India herald 022118

India Herald

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VOL. 24 • NO. 8 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 • P.O. BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487 • PERIODICAL PERMIT USPS 017699 • 25 cents

IMAGH inducts 2018 officers

HinduVivah hosts pre-Valentine Day meet for eligible singles

IMAGH Executive Team (front row): Paru McGuire, left, Latafath Hussain, Rahat Kalle, Munir Ibrahim; (back row): Tanveer Kazi, Sayeed Pathan, Yunus Langha, and Mohammed ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: Disha Jhangiani, Sangita Dargan, Shelley Bhatti, Deepak Khan. See story on Page 3.

Bhatti, Poonam Baweja, Prem Baweja, Vani Parameswar, Srikant Parameswar, Abha Grover, Dharminder Dargan, Vinay Chandraker, Sanchali Basu (sitting).

Hindu Youth Awards gala set for March 3

Hindus of Greater Houston (HGH) will hold its 8th Annual Hindu Youth Awards and Fundraising Gala on March 3 at ISKCON of Houston (1320 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018) at 5:30 p.m.

The purpose of this event is to recognize young Hindu leaders for their achievements in academics, service, and leadership.

Award winners are given an opportunity to share their personal experiences and to inspire and encourage other youth attendees to take an initiative in making a difference in the community.

This event allows for Hindu youth with similar beliefs, values, and interests to connect and create a strong and wellknit community.

Additional highlights of this event include recognition of donors and organizations for their commitment and support to an important cause, speeches from special guests

interspersed with a cultural program. HH Rtadhvaja Swami who was born and raised in North Dakota will be the guest speaker. He travels to inspire devotees, especially the youth.

Swapnil Agarwal, Founder and CEO of Nitya Capital, who was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 will be the guest of honor.

There will be an exclusive youth session from 5:45-6:30 pm during which the youth will have the opportunity to speak directly to the special guests and ask questions.

Partha Krishnaswamy, HGH President, stated, “Every year we see an increasing number of nominations for the youth awards which not only reflects the value this recognition creates, but also demonstrates increasing youth involvement in selfless community service, which is a healthy indicator in our society”.

Bhawna Luthra, Hindu See GALA, Page 6

By SANCHALI BASU Feb. 11 had a Valentine’s Day feel in the air. Hindu singles from Houston and the rest of the US found a platform to meet eligible partners of the opposite sex at Maharajah Restaurant’s banquet hall.

The event consisted of a round robin meet-up of bachelors and bachelorettes

divided into two age groups, 35 and under, and over.

A brief one-on-one tete a tete was arranged only for Hindu participants, followed by a mixer.

The turnout was respectable and it was interesting and encouraging to see quite a few participants over the age of 35, confirming the popular belief

that, “Love has no age limit.”

This is the 4th event that the Houston chapter of HinduVivah arranged and now there are several chapters active all over the country, including Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, and New Jersey.

The most recent success story and feather in its cap is the couple who met through See VIVAH, Page 7

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PAGE 2 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018

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NEWS Indian Muslim Association of Greater Houston hosts welcome lunch for new board members and advisors

By PARU MCGUIRE The Indian Muslim Association of Greater Houston (IMAGH) hosted a lunch to welcome the incoming Board of Directors and Board of Advisors at Maggiano’s cozy meeting room on Sunday, January 28, 2018.

Adrian Garcia, the Democratic candidate for County Commissioner Precinct 2, inducted the Board members with a swearing-in ceremony.

Munir Ibrahim is IMAGH’s President for the year.

Fakruddin Sabir and Dr. Abdul Moosa who serve on the Board of Directors were unable to attend the meeting.

Cynthia Cisneros, a former news reporter at Channel 13 KTRK and now Vice President of Community Affairs was the Emcee for the event.

The program began with a welcome address by President Munir Ibrahim who highlighted IMAGH’s embracement of its cultural diversity.

Club 65 President Paru McGuire and SAYA President Mohammed Khan briefly outlined the vision and events put forth by their respective sister

organizations, both under the umbrella of IMAGH. President Munir also thanked luncheon host Dr. Maqbool Haq, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Abeezar Tyebji, Chairman of the Advisory Board and Latafath Hussain, Past President of IMAGH. He also introduced the members of the Board of Directors, the Board of Advisors and the IMAGH Executive committee.

Latafath Hussain who is lovingly referred to as IMAGH’s godfather, welcomed all the new Board members and recognized those who have supported his efforts to get IMAGH going: Mariam Izza, Gordon and Sylvia Quan; Shakuntla Malhotra, Maqbool Haq and Abeezar Tyebji.

Dr. Maqbool Haq and Abeezar Tyebji shared their goals for IMAGH for the year which included raising money for an annual Houston Science and Art Festival for Kids and a series of Discover Houston Walk.

The afternoon ended with a sumptuous lunch and dessert catered by Maggiano”s Little Italy.

Board of Advisors: L to R (front row) Munir Ibrahim President, Latafath Hussain, Neeta Sane, Gordon Quan, Abeezar Tyebji, (back row) Swapan Dhairyawan, Vijay Pallod, Dr. Nadir Ali, Raj Bhavsar, Ken Matthews, and Jawahar Malhotra

Right, Board of Directors, rear, Syed Nasir, Tasnim Vadva, and Karim Maknojia; Front, Dr. Maqbool Haq, Dr. Mujib Ashrafi, Dr. Saleha Khumawala, Munir Ibrahim and Fateh Ali Chatur.

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PAGE 4 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018

COMMUNITY

Hindu Youth Award winners present inspiring profile

Hindus of Greater Houston (HGH) is proud to announce their 8th Annual Hindu Youth Awards and Fundraising Gala on March 3, 2018 at ISKCON of Houston (1320 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018) at 5:30 p.m. Following is a profile of the 2017 Hindu Youth Award recipients.

By MANU SHAH

The 7th Annual Hindu Youth Awards organized by the Hindus of Greater Houston on 22nd April was an inspiring evening.

Seven youth were honored for demonstrating academic excellence, commitment to community service, inspiring social change and serving as exemplary role models.

According to selection committee member Thara Narsimhan, nominations were received from 13 Hindu organizations

and each nominee was an outstanding, motivated and selfless Hindu youth. Selecting only seven was a “very challenging process.”

Nikita Zamwar from Ekal Vidyalaya The daughter of Narendra and Sunitha Zamwar and Ekal volunteer for more than a decade, Nikita Zamwar’s first paycheck from her internship went towards sponsoring a school in Rajasthan.

Her role model is her dadaji (grandfather) who taught her the true meaning of selflessness, not through words but through his actions. She believes in the motto: “When writing the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen.” This quote, she says, really “speaks to her” because she wants to make her goals come true on her own terms. HGH, she adds, gave her a sense of belonging to a community and was instrumental in encouraging her

2017 Hindu youth award recipients, Mukund Nair, left, Harsh Mehta, Siddhant Ahuja, Govinda Ramirez, Shail Gajjar ,Nikita Zamwar, and Haripriya Sundaramurthy. to learn about her religion. Now when someone questions her about Hinduism, she clears common misconceptions easily and confidently.

At UT, she is involved in

keeping the Hindu YUVA chapter alive by conducting activities like the Ganesh Pooja, weekly discussions about Hinduism or being a Hindu American. This award, she notes, will encourage

her to continue her involvement with a likeminded organization in California where she is moving to start her new job at Workday as a software engineer.

Siddhant Ahuja from Arya Samaj The son of Sanjay and Kiran Ahuja, Siddhant can perform the havan independently and has won Shlokathons multiple times. Arya Samaj and the Hindu community in Houston, he believes, taught him the importance of staying connected to his roots and practice the core values of Hinduism so as to lead by example for the coming generations.

During his junior year of school, Siddhant went to India as part of an Arya Samaj youth team where they interacted with multiple NGO’s. Walking through the narrow lanes swarming with flies to arrive at a single room school strengthened his resolve to make a difference in the lives of the slum children.

An experience that particularly touched him was when he served at a special needs camp.

He was struck by how blessed he was and this helped shape his career goals: he wants to study business and combine his learning with his passion for service to become a social entrepreneur. A freshman at UT, Siddhant will be interning with a social enterprise in India focused on senior care and empowerment this summer.

Haripriya Sundaramurthy from Sri Meenakshi Temple.

The daughter of Sunder Arun and Malathi, Haripriya donated her first earnings to the Sri Meenakshi temple making her the youngest donor of the temple.

She has been involved in almost every religious activity since she was four years old and is now a teacher for the Human Development and Vedanta class at the Vedic Heritage School at the temple. Haripriya believes that religion “is just an introduction to God and only through service can we realize God.” She did go through a period of questioning but gradually arrived at the realization that Hindu dharma means fulfilling our duties, harming none, being true, and staying strong through hardships. She is also a firm believer in karma and See Page 5

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 • PAGE 5

From Page 4 the universal law and believes that every decision and every action we take must be for the greater good.

A Junior at the University of Houston, her advice to those following her footsteps: find what motivates you, prioritize service and always be proud of your heritage.

Shail Gajjar from BAPS Being a part of BAPS and the Mandir not only schooled Shail about Hinduism, but more importantly helped him realize that there are thousands of Hindus like him who do not indulge in meat, alcohol and even garlic and onions. The son of Bhavesh and Gira Gajjar, Shail sports a tilak on his forehead every day and is more than happy to explain its significance to curious peers. Hinduism, he says, is his identity - not on a Sunday to Sunday basis but by living according to its principles. At UTSA where he is a freshman, he educates the youth about Hinduism and ensures that festivals are celebrated in the right manner. His advice to the youth: when fearful or lonely, close your eyes, and God will be with you every step of the way. More importantly, don’t let others change who you are. Shail is often asked to interact with young newcomers to the mandir. He encourages them to attend temple meetings and gain a better understanding of their Hindu American identity.

Mukund Nair from Global Organization for Divinity Mukund Nair has been associated with G.O.D. for the past 9 years, is fluent in Sanskrit and Spanish and teaches value based heritage classes to children. He admits he wasn’t always like this and would often question the why’s of life but over the years figured that the purpose of life was to realize God and by doing so, find the happiness we are all seeking in life. This also instilled in him the fact that humanity is inseparable from divinity and this realization, he notes, gave his life a sense of clarity and purpose This 11th grader’s advice to the youth who are looking to make an impact is to understand the depth of Hinduism and take pride in their culture. If the desire to further oneself in spirituality is a true one, the rest, he says, will fall in place. The son of Jeevan Santha and Dr. Lekshmi Nair, Mukund practices the values of Hinduism in his daily life by living each day to the best of his ability because he feels that our lives are a gift of God. Harsh Mehta from the Jain Society of Houston “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”

When Vikram and Aarti Mehta’s son, Harsh, heard this quote by Mother Theresa in High School, it touched an instant chord in him and became the mantra of his life.

He has been involved with serving vegetarian meals at a shelter, working at the local SPCA Animal Shelter and initiating food and clothing drives. Being a part of the Jain Society of Houston helped Harsh strengthen his religious and moral beliefs and he applies these values to his daily life by being a vegetarian. He also tries to utilize the Jain concept of multiplicity of views when faced with an argument. Having the ability to look

at a debate from both sides, he believes, greatly aides in resolving the problem without harming either side.

A Senior, his advice to the youth is to never be afraid of their religion and upbringing. When times get hard, which they will, their religion and beliefs will provide a safe spot for them to fall back on.

Govinda Ramirez from ISKCON ISKCON has been Govinda’s family since she was born as her parents, Samuel Ramirez and Reyes De Los Santos, have been involved in the Krishna Consciousness movement for the last

30 years in Mexico. Growing up in this environment and despite being a non-Hindu by birth, she is well versed in Hindu pujas and religious ceremonies, has trained extensively in assisting with priest services and has dedicated her life to ISKCON. She is currently in the US and describes how she would go to the mountains to do her japa or chanting as the family that was hosting her was wonderful but may not have approved of the chanting. She is keen to promote Vedic culture and believes that it must be “preserved, protected and promoted” for the spiritual guidance of humanity. As a religious preacher and priest at the

ISKCON temple in Houston, Govinda also assists with classes for children and adults in the Hindu religion in Spanish, conducts re-

ligious discourses and provides spiritual counseling and services for members of the Hispanic community.

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.

PAGE 6 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018

COMMUNITY

Sri Meenakshi Temple celebrated Thai Sukravara Deepa Pooja on the auspices Friday of the month on Feb. 9. The Last Friday (Sukra vara) falling in the Tamil month Thai is considered very auspicious for Deepa Pooja. A lamp is the symbol of the inner power of Energy (Shakthi). Its rays symbolize the many forms of energy in this world. All Divine Goddesses are considered to reside in a lighted lamp. Deepa (lamp) pooja is performed by women seeking health, wealth, harmony and long life for their families and removal of sins. Priests decorated three traditional lamps symbolizing three Goddesses, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi . Devotees assembled at Sri Meenakshi’s Sannidhi to perform the Deepa pooja and get blessings of the Almighty Goddess. The chanting of mantras and Lalitha Sahasranamam by all women led by priests Manickasundara Bhattar along with Sriman Narayana and Kalyana Sundaram filled the temple with divine vibration. MTS Chairman Dr. Padmini Ranganathan thanked the priests, staff, Board, volunteers and devotees. The event was coordinated by Nachal Sethuraman, Akila Chander and Sheila Sriram.

