechnut Street.

Order visit to conduct retreats 752-0100. on works ofheart-centered Swami Vivekananda, Universe Within’ Sahaj Nirankari Marg is a ‘The natural and simpleand system of mediSant Mission lectures. www.houstonveBrahma Kumaris Sunday; Holy Motherpotential Sarada’s Sahaj Marg is a practice natural and simple system of heart-centered meditation and spiritual thatits helps4th one realize the utimate Sant Nirankari Mission holds danta. org5thor Sunday.

281-584-0488.

The Brahma Kumaris Raja that Yoga Gospel, Swamis of tation and spiritual helps one realize the utimate potential within oneself.

Thepractice meditation is available to anyone who wishes to weekly spiritual congregation Durga Bari Temple Meditation Center is open 7 days a Ramakrishna Order visit to conwithin meditation is available to anyone who wishes to practice.

Weekly meditation sessions heldBari throughout theopen Houston on everyoneself.

SundayThe at India House Durga temple is from week.

The center offers free Raja duct retreats and lectures. www. practice.

Weekly meditation sessions held throughout the Houston area. www.sahajmarg.org Email: meditate_ houston@yahoo.com.

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. fol9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Mon. area. www.sahajmarg.org Email: lowed by community meals.

All meditate_ thru Sat.houston@yahoo.com.

Sandhya aarti at 6:30 BUY For further are welcome. inforOLD SELL p.m.

Temple at 7 p.m.

Heritage Classes closesNEW mation, call Raj BhalaHeritage at (281) Sunday special from 9 a.m. to Classes Ashirwad’s Heritage Classes & in Katy, Cypress and Sugar Land for7 980-2825.

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL p.m.

Puja services Priest BishAshirwad’s Heritage Classes in Katy, Cypress and Sugar Land for Arya Samaj Satsang nupada Goswami 281-597-8100 Phone Weekly Havan every TempleCell SANJEEV Satsang KUMAR is located at 13944 Schil832-689-1819 Sunday 10 a.m. to 12 noon. ler Rd (off Hwy 6 bet. Bellaire & Your from realtor for life.

Email: sksrealtor@hotmail.com DAV Sanskriti School Sundays Westpark). Call Ganesh Mandal 10 a.m. to noon.

Havan, at 713-797-9057 / 832-423-8541.

LotDEAL for12Sale off- of Kalyani Hwy in Sodhpur, WE IN WE DEAL IN Houses, Hindi and Naitik Shiksha classes.

Shiv Shakti Mandir Lot for Sale off of Kalyani Hwy in Sodhpur, West Bengal.

1Motels bhiga or 20Sanatan KathasShiv with 2300 Sq. DAV Montessori School for ages Houses, Gas Shakti Mandir, Gas Stations, West Bengal.

1 bhiga or 20 Kathas with 2300 Sq. ft. bungalow built.6640 Architectural plans 2 to 7 years.

Call Artihalf Khanna Harwin. Open daily 7 Stations, Motels and Farm & Ranch. ft. bungalow half built.

Architectural 281-759-3286.

Freeavailable.

Yoga classes a.m. to 8713-722-8870 p.m. All plans major festiOffice: 281-497-7000 Rs. 90 lakhs.

Farm Ranch Apartment Complex on and Sat. Sanskrit & & Upanishad vals, as well as birthdays, naam available.

Rs. 90 lakhs.

Fax: 713-779-4656 281-497-7007 Please contact Saha at classes Tue. 6-8 p.m.

At 14375 Shilpi properties Available!!

Call Now karan, engagement and other cerPlease contact Shilpi Saha at Shilpi@yourblvd.com or 832-647-9433 Schiller Rd. (bet Westpark & Bel- emonies.

Call Pandit Virat Mehta Shilpi@yourblvd.com or 832-647-9433 laire off Hwy 6). 281-752-0100.

713-278-9099 or Hardik Raval

Property Property for for Sale Sale

Open Forum Radio Program Open Forum Radio Program Where Your Opinion Counts Where Your Opinion Counts

KGOL 1480 AM • Saturdays 4 to 6 p.m.

Listen to Open Forum on 106.1 KGOL 1480 AMprograms • Saturdays to FM 6 p.m.

Informative with4 doctors, in Houston.with doctors, Informative programs lawyers, politicians and other Every Saturday 4.00 PMand to 6.00 PM. lawyers, politicians other newsmakers.

Studio line 800-444-1061 newsmakers.

Call 713-784-1480 Call 713-784-1480 Hosts: Dinkar Chheda, Jagat Kamdar & Subodh Bhuchar

Hosts: Dinkar Chheda, Jagat Kamdar & Subodh Bhuchar

Chandra & David Courtney Chandra & David Courtney Tabla and Vocal Tabla and Vocal

Classes Classes now ongoing now ongoing

Visit www.chandrakantha.com Visit www.chandrakantha.com

or call for info. or call for info.

