Mrinalini s Mississippi by Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan
Ministering the Monk by Bob Allen
Magic of Machu Picchu by Riz Mithani
INDIA CURRENTS
Is anger on the rise or is it just a digital phenomenon? By Anita Felicelli february 2014 • vol. 27, no . 10 • www. indiacurrents.com
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 1
2 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
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Rahinah Ibrahim was a Stanford doctoral candidate on her way to Hawaii for a conference in 2005 when she was stopped at San Francisco airport by federal agents, handcuffed and detained because her name was on the no-fly watchlist. Ibrahim contested her inclusion on the list in federal court and her legal fight has taken eight years to finally result in a decision. In a pared down version of the ruling, kept under seal until April 15th, Judge Alsup, a San Francisco Federal Judge, ordered Ibrahim’s name stricken from the list on January 14, 2014. This is a landmark ruling and of particular importance to the South Asian community. Many of our men and women are pulled out of lines at airports across the country and subjected to intensive screening measures. The post 9-11 compass precludes examination of how any individual is put on the list, even though it is evident that race, religion and country of origin are possibly the main or only parameters for inclusion. The no-fly list, which contained 16 names pre-9/11 had about 21,000 names in early 2012, according to the New York Times. The government admittedly was wrong in Ibrahim’s case. “FBI Agent Kelley Kelly named her to the wrong watchlist, and did not fill out the form correctly,” testified
Debra Lubman, the former director of the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC). Shirin Sannar, a Stanford Law Professor who specializes in National Security and Counter Terrorism Law and who was an expert witness on behalf of Ibrahim’s team, declared that “current procedures to get off the list violates due process.” As recently as 2008, Nelson Mandela was on a United States terrorist watchlist and his name was removed from the list only through a bill signed into law by President Bush. It is no doubt a tough balancing act to ensure the safety of the country while not encroaching on the civil liberties of its people. However, in the face of obvious errors, it should not be the case that the only escape clause is a long drawn out legal battle at taxpayer expense. When it comes to matters of national security the no-fly dragnet has had wider scope and freer range. As Judge Alsup’s ruling makes clear, there needs to be more accountability in the process and a clear engagement with democracy and diversity.
Jaya Padmanabhan
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February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 3
INDIA CURRENTS february 2014 • vol 27 • no 10
PERSPECTIVES
Northern California Edition
3 | EDITORIAL A Fly in the Government Ointment By Jaya Padmanabhan
www.indiacurrents.com Find us on
6 | FORUM Should India Have Backed Down in the Khobragade Scandal? By Rameysh Ramdas, Mani Subramani
15 | ANALYSIS The Quest for EmptyHandedness By Ranjani Iyer Mohanty 25 | OPINION Standing Left of the Right By Dilnavaz Bamboat 28 | PERSPECTIVE A Flood of Memories By Rajee Padmanabhan 70 | PROFILE Aziz Ansari: Comedy and Commentary By Apurva Desai 120 | COMMENTARY Charm of the Farmer’s Market By Archana Asthana 130 | ON INGLISH Crushed By the Juggernaut By Kalpana Mohan 142 | THE LAST WORD Chia Seeds, Psyllium Husk and a Blender By Sarita Sarvate 4 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
34 | BOOKS A Review of Karma Gone Bad, Pink Sari Revolution By Jeanne Fredriksen, Geetika Pathania Jain 44 | TAXES 2013 Tax Saving Guidelines By Khorshed Alam 56 | Recipes Cuttacki Street Fare By Jagruti Vedamati
8 | A THOUSAND WORDS Mrinalini’s Mississippi By Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan 10 | CURRENT AFFAIRS Why the United States Emperor Has No Clothes By Sandip Roy
LIFESTYLE
67 | RELATIONSHIP DIVA Choosing Therapy By Jasbina Ahluwalia
16 | Mad, Mad World Is anger on the rise? By Anita Felicelli
30 | Viewpoint The One Percent American Girl By Vibha Akkaraju
76 | MUSIC February Favorites By Vidya Sridhar 88 | IN MEMORIAM Lakshmi Shankar By Kanniks Kannikeswaran 102 | REFLECTIONS Ministering the Monk By Bob Allen 112 | HEALTHY LIFE Crucial Workout Meals By Malar Gandhi 125 | DEAR DOCTOR Divesting Dependencies By Alzak Amlani
Magic of Machu Picchu
138 | ENVIRONMENT Coastal Cleanup By Zenobia Khaleel
By Riz Mithani
DEPARTMENTS
52 | Travel
78 | Films Dedh Ishqiya and Dhoom 3 By Aniruddh Chawda
5 | Voices 55 | Popular Articles
32 | Ask a Lawyer 33 | Visa Dates 126 | Classifieds 139 | Viewfinder
WHAT’S CURRENT 90 | Cultural Calendar 104 | Spiritual Calendar
voices Counter Arguments
I find the article by Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan (Counter Valley Thinking, India Currents, December 2013/January 2014) unnecessarily idealistic. Shashi Tharoor “opted-in,” says the author. This is a bit like saying Asoka was a pacifist. He was, after he did all the required killing. Tharoor has led a charmed life in many parts of the world for decades before “opting-in.” It is clear to me that he likes the good life, living as he does in a Lutyens Delhi setting. Working for a region and working in that region are not necessarily the same. The author likes absolute moral diktats. So “brain drain,” or in other words, voluntary employment seeking, choosing to innovate and working your way up is bad, in all situational contexts? Brain drain was, almost exclusively, the government’s fault. India’s post-colonial efforts to develop an independent nation were economically misdirected. We could have ensured a much better economy. Yet, the nation chose not to. When it comes to brain drain, people must be largely free to pursue careers in distinct parts of the world. There is no fixed pie of misery. One doesn’t have to personally experience living in filth to wish to help those poor chaps actually in that situation. Liberals understand that guilt and masochism for no valid reason is not how one solves the Indian poverty problem. J.S., online The author missed the point of Balaji Srinivasan’s brilliant talk. Either you like Srinivasan’s vision of a better society or not. If you like it, then you can opt-in. If you don’t like it, then go ahead and get dirty with Lok Sabha or whatever floats your boat. In my opinion someone who thinks “software is sexist” will not get along with rational engineering types anyway. Berkeley student, online It is amusing that the activist call is coming from multi-millionaires and billionaires who have been part of the status quo. But then again minority businesses and businessmen (who may or may not be entrepreneurs and innovators) have had to struggle to access both equal opportunity and fair rewards. Opting in and opting out both have its advantages and disadvantages. What matters is examining what one is opting out of, and opting in to? Some people opt out because they can
fight one or two “isms” in a certain system, rather than three or more in another. An African woman scientist went back to her country because she felt in her homeland she only had to deal with “sexism” among her peers and employers, whereas in the United States she had to deal with “sexism,” “racism” and “classism.” So, you pick the “negative or repressive isms” you want to fight, knowing that many who opt in or opt out, are not real change agents. Dr. MS, online
Author Rebuttal
I’m glad that readers are interested in continuing this conversation. It’s funny that one commenter thinks I like “absolute moral diktats,” when in fact all my columns evidence a preference for the nuances and gray areas that undergird black-and-white propositions like Balaji Srinivasan’s. Indeed, I never said that brain drain is “bad” or that people shouldn’t be “free to pursue careers,” but rather that emigration in the case of the mid-to late-20th century brain drain from India has not been a type of “exit that amplifies voice,” which is what Srinivasan tried to suggest. As for the point that one can simply “opt-in” or not, the idea that any society can be exclusively inhabited and managed by just those techno-libertarians in agreement is laughable. Who is going to perform all the public service tasks like garbage collecting? Who will take on childcare, manual labor, menial work? I suppose the Silicon Valley’s answer will be automation (another myopic solution to the world’s challenges). The fact remains, however, that there will be those who do not “opt-in” but are nevertheless co-opted into labor in Srinivasan’s utopia because of economic pressures, just as sweatshop workers did not “opt-in” to the global economy. Finally, since Srinivasan’s talk was also about opting-out of politics, it’s important to remember the value of the public and the value of the political. American pragmatist John Dewey defined the public as a “large body of persons having a common interest
in the consequences of social transactions.” Srinivasan and his ilk have lost sight of both the common interest and the consequences of social actions and transactions, forgetting also that, in the words of V.S. Srinivasa Sastri, “rights are not of much use unless and until they ripen into duties.” Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan
Kitchen Tales
The editorial in the year end issue (My Recipe Book, India Currents, December 2013/ January 2014) by Jaya Padmanabhan was interesting and illuminating. I visited the kitchen in my house on odd occasions, for grabbing some forbidden delicacies or to help make “cheedai” for Janmashtami, or to clean up the mess, much against my will, after de-seeding jackfruits. Cooking was not a privilege of males in those days, yet it became a recurring idea in my life. I still recollect reciting the recipe of a Kerala dish: olan. “Mathang nallorilavan brihathee sametham puthan manipayarangathilodi cherthum Alola neelamizhimarithuvechu thannalOlolanonnumathi enthinu noorukoottam!” As a rubber technologist I’ve come across this cooking reference: “many rubber technologists might have seen their wives beating eggs in the kitchen, but few might have realised its importance in latex processing ... rubber technology is just like cooking ...” Those days we never cooked eggs at home, but this was a great motivator, taking away the great burden of remembering complicated organic chemistry or the structure of aceto acetic ester! I’ve maintained my own recipe book compiled from my own experience. It was an adventure collecting recipes over the years. It was a surprise to me in 1990 when my son (then at Denmark) emailed a recipe for Rajma, the first email in our family, and I clearly remember my wife replying using “single finger” typing. Handwritten recipes sent as mail attachments are good morale boosters, especially when one is stuck abroad in monotonous and lonely situations. K.N. Ganesh, Fremont, CA
The Outside Verandah SPEAK YOUR MIND! Have a thought or opinion to share? Send us an original letter of up to 300 words, and include your name, address, and phone number. Letters are edited for clarity and brevity. Write India Currents Letters, 1885 Lundy Ave. Suite 220, San Jose 95131 or email letters@indiacurrents.com.
The essay by Kalpana Mohan (Step Into My Verandah, India Currents, December 2013/January 2014) on verandahs is a good read. I encountered the usefulness of verandahs when my grandparents, my sisterin-law and my mother-in-law passed away. Their bodies were not kept inside the house. As soon as possible they were moved to the outside verandah where relatives and friends could come and pay their respects and leave. Manian, online February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 5
forum
Should India Have Backed Down in the Khobragade Scandal? India should have exercised restraint
Both countries are at fault
By Rameysh Ramdas
By Mani Subramani
ndia-US relations have been making headlines lately for unfortunate reasons. Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was arrested for criminal felony counts of visa fraud for paying her maid, Sangeeta Richard, less than the United States minimum wage, contrary to what she stated in the visa application. Khobragade was arrested based on a complaint from the maid. According to U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, she was “accorded courtesies well beyond what other defendants, most of whom are American citizens.” He added that she was arrested “in the most discreet way possible,” and that unlike most defendants, she “was not then handcuffed or restrained.” Bharara acknowledged that Khobragade was “fully searched” by a female deputy marshal clarifying that “this is standard practice for every defendant, rich or poor, American or not, in order to make sure that no prisoner keeps anything on his person that could harm anyone, including himself.” Instead of allowing the law to take its course, the Indian government’s reaction, fanned by local media and politicians, was ballistic. India conveniently forgot that the aggrieved party, the maid, was also an Indian citizen, and called Khobragade the “victim” and pledged to “restore her dignity,” taking retaliatory India conveniently for- swiftly measures against United got that the aggrieved States diplomats on Indian soil and removing party, the maid, was police protection at U.S. in India. The also an Indian citizen consulates only defense that the Indian government offered ... was that Khobragade had “consular immunity” and sought “diplomatic immunity” with her assignment to the United Nations after the fact, absolving her of any obligation to follow the law and impunity to commit any crime with no fear of repercussions. Khobragade’s father went on to accuse the maid of being a “CIA agent.” The Indian government’s discriminatory stance between two of its own citizens in this dispute should be no surprise. India unfortunately has had a long history of “elitism” when it comes to adherence to laws and contracts, and a callous disregard for the rights of lowly workers. Signs prohibiting “servants” the use of the elevator are common, just as the police in India will think twice about arresting a well heeled suspect, as is alleged in the recent car crash by Ambani’s son. India would be better served by using the Khobragade incident as a “teachable” moment for its leaders and diplomats the lesson being that just as in the United States, all are equal under the law, regardless of wealth, power or societal status. And, that all workers, including domestic help, deserve protections and dignity afforded to them under labor laws. India’s response sadly exposed to the world that the nation bestows better citizenship benefits to aristocracy while dismissing the proletariat as not consequential. n
here are no heroes in this story unfortunately. It is true that the Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade executed a minimum wage agreement with her maid Sangeeta Richard, which, it would seem, was solely for the purpose of getting Richard entry into the United States. It is also true that Richard used the agreement to escalate the case to the State Department with allegations against her employer. One would have to be naïve to think that Sangeeta Richard believed that she would get the prescribed United States minimum wage prior to making her trip to the United States. Clearly the diplomat violated United States laws and was liable to be prosecuted. The question is should she have been prosecuted? Is lying on the visa application, which is illegal, the biggest immigration issue facing the United States? Or perhaps it is to make an example of this diplomat. Noble goal indeed! But why not try it here at home first? In the case of Richard Allen Davis, a former United States Army soldier, and a Central Intelligence Agency operative, who was in Pakistani custody for killing three Pakistanis in 2011, the United States demanded his release on the grounds of diplomatic immunity under Both Khobragade and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Richard had an axe to President Barack Obama grind in this tawdry inasked Pakistan to recognize Allen as a diplomat, consequential affair. stating that there was a “broader principle at stake that I think we have to uphold.” In the latest diplomatic scuffle between India and the United States, India was merely reminding the United States that Khobragade was no killer and yet, she was prosecuted like a common criminal. When it comes to Wall Street, there are double standards at play. When it came to JP Morgan’s involvement in the Bernie Madoff scam the best that the U.S. attorney could come up with was a fine with no admission of wrong doing. Whereas in the Galleon hedge fund instance, Rajaratnam received a 11-year sentence (“the longest sentence to be imposed for insider trading in history”) plus a fine. While hypocrisy is obvious and blatant in the Indian system it is also evident in this country especially as it relates to white collar crime. The rich and powerful especially in the financial industry are technically not above the law. Yet large financial organizations are able to craft laws to benefit themselves and to get unfair advantages. Both Khobragade and Richard had an axe to grind in this tawdry inconsequential affair. They both manipulated the United States system to try and benefit themselves. I think too much has been made of this affair and I wish Bharara had excercised better prosecutorial discretion in this case and avoided the brouhaha with the Indian government. n
Rameysh Ramdas, an S.F. Bay Area professional, writes as a hobby.
Mani Subramani works in the semi-conductor industry in Silicon Valley.
I
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a thousand words
Mrinalini's Mississippi By Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan
O
n Christmas day, we go to place a wreath on my motherin-law’s father’s grave. He has rested here, in Indianola City Cemetery in Mississippi’s Sunflower County, for over twenty years. His gravestone is next to that of his older brother and his brother’s wife, his recently departed sister-in-law called “Shirley,” but who, to the surprise of all, has been buried as “Shurley,” making her presence somewhat strange, as if it is another person altogether buried in the family plot. At the graveyard, the talk turns to burials. My in-laws, each born in a different state, currently residing in another, with children scattered across the country, are not sure what to do when they die. Burn? Bury? And where? “Have your ashes mingled,” I say, only half joking. They ask what my parents will do, and I respond that they will be cremated, their ashes submerged in a body of water, though I’ve never thought to ask them where and how they would choose to drift away. Nor have I given thought to my last rites. I balance my seven-month-old on my hip as we consider the possibilities of multiple gravestones, ashes in urns, the finality of final resting places, the roots that will have to be dug up to make room for my grand-mother-in-law’s grave. She, my mother-in-law’s mother, is in her eighties, and contemplating not just the coffin now, but the funereal send-off. She has already written instructions: the songs to be sung, the grandchildren to sing them, the Bible verses to be read, the duration of the viewing. The only problem, she says, is that she wants to hear those songs, those verses. A funeral rehearsal seems morbid. How about, we propose, a comparable birthday celebration, next year? My grandmother is younger, but has for some time said that she is prepared for the call. “My bags are packed,” she says. “I am ready.” She has wrapped up the sari in which she is to be cremated, labeled jewelry according to intended recipients, and even selected a photo for publication in the newspapers along with her obituary. It is a terrible photo, one that hardly does her justice. I do not tell her, because she seems so keen on it, but this is one instruction we will not follow to the letter. At the cemetery, the talk moves from last rites to life insurance. A must have, everyone agrees, for parents of a young child. My husband and I are chagrined. We have assigned no godparents, purchased no insurance policy, written no will. These are things we are supposed to do now that we are responsible for another life. We must think about deaths, our own, and figure out what will suffice in our absence, how much and whom to leave to fill the space we currently occupy. My childless, bachelor brother-in-law chimes in; he has made our daughter the beneficiary of his life insurance. We are touched beyond words, though we don’t want Mrinalini to see a penny of that money. As we talk, our daughter is dancing on her ancestors’ graves. Well, not dancing exactly, but she has recently learned how to bounce with assistance. A little bend at the knee, an excited bop, and the effect is something like samba. Now, she sambas on the grave of Alexander Calvin Pitts, her great-great-great-great-grandfather, born in 1841, the year Martin Van Buren is succeeded by William Henry Harrison as United States President. In India, where extends another line of her family tree, it is still the era of Macaulay, years to go before the Sepoy Rebellion, before direct Crown rule, and all that follows. She will learn some of this in school. But the textbooks won’t 8 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Who was it, a cousin asks, who used to go to Greenville every day, to wait for a train that never came? Beulah, it turns out. Beulah, who could never have guessed that a little Mrinalini would call her kin, visit her grave, and ensure that her memory stays alive well into the 21st century. talk about Fannie A., wife of Alexander Pitts, her great-great-greatgreat-grandmother born in Maysville, Alabama. If she wants to know about her foremothers Dorothy Baird and Ruth Brandon she must come here, to Indianola, and breathe the bayou air and stand in the grass grown of their bodies, the small sprouts that show, as Whitman said, that “there is really no death… / All goes onward and outward …” As for my side of the family, Mrinalini has met one great-greatgrandmother in the flesh, held bony finger in chubby fist, sat on her lap for a multi-generational family photo, and even smiled. It will be difficult to know much about the family that came even before, the great-great-great-grandmother who died in childbirth, the other greats, all of whose flesh has gone up in smoke and who are long submerged, consumed by fish, drunk up, and scattered. All of my ancestors have been cremated with the exception of one greatgrandmother, buried sitting down in the samadhi position reserved for saintly people. My daughter won’t have a graveyard to visit, just this one unmarked platform, now in someone else’s backyard in a small village in central Kerala. We move through the Allen plot, then the Pitts, stopping to speculate about Edna and Beulah, Meredith and Julian. Who was it, a cousin asks, who used to go to Greenville every day, to wait for a train that never came? Beulah, it turns out. Beulah, who could never have guessed that a little Mrinalini would call her kin, visit her grave, and ensure that her memory stays alive well into the 21st century. Not my kin, but my daughter’s. Not my Mississippi, but Mrinalini’s. My Mrinalini, for whom I need to purchase life insurance, but who is, it turns out, far more powerfully the insurer of mine. She ensures that I am alive to connections I couldn’t see before. She ensures that I look at trees, that I watch the dust blow over a grave, and read the names of people past with wonder. She offers up her bloodline, her ancestry, her roots to me to share in, to write about. She is at home in both India and Indianola among the living and the dead. And she is squealing now, a baby’s perfect sort of reverence. n Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan is a doctoral candidate in Rhetoric at UC Berkeley.
God's Unfailing Love……
Do you have the real Joy, Peace and happiness in your life? Have you ever asked this question What is the purpose of my
existence in this world? What is a person profited, if he/she shall gain the whole world, and lose his/her own soul? (Or) What shall a person give in exchange for his/her own soul? Is there anyone in this world who can truly love me? Many times we are lost and finally end up asking these questions. There is no one in this world, who can truly love us, except God. Initially, God created human kind (both man and woman) in HIS own image. The purpose of creating mankind was to be with God. But human kind sinned against God and lost the greatest gift of being with HIM. God is Holy. A person with sin cannot dwell or exist with God. Also with sin, human kind earned curses from God. The result of sin was death & curses.
What is sin?
Anything we do that separates us from God’s presence is called SIN. We cannot hide anything from God. God knows our troubles, problems & everything. What the World can offer us is the Lust of flesh, the Lust of eyes & the Pride of life. Anyone who takes what the World offers ends up committing sin against God.
What is the result of committing sin?
The result of committing sin is a broken heart & soul,having guilt which makes us weak before God, with sadness, no peace, sickness, curses and separation from God. The Bible says, when we were born, we were born with sin because our parents brought us into this world with a sinful nature. For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. The wages of sin is death. No one in this world including our parents or spouse or kids or friends or relatives can love us more than God. The Bible says, God is Love and HE manifested HIS love by sending God's only Holy SON Jesus Christ into this world to save us from all our sins and redeem us from this sinful world. For God so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten Son Jesus Christ, that whosoever believeth in Jesus should not perish, but have everlasting life, the life after death with God in Heaven. Jesus came to this earth only to die for us and shed HIS blood so that we can be saved by HIS grace and then receive HIS gift of Salvation. Without HIS shedding of blood there is no redemption from sins. So God sent Jesus Christ to this world to die for you and me. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sins. If we confess our sins to Jesus, HE is faithful and just to forgive us from our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Jesus said "Come unto ME, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” For every sin we commit, we need to pay the penalty individually. However, Jesus took all our sins upon himself, when HE died for us. By giving HIS every drop of blood, we are saved and free from the penalty of sin & death. Jesus
died for our sins and on the third day, HE rose again from death and became victorious over death, hell and sins. Jesus is a living God. HE is the same yesterday, today & forever. In the Name of Jesus there is Victory, Deliverance from sins & curses and there is Healing from sickness & Miracles in our life. Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY to God the Father, HE is the Truth and HE is the Life. No one can go to God the Father & Heaven, except through Jesus Christ. Our family or friends, our caste or creed, our education or position, our money or riches or status, or by doing charity or by doing yoga or by doing fasting will not take us to God or to Heaven. When we accept & ask Jesus Christ to come into our heart & cleanse our sins with HIS precious blood, Jesus comes into our heart and makes us a new creature, by giving us HIS Love, Joy, HIS Peace, Hope & eternal Life with HIM. This is the TRUTH and the truth shall set you free.