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A beautiful bouquet of music and dance ensembles from different genres will be presented on Feb 25, at the Stafford Civic Center ( 1415 Constitution Ave, Stafford ), from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of Houston Namadwaar, a Center for Universal Harmony in the Pearland/Manvel area.

Titled “An Ode to Harmony”, the event will celebrate the harmony of humanity through that of music and divinity, and will be presented by Love to Share Foundation America and Global Organization for Divinity. The Honorable Mayors of the cities of Stafford and Manvel will be present at the program.

Several Houston-area music and dance schools and artists will present short pieces of various western and eastern genres, and will come together again in the end to showcase universal harmony. The keynote will be presented by Sri Ramanujamji and Sri Poornimaji, disciples of HH Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji, and world-renowned inspirational speakers.

A giving program with clothes and supplies donations to “The Well on Masters Road” a Manvel-based community non-profit will also be part of the evening’s program.

The musical ensembles for the evening include Vidushi Smt. Rajarajeshwary Bhat and students of Krishna Gana Sudha Music Academy; Smt. Maha Krishnan, Sri Sandeep Kumrouth and students of ShreeKrithi School of Music; Fort Bend Brass – Brass Quintet; Pasadena Memorial High School - First Edition Choir; Madhurageetham group; and children of Gopa Kuteeram.

The dance ensembles include Smt. Divyaa Unni and Sreepadam School of Arts; Smt. Shiva Mathur and Shivangini Academy of Arts; J&H Dance School – Chinese Folk; and a unique depiction of a scene from a future GOD production, Dhruva the Musical, set to music by ShreeKrithi School of Music and presented

by Smt. Meenakshi Venkataraman and group.

The event is open to the public and tickets ($10 only) are available at www.tinyurl.com/odetoharmony.

Sponsorships are welcome. Both Love to Share Foundation America and Global Organization for Divinity are 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.

For more information, please call 281-402-6585 or email contact@lovetosharefoundation.org.

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Youth Awards Coordinator and HGH Board of Director, commented, “It has been a great pleasure collaborating with ISKCON Houston for this year’s Hindu Youth Awards. I am looking forward to making this event a huge success. I hope that this event can continue to inspire youth in the community to follow the footsteps of those recognized and to excel in service, academics, and leadership”.

With the support of generous donors, Hindus of Greater Houston works to promote unity among Hindus through various events such as Janmashtami and Hindu Leadership meets. Hindus of Greater Houston would like

to thank the community for their support in helping further the mission of HGH and strengthen its foundation.

Donations will be used for all our activities and allow us to continue to bring about harmony and solidarity among ourselves and outreach to all others.

You can sponsor a table on behalf of your organization to celebrate this event with a donation of $1000, $500 or $250. Any amount of donation is welcome to help our cause.

Donations can be made to Hindus of Greater Houston by mailing the check to: 4002 Sutton Shadow Ln, Katy, TX 77494.

For more information, please contact, Komal Luthra, Youth Coordinator, at 281904-4085.

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 • PAGE 7

COMMUNITY for marriage; than do online Vivah matching/dating sites based from Page 1

HinduVivah’s Atlanta chapter, which culminated in marriage.

HinduVivah (www. hinduvivah.org ) is a US based non-profit organization whose charter is to facilitate the meeting of Hindu singles for the purpose of matrimony.

It is engaged mainly in the arranging of meetings where Hindu singles get a chance to mingle with like-minded suitors who are implicitly ready for marriage. These meets help break the ice and introduce Hindu singles to each other, at which point Vivah’s work is done, and these singles are left to explore and select a life partner from amongst the singles they meet at the events. Vivah requests Hindu singles not to use these events to date for dating’s sake. The services are meant to be used by those that are serious and contemplating marriage.

Since Vivah is funded by the Hindu community, its events are free of charge to all its attendees. Research shows that in-person meets have a much higher chance of leading to finding a partner suitable

strictly on professed personal profiles. At some point in the future if some kind of online presence can complement these in-person meets, Vivah is open to exploring that avenue.

The event was very well organized and many participants stopped by the Volunteers’ desk to compliment the event coordinators.

They were all praise for the wonderful efforts put together by a great team of volunteers.

A suggestion by one of the participants was to include Sikhs of Indian origin in the mix, which will be considered by organizers of future events.

This time around, there were 24 matching pairs.

Pavel Ahmed of Maharajah restaurant went all out to make everyone comfortable and provide free tea to the participants and benevolent sponsor Umang Mehta of Deep Foods provided snacks and juice. Elite Top USA founders Satish and Meenakshi Varma who have a thriving real estate and roofing tile business, were also sponsors for the event.

Please check the website www.hinduvivah.org. for updates and notifications of future events.

A L i t e r a r y Da n c e Pe r f o r m a n c e

PN O E T R Y I

MOTION University of Houston at Sugar Land

Rathna Kumar, dancer

THURSDAY

MARCH 6:30 P.M. Reception

Chitra Divakaruni, writer

22

Brazos Hall Multipurpose Room

7 P.M.

Lamplighting by Indian Consul General Dr. Anupam Ray and UH President Renu Khator, followed by the performance.

Indian dancer Rathna Kumar and global best-selling author Chitra Divakaruni will collaborate in Poetry in Motion, inspired by the work of internationally acclaimed photographer Raghubir Singh. This rare occasion brings together two Sugar Land-based artists for a free, family-friendly performance.

© Michele Wambaugh

M A R P.M. CH 10 TO APRIL 22 Artist Michele Wambaugh will display photographs from her Faces of India series.

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PAGE 8 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 21, 2018

NEWS

Roses from Bengaluru’s outskirts sailed across the world on Valentine’s Day I am inside a climatecontrolled poly-house, a sterile, artificial setting that leaves little room for romance.

Inside, however, are rows and rows of rose bushes, that ultimate homage to love. They all stand perfectly still, as if frozen, each bush topped with plump buds.

The buds are capped in tiny plastic nets, and reveal their colours where the green sepals part slightly.

We are in Dhruvahi Rose Farm, and Aravind Dhruva, the proprietor, explains that the flexible caps are put on the buds so that they retain their form until they are packed.

“Like test-tube babies,” quips the photographer, rather inaccurately, but I can see what he means.

On the 20-acre farm in Dodda Tumkur village, about 37 km from Bengaluru, there are 10 such poly-houses that grow about 50 lakh roses each year.

I am at the farm just before Valentine’s Day, when the market for roses gets a huge boost. But incidentally, it’s not just February 14 that perks up the market but also the end of the ‘lean period’ in the Hindu calendar — midDecember to to mid-January — when no auspicious events like weddings or engagements take place. Demand peaks on Rose Day (February 7), which begins the countdown to Valentine’s Day. This year, the farm sold 8-10 lakh roses in the seven-day period from Rose Day to Valentine’s Day. The highest price a stem fetched was ₹18 this year, up from ₹10-₹12 last year.

Exacting standards Before visiting Dhruva’s farm, I had imagined rose farms as green meadows filled with blushing rose bushes. But most roses sold in the market are grown in poly-houses in order to meet the exacting standards set by the export market and to increase their value in the domestic market.

Stem length, for instance, matters a great deal. The longer the stem the better for the life of the cut flower. Anything below 30 cm is considered

zero length and fetches low prices while a 70-80-cm stem can fetch ₹15-₹16 a flower.

Growers also look at how shiny the leaves are and the diameter of the bud — metrics that cannot be met if the roses are grown in fields.

Flowers are big business.

According to Ramakrishna Karuturi, president, South Indian Floriculture Association, the floriculture industry does business in excess of ₹1,000 crore a year, including export and domestic sales.

The demand for roses is centred on Valentine’s Day, but Chinese New Year, International Women’s Day, Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day and Friendship Day, as well as major festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra and Ganesh Chaturthi also see brisk sales.

Even more important, as weddings get more lavish, the domestic market is increasing exponentially, with huge amounts of money spent on floral decorations and bouquets.

In 2016-17, India exported more than 22 tonnes of flowers, worth some ₹550 crore. And the major export destinations were the U.S., the U.K, U.A.E., Germany and the Netherlands.

In the past 10 years, Kenya and Ethiopia have come up as major competitors in the cut flowers business, but growers here are expanding their base as well.

For instance, Karuturi’s company, Karuturi Global Ltd., which is the world’s largest rose company with a 10% market share globally, has 3,000 sq. km of agricultural land in Ethiopia and 239 hectares of land for rose cultivation.

Taj Mahal, a ruby-red variety of rose, is the reigning favourite among buyers, both domestic and international.

But others like Gold Strike (yellow), Awallence (white and peach) and Noblesse (pink) come close seconds.

The International Flower Auction Bangalore (IFAB) conducts auctions for flowers grown not just in Bengaluru but also in other floriculture

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Roses in various hues in full bloom for Valentine’s Day sales in Chennai. —The Hindu hubs like Pune. Here, roses, carnations, gerberas, gladiolis and orchids vie for attention, with the gerbera being almost as popular as the rose. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) calls floriculture a ‘sunrise industry’, which has taken “giant steps” in the export arena in the years since liberalisation.

Going by IFAB figures, the market is expanding steadily.

Mithun, development manager at IFAB, cites the lack of coldstorage chains as one of the major reasons for floriculture not taking off as well as it could. A grower who has come all the way from Delhi to Bengaluru to auction his produce at IFAB agrees. The absence of an extensive cold storage network means not just flowers but all perishables have a short shelf-life, with growers spending more money just reaching produce to markets on time.

Delicate queen At the farm, Dhruva is aware of the big picture but is worrying more about the everyday problems of growing roses.

As we sip coffee in his velvet-curtained drawing room, he talks of how much care the rose requires, living up

to its reputation as the delicate queen of flowers.

Water, obviously, is paramount — one bush requires a litre of water per day. But in the 30-35 km radius from the heart of Bengaluru, within which most of the rose farms are, the water table is going down due to extensive urbanisation.

And as they dig deeper, reaching 1,000-1,500 sq. ft below the surface, the water is often heavy with sodium and chlorides, chemicals that are bad for roses and other flowers.

“We use nitric acid to neutralise these chemicals,” says Dhruva.

Besides, the roses have to be fed, watered and sprayed with pesticides regularly to protect them from mites, thrips, powdery mildew, white flies and caterpillars. It’s a labour intensive business and for Dhruva, labour is the major problem. Most of the 80 workers on his farm are migrants from Assam. There is a 50% government subsidy on poly-houses, but that’s just a drop in the overall expensive input costs.

None of this seems to have discouraged Biju Purayil and his two friends Sahil Rao and Satyajit Gantayat, who quit comfortable software jobs to take up farming full-time and get “their hands dirty”.

They set up Urban Harvest, which grows Dutch roses and organic vegetables on a farm in Denkanikottai, 35 km from Hosur. “The picture painted of rose-farming is glossier than it is in reality, but it does pay,” says Purayil.

For the V-Day flush, they start preparing from mid-December.

After 45 days of intensive care, which begins with levelling the ground, enriching it with nutrients, planting the saplings, and moving on to bending the shoots, removing extra growth, and harvesting the buds when they reach the ‘pinhole’ stage (the bud should be tight enough to let just a pin through), the Taj Mahals are ready for lovers waiting to say it with roses.

“This year’s market has been better than last year’s,” Purayil says.

In Dhruva’s farm, young women with nimble fingers are sorting stems according to height and colour, taking off the plastic caps, plucking off the leaves, and finally packing the flowers in bunches of 20.

Chatting and giggling, they lighten up the dark room in which they work as much as the fresh roses do. I wonder if they will get roses on Valentine’s Day. anusua.m@thehindu.co.in

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 • PAGE 9

COMMUNITY

‘Dig the well before you get thirsty’

By P. G. PARAMESWARAN, M.D. A Chinese proverb says “dig the well before you get thirsty.”

We are not following this adage when it comes to arming our South Asian community with enough bone marrow donor registrants so that when the need arises there is some one in the large pool who will be a match.

The present dearth of registrants - possible donors - have caused our families to look for a donor at a time when their loved one is already stricken with Leukemia (or other type of cancers needing a bone marrow transplant) and in urgent need of a donor to stay alive.

Every 3 minutes someone gets diagnosed with blood cancer and every ten minutes someone dies from it.

As a retired physician who has conducted bone marrow donor drives for many years, I am convinced that the only way to save the lives of our South Asian children and adults with Leukemia who fail to respond to chemotherapy and waiting for a bone marrow transplant is to get 100% of our healthy adults to register and commit to donate when matched with a patient. Is this just a wishful thinking or will our community wake up and do what has to be done?

At any time, an average of 6000 patients with Leukemia are awaiting marrow transplant every day in the USA. About 75% of caucasians have registered with the National “Be The Match Registry” while the number of registrants from the South Asian community are, at present, very dismal.

I have been approached a number of times by our fellow community members to organize a bone marrow donor registration drive on behalf of a loved one who has failed to find a match both within the family and in the the national ‘Be The Match’ Registry. Their hope is that they will find a match amongst the new registrants who can save their loved one.

This is a farfetched hope because the response to such spur of the moment drives is usually poor.

This, coupled with the fact that the chances of matching within family members is about 15% to 25% and with a non-relative is anywhere from one in 10,000-100,000, the patient and their families will most likely be disappointed even after conducting several such drives.

The best and the only way to avoid heartbreaks and give the patients a fighting chance is for our community to encourage healthy adults to register on their own and conduct ongoing drives.