(713) 665-4665 (713) 665-4665

Classes in Houston, Classes in Houston, Mission Bend, Mission & Sugar Bend, Land & Sugar Land

Book Field Manekshaw whoon believe in Marshal Veeras- 7:30Sam AM - 9:30 AM houstonvedanta. org orscriptures, 281-584kids 4 tostories 18 yrs for -from meditation, Yoga, families slokas, ery Sunday aton 5810 Almeda Ge- 10 Book Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw 361-243-6539 puja or other Telugu Fellowship Friday, July @ 6:30 p.m. haiva dharma (Basava dharma).

5:30 PM 8.30 PM 0488. slokas,Sahasranam, stories from scriptures, Vishnu bhajans, com- noa Rd. Sunday School at 9:15 ceremonies.

Telugu Christian Fellowship Friday, July @@ 6:30 p.m.

Mahamane program for 10 Aarti 7:30 PM Jain Zoroastrian Association Houston will every Vishnu Sahasranam, bhajans,Adult com- Monthly petitions and funSociety activities. a.m.

Malayalam service atof9:30 meets third Saturday of prayer and discussion on Vachana Saturday and Sunday Jain Society offun Houston (JSH) loHeartfulness Meditation Association of Houston will Behram Panthaki and his petitions andclasses. activities.

Adult meditation Register at present a.m.Zoroastrian onBrigadier 1st & 3rd Sunday.

Adult the month at Triumph Church, Sahitya followed by Prasada.

Con8:30 AM 1:30 PM cated at 3905classes.

Arc Street Houston Heartfulness Meditation is or aat wife present Brigadier Behram Panthaki and his Zenobia of the10555 much meditation Register www.ashirwada-blessing.org Bible class atPanthaki, 9:30 a.m.authors English Airport tact: vsnahous ton@gmail.com or Aarti atW. 12:00 PM Blvd., StafTexas 77063 is open M-F from practical technique of tuning inwife Zenobia Panthaki, authors of the much acclaimed book: “Field Marshal Sam www.ashirwada-blessing.org or service at 10:30 a.m. on 2nd & ford TX Sri Ravula 281-995-0930.

77477 at 6:30 p.m. Join Jagadeesh Halyal 832-744-4166.

5:30 PM 8:30 PM 7:30 AM to281-995-0930.

12 Noon our and higher 4 to 7 Manekshaw: wards to experience acclaimed book: “Field Marshal Sam The 713-991-1557 Man and His Times”, Sri Ravula 4th Sunday.

Call us for a time of praise, worship Mar Thoma Church Aarti @ 7:30 PM; Hare Krishna Dham PM, andMeditation Sat, and Sun 8 AM at selves. withfrom someone Manekshaw: The Heritage Man andand HisCultural Times”, the Zoroastrian or 281-261-4603. and fellowship.

Worship is in Hare Krishna Dham Trinity Mar Thoma Church every Contact 832-585--0001 to Houston’s 6 PM. Society ofofHouston who has Jain theoriginal capacity yogic Center, Vedic temple, at the Zoroastrian Heritage and Cultural 8787 W Airport Blvd., Houston, TX Call Chris Gantela 281English.

Sri Guruvayurappan Sunday at 5810 Almeda Genoa or temple@myhtw.net invites Jainofscholars all year round.

Houston’s original Vedic temple, transmission can help you exISKCON Houston.

At 1320 W 77071.

Center,Starts 8787 W Blvd., Houston, TX at Airport 6:30 with social hour.

344-0707, or Rev. V. Gurrala Temple Sunday School 9:15 a.m.first Please call Urvashi Jain 713 ISKCON of Houston.

AtDarshan 1320789 W Rd. plore the Heartfulness practice 34th St. (77018).

Daily 77071.

Starts at 6:30at with social hour.Field Sam Manekshaw was India’s 281-997-0757.

Hours: to Fri 6ata.m.

-8 war a.m.hero.

Malayalam 9:30 Sathya Sai centers 2338.

Visit www.jainsocietyhous34th St. (77018).

Daily more deeply.

There are noDarshan charg& Arati Times: 4.30am, 7am, Marshal SamMon Manekshaw was India’s first Field andservice a distinguished HisGaudiya Math and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Weekon 1st & 3rd Sunday.

Adult Bible Sunday ton.org for12noon, more information. & for Arati Times: 4.30am, 7am, es this, and we invite you to courage, 8.30am, 4.30pm, 7pm, Marshal and a distinguished wardedication hero. His program held at two locahis character, and the Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha ends & Holidays: 6 a.m. to noon class at 9:30 a.m.

English service tions (North Houston: 12127 Mal8.30am, 12noon, 4.30pm, 7pm, experience theFestival: unique benefits of 9pm.

Sunday 5.30 pm to to courage, his character, andare thelegendary. dedication his troops and country at 16628 Kieth Harrow Blvd., and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Bhaat 10:30 a.m. on 2nd & 4th Suncomson Road, Houston; South Shiv Shakti Mandir 9pm.