Now how can I redeem HIS gift of Salvation in my life?
All we have to do is to believe Jesus, accept HIM into our heart & ask him to cleanse our sins by HIS blood by repeating this simple prayer. (Prayer means talking to God in your heart) Lord Jesus, Thank you for coming into this world for me and my sins. I truly accept you just as I am. Come into my heart; cleanse me and my sins with your precious Blood. Be in my heart forever and help me to live and lead a Holy life like you. I also invite YOU & Your Holy Spirit to come into my heart and give me the Joy, Peace, Happiness, Deliverance from sins, bondages and sickness forever. Thank you for giving me the assurance of being with me forever. In Jesus name I pray Amen. If you have truly meant this prayer, then you have accepted Jesus into your heart. HE will be with you forever. HE will not leave you nor forsake you. If you need prayers or would like to know more about Jesus, then you can visit nearby Churches or email us at info@christforworld.org
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 9
current affairs
The Devyani Khobragade row By Sandip Roy
10 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Image Courtesy: Facebook
I
f America was a bully in the china shop when it came to its handling of Devyani Khobragade, India has decided its revenge for its humiliation will be death to America by a thousand cuts. The United States embassy has been told to close down all commercial activities it permits through the American Community Support Association by January 16. That means non-U.S. diplomats or private American citizens and their families can no longer enjoy the restaurant/bar, bowling alley or beauty parlor. India says these commercial activities in a duty-free facility violate the norm. Before that we heard about a directive to the American Center to stop screening films. A “tersely-worded communication” sent to the American Centre has said screening fims without a license is a “transgression.” Of course, stopping film screenings is going to annoy Indians who went to watch the films more than it annoys the Americans. But that’s just a niggling detail when it comes to the Great Game of score-settling. It’s reached a point where the editorial board of the Washington Post has decided to weigh in. “The Indian government has compounded tensions with high-decibel rhetoric and a vindictive campaign against U.S. diplomats in New Delhi. Its bullying measures have ranged from the petty—withdrawing the U.S. Embassy’s permit to import alcohol—to the irresponsible—removing security barricades from the street in front of the facility.” This the Post implies with a tone of tuttut reproof is very disappointing especially because over the past decade, senior United States officials have portrayed India as an “emerging strategic partner” as well as a “democracy that respects the rule of law and shares U.S. values.” The Post’s lofty tone of aggrieved letdown boils down to this: We thought India was a grown-up who we could invite to dinner. But alas, it’s still a spoiled brat having a tantrum. No wonder when that piece was tweeted out, Shashi Tharoor, the Indian Minister of State for Human Resource Development, a
Member of Parliament, an author and columnist, tweeted back calling it “high-handed & presumptuous” wondering if the Indian Embassy would be allowed to block a street unilaterally. Tharoor tweeted that the Embassy had blocked the road on its own and the Indian government “let it pass in a spirit of friendship.” Where once India turned a blind eye to these things, now it’s more like an eye for an eye and a tit for a tat. I believe that the issue of the treatment of Devyani Khobragade by the United States authorities and the issue of visa fraud in her employment contract are separate from each other. One does not excuse the other. However when it comes to these matters of equality before the law, the United States is very much the emperor who has no clothes. It really has little ground to adopt its tone of high moral dudgeon. And one needs only one name to make that point: Raymond Allen Davis. That’s the American CIA contractor who shot two Pakistanis in Lahore and then ran over another person in his rush to get away. President Obama invoked diplomatic immunity to break him from a Pakistani jail. As Mukul Kesavan points out in The Telegraph the Pakistani government made exactly the same arguments that American state and its proxies are making in the Khobragade
case. But to no avail. And Khobragade, unlike Davis, is not accused of killing anyone. “Does American wrongdoing in Lahore justify Indian wrongdoing in New York?” wonders Kesavan. “In normal circumstances, the answer would be no, it doesn’t. A thief can’t protest his conviction on the grounds that some other thief was let off on account of a miscarriage of law.” But as Kesavan points out the problem at the heart of all this is that we are judging these events by normal citizen standards of fair play and even playing fields. This ain’t cricket. “There’s nothing ‘normal’ about diplomatic immunity,” writes Kesavan. That’s why both sides are in such an impasse. The Vienna Convention is more of an “extraordinary privilege” that all nations subscribe to because ultimately they all benefit from it in ways big and small—from evading murder charges to foreign wine and cheese. America demonstrated during the Davis affair that it could do whatever it wanted in the name of the Vienna Convention because hey, it just could. But in doing so it seems to have failed to realize that where the United States leads, others can follow. Of course, turning off the Embassy liquor spigot and shutting down its DVD player is not going to do much to put hair on India’s chest though it is thumping it with such vigor. “Indians do shrill petulance better than they do manly truculence,” quips Kesavan. We can put that down to the surfeit of saas-bahu serials that afflict our culture. Now the foreign policy magazine The American Interest is asking Obama to intervene because he has the power to pardon. If he does decide to do that, here’s a line he could use: There’s a broader principle at stake that I think we have to uphold. It should come easily to him. He used it once before. For Raymond Allen Davis. n Sandip Roy is the Culture Editor for Firstpost. com. He is on leave as editor with New America Media. His weekly dispatches from India can be heard on KALW.org. This article was first published on FirstPost.com.
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analysis
The Quest for Empty-Handedness By Ranjani Iyer Mohanty
A
ll I’ve asked for Christmas for several years now is a pocket, but once again, I didn’t get it. I’m beginning to wonder if this Santa guy is for real. Today, when we need to be contactable 24/7 and pronto, I find myself perpetually holding a cell phone in one hand. So one hand is always occupied. When I do put the phone down someA Creative Commons Image where to work unhindered with both hands, that’s invariably when my husband walk? Me thinks not. I’ve also tried various will call wondering why I didn’t answer the other contraptions. I’ve tried a small sling phone, my daughter will call from school bag only to get it caught repeatedly on door about something urgent, and there will be handles and practically strangle me. I’ve tried two unexpected calls from clients. And when a clip on the waistband, but that works only I put the phone down, I also tend to forget if you have Scarlett O’Hara’s 18-inch waist about it; phoning my phone later to find it and wear your shirts tucked in or are in the is a daily occurrence. IT industry. I’ve even tried a waist pouch The last straw was last weekend. I was which makes me look either pregnant, like a sitting on my verandah reading with my kangaroo, or both. phone on my lap because I was expecting an Star Trek’s Lieutenant Uhura had the important phone call. Later, forgetting it was ideal solution. She looked great in a formon my lap, I stood up. Like the penultimate fitting yet practical uniform, had both hands scene from Godfather III, I replicated Michael free to click various important switches, and Corleone’s silent scream as it fell down on when visiting hostile planets merely tapped the stone floor and the screen cracked. This her shoulder to call the bridge. Mind you, would never have happened had it been I think bridge was the only place she could safely ensconced in a pocket. call; she didn’t have the option of a private However, none of my clothes have pocktete-a-tete with Spock or Jim. Now Google ets and I wear a variety of them: saris, kurtas, Glass and Vuzix’s similar product can act as dresses and pants. Saris have never had pockBluetooth headsets. They don’t yet replace ets. I’ve known some sari-clad women to the phone itself, but there’s no reason why tuck their cell phone into their cleavage—but such wearable technology shouldn’t lead up for that you need a cleavage. Men’s kurtas to wearable phones in the future. have pockets but women’s generally do not; But for now, as long as we have handgrounds for pocket envy. And unfortunately, sets, there’s a crying need for pockets. voluminous pockets on women’s skirts and I know there are still important femipants went out with Katherine Hepburn. nist issues to resolve and in the scheme of Some may shrug this off as an insignifithings this seems irrelevant. But is it? What cant issue and say, “Carry a handbag.” Does a cruel joke to emancipate women—at least one carry a handbag to answer the front to this degree—and free them for the great door, mow the lawn, fix the leak on the roof, and noble tasks of life, only to curse them play catch with the kids, or go for a long by tying up one hand with a cell phone. It’s
akin to asking Sisyphus or Atlas to do their thing, while holding a phone in one hand. Since God or evolution after millions of years has given us two hands, it seems a shame to put one out of commission. Lao Tzu would have agreed that it’s the emptiness of the hand that makes it useful. While it’s important to be in constant touch, we also need both our hands free to do the many things we want to and have to. So it would not just be nice but empowering to have a pocket. It’s said that necessity is the mother of invention and here we’re faced with a substantial mother. Just like Coco Channel revolutionized fashion for the better in the 1920s by getting rid of the corset, shortening skirts, and in general making practical clothes that women could move around in—we need another paradigm shift now in women’s clothes: voluminous, stylish pockets that are a staple of all women’s clothing in order to free up our hands. After all, pockets and fashion need not be mutually exclusive. The best of men’s clothes have had pockets for years, whether that be in pants, suits, tuxedos, or even shirts. Maybe my mistake has been in asking as a single individual. Surely if women as a gender ask for a usable pocket as part of their clothing, Santa and the fashion industry would have to listen. This is not merely an act of charity; there is a big profit to be made. Christmas is now nearly a year away. If Santa talks to the houses of Chanel, Dior, and Zara now, they could put it into their next winter’s collection. And by next Christmas, clothes with big, deep, wonderful pockets would fill the stores. Then, once more, I could believe. n Ranjani Iyer Mohanty is a writer, editor, and currently pocketless. February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 15
Mad, Mad World By Anita Felicelli
Certainly, if you follow people on Twitter, it appears that there is more hostility floating around the atmosphere than there was in, say, the nineties. I can spend just a few hours on the Internet these days and, in spite of a happy home life, satisfying work and a good standard of living, quickly feel physiological changes—my heart rate increasing, my temperature rising, perspiration forming and that hot, red blinding sensation of rage.
16 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
for strong emotions—including anger—by surrounding myself with supportive people and a flexible work schedule. Luckily the antics of my toddler and my two dogs and the ability to unplug tend to defuse any anger I might feel towards the faceless. But rising Internet use affects emotions. The Internet exposes us to viewpoints different from our own, often stated by people in relative positions of authority (namely, politicians, celebrities and journalists) in short forms free of nuance, over an extended period. It can
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I
n an interview with CNN in May 2013, the author Salman Rushdie said, “[W]e live in an age of identity politics in which people have been encouraged to define themselves by what makes them angry. You know, I mean, I would say that the more healthy definition of the self is to define it in terms of the things you value and care about and love, you know. But now, we seem to be—or many of us—seem to be defining ourselves by what we hate. You know, and that rage, as you say, becomes a badge of identity—becomes a kind of selfhood.” Certainly, if you follow certain people on Twitter, it appears to be the case that there is much more hostility floating around the atmosphere than there was in, say, the nineties. No doubt, I am particularly afflicted by this type of anger as someone who spends significant amounts of time online for work. Within a few hours on the Internet, I can feel the physiological changes—my heart rate increasing, my temperature rising, perspiration forming and that hot, red blinding sensation of rage. I have learned to regulate my propensity
feel like gunfire, this barrage of disturbing images and opinions that seem to be unfair or uninformed. Face-to-face with another human being, we are usually reminded that there is context to their opinions—people’s lived experiences give them different lenses through which they perceive events. Online, however, many of us respond to this onslaught with unbridled anger. There was plenty of disappointment and rage expressed towards Indian American actor Kal Penn when he tweeted support for New York’s Stop and Frisk policy in August 2013. There was actually nothing too surprising about Penn’s position if you’ve followed his interviews over the years, except that it came from a brown person and some of us assume people of color know better than to support racist policies. Let me explain. In spite of being an icon for young Indian Americans as a result of his roles in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and The Namesake, Penn has said some variation of this at a number of interviews: “I don’t actively go around being Indian every day. I don’t think of myself in terms of race
or ethnicity.” Penn has also made it clear he feels no responsibility not to take roles that contribute to stereotyping of Indian Americans. It is not surprising that someone who has routinely supported the status quo would also support Stop and Frisk policy. Nonetheless, the outrage expressed by his core fans ultimately led to him retracting his tweets. This is just one of many recent examples of celebrities apologizing or retracting unpopular opinions due to fan anger. Or consider the recent response when Nina Davuluri became the first IndianAmerican Miss America last fall. The media spent less time celebrating her victory than exposing the racists that came out in full force on Twitter to express their feeling that she wasn’t American enough to deserve the title, that she had terrorist or 9/11 connections, that she was “Arab.” The younger generations of South AsianAmericans on Twitter had a divided response both to the victory and to the media response. A few of us were annoyed; who cares about or watches a pageant that objectifies women anyway? Like the media, I was initially more interested in the phenomenon of racism in our supposedly post-racial world— in my view, calling out racism is how real progress happens. Many deleted their racist tweets, just as Kal Penn withdrew his support for Stop and Frisk. The negative attention and commentary curbed their behavior. By the time the fuss died down on Twitter, I understood how important and symbolic the win was for a large number of people in our community, even if the feminist side of me didn’t see a pageant win as progress. More importantly, it became clear to me that Twitter is a great tool for mobilizing rage in order to effect social change. (Whether it causes real social changes or simply drives certain perceptions underground still remains to be seen.) Rushdie’s claim that the rise of identity politics has made us define ourselves by our rage certainly appears to be true when looking at the Internet’s response to virtually any controversy, but particularly those disputes involving race, politics, ethnicity, gender and religion. Unlike Facebook communities that are often made up of people who know each other in real life, Twitter encourages you to follow (and unfollow) strangers. If all those tweeters were expressing their anger in real life, it would be equivalent to constant rioting. Frankly, as someone who has experienced plenty of anger in the past but who mostly follows the etiquette rules of a Jane Austen heroine, that level of rage in a real life setting would be terrifying to me. In our ordinary lives, however, most of us do not encounter riots and anger continues to
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Part of the problem with hitting somebody on the street to express anger is the possibility that the person will hit you back. But if you don’t have to identify yourself on the Internet, you can spew all this anger without fear of reprisal. operate by the same rules as it always has.
Are We Angrier?
Psychiatrist Bibi Das of Palo Alto explained, “I don’t think people are feeling more angry. It’s just that there are more avenues to express anger. Part of the problem with hitting somebody on the street to express anger is the possibility that the person will hit you back. But if you don’t have to identify yourself on the Internet, you can spew all this anger without fear of reprisal.” In fact, chronic explosive anger is also a mental health disorder called “intermittent explosive disorder.” Das noted that she doesn’t have any Indian patients with this disorder and that most of her Indian patients are “nice” and “compliant” people. “But that doesn’t mean they don’t have rage,” she says. “They’re not aggressive, but there is so much anger in them. They’re so resistant to acknowledging their anger. It’s important to remember that passive aggressive behavior is still aggressive.” She recounted the story of one patient who has been angry with his parents, but dealt with his anger by not visiting them for seven years. There was no effort to talk to his parents about what was making him angry in order to resolve it. This refusal to articulate anger, Das suggested, is what distinguishes the Indian
immigrant’s experience of anger from anger in the general American population: a hierarchical script. Everyone experiences anger, but how it is expressed may vary from population to population. According to Das, Indian immigrants usually follow the same static and hierarchical scripts that were in play in India. This means that there is no effort to communicate one’s negative emotions to someone seen as an authority figure: a father, a mother, a teacher or a boss. You aren’t supposed to release negative emotions on somebody above you in the hierarchy. The anger, however, doesn’t dissipate because it is not expressed directly to the person who is triggering it. Instead, it transforms into anxiety or passive aggressive behavior. Expressing one’s actual emotions in a constructive fashion might be a key to managing them.
Can Anger Be Useful?
A constructive way to look at anger was offered by Shubha Herlekar, a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and candidate in psychoanalysis, also in Palo Alto. Herlekar explained that the cutting edge of psychoanalytic thinking about immigrations and populations of color is concerned with family stories about immigration and the story of the family left behind. These stories, often going more than one generation back, matter quite a bit in how emotions are expressed. Each individual family places certain demands on children and grandchildren based on the meaning of immigration for that family, and this in turn affects how emotions are expressed, including anger. Herlekar explained that the emotion of anger represents information about the self. Sometimes what produces anger is a violation of a boundary, or information that someone’s genuine internal self is not aligned with what a situation is asking of him or her. One psychiatrist I talked to last year described diagnosing an elderly Indian immigrant with depression based partly on her February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 17
description of rolling out chapatis differently than she had before in India. Herlekar noted that whether or not a patient is inclined to speak directly about his or her emotions depends on how much expressing anger (or another emotion perceived as negative) fits with a desirable self-image. A person who sees him or herself as being amiable, caring or supportive, may have a harder time acknowledging anger and trying to use it in a useful way. Those whose self-image is more balanced may be more attuned to their anger and can use it constructively. Like Das, Herlekar made reference to an example that suggests hierarchical scripts can get in the way, though she did not interpret the situation the same way that Das did. She mentioned the adult male whose work situation is demoralizing, who comes home and displaces his frustration about the workplace on his son. In Indian culture, it is acceptable to have high academic standards whereas it is not as acceptable to directly express anger at an authority figure, so the father feels comfortable expressing anger towards the child rather than telling his boss he has a problem with him. Often, however, the rage will be magnified and disproportionate to the situation. Herlekar was quick to note that she’s seen men and women have the same difficulty in articulating and understanding the beneficial element of the emotion in a clinical setting. What’s allowed at home depends on the individual family as well as, possibly, generational differences. Herlekar explained that women who were first wave immigrants during the ‘60s and ‘70s have a greater tendency to internalize their emotions. The demands of proper womanhood were different for them than the expectations of those who came of age in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
What Makes You Angry?
Sara, a first-wave, female immigrant in her sixties told me she did not believe there were different gender expectations regarding anger for men and women from her generation. She explained she gets angry when people accuse her of something she did or didn’t do, when she sees people “do not follow the rules,” and when people “do not
18 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
show consideration for others.” Sara explained that when she was younger, she was hot-tempered and lashed out at the person making her angry. Over the years, she realized that lashing out did nothing to improve the situation. She said, “These days, I take a deep breath, and try to reason with the other party, but if they don’t respond, I just walk away, even if only temporarily.” Leela, a thirty-five year old woman, told me some of the things that made her angry were “inconsiderateness, classism/racism/sexism/shadeism, parental miscalculations, toddler machinations.” She was also angry about the difficulty of reconciling her idealized self with the more “banal” version of herself that was presently unfolding. She noted that as an artistic person, strong anger was “hard to sustain” while also being creative. Like Sara, Leela admitted that in the past, she has let anger build “to an unhealthy level before letting forth an explosive outburst,” but more recently, she has tried moving to another room or area. She said, “[I remove] myself into a stony silence while I let out the enormous pressure of my anger, leaving behind a barely bitter aftertaste.” Leela explained that as she’s gotten older, she tries to channel her anger into offline pursuits, such as acupuncture, journaling and refocusing on the sadness behind her anger. However, she occasionally uses a locked Twitter account to vent her angry thoughts, explaining, “My digital self quivers and shakes with varieties of emotions, but rarely are they meant to be taken in their full dosage.” Herlekar commented that younger Indian-Americans seemed more attuned to their emotions, but there are times when they have difficulty using their anger in a “muscular way.” It is difficult for their anger to be channeled towards a constructive use. Viraj is a twenty-something IndianAmerican whose rage on Twitter is apparent. One manifestation of his rage is to tweet (and retweet) openly hostile statements to strangers that he feels are attacking his friends. Most often these arguments with strangers involve identity politics, just as Rushdie mentioned. Viraj expressed a long list of things that make him angry, about which he seemed to feel powerless to do anything in real life. It seemed apparent that, as Herlekar suggested, his genuine internal self was not aligned with what situations were asking of him. This is what makes him angry: “The comfort with which people will espouse blatantly sociopathic/hateful i d e a s based in misogyny, racism, classism, homophobia, transphobia ... that justify violence against the marginalized. The cognitive dissonance, denial, doublethink involved in
liberal racism and its globally pervasive, casually victim-blaming nature. The value of a brown body in the world ... My creative paralysis and inability to find a place in the world.” Somewhat like Sara, Viraj noted a disconnect between his ideals and his real life. When I asked him what he does to deal with his anger, he replied “I drink a lot. I listen to music. I sometimes tweet about it.” When I commented about the rage in his tweets, he explained he wouldn’t be able to express his rage in real life. On Twitter, he was able to find solidarity with other people who felt angry about the same things. To me, this suggests Twitter functions for some people as a fantasy public space in which they feel comfortable expressing negative things they feel unable to express in their real lives.
Recognizing Out-of-Control Anger
Herlekar and other mental health professionals have explained that in a clinical setting, it is common for Indian and Indian American patients to somatize their negative emotions. To “somatize” is to express psychological conflicts through bodily symptoms. In other words, many are not comfortable articulating their rage, sadness, anxiety or depression using words, so instead they make mention of stomach aches, headaches or other bodily sensations. Learning to handle negative emotions may counteract the physical effects. Laine Morales D.C., C.M.T. has said, “If you are angry and just try to repress it, the molecules are still made in your body and are usually made more chronically because you did not have an emotion, express it, and then let it go. You left it unattended in your subconscious ready to reap [sic] havoc on your body.” Out of control anger, however can lead to a host of health problems. For example, the stress that accompanies a temper is a risk factor for many issues, including stroke, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. MySahana.org (a nonprofit dedicated to increasing awareness about mental health in the South Asian community), points out that
these are three ailments for which South Asians are already at high risk. Often, being perceived as someone with a temper can impact close relationships. It can also cause cognitive impairments and impact judgment. At work, someone with unmanaged anger may find it difficult to move forward on a career path. The organization lists these common causes for developing anger management issues: (i) witnessing poor anger management (ii) experiencing abuse (iii) mismanaged stress (iv) being taught that expressing emotions is unacceptable (v) low self-esteem (vi) low tolerance for frustration (vii) hiding other emotions (viii) not sleeping enough (ix) medications Those who experience significant amounts of anger, particularly when it affects their health, sleep or job performance, might want to consider consulting a professional. A safe space in which to express and deal with what is making you angry can be helpful.