In addition to their illness, another devastation that South

Asian patients face is when, after several drives and a long wait, the rare matched donor that they have found decides to back out when he or she is asked to donate. This happens on an average 4 out of 5 times.

As a result, there are too many deaths amongst the South Asian children and adults for want of donors.

In the greater Houston area, with a South Asian population of 200,000 and growing, this tragic loss of our loved ones should not happen.

What are the reasons for this and can something be done to correct this sad situation ?

One or more of the following reasons may cause you not to register or to donate.

1. Feeling confident that you or your family member is unlikely to suffer from leukemia. Statistics show that every

3 minutes someone gets diagnosed with blood cancer (Leukemia) and every ten minutes someone dies from it.

2. If you register you will have to donate marrow to a stranger. Every one of us needing a marrow transplant and cannot find a matching donor in the family will be depending on a stranger for the marrow.

3. Fear of the consequences of losing one’s bone marrow.

The amount of marrow that one has to donate is an extremely small percentage of the 92 ounces of marrow that is present in the long and flat bones of a healthy adult. Donating this small amount of marrow is safe and will have no ill effect. The marrow is restored in about 2 weeks time.

4. Fear of not knowing what

See MARROW, Page 12

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PAGE 10 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018

SCIENCE & PHILOSOPHY

Thinking Outside the Quantum Box: Universe is your own imagination

By Bernardo Kastrup The counterintuitive predictions of quantum theory have now been experimentally confirmed with unprecedented rigor. Yet, the question of how to interpret the meaning of these predictions remains controversial.

A Wikipedia table summarizing different interpretations of quantum mechanics included no less than fourteen entries at the time of this writing. New interpretations regularly appear.

The problem is that quantum theory contradicts our intuitive understanding of what “real” means. According to the theory, if two real particles A and B are prepared in a special way, what Alice sees when she observes particle A depends on how Bob concurrently observes particle B, even if the particles—as well as Alice and Bob—are separated by an arbitrary distance.

This “spooky action at a distance,” as Einstein called it, contradicts either local causation or the very notion that particles A and B are “real,” in the sense of existing independently of observation.

As it turns out, certain statistical properties of the observations, which have been experimentally confirmed, indicate the latter: that the particles do not exist independently of observation. And since observation ultimately consists of what is apprehended on the mental screen of perception, the implication may be that “the Universe is entirely mental,” as put

by Richard Conn Henry in his 2005 Nature essay.

The problem, of course, is that the hypothesis of a universe whose very existence depends on our minds contradicts mainstream scientific intuitions. So physicists scramble to interpret quantum theory in a way that makes room for a mind-independent reality. A popular way to do this entails postulating imagined, empirically unverifiable, theoretical entities defined as observerindependent. Naturally, this

goes beyond mere interpretation; it adds redundant baggage to quantum theory, in the sense that the theory needs none of this stuff to successfully predict what it predicts.

Some cringe at such attempts to modify quantum mechanics to make it fit one’s worldview, as opposed to adapting one’s worldview to make it consistent with quantum mechanics.

So the question that naturally arises is: If we stick to plain quantum theory, what does it tell us about reality? Physicist Carlo Rovelli tried to answer this question rigorously and the result is now known as relational quantum mechanics (RQM).

According to RQM, there are no absolute—that is, observer-independent—physical quantities. Instead, all physical quantities—the entire physical world—are relative to the observer, in a way analogous to motion.

This is motivated by the fact that, according to quantum theory, different observers can account differently for the same sequence of events.

Consequently, each observer is inferred to “inhabit” its own physical world, as defined by the context of its own observations.

The price of this uncompromising honesty in acknowledging the implications of quantum mechanics is a number of philosophical qualms. First, the idea that the physical world one inhabits is a product of one’s private observations seems to imply solipsism, an anathema in philosophy.

Second, RQM entails that “a complete description of the world is exhausted by the relevant [Shannon] information that systems have about each other.” However, according to Shannon, information isn’t a thing unto itself. Instead, it is constituted by the discernible configurations of a substrate.

Yet, if there is no absolute physical substrate, what then constitutes information?

Third—and perhaps most problematic of all—the RQM

tenet that all physical quantities are relative raises an obvious question: relative to what?

We only see meaning in a relative quantity such as motion because we assume there to be absolute physical bodies that move with respect to one another. But RQM denies all physical absolutes that could ground the meaning of relative quantities.

Notice that the root of all these philosophical qualms is the assumption that only physical quantities exist. If physical quantities arise from personal observation and they are all there is, then solipsism is indeed implied.

If physical quantities are grounded in information and they are all there is, then information indeed lacks a substrate. If physical quantities are relative and they are all there is, then there are indeed no absolutes to ground their meaning. I shall return to this insight shortly.

For now, however, it would seem that biting the bullet of plain quantum theory, without decorating it with imagined bells and whistles, forces us into unresolvable philosophical qualms. Yet, this conclusion is false. To see how we can get out of this quagmire we need only to be rigorous about the epistemic scope of physics.

Stanford physicist Andrei Linde, of cosmic inflation fame, provided an important clue when he observed that “our knowledge of the world begins not with matter but with perceptions.... Later we find out that our perceptions obey some laws, which can be most conveniently formulated if we assume that there is some underlying reality beyond our perceptions.... This assumption is almost as natural (and maybe as false) as our previous assumption that space is only a mathematical tool for the description of matter.” Hence, in the absence of an absolute, observer-independent substrate, the physical world of RQM can only be the contents of perception. There is nothing else for

it to be.

Now recall that the philosophical qualms of RQM rest on the assumption that only physical quantities—that is, contents of perception—exist.

However—and here is the key point—next to the contents of perception there are, of course, also non-perceptual mental categories such as thoughts.

Many physicists posit that thoughts should be explainable in terms of physical quantities and, as such, become part of the physical world by reduction.

But this is a philosophical assumption that does not change the scientific fact that quantum mechanics does not predict thoughts; it only predicts the unfolding of perception, even when what is predicted—and later perceived—is the output of instrumentation.

So the possibility that presents itself to us is that thoughts are the absolutes that ground the meaning of the relative physical quantities of RQM. In other words, all physical quantities on the screen of perception may arise as relationships between thoughts. Moreover, since both thoughts and perceptions are mental in essence, this line of reasoning points to mind as the primary substrate of nature, the discernible states of which constitute information.

The hypothesis here, which I have elaborated upon in detail elsewhere, is that thought—whose characteristic ambiguities may in fact be what quantum superposition states ultimately represent— underlies all nature and isn’t restricted to living organisms.

The physical world of an observing organism may arise from an interaction—an interference pattern—between the organism’s thoughts and the

thoughts underlying the inanimate universe that surrounds it. Although each organism— in accordance with RQM— may indeed inhabit its own private world of perceptions, all organisms may be surrounded by a common environment of thoughts, which avoids solipsism at least in spirit.

Conn Henry’s courageous assertion that “the Universe is entirely mental” isn’t only a seeming implication of recent experimental observations, it may also point the way to an elegant philosophical underpinning for what is perhaps the most rigorous and parsimonious interpretation of quantum mechanics. Mind, it seems, may offer a path out of the quantum quagmire in more ways than one.

Note: This essay is based on the paper “Making Sense of the Mental Universe,” published in Philosophy and Cosmology, Vol. 19, pages 33-49.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Scientific American.

Bernardo Kastrup has a Ph.D. in computer engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology and specializations in artificial intelligence and reconfigurable computing.

He has worked as a scientist in some of the world’s foremost research laboratories, including the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Philips Research Laboratories. He has authored many science and philosophy papers, as well as several philosophy books. His three most recent books are: “More Than Allegory,” “Brief Peeks Beyond” and “Why Materialism Is Baloney.” ‑Scientific American

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INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 • PAGE 11

NEWS

Ex-Maharaja’s adopted Polish children to attend event in Gujarat

80 years ago, Jamsaheb of Nawanagar provided a school, shelter and food for 1,000 of them in Camp Balachadi. One of the survivors, Wieslaw Stypula, 90, visits Balachadi. The plaque is gifted by the Polish survivors .

All too few of the 1,000 Polish children of Gujarat’s Camp Balachadi are still alive. But for those who survive, the memory of their original journey from Poland to this town in Jamnagar district in the 1940s is vivid.

That memory brings them to India again and again, to commemorate a generous Indian benefactor, the former Maharajah or “Jamsaheb of Nawanagar”, 80 years ago.

“This is a story few know about, but it is a sign of how deep the ties that bind India and Poland are,” Poland’s new Ambassador to India Adam Burakowski tells The Hindu. Mr. Burakowski, whose journey to India is itself a unique story, is now preparing for the return of some of the survivors later this year to mark 100 years of Poland’s independence after the first world war.

The story of the Balachadi children evokes warm feelings about how India helped thousands of Poles during the Second World War, but also reminds them of the cruelty of the past, and the terribly hard journey they were forced to take.

The children had been separated from their parents or orphaned during the invasion of Poland in 1939, first by Hitler’s forces and then Stalin’s Red Army, who divided the country into two halves. Most of their families, from the Soviet-dominated East, were sent to Siberia’s labour camps.

Arduous journey When they were freed, they weren’t sent home, but on an even more arduous journey in trucks across Turkmenistan, Iran and Afghanistan to India. While many Polish families made it to refugee camps in Nagpur, Kolhapur and Bombay (Mumbai), the 1,000 or so children, all under the age of 15, had a special problem, as they needed a school, boarding facilities and caretakers.

It was then that the Jamsaheb Digvijaysinghji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja of Nawanagar stepped in, offering to build the school for them, and provide them food and shelter near his palace, in Balachadi. The Jamsaheb’s care didn’t end there, recall the survivors, who became the subject of a 2013 documentary film called

“A little Poland in India.”

“When we arrived at the camp, the Maharaja gave a party but despite being hungry, we didn’t like to eat the spicy food served at all. [The Maharaja] saw this & said don’t worry, and he brought seven young cooks from Goa to serve us less spicy food,” recalled Wieslaw Stypula, one of the survivors, now over 90 years old.

Others like Roman Gutowski remember how the Jamsaheb helped them learn to swim in the sea. Atleast one couple, Jadwiga and Jerzy Tomaszek, met at the camp, and married decades later, which they thank the Maharaja for.

Remembering a king’s act of kindness In recognition of the kindness they were showed, which became a famous story in Poland, Warsaw authorities named a school and a crossroad “Skwer Dobrego Maharadzy” (The Good Maharaja Square) after him.

“Their love for India keeps bringing them back at any given opportunity, even at this age of 80 years plus. When they look at the future generations of their great grand children, they are in deep gratitude towards India and Indians for giving them protection in Balachadi,” Anu Radha, producer of the documentary film, said, revealing that it took more than a year to find all the remaining survivors in Poland and speak to them about their time in India from 1942-1946.

Along with the Polish Institute in Delhi, and the Embassy, Anu Radha now hopes to bring them back for celebrations at the Balachadi school, which is now a Sainik School, in October 2018.

“Each year, there are fewer survivors left, and one never knows whether it will be possible for them to return,” she says.

This year, the decades- old story will have a new twist, as the return of the survivors and the celebrations for Poland’s centenary will be presided over by Ambassador Burakowski, who is, by coincidence, a graduate of the school named after Jamsaheb Digvijaysinghji in Warsaw.

In 1997 he first visited India exactly the way the Balachadi children did: by land, from Poland . He says he fell in love with India, and resolved to teach him-

self Hindi, which he did with the help of Lata Mangeshkar songs.

The symbolism of Mr. Burakowski’s favourite song from the 1959-hit Ujala “Duniyawalon se duur” (Far from the world) wasn’t clear until recently, when he returned to India as the Polish envoy, humming the famous tune about living in a world without atrocity, or sadness, and one where the language of love is understood by all, (Na Zulm Ka Nishaan Hai,Na Gam Ki Dastaan Hai, Har Koi Jisko Samjhe,Voh Pyaar Ki Zubaan Hai), a world very much like the one the Jamsaheb created in the 1940s for his adopted Polish children.— Suhasini Haidar in The Hindu

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India House presents

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Lecture and discussion on a series of texts by A. Parthasarathy, beginning with The Fall of the Human Intellect. Designed to support a daily study at home.

FREE CLASS Starting March 3rd

Every Saturday 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

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Vedanta is derived from two words Veda – Knowledge and Anta – End. Vedanta means the end of knowledge. This ancient philosophy presents the eternal principles of life and living. It programs a life of mental peace combined with dynamic action in the world. Equips one with clarity of intellect to deal with the challenges of life. Above all its philosophy leads one to the ultimate goal of Self-Realization.

– A. Parthasarathy Joseph is Director of Vedanta Institute Houston. He has been studying Vedanta since 1996. He is a graduate of the three-year, full-time residential course on Vedanta philosophy at Vedanta Academy, in India.

For Registration: www.indiahouseinc.org/programs-services/vedanta-study-group For more information: 713-929-1900 | Vipin@indiahouseinc.org | www.indiahouseinc.org

PAGE 10 12 •• INDIA INDIA HERALD HERALD •• WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY FEBRUARY 21,2018 PAGE 31, 2018

NEWS NEWS

Khalistan shadow USISPF casts appoints industry leaders from U.S and India over Trudeau visit

WASHINGTON, D.C. The US-India PartCanadian PrimeStrategic Minister Justin nership Forum (USISPF) anTrudeau, his wife Sophie Gregoire nounced the addition of a third and children try their hand on MaVice newatboard hatmaChairman, Gandhi’s two charkha Hrimembers and one board daykunj, Sabarmati GandhiadviAshsor Jan. 29. on February 19, ram,onAhmedabad Mr. Shantanu Narayen, CEO 2018. Significantly, Mr. Trudeau’s of Adobe Systems and Presiitinerary covers the Golden Temdent the Adobe Foundaple at of Amritsar where ‘Operation tion, has been a member of the| Bluestar’ took place in 1984.