Sunday Festival: 5.30 pmfor this transmission.

Workshops onto to 7.30 pm.

Weekly Gita classes country are legendary.

Thehis lifetroops of thisand distinguished soldier is portrayed by two distinguished Houston 77084.

Satsang Sundays jans Saturdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; day.

Call 713-991-1557 or 281Houston: 246 Fluor Daniel Drive, Sanatan Shakti Mandir, 6640 7.30 pm.Shiv Weekly Gita classes for Heartfulness relaxation and medadults; call 281-433-1635 or authors The lifewho of this distinguished soldier portrayed by twoof distinguished worked closely with him and shared many the historic 5isto 7Land) pm. from Mantra Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Special Sugar 3:00ofmeditation, tothe 5:30 pm) Harwin.

Open daily 7 a.m. to or 8 261-4603. adults;arecall itation held281-433-1635 weekly throughharekrishnadham @gmail.com authorsthat who worked closely with him and shared many historic events changed the geo-political landscape of the region.

Through kirtan, Sanatan Dharma classes. poojas (weekends and holidays) Telugu Christian Fellowship Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) p.m.

All major festivals, as well anecdotes harekrishnadham @gmail.com out Houston, including Saturdays events thatrelated changed geo-political landscape of theand region. bythe Behram and Zenobia Panthaki we Hindi get aThrough unique Vedic Education classChoroon (Annaprasam) for kids, Zenobia Christian by Behram Fellowship classes for children; Study Circle as 11 birthdays, naamHouse. karan, engageat am at India Web: Telugu anecdotes Panthaki we get a unique insight intorelated the man’s ideals, hisand military acumen, his mannerisms, and Houston Namadwaar es for kids.

Gita classes noon Thulabharam, Vahana Pooja, meets every third Saturday of the for adults & Devotional singing ment and other ceremonies.

Call his www.heartfulness.org; Email: insight into the man’s ideals, his military acumen, his mannerisms, and sense of humor.

Houston Namadwaar 1:30 pm Wed. Hanuman Chalisa A prayer house where the Hare Nirapara.

Temple is located at month at Triumph Church, 10555 for all.

Service programs food Pandit Virat Mehta 713-278-9099 hisBrigadier houston.heartfulness@gmail. sense of Panthaki humor. himself boastsand a distinguished 30-yearon military A prayer house where the Hare Ramcharit Manas Tue. Rama Hare Krishna Maha-man11620 Ormandy St. Stafford (77035) Tel: Airport Blvd., TX distribution, canned food military drives, or Hardik Raval 361-243-6539 for W. com.

Cell: 713-929-0040 Brigadier Panthaki himself boasts a distinguished 30-year career that earned him 12 military honors.

Zenobia Panthaki accomRama Hare Krishna Maha-man7:30–8:30 p.m. info@sggm.org tra is continuously chanted.

Week713-729-8994 email: temple@ 77477 at 6:30 p.m.

Join us for a nursing home visits, tutoring at puja or other ceremonies.

(Ragini Prakash Miryala MD) career that earned him 12 military Panthaki accompanied her husband on his postingshonors. to 281-499-3347. manyZenobia small cantonment towntra is Heritage continuously chanted.

Week- time or ends: 8-11 AM & Classes 4-7 PM, Weekguruvayur.us of praise, worship and felschools, etc.

Contact Venkat Rao panied husband on his postings to many small cantonment ships allher over India and became involved with running welfaretownproends: 8-11 AM 4-7PM. PM,Weekly Weekdays: 7-8 AM &&6-7 Hindu Temple of Preksha Meditation Worship is and in English.

(North) - 602-503-2249 or Ranji Heartfulness Meditation Ashirwad’s Heritage Classes in lowship. ships all over India became involved with running welfare programs for soldiers’ wives and children; she has run the Army School, days: 7-8 AM &and 6-7 PM. Weekly “Gopa Kuteeram” children’s heriNew facilities of JVB Preksha information call Chris Gantela Raghavan (South) 281-451-8238.

Heartfulness Meditation is a For the Woodlands Katy, Cypress Sugar Land grams for soldiers’ wives and children; she has run the Army School, and worked for the World Bank for 28 years until retirement in 2012.

“Gopa children’s heritage classes Srimad Meditation Center.

Classes for Visit www.sairegion10.org orthe Rev. VijayBank Gurpractical tuning in- 281-344-0707, 7601 S.reviews.

Forest Gate Dr, in“From for kidsKuteeram” 4technique to 18 yrsand -ofmeditation, and worked for World 28 years until retirement 2012.

The book has received over 60for positive To quote: tage classes and Srimad Bhagavatam classes.

Call 281Yoga and Meditation under guidrala 281-997-0757. wards slokas, to experience our higher The Woodlands, TX 77382 Yoga, stories from scrip- beginning The book has received over 60 positive reviews.