Is Anger on the Rise?
Salman Rushdie implies that identity politics is a problem. Perhaps. But it seems natural to me that those who have been
“minority” voices—those who have been silenced and adversely affected by their identities—will exploit the great equalizing force of the Internet to try to achieve a better situation and to find like-minded people. Why shouldn’t they? In the recent past, those who upheld the status quo were more likely to be heard and those who tried to challenge the status quo were more likely to be silenced. Nowadays, social media can level the playing field. A medium like Twitter makes the platforms of people who might not otherwise be heard more equal to the platforms of those celebrities, authors and public figures that have been heard in the past. The Internet as it currently exists contains a big barrier to effective communication of emotions. Because it does not allow you to see facial expressions or the intensity of someone’s gaze, it is all too easy to misinterpret other people’s words and to develop strong emotional responses to the threats perceived in those words. Interpretation occurs without any of the social and cultural modulation—or fear of blowback—that occurs when two people are face to face. Earlier this year, Beijing researchers released the study “Anger is More Influential Than Joy: Sentiment Correlation in Weibo.” (“Weibo” is a Twitter-like service in China that was launched in 2009.) The researchers
noted that people not only flocked to others who were like themselves in terms of friends, age, race, and interests. They also flocked to people with similar psychological states. The researchers found that anger had a stronger correlation between connected users than joy or sorrow did. The paper concluded that anger spreads, both, more quickly and more widely than joy. Online, anger is more influential than joy or sadness. Das said as much to me, noting that genocides and deaths have been happening forever: “We don’t have more angry people around, just that we have YouTube, smart phones and Internet to make it public.” The publicizing of anger, in turn, helps it to spread, giving some of us the sense that there is more anger. Whether this is something you see as a positive or negative development may depend partly on how much you have invested in our existing social structures. The rise in rage may have at least one simple solution. But it is a solution that most people today are likely to dismiss: spend less time online. n Names of interviewees, other than psychologists and public figures, have been changed to protect anonymity and encourage honesty. Anita Felicelli is a writer and attorney who lives in the Bay Area. She is the author of the novel “Sparks Off You” and other books.
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opinion
Standing Left of the Right By Dilnavaz Bamboat
T
he institution of marriage resembles a lock with multiple combination codes. Different permutations can be applied to different generations and societies. Among the numerous types of marriages we have witnessed through history, human society has resisted some forms and embraced others based on religious, moral and personal values. Like that other institution that our world believes important—religion—marriage and its acceptable definition has been in the eye of many a moralistic and intellectual storm, and the matter is clearly far from settled yet. On our planet of seven billion people, you only need to look around you to know that the number who have either chosen or been compelled to enter into one of marriage’s many avatars is far from small. Yet others, who want in, are barred by virtue of whom they wish to share that relationship with. As the majority definition of a single man-single woman contract (or sacrament) closes in around us, it leaves exposed and unprotected a pool of humanity that chooses alternative views of the bond, specifically, the gay, lesbian and queer communities. In spite of the overall number of married folks in the United States dropping by 20 percentage points since 1960, there remain a staggering number of individuals who choose matrimony over singledom or cohabitation. I believe in love. Taking-out-the-garbage love. Grocery-shopping-together love. Don’t-speak-until-I’ve-had-coffee-in-themorning love. There are many who believe an institution, marriage, in this case, is of more value than the people within it, but what use is a crusty shell of a social structure if it doesn’t benefit those who want to occupy it? Personally, marriage for me is being with the man I love. I’m just lucky I happen to be straight, so the world doesn’t give me huge grief about it. Being a part of the institution means people will view you differently once you sign on the dotted line, but if you change the way you look at each other, you’re in trouble, my friend. I get that not everyone shelters under its umbrella for love. People, Wikipedia informs us, marry for “legal, social, libidinal, emotional, financial,
spiritual, and religious reasons.” For several of us, marriage is security, a stable way of life where we can moor our boat as we pursue milestones. But for some, believe it or not, it is about sharing a life with just this one person, not one picked from among a lineup of suitable matches or socially compatible suitors. Who owns marriage? Who sits on its board? Who drafts its rules and guidelines in an imaginary general body meeting of all who said “I do?” If you don’t want to expose your children, born of your old-school union, to an evolving zeitgeist, there’s always contraception. Because millions of same-sex couples in this country (or anywhere on the planet, for that matter) shouldn’t have to be second class citizens just so you don’t have to answer a child’s curious questions. Marriage is the sharing of life and heart and people; the His and Hers relegated to embroidered towels. I believe in compatibility. And companionship. And yes, a degree of compromise. But when that extends to changing who you are deep inside, it is detrimental to society. Unhappy, unfulfilled citizens don’t contribute much to the world. Whatever be your reasons for marriage— and I am not naïve enough to believe they’re always about love—know this: we are merely minions of a cooperative movement who like to believe our choices should be socially or religiously validated. Well, news flash: the time for egalitarian existence is upon us. At least to the extent we can make it happen. There are many things about our planet that
are unfair and/or unequal, a framework of laws doesn’t have to be one of them. On November 3, 2011, the Defense of Marriage Act bill (DOMA, enacted in 1996) was debated in Congress. During the debate, Senator Feinstein noted that DOMA denies same-sex couples more than 1,100 federal rights and benefits that are provided to all other legally married couples: rights to Social Security spousal benefits, protection from estate taxes when a spouse passes away, and the ability to file taxes jointly and claim certain deductions. On June 27, 2013, Section 3 of the DOMA was decreed unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court, allowing people of all sexual orientations to equally choose to be bound in matrimony. Who knows, the institution may be redundant in a few decades and the need to partake invalidated, but as long as someone’s left out, they’ll want in, so let them reap the social and economic benefits, and in this age of individualism, may we go back to the very first building block: the human being, and the very first step: inclusion. n Dilnavaz Bamboat manages communications and social media for a Silicon Valley non-profit, is a scriptwriter for iPad applications for children, a writer and editor at IDEX (idex.org), a section editor at Ultra Violet (ultraviolet.in), a feminist blogger at Women’s Web (womensweb. in) and a founder member of India Helps (indiahelps.blogspot.com). She shares a home in the San Francisco Bay Area with her spouse and misses the Bombay monsoon madly. February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 25
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India Currents F
perspective
A Flood Of Memories By Rajee Padmanabhan
E
A Creative Commons Image
ver wondered why in India, of all places, every residential neighborhood is referred to as a colony? One would imagine that after a few centuries of foreign colonization with enough scars to last another few, India would banish the term. But no, instead a lot of us have unforgettable memories of the little colony we grew up in. Well, mine was called Vinayaka Nagar. As the name indicates, the colony was built around a temple dedicated to the remover of impediments, Lord Vinayaka. Located a few miles upstream from the lush banks of the Karamana River, before it merges onto the Arabian Sea, the colony started out in the 70s with about fifty families living in individual bungalows on spacious plots. The main road out of the colony connects to National Highway 47, a right turn on which leads to downtown Trivandrum in ten minutes. A left turn on the other hand, if you had a couple of hours to spare, will take you straight to Kanyakumari, where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean commingle to create a dazzling palette of blues that no artist could ever dream up. In the mid-70s, as part of the second wave of constructions, our family of four moved into our newly built home, “Pavithram” (Sacred Home), as my father presciently named it. My youngest brother was born soon after and I was carted off to the nearest kindergarten to give my mother and brothers a break from the menace that I was. My earliest recollection from those times is of circumambulating the temple, holding my mother’s pinky, watching the “vallams” (the traditional boats) traversing the river, rowed by men in lungis carrying mounds of sand dug up from the river bed. The calm, green river was a part of our colony like the breath is to a human body, unobtrusive but essential. Right behind Vinayaka Nagar was a strip of land where some of these oarsmen lived in modest tenements, usually thatched roof huts. Men wore colorful lungis folded up to their knees while the women wore long blouses with full length skirts with a matching head scarf. Sayippu was the de facto leader of that area. A big man with a fairas-a-winter-lily skin, and a mighty mustache
28 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
curling up on both sides up to the middle of his cheeks, he made an instant impression. Kerala has two seasons, unceasingly pursuing one another—a rainy season followed by a dry spell followed by an even rainier season. And the year 1978 was an especially wet one. Edavappathy, the Southwest monsoon in June, had drenched the area. Colony residents had watched the rising river with increasing alarm, as the banks were almost breached. But then the monsoon moved away. Thulavarsham, the Northeast monsoon, started lashing the area at the end of October. Every day rain fell relentlessly, inexorably. Puddles formed in every little ditch and trench, much to the childrens’ delight. Our paper boats sailed from one puddle to the other. The adults were starting to worry and keeping a keen eye on the measurement stick whose black rungs, marking every ten centimeters (3 inches) of water height, were rapidly getting eclipsed by the steadily rising river. My parents were having it rough, too— three kids recovering from chicken-pox, one after the other. Appammai, my paternal grandmother, had come to stay with us to help them get through the triple-whammy. The rains continued unabated for five full days. Day one saw the river slightly swollen on one side, like the gums after a painful root canal. Day two saw the water level measurement stick dwarfed and drowned. My father started each day with a visit to the temple, which became the unofficial command center where the colony elders convened to monitor the latest developments and discuss plans of action. By day five, the
river had swollen to her utmost capacity, resembling a full-term pregnant woman ready to give birth. The morning of November 4th, a Saturday, began with a short respite from the downpour. But the concern on my father’s face was unmaskable. I heard him talk about how a trickle of water, growing by the minute, had breached a half a kilometer (onethird mile) upstream. He asked my mother and Appamai to move us kids upstairs and went out again to check the state of the river. No sooner had all of us gone upstairs with whatever we could carry, we heard a deafening thud. I ran out to the balcony with my mother to watch the fifty meter rear compound wall keel over like a wall of Lego bricks, as the water gushed in. That was the most traumatic, as well as the most exciting, moment in the life of my five-year old self. It left such an indelible mark that every time I watch a movie with a flood scene memories of our colony flood with the crumpling compound walls come rushing back. Our home was the gateway to the flood that took over the colony. We watched in sheer horror as the water engulfed the rose garden, then flooded the house and inched up to the windows. My mother’s anxiety level was rising too as my father was still out. Meanwhile, he was at the other end of the colony, desperately trying to get home. The main street was starting to fill up fast, but luckily he found a side street yet to be fully submerged, got out to the road via that street and then waded through water from the colony entrance back to the house. In a blink of an eye the water level had climbed up to almost 10 feet, up to the switchboards inside the house. Electricity was gone, the phone line was dead. Amidst all this water, ironically, the faucets went dry. An hour or two must have passed and our home started resembling a one-story structure with the downstairs pretty much completely under water. Finally, there was a flicker of hope in the form of a boat. We saw a familiar broad-shouldered figure rowing towards our house. It was Sayippu. My parents were so relieved to see Sayippu that they wasted no time in corralling all of us out to the sun shade to board his boat. My
grandma went in first, then my mother and us kids. Sayippu did a return trip to get my father out. Once we got to dry ground on the highway, I clearly recall the sense of relief that washed over my parents’ faces when my uncle, my father’s elder brother whom we kids called “Big Appa” (literally “Big Father”), greeted us with a warm smile and a car ready to take us back to our ancestral home where he still lived. My father remembers getting back a week later to a house ravaged with mud, snakes and other creatures crawling all over. Nothing was left unturned. The master bed was jammed into the bathroom door. Kitchen utensils were strewn all over; the pressure cooker was on the stairs, on the seventh step to be precise. Whole almirahs were toppled over. My mother’s wedding saris were all washed out. My silk skirts had all turned into a mix of colors as if in an experiment of fabric dyeing. Slowly life returned to normal. The school, which had been flooded, re-opened. The temple was cleaned up and services re-started. After all this mayhem, the stone idol was still in place, rooted to the sanctum sanctorum. Even the mighty waters could not move the “Remover of Obstacles.” Every house in the colony had a tale to tell. We heard a lot of stories of heroism—a police constable losing his life trying to save a child. A seven-day old baby was rescued, as well as some pets, by kind souls ignoring significant personal risks. For our colony, Sayippu was the true hero. He and his men had taken family after terrified family to safety. The whole colony was immensely grateful for his efforts. You see, Sayippu was a Muslim, living adjacent to a Hindu colony. His house was thirty yards away from the temple. His family woke up each day to the sounds of tolling bells emanating from it. In today’s India, this would be held up as a model of communal harmony. But in those days, it was much simpler—a compassionate human being extending an act of kindness to another in distress; and a colony profoundly grateful for his timely help. Our family lost a lot of valuables in the flood, but we gained an invaluable understanding—to see the benevolence of humanity. n Rajee Padmanabhan is a perennial wannabe— wannabe writer, wannabe musician, wannabe technologist. She lives with her iPad and iPod in Exton, PA, occasionally bumping into her husband and son while either of her iPals is out of charge.
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 29
viewpoint
The One Percent American Girl By Vibha Akkaraju
R
ecently, there was a big blowstroke of luck (okay, and some talent!), out party for the American Girl she was able to earn money dancing store opening at Stanford Mall. for an opera. With a freshly flush bank Our youngest daughter was ready to account, the first thing she bought herhand over her piggy bank. I was ready self was an AG. Fair enough. with my rant: In short, American Girl #2 started her campaign the day is 99% unAmerican. #1 got her AG. She made a pretty reaThose of you who have somehow sonable case that it is unreasonable to managed to escape this over-priced, expect a kid to earn this much money, over-hyped craze that possesses girls especially as we didn’t give allowances at around age five and doesn’t let go then and didn’t pay for chores. What for a decade, let me bring you in: this was she to do? First she didn’t get 18” tall, made in China, plastic and picked for the opera and now this? fabric doll is de rigueur for the doll-age Still, we fought back for two years. But crowd. And sometimes for the crowd’s on Christmas after she turned nine, moms, too. And it’s not just one doll. we surprised her. Or, shall we say, she No, there is Caroline, Ivy, Ruthie, Kaya, surprised us. She is just not into dolls Kit, Addie, Josephia, Rebecca. And anymore, she announced, and tossed it those are just a few in stock. There over to #3. are dolls of the year, doll babies, dolls’ The surprise continued when we horses, dolls’ dogs. And if you can’t find found that #3, instead of being satisa doll among this lineup that speaks fied, was only just bitten. She wanted to you, you can design your own girl the full complement. Dresses, pajamas, doll or baby doll. It’s a sneak-peak at furniture, babies, more dolls, more genetically designing your babies. You of everything. I tell her she is my can choose its skin color, hair color, hair American Girl, but she has an Indiantexture, and eye color. You get the idea. American mother, and our breed just After you pick a doll and plunk doesn’t buy overpriced doll gear. I tell down the $110 to $124 for one of these her to ask her sisters to sew clothes beauties, you can start filling out its for her dolls, and to fashion furniture American Girl doll A Creative Commons Image universe. Start with the books, which out of cardboard. It was good for her, are not bad, actually. They are historic I told her. I might as well have been or contemporary fiction, some are mystery talking to a plastic doll. miss her beauty regimen while she recovers. and advice books, and seem to be at least Fast forward three years. A shift in allowIt’s madness. Who can afford these outbetter written than, say, Disney books. That’s ance policy in our house allowed #3 to gathrageous prices? Maybe they should call it a low bar, and AG hurdles it handily. er $86 to spend on whatever she wants. After the one-percent girl. Maybe, if, as the name But a girl can’t live on books alone. She a year of anticipation, the much-ballyhooed suggests and image portrays, these AGs needs clothes ($68 for a holiday dress, for a AG store was finally opening at Stanford and their accessories were lovingly made in start); she needs furniture (Rebecca’s bed: mall. She took her sisters and dad for the middle-America by mom and pop artisans, $125); she needs hair accessories ($12-$49) grand opening. I held off initially, but joined you could understand $90 for a Lilliputian and ski gear ($38) and horses ($75). To be later when curiosity got the better of me. table and chair. But it’s commissioned by truly dolled up, she needs her hair done. Any I went to the mall knowing that I would Mattel and made in China! How are people AG girl store will set you up with an apbe collecting material for my writing. I knew not outraged by the hypocrisy? pointment for a $25 hair do-up. If she gets there would be throngs of people who had What hypocrisy, yawn my girls. In fact, “sick,” she can be sent to the “Doll Hospidrunk the spiked AG Kool Aid, that I would with all these temptations, how is a girl tal,” where, for some undisclosed fee, they have the opportunity to take pictures of not to start a-dreamin’? Ours were no difwill do minor or major surgery, and return moms and daughters toting multiple dolls. ferent. Daughter #1 begged for an AG for the doll back to its worried-sick owner before My cynicism was having a field day. two years before I got her an 18” very unthe holidays. She might still need a wheelInitially, I thought I was dead on: The American doll. $30 from Target. It snoozed chair ($38) for a while. And you may have line to get into the store was comically long her alarm, but didn’t shut it off. The pleading to buy her a spa chair ($110) so she doesn’t (1.5 hour wait just to get a number, after soon resumed, and continued, until, in a wild 30 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Vibha Akkaraju is a mom of three girls, all energetic and excitable, at times temperamental, sometimes maddening, mostly endearing. When she’s not cooking, cleaning, organizing, planning and shuttling, she likes to read and sometimes write.
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which it would be several more hours to enter Xanadu), so we bowed out and just reveled in the festivities. The entire mall was swept up in the frenzy. Hundreds of shoppers watched a variety show AG had organized, with fresh-faced girls singing songs about the multiplication tables and other wholesome subjects. Booths invited kids to take pieces of modeling clay and make mini sculptures. Each kid was handed a bag full of goodies that would wind up in the garbage in a week. When we got hungry, we could go to almost any restaurant and just say “American Girl” and get a discount on the bill. Burgers, pizza, cupcakes—everything was cheaper. And who can resist an easy bargain? Just being at the mall on that day meant you were part of the American Girl party. The whole thing was enough to make me pine for my Barbies. But later, a new thought challenged my cynicism: I realized that the AG hype might be the essence of “American.” After all, this is how our economy runs. We all have to collectively convince ourselves that we need newer, better, more things, and the more we buy the better the consumer-confidence index, and more smoothly hums the economic engine. We could all take a lesson from the AG marketing people. They are brilliant—indeed geniuses—at selling their stuff. They have picked a message and they stick with it. Wholesome and hugely hyped. They could have hired real singers and dancers, but opted for the homegrown talent that would warm the hearts of their market share. They could have charged us to play at the craft booths, but that would be akin to charging for cigars at your baby’s birth. The folks at AG not only dance to their own tunes, they get everyone else to join in too. To be in the “in” crowd on opening weekend, you really needed to be sporting an AG doll. What could be more effective advertising? To be a savvy shopper, you needed to go to stores where pledging your love to AG would get you a discount. Surely, nothing could be more American than propelling our consumerism. Maybe even consume more than we can afford. And the whole “Made in China” thing? Heck, at this point, even that seems American. I’m taking notes. Look out for the grand opening blowout for my blog. n
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February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 31
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Q A
Would it be better for my case if I hired a real attorney?
Since most of my practice is courtappointed criminal defense, I occasionally hear this question. I feel like a public defender. Since San Mateo County doesn’t have a formal public defender’s office, I am a private attorney. The United States Supreme Court decided Gideon v. Wainwright in 1963. In that case, the Court voted unanimously that state trial courts must provide lawyers for criminal defendants who cannot afford counsel. Since then, every county in the United States has devised some system of ensuring that every person accused of a crime has the benefit of a lawyer, whether or not financially capable of obtaining one. Unfortunately, the “lawyer” part often seems lost from the “public defender” appellation. Apart from believing that public defenders do not care about their clients and/ or are lazy, many people seem to think that public defenders are not actually attorneys. I’ve been the recipient of the “Would it be
32 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
better, if I hired a real lawyer?” question as well. I inform the askers that court-appointed attorneys are “real” attorneys. They went to “real” law school and passed the “real” bar exam before being allowed to represent people in court. The “Will my case get better?” typically arises during a discussion of the plea agreement. Would hiring another attorney make the outcome better? In most cases, resoundingly “No!” Public defenders practice exclusively in their county, and as a result, know the judges, the local practices and the district attorney’s office intimately. Besides which, the attorney’s identity should not change the offer, and a court-appointed attorney will get the same type of result as any retained attorney. The attorney a person is assigned by the court-appointed system, whether that is a public defender’s office or some other courtappointment system, could be an excellent attorney or could be mediocre. The same goes when you search the Internet and hire an attorney. Unless you know the person’s work and prior performance, there really is
no way to ensure that you have a great attorney. If you qualify for the assistance of a public defender, you would be best served by meeting with your court-appointed attorney, asking around about that person’s reputation and qualifications and seeing whether you can get along with the person before deciding that you need to hire a lawyer. After all, one of the most important aspects of good criminal defense representation is for the client to feel empowered in the face of an overwhelming and harsh criminal justice system. The accused must feel like the representation vindicated his or her rights regardless of the outcome. So, please meet with the court-appointed attorney, develop a relationship and see if you trust the person. Only hire another attorney if it seems that the court-appointed attorney is not making the effort to defend the case properly. Hiring an attorney by itself will not make the case any better. n Naresh Rajan is an attorney in San Mateo County. Email nrajanlaw@gmail.com.
legal visa dates Important Note: U.S. travelers seeking visas to India will now need to obtain them through BLS International Services. Call (415) 609-4965 or visit http://www.visa. blsindia-usa.com/ for more information.