USISPF board and has recently Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji been selected to lead to asSikh a Vice Perceived proximity exChairman of the Board.

Mr. tremist groups takes away warmth Narayen worked on expected has during Justinclosely Trudeau’s the global strategy for Adobe ongoing visit. andKhalistan, expanding company’s the the issue that kept business into India.

India-Canada ties on ice through Of decades the recent appointment, three from 1980, has reapMr. Narayen said, “Strong strapeared as an issue more recently, tegic ties between the U.S. and taking away much of the warmth India have never been more that was expected during Canadian important than Justin they Trudeau’s are toPrime Minister day.

USISPF has emerged as ongoing visit to India. a powerful force in the U.S.Former diplomats say the seeds India partnership and for thestrategic current tensions have been itsowed is a since privilege to be asked Mr. Trudeau came to to serve as Vice Chairman. look power in 2015, receiving I wideforward to working with of busispread support from some the ness and government leaders in most extreme Khalistani political both countries to promote our groups, and has repeatedly failed shared of improved ecoto take goals into account the sensitivinomic growth, innovation, and ties in India over the past where entrepreneurship.”

Sikh terror groups received supNew port from business elements inleaders Canada. recently inducted into One major breaking the pointWashcame ington-based advocacy group’s last April when Mr.Trudeau atboard Ajayparade Singh, tended ainclude “Khalsa day” organised by one of the more radi-

on the Board. He acquired low chairman and new board India, and believes this can cost airline SpiceJet in 2004 members, USISPF is adding be achieved by business and and helped revive the company General David Petraeus (U.S. government coming together after financial losses in 2015, Army, Ret.) as an Advisor to to create meaningful opportulater becoming Chairman and the Board. nities that have the power to Managing Director.

General Petraeus is the change the lives of citizens.

Mr. Singh said, “India is at Chairman of the KKR Global “We are excited to welcome a pivotal time in this relation- Institute. He was previously these three important leaders to ship, with the United States the Director of the CIA and our board,” said, Dr. Mukesh recognizing India as “a leading commander of the Internation- Aghi, President of USISPF. power” in the Indo-Pacific re- al Security Assistance Force “They will add great value gion and beyond. I’m thrilled (ISAF) and Commander, U.S. to the work that the USISPF to join the US-India Strategic Forces Afghanistan (USFOR- board and staff is already doPartnership Forum at such a A), as well as Commander of ing with regards to trade, suprelevant time in this relation- U.S. Central Command and ply chain management, and ship, and I look forward to Commander of the Multina- defense work.” promoting this powerful part- tional Force in Iraq during the As champions of the U.S.nership through my work with surge developments. He will India commercial and strategic the forum.” assist the forum with its as- partnership, we believe there is Mr. Kern joined Cisco in sessment of geopolitical devel- an unprecedented opportunity 2003 and has worked in vari- opments and counter-terrorism for business communities in ous supply Prime chain Minister positionsJustin be- efforts. to play larger Canadian Trudeau, his wife Sophie Gregoireboth andcountries children try their ahand on fore becoming Vice charkha Presidentat Hridaykunj, RegardingSabarmati his new Gandhi leader- Ashram, role in Ahmedabad the next chapter of this Mahatma Gandhi’s on Feb.19 of Supply Chain Operations. ship role in the forum, General important bilateral-partnerseeking a “referendum 2020” for Petraeus “No onesaid, is asking Gurudwaras in the United States He possesses great experience “I amthea Trudeau strong ship. the worldwide Sikh diaspora to supporter governmentof not the to engage with the and the United folin global operations and spoke relationship USISPF is Kingdom uniquely also suited vote on an “Independent KhaSikh community that form their lowed suit.

When asked, Canadian about the country’s potential, between the U.S. and India, to work together with leaders listan” been raised several and constituency, but why isto it being neces- in government officials saying,have “India is an incredible look forward the U.S. and Indiacite to “freedom achieve times in the past few years, ofsary to pander to extremist Khaof expression” issues to explain country for Cisco, represent- part of the important work of our shared goals. ficials The Hindu, including listani elements is the question,” their stand. Anotherinsore point on ing an told emerging economy with USISPF.” Headquartered Washingwhen former Defence Minister Mr. Prakash added.Where Trudeau the current visitwas Mr. Trudeau’s a great growth opportunity, While promoting trade is an ton D.C., USISPF has offices Arun Jaitley talent, met with stays mum part of the organiza- in insistence on taking along with world-class andCanadian an inte- important New York, Silicon Valley, Defence Minister Harjit Singh SaTo add to the tensions, last him the Ministers in his cabinet gral part of our global supply tion’s work, it focuses on pro- Mumbai and New Delhi. jjan, andI look Primeforward Minister to Narendra month, 16 of sympathising with the chain. build- moting jobCanadian creation,Gurudwaras inclusion, accused For more details, please visit Modi is understood to have spoken announced a “ban” on the entry of Khalistan movement, like Mr. Sajing the U.S.-India relationship start-ups, innovation, and edu- http://usispf.org/. You can also to Mr. Trudeau on the issue when Indian elected jan andusNavdeep Singh Bains, through my work at Cisco and cation.

USISPFofficials, works consular to cre- follow on LinkedIn, Twitterto the leaders met at the G-20 summit officials, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Amritsar.

Last year, Chief Minister in my work at USISPF.” ate the most powerful strategic and Facebook. in In Hamburg in July 2017, and in Sangh (RSS) and Shiv Sena memAmarinder Singh had refused to addition to the new vice relationship between U.S. and Manila on the sidelines of the East bers, without any action from the meet these Ministers calling them Asia summit.

Trudeau government.

“Khalistanis”.

New members cal Gurudwaras in Toronto. Atinthe time, the Ministry of External Afclude senior manfairs (MEA) made it clear India’s agement CISprotest had beenfrom taken up with the CanadianSpice government.

CO, Jet and Among other issues was the feAdobe licitation atSystems the parade of a politician responsible forNarayen, a resolution in Shantanu the Ontario assembly that accused Adobe Systems, was India of “genocide” during the 1984 Anti-Sikhselected riots, a vote that recently as had also protested strongly. aIndia Vice Chairman of In addition, floats at the parade depicted Sikh militant Jarthe Board andleaders David nail Singh Bhindranwale, Amreek Petraeus as General the New Singh and former Shahbeg Singh Advisor who were killed in the Board

siege of the Golden Temple and Operation Bluestar in June 1984, Chairman and Managing Dias heroes. forrector of During Spice his Jettenure Limited mer Canadian PrimeKern, Minister Stealong with John Senior phen President Harper hadofnot attended the Vice Supply Chain rally, easing at theCisco path for Operations Ltd.visits by PMWith Manmohan Singh in and the addition of2012 the two PM Modi to Canada 2015. of new members, theinnumber visit members to the Khalsa the“The board has Day inparade was a no-no for Canadian creased to 31.

PMs for at least a decade, we USISPF continues to and attract may becaliber back to board the drawing board high members, on this issue” Ambassawho serve as former both prominent dor to Canada Prakash business leadersVishnu and global intold The Hindu, Mr. fluencers with anadding abilitythat to imTrudeau “has been left in no doubt pact international relations and on India’s affairs concerns on the issue, corporate worldwide. andMr. theySingh have been takena upwealth at the brings highest levels.” to his position of experience Issues over the growth of Sikh extremist groups, especially those

Hari Venkatachalam Hindu Students Association, Board of Directors

Succeed In Your Business

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.”

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COMMUNITY To register in the “Be The Marrow Match” directory please conFrom Page 1

to expect and risks associated with the procedure. Prior to thee donation process, the donor undergoes a medical examination to confirm he or she is in good health.

Depending on the patient’s needs the doctor might decide to obtain the marrow cells by one of two method, either using the traditional technique of inserting the needle in the hip bone under local or general anesthesia under sterile conditions in the operating room.

(There could be some pain at the site where the needle is inserted in the hip for a couple of days which is easily relieved with pain pills) or obtain stem cells from the peripheral blood (PBSC).

The same blood forming cells that are found in the bone marrow are also found in the circulating peripheral blood.

One of our community members, Parveez recently donated PBSC to save the life of a Leukemia patient, Meet the very first marrow donor of 2018 from Houston, Parveez . He donated PBSC to save the life of the person who was in urgent need of the transplant. Without this transplant the patient could die.

Fifty-five year old Parveez said,”After several years of being listed on the registry, when I received the call that I was a match, I received full support from my wife, children, brothers, sisters and rest of the family. My family was so supportive that my 17-year-old son gave me a ride on the donation day and my aunt came with us to give us company. The support did not end at home; it continued to my work place as well. My boss at Oceaneering supported me wholeheartedly and granted me the days off needed for the donation and recovery. Although I had some soreness after the donation for two days, it was very humbling experience. I have recovered completely and resumed my life at work and home and am now desperately waiting to hear the recovery news of my recipient.”

5. You might wonder if one can refuse to donate after matching with a patient.

If you refuse, it is a death sentence for the patient as you are the only one who has matched and there is no one to replace you. Please register only if you are committed to donate when matched.

We encourage the readers to let us know if there are specific concerns that prevents you from registering to be a prospective donor or prevents you from donating when matched.

tact any one of the following.

After you register encourage friends and family to register as well -- the only way to “dig the well before you get thirsty” Gaytri Kapoor Donor Contact Representative Phone: 281 780 1379 Toll free : 1=888 482 5663 Visit https://bethematch. org/ for more information.

Contact the Indian American Cancer Network (IACAN) which conducts bone marrow donor registration drives regularly at 713 370 3489 to find out the date and location of the next drive or visit www.iacannetwork.org The author is grateful to Gayatri Kapoor for her assistance providing the statistics and donor information.

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 • PAGE 13

Sophia, the guest speaker, a robot An unlikely guest speaker shared the dais with national and international leaders at the World Congress on Information Technology, 2018 (WCIT-2018), in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Already popular for the sophisticated use of Artificial Intelligence in the making of her, Sophia also boasts of looks like Hollywood celebrity Audrey Hepburn.

She is the work of Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics in 2015, manufactured to be media-savvy with exceptional conversational skills. In 2017, the robot was granted Saudi Arabian citizenship, and made the United Nations Development Programme’s Innovation Champion for Asia and the Pacific.

PAGE 14 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018

GRAND OPENING CEREMONY PRANA PRATISTHA & MAHA KUMBHABHISHEKA MAHOTSAV

March 8 – 11, 2018 March 8th Thursday 6 PM TO 9 PM

March 9th Friday 9 AM to 9 PM

March 11th Sunday 6 AM to 12 pm

March 10th Saturday 9 AM to 10 PM

CULTURAL PROGRAM WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (MARCH 10TH) FROM 6 PM to 8 PM FREE LUNCH AND DINNER PRASADAM WILL BE SERVED AFTER PUJA !

Contact:

Srikiran Narayanam, Head Priest Char Dham Hindu Temple

8044 College Park Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77384

Phone: (832)299-5172 OR (832)668-8799 WEBSITE: http://chardhamhindutemple.org

SPONSORSHIP DETAILS DEITY SPONSORSHIP Please contact Head priest ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

SRI JAGANNATH PARIVAR SRI GANESHA SRI MAHALAKSHMI SRI SUDHARSANA SRI DWARIKANATH SRI RADHAKRISHANA SRI SATHYANARAYANA & LAXMI SRI SAIBABA SRI BADRINARAYANA SRI DURGA SRI SARASWATHI SRI VIKHANASA MAHA MUNI SRI SHIVALINGAM SRI VENKATESWARA SRI RAMA PARIVAR SRI AYYAPPA NAVAGRAHA DEVATA VIMALA DEVI DWARAPALAKA PANCHAMUKHI HANUMAN GARUDA NANDI -----------------------------------------------

• Sponsor gets lifelong special pooja for sponsored deity • Participate in all poojas during khumbabishekam • Participate in all (40 days) mandalapooja • Yajamana sankalpam • Gold plated silver kalasam, silk dhoti , silk saree, silver coin, navarathan set, cotton dhoti, bag, prasadam.

• Yearly once pooja as per wish at your home • Lifelong daily free archana at temple • Free abhishekam for all deities for life • 1 year Annadanam in your family’s name

Diamond Sponsor $15,000 • Sponsor can participate in all poojas during kumbhabishekam • Participate in all (40 days) mandalapooja • Yajamana sankalpam • Silver kalasam • Silk dhoti, silk saree • Shawl, silver coin, navaratan set, cotton dhoti, bag, prasadam.