To quote: “From to end this delightful narrative simply races along, providing Bhagavatam classes.

281- ance by Samani jis and discours- Temple 402-6585; visit www.godivinity.org Sadhu Vaswani Center selves.

Meditation withCall someone tures, Vishnu Sahasranam, bhabeginning end this narrative races along, providing an intimate,towitty anddelightful scintillating storysimply ofHours a superhero “ Sam’s hu402-6585; visit www.godivinity.org (Global Organization for Divinity). es.

At 14102 Schiller Road (off Sri Guruvayurappan Temple Sadhu Vaswani Center of Houswho competitions has the capacity ofactiviyogic manism, Weekdays: jans, and fun an intimate, witty and scintillating story of a superhero “ Sam’s huhis notations on official files, his colorful language and his (Global Organization Hwy 6 bet Bellaire Westpark Mon tonotations Fri 6and a.m. a.m. files, ton Satsang on transmission can helpfor youDivinity). explore Hours: 7:30holds AMcolorful -regular 9:30 AM ties.

Adult meditation classes. manism, his on-8official his language and3rd his doodling”.

- doodling”.

77082).

Tel 281-596-9642.

5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Week- Thursday of8.30 thePM month and daily the Heartfulness practice more and 5:30 PMis -dedicated Register at www.ashirwadaSaumyakasi Sivalaya This book, with over 200 photographs, to the men in Patanjali Yogpeeth & Holidays: 6 over a.m. to Arti at@is 7.30 p.m.

Call 281-463deeply.

There noRavula charges for ends Aartidefending 7:30 PM Saumyakasi Sivalaya blessing.org or are SriSivalaya 281This book, with 200noon photographs, dedicated to the men in Sri Saumyakasi is louniform who have laid down their lives their country and to Free Yoga Classes every Sat/Sun and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Bha0379 or e.mail ramolaj@aol.com this, we invite Prabha, you to experiSaturday and The Sunday 995-0930.

Sriand Sivalaya is lo- their uniform whowho havehave laid down their lives defending their country to cated atSaumyakasi Chinmaya 10353 widows also sacrificed so much. book will and be on attheir Arya Samaj who from 8 am 9:30 8:30soAM Saturdays 7 p.m. toalso 8to p.m.; ence the unique benefits of10353 this jans - 1:30 PM Hare Krishna Dham cated atRoad, Chinmaya Prabha, have much.

The will be on Synott Sugar Land, TX sale atwidows the discounted price ofsacrificed $35, and autographed bybook the authors.

A a.m.

Anilto 281-579-9433.

Sundays 9 a.m.

1 a.m. Special Gaudiya transmission.

Workshops on Aarti at 12:00 PM Houston’s original Vedic temple, SynottTemple Road, Sugar Land, TX sale atCall the discounted of $35, and autographed byMath the authors.

77478. timings: Monday to major portion of the price royalty will be donated to the War WoundedA For other free classes, call Indra poojas (weekends and holidays) Shri Govindji Gaudiya Matha Heartfulness relaxation and medi5:30 PM -Welfare 8:30 PMAssn.

ISKCON of AM Houston.

AtMonday 1320 Wto Foundation 77478. 9:00 Temple timings: major portion the and royalty donated to the War Wounded Friday: - 12:00 Noon and of of India the will Warbe Widows of India.

281-537-0018.

For Yoga/Herbal Choroon (Annaprasam) for kids, is a Hindu Vaishnava temple of tation are held weekly @ 7:30 PM; Assn. of India.

34th (77018).

Darshan Friday: 9:00 AM - Daily 12:00throughout Noon and Foundation of India and the WarAarti Widows Welfare 5:00 -St. 8:00 PM Saturday and Sunproducts, call Shekhar 281-242Thulabharam, Vahana Pooja, NiSanatan Dharam and worshipping Houston, including Saturdays at 11 families who believe in Veerashaiva dharma Contact(Basava 832-585--0001 & Arati Times: 4.30 a.m, 7-a.m, 5:00 - 8:00 PMPM Saturday and Sunday: 8:30-2:00 and 5:00 8:00 dharma).

5000.

Web: www.pyptusa.org rapara.

Temple is located at 11620 place of Shri Shri Radha Monthly Krishna, am at India House.

Web: www. or temple@myhtw.net 8.30 a.m, 12 noon, 4.30 p.m, 7 day:Call 8:30-2:00 and 5:00 - 8:00 Mahamane PM. BhartiPM Sutaria 281-568families whoprogram believe infor Veerashaiva dharma (Basava dharma).

Monthly prayer and discussion on Vachana Sahitya and www.DivyaProducts.com.

Ormandy St. (77035) Tel: 713Shri Gaur Nitai & Shri Ram Darheartfulness.org; Email: 832-541houston. followed p.m, 9 Jay p.m.