February 2014
T
his column carries priority dates and other transitional information as taken from the U.S. State Department’s Visa Bulletin. The information below is from the Visa Bulletin for February 2014. In the tables below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed. “Current” means that numbers are available for all qualified applicants. “Unavailable” means no numbers are available.
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EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA DATES Preference Dates for India 1st Current 2nd November 15, 2004 3rd September 01, 2003 Other September 01, 2003 Workers 4th Current Certain Current Religious Workers 5th Current Targeted Employment Areas The Department of State has a recorded message with visa availability information at (202)485-7699, which is updated in the middle of each month. Source: http://travel. state.gov/content/visas/english/law-and-policy/ bulletin/2014/visa-bulletin-for-february-2014. html
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books
Embracing the Difference By Jeanne Fredriksen
KARMA GONE BAD: How I Learned to Love Mangos, Bollywood, and Water Buffalo by Jenny Feldon. Sourcebooks, Inc.: Naperville, IL. $14.99. 336 pages. sourcebooks.com, jennyfeldon.com, karmacontinued.com. Available as a trade paperback and for digital readers.
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hen Jenny Feldon learns she and her new husband would be moving to India for two years, her imagination runs wild. Exotic locales! Fabulous food! Colorful experiences perfect for posting on her blog, Karma in the City! Her life’s rhythm emanated from the non-stop energy of Manhattan, draped head to toe in designer labels, and she imagines that lifestyle will continue forever. But that’s not how it turned out. With as much self-deprecating and honest humor as hard-learned realizations, her travel memoir, Karma Gone Bad, candidly chronicles her valiant fight as a corporate wife trying to survive life and marriage in India. When she steps out of the airport in Hyderabad, she is knocked over by the heat, smells, and thick damp air. As she and Jay await their contact, they encounter a sea of brightly-colored fabric and brown skinned faces staring at them. That’s the moment when she realizes everything is wrong about her: her skin, her hair, her clothing, her inability to keep the shock off her face. Once in their temporary apartment and equipped with life-saving PB&J for sandwiches, Jenny recognizes how ill-prepared she is for this move. Passing the days in a fog-laden bewilderment, trying to find something familiar or relatable, she experiences disappointments and obstacles such as bad coffee, “Delhi Belly,” shopping trips during which expats battle over a blackmarket bag of Doritos, unannounced electricity outages, more stares, and a thorough lack of privacy. Worst of all, she suffers a debilitating loneliness in one of the most heavily-populated places on earth. “Without a job to go to or classes to attend (and having failed at my attempts to get a work visa), I felt like I was spinning in
34 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
space for a long time,” she told me in an e-interview. “In the beginning, [Jay came] home full of new stories to tell and experiences to share, and the most I’d have done was brave a trip to the vegetable stand or managed to hang a load of laundry on a clothesline. I felt useless and irrelevant, especially at work functions when every conversation went right over my head.” Feldon lays her life wide open with her easy storytelling and comic wit. After countless desperate (and, yes, entertaining) attempts to navigate her new life, Jenny sees that her marriage is failing and finds herself on the brink of despair. A visit home, awkward husband-wife heartto-hearts, and the specter of divorce propel Jenny into action. Determined to make both her marriage and India work, she returns to Hyderabad armed with big goals, new hopes, a pile of Us Magazines, and bags of Cape Cod potato chips. She falls in love with Bollywood. She hires a man who cooks for her, and a cleaning woman who some might avoid. She visits local sites with a new perspective and begins Hindi lessons. The biggest surprise for her happens when, through her blog—then renamed Karma in the (Indian) City—she meets Anjali, a young Hyderabadi woman who puts Jenny on the simple path to enlightenment, telling her to love India for what it is: the mangos, the sunshine, the festivals, the col-
ors, the whatever. “Anjali’s advice … really hit home hard for me,” Feldon admits. “Choosing to celebrate rather than despair, choosing to search for things in my new life that made me happy instead of fixating on why I missed my old one was how I began to crawl back from the hole I’d dug myself into.” Better than five years have passed since Jenny and Jay returned to the United States, and they’ve welcomed two children into their family. I was curious how her experiences in India impacted her life for the long haul. “India fundamentally changed who I was as a person. Not in every way, but in some
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big ways,” she says. “My life now is based on gratitude, on feeling thankful for every moment I’ve been given, on finding ways to pay that gratitude forward and teaching my children to see beauty and wonder in everything around them. Believing in the universe and focusing more on what I put into the world and less on what I take out is also a big part of who I’ve become thanks to my experiences there.” So based on her experiences as an expat living in India, I asked what advice she would give someone who is about to move to a different country with a vastly different culture. “Don’t fight it. It will be different, and it will be scary, and it will be hard. But I learned the hard way that holding on to your old life with a death grip will only increase the misery. Love wherever you are for the things it is and try not to hate it for the things it isn’t. Also, figure out what your most essential “creature comforts” from home are and try to bring some with you.” Karma Gone Bad is an enjoyable read overflowing with angst, humor, the intricacies of culture shock and loveable characters. From the neighborhood expats to her driver Venkat and his charm; from the mâitre d’ at the local restaurant to the landlord who enters the apartment at will; from the family who lives on Feldon’s front porch to Anjali, Feldon provides us with the diversity that ultimately made her fall in love all over again. There are lessons to be learned from her journey, and those lessons would serve us well no matter what our destinations may be. “In the book, I’m the true villain—and I think for many of us that’s the case regardless of our circumstances. We stand in the way of our own happiness, become blind to what’s real and honest and beautiful,” Feldon says. “I had to learn to trust the universe more, to be mindful of the energy I was putting into the world and how my own expectations were ultimately causing my failure. If there’s one thing I’d like readers to take away from the book, it’s that the way we see the world is directly linked to the kind of life we live in it…and that we have the power to change our perspectives, and our lives along with it. Love life for the mangos and live in the small moments. Be grateful every single day, even for the bad ones.” n Jeanne E. Fredriksen lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where she freelances in advertising and public relations. Between assignments, she writes fiction, enjoys wine, and heads to the beach as often as she can. 36 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Protesting in Pink By Geetika Pathania Jain
PINK SARI REVOLUTION: A TALE OF WOMEN AND POWER IN INDIA by Amana Fontanella-Khan. August 5, 2013. Published by W.W. Norton & Companu. $26.95. 304 pages. (Available in Hardcover)
S
ampat Pal emerges as a courageous grass-roots organizer of woman power in one of the most lawless and least developed districts of India. She is an unlikely heroine. Illiteracy and teenage motherhood have not held her back from heading a women’s vigilante group that fights for the rights of women who have been denied justice in the traditional patriarchal system. Consistent with the notion that “well-behaved women rarely make history,” the Pink Sari gang employs fierce and shaming methods such as gherao (surrounding buildings or people), thoo thoo (spitting) campaign, and the chappal ka haar (garland of shoes). Sampat Pal can hardly be called Gandhian; yet despite her skirmishes with the law, she has stopped short of becoming a Phoolan Devi style outlaw. Sampat Lal, an illiterate woman appears to be working quite effectively against not only gender norms and class, but also the caste system. Her iconoclastic and heretical behavior has earned her many enemies, but also the loyalty, trust and adulation of the lieutenants of the Pink Sari gang members. The book has an interesting narrative style—a journalistic story that unfolds like an action novel with anthropological detail. Fontanella-Khan frequently lets actions speak for themselves. Sampat Lal has left the home of her husband, and lives with her mentor, Babuji, but the relationship remains unacknowledged. Neither is the author keen to gloss over the frequently contradictory and unflattering details of this heroine’s life, including her incarceration, criminal relatives, and a bombastic, self-aggrandizing style. A fine example of self-help organizations emerging from low technology contexts. n Geetika Pathania Jain is a Bay Area resident. She is currently teaching at DeAnza College.
Edited transcript of the conversation between Amana Fontanella-Khan and Geetika Pathania Jain, held at City Lights Bookstore, San Francisco. (September 19, 2013) Geetika Pathania Jain: It has been said that well-behaved women rarely make history, and I think we will see much evidence of this fact as we proceed with this evening. What is the book about? Amana Fontanella-Khan: So the book is about the Pink gang. They were founded in 2006, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the north of India. They fight for women’s rights. They take on abusive husbands, corrupt politicians, crooked police, and they really do that in a muscular, feisty way. They go on to the streets with their sticks and their pink saris, and they really take on oppressors in a part of the country that has been described as lawless, it’s kind of this Wild West. Sampat Pal is the founder, and the commander-in-chief of the gang. She’s the woman who was married off at the age of 12, and had the first of her five children at 15. And she is the face of the gang. I read in your book that the mission of the Pink Sari gang is “equality and justice for women, the lower castes, and the poor.” Some of Sampat’s very fierce and shaming methods are remarkable,
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with lots of public humiliation of the offending powerful person. I don’t think these are Gandhian methods, Amana. What do you think? (laughter) Do you want to comment on how she might have gained something from another famous protestor? Amana Fontanella-Khan: They’re definitely not Gandhian methods. Sampat, even though she has a lot of respect for Gandhi, is someone who wants change now. She wants to seize the opportunity to challenge people in power, and she takes her opponents head on. Her experience is that people will not give you freedom, you have to snatch it. So, yes, in terms of her methods, she uses a lot of humiliation. She’s also very witty, and fun, and she understands that in order to attract media attention, you have to deliver protests that get people talking. Yes, they regularly use these kind of playful protests. On one occasion, there was a local Chief Minister called Mayawati who suggested that Sampat and her organization were terrorists. So Sampat organized a prayer at a local temple and she invited journalists to come, and once they arrived, she started making these offernings to the deity, and prayed out aloud for the sanity of the local administration, because, clearly, they had lost their minds. She does these tonguein-cheek protests that people just love. Most of the time, yes, she’s using her mind and
creativity over muscle. So, while, it may not be Gandhian, it’s certainly not that aggressive. While they are armed with sticks, they rarely go about beating anyone. They like the muscular, aggressive image, because it helps keep everyone in line. And it announces that they mean business. But they understand that their power comes from their ability to get their message out to the media, to get support, and that is something that they’re very good at doing. It’s amazing how well orchestrated this group is. It started off as being a self-help group, and now they have a 200,000 strong membership without access to Facebook or any social networking or technology. Each woman calls five neighborhood women to show up. So, it’s a remarkably effective, low technology social movement. Tell me, what made you interested in this story? Amana Fontanella-Khan: I happened to hear about this from a friend. He was an interpreter, he was working with Sampat Pal, and he was telling me about the organization, and I was just struck by it. You hear so many stories about women in India who are oppressed, who are suffering, who are being tortured and abused. And it’s very easy to focus on women as being victims of fate. That they’re born into situations, and they can’t do anything about it.
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When you live in India, there’s such a huge gap between the haves and the have-nots, that if you are somewhat privileged, you find yourself looking at people living in slums, or people living in small villages, who are very poor, and asking yourself—what would I have done if I were in that situation? How would I have turned out if I were born in a context like this? And for the longest time, I dreaded pursuing that train of thought, because it just felt so horrible to think that I wouldn’t have had any agency. But what I’ve learned, and what attracted me to the Pink Gang was that absolutely anyone, regardless of background, regardless of the circumstance in which they were born, have agency, and can have power to direct the course of their lives. This was something that I was really drawn to; the gang represents this story of hope and victory over victimhood. That is a really important message. While it’s important to talk about the suffering of women, if that’s all we’re talking about, then we’re dehumanizing women. You’re talking about them as if they have no agency, that they’re just passive. And these women are anything but passive. I really wanted to hear their story. And what a fascinating story it is. Thank you, Amana! Amana Fontanella Khan: Thank you! n
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t is the time to get an early start for your 2013 tax return filing. The following steps will guide you through organizing your documents.
Good Recordkeeping
Maintaining good records can make filing tax returns easier and help keep track of taxable transactions made during the year, which can help reduce tax liability. Here are a few steps to ensure good recordkeeping. • Keep any and all documents that may have an impact on your tax returns, leading to more legitimate deductions and less tax liability • Keep your records in a safe place. You may like to organize them by year and type of income or expense, or keep all records related to a particular item in a designated envelope or folder. Keep all the documents in a folder and label it “2013-Tax Return Filing.” • Keeping organized records ensures you can answer questions if your return is selected for examination or prepare a response if you receive a notice from the taxing authorities.
Gather Tax Documents as You Get Them By Mail
Save all documents you receive in the mail as they contain information that you will need for tax return preparation. Review each document as it comes in so that your tax preparer can correct discrepancies well before he/she starts preparing your tax return. If there is a mistake, getting a corrected W-2 or 1099 form can take time, so don’t wait until the last minute. Typical forms you will receive may include: • W-2 forms from your employers • Unemployment compensation and state tax refunds: Form 1099-G • Miscellaneous income, including rent and royalties: Form 1099-MISC • 1099-INT (interest) and 1099-DIV (dividend) forms • 1099-B forms showing brokerage trades in stocks and bonds, along with statements showing when you bought and sold your investments • K-1 Income and deductions from partnership, S corporations, trusts and estates • 1099-SA form showing Social Security or railroad retirement benefits • 1099-R distributions from pensions, 44 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
annuities, retirement or profit-sharing plans, IRAs, insurance contracts, etc. • Proof of jury duty pay • Proof of alimony you received • Records of income and expenses for your rental property • Records of income and expenses for your self-employment • Scholarships and fellowships • Prizes and awards • Gambling and lottery winnings • IRS Publication 915
Income From Sources Outside the United States
List all income received from foreign banks/financial institutions to report interest income. You will have to complete the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) (Form TDF 90.22.1) for individuals having a combined balance over $10,000 at anytime during the year. In addition, single taxpayers with financial assets of $50,000 and over in one year need to complete Form 8938 to be in compliance with the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). For those that are Married Filing Jointly the requirement of financial assets is $100,000 and over in one year. Additionally, all other income sourced outside the United States (e.g. rental, dividends, interest, etc.) are required to be reported as world income. Taxing authorities have become very diligent in assuring that the taxpayer is in compliance with reporting of income from outside the United States and financial assets held overseas.
Itemize Deductions
To get all the possible legitimate deductions, go through your checkbooks, credit card statements and receipts for cash purchases. Itemize expenses into medical, union dues, mortgage interest, real estate taxes, charitable donations, unreimbursed work related expenses, personal property taxes (i.e. DMV license fee), and any other expense which might be applicable in your case. These documents may include: • Health care expenses (doctors, dentists, health insurance, eye care, medicine) • Real estate taxes • Motor vehicle registration (Vehicle License Fee—VLF)
• Mortgage interest paid (1098) • Home equity loan interest • Gifts to charities and churches (monetary and other) • Last year’s tax preparation fees • Unreimbursed job related expenses (union dues, job education, uniforms) • Loss of property due to casualty or theft • Gambling losses (to the extent of winnings) • Contributions to your traditional or SEP-IRA • Qualified moving expenses • College expenses (Student loan interest 1098-E) • Daycare, childcare, or adult daycare costs • Rental property expenses • Alimony paid • Adoption expenses • Job-hunting expenses • Investment expenses (e.g. margin interest, etc.) • Unreimbursed business or volunteer work expenses If you paid estimated taxes, keep a summary of your federal and state estimated payments and canceled checks. Other documents that may be helpful are: • HUD-1 Escrow statement for property you bought or sold • Summary of educational expenses (college tuition) • IRA contributions (traditional, SEP, or rollovers)
Schedule Your Tax Appointment Early
Schedule your tax appointment as soon as you get most of the documents in the mail. Afterwards, you may need to chase down missing records or resolve other problems before the April 15th filling deadline. n The above information is of a general nature and should be treated as such and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without professional assistance or advice. Khorshed Alam is a practicing CPA and business valuation analyst. He is the President and CEO of Alam Accountancy Corporation.Check out http://alamcpatax.com or call (408) 4451120.