• Daily free archana for all deitys one year • Free abhishekam for all deities for one year • Annadanam for all 40 days during the kumbhabishekam in your families name

DHAM SPONSORSHIP Please contact Head priest

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DWARKANATH DHAM

Silver Sponsor $1,001

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Platinum Sponsor $10,000 • Sponsor can participate in all poojas during kumbhabishekam • Participate in all (40 days) mandalapooja • Yajamana sankalpam • Small silver kalasam • Silk dhoti, silk saree, shawl, bag, prasadam • Navarathan set • Free abhishekam one deities for one year • Daily free archana at temple for one year

Gold Sponsor $2,500 • Sponsor can participate in all poojas during kumbhabishekam • Yajamana sankalpam • Silver coated Copper kalasam • Cotton dhoti, cotton saree • Shawl, Silver coin, Bag • Prasadam • Navarathan set • Yearly once abhishekam & archana (on desired date)

• Sponsor can participate in all poojas during kumbhabishekam • Copper kalasam • Shawl, Silver coin, • Navarathan set • Bag and Prasadam

Anna Dan Sponsor $1,001 • Participate in gopura kalasa abhishekam during kumbabhishekam • Copper kalasam • Shawl • Bag • Prasadam • Annadaanam one day during the kumbhabishekam in your families name

Kalasa Sponsor $501 • Participate in gopura kalasa abhishekam during kumbabhishekam • Copper kalasam • Shaw and Bag • Prasadam Char Dham Hindu Temple is constructed and operated by SKAI Foundation.

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017 • PAGE 21 INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 • PAGE 15

PAGE 16 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018

NRI TAX & WEALTH : India vs China

How did system allow PNB fraud, asks CVC

Rags and riches: A Nirav Modi luxury diamond jewelry billboard in New Delhi.

The Central Vigilance Com- action against Mr. Modi under choice, or to the entire INTERmission (CVC), India’s apex the Black Money (Undisclosed POL membership and is simulbody for checking corruption Foreign Income and Assets) taneously recorded in Interin the government, has sum- and Imposition of Income Tax pol’s Information System,” the moned senior officials from the Act of 2015. “The I-T depart- website of Interpol says.

Reserve Bank of India, the Fi- ment has invoked provisions Modi (46), who was alleged nance Ministry, along with the that allow it to provisionally to have carried out frauduChief Vigilance Officer of Pun- attach properties of the assess- lent transactions worth over jab National Bank (PNB), early ee and 29 properties belonging ₹ 11,400 crore in Punjab Nanext week to assess how the to Mr. Modi, his wife and their tional Bank, left India on Janu₹11,500 crore fraud reported group companies,” the official ary 1, while his brother Nishal, on Wednesday by the govern- said. a Belgian citizen, departed ment-owned PNB, slipped past Meanwhile, the RBI broke from the country the same day. all the in-built checks and bal- its silence on the fraud and However, whether they travances in the banking system. blamed internal control failures elled together has to be probed, An official aware of the de- for PNB’s woes in a statement they officials said. velopment said the CVC would on Friday, terming the incident Modi’s wife Ami, a United like to ascertain if there is a as a ‘case of operational risk’ States citizen, left on January systemic issue that needs to be due to ‘delinquent behaviour’ 6 and his uncle and business corrected, as it isn’t convinced by one or more employees. partner Mehul Choksi, the proby the bank’s claims that junior “Searches are being con- moter of Gitanjali jewellery employees colluded with the ducted at a total of 32 locations chain, left on January 4, the offugitive diamond merchant Ni- in cities across five States, in- ficials said. rav Modi and other banks were cluding Mumbai, Pune, SuThe CBI and the Enforceto blame for not carrying out rat, Jaipur, Hyderabad and ment Directorate have apdue diligence on the LoUs. Coimbatore. These locations proached the government Three-level audit include offices and residences seeking the revocation of the “Banks are audited at three of the accused, and our teams passports of Modi and Choklevels — apart from an internal are seizing large amounts of shi. audit, there is an external audi- documents pertaining to the of- Explain Nirav Modi’s tor and a statutory audit under- fence,” a CBI officer said. escape: Congress taken by the RBI. The CVC is Meanwhile, the ED on FriModi, a regular on the lists keen to understand how none day conducted searches at 35 of rich and famous Indians of these audits picked up a red locations across 11 States as since 2013, was booked by the flag on the letters of undertak- part of its investigations into CBI, along with wife, brother ing that seem to have been is- the money laundering aspects and Choksi on January 31, for sued bypassing the system,” of the earlier FIR registered allegedly cheating PNB to the said the official. Even as the by the CBI on January 31 this tune of ₹ 280 crore.

CBI and the Enforcement Di- year.

The bank again approached rectorate conducted searches the CBI within a fortnight of the on Mr. Modi’s firms and his first complaint giving details of associates across the country more transactions, which were on Friday, the External Affairs The CBI has approached the over ₹ 11,400 crore.

Ministry suspended his pass- Interpol to locate billionaire The question as to why PNB ports along with that of his jewellery designer Nirav Modi did not send a complaint to the and his family. They left the relative Mehul Choksi.

CBI and decided to give it in The Ministry said it would country in January first week, tranches is also under the scanrevoke their passports if they weeks before the scam was ner of the investigating agency, failed to respond to the notice reported to the CBI, officials the officials said. of suspension within one week. said.

The bank has claimed in The CBI approached the InA fresh case has been registhree complaints to the CBI tered by the CBI against three terpol with a request of issuing that so far it has detected 150 Gitanjali group companies of a Diffusion Notice, which was Letters of Undertaking (LoUs), Mr. Choksi, Mr. Modi’s uncle, aimed at locating an individual, which were fraudulently issued for causing an alleged ₹4,887 the officials said. by its officials in connivance “This [diffusion] is less forcrore loss to the Punjab Nawith Modi and the other actional Bank. Quoting the FIR, mal than a notice but is also cused in the case, the officials an agency official on Friday used to request the arrest or said. said the transactions currently location of an individual or adA LoU is a letter of comfort under scrutiny took place in ditional information in relation issued by one bank to branches to a police investigation. A dif2017-18. of other banks, based on which A highly placed government fusion is circulated directly by foreign branches offer credit to official said the Income Tax an NCB [CBI in this case] to buyers.

Department has also initiated the member countries of their

CBI approaches Interpol

Gem of a scam The PNB fraud must be speedily investigated to restore faith in the banking system.

A regulatory filing to the stock exchanges by Punjab National Bank has blown the lid off a ₹11,500-crore fraud. Perhaps the largest such scam in India, it was perpetrated by a maverick diamond merchant in collusion with bank officials at a single branch in South Mumbai. For India’s second largest bank to be defrauded in the manner suggested is astounding, especially since there has been heightened scrutiny of public sector banks’ operations in the last few years. The bank’s audit committees and boards, as well as the central bank, which conducts routine financial inspections of banks’ books, have been ostensibly keeping a close watch on the loans that have turned substandard or are on the verge of default. The government, which has often blamed the pile of bad loans on crony capitalism during the UPA regime, just last month unveiled a plan to infuse about ₹1 lakh crore into 21 capital-starved public sector banks this fiscal. Of this, ₹5,473 crore is to be injected into PNB. So even if the actual loss the bank ends up incurring on account of this fraud is half the stated amount, its capital adequacy ratio will be back to the same level before the recapitalisation was announced. Its market capitalisation has tanked ₹8,077 crore over the past two days, with the share price falling over 20% since the news broke.

The bank’s top brass has said it has acted promptly, suspending around 10 officials. The Central Bureau of Investigation has booked one retired and one serving PNB employee so far. It is also difficult to believe that a handful of junior employees could orchestrate such a massive fraud. The bank’s managing director has claimed that supervisory lapses are being probed, and the Enforcement Directorate has initiated a money laundering case against the main accused, billionaire-jeweller Nirav Modi, his wife Ami Modi and close associates and relatives. The firms run by him had seen a meteoric rise and an IPO was in the offing after buyouts of global players and a ramp-up of retail presence in India and abroad. It appears that the bank employees who assisted in the fraud routed large transactions for the borrowers by circumventing the core banking solution. This flies in the face of the government’s push for a digital payment economy. PNB has sought to blame overseas branches of other banks for not undertaking due diligence before accepting such transactions, but that may be too simplistic an explanation. An inquiry by the RBI must get to the bottom of the systemic lapses in this affair and fix accountability across the chain of command. The bankerborrower nexus has been blamed for problems in the banking system for years. This episode will set off fears of a nexus deeper than imagined. The RBI and investigating agencies should act speedily to restore trust in the banking system.—The Hindu

CBI arrests 2 PNB officials, authorised signatories The CBI has arrested two officials of Punjab National Bank,

including a now retired deputy manager, and an authorised signatory of billionaire Nirav Modi’s company in connection with alleged fraudulent transactions of Rs 11,400 crore, officials said.

Gokulnath Shetty, then deputy manager (now retired), Manoj Kharat, a single window operator of PNB, and Hemant Bhat were taken into custody by the agency in connection with its FIR registered on January 31 against Modi, his companies and uncle Mehul Choski, they said.

The FIR has listed eight fraudulent transactions worth over Rs 280 crore but based on further complaints from the bank the CBI now says the amount investigated in the first FIR is over Rs 6,498 crore, involving 150 Letters of Understanding allegedly fraudulently issued by Shetty and Kharat.

The remaining 150 fraudulent LOUs worth over Rs 4,886 crore issued for Gitanjali group of companies are part of the second FIR registered yesterday by the agency against Choksi and his companies Gitanjali Gems, Nakshatra Brands and Gili, they said.

All these LOUs were issued or renewed during 2017-18, the officials said.

Indian banks could take a hit of at least $2.7 billion from loans and corporate guarantees provided to PNB in a $1.77 billion fraud case, the tax department said on Saturday.

As of March 2017, banks had extended loans and guarantees worth ₹17,632 crore ($2.74 billion) to companies tied to billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, the department said in a note seen by Reuters. But the total hit to the banks “may well exceed” that amount the department said.

Senior officials of banks that were impacted due to the ₹11,500crore fraud in Punjab National Bank had a face-off when they met on Saturday to discuss about who should bear the liability.

According to sources close to the development, PNB has taken a stand of not paying its dues to others banks till the investigations are over.

If PNB does not pay in time, bad loans arising out of the scam will increase since other banks that have extended loans to PNB would have to classify their exposure as “non-performing.”

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 • PAGE 17

NEWS

Pierce Brosnan threatened with jail time over ad in India

It’s not the plot of a James Bond movie — Pierce Brosnan is being threatened with jail time.

Indian officials are warning the actor that he could face two years behind bars if he doesn’t provide an explanation for why he appeared in an advertisement promoting a company that sells mouth-freshening products, including some that contain tobacco, according to published reports. It’s illegal to advertise tobacco products in India.

Brosnan — best known for portraying 007 in the James Bond films — was featured in the ad for Pan Bahar about 18 months ago, and has claimed in the past that his inclusion in the advertisement was “unauthorized.”

The specific Pan Bahar product that Brosnan’s image was used to promote did not contain tobacco, but other goods sold by the company do, according to The Guardian.

Brosnan has been served a legal notice from the Delhi health department Indian officials are giving Pierce Brosnan 10 days to explain his appearance in a controversial ad.

Health official S K Arora told the Indian Express: “We have issued the notice to Pierce Brosnan through the company, and also reached out to him via social media platforms.

In addition to the potential jail time, Brosnan, 64, could face a small fine.

Members of the health depart-

ment in Delhi, India, say they’ve reached out to Brosnan seeking an explanation. He’s being given 10 days to reply.

“We have issued the notice to Pierce Brosnan through the company, and also reached out to him via social media platforms,” officials told the Indian Express newspaper.

Brosnan initially addressed the ad in October 2016 by stating he’d only signed on to promote one product — not the entire company — and that he was told the item he was promoting did not contain tobacco or other dangerous components.

Pan Bahar, meanwhile, refutes Brosnan’s claims that the company deceived him. It also asserts the brand shouldn’t be connected to tobacco and should instead be viewed as a mouth freshener..

“As a man who has spent decades championing women’s healthcare and environmental protection, I was distressed to learn of Pan Bahar’s unauthorized and deceptive use of my image to endorse their range of pan masala products,” Brosnon said statement at the time, according to People. “I would never have entered into an agreement to promote a product in India that is dangerous to one’s health.”

Brosnan also noted he’d lost his first wife, daughter and several friends to cancer.

“I shall endeavour to rectify this matter. In the meantime, please accept my sincerest and heartfelt apologies to all whom I have offended.”

This advertisement featuring Pierce Brosnan is at the center of controversy.

Pressure on Hizbul chief to step down

NEW DELHI: Intelligence inputs suggest Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) chief Syed Salahuddin is under pressure to step down, with Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) mounting pressure on him, developments that point to deepening rivalries in the ranks of Pakistan-based jihadi outfits that target India.

Salahuddin, who has for years led Hizbul with the support of ISI and headed the United Jihad Council (UJC), is battling HM’s depleting influence in Kashmir-centric operations and facing the growing ambitions of aggressive terror groups. He is even understood to have “expressed his willingness” to step down as the chief of the terror outfit, which operates only in Kashmir.

The military intelligence input, accessed by TOI, states the Hafiz Saeed-led Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Maulana Masood Azhar’s Jaish-e-Mohammad are spearheading the campaign against Salahuddin. “ISI is under pressure from LeT and JeM to remove Syed Salahuddin,” the input reads.

The intelligence reports said Lashkar and Jaish have pitted Salahuddin’s commanders such as Amir Khan, Imtiyaz Alam and a few others against him.

Salahuddin, who is a UN-listed global terrorist like Saeed, has enjoyed considerable prominence as head of UJC, formed by Pakistan army as an umbrella organisation for coordination between anti-India terror groups. Hizbul leaders are lobbying against Salahuddin, the input adds.