Sunday Festival: Temple PM. Call Bharti Sutaria 281-5681690 or Deshmukh Mahamane programContact: for prayer andSwaminarayan discussion on Vachana Sahitya by Prasada. vsnahous ton@gmail.com or Jagadeesh Sathya Sai centers 729-8994 email: temple@ gurubar.

Mandir is open daily from heartfulness@gmail.com.

Cell: Halyal 5.30 to Deshmukh 7.30 Weekly Hindu Satsang at Shree Swami1690pm oror Jay 832-5410059 visit p.m. www.saum followed by Prasada. Contact: vsnahous ton@gmail.com or Jagadeesh Sunday832-744-4166. program held at two lo- 5.30 AM Hindu until 8.30 PM. Weunder urge 713-929-0040.

Gita classes for adults; call 281narayan Temple, 0059 or visit www.saum vayur.us yakasi.org.

Halyal 832-744-4166. cations (North Houston: 12127 you to make a special effort to 433-1635 Shree NarNarayan Dev Gadi kayakasi.org.or harekrishnadham @ Mar Thoma Church Louetta Rd, Houston; South Preksha Meditation join our Sunday services regularly Hare KrishnaLibrary Dham gmail.com lupur.

Opens daily from 7 a.m.

Gandhi Thoma Church Trinity Mar Thoma Church everywith Sunday atfamily 5810 Almeda Genoa Houston: 246 Meditation FluorMar Daniel Dr, Preksha Center your p.m. friends.

The Houston’s original Vedic temple, JVB Houston Namadwaar to 12:30 and& from 4Genoa p.m.

Gandhi Library Mahatma Gandhi Library Book Trinity Mar Thoma Church every Sunday at 5810 Almeda Rd. Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.

Malayalam service at 9:30 a.m. on 1st Suga Land, from 3:00 pm to conducts weekly Meditation, Yoga services are held from 5.30PM ISKCON of Houston.

1320 W A prayer house whereAtthe Hare to 8:30 p.m.

Daily aartia.m. at 7on a.m.

Mahatma Gandhi Library Book Club: Meets 2nd Sunday of each Rd. Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.

Malayalam service at 9:30 1st & 3rd Sunday.

Adult Bible class at 9:30 a.m.

English service at 10:30 5:30 pm.

Sai Spiritual Education and Swadhyay sessions inside its to 7.30PM followed by deli34th St. (77018).

Daily Darshan & Rama Hare Krishna Mahaand 7a.m. p.m.English Saturday sabha from Club: Meets 2nd Sunday of each month; 12:30 PM at Arya Samaj & 3rd Sunday.

Adult Bible class at 9:30 service at 10:30 a.m. on 2nd & 4th Sunday.

Call 713-991-1557 or 281-261-4603. classes for children; study circle unique Pyramid hall under the cious prashad.

Daily Aarti times Arati Times: 4.30 a.m, 7 a.m, 8.30 mantra is continuously chanted.

5p.m to 7 p.m. followed by aarti month; 12:30 PM13475 at Arya Samaj Greater a.m.adults. on 2ndguidance & 4th Sunday.

Call -713-991-1557 or 281-261-4603. for Service programs of Samani :atMangala Aarti5:30 am. Bhog a.m, 12 Houston, noon, 7Schiller p.m, Weekends: 8-114.30 AMp.m, & 4-7 PM,9 auspicious 7 p.m. and Maha-Prasad (free Greater Houston, 13475 Schiller Sri Guruvayurappan Temple Rd. Join the discussion of the great food distribution & food drives; Kanchan Pragyaji and Samani Aarti 12:30 pm.

Evening Aarti p.m. Sunday7-8 Festival: to Weekdays: AM &5.30 6-7pm PM. dinner).

Website www.issotx.

Sri Guruvayurappan Temple Rd. Join the discussion of the great man’s autobiography – Theclasses Story Pranav Hours: Mon who tovisits, Friare 6 a.m.

-8 a.m. -and 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. home tutoring Pragyaji stationed 7:00 pm.p.m.

Enroll your childWeekin Sri 7.30 p.m.

Weekly Gita Weekly “Gopa Kuteeram” chil- nursing org, phone (281) 530-2565. man’s autobiography – The Story of My Experiments with Truth.

Hours: Mon to Fri 6 a.m.

-8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Weekends & Holidays: 6 a.m. to noon and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Bhajans schools etc.

Contact Sanjay at Houston Center this year.

It Govindaji Vedic School.

We offer for adults; call classes 281-433-1635 or dren’s heritage and SriSanatan Dharm of My Experiments with Truth.

Call Manish Wani 713-829-6979. ends & Holidays: 6 a.m. to noon and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Bhajans Saturdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Special poojas Gupta (North) 832-687-6766 or also runs special events and proHindi classes for all ages.