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travel
Magic of Machu Picchu By Riz Mithani Machu Picchu
D
uring the usual spiel about oxygen masks descending under conditions of reduced air pressure on a Colombian owned airline originating in Guayaquil, Ecuador, with its non-stop destination to Lima, Peru, we are informed that there is no oxygen mask in the lavatory. We are further informed that under those aforementioned circumstances of low pressure and in the event that we happen to be in the lavatory sans any mask containing oxygen, we must make a dash back to either our own assigned seats or any other seats that happen to be empty. Whilst you ponder the implications of the above in a situation that may catch you with your pants down and out of breath, we are here to talk about our journey to the land of the Incas, who ruled during the period from the 13th to the 16th century and who assuredly did not have the toilet sensitivities that we do today. The Inca empire not only encompassed what is modern day Peru, but stretched into large parts of modern day Ecuador and Bolivia as well as significant portions of what is today Chile, Argentina and Colombia. On our way to Machu Picchu, Lima, the modern capital of Peru, simply happens to be an overnight destination where the airport hotel holds a monopoly with over-the-top nightly rates. From Lima we headed to the imperial city of Cusco in Peru, the original capital of the Incas. Despite the fact that Cusco is situated at an altitude of 11,200 feet above sea level, the altitude does not get you as soon as you disembark from your plane. You will continue to have your wits about you if you wish to haggle your taxi ride into town from the asking rate of 30 soles ($10.7) to 20 ($7.13) or 25 ($8.91), which I personally found a moot point, as it is just a couple of dollars or so different, particularly since having forked over a grand and a half of those dollars per person for the multi-city airplane fare to the Colombian airline alluded to earlier in this treatise. The Hotel La Casa De Selenque, con-
52 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
ens. It was inhabited by women from all veniently located behind a Starbucks on over the empire who were renowned for the second floor in a calle (street) just off their beauty and noble lineage. Once they the main Plaza de Armas square, did have entered the compound, they lived as nuns a supply of “hot cocoa tea” and “raw cocoa till the day they died. In 1650 the monastery leaves,” which everyone assured us was not was destroyed by an earthquake, and rebuilt narcotic in nature, and merely prevents the to what it is today, a simple structure with onset of altitude sickness and cures the ones a single nave along the northeastern side of already suffering from it. This ensured that the building. we did not really need the supply of sugar Early the next morning it was time to laced ginger candies or the gingko root, catch the Perurail Vistadome train that chugs which possess similar curative powers, both along the breathtakingly scenic Urubamba of which we had diligently packed in our River. As the man of the house, regardless suitcase. of the strides made towards equality by During our four hours walking The city of Cusco A Creative Commons Image through the town of Cusco, we visited the impressive Monasterio de Santa Catalina (Monastery of Saint Catherine). During Inca times this monastery was the site for a building called Aqllawasi, or the House of the Chosen Maid-
the feminine sex, I am usually the one who has to rub my eyes open when the iPhone alarm buzzes. I stumble my way to the bathroom where I am met with the sight of the letters C and F in the shower instead of the familiar C and H. I surmise that the word for Hot in Espanol possibly has its roots in Fahrenheit, and promptly turn up the F, barely managing to suppress a scream as the freezing water strikes my skin. I take a step back, curse the mechanic who screwed on the shower taps incorrectly and turn up the one marked C settling into a blissful hot shower. I only realized my gaffe when the Vistadome rolled into its final destination of Aguas “Calientes,” the name the town derives from its “Hot” Springs. Aguas Calientes is the only gateway to Machu Picchu for average people and their grandma, who cannot undertake the 4 day 3 night arduous trek along the Inca trail, and it is a tourist trap if you have ever seen one. Hotels with bare minimum facilities charge upwards of a 100 U.S. dollars a night, while bananas may cost a dollar a piece. Nevertheless, we found a great vegetarian option in Govinda’s which besides serving the staple Italian cuisine extracts fresh fruit juices that are to die for. The highlight is the huge seven-dollar Indian style vegetarian samosas (one can fill you up) made from scratch and are worth the half-hour wait. Pachacutec, the main alley through the town of Aguas Calientes, slopes at an angle of close to 45 degrees providing good exercise in preparation for the trek ahead. Walking down Pachacutec towards the Central Plaza, we spot a sign indicating that tickets to Machu Picchu must be purchased in
Urubamba River
this town, there being none sold at its gate. So far so good, but the real adventure of the evening begins when the lady at the counter of the only ticket office in town informs us that they only accept cash for the 128 soles (about 50 dollars) per person, and it must be in soles. You remain undaunted that they do not accept credit cards as all you have to do is walk up the 45 degree sloping Pachacutec to your hotel room and retrieve the 100 dollar bills that you have stashed away in the seams of your luggage for emergencies. Next morning, it’s not even 5 a.m. and we already have a couple of hundred people in line waiting for the first buses that leave at 5.30 a.m. to the gates of the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu city. Each bus holds about 35 people and it is highly recommended that you purchase the bus tickets the previous evening, as by 5.30 a.m. there are over a 1000 people in line. Over 5000 people visit Machu Picchu every day which includes the permitted 500 brave souls enduring the Inca trail who enter the site through the Sun Gate (the first vantage point from which the
Interlocking Stones at Machu Picchu
Grand City of Machu Picchu is visible). The Inca architecture is fascinating. We are talking about stones weighing from under a ton to over 50 tons that have been polished to rectangular angles (some with as many as 32 angles to them) that interlock with each other without the use of anything similar to mortar or cement; these behemoths just sit on top of each other and are able to withstand earthquakes because of the stability afforded to the structures by being tilted to an 85 degree angle to form trapezoids. The contrast between the original surviving structures from over five to eight centuries ago and the ones that have been restored by archeologists in the last few decades is striking; the latter has already started to show wear and cracks, while the former remains pristine such that you cannot even slide a wafer thin knife between two adjacent stones. Upon inquiry regarding how the Incas managed to get such huge boulders up to the Old Peak (this is what the name Machu Picchu means), our tour guide with all seriousness told us that they used the Mick Jagger principle—Rolling Stones! Jovial as these tour guides are, always attempting comedy for your benefit, one thing common amongst all of them is that they hate the Spaniards for destroying their cultural heritage and imposing their language. Hey, my birth country, India, was under British colonial rule just over 65 years ago but I have not run into many compatriots possessing similar hatred towards the Brits. Peru has been independent from Spanish rule for almost 200 years when most current Peruvian’s great great grandparents were not even born. One tour guide told us the story of how the destruction of the Inca Empire began very animatedly in the Qorikancha (Sun Temple in Cusco). A Dominican friar accompanying the Spanish conqueror Pizarro offered a Bible to the Inca king Atahualpa, the latter promptly put it to his ear and declared that he could not hear the word of God and apparently threw the holy book to the ground, following which blasphemous act, a bloody battle ensued in which the primitive weapons of the Inca natives were no match for the cannons of the Spaniards. Interestingly there is also a little bit of height envy as it was repeatedly pointed out that the Inca royals were only 160 cms tall on average (5.2 feet). The guide books crown Hiram Bingham as the discoverer of Machu Picchu, which is not the opinion of our tour guide. Machu Picchu, the seat of high priests, royal astronomers and star engineers, was abandoned in the 1500s when the Spanish invaded Peru and was apparently forgotten resulting in February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 53
forest cover growing over it for more than three centuries. The real story apparently is that the locals discovered the site a couple of decades before Hiram Bingham staked his claim, and he simply piggy bagged off this local knowledge backed by the muscle of National Geographic and the prestige of Yale University. The more relevant act of deceit though may be regarding the whereabouts of the Inca Gold at Machu Picchu. The 147 crates of artifacts carted away did not contain a single piece made of gold. The probability that there was no gold on the Old Peak is close to zero, given its stature and importance at that time. One story says that Bingham shipped the gilded precious material off to Europe but on its way the ship was intercepted by pirates following which the golden treasure is now at the bottom of the Atlantic; this would make a good movie plot, or the basis for a Steve Berry novel. Our tour guide mentioned that 147 (a recurrent number!) sarcophagi mummies were found at Machu Picchu. These were not blood sacrifices like those of the Mayas or the Aztecs. These sacrifices were voluntary ones achieved by the intake of hallucinogenic flowers, the fact apparently deduced from the way the mummies were positioned. Although initially thought that all 147 were male, it was latter concluded that roughly
54 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
half of them were female, making one wonder if this was not some ancient equivalent of a rave party where they had overdosed on hallucinogens. The reason to arrive early in the morning is to be able to see the sun rise behind the mountains around 8 a.m. As its rays make their way to the sun temple, the sight is spectacular even though we had missed the winter solstice by a couple of weeks. The winter solstice in the southern hemisphere occurs during the summer solstice in the North. When you visit the southern hemisphere, be sure to look up at the night sky to spot the Southern Cross Constellation, the smallest of the 88 modern ones, which cannot be seen from the northern hemisphere. Learning such tidbits is inevitable when roaming Machu Picchu whose major raison d’être is Astronomy. To the Incas, the East was the most important cardinal direction; they worshipped the Sun not unlike most ancient religions which were termed pagan after the rise of Christianity and Islam. The North is the most important cardinal direction to modern cultures for the more mundane needs of navigation. The Incas also had a special relationship with the Milky Way which they considered the celestial river, where they saw images of the Condor, the Puma and the Snake, the Inca symbols of power in the heavens,
the earth and the nether respectively; not surprisingly they were also able to visualize the llama. Inside the Inca Sacristy on Machu Picchu, the tour guide makes one of our tour members put their ear inside a niche in the ancient wall and another one of us inside a different niche of the same wall. He asks the first member to make sounds like “O,” “Aaa,” and “Eee,” which then travels through the stone wall to the other fella who has his ear peeled. This exercise proves that the acoustics here were great and hence music must have been played here in the Inca times. The last note on our travels has to be about drinking Chicha, which we are assured is not alcoholic, but you can be floored regardless after consuming five or six glasses. This is all the better because if one more tour guide tells me about how perfect the Inca construction is without the use of mortar, I am going to snap; tell me something that I don’t already know! n Riz Mithani is a graduate of IIT Bombay and ekes out a living in the Bay Area by peddling simple business and technology solutions to highly complex problems that provide a real return on investment. When he is not dancing or traveling, he blogs occasionally at rizmit.wordpress. com
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recipes
Cuttacki Street Fare By Jagruti Vedamati
T
he name itself conjures up thousands of memories and for anyone who’s ever been to Cuttack or hails from the city, needs no introduction to this legendary street food—known as “Dahi Bara Aloo Dum” or “Dahi Bara.” For the uninitiated, this street food is the combination of Dahi Vada topped with Aloo Dum and Guguni (yellow peas curry), served generously garnished with cut onions, coriander leaves and sev. The savory tartness of the Dahi Vada perfectly complements the spicy Aloo Dum and Guguni and all of it wonderfully comes together with the crunchiness of the onions and the sev. It’s truly a wonder how all three distinct dishes can meld together in this unique, indescribable way. Despite its iconic status within the state, it’s a pity that outside Orissa hardly many people know about it. Every nook and corner of Cuttack beams with a Dahi Bara vendor these days and despite the growing fervor for “westernized” fast food, I can very gladly say
56 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
that little has changed as far as its popularity goes. Quite aptly put, it’s the “Vada Pav” of Cuttack in the nature of which it has wormed its way into people’s hearts and stomachs. I have known people eating this street food for all three meals for several days together. But unlike the Pav Bhaji or the Vada Pav, it really hasn’t received the recognition it deserves. I am sure, absolutely sure, that all that is required is a little bit of promotion and this street fare can exceed many iconic Indian foods in the lovability quotient. Having grown up in Cuttack, my love for this street delicacy represents festivity and all such happy times when as kids we would savor every bite of the street food we were occasionally allowed to eat. It conjures up cheerful childhood memories of springing towards the gate as soon as the vendor rang his cycle bell and drummed the container to attract attention. It was difficult to contain the excitement of holding the “thola” (the container made leaves) in our hands. Yes,
sometimes managing the thola in our tiny hands did get difficult, but that never discouraged us from gulping it all down and not to forget the last desperate plea for some more dahi paani (“tike dahi debe bhaina”) or some crunchy sev. Just like every other delicacy we have loved, my Ma has tried her hand many a time at making this dish and well, after a few failures, did get it right. Now, with my Ma around, I had the privilege and the luxury of learning how to make this iconic, street food. We had a total blast making this and, yes, a memorable time eating it too. I am sure this is going to be made on many such occasions when I feel the need to go back to Cuttack. My own quick timetravel, you see. n Jagruti Vedamati writes from Los Angeles and is currently juggling a hectic Ph.D. life with food blogging. You can find her recipes at turmerickitchen.blogspot.com.
Dahi Bara
Clockwise from the left) Guguni, Dahi Bara, Aloo Dum, Plate of chopped onions, cilantro and sev and the final “Dahi Bara Aloo Dum” plate.
Dahi Bara (Dahi Vada)
Savory and tangy fried lentil donuts soaked in a thin yogurt base forms the heart of this street food. Light and fluffy, it forms the perfect neutral base to complement the spicy additions. Ingredients (Makes ~12 medium sized vadas) 1 cup urad dal ¾ cup rice flour 1 tsp baking soda Oil for frying ½ cup yogurt (dahi) ¼ cup water Salt to taste Black salt to taste Cumin and red chilli powder (optional) 1 tbsp oil ½ tsp mustard seeds 2 whole dry red chillies
Method: i) Soak the whole urad dal overnight in luke warm water (6-8 hrs). ii) After the dal is perfectly soaked (it will feel light and puffed up), grind to a smooth batter. Keep it aside for ~4-5 hrs for fermentation in a dark, warm place. iii) The batter rises up and the surface has many small bubbles. Now slowly mix in the rice flour and baking soda. Keep it aside overnight. iv) For the dahi: In a small vessel, thin out the dahi with some water. Add salt to taste, black salt and cumin powder. v) Heat up the oil. Wet your palms and make a donut shaped batter. Slowly slide the donut shaped batter into the oil. Fry till golden brown. vi) In another bowl, add some salt to iced water and keep aside. vii) Soak the fried vadas in the salted water till soft and fully soaked. viii) After the vada becomes soft, gently squeeze out the water and place it in the dahi. ix) For the garnish: Add oil to a pan, splutter some mustard seeds, curry leaves and dry red chillies. Then, pour the tadka on the dahi vada.
Aloo dum
Spiced potatoes in a thick tomato gravy provides the necessary spice for this dish. It can also be eaten by itself with poori or with rotis. Ingredients ½ lb small or regular sized potatoes 2 tbsp oil ¼ tsp turmeric powder ½ cup onion and ginger garlic paste ½ cup tomato puree ¼ tsp red chilli powder 1 tsp curry powder ¼ tsp garam masala powder ¼ tsp sugar 1 cup water Salt to taste Chopped cilantro leaves to garnish Method: i) Boil whole potatoes. Peel and keep aside. ii) In a separate pan over medium heat, lightly sauté the boiled potatoes with salt and turmeric powder. Take it out of the pan and keep aside. iii) In the same pan, add the onion, ginger and garlic paste to oil. Add in salt, red chilli powder and turmeric powder. iv) Then, add in tomato puree little at a time and sauté the masala till the oil separates. v) Now add in curry powder, sugar, garam masala powder and the potatoes. Add water and bring it to a boil. When oil floats at the top, it is done. vi) Sprinkle chopped coriander and keep aside.
Guguni
This spiced yellow peas curry can be eaten just by itself or along with rotis or pooris. Ingredients ¼ lb yellow peas
Guguni (Left) and Aloo Dum (Right)
2 tbsp oil ¼ tsp turmeric powder ½ cup onion and ginger garlic paste ½ cup tomato puree ¼ tsp red chilli powder 1 tsp sambar powder ¼ tsp garam masala powder ¼ tsp sugar 2 cup water Salt to taste Method: i) Soak the yellow peas overnight in lukewarm water. ii) Boil the soaked peas in a pressure cooker with a pinch of salt and turmeric powder. Take it off the stove after a whistle from the pressure cooker or after 20 minutes of cooking. iii) In a separate pan over medium heat, add onion, ginger and garlic paste to the heated oil. Mix in salt, red chilli powder and turmeric powder. iv) Then add tomato puree a little at a time and sauté the masala till the oil separates. v) Now add in sambhar powder, sugar, garam masala powder and the boiled yellow peas. Add water and bring it to a boil. When oil floats to the top, it is done.
Assembling the Dahi Bara Aloo Dum and Guguni Ingredients for the garnish 1 cup chopped onions 1 cup chopped cilantro 1 cup chopped mint (Optional) Sev Method: In a bowl, place 2-3 dahi vadas and a little bit of dahi. Then scoop in some aloo dum and guguni. Then add in some more dahi and sprinkle some black salt and cumin red chilli powder. Garnish the dish with cut onions, coriander leaves and sev. Now dig into it and savor every bite! Like they say, there’s nothing more effective than food and music to conjure up happy memories of time well spent. Have fun preparing this and sharing with your loved ones. n February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 57
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Choosing Therapy By Jasbina Ahluwalia
Q
In last month’s column, I recall that you had responded to the question of a woman whose husband had just requested a separation. One of the suggestions you had made was for her to ask her husband if he’d go to marriage counseling. Any suggestions as to how to go about doing that?
A
When one person is requesting a separation, just waiting and hoping for that partner to eventually come around could be a mistake. It is unrealistic and wishful thinking to think the marriage will just fix itself due to the passage of time alone, without teamwork and/or some form of outside professional support. When choosing a counselor or therapist, it may help to choose one that the partner requesting the separation would likely be most comfortable with, since they may be apprehensive about seeking therapy, as many people can be. For example, if you think they would be more comfortable talking to
a woman vs. a man, choose accordingly. It will increase your chances of their agreeing to go. Once the initial fears about therapy are calmed and you both feel comfortable with your therapist, the first step will have been taken and the real work can begin. A therapist will be able to pinpoint the root of your marital tension without laying blame on either of you, while gently guiding the two of you on to a more unified, productive course for your relationship. This should put your mind at ease. If the therapist believes that either of you has issues unrelated to the marriage, he or she may recommend individual sessions for you both in addition to your couples appointments. Working on yourselves independently is not only good for you personally, it is extremely effective in re-establishing communication between the two of you, bringing you back to the point in your relationship when you felt more attached. Knowing when to let go is a process. The
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first step to knowing is doing everything in your power to resolve the problem. Keeping an open mind, being patient with each other (even when the other person is not) and being completely open and honest will help you succeed. If, after doing the necessary work, you find there is no way to reconcile your differences, you will then know it is time to let go. If you believe your relationship’s foundation was once strong and you wish to rebuild it, now is the time to put everything you’ve got into saving it. Whether you stay together eventually, or not, you will know in your heart you did your very best and that will give you the peace of mind you deserve. n Jasbina is the founder and president of Intersections Match, the only personalized matchmaking and dating coaching firm serving singles of South Asian descent in the United States. She is also the host of Intersections Talk Radio. Jasbina@intersectionsmatch.com.
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Aziz Ansari: Comedy and Commentary
I
was walking in downtown San Francisco, one evening, when I overheard two men talking: “I hate technology. I forwarded the email to her, and she posted it on ...” It seemed to be a discussion about singles, dating, and technology and the first person that came to mind was, of course, Aziz Ansari! On September 7, 2013, I attended a comedy show of Parks and Recreation star Aziz Ansari at the Victoria Theater in Dayton, Ohio. The evening started out with Ansari allowing the audience to take a picture of him on stage, a practice that had just previously been announced as prohibited. Ansari wondered why fans were so eager for a picture that would inevitably be blurry. Ansari then began his act dedicated to dating and relationships in today’s climate of smartphones and texting. Ansari emphasized the awkwardness and difficulty of dating in modern life, drawing upon some of his own experiences, those of his friends and even reading an audience member’s texts on her phone. I thoroughly enjoyed the humor laced social commentary on how texting changes the ebb and flow of relationships, changes the power dynamic, and creates new uncertainties and anxiety in the dating process. Appearing on the Conan O’Brien show in November 2013, Aziz elicited several rounds of laughter with his comments. “[Dating in today’s texting era] is pretty much now like you’re a secretary for this really shoddy organization scheduling the dumbest shit with the flakiest people ever.” “I see people my age getting married to people they don’t know that well, sometimes to people they’ve known for a year and a half. A year and a half! Is that enough time to get to know someone to spend the rest of your life with someone? A year and a half? I’ve had sweaters for a year and a half and I’m like what the f*** am I doing with this sweater?” “Imagine if marriage didn’t exist and you’re a guy and you’re asking a woman to get married. Imagine what that conversation would be. You’d be like ‘hey, so, you know how we’ve been spending a lot of time together, doing a lot of stuff together, hanging out like everything?’ ‘oh yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.’ ‘I want to keep doing that till you’re dead!’” Talking about his fascination with today’s world of romance, Ansari explained, “I’m 70 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
By Apurva Desai
super-fascinated by how texting and modern technology have made the early stages of our romantic interactions frustrating—that roller coaster of emotions you go through when you text some girl you are into, asking about dinner. You don’t hear back for hours, and you are going crazy. Then you look on Instagram, and she’s, like, posting a photo of her dog and you’re like, What the f*#!? Why are you Instagramming photos of your puppy, you rude piece of s*#!? Respond to my text! I started talking about stuff like that and was stunned by how much it seemed to resonate—such a specific, modern conundrum that has become almost universal. In a few hours of no texting, you can go from elation at meeting someone to total horror and anger.” Ansari was given an advance of $3.5M from Penguin Press to write a book on this topic. Here’s how the publisher describes the untitled book, which is expected to be published in September 2015. “[The book] will provide an investigation into what Ansari argues is an entirely new era for singles, in which the basic issues facing a single person—whom we meet, how we meet them, and what happens next—have been radically altered by new technologies.” At first glance, it feels quite surprising that a comedian like Ansari would be able to credibly write about dating. But when you peel back the onion, it isn’t that surprising. As a comedian, Ansari is constantly observing and finding humor in the the human condition. And being single in New York, he’s likely to have experienced the trials and
tribulations of the dating game in perhaps the most competitive and challenging place in the country. As Scott Moyers from Penguin Press says, “So much of Aziz Ansari’s brilliant humor comes from grasping the hidden forces that govern our everyday lives. I’m delighted but not surprised that he is the one who is going to make sense of the strange new world that singles have to navigate today.” What I really find surprising about this book and the willingness of both the public and publisher to have Ansari serve as an expert on dating in this decade is not that he is a comedian, but that he is an Indian American comedian. Ansari was born in 1983 in Columbia, South Carolina to immigrant professional parents from Tamil Nadu, India. South Carolina is not thought of as a hotbed for Indian Americans, evidenced by the 2010 Census which shows that in Columbia there were 878 Indians, or 0.7% of the total city population. Undoubtedly, during his teenage years, the Indian population would have been even lower. Admittedly, I haven’t come across any mention of Ansari’s dating life in South Carolina, but given that level of diversity, it’s unlikely that any Indian American, even a funny, handsome one, would have been in dating demand. Indian Americans have made notable contributions in fields such as medicine, academia, science, mathematics, and business, but sustained notoriety in public facing fields such as media and entertainment feels like a newer phenomenon. While some would debate whether Ansari’s dating expertise is one of the desired areas of assimilation, the fact that it could happen is a clear example of diversity in career and lifestyle choices. While there is certainly a long way to go, as evidenced by the backlash from a few misguided vocal critics on Twitter against the recent Indian-American Miss America winner Nina Davulur not being American enough to hold such a crown, Ansari’s example is a comforting sign of progress. n Apurva Desai lives in the Silicon Valley where he has worked for leading Internet and Mobile companies ranging from large giants to emerging startups for the last decade. You can find him on Twitter @apurvadesai and at his personal site apurvadesai.com .
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 71
72 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Montalvo Arts Center Habib Khan in a solo Indian classical sitar concert accompanied by Vishal Nagar on tabla
Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 4 PM
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Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga, CA 95070 $ 100 – VIP | $ 50 – Premier | $ 20 – General Admission For tickets & info:
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Classes in Sitar, Vocal and Tabla offered for all levels at many Bay Area locations. February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 73 For information call 650-255-9752 | 408-528-0786 or email: habibkhansitarist@gmail.com
74 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
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music
T
February Favorites By Vidya Sridhar
he new year brings with it a bunch of new releases and promises for lots of great albums. I am personally looking
Movie Jai Ho; Music: Sajid-Wajid Lyrics: Sameer Anjaan Singers: Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal, Shabab Sabri Salman’s first movie after almost a year, so, needless to say, it must be good. Sallu Bhai has a thing for “naina.” “Tere Naina” will remind you of “Tere Mast Mast do Nain” and “Dagabaaz Re.” Totally beautiful. The refreshing use of tabla instead of the dhol is welcome. n
forward to Highway by A.R.Rahman. Lots of fun music and big banner releases to look forward to this year. n
Movie: Dhoom 3; Music Pritam Chakraborty Lyrics: Sameer Anjaan Singers: Siddharth Mahadevan, Shilpa Rao This is an awesome composition that has a superb fusion of sufi and rock, camouflaged in an Arabic, Western and Hindustani background. The “Dhoom” signature tune has been incorporated within the “Malang” track perfectly. n
Movie: Hasee Toh Phasee; Music: Vishal-Shekhar Singers: Sunidhi Chauhan, Benny Dayal The latest from the Dharma banner by Vishal-Shekhar. I love this song and you will too. It’s one of those you won’t be able to get out of your head. Upbeat and rhythm heavy with a strong Punjabi flavor, this will definitely be replayed at Indian weddings across the globe. n 76 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Vidya Sridhar works at NASA and is a mom of two elementary school children. She lives and breathes all things filmi.
Movie: Highway; Music: A.R. Rahman Lyrics: Irshad Kamil Singers: Jyoti Nooran, Sultana Nooran Finally A.R.Rahman and a song that is really refreshing and different. This song grows on you. It sounds both modern as well as rustic. The mood is masterfully manipulated by Rahman. n
Movie: Dedh Ishqiya; Music: Vishal Bhardwaj Lyrics: Gulzar Singer: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan This ballad is just exquisite. It is one of those haunting songs with beautiful music and unforgettable lyrics by Gulzar. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's soulful voice reaches hidden places and floods with warmth. n
In Memoriam
Mrs. Visalakshi Naranan
Upcoming Events
Survived by her husband Dr. S. Naranan 3 Daughters, Vidya, Venil, Gomathy and 2 grandchildren Ashwin and Amrita
Shruthi Swara Laya, USA, is a fine arts institution dedicated to Performing Arts in Indian Music and Dance. Saturday, February 22, 2014 Saturday, February 8, 2014 Time: 1:30 pm Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Trivalley Music Circle Venue: Siddhi Vinayakar Temple, Blacow Rd, Fremont
Solo Vocal Performances by
Maithrreiiyi Raghunathan Sunday, February 9, 2014 Aarthi Muthukumar Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Adiya Satyadeep (Violin) Venue: Shiva Murugan Temple, Concord Atul Raman (Mridangam)
Carnatic Vocal Classes in Fremont / Dublin For more info regardingCarnatic Vocal Classes contact: Anu
Suresh 510-552-5824 • ggavimal@sbcglobal.net www.shruthiswaralaya.com
08/31/1934 - 08/04/2013
A Daughter's Prayer Gomathy Naranan I search for you… Your face, your voice, your feel, In your letters, prayer books, photos and memories Things I can cling to and hold forever Tears spring silently, at a thought, a touch, a hug, and flow unashamedly, unabated Onto my face, and pillow I pray to you… In my dreams, and out, night and day Asking for your holy blessings, that only you can give Your gentleness surrounds me A life of beauty and struggle, lived with such courage and grace Oh Angel, I bow on bended knees to your divine Spirit I whisper to you… My hopes, worries and dreams that only you can hear Like the light of a new moon, your love envelops me We have Eternity to share together I find you… In my Heart, glowing softly, In Love and Peace For all Time February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 77
films
Love Among Thieves By Aniruddh Chawda
DEDH ISHQIYA. Director: Abhishek Chaubey. Players: Naseeruddin Shah, Madhuri Dixit, Arshad Warsi, Huma Qureshi, Vijay Raaz. Music: Vishal Bhardwaj. Hindi with Eng. Sub-tit. Theatrical release (Shemaroo).