Several reasons are being cited for HM’s downturn in Kashmir, including specific intelligencebased operations of the Army, J&K police and the CRPF in the last two years in which top commanders of the outfit, including Burhan Wani, Sabzar Bhat, Sajad Gilkar, and Abdul Qayoom Najar, have been killed.

“44 Years Years “48

1970-2018 1970 - 2014

and Counting, Providing Services To Generations of Businesses and Professionals Around The World”

PAGE 18 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Jain Society nahous ton@gmail.com or Jaga- Aarti at 12:00 PM Museum MeditationJULY Center1,is2015 open 7 days a PAGE 8Art • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, Jain Society of Houston (JSH) lodeesh Halyal 832-744-4166.

5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Kannappan Art Museum will be week.

The center offers free Raja PAGE 8 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 PAGE 8 • INDIA HERALD WEDNESDAY, MARCHclasses: 30, 2016Mon- cated at 3905 Arc Street Houston Mar Thoma Church Aarti @ 7:30 PM; open for public Tuesday 5.30 •PM Yoga Meditation to 7.30 PM, Saturday 10AM to Fri @ 6:00-6:45am and 7-8 pm, Texas 77063 is open M-F from Trinity Mar Thoma Church every Contact 832-585--0001 2 PM, Sunday 12 noon to 4 PM. Sat-Sun @ 7:00-8:30am, 10 am-2 7:30 AM to 12 Noon and 4 to 7 Sunday at 5810 Almeda Genoa or temple@myhtw.net kids 4 toand 18 yrs Yoga, Arya Samaj Satsang on Field PM, Sat,- meditation, and Sun from 8 AM Book Rd. Sunday School Marshal at 9:15 a.m.Sam Manekshaw Sathya Sai centers Address: 2341 N. Galveston Ave, pm.

Visiting hours are Sat-Sun @ slokas, kids 4 to 18 yrs meditation, Yoga, stories from scriptures, Arya Samaj Satsang ery Sunday at 5810 Almeda Ge- 10 Book on Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw 361-243-6539 for puja or other Telugu Fellowship Sri Meenakshi Temple Brahma Kumaris Weekly every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 to 6 PM. Jain Society of Houston Malayalam service Friday, July @ 6:30 p.m. at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday program held at two locaPearland, TXHavan 77581.Satsang 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Contact us noon. at (832) Vishnu slokas,Sahasranam, stories from scriptures, bhajans, com- noa Rd. Sunday School at 9:15 ceremonies.

Telugu Christian Fellowship Weekly Havan Satsang every10Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

8Apr FriSchool 7:00 p.m UgaBrahma Kumaris is pleased Friday, July 10 @ 6:30 p.m.

DAV Sanskriti Sundays a.m. to 12 noon.

Havan, Hindi invites Jain scholars all year round. on 1st & 3rd Sunday.

Adult Bible tions (North 12127 Mal379-8888, houston@bktexas.com, petitions Zoroastrian Association of9:30 Houston will every third Houston: Vishnu Sahasranam, bhajans,Adult com- a.m. and fun activities.

Malayalam service at meets Saturday of South 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 Please call Urvashi Jain 713 789 class at 9:30 a.m.

English service comson Road, Houston; Heartfulness Meditation Durga Bari Temple or bktexas.com to sign-up for meditation Zoroastrian Association of Houston will Brigadier Behram Panthaki and his petitions andclasses. fun activities.

Adult Register at present a.m. on 1st & 3rd Sunday.

Adult the month at Triumph Church, and Naitik Shiksha classes.

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Call Arti Khanna 281-759-3286.

Free Yoga classes on Sat. 2338.

Visitclasses. www.jainsocietyhousHeartfulness Meditation is or aat wife atZenobia 10:30 a.m. on 2nd & 4th SunDurga Bari temple is open from 9 classes. All Raja Yoga Medita- www.ashirwada-blessing.org present Brigadier Panthaki and hisHouston: 246 Fluor Daniel Drive, authors of the much meditation Register Bible class atPanthaki, 9:30Behram a.m.

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Call Arti 7:00 Khanna 281-759-3286.

FreeAtYoga classes onHwy Sat. practical Apr Thu p.m Tamil (77083)(near Beechnut and & classes Tue.tion 6-8 teachers p.m.

14375 Schiller Rd. ton.org for calendar of events and technique of tuning inday.

Call 713-991-1557 or 281Sugar Land) from 3:00 to 5:30 pm) wife Zenobia Panthaki, authors of the much to Sanskrit 1114a.m. andUpanishad 4 to 7 p.m.

Mon. at the Houston center acclaimed book: “Field Marshal Sam www.ashirwada-blessing.org or Ravula 281-995-0930. service at 10:30 a.m. on 2nd & ford TX 77477 at 6:30 p.m. Join Sanskrit classes Tue.6).

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Hare Krishna Dham Meditation with someone Shiv Shakti Mandir Manekshaw: The Man and His Times”, at the Zoroastrian Heritage and Cultural Telugu Christian Fellowship classes for children; p.m.

Temple closes at 7 p.m.

Sun teaching experience. or 281-261-4603. and fellowship. Worship isStudy in Circle Kani Darshanam Chinmayamunity free of charge. Visit the who Hare Dham Mission has Krishna the capacity of temple, yogic6640 Houston’s original Vedic at the Zoroastrian Heritage and Cultural Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir, Center, 8787 W Airport Blvd., Houston, TX Telugu Christian Fellowship for adults & Devotional day special from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Chinmaya Mission English. Call Chris Gantela 281- singing Sri Guruvayurappan 15- Aprsatsangs Fri 7:00 p.m youth, Sri and center for aThere tour are every Satur- ISKCON Chinmaya Mission Sunday for adults, children. no weekly Houston’s original Vedic temple, transmission can help exof Houston.

Atyou 1320 Wto 77071.

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At 1320 W plore the Heartfulness practice St. (77018).

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Starts at 6:30 with social hour.

Sam Manekshaw was India’s first Field p.m.

All major festivals, as well month at Triumph Church, 10555 distribution, canned food drives, ler Balavihar Rd 15-Apr (off Hwy 6 bet.

Bellaire & and children.

A unique Bala Vihar 281-997-0757.

Fri classes 6:00 pm 11:00 –Sept.

1:00 during pm. Located The Hours: Mon to Fri 6 a.m.

-8 war a.m.hero. classes and Sunday satsang foram children thecenter summer. Regular weekly will resume on 13. at & 34th St. (77018).

Daily more deeply.

There arekaran, noDarshan chargArati Times: 4.30am, 7am, Sam Manekshaw was India’s first Field Marshal and a distinguished Hisnursing as birthdays, naam engageW. Airport Blvd., Stafford TX home visits, tutoring at Westpark).

Call Ganesh Mandal at program for each grade, from PreK Gaudiya Math Dwajarohanam, Mahotsavam is open 7ondays a TX week.

Contact and 5:00 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

Weekmer. Regular weekly classes will resume Sept.

13.77498.

Located at 8.30am, Chinmaya Prabha, 10353 Synott Road, Sugar Land, New &ment Arati Times: 4.30am, 7am, es for this, and we4.30pm, invite you to Call 12noon, 7pm, Marshal and ato distinguished war hero.

Hisschools, etc. Contact Venkat Rao courage, hisatcharacter, and the dedication and other ceremonies.

77477 6:30 p.m.

Join us for a 713-797-9057 / 832-423-8541. to Grade 12.

Satsangs in two sesSri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha 1st day us at (832) 379-8888, houston@ ends &troops Holidays: a.m.and toare noon Chinmayamay Prabha, Synott desk Road,between Sugar Land, TX 77498.

New members visit 10353 the welcome 8 a.m.

- 8:45 a.m. or 9pm.

8.30am, 12noon, 4.30pm, 7pm, experience theFestival: unique benefits of Sunday 5.30 pm to to courage, his character, thelegendary. dedication his and 6country Pandit Virat Mehta 713-278-9099 time of praise, worship and fel(North) at 16628 Kieth- 602-503-2249 Harrow Blvd.,or Ranji Vipassana sions between 8:35 a.m.Bharati - 10:15 16-Apr SatMeditation 6:00 p.m Poo desk bktexas.com, bktexas.com to 7.30 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Bhamembers may visit welcome between 8 or a.m.

- 8:45 a.m. or 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m.the Visit www.chin mayahouston.org or call 9pm.

Sunday Festival: 5.30 pmfor this transmission.

Workshops onto and pm.

Weekly Gita classes to his troops and country are legendary.

The life of this distinguished soldier is portrayed by two distinguished or Hardik Raval 361-243-6539 for Houston 77084.

Satsang Sundays lowship.

Worship is in English.

Raghavan (South) 281-451-8238.

Pallakku, Meenakshi Pattasign-up for classes and tours.

All “Register for Houston area Vipasa.m. and 11:20 a.m.

1p.m.

Bala jans Saturdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Visit www.chin mayahouston.org or call Bharati adults; Sutaria 281.933.0233.

7.30 pm.call Weekly Gita classes for Heartfulness relaxation and med281-433-1635 or authors The life of this distinguished soldier is portrayed by two distinguished who worked closely with him and shared many of the historic puja or other ceremonies.

5 to 7 pm.

Mantra meditation, bbhishekam Raja Yoga Meditation teachers Visit www.sairegion10.org For information call Chris Gantela sana Meditation course as taught Vihar students can take shloka, Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Special Sutaria 281.933.0233. adults;arecall itation held281-433-1635 weekly through-or events harekrishnadham @gmail.com authorsthat who workedthe closely with him and shared many of theThrough historic changed geo-political landscape of the region. kirtan, Sanatan Dharma classes.

Heartfulness Meditation Sun 9:30 a.m at the Houston center each haveor out Sadhu Vaswani Center 281-344-0707, or Rev. Vijay Gur(weekends and holidays)

by S.24-Apr N. Goenka.

JulyVedanta 6 to Ma18, Society bhajan and orchestra classes harekrishnadham @gmail.com Houston, including Saturdays poojas events that changed the geo-political landscape of the region.

Through anecdotes related by Behram and Zenobia Panthakiand we Hindi get a unique Vedic Education classhotsavan final Meenakshi 15+ years of teaching experience.

Heartfulness Meditation is a Choroon (Annaprasam) for kids, Sadhu Vaswani Center of Housrala 281-997-0757.

2018, Oct. 19 to day, 31, 2018, Dec. language classes for Hindi, Telugu, 11 am at India House. Web: insight Vedanta Society anecdotes by ideals, Behram Zenobia Panthaki we get anoon unique intorelated the man’s hisand military acumen, his mannerisms, and Vedanta Society of Greater Houston, 14809 Lindita Drive (77083) at Houston Namadwaar es for kids.

Gita classes Chinmaya Mission practical technique of Email: tuning inThulabharam, Vahana Pooja, ton holds regular Satsang Sri Guruvayurappan Temple 7 Kalyanam to 19, 2018.

All courses are Marathi, and Gujarati.

Chinmaya www.heartfulness.org; insight into man’s ideals, his military acumen, his mannerisms, and on 3rd his sense of the humor.

Vedanta Society of Greater Houston, 14809 Lindita (77083) has classes every Sunday from 10:30Sunday a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Drive on Gospel of Houston Namadwaar 1:30 pm Wed. Hanuman Chalisa satsangs for adults, 30-Apr Sat 9:00 a.m Sita A prayer house where the Hare Nirapara.

Temple located at-8 a.m. Thursday of the month and daily wards to experience our higher Hours: Mon toisFrihimself 6 a.m.boasts FREE. Donations are& accepted Mission is Gita, located at Gospel Chinmaya houston.heartfulness@gmail. hisBrigadier sense of humor.

Panthaki a distinguished 30-yearon military hasRamakrishna, classes every Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. of Sri 1st 3rdfrom Sunday; Bhagavad 2ndon Sunday; on A prayer house where thesomeone Hare 11620 and Ramcharit Manas Tue.281-463youth, and children.

Located at Rama HareMeditation Krishna Maha-manOrmandy St. (77035) Tel: Rama Kalyanam selves. with Arti at 7.30 p.m. accomCall and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Weekcom.

Cell: 713-929-0040 from those who upon completPrabha, 10353 Synott Road, Sugar Brigadier Panthaki himself boasts a distinguished 30-year military career that earned him 12 military honors.

Zenobia Panthaki Sri Ramakrishna, 1st & 3rd Sunday; Bhagavad Gita, 2nd Sunday; on works of Swami Vivekananda, 4thChinmaya Sunday; Holy Mother Sarada’s Rama Hare Krishna Maha-man7:30–8:30 p.m. info@sggm.org Prabha, 10353 Synott tra is continuously chanted.

Week713-729-8994 email: temple@ who Prakash has theMiryala capacity of yogicpanied MD) 0379 or e.mail ramolaj@aol.com endsthat Holidays: to noon ingGospel, the training wishVivekananda, toSwamis contribute TXHoly 77498.

New members (Ragini career earned him 12a.m. military honors.

Zenobia Panthaki accomher&husband on 6his postings to 281-499-3347. many small cantonment townworks of5thSwami 4thLand, Sunday; Mother Sunday. of Ramakrishna Order visit to Sarada’s conduct tratransmission is Heritage continuously chanted.