Sri Goharekrishnadham mad Bhagavatam@gmail.com classes. Call Call Manish Wani 713-829-6979. grams Maha Sabha Saturdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Special poojas (weekends and holidays) Choroon (Annaprasam) for kids, Sondip Mathur (South) 832-215like I-Choose, Meditation vindaji Gaudiya Matha is located 281-402-6585; visit www.godiWest Indian Religious (weekends and holidays) Choroon (Annaprasam) for kids, Thulabharam, Vahana Pooja, Nirapara.

Temple isHouston locatedOrganizaat 11620 8675 www.sairegion10.org. and Gyanshala program in Northwest at 16628 Houston Namadwaar Gauri Siddhivinayak vinity.org (Global Organization Camps tion called Sanatan Dharm Maha Thulabharam, Vahana Pooja, Nirapara.

Temple is located at 11620 Ormandy St (77035) Tel: 713-729-8994 email: temple@ guruvayur.us for children ages 4-14 yrs.

JVB Kieth Harrow Blvd Houston TX Siddhivinayak AGauri prayer house where the Hare Sadhu Vaswani Center for Divinity).

Sabha Branch # 377 is located Temple Ormandy St (77035) Tel: 713-729-8994 email: temple@ guruvayur.us is located at 14102 Schiller Rd. 77084.

For more information, call Rama Hare KrishnaSivalaya Maha-mantra Sadhu Vaswani Center of HousSaumyakasi Temple at 832-464-4686 26100 Tina Lane, TX from 7Sivalaya a.m. to 8WeekPreksha Tuesday, at or visitKaty, our webis Darshan continuously chanted. ton holds 77082. regular Every Satsang on 3rdMeditation Sri Saumyakasi isp.m. lo- Houston 77494.

Durga Mata Pooja is held Darshan from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Preksha Meditation daily.

All major festivals as well 9:30am-11:30am, Samaniji has site: http://sggm.org. ends: at8-11 AM & 4-7 PM, 10353 Week- Thursday New facilities of JVBand Preksha of the month daily Meditation Center. Classes for Yoga cated Chinmaya Prabha, every jis Friday from 7 pmAt to14102 9.30 daily.

All major festivals as well as birthdays, naam karan, engageforp.m. allunder adults interested facilities ofCall JVB Preksha Center.

Classes for Yoga days: 7-8 AM &Sugar 6-7 PM. Weekly andNew Meditation guidance

by Meditation Samani and discourses.

Arti at 7.30 281-463Synott Road, Land, TX pravachan pm.

Contact Ram Sharma @ as birthdays, naam karan, engagement and other ceremonies.

Call in learning about Jainism.

Every Swaminarayan Temple and Meditation under guidance Samani jis and discourses.

At 14102 “Gopa Kuteeram” children’s heri- 0379 Schiller Road ramolaj@aol.com (off Hwy 6 bet by Bellaire and Westpark - 77082).

Tel or e.mail 77478.

Temple timings: Monday 713-412-9985 ment and other ceremonies.

Call Pandit Pradip Pandya 832-466Wednesday there is Swadhyay Hindu Satsang at Shree SwaminaSchiller Road (off Hwy 6 bet Bellaire and Westpark - 77082). Tel tage classes and 12 Srimad to Friday: 9 a.m.NoonBhagaand 5 281-596-9642.

Pandit Pandya 832-4669868 puja Saturday and other ceremofrom 7-8pm and meditation rayan Hindu Temple, under Shree 281-596-9642. vatam classes.

Call 281-402-6585; p.m.

-for 8Pradip p.m. and Sun- class 9868 for puja and other ceremonies.

At 5645 Hillcroft Ste 701, from 8-9pm.

Every Thursday from Yogpeeth NarNarayan Dev Gadi kalupur. visit 8:30 www.godivinity.org day: a.m.-2 p.m. and (Global 5 p.m.

Patanjali Exciting Summer Camp nies.

At 5645 Hillcroft Ste 701, Houston, TX 77036.

9:30-11am there is special Yoga Opens from 7 a.m.

Divinity).

-Organization 8 p.m. Call for Bharti Sutaria 281Free Yoga ClassesPatanjali every Sat/SunYogpeeth at Aryadaily Samaj from 8 amtoto12:30 9:30 Houston, TX 77036. class for Ladies only.

Every Satp.m. and from 4 p.m.

8:30to281p.m.

568-1690 or Jay Deshmukh 832- a.m.Free every Sat/Sun at Arya from 8Indra am 9:30 CallYoga AnilClasses 281-579-9433.

For other freeSamaj classes, callto there is Yoga Class from Veerashaiva Samaja Daily aarti at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Saumyakasi 541-0059 or visitSivalaya www.saum urday, a.m.

Call Anil 281-579-9433.

For other free classes, call Indra 281537-0018. For Yoga/Herbal products, call Shekhar 281-242-5000. Web: Veerashaiva andFor Meditation 10- Saturday sabha281-242-5000. from 5 p.m Web: to 7 Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya located VSNA Houston isSamaja a is group of 9-10am 537-0018.