T
he business of making sequels is still new for Hindi movies. While this worldwide filmmaking trend of late has mostly been used to cash in the builtin audience for previously successful megabudget action movies, it’s now producer Bhardwaj and director Chaubey’s turn with a smaller entry. Adding to the success of their quirky, myth-making and off-beat 2010 entry Ishqiya, the duo return with the equally off-beat Dedh Ishqiya, which amounts to an amoral, asymmetrical, myth-busting romantic comedy-thriller. Staged in a grownup playground where just about everyone—yes, everyone—is painted in shades of gray mischief, Begum Para (Dixit), a refined and rich widow with an egalitarian nawab-princely following, announces a poetry contest where she will marry the winner and immediately attracts the attention of Khalu-jaan (Shah), a ruffian with a dubious past. Posing as refined gentry, Khalu is soon joined by his bumbling sidekick Babban (Warsi). Before Khalu and Babban can even roll up their sleeves to defraud the beautiful widow, Khalu finds himself drawn to Begum Para and Babban is smitten with the Begum’s vivacious maid-attendant Munniya (Qureshi). At heart, Begum Para’s opulent marital sweepstakes is what the ancients called a “swayamvar,” a Hindu ritual that allowed a woman to choose a husband from multiple suitors, a thematic fodder for umpteen modern day TV reality shows in India. Retro-fitting an ancient ritual with modern sensibilities—or lack thereof—is a clever trick employed in Chaubey’s script here. In addition to diddling with an ancient marriage ritual with a lascivious edge, Dedh Ishqiya also wittingly or unwittingly emerges as championing gay rights. The refreshingly candid portrayal of a same-sex relationship as a pivotal element in the story is captured delicately and without judgmental innuendos. Regardless of when the gay angle was plotted into the movie, in the wake of a decision by 78 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
India’s highest court recently striking down legal protections for millions of LGBT folks in India, this gutsy move by Bhardwaj and Chaubey hits an even more profound sociopolitical note. When Bhardwaj, the maestro, teams up with lyricist Gulzar, the result has often been enchanting (Maachis, Omkara). The arc continues here with a breathtakingly beautiful score. There is Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Dil Ka Mizaaj Ishqiya,” which strikes a chord for ageless longing. Rekha Bhardwaj’s “Hamari Atariya”—originally penned for the first Ishqiya—finds a hand-in-glove home here, especially when accompanied by Dixit’s still-able classical Indian kathak moves and a sumptuous, sensual chorus backdrop. In a light classical node, Rekha Bhardwaj and the dance master Birju Maharaj gradually increase the tempo for “Jagaaave Saari Raina” where the notes eventually fill every audible crevice. In an age of electronically manufactured pseudo-ballads and dance chart positioning, Dedh Ishqiya is an immensely satisfying boon to the ears. Dixit’s return to acting after taking a break to raise a family has been spotty up until now. The reason Dedh Ishqiya works
for Dixit is that, much like Sridevi in English Vinglish, Dixit finally embraces, no, she relishes, a woman of a certain age now only interested in the comforts life has to offer and settling down with a soul mate. Shah and Warsi hold themselves in check as twobit crooks the same roles they played in the first Ishqiya. An especially noteworthy role is Raaz as Khalu’s professional nemesis and personal competitor for Begum Para’s affections. Equally vile and just as much a poser, Raaz’s Jaan Mohammad provides the down and low cunning that Khalu must always contend with. Devising a bawdy comedy and holding it together with a patchwork of male bonding in the trenches of low-life hoodlums, a feast of poetry, pseudo-courtly love, gay love and criminal trespasses that criss-cross every which way would be a tall order for lesser film makers. In the hands of Bhardwaj and Chaubey, Dedh Ishqiya strikes its mark, not the least of which is the notion that women can just as equally be dirty rotten scoundrels as men. Score one for gender equality! n EQ: A
Furious & Fast: Chicago Drift DHOOM 3. Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya. Players: Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Uday Chopra, Kim DeJesus, Jackie Shroff. Music: Pritam. Hindi with Eng. Subtit. Theatrical release (Yashraj).
W
hen classroom texts on marketing Hindi movies are re-written, they will all without a doubt offer chapters on the global phenomena of Dhoom 3, now the biggest box office hit in India’s history. Underneath the record setting boxoffice hype, however, there is an action movie that keeps intact all the tell-tale signs of successful, albeit formulaic, Hindi filmmaking that happened to get all the stars, the stunts and cash-registers aligned just right. Set in Chicago, for Vegas-style stage show operator Sahir (Khan), the only thing that matters is settling a score against a bank that once turned down a crucial business loan for Sahir’s father (Shroff). When a rash of bank robberies break out in Chicago, local authorities reach out to Mumbai cop Jai Dixit (Bachchan) and his dim-witted assistant Ali (Chopra) for help in catching the motorcycle-riding perp. For Sahir, who moonlights as the masked motorcyclist, things get even more complicated when he hires the attractive Aaliya (Kaif) as his stage companion. What Dhoom 3 does well is the fran-
chise’s calling card—the numerous stunt scenes that capture edge-of-the-seat thrills. The many motorcycle chases on the many bridges that span the Chicago River, jet ski chases in the river, helicopter chases, a vavoom roller-coaster ride and camera work as it follows circus stunts are fun to watch while they last. When they end, there are the gaps we must address. Where Dhoom 3 is lacking, is the chemistry between the leads Khan and Kaif. It is unfortunate that anyone who steps in as leads in this franchise—and it would be foolish to think there will not be more Dhoom installments—will be held up to the sizzling Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai pairing from Dhoom 2 (2006). Also, if there is a crime in Chicago, why does the fuzz from Mumbai have to be called in? There must be a detective or two free to investigate bank heists in the Windy City. Finally, for all the maddening rushes to get the heavily-armed police commandos on the chase scenes there are surprisingly very, very few bullets actually fired—for an action movie that is sacrilege. Yashraj is amazing at marketing their movies. Dhoom 3 was released in over 4,400 theaters worldwide—just one of the many records the movie set. However, even with all of Yashraj’s marketing muscle, Dhoom 3 was picked up in only two—yes, two — IMAX screens in the United States: one each
in the secondary markets of Seattle and Tallahassee. As far back as 2001, when Yashraj floated Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham, it was screened on IMAX screens in several cities, including Chicago’s Navy Pier IMAX screen, where only one show sold out even with a premium ticket price of $25. Music director Pritam has a knack for grooves that have hooks that draw in the listener with guilty pleasure—we really should not be enjoying the umpteen avatar of the Bhangra-tinted Dhoom title track this much, should we? No, we should not, and yet here we are! Pritam reworks the “Dhoom Machale” refrain in one way or another into every song on the soundtrack. The standout tune is “Malang,” engulfing Siddharth Mahadevan and Shilpa Rao’s torchy pipes that rise above the circus stage where the song is staged. In addition to being one of the best songs of the year, it is also one of the finest stand-alone dance videos. The song alone is worth the price of admission. Lebanese singing sensation Naya’s version of “Dhoom Machale”—available only on Youtube—is a fun one-world testimonial to the global demographic reach of Hindi movies. This, no doubt, also added to the Dhoom 3 marketing mystique that had the movie break all previous box office records set for Hindi movie releases in India, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Australia/New Zealand and South East Asia. In line with Hollywood’s highly successful Fast & Furious franchise, Dhoom 3 could just as easily have been christened Furious & Fast: Chicago Drift. n EQ: B Globe trekker, aesthete, photographer, ski bum, film buff, and commentator, Aniruddh Chawda writes from Milwaukee.
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 79
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10th Year of Artistic Excellence Classes offered in a combination of styles including Folk, Semi-Classical, and Fusion at various locations in Cupertino and San Jose. CONTACT INFORMATION
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Celebrating 27 Years of Excellence
The James Logan Center for the Performing Arts “We would like to thank India Currents for the wonderful opportunity it has offered ‘Most Unique Parties & Ponies’ to meet and entertain the fun and friendly Indian families of the Bay Area.” - Mike & Sari Most Unique Parties & Ponies
Offering rental space for: • Bharatanatyam Recitals • Rehearsals • Performances • Class/Instruction • Auditions • Showing/Showcases • Special Events/Parties • Meetings/Workshops
is a new, state-of-the-art, 599 seat, proscenium, theater located on the campus of James Logan High School in Union City.
Contact: Alan Dye (510) 471-2520 Ext. 60395 Email: adye@nhusd.k12.ca.us • http://loganweb.nhusd.k12.ca.us/PAC
“ ...The best advertising in the valley is done thru India Currents......” - Pia Ganguly, @ Pia Ka Ghar
Finest Venue for Bay Area’s Amateur Artists!
Vocal, Tabla and Instrumental 22nd Annual SDMT Hindustani Music Contest CALL:
Registration Deadline: Sunday, March 2, 2014 Contest Semi-Finals: Saturday, March 22, 2014 - 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM
(408) 324-0488 | (714) 523-8788 Fax: (408) 324-0477
FINAL CONTEST: Saturday, April 5, 2013 — 9:00 AM
Email: ads@indiacurrents.com www.indiacurrents.com Write: 1885 Lundy Ave., Ste 220 San Jose, CA 95131 Deadline: 20th of every month 80 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Jain Temple 722 S. Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035 Registration Fees: $25 per contestant For more information, visit our website:
www.satyadevi.org
email: info@satyadevi.org or call Shalini (408) 712-5943 • Vibha (650) 561-3313
dance & music
KALANJALI Dances of India Establshed in 1975
CLASSES IN BHARATANATYAM
Jayendra Kalakendra
India's most ancient classical dance
Suganda Sreenath
Artistic Director:
Following traditional Kalakshetra syllabus - all levels
Bharatanatyam classes (Kalakshetra style, incl. Extensive Theory)
• San Jose • Fremont • Santa Clara
SACRAMENTO, LAFAYETTE, BERKELEY
Enrollment for New Students at Santa Clara, San Jose & Fremont For details contact Suganda Iyer
www.sugandasreenath.com
(408) 270-9295
Registration and Information:
510-526-2183
Email: sugandaiyer@comcast.net
Kalanjaliusa@aol.com
BharathaKala Kutiram Artistic Director:
Jayanthi Sridharan offers Bharathanatyam Classes in North San Jose
Call: (408) 251-3438 e-mail: bkkdanceschool@gmail.com
20+ Years Teaching Experience
Artistic Director
ANURADHA NAG
offers Kathak classes in • Sunnyvale • Fremont • San Jose
NEW CHILDREN BEGINNERS CLASSES FORMING MARCH 2014 IN SUNNYVALE & EVERGREEN AREA
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Smt. Shraddha Joglekar Artistic Director
• Dance taught in pure classical form • Complemented with Theory & Yoga • All age groups welcome • Performance arranged for students Classes are offered in San Jose and Dublin! For more details 408-656-5019 kalaawishkar@yahoo.com • www.kalaawishkar.com Shantha- Peace
Pundit Habib Khan music school offers Hindustani vocal classes at KalaAwishkar dance school! For details contact Smt. Shraddha Joglekar. February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 81
Kuchipudi Rangapravesam
Swapanthi Mandalika Disciple of Guru Himabindu Challa Artistic Director, Nrityananda School of Dance Saturday, February 22, 2014 3:30 pm At: Campbell Heritage Theater 1 West Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008
All are welcome For more information, email: swapna_mandalika@yahoo.com or call (408) 421-8236 82 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
PROMISE World Wide presents
(An Evening of Enchanting Dances from different parts of India)
A Fund Raiser Show
“NRITYA SANGAM”
Bharatanatyam
by Tiruchitrambalam School of Dance
Kathak
by Tarangini School of Kathak Dance
Kuchipudi
by Natyalaya Kuchipudi School of Dance
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2014
Time: 5:30 pm Venue: Smithwick Theater, Foothill College 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos, CA 94022 ($3 Parking Fees - Please bring exact change) Tickets: $20 | $25 | $35 $75 (guest and patrons) Tickets go on sale from Jan. 20, 2014 and can be purchased at brownpaper tickets
http://nritya.bpt.me/
To purchase $75 reserved tickets please contact the organizers.
Semi Classical and Folk by Aerodance
Contact Information Jaya Basu (408) 605-0495 Pompy Bhattacharjee (510) 468-7777 Sayoni Mukherjee (408) 771-7778
"Promise Worldwide is a US-based 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to provide nutrition, clothing, education and training to under-privileged children and women from the slums of the world, with projects currently in Kolkata, India.”
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 83
B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B
SHIVA MURUGAN TEMPLE P U J A S
&
F E S T I V A L S
w w w. s h i v a m u r u g a n t e m p l e . o r g Happy Valentine’s Day! PUJAS & FESTIVALS
PUJAS & FESTIVALS
Fri. Feb. 7 - Thai Karthigai Thai Krithigai Puja
Sat. Feb. 15 - Masi Magam Puja
PHOTO: VIGGY MOKKARALA
Sun. Feb. 9 - Thai Krithigai Cultural Event Devotional Songs Anu Suresh & Students.
Thu. Feb. 27 - 6pm to 6am Maha Shivarathri Puja Bharathanatyam Shreelata Suresh Sun. Mar. 2 - Murugan Puja Devotional Songs Kalpagam Kausik & Students
Sun. Feb. 16 Masi Magam Cultural Event Devotional Songs Aruna Krishna and Friends
B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B
SHIVA MURUGAN TEMPLE /SAIVA SIDDHANTA ASHRAM 1803 Second Street, Concord, CA 94519 • Weekdays: 10am - Noon & 6pm - 9pm • Weekends: 10am - 9pm Voice Mail (925) 827-0127 • • Fax (925) 827-0209 • www.temple.org
84 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 85
Hindu Community and Cultural Center 1232 Arrowhead Ave., Livermore, CA 94551 A Non-Profit organization since 1977 Tax ID# 94-2427126; Inc# D0821589 Tel: 925-449-6255; Fax: 925-455-0404 Web: http://www.livermoretemple.org
Hindu Community & Cultural Center proudly presents
Kathak Dance recital by
Anupama Srivastava
(Disciple of Padmashri Shovana Narayan)
and her students
Kathak Dance recital by
Labonee Mohanta and her students
(Disciple (Disciple ofof Kathak Kathak Pandit Pandit Chitresh Chitresh Das) Das)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 3.00 pm onwards
LAKIREDDY AUDITORIUM Shiva Vishnu Temple, Livermore, CA 94551
Santoor Recital by Shri. Madan Oak
(disciple of World Reknowned Santoor Maestro Padma Vibhushan Pandit Shivkumar Sharma)
Tabla accompaniment by Shri. Amit Kavthekar (disciple of Ustad Allarakha School of Music)
Tickets: $25 VIP Seating $15 General Seating
To donate and to reserve your seats for the concert or more information please contact Raj Kowligi at (925)-337-2622 • rajkowligi@gmail.com or Madan Oak at (925)-413-8875 • madanoak@aol.com or contact Temple Office at (925)-449-6255 select option 3 for Fundraising concert donation or visit www.shatatantri.com choose our store to buy Concert tickets, buy music albums or pay for music lessons 86 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 87
in memoriam
Consummate Artist: Lakshmi Shankar By Kanniks Kannikeswaran
I
t was the morning of the 30th of December 2013 in the thick of the music season when I had a brief conversation regarding veteran musician Lakshmi Shankar and her sister Kamala Sastri at the canteen of the Music Academy with Sruti Editor Ramnarayan; it seems surreal to hear that she passed away on the very same day in Simi Valley, California. Lakshmi Shankar is known to the world as an established Hindustani music singer of the Patiala gharana and a member of the Ravi Shankar family. She is the sister-in-law of Pandit Ravi Shankar. She is known, in particular, for her sweet voice and her expressive rendition of bhajans, khyals, thumris and compositions in several languages. I still remember the manner in which she held the attention of the audience with the purity of notes, sweetness of voice and richness of expression even at the age of 78 when she sang in Cincinnati. The world knows her through her voice that rang crystal clear with her rendition of “Vaishnava Janato” and “Raghupati Raghava” in the Oscar winning film Gandhi in 1989. I have had the honor of collaborating with her, when she sang the lead parts in my oratorio “Shanti–A Journey of Peace”— which she described in 2004 as a breathtaking experience. Lakshmi Shankar was born in Madras in 1926 to Pudukkottai R. Viswanatha Sastri and Visalakshi, Lakshmi Sastri. Few musicians have straddled South and North Indian classical traditions with the same grace and ease as Lakshmi Shankar. Her contribution to the arts is immense. The recognition that she received was primarily from other musicians and her fans; yet, Lakshmi Shankar had no regrets about the lack of institutional awards. She taught and shared music even until the very last years and she sang with fidelity to the sruti of G-sharp, even in her 80s. It is not known to many that her foray into the world of art started with bharatanatyam. Lakshmi had her bharatanatyam arangetram at the age of 11 attired in “blue satin salwar and kurta”– a total contrast from the costumes that outdo each other today. The late S. Rajam, actor, painter and Karnatik musician, recalled her prowess and grace as a dancer—in a conversation with me in July 2009. 88 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Soon after her arangetram, she left for Almora to join Uday Shankar’s (Ravi Shankar’s brother) Almora Cultural Center where her horizons widened considerably thanks to Uday Shankar’s global approach to dance and his integration of various traditional elements into his formulation of a “modern dance paradigm.” Lakshmi Viswanatha Sastri married Uday’s brother Rajendra Shankar and became Lakshmi Shankar. Lakshmi Shankar recalled with nostalgia the creative outpouring of energy while discussing the script for Discovery of India with the Shankar brothers. She has the highest regard for Ravi Shankar. “Is there any sphere of music that Ravi ji has not touched?’ she remarked often, as she talked of the instrumental ensembles that Ravi Shankar conceived of and directed. Each performance of The Discovery of India was intense. Her musical involvement with Ravi Shankar was a lifelong one and she expressed loneliness after the maestro’s passing about a year back. It was after her last performance in Discovery of India as a dancer in multiple roles, that Lakshmi fell severely ill and had to give up dancing. For a person of South Indian origin grounded in the arts, branching off into Karnatik music was a natural choice; however, it was due to the advice of Ravi Shankar and noted film composer Madan Mohan that she took to Hindustani music. Lakshmi Shankar trained under Ustad
Abdul Rehman Khan and then later under Pandit Deodhar. Her dulcet voice lent itself freely to the evolution of a unique style that was at once expressive and exceedingly sweet. Lakshmi was fluent in Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Marathi, Gujrati and Bengali and her renditions endeared her to audiences everywhere. Lakshmi Shankar’s musical personality was further shaped by her full spirited participation in the Festival of India an ensemble performance directed by Ravi Shankar. She participated in Festival of India’s world tour in 1974 and later recorded an album by the same name. Lakshmi Shankar’s life has been associated with a galaxy of historic personalities from the 1900s including Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, musician T.L. Venkatarama Iyer and filmmaker S. Balachander. Lakshmi Shankar stands apart as a consummate artist. She spoke both the North Indian and the South Indian idioms. She could translate music to movement and expression. She was a polyglot. She acted in and sang for movies. Lakshmi Shankar’s home is full of relics and images from her work. She treasures the old program notes from Discovery of India, a group photograph from Festival of India which looks like a collection of the Who’s Who of Indian music. Lakshmi Shankar used to visit India each December and was frequently seen attending concerts in sabhas in Chennai. Her last performance was when she performed with Gayatri Venkatraghavan in the United States in 2013. During my last conversation with her in early December 2013, she made oblique references to her health and even remarked that “I don’t know how much long I will be around.” I didn’t realize that the end would be upon her so soon after our conversation. Lakshmi Shankar as a mortal is no more; yet her voice lives on and continues to move countless admirers around the globe. n Kanniks Kannikeswaran is an internationally renowned musician, composer and music educator, whose award winning research on the Indo-colonial music of Dikshitar is beginning to influence Indian music pedagogy. Kanniks is a pioneer of the Indian American choral movement. He teaches Indian classical music at the University of Cincinnati. www.kanniks.com.
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 89
events FEBRUARY
California’s Best Guide to Indian Events Edited by: Mona Shah List your event for FREE! MARCH issue deadline: Thursday, February 20 To list your event in the Calendar, go to www.indiacurrents.com and fill out the Web form
Check us out on
special dates Sarasvati Puja Vasanta Panchami
Feb. 4 Feb. 4
Presidents Day
Feb. 17
Maha Shivaratri
Feb. 28
Ash Wednesday
March 5
CULTURAL CALENDER
February
1 Saturday
Epilogue—An Art Exhibit. Jitish Kallat, a Mumbai-based artist honors his late father through a deeply personal installation. “Epilogue” (2010–11) comprises 753 photographs that depict progressively eaten roti, the round, traditional South Asian flatbread. Each roti represents one of the 22,500 moons that were in the sky during Kallat’s father’s 62-year lifespan. Ends April 20. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. San Jose Museum of Art, 110 South Market St., San Jose . $8 adults, $5 seniors, students, and youth 7-18, free for members. (408) 271-6840. info@sjmusart. 90 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Panjabi MC will headline NonStop Bhangra’s 100th anniversary, Feb. 8
org. www.sjmusart.org/around-table-stage-onejitish-kallat-epilogue.
Karnatik Music Concerts—Triple Header. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Vocal Concert by
Adithi Suresh Keerthi with Sundaramurthy (violin) and Ajay Gopi (mridangam). 4-6 p.m. Vocal Concert by Sowmya Subramaninan with Murali Pavithran Vasudevan (violin) and Natarajan Srinivasan (mridangam). Organized by Sri Ranga Ramanuja Maha Desikan Fine Arts (SR Fine Arts/ SRFA). 2:30-8:30 p.m. Community of Infinite
Spirit (Divine Science), 1540 Hick’s Av., San Jose. Free. (408) 569-0860, (408) 973-1017. srfinearts2012@gmail.com. www.srfinearts. info.