Weekor Road, Sugar Land, TX 77498. ends: 8-11 AM & 4-7 PM,you Weekguruvayur.us can help explore Classes and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

BhaSri and Radha Krishna forretreats future students.

Instruction in may visit the welcome desk bepanied her husband on his postings to many small cantonment townships all over India and became involved with running welfare proGospel, 5th lectures.

Sunday.

Swamis of Ramakrishna Order visit to conduct www.houstonvedanta. org or 281-584-0488. ends: 8-11 AM & 4-7 PM, WeekNew members may visit the days: AMHeritage & 6-7 PM. Weekly Hindu Temple of Preksha Meditation Ashirwad’s Classes inmoregrams the 7-8 Heartfulness practice Gaudiya Math jans Saturdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; ships all over India and became involved with running welfare proVipassana meditation given in tween 8 a.m.

8:45 a.m. or 10:15 for soldiers’ wives and children; she has run the Army School, retreats and lectures.iswww.houstonvedanta. org or 281-584-0488.

Temple days: 7-8 AM &and 6-7 PM. Weekly welcome desk between 8 a.m. “Gopa Kuteeram” children’s heri- for New facilities of JVB Preksha the Woodlands Katy, Cypress Sugar Land deeply.

There are no charges grams for soldiers’ wives and children; she has run the Army School, Shri Govindji Gaudiya Matha Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Special and worked for the World Bank for 28 years until retirement in 2012. ten-day VisitDurga www.siri. a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Please visit www.

On theretreats. auspicious occasion of Bari- Temple “Gopa children’s heri- Meditation Center. Classes for 7601 S. Forest Gate Dr, 8:45 a.m. or 10:15 a.m.-11:30 tage classes Srimad for kidsKuteeram” 4 towe 18 invite yrsand - meditation, this, and you to experiand worked for the World Bank for 28 years until retirement in 2012.

The book has received over 60 positive reviews.

To quote: “From is a Hindu Vaishnava temple of poojas (weekends and holidays) Nav Ratri, the Temple will have Durga Bari Temple dhamma.org chinmayahouston.org or contact tage slokas, classes andfrom Srimad Durga Bari temple is open from 9a.m. to 11Visit a.m.www.chin and 4 to 7 p.m.

Mon. Bhagavatam mayahousclasses.

Call 281- Yoga and Meditation under guid- The Woodlands, TX 77382 Yoga, stories scripThe book has received over 60 positive reviews.

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Mon. 402-6585; Bhagavatam classes.

Call bha281- ance by Samani jis and discours- Temple Hours thruDurga Sat. Sandhya aartiisatopen 6:30from p.m.9ton.org Temple closes 7top.m.

Sunday or callat4Bharati Sutaria visit www.godivinity.org tures, Vishnu Sahasranam, beginning towitty end this delightful narrative races along, providing an intimate, and scintillating storysimply of a superhero “ Sam’s hu-Krishna, transmission.

Workshops on Ramayan Path.

Ji Chauplace of Shri Shri Radha Thulabharam, Vahana Pooja, NiSamaj Satsang more information. thruArya Sat.from Sandhya aarti at7 6:30 Temple closes at 7 p.m.

Sunday (Global 402-6585; visit www.godivinity.org special 9 Mata a.m. toKi p.m.p.m.

Puja services - Priest Bishnupada 281.933.0233.

Organization for Divinity). es.

At 14102 witty Schiller Road (off Weekdays: jans, competitions and fun activian intimate, and scintillating story of a superhero “ Sam’s humanism, his notations on official files, his colorful language and his ki

by Mahant Ravi Shanker Puri. Puja Heartfulness relaxation and mediShri Gaur Nitai & Shri Ram Darrapara.

Temple is located at 11620 Weekly Havan Vedanta Society special from 9 Satsang a.m. to Temple 7 every p.m. services Priest Bishnupada (Global Organization for Divinity).

Goswami 281-597-8100 is located at 13944 Schiller Rd (off Vedanta Society Hwy 6 bethis Bellaire and Westpark 7:30 his AMcolorful - 9:30 AM ties.

Adult meditation classes. manism, notations on official files, language and his doodling”. on Friday April 08, 2016 starttation are held weekly throughout bar.

Mandir is open daily Goswami located at 13944 Schiller Rd (off Register Ormandy St. (77035) Tel: 713Sunday 10 a.m. to 12Temple noon. isCall Vedanta Society Greater HousHwy 6from bet.281-597-8100 Bellaire & Westpark).

Ganesh Mandal at 713-797Society ofof Greater Hous- doodling”.

77082). Tel 281-596-9642.

5:30 PMis -dedicated 8.30 PM to the men in from at www.ashirwadaSaumyakasi Sivalaya This book, with over 200 photographs, ing 07:30PM onwards.

Akhand Houston, including Saturdays at 11 Patanjali Hwy bet. Bellaire & Westpark).

Ganesh Mandal at 713-7975.30 AM until 8.30 PM. We urge 729-8994 email: temple@ guru9057 /6832-423-8541.

DAV Sanskriti School Sundays 10 Call Drive (77083) ton, 14809 14809 Lindita Lindita Drive (77083) blessing.org Yogpeeth Aartidefending @ PM Saumyakasi Sivalaya or SriSivalaya Ravula 281This book, with over 200 their photographs, is7:30 dedicated to the men in Sri Saumyakasi is louniform who have laid down lives their country and to Ramayan Path starting Saturday am at India House.

Web: www.

9057 832-423-8541. you to make a special effort to vayur.us a.m. to /12 noon.

- Havan, Hindi has classes classes every every Sunday Sundayfrom from 995-0930.

Free Yoga Classes every Sat/Sun Saturday and The Sunday Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya is louniform who have laid down their lives defending their country and to cated at Chinmaya Prabha, 10353 their widows who have also sacrificed so much. book will be on April 09, 2016 at 5:00PM onheartfulness.org; Email: houston. a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on join our Sunday services regularly and Naitik Shiksha classes.

DAV at Arya Samaj from 8 am to 9:30 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Gospel 8:30autographed - 1:30 PM Hare Krishna Dham Shiv Mandir cated atRoad, Chinmaya Prabha, theiratwidows who have also soAM much.

The will be on Synott Sugar Land,10353 TXCell:sale the discounted price ofsacrificed $35, and bybook the authors.

A wards until Sunday AprilShakti 10, Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, 1st heartfulness@gmail.com. a.m.

Call Anil 281-579-9433. with your family & friends.

Preksha Meditation Montessori School forShiv ages 2 to6640of Sri Ramakrishna, 1st & 3rd SunAarti at 12:00 PM Shakti Mandir Houston’s original Vedic temple, Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX sale at the discounted price of $35, and autographed by the authors.

A The Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir, Harwin.

Open daily 7 a.m. to 8 77478.

Temple timings: Monday to major portion of the royalty will be donated to the War Wounded 2016 7:00 PM. Prasad Will & 3rd Sunday; Bhagavad Gita, 713-929-0040.

For other free classes, call Indra services are held from JVB Preksha Meditation Center 7 served years.

Call Arti Khanna 281day; Bhagavad Gita, 2nd Sunday; 5:30 PM 8:30 PM ISKCON of Houston.

At 1320 W Sanatan Shiv Shakti Path.

Mandir, Harwin. Open daily a.m. to 8 Friday: 77478. 9:00 Temple to Foundation major portion the and royalty donated to theAssn.

War Wounded p.m.

Allafter major festivals, as well as 2nd birthdays, naam karan,7ofengageAMtimings: - 12:00Monday Noon and of of India the will Warbe Widows Welfare of India.5.30PM Ramayan For6640 Sunday; on works Swami 34th 281-537-0018.

For Yoga/Herbal Hare Krishna Dham to 7.30PM followed by delicious conducts weekly Meditation, Yoga Aarti @ 7:30 PM; 759-3286.

Free Yoga classes on on works of Swami Vivekananda, St. (77018).

Daily Darshan p.m. and Allinformation major festivals, asCall well as birthdays, naam karan, engageFriday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon and Foundation of India and the War Widows Welfare Assn. of India. ment other ceremonies.

Virat Mehta 713-278-9099 or 5:00 - 8:00 PM Saturday and Sunfurther please callPandit Vivekananda, 4th Sunday;Sarada’s Holy products, call Shekhar 281-242Houston’s original Vedic temple, Contact 832-585--0001 prashad.

Daily Aarti times and Swadhyay sessions inside its & Arati Times: 4.30 a.m, 7 a.m, Sat. Sanskrit & Upanishad classes 4th Sunday; Holy Mother ment and other ceremonies.

Pandit 713-278-9099 or day: 5:008:30-2:00 - 8:00 PMPM Saturday and- 8:00 Sun- families who believe in Veerashaiva dharma (Basava dharma). Monthly : ManHardik Raval 361-243-6539 for puja or Virat other Mehta ceremonies. and 5:00 temple at 281-933-8100 or Call visit Mother Sarada’s Gospel, 5thof 8.30 5000.

Web:Pyramid www.pyptusa.org ISKCON of Houston.

At or temple@myhtw.net a.m, 12 noon, 4.30 p.m, 7 W gala Aarti5:30 am.

Bhog Aarti unique hall under the Tue. 6-8 p.m.

At 14375 Schiller Gospel, 5th Sunday.

Swamis Hardik Raval 361-243-6539 for puja or other ceremonies. day:Call 8:30-2:00 and 5:00 - 1320 8:00 BhartiPM Sutaria 281-568families whoprogram believe infor Veerashaiva (Basava Monthly www.SRKT.Org. Temple is lo- Sunday. Swamis of Ramakrishna PM. Mahamane prayer anddharma discussion on dharma).

Vachana Sahitya and www.DivyaProducts.com.

34th St. (77018).

Daily Darshan & p.m, 9 p.m.

Sunday Festival: 12:30 pm.

Evening Aarti auspicious guidance of Samani Rd.cated (bet11625 Westpark & Bellaire off Ramakrishna Order visit to conSwaminarayan Temple PM. Call Bharti Sutaria 281-568or Jay Deshmukh 832-541- followed ‘The Universe Within’ Mahamane programContact: for prayer and discussion on Vachana Sahitya - 7:00 Beechnut Street.

by Prasada. vsnahous ton@gmail.com or Jagadeesh Order visit to conduct retreats 1690 Sathya Sai centers 5.30 pm to Deshmukh 7.30 p.m.

Weekly Arati Times: 4.30 a.m, 7 a.m, 8.30 pm.

Enroll your child in Sri GoKanchan Pragyaji and Samani Hindu Satsang at Shree Swami1690 or Jay 832-541HwySant 6).

281-752-0100.

‘The Universe Within’ duct retreats and lectures. www.

0059 or visit www.saum followed by Prasada.

Contact: vsnahous ton@gmail.com or Jagadeesh Halyal 832-744-4166.

Sahaj Nirankari Marg is a natural and simpleand system of heart-centered mediMission lectures. www.houstonveSunday program heldwho at two lo- narayan Gita classes for adults; call 281a.m, 12 noon, 4.30 p.m, 7 p.m, 9 Hindu Temple, under 0059 or visit www.saum vindaji Vedic School.

We offer Pranav Pragyaji are stationed Brahma Kumaris yakasi.org. houstonvedanta. org or 281-584Halyal 832-744-4166.

Sahaj is a practice natural and simple system meditation andMarg spiritual thatits helpsdanta. one realize the utimate potential Sant Nirankari Mission holds orgoforheart-centered 281-584-0488. cations (North Houston: 12127 Shree NarNarayan Dev Gadi ka433-1635 or harekrishnadham @ p.m.

Sunday Festival: 5.30 pm to yakasi.org.

Hindi classes for all ages.

Sri Goat Houston Center this year.

It The Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga 0488. tation and spiritual practice that helps one realize the utimate potential Mar Thoma Church within oneself.

The congregation meditation is available to anyone wishes to weekly spiritual Durga Bariwho Temple Louetta Rd, Houston; South lupur. gmail.com Opens daily fromMatha 7 a.m.

7.30 p.m.

Weekly Gita classes Gandhi Library vindaji Gaudiya is also runs special events and proMar Thoma Church within meditation is available to anyone who wishes to practice.

Weekly meditation sessions held throughout the Houston on everyoneself.

SundayThe at India House Trinity Mar ChurchDr, every Sunday at 5810 Almeda Genoa located Durga Bari temple is open from Houston: 246 Thoma Fluor Daniel Houston Namadwaar to Sunday 12:30 p.m. andAlmeda from 4 p.m.at 16628 Gandhi Library for adults; call 281-433-1635 or inservice Northwest Houston grams like I-Choose, Meditation 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. folMahatma Gandhi Library Book Mar Thoma Church every at 5810 Rd.Trinity Sunday School at3:00 9:15 a.m.toMalayalam at 9:30 a.m. Genoa on 1st 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7NEW p.m. Mon. A prayer house where the Hare Suga Land, from pm BUY OLD SELL to 8:30 p.m.

Daily aarti at 7on a.m. harekrishnadham @gmail.com area. www.sahajmarg.org Email: Kieth Harrow Blvd Houston TX Camps and Gyanshala program Mahatma Library lowed by community meals.

All meditate_ MeetsGandhi 2nd Sunday of Book each 5:30 Rd. Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.

Malayalam service at 9:30 a.m.

1st & 3rd Sunday.

Adult Bible class at 9:30 a.m.

English service at 10:30 thru Sat.houston@yahoo.com.

Sandhya aarti at 6:30 Club: pm.