Yoga/Herbal products, call Shekhar www.pyptusa.org and from www.DivyaProducts.com. yakasi.org.

10.30am.

Ist & 3rd Sundays, there p.m. followed by aarti at 7 p.m. at VSNA Chinmaya Prabha,is10353 SynHouston a group of www.pyptusa.org and www.DivyaProducts.com.

Temple ottGauri Road,Siddhivinayak Sugar Land, TX 77478. is Gyanshala Classes for Kids and Maha-Prasad (free dinner).

Darshan from 7 Monday a.m. to 8top.m.

WANT HOST YOURwww.issotx.org.

SUMMER CAMP? fromTO10-12:15pm (281) 530-2565.

Temple timings: Fri- ages 4-14yrs. daily.

All major festivals as well PARTNER WITH US & HOST YOUR SUMMER CAMP AT INDIA HOUSE followed by Lunch.

Visit www.

Sanatan Dharm Maha Sabha day: 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon and as birthdays, naam karan, enjvbhouston.org or send email West Indian Religious Organiza5:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Saturday and Instructors or agencies looking amazing space gagement and other ceremonies.

These Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off games willfor beanclosing soon: at info@jvbhouston.org for more tion called Sanatan Dharm Maha Sunday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM and Call Pandit Pradip Pandya 832to conduct their summer camp activities may These Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off games will be closing soon: details.

Sabha Branch # 377 is located at 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. For more inOfficial Close End Validations 466-9868 for puja and other cerGame # Game Name / Odds $ collaborate with us to provide fun, safe and 26100 Tina Lane, Katy, TX 77494. formation Contact 281-568-1690 of Game Date Official Close End Validations emonies.

At Hillcroft Ste # 5645 Game Name / Odds $ Patanjalienriching Yogpeeth experience Durga Mata Pooja Date is held every the kids. or JayGame Deshmukh at 832-541-0059 offor Game 701, Houston, TX 77036.

1651 Ultimate Crossword Overall Odds are 1 in 3.27 $10 7/12/15 1/8/16 Free Yoga Classes every Sat/Sun Friday from 7 pm to 9.30 pm. or visit www.saumyakasi.org 1651 Ultimate Crossword - at Overall Odds are 1from in 3.27 $10 7/12/15Ram Sharma 1/8/16 Veerashaiva Samaja Arya Samaj 8 am to 9:30 Contact @ 713-4121690 Cash Frenzy of - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.09 $5 7/30/15 1/26/16 VSNA Houston is a group a.m.

Call Anil 281-579-9433.

For 9985.

Gauri Siddhivinayak Temple INSTRUCTOR? 1690 Frenzy - Overall Odds are 1 ARE in 4.09YOU A TALENTED $5 7/30/15 1/26/16 families who believeCash into Veerasother classes, IndraAS281Library 1701from 7 a.m.Blackjack - Overall Oddsfree are 1JOIN in 4.75 $1 8/26/15 2/22/16 Darshan 8 p.m.

INDIAcall HOUSE A SUMMER CAMPGandhi COORDINATOR haiva (Basava dharma).

537-0018.

Yoga/Herbal prodMahatma Library Book 1701 Blackjack - Overall Odds are 1For in 4.75 $1 8/26/15 Gandhi 2/22/16 daily. dharma All major festivals as well Monthly Mahamane program for 1646 Hot ‘N Spicy Tripler Overall Odds are 1 in 4.29 $2 8/26/15 2/22/16 Club: Meets 2nd Sunday ucts, call Shekhar 281-242-5000.

We are looking for talented instructors, in art, of each as birthdays, naam karan, engageprayer and discussion Vacha1646 Hot ‘Non Spicy Tripler - www.pyptusa.org; Overall Odds are 1 in 4.29www.Divya$2 8/26/15 month; 12:30 PM 2/22/16 at Arya ment 1657 and other ceremonies.

Call- Overall Odds craft, theater, henna, language arts,Samaj Redby Chili Tripler are 1dance, in 4.14 music, $2 8/26/15 2/22/16 na Sahitya followed Prasada.

Greater Houston, 13475 Schiller Products.com.

Pandit1657 Pradip Pandya 832-466cooking, baking, robotics or8/26/15 any other activities Red Chili Tripler - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.14 $2 2/22/16 Contact: vsnahous ton@gmail.

TM Rd. Join the discussion of the great 9868 1648 for puja and other ceremoLoteria - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.98 $3 8/26/15 2/22/16 that interest the kids. com or Jagadeesh Halyal 832TM man’s autobiography – The Story Hindu Temple of 16485645 Hillcroft Loteria - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.98 $3 8/26/15 2/22/16 nies. At Ste 701, 744-4166. of My Experiments with Truth.

The Woodlands Houston, TX 77036.

For detailedThoma odds and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-375-6886. Must be 18 or older to purchase a Mar Church Call Manish Wani 713-829-6979.