February
2 Sunday
Sri Haridasa Day. Singing of compositions from the Haridasa Movement in Karnataka and surrounding states. Groups include students of Shakuntala Murthy, Divya Ramesh, Sreevalli Vinod and stu
recommends
Your guide to Valentine’s day around the Bay By Michelle Baird
C
hocolate, roses, hearts, candy, candlelight, romance…all of these are the contemporary symbols of a day devoted to celebrating love. Although they seem surprisingly modern today, our Valentine’s Day rituals are actually rooted in a verse from the 14th century. In 1382 Geoffrey Chaucer wrote in Parlement of Foules,“For this was on seynt Volantynys day/ Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.” Chaucer’s couplet is the first recorded mention of Valentine’s Day. Rendered into contemporary English, his verse says, “For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day/ When every bird comes to choose his mate.” Valentine’s Day is often celebrated as the day for singles to find their life partner, but it’s also a day to celebrate the foundation of all enduring relationships, love. For those who have found their mates and settled happily into the nest of family life, there are several exciting Valentine’s Day events this February. At the India Community Center in Milpitas, Star Entertainment is hosting a “Valentine Bash 2014” on February 14th. In its 15th year, the Valentine Bash consistently sells out. Peter Sahjani, event organizer for Star Entertainment, asks, “Why drop $100 plus for a fancy dinner where there’s no dancing, no entertainment, no pictures, and your waiter will barely smile at you?” Emceed by Vishal Kapoor, this event promises lively entertainment from singers Vikas Singh, Raj Sohal, Ria Nilawar, and Sangeetika Advani. Natica will perform Belly Dance and Elena Elsoukov will perform Bollywood. Dinner, dancing, raffle prizes, and an audience dance competition will round out the evening. Sahjani promises fun for the entire family, “Bring your spouse and family to enjoy the entire evening!” Next door to the Valentine Bash at ICC, Radio Zindagi is hosting a “Karaoke Masti” event, allowing pre-registered singers to perform their romantic songs. Wine, dinner, and guest prizes will accompany the singing. If you’re in the East Bay, this year it’s even easier to celebrate Valentine’s Day with
loved ones. YoursTruly! is throwing “Valentine’s Day Bash 2014,” an evening Valentine’s Day party at Dougherty Station in San Ramon. A four-course meal, candy buffet, raffle drawing, and best dressed couple contest will be joined by musical entertainment by YoursTruly!. “Most Valentine’s Day parties are not kid or family-friendly, but this is a G-rated, family-themed event” says Narendra Lakshminarasimha, Event Organizer for YoursTruly!. Lakshminarasimha is organizing this first annual event to “make Valentine’s Day more accessible to our community in San Ramon.” “They say in the old tales that when a man and a woman exchange looks the way we did, their spirits mingle. Their gaze is a rope of gold binding each to the other,” writes Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni in Sister of My Heart. Centuries and continents separate Chaucer and Divakaruni, who spent years writing in the Bay Area. Yet they speak of the same thing; the enduring bond created between two people by love. Take the opportunity to celebrate your relationship this Valentine’s Day in the Bay Area with fun, entertainment, and those that you love.n
Valentine Bash 2014 February 14, 7 pm India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St., Milpitas. Tickets begin at $35 www.sulekha.com/bayarea, petersahjani@yahoo.com, (408)-934-1130 Karaoke Masti-Valentine’s Day Special February 14, 8 p.m. India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St., Milpitas. Tickets $15 karaoke@radiozindagi.com, (408)-674-2157 Valentine’s Day Bash 2014 February 14, 7:30 p.m. Ridge View Room, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon. Tickets begin at $40. www.sulekha.com/bayarea, yourstruly.sanramon@gmail.com, (925)-236-0243 Guftagu-A Mehfil of Ghazals and Romantic Songs. February 15, 6:30 p.m. Mehran Restaurant and Catering, 5774 Mowry School Road, Newark. Tickets $35. (510) 798-5440, (510) 862-7631. www. shanamo.com.
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 91
events
California’s Best Guide to Indian Events
Gaana Drishti, A vocal jugalbandhi fundraiser. From l to r: Vignesh Venkatraman, Lakshmi Balasubramanya, Asha Ramesh, Nachiketa Yakkundi, Vivek Datar, Ravi Gutala
dents, Haridasa Kritis, students of Jayashree Varadarajan, Nachikata Yakkundi and students, Susheela Narasimhan and students, Padmaja Kishore and students. Dishes from Karnataka available throughout the event. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro . Free. (510) 2782444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama.org.
Games in the Islamic World and India. Presented by Qamar Adamjee, Asso-
ciate Curator of South Asian Art , Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. Organized by SACHI (Society for Art & Cultural Heritage of India) and Palo Alto Art Center. 11 a.m. Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto. Free. (650) 617-3506. Tasmia.Hussian@ CityofPaloAlto.org.
Glimpse of India and MLK-Gandhi Day. Salute to MLK Jr and Mahatma Gan-
dhi, on their anniversary with a tribute and presentation on “Legacy of Non violence and Civil Rights,” and it’s relevance today. Celebrate Republic Day of India with a showcase, public speaking and presentations. Organized by Indian American Organization and Milpitas Public Library. 1-4 p.m. Milpitas Main Library, 160 N. Main St., Milpitas. Free. (510) 789-6182. www.indianamerican.org.
The Brilliance of Satyajit Ray. Screen-
ing of Devi (35mm restored print). A teenage Sharmile Tagore delivers one of her most riveting performances in Ray’s tale of faith and obsession, set in rural Bengal circa 1860. A wealthy landowner offers his beautiful daughter-in-law as an incarnation
Chai Why? The Making of the Indian “National Drink,” Feb. 7 92 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
of the goddess Kali. Organized by Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. 4:45 p.m. Pacific Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. General $9.50, students $ 6.50. (510) 642-0808. bampfa.berkeley.edu/filmseries/ray.
Karnatik Music Concert. Featuring Gautam Tejas Ganeshan. Organized by Duende. 8-11 p.m. Duende Music Room, 468 19th St., Oakland. $10. (510) 893-0174. info@duendeoakland.com. duendeoakland.com, www.eventbrite.com/e/gautam-tejas-ganeshantickets-9957040777.
February
7 Friday
Chai Why? The Making of the Indian “National Drink.” University
of Iowa Hindi scholar and President of AIIS, Philip Lutgendorf on the chai culture of India. This presentation offers a report on his research into the promotion and popularization of tea-drinking in the 20th century India. It is inspired in part by recent ethno-historical work on everyday culinary commodities, by anthropological interest in the “social life of things,” and by his own recognition of the remarkable role that tea, modified to Indian taste, has come to play in diet, social intercourse, and public culture in a relatively short span of time. Prof. Lutgendorf ’s research focuses on the mass popularization of indigenized “chai” through changes in marketing, manufacturing, and consumption, and in eating habits, urban space, and social networks. Organized by Center for South Asian Studies. 4-6 p.m. 10 Stephens Hall (Rear Annex), University of California, Berkeley. (510)
events
California’s Best Guide to Indian Events
642-3608. csas@berkeley.edu. events.berkeley. edu/index.php/calendar/sn/csas.html?event_ ID=73071&date=2014-02-07.
Theater in the Time of Jihad. Featuring Scenes from “Burqavaganza” and a conversation with playwright Shahid Nadeem. Nadeem is an acclaimed playwright at the forefront of the campaign for human rights and justice in Pakistan since the 1960s. Imprisoned by various military regimes and adopted by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience, he was exiled for a period of time. Since his return to Pakistan in the mid-1990s. “Burqavaganza” uses the burqa as a metaphor for a society that thrives on double standards and covering up the truth. The entire cast, male and female, wears a burqa. Burqavaganza goes toe to toe with the long standing obsession with the burqa, face-veil, niqab, hijab, parda—and offers a side-splitting critique on rising fundamentalism, political corruption, and the War on Terror. Organized by Center for South Asia. 8-10 p.m. Roble Hall Theatre, 374 Santa Teresa St., Stanford University, Palo Alto. Free. RSVP required. stanfordrangmanch@gmail. com. arts.stanford.edu.
February
8 Saturday
Pickle Making—Indian Style. Learn to
Kuchipudi Rangapravesam of Swapanthi Mandalika, Feb. 22
make three different Indian pickles representing the diverse and varied food cultures of India. In this three hour workshop pickle masters will demonstrate and guide you in making spicy, sour and sweet pickles with green mangoes, radish, cauliflower and lemons. Each student will leave the class with three jars of pickles with recipes and a resource guide listing places to buy the spices used. While the adults are pickling kids can learn about the spices used and create customized labels for the pickle jars. Organized by India Community Center and San Jose Museum of Art. 2-5 p.m. India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St., Milpitas. Adult $15; adult and child $18. (408) 934-1130. marketing@indiacc.org. www.indiacc.org/ Pickle_Making.
Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Somya Bhatia. Student of Shraddha Joglekar,
Artistic Director of KalaAwishkar Dance School. Organized by KalaAwishkar Dance School. 4-7 p.m. Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E Remington Drive., Sunnyvale . Free. (408) 656-5019. kalaawishkar@yahoo.com. www.kalaawishkar.com. Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Kirthana Srikanth, Feb. 22
Gaana Drishti. A vocal jugalbandhi
fundraiser for Sankara Nethralaya Om Trust featuring Asha Ramesh, Artistic Director of Ragamalika School of Music and Nachiketa Yakkundi, Artistic Director of Rajguru Sangeet Vidyaniketan. Organized by Sankara Nethralaya Om Trust. 4-7 p.m. McAfee Center, Saratoga High School, 203000 Herriman Ave., Saratoga . $20, $50, $100. (510) 657-2894, (408) 274-3241, (510) 7934711. ragiprka@gmail.com, remaramani@ comcast.net, hemapartha@hotmail.com. www. omtrust.org.
Two-part Concert with Shambhavi Dandekar and Josh Feinberg. Dan-
dekar will present a kathak performance followed by Feinberg on sitar accompanied by Arup Chatterjee on tabla. Organized by Basant Bahar. 5-9 p.m. Jain Temple, 722 South Main St., Milpitas. Free for Basant Bahar members; $25 non-members. (510) 870-2244. contact@basantbahar.org. www. basantbahar.org.
Maitri Benefit 2014. Singer Jeffrey Iqbal performs latest hits from Bollywood and old favorites. Couture collection by designer Pria Kataria Puri will be on display. Organized by Maitri. 6 p.m. Computer History
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 93
events
California’s Best Guide to Indian Events
Bharatanatyam and Odissi concert. From l to r: Nabanita Pal, Kavitha Tirumalai, Sahana Balasubramanya, Feb. 23
Museum, 1401 N Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. $250, $500, $1,000. (408) 436-8393. maitrigala2014@maitri.org, outreach@maitri.org, outreach@maitri.org. dashs.liveimpact. org/li/173/event/evt/home/246.
Ishq Vishq. A pre-valentine ghazal eve-
ning. Organized by Home of Hope. 7-11:30 p.m. History Club of Los Gatos, 123 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos. $100. (650) 520-3204. www. hohinc.org.
Winter Concert Series 2014. Featuring Joanna Mack on sitar, with Michael Lewis (tabla), Ben Kunin (sarode), Wallace Harvey (vocal) and Nilan Chaudhuri (tabla). 7 p.m. Ali Akbar College of Music, 215 West End Ave, San Rafael. $15 general, $12 members/seniors/ students. (415) 454-6372. office@aacm.org. www.aacm.org. Panjabi MC Headlines Bhangra Event. Panjabi MC from the UK, will
yahoo.com. www.desiclub.com/3M.
February
9 Sunday
Travel and Tourism Expo. Raffles and giveaways like movie tickets, hotel stays, short vacation packages, and many attractive prizes. Organized by R. K. Travels. 10 a.m.5 p.m. Embassy Suites Milpitas Silicon Valley, 901 E Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas. Free. (510) 304-8654. thetravelexpo@gmail.com. Women Hold Up Half The Sky. A ladies only forum to discuss the many facets of life that shapes a woman’s identity. How can a woman be fully expressed, fulfilled and able to achieve her full potential through personal, social, economic, moral and spiritual empowerment. 1-4 p.m. Berryessa Community Center, 3050 Berryessa Road., San Jose. Free. sabuhi7@hotmail.com. www.alislam.org.
be performing in San Francisco. His hit “Mundian To Bach Ke” secured his status as the preeminent artist to blend Punjabi music with hip hop and R&B. Panjabi MC will headline NonStop Bhangra’s 100th anniversary. Organized by NonStop Bhangra. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Public Works, 161 Erie St., San Francisco. $10 pre-sale, $15 door. (415) 694-9080. jimmylove@nonstopbhangra.com. nonstopbhangra.com.
Story of This Place. Exploring lo-
Bollywood Nights—I Hate Luv Stories. A anti-valentines day event featuring
The Brilliance of Satyajit Ray. Screening of Three Daughters (35mm restored print). In honor of the centenary of the writer Rabindranath Tagore’s birth, Ray made this feature based on three Tagore stories. Organized by Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. 3 p.m. Pacific Film
Bollywood music by Dj’s Vik and Salim J. Organized by 3M Productions. 10 p.m. IC Lounge, 193 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. Free for women, $10 for men (before 11 p.m.). (408) 234-6709, (408) 605-5915. mmm_prod@
94 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
cal songs, and the work of Gautam Tejas Ganeshan. Exploring four themes in song: Intelligence, Care, Moment, Remaining. Organized by Subterranean Arthouse. 2-5 p.m. UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley . Free with museum admission. info@gautamtejasganeshan.com. gautamtejasganeshan.com, subterraneanarthouse.org.
Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. General $9.50, students $6.50. (510) 642-0808. bampfa.berkeley.edu/filmseries/ray.
February
14 Friday
Lekar Hum Diwana Dil—Valentine’s Day Bash. An adults-only event with live
Bollywood music by Bay Area singers, social hour, drinks and dinner. Organized by Sneha Indian Restaurant. 8 p.m. Sneha Restaurant Banquet Hall, 1214 Apollo Way, Suite 404 B, Sunnyvale. $50, VIP $75. (408) 481-0700, (408) 242-7278. sneharesturant@gmail. com. events.sulekha.com/lekar-hum-diwanadil-valentine-s-day-bash_event-in_sunnyvaleca_292300.
February
15 Saturday
The Brilliance of Satyajit Ray Film Series. The screeing of The Big City
(35mm restored print). Ray sets his ironic and humorous eye on the plight of the Bengali middle class, caught amid the changing moralities of urban life. Focusing in particular on the role of women in this metamorphosis, Ray tells a story that is both minutely particular to Calcutta and universally recognizable. Organized by Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. 4:45 p.m. Pacific Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. General $9.50, students $ 6.50. (510) 642-0808. bampfa.berkeley.edu/filmseries/ray.
Guftagu—A Mehfil of Ghazals and Romantic Songs. Featuring Praveen and
Ritee Chaddha along with Bay Area artists Robin John, Mike Nathaniel, Annie Akhtar,
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 95
SANKARA NETHRALAYA OM TRUST A 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Organization Presents
A Fundraising Event
GAANA DRISHTI
A Vocal Jugalbandi Concert Saturday, February 8, 2014 4 pm McAfee Center Saratoga High School 20300 Herriman Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070
Asha Ramesh
Founder & Artistic Director Ragamalika School of Music Lakshmi Balasubramanya – Violin Vignesh Venkatraman - Mridangam
Tickets: $100, $50 and $20
Girija Radhakrishnan Rema Ramani Hema Parthasarathy Niroop Srivatsa
Nachiketa Yakkundi
Founder & Artistic Director Rajguru Sangeet Vidyaniketan Vivek Datar - Harmonium Ravi Gutala - Tabla
ragiprka@gmail.com ...............510-657-2894
remaramani@comcast.net........408-274-3241 hemapartha@hotmail.com........510-793-4711 niroopks@gmail.com................925-285-0053
Subha Chandran Shobana Swamy Anupa Chakravorty
kn.subhac@gmail.com..............408-255-8526 shobana_swamy@yahoo.com....650-307-2496 anupa4@gmail.com..................408-666-9089
About 7 million indigent patients suffering from vision impairment await cataract surgery in India. Help. Purchase tickets online - http://www.omtrust.org/gaana_drishti_2014.htm Please make checks payable to SANKARA NETHRALAYA OM TRUST
presents
Bharatanatyam Arangetram of
Kirthana Srikanth Disciple of Guru Smt. Indumathy Ganesh, Artistic Director
Saturday, February 22, 2014 • 4:00 PM Jackson Theater, Ohlone College 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont, CA 94539 Choreography & Nattuvangam: Vocal: Mridangam: Violin:
Indumathy Ganesh Asha Ramesh N. Narayanan Shanthi Narayanan
For more information contact Sri & Janaki
(925) 307-6774 • RSVP janivenkat@gmail.com Nrithyollasa: (510) 623-8230 • info@nldance.com
ADMISSION IS FREE • ALL ARE WELCOME 96 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
events Happy Singh, Ashneel Singh and Vijay Singh. Organized by Shanamo Entertainment. 6:30 p.m. Mehran Restaurant and Catering, 5774 Mowry School Road, Newark. $35. (510) 798-5440, (510) 862-7631. www. shanamo.com.
Colors of Divine Love—A Musical Journey with Poet Saints of India. A
fundraiser concert for Sahaya International, presented by Jayanti Sahasrabuddhe (classical vocalist), Arvind Kansal (narration,) Ravi Gutala (tabla), Vivek Datar (harmonium), Prasad Bhandarkar (flute) Abhijit and Jere (manjira. Organized by Sahaya International. 7-9 p.m. International House of Davis, 10 College Park, Davis. $15 general, $10 students. (530) 601-0890. kkvanrompay@primate. ucdavis.edu. www.sahaya.org, www.jayantisahasrabuddhe.com.
February
16 Sunday
Musical Tribute to Swami Vivekananda. Commemorating the 150th Anniversary
of his birth. Songs, shlokas and bhajans will be presented by Sonali Bhattacharya, Aditya Das, Ashidhara Das and Shyamoshree Gupta Diamond, with Anoop Bhattacharjya (tabla). 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cultural Integration Fellowship, 2650 Fulton St., (at 3rd Ave.) San Francisco . (415) 668-1559. culturalfellowship@sbcglobal.net. www.culturalintegrationfellowship@sbcglobal.net.
California’s Best Guide to Indian Events
February
22 Saturday
Cultural Concert. Kathak dance recital
by Anupama Srivastava, disciple of Shovana Narayan, and her students. Followed by Kathak dance recital by Labonee Mohanto, disciple of Chitresh Das, and her students. Santoor recital by Madan Oak, disciple of Shivkumar Sharma, accompanied by Amit Kavthekar on tabla. Organized by Hindu Community and Cultural Cneter. 3 p.m. Shiva Vishnu Temple, 1322 Arrowhead Ave., Livermore. $25 VIP, $15 general. (925) 3372622, (925) 431-8875. madanoak@aol.com, rajkowligi@gmail.com. www.livermoretemple. org.
Kuchipudi Rangapravesam of Swapanthi Mandalika. Student of Himabi-
ndu Challa, Artistic Director of Nrityananda School of Dance. 3:30 p.m. Campbell Heritage Theater, 1 West Campbell Ave., Campbell. Free. (408) 421-8236. swapna_mandalika@ yahoo.com.
Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Kirthana Srikanth. Student of Induma-
thy Ganesh, Artistic Director of Nrithyollasa Dance Academy. Accompanied by Induma-
thy Ganesh (choreography and nattuvangam), Asha Ramesh (vocal), N.Narayan (mridangam), Shanthi Narayan (violin). Organized by Nrithyollasa Dance Academy. 4-7 p.m. Jackson Theater, Ohlone College, 43600, Mission Blvd., Fremont. Free. (925) 307-6774, (510) 623-8230. srikanthks@yahoo.com, janivenkat@yahoo.com, info@nldance.com. www. nldance.com. Party—A Play in Hindi. Watch this drama unfold at the home of Damyanti Rane, a wealthy patron of the arts, attended by the cognoscenti of Mumbai’s “art world.” Conversations among the guests—by turns catty, outraged, resigned, and cynical—expose their vanity, hypocrisy and insecurity. Gradually the talk veers to the hero-inabsentia, Amrit, a promising writer-poet who has left the politics of the party circuit to seek justice for an exploited tribal community. In the harrowing finale, we finally get news of Amrit and learn why he is not present at the party. Organized by Naatak. 6 p.m. Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road., Palo Alto. $20 General, $30 VIP. www. naatak.com/party/current_event.html.
Winter Concert Series 2014. Featuring Rachel Unterseher (viola), with Ram
Karnatik Music Concert. Featuring Gautam Tejas Ganeshan. Organized by Avonova. 1-3 p.m. Avonova Music House, 417 Avon St., Oakland. $8-$15. jimmy@avonovamusic.com. avonovamusic.com, avonovamusic. com/gautam-tejas-ganeshan/.
February
20 Thursday
Vocal Music Workshop. Rita Sahai
will be offering a Hindustani vocal music workshop as a guest instructor in Jennifer Berezan’s music class at CIIS. Organized by Edge of Wonder.com and Jennifer Berezan. 1-2:30 p.m. California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), 1453 Mission St., San Francisco. Free. (510) 847-2020. osmj.music@ gmail.com, osmjmusic2@comcast.net, jennifer. berezan.9@facebook.com. ritasahai.com/events/, www.edgeofwonder.com/calendar. The Brilliance of Satyajit Ray film series: Movie screenings throughout the month February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 97
events
California’s Best Guide to Indian Events current_event.html.
February
27 Thursday
Talk by Journalist Kalpana Sharma.
A Mumbai-based independent journalist, columnist and media consultant who writes for English language and Indian language publications in India. Until recently, she was Deputy Editor with The Hindu, one of India’s leading English language dailies. Her special areas of interest are environmental and developmental issues and gender. Organized by Center for South Asian Studies. 5-7 p.m. 10 Stephens Hall (Rear Annex), University of California, Berkeley. Free. (510) 642-3608. csas@berkeley.edu. events.berkeley. edu/index.php/calendar/sn/csas.html?event_ ID=74152&date=2014-02-27.