Sai Spiritual Education Rama Hare Krishna Mahaand 7 p.m.

Saturday sabha from Houston Namadwaar Club: Meets 2nd Sunday of each are welcome. For further infor77084.

For more information, call for children ages 4-14 yrs.

JVB month; 12:30 PM at Arya Samaj & 3rd Sunday.

Adult Bible class at 9:30 a.m.

English service at 10:30 a.m. on 2nd & 4th Sunday.

Call 713-991-1557 or 281-261-4603. p.m.

Temple closes at 7 p.m. classes for children; study circle 5p.m to 7 p.m. followed by aarti Heritage RESIDENTIAL &Classes COMMERCIAL mantra is continuously chanted.

A prayer the Harea.m.is month; 12:30house PM13475 atwhere Arya Samaj mation, call Raj BhalaHeritage at (281) Sunday Houston, Schiller onlocated 2ndService & 4th Sunday.

Call -713-991-1557 or 281-261-4603. or visit our webat 14102 Schiller Rd. at 832-464-4686 special from 9 Land a.m. to 7 Greater adults. programs Classes Weekends: 8-11 AM & 4-7 PM, for Ashirwad’s Heritage Classes in Katy, Cypress and Sugar for at 7 p.m. Temple and Maha-Prasad (free Greater Houston, 13475 Schiller Sri Guruvayurappan 980-2825.

Rama Hare Krishna Rd. Join the discussion ofMaha-mantra the great foodHouston site: http://sggm.org.

77082.

Every Tuesday, Cell Phone p.m.

Puja services Priest Bishdistribution & food drives; Ashirwad’s Heritage Classes in Katy, Cypress and Sugar Land for Weekdays: 7-8 AM & 6-7 PM. SANJEEV dinner). Temple Website www.issotx.

Sri Guruvayurappan Rd. the discussion theStory great Arya SamajKUMAR Satsang autobiography –of The is Join continuously chanted.

Weeknupada Goswami 281-597-8100 man’s Hours: Mon tovisits, Fri 6 a.m.

-8 a.m. has and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Week9:30am-11:30am, Samaniji nursing home tutoring 832-689-1819 Weekly “Gopa Kuteeram” chilorg, phone (281) 530-2565.

Your realtor life. every Email: man’s autobiography – The Story Weekly Havan for Satsang of My Experiments with Truth.

Hours: Mon to 6adults a.m.

-8 a.m.

5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Weekends:heritage 8-11 AM & 4-7and PM,SriWeekTemple is located at 13944 Schil- dren’s ends & Holidays: 6Fri a.m. toSanjay noon andand 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Bhajans Swaminarayan Temple pravachan all interested at schools etc.for Contact sksrealtor@hotmail.com classes Sanatan Dharm ofdays: My Experiments with Truth.

Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. ler Rd (off Hwy 6 bet. Bellaire & 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 7-8 AM & 6-7 PM. Weekly Gupta (North) 832-687-6766 or Hindu Satsang at Shree Swaminain learning about Jainism.

Every mad Bhagavatam classes. Call Manish Wani 713-829-6979.

DAV Sanskriti School Sundays Westpark). Call Ganesh Mandal Call Maha Sabha Saturdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays 9 a.m. to 1Hindu a.m.

Special (weekends and holidays) Choroon (Annaprasam) for poojas kids, “Gopa Kuteeram” children’s heriSondip Mathur (South) 832-215rayan Temple, under Shree Wednesday there is Swadhyay WE DEAL IN 281-402-6585; visit www.godiDEAL IN Houses, 10WE a.m. noon.

Havan, West Temple Indian Religious Organiza(weekends and holidays) Choroon (Annaprasam) for kids,kalupur. at 713-797-9057 / 832-423-8541. vinity.org Thulabharam, Vahana Pooja, Nirapara. is located at Gadi 11620 8675 www.sairegion10.org. tage classes andOrganization Srimad BhagaLot tofor12Sale off- of Kalyani Hwy in Sodhpur, Gauri Siddhivinayak NarNarayan Dev class from 7-8pm and meditation (Global Houses, Gas Hindi and Naitik Shiksha classes. tion called Sanatan Dharm GasLot Stations, Motels Thulabharam, Vahana Pooja, Nirapara.

Temple is located at7 Maha 11620 Shiv Mandir Ormandy StVaswani (77035) Tel: 713-729-8994 temple@ guruvayur.us for Sale of Kalyani HwyShakti in Sodhpur, Siddhivinayak vatam classes.

Call 281-402-6585; Sadhu Center forGauri Divinity).

Opens daily from a.m. to 12:30 from 8-9pm.

Every Thursday from email: West Bengal.

1off bhiga or 20Sanatan Kathas with 2300 Sq. DAV Montessori School for ages Sabha Branch # 377 is located Temple Ormandy St (77035) Tel: 713-729-8994 email: temple@ guruvayur.us Shiv Shakti Mandir, Stations, Motels and Farm & Ranch. visit www.godivinity.org (Global Sadhu Vaswani Center ofspecial Hous- Yoga p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Saumyakasi Sivalaya 9:30-11am there is West Bengal.

1 bhiga or 20 Kathas with 2300 Sq. bungalow built.Office: Architectural plans Temple 2 to ft.

7 years.

Call Artihalf Khanna at 26100 Tina Lane, Katy, TX 6640 Harwin.

Open daily 7 SriOrganization 713-722-8870 Darshan from 7Sivalaya a.m. to 8isp.m.

Preksha 281-497-7000 Satsang 3rdMeditation for Divinity).

Saumyakasi lo- ton holds aarti atPooja 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. class regular for Ladies only.onEvery Satand & Ranch ft. Farm bungalow half built.

Architectural plans Apartment Complex 281-759-3286.

Free Yoga classes 77494.Daily Durga Mata held a.m. to713-779-4656 8 281-497-7007 p.m. All major festi- daily.

Darshan fromfestivals 7Prabha, a.m. toas 8 well p.m. Thursday Preksha Meditation major available. Rs.Fax: 90 lakhs.

New facilities ofisJVB Preksha Center.

Classes forisYoga ofthere the month and daily Meditation cated atAll Chinmaya 10353 Saturday sabha from 5 p.m to 7 urday, Yoga Class from onproperties Sat. Sanskrit Call & Upanishad every jis Friday from 7 pmAt to14102 9.30 vals, well asatbirthdays, naam as daily.

All major festivals as well available.

Rs. 90 as lakhs. birthdays, naam karan, engageAvailable!!

Now facilities of JVB Preksha Center.

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INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 • PAGE 19

NEWS

Supreme Court curtails Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water

Court awards 14.75 tmc ft more to Karnataka, part of it for Bengaluru; Karnataka directed to release 177.25 tmc ft at Biligundlu point; Tamil Nadu advised to tap 10 tmc ft of groundwater available with it.

The Supreme Court on Friday, in a verdict on the Cauvery river water dispute, reduced the allocation of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka will now supply 177.25 tmc instead of 192 tmc a reduction of 14.75 tmc, from its Billigundlu site to Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu A Special Bench of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, which declared the Cauvery a “national asset” and largely upheld the water-sharing arrangements finalised by the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) in its award on February 5, 2007, said Karnataka was entitled to a “marginal” relief.

The judgment, authored by Chief Justice Misra, concluded that the CWDT did not take into account Tamil Nadu’s stock of an “empirical” 20 TMC of

groundwater. The court held that it would take into account at least 10 tmc of this groundwater and reduce this amount from the 192 tmc supplied to Tamil Nadu.

The court observed that Bengaluru had attained the “global status” and its drinking water requirement had increased multi-fold. Need for drinking water was at the top of the hierarchy. The Tribunal did not consider the growing needs of Bengaluru and thought the city could make do with its 60% groundwater supply. But groundwater had dried up with the burgeoning population of the city.

Thus, the court allocated 4.75 tmc to Bengaluru, even though the city is located outside the Cauvery basin.

The court rejected an argument by the Centre that Section 6A of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act of 1956 bestowed upon it discretion in framing a Cauvery water sharing scheme.

It said the argument did not stand to reason and a scheme had to be framed under Section 6A as per the Tribunal award.

Supreme Court to hear Priya Varrier’s plea The Supreme Court agreed to urgently hear the plea of 18-yearold actor Priya Prakash Varrier, who approached the Supreme Court against threats to her life from “fringe groups” who believe she insulted Islam.

Ms. Varrier’s celluloid wink during a promotional song in the yet-to-be-released film Oru Aadar Love catapulted her to fame but also spelt trouble for her.

The Telangana and Maharashtra police have registered FIRs on the behest of certain groups, which have condemned the song for offending their religious sentiments. Ms. Varrier, an under-graduate student from Thrissur district in Kerala, said fatwas have been allegedly issued against her.

On Tuesday, a Bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra agreed to hear the plea on February 21.

Advocate Haris Beeran, in an urgent mentioning, submitted that Ms. Varrier was targetted merely because she worked in the film. Ms. Varrier, in her petition, borrows a line from the order of the Supreme Court favouring the release of the movie Padmaavat to press her case for creative freedom. “When creativity dies, values of civilisation corrode,” the actor quoted the Supreme Court order of a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra to make her point.

In a joint petition filed in the apex court with the film’s director, Ms. Varrier said the criminal proceedings instituted across several States shackled her fundamental rights to free speech and profession guaranteed under the Constitution.

“The registration of the criminal complaints and the registration of FIR by the States is nothing but a means to an end to stifle creativity,” Ms. Varrier, represented by Pallavi Pratap, argued.

She explained that the criminal proceedings were the result of a misunderstanding. She said the translations of the Malayalam song, which went viral online, have distorted the meaning of the song’s lyrics. The lyrics were first written in 1978 and is cherished by the Muslim community in Kerala. The film had only used the same lyrics.

“The song Manikya Malaraya Poovi is a Mappila Song, or a traditional Muslim song from the Malabar region of Kerala, which praises the love between the Prophet Mohamed and his first wife Khadeeja. It is a part of the Muslim tradition in Kerala and does not offend any religious sentiment of any community or person,” the petition said.

“The complaints and the consequent registration of the FIR by non-Malayalam speaking States have been ignorantly done on the basis of wrong, translation and misunderstanding of the translated lyrics of the Malayalam Song,” Ms. Varrier argued.

Seeking the Supreme Court to quash the various FIRs and criminal proceedings, the actor said she directly approached the apex court to avoid going to the various high courts in the States where the criminal cases have been filed.

The court said that subject to the formulation of a scheme, the water allocation arrangement should stand unchanged for the next 15 years.

The court upheld the award of 30 tmc water to Kerala and allowed Puducherry’s request to grow a second crop. However, cultivation should be limited to 43,000 acres. It did not allow any enhancement in the water allocation to Puducherry from the 7 tmc allotted by the Tribunal in 2007.

The court warned the States to not deviate from the judgment or use the allotted water for other than the designated purposes. It held that the Tribunal was right in basing its water-sharing award on the basis of equitable utilisation of river water. The Tribunal was correct in basing its decision on equitability and reasonableness, it said.

The Constitution had bestowed equal status to all States. An inter-State river is a “national asset” and no one State could claim full rights over its waters, it noted.

The court disagreed with Karnataka’s argument that it had no bargaining power in the 1892 and 1924 post-Mettur dam agreements on the Cauvery water allocation between the erstwhile princely State of Mysore - now a part of Karnataka - and the Madras presiden-

cy, which included Kerala.

The judgment said the “principle of paramountcy” did not apply to the 1892 and 1924 agreements. They were not political arrangements but based on public interest. The court dismissed arguments that the bar under Article 363 of the Constitution hits judicial review of a pre-Constitution treaty or agreement as in the case of the 1892 and 1924 agreements.

The court, in turn, asked Karnataka why it chose not to denounce the 1892 and 1924 agreements post Independence and the coming into existence of the Constitution in November 1949 or even after the States Reorganisation Act of 1956.

It held that the 1924 agreement expired in 1974 after a 50 years and now the allocation of inter-State river water was governed by equitable apportionment.

The judgment comes after almost four months after the Supreme Court reserved the verdict on appeals filed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala against the final award of the Tribunal i.

Karnataka had complained about the lack of clarity in the Tribunal award about water allocation during distress years.

It told the Supreme Court its inability to supply Tamil Nadu

192 tmc.

“It is like the Tribunal ordering God to send rain to the State,” Fali Nariman, representing Karnataka, illustrated in the court in the July 18.

Refuses Centre’s stand On December 9, 2016, the court delivered a verdict refusing the Centre’s stand that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the dispute.

The Centre had argued that the parliamentary law of InterState Water Disputes Act of 1956, coupled with Article 262 (2) of the Constitution, excluded the Supreme Court from hearing or deciding any appeals against the Tribunal’s decision. The Centre had claimed the Tribunal award was final.

The court, however, held that the remedy under Article 136 was a constitutional right and it cannot be taken away by legislation much less by invoking the principle of election or estoppel.

The total availability of water in the 802-km long Cauvery basin is 740 tmc in a normal year.

The CWDT allocated Tamil Nadu 419 tmc , Karnataka 270 tmc, Kerala 30 tmc and Puducherry 7 tmc.

Besides this, the tribunal reserved 10 tmc for environmental purposes and four tmc for natural outlets into the sea.

PAGE 24 20 • INDIA HERALD HERALD • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 PAGE 2016 PAGE 24•• INDIA INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, MARCH JULY 1, 30, 2015

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