S. Forest Gate|AllDr, ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education and veterans.7601 © 2015 Texas Lottery Commission. rights reserved.

713-929-1900 Vipin@indiahouseinc.org For detailed oddsThoma and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-375-6886. Must be 18 or older to purchase a Trinity Mar Church evThe Woodlands, TX 77382 ticket.

The Texas Lottery supports Texas education and veterans. © 2015 Texas Lottery Commission.

All rights reserved.

8888 West Bellfort Ave., Houston, TX 77031 Veerashaiva Samaja VSNA Houston is a group of Temple Hours, Weekdays:

OPPORTUNITIES!

LEGAL LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 • PAGE 19

Kirti Jewelers & K.V. Diamonds

Exquisite Gold and Diamond Jewelry for all festive occasions

Buy with confidence. Check out our superb collection of fine jewelry.

Custom-made diamond engagement and wedding rings Your Designs! Our Workmanship!!

Pamper yourself with the most well-crafted, traditional, modern or fashion jewelry in eye-catching designs...

A truly charmed collection that will enhance your personality!

6655 Harwin Drive Ste A101 • Houston, TX 77036

Tel: 713-789-GOLD (4653)

The largest and most pleasing selection of gold and diamond necklaces, rings, bangles, ear rings, bracelets and much, much more.

GAURI SIDDHIVINAYAK TEMPLE OF HOUSTON 5645 Hillcroft Ave, Suit # 701 , Houston, TX 77036

A Hearty Invitation to all devotees on the occasion of the celebration of Adhik Jyesth MassStarting Wednesday 16 May to Wednesday 13, June 2018

Adhik Jyesth-Ekadashi Maha Pooja & Havan of Shree Purushottam SUNDAY, JUNE,10,2018 Maha Pooja Starts at 4:00 PM Maha Yagna Starts at 5:00 PM Purnahuti at 6:30 PM ( Nariyel offering) Maha Arti at 7:00 PM Mahaprasad will be served after aarti Devotees who desire to sit in Pooja may give their names to Priest Pradip Pandya, M.A. (Sanskrit) @ 832-466-9868.

Please visit SiddhivinayakHouston.org Or visit us at www.facebook.com/GauriSiddhiVinayakTemple/.

E-mail:- siddhivinayakhouston@gmail.com

The Gauri Siddhivinayak Mandir of Houston is a Non-Profit 501(C) organization, All Donations are tax Deductible.

For Any Ceremony Contact Priest Pradip Pandya M.A. (Sanskrit) @ 832-466-9868

PAGE 24 20 • INDIA HERALD HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6,30, 2018 PAGE 2016 PAGE 24•• INDIA INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, MARCH JULY 1, 2015

Spring Branch Family Dentistry,P.A. 1111, Gessner, Suite B Houston, Texas 77055 (713) 461-8050 (713) 461-4747 WeWe Speak English, Hindi & Gujarati speak English & Gujarati CONVENIENT HOURS Monday: 9 am – 6 pm Tuesday: 9 am – 7 pm Wednesday: 9 am – 6 pm Thursday: 9 am – 7 pm Friday: 9 am – 4 pm Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm (Closed one Saturday a month) '

%

$ !# $

#/6/7 385 $+( '-+

::: 645/2-(5'2).*+27/675; )31

'

+1(+5 3,

('+-%, ,$(' !(* * +

"

% & ! $ " ! ! ! # " FLUORIDE TREATMENT (A $125 VALUE)

& # #

! !

$85 $ 65

65

$

!$ ! %&# ' ! $+ 39+ ./0*5+2 361+7/) $./7+2/2- !337. 3035+* /00/2-6 5'0 85-+5; +2785+6 '57/'06 32 685-/)'0 85-/)'0 75+'71+27 3, 81 /6+'6+ 5+9+27/9+ +27/675; 337 '2'0 53)+*85+ 3rd Molar (Wisdom Teeth) Extraction

$+ "6+ '8-./2- '6

Sanjeev Khosla, D.D.S

$ ! "

Exp. 09/30/2011 Exp. 09/30/2015 %

JUNE 30,2018 ([S Exp. May 31, 2016

35 2+: 4'7/+276 320; 384326 237 -33* :/7. '2; 37.+5 3,,+5 35 40'26

Darshani Patel, D.D.S

$ ! "

Exp. May09/30/2015 31, Exp. 09/30/2011 Exp. Exp. JUNE 30, 2016 2018 ([S %

35 2+: 4'7/+276 320; 384326 237 -33* :/7. '2; 37.+5 3,,+5 35 40'26

% % % %

! ! # ! ! ! " ! ! !$ $ ! ! $

Exp. JUNE09/30/2011 30, Exp. March 31,2018 2016 Exp. 09/30/2015 Exp. ([S $ ! " & %

35 2+: 4'7/+276 320; 384326 237 -33* :/7. '2; 37.+5 3,,+5 35 40'26