Maha Shivaratri. Rita Sahai sings bhajans Naatak’s latest production “The Party.” Performances on Feb 22, 23, 28 and Mar 1
Kaundinya (tabla), Rahul Joshi (tabla solo). Tim White and Christopher Ris (sitar and sarode jugalbandi), with Michael Lewis on tabla. 7 p.m. Ali Akbar College of Music, 215 West End Ave, San Rafael. $15 general, $12 members/seniors/students. (415) 454-6372. office@aacm.org. www.aacm.org.
February
23 Sunday
The Brilliance of Satyajit Ray. Screening of The Expedition (35mm restored print). The great Bollywood superstar Waheeda Rehman stars in one of Ray’s most atypical films, a commercially successful noir melodrama filled with taxi drivers, drug smugglers, and prostitutes that became the director’s most popular film in his native Bengal. Organized by Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. 2 p.m. Pacific Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. General $9.50, students $ 6.50. (510) 642-0808. bampfa.berkeley.edu/filmseries/ray. Bharatanatyam and Odissi Concert.
Solo bharatanatyam and odissi presentations by Sahana Balasubramanya, Nabanita Pal, and Kavitha Tirumalai. Organized by Yuva Bharati. 4 p.m. Historic Hoover Theater, 1635 Park Ave., San Jose . Free. yuva_bharati@ya-
98 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
hoo.com. www.yuvabharati.org/home/index.php.
Sangam 2014. A historic trigulbandi
of Karnatik dance, Hindustani music and Oddisi dance. A blend of tradition and innovation featuring Chitravina N. Ravikiran, Tarun Bhattacharya and Sanchita Bhattacharya, accompanied by Abhijit Banerjee (tabla) and Ramesh Srinivasan (mridangam). Organized by Sankara Eye Foundation. 4 p.m. Lakkireddy Auditorium, Shiva Vishnu Temple, 1232 Arrowhead Ave., Livermore. $15, $25, $50. (408) 658-0191. sangam@giftofvision. org. www.giftofvision.org.
and Hindustani light classical selections in celebration of Mahashivaratri. 7-11:45 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (530) 278-2444, (510) 8472020. osmjmusic2@comcast.net, osmj.music@ gmail.com, badarik@pacbell.net. ritasahai.com/ events/, badarikashrama.org.
The Brilliance of Satyajit Ray Film Series. Screening of Rabindranath Tagore.
Two essential Ray documentaries on his greatest influences: Rabindranath Tagore, on the Nobel Prize–winning poet and painter, and Sukumar Ray, on the director’s father, a writer and critic. Organized by Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. 7 p.m. Pacific Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. General $9.50, students $6.50. (510) 642-0808. bampfa.berkeley.edu/filmseries/ray.
Party—A Play in Hindi. Watch this dra-
ma unfold at the home of Damyanti Rane, a wealthy patron of the arts, attended by the cognoscenti of Mumbai’s “art world.” Conversations among the guests—by turns catty, outraged, resigned, and cynical—expose their vanity, hypocrisy and insecurity. Gradually the talk veers to the hero-in-absentia, Amrit, a promising writer-poet who has left the politics of the party circuit to seek justice for an exploited tribal community. In the harrowing finale, we finally get news of Amrit and learn why he is not present at the party. Organized by Naatak. 6 p.m. Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road., Palo Alto. $20 General, $30 VIP. www.naatak.com/party/
February
28 Friday
Mehndi Night. Featuring DJ entertainment henna tattoos, performances, food and drink. Organized by Narika. 5-7 p.m. Berkeley Adult School, 1701 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. www.narika.org. Party—A Play in Hindi. Watch this drama unfold at the home of Damyanti Rane, a wealthy patron of the arts, attended by the cognoscenti of Mumbai’s “art world.” Conversations among the guests—by turns catty, outraged, resigned, and cynical—expose their vanity, hypocrisy and insecurity.
events
California’s Best Guide to Indian Events
Gradually the talk veers to the hero-inabsentia, Amrit, a promising writer-poet who has left the politics of the party circuit to seek justice for an exploited tribal community. In the harrowing finale, we finally get news of Amrit and learn why he is not present at the party. Organized by Naatak. 6 p.m. Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road., Palo Alto. $20 General, $30 VIP. www. naatak.com/party/current_event.html.
March
1 Saturday
Karnatik Vocal Concert—Triple Header. 2-3 p.m. Ananya Devanath,
Sanjna Arvind (violin), Akshay Venkatesan (mridangam). 3;30-5:30 p.m. Kaushik Hariharan, Vignesh Thyagarajan (violin), Akshay Venkatesan (mridangam). 6-8 p.m. Keerthi Sundaramurthy, Gopal Ravindhran , Divya Mohan (violin). Organized by SR Fine Arts. 2-8 p.m. Community Of Infinite Spirit (Divine Science), 1540 Hick’s Av., San Jose. Free. (408) 569-0860. srfinearts2012@ gmail.com. www.srfinearts.info.
Party—A Play in Hindi. Watch this dra-
ma unfold at the home of Damyanti Rane, a wealthy patron of the arts, attended by the cognoscenti of Mumbai’s “art world.” Conversations among the guests—by turns catty, outraged, resigned, and cynical—expose their vanity, hypocrisy and insecurity. Gradually the talk veers to the hero-in-absentia, Amrit, a promising writer-poet who has left the politics of the party circuit to seek justice for an exploited tribal community. In the harrowing finale, we finally get news of Amrit and learn why he is not present at the party. Organized by Naatak. 6 p.m. Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road., Palo Alto. $20 General, $30 VIP. www.naatak.com/party/ current_event.html.
March
2 Sunday
Book Reading. Nicholas Carr, author of The Shallows: What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains poses the question “As we enjoy the Net’s bounties, are we sacrificing our mind’s ability to ponder and think?” This will be followed by a debate. The book explores the intellectual and cultural consequences of the Internet on human minds based on neuro-scientific evidences. Carr has brilliantly established how we are increasingly being proficient at scanning and
ROARR—A Bollywood Musical, March 7
skimming, at the expense of our capacity to concentrate, contemplate and reflect. Organized by Indian Business and Professional Women and India Community Center, in affiliation with Silicon Valley Reads. 2-4 p.m. India Community Center (ICC), 525 Los Coches St., Milpitas. info@ibpw.net. www. siliconvalleyreads.org.
North Indian Classical Music Contest. Vocal, tabla and instrumental music contest. Registration deadline is March 2, semi-finals are on March 22 and the finals are on April 5. Organized by Satya Devi Memorial Trust. Jain Temple, 722 South Main St., Milpitas. $25. (408) 712-5943, (650) 561-3313. www.satyadevi.org.
March
7 Friday
ROARRR—A Bollywood Musical. A
theatrical Broadway-style Bollywood musical where live theater meets digital entertainment. With desi hit songs and dances, it tells the story of Mahaveer who was born to one of the greatest kings the people had ever seen. His father was the guardian of the Secret and before he knew it, Evil began to play it’s brutal game. He was made to flee for his life and found himself alone in an unknown land. Will he survive as a nobody? Will he rebuke his true identity? Will he challenge his past and accept what it brings? In his struggle, will he realize the real reason behind his birth. Ends March 9. Organized by Solksrit-An Aditya Patel Company. 5-8 February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 99
events
California’s Best Guide to Indian Events p.m. Mexcian Heritage Theatre, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose . support@solskrit.com. www.solskrit.com.
March
8 Saturday
Sitar Concert by Habib Khan. Ac-
companied on tabla by Vishal Nagar. 4 p.m. Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Road., Saratoga. $20 general, $50 premier, $100 VIP. (408) 431-6308, (650) 255-9752, (408) 528-0786. habibkhansitarist@gmail.com. www. habibkhansitarist.com.
Innovation Greets Tradition—a Hindustani music concert by Rita Saha, March 8
Winter Concert Series 2014. Featuring Mindia Devi Klein (bansuri flute), Eman Essa (tabla solo), and Arjun Verma (sitar), with Eman Essa (tabla). 7 p.m. Ali Akbar College of Music, 215 West End Ave, San Rafael. $15 general, $12 members/seniors/students. (415) 454-6372. office@aacm.org. www. aacm.org.
Innovation Greets Tradition. A Hindustani music concert by Rita Sahai, accompanied by Nikhil Pandya (tabla), Kanwaljit Kalsi (harmonium), Rachel Unterseher (viola), and Vikram Shrowty (slide guitar). Organized by UC Davis Dept. of Music. 8-10 p.m. Vanderhoef Studio Theater, Mondavi Center, One Shields Ave., University of California Davis . Adults $20, students/children $8. (530) 754-2787, (866) 754-2787, (510) 847-2020. tickets@ucdavis.edu, osmj.music@ gmail.com, osmjmusic2@comcast.net. www. mondaviarts.org, ritasahai.com/events/.
Check out IC online at www.indiacurrents.com.
© Copyright 2014 India Currents. All rights reserved. Reproduction for commercial use strictly prohibited.
New Year’s Day
Jan. 1
Hanuman Jayanti
Guru Govind’s B'day
Jan. 7
Good Friday
April 18
Navaratri ends
Oct. 3
Makara Sankranti
Jan. 14
Easter
April 20
Dussehra
Oct. 4
Pongal
Jan. 15
Mother’s Day
May 11
Idu’l Zuha
Oct. 5
M.L. King Jr. Day
Jan. 20
Buddha Purnima
May 14
Sharad Purnima
Oct. 11
India’s Republic Day
Jan. 26
Memorial Day
May 26
Karva Chauth
Oct. 11
Saraswati Puja
Feb. 4
Father’s Day
June 15
Dhan Teras
Oct. 21
Vasanta Panchami
Feb. 4
Ramazan
June 28
Diwali
Oct. 23
Presidents Day
Feb. 17
Ratha Yatra
June 29
Muharram
Oct. 24
Maha Shivaratri
Feb. 28
U.S. Independence Day
July 4
Govardhana Puja
Oct. 24
Ash Wednesday
March 5
Guru Purnima
July 12
Bhai Duj
Oct. 25
Holi
March 17
Eid ul Fitr
July 28
Guru Nanak’s B’day
Nov. 6
Now Roz
March 22
Raksha Bandhan
Aug. 10
Guru Teg Bahadur Day
Nov. 24
Ugadi
March 31
Indian Independence
Aug. 15
Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 27
Gudi Padva
March 31
Krishna Janamashtami
Aug. 17
Christmas Day
Dec. 25
Ramanavami
April 8
Ganesh Chaturthi
Aug. 29
Baisakhi
April 13
Labor Day
Sept. 1
Mahavir Jayanti
April 13
Onam
Sept. 7
Tamil New Year
April 14
Navaratri begins
Sept. 25
April 15
Gandhi’s B’day
l(408) 324-0488 l(714) 523-8788 l(202) 709-7010 www.indiacurrents.com
100 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Oct. 2
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 101
reflections
Ministering the Monk
The unlikely story of how a Christian minister married a Hindu monk By Bob Allen
O
rdained Baptist minister J. Dana Trent got more than she bargained for when she tried to broaden the field on a dating website application by checking boxes for other religions along with Christian and “spiritual but not religious”—a Hindu husband she says has brought her closer to Jesus. “As Christians, we may think we’ve cornered the market on God,” Trent writes in her book Saffron Cross: The Unlikely Story of How a Christian Minister Married a Hindu Monk. “We cling to our religious traditions as the only true way to spiritual enlightenment or eternal life.” Dana Trent said the first seed for the book was planted in 2008, when she got engaged to Fred Eaker, an American-born Hindu convert who spent five years as a monk at a Gaudiya Vaishnava monastery in California. As “self-described theology nerds,” she said, the couple sought out a manual for interfaith marriage. Finding volumes on Jewish-Christian and Muslim-Christian marriages but nothing close to the Baptist-Hindu variety, they joked, “Well, we’ll just wright the book. How hard can it be?” The idea became cemented when they honeymooned for two weeks in December 2010 in Vrindavan, India, described in vivid detail in the book’s opening chapter. That’s where sharing their story, and in turn fostering interfaith conversations, took on a new priority. Returning home, Trent made plans to leave her full-time job in development at Duke University to pursue a career in freelance writing and teaching. She proposed Saffron Cross to Upper Room Books in November 2011. They accepted, and she wrote and revised the manuscript in one year. Trent says in the book that the human tendency is to “place God in a little box with sharp edges and straight lines.” “Our biggest fear is that when we open ourselves to others’ understanding of God, we will jeopardize our own
102 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Dana Trent and husband Fred Eaker
path,” she writes. “And yet, the opposite is true. The Holy Spirit breaks free from our human-made constraints and moves fluidly among us, crossing our unnecessary lines drawn in the sand.” Fifty years ago, a mixed-faith marriage might have referred in the Bible belt to a Baptist wedding a Methodist, Presbyterian or even a Catholic. That’s a far cry from today, when young adults are surrounded by friends from many cultures and backgrounds, including those who practice other faiths. Trent said she and her husband are hearing from a lot of Baptists and other evangelicals who identify with their story. “On their college campuses, millennials are surrounded by fellow students of different religions, faith traditions, and cultures,
and many of them are choosing to date one another,” she said. “We’ve found that self-identifying Baptist/evangelical women particularly struggle with this.” Several have come forward during booksigning events to discuss their non-Christian boyfriends. They often ask what to do with verses like 2 Corinthians 6:14, which says Christians should not be “unequally yoked” with unbelievers, as well as John 14:6, where Jesus says: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” “They have difficulty reconciling such verses with the deep faith traditions they see exhibited in their boyfriends,” Trent said. “I always encourage them to read and exegete thoughtfully, considering the cultural and
history contexts of the scripture, as well as the early formation of the church’s theology.” Trent said Christians “begin to stumble in interfaith conversation when we proof text.” She finds it more helpful to approach the situation from the viewpoint that “Christianity is absolutely the path for some, but not for everyone.” “It’s difficult for me to deny the validity of the global traditions, given their rich history, scripture and most importantly their results,” she said. “The essential discernment is: does the faith path deepen the individual’s experience and relationship with God and their fellow humans? For me, that is the ultimate truth of religion.” Trent admits she didn’t come to that conclusion overnight. Her own initial reaction to why her husband’s childhood profession of faith in Christ didn’t last was because his pastor didn’t follow up by insisting upon his baptism. One thing Trent said struck her early on about her husband’s devotional life was Hinduism’s focus on “what can I do for God?” rather than the individualistic evangelical concern of “what can God do for me?” Trent grew up in Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, N.C., a progressive congregation known as a safe haven for folks who didn’t belong anywhere else. Her spiritual nurture also included a Southern Baptist church that ordained her to the gospel ministry despite the Southern Baptist Convention’s official stance that the role of senior pastor “is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.” She enrolled at Duke Divinity School, finding her place as a Baptist among United Methodists at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship-affiliated Baptist House of Studies led by Baptist theology professor Curtis Freeman. Trent acknowledged that a lot of Christians are uncomfortable talking about things like sexual orientation and interfaith dialogue. “At some point, it is my fear that Christianity will lose an entire generation of practitioners,” she said. While young people “are waiting for the church to sort out its views on gender, sexuality and interfaith unions, their reality is that their friends are from many cultures and backgrounds, some are LGBT, and some practice other faiths.” “They know and love their friends, so it’s impossible for them to understand and reconcile why the church doesn’t accept them, too.” n Bob Allen is managing editor of Associated Baptist Press. Bob is a novice rock-and-roll guitarist, an avid rib smoker and a proud pit-bull owner. February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 103
SPIRITUALITY & HEALTH
February
1 Saturday
Sri Sundarakanda Ramayana of Gowswami Tulsidas. Group singing
followed by aarati and mahaprasad. 2:305:30 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro . Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama. org.
February
2 Sunday
The Yoga of Self-Surrender by Swami Vedananda. Sunday lecture. After the
service, Swami Prabuddhananda holds a question-and-answer session in Vivekananda Hall. Organized by Vedanta Society. 11 a.m. Vedanta Society of Northern California, 2323 Vallejo Street, San Francisco. (415) 922-2323. temple@sfvedanta.org. www.sfvedanta.org. Mahashivratri celebrations throught the Bay Area.
Habits: Your Master or Your Slave.
Organized by Self-Realization Fellowship. SRF Center Sacramento, 4513 North Ave., Sacramento. (916) 483-9644. SRF Center Los Gatos, 303 E. Main St., Los Gatos. (408) 2525299. Berkeley Temple, 3201 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, (510) 984-0084. www.yogananda-srf. org. Contact temples for times.
Sri Haridasa Day. Annual event with top
Karnatik music schools participating in singing compositions of the saints and poets of the Haridasa Movement in Karnataka from the 12th through the 14th centuries. Participating schools include Padmaja Kishore, Divya Ramesh, students of Shakuntala Murthy and others to be announced. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama. org.
February
7 Friday
Sri Bheeshma Asthami. Sri Bh-
waneswari/Sri Lalitha Devi Abhisheka, Kritika Vratha Sri Valli Deva Sena Sametha Sri Subramanya Abhisheka continued with Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Chanting aarti and manthra pushpa. 5 p.m. Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple, 32B Rancho Drive, San Jose. (408) 226-3600. www.vvgc.org, siliconvalleyhindutemple.com.
104 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Boundless Wisdom. Silent meditation,
reading and commentary by Nome on verses from Ribhu Gita. 8-9:30 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@cruzio.com. www.satramana.org.
Thai Karthigai Puja. Shiva Murugan Temple, 1803 Second St., Concord. (925) 8270127. www.temple.org.
February
8 Saturday
Sri Satyanarayana Swami Puja, Katha and Saraswathi Puja. Group
worship of Lord Satyanarayana followed by Saraswathi Puja sponsored by Nataraja School of Dance,founder and Director, Sima Chakraborthy. Students will offer their books, dance equipment, and instruments for Saraswathi’s blessings. Any students are welcome to participate. 3 p.m. Odissi dance performance by Vishnu Tattva Das. 10:30 a.m.5 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@ pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama.org.
Sri Sri Yoga Course. Taught by Manisha Pathak. Ends March 15. Organized by Fremont Art of Living. 7:30-9 a.m. Private Residence, 40867 Capa Drive., Fremont. $150, seniors $100. (408) 480-4726. manisha. pathak@artofliving.org. us.artofliving.org/ fremont.
Thai Karthigai Celebration. Devotional songs by Anu Suresh and students. Shiva Murugan Temple, 1803 Second St., Concord. (925) 827-0127. www.temple.org.
Yoga Class. Sri Sri Yoga is a celebration
Paths to the Path by Swami Vedananda. Sunday lecture. After the service, Swami
of the diversity in yoga in a simple and joyful manner. Yoga essentials- breathing techniques, stretching and postures, meditation and relaxation, and yogic knowledge are taught. Ends March 15. Organized by Sri Sri Yoga. 7:30-9 a.m. Private Residence, 40867 Capa Drive., Fremont . (408) 4804726. manisha.pathak@srisriyoga.org. secure. artofliving.org/course_details.aspx?course_ id=15734.
February
9 Sunday
Prabuddhananda holds a question-and-answer session in Vivekananda Hall. Organized by Vedanta Society. 11 a.m. Vedanta Society of Northern California, 2323 Vallejo Street, San Francisco. (415) 922-2323. temple@sfvedanta. org. www.sfvedanta.org.
Experiencing the Love of God. Organized by Self-Realization Fellowship. SRF Center Sacramento, 4513 North Ave., Sac
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yogananda-srf.org. Contact temples for times
Sri Ramanama Sankirtana and Meditation. Chanting of slokas condensing the
story of the Ramayana. Group participation. Followed by aarati and mahaprasad. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro . Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama. org.
Devotional Songs by Aruna Krishna.
Shiva Murugan Temple, 1803 Second St., ConSri Karunamayi individual blessings and retreat, cord. Free. (925) 827-0127. www.temple.org. Feb 28- March 1, 2
ramento. (916) 483-9644. SRF Center Los Gatos, 303 E. Main St., Los Gatos. (408) 2525299. Berkeley Temple, 3201 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, (510) 984-0084. www.yogananda-srf. org. Contact temples for times.
February
14 Friday
Sri Bhuwaneswari/Sri Lalitha Devi Abhisheka. Followed by Sri Lalitha Shara
Nama chanting aarti and manthra pushpa. 4 p.m. Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple, 32B Rancho Drive, San Jose. (408) 226-3600. www.vvgc.org, siliconvalleyhindutemple.com.
February
15 Saturday
Masi Magam Puja and Celebration.
Shiva Murugan Temple, 1803 Second St., Concord. Free. (925) 827-0127. www.temple. org.
Sri Maasi Magham (Makham). Sri
Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple, 32B Rancho Drive, San Jose. (408) 226-3600. www.vvgc. org, siliconvalleyhindutemple.com.
February
16 Sunday
The Supreme Connection by Pravrajika Virajaprana. Sunday lecture. After
the service, Swami Prabuddhananda holds a question-and-answer session in Vivekananda Hall. Organized by Vedanta Society. 11 a.m. Vedanta Society of Northern California, 2323 Vallejo Street, San Francisco. (415) 922-2323. temple@sfvedanta.org. www.sfvedanta.org.
The Liberating Power of Affirmation. Organized by Self-Realization Fellow-
ship. SRF Center Sacramento, 4513 North Ave., Sacramento. (916) 483-9644. SRF Center Los Gatos, 303 E. Main St., Los Gatos. (408) 252-5299. Berkeley Temple, 3201 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, (510) 984-0084. www. 106 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
February
18 Tuesday
Sri Sankata Hara Chathurthi. Sri
Lakshmi ganapathi homa and abhisheka. Sri Shiva abhisheka followed by aarti and mahaprasad. 5 p.m. Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple, 32B Rancho Drive, San Jose. (408) 226-3600. www.vvgc.org.
February
21 Friday
Ramana Darshanam. Silient meditation, reading and commentary by Nome on passages from Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi. 8-9:30 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@cruzio.com. www. satramana.org.
February
23 Sunday
In the World but Not of It by Swami Vedananda. Sunday lecture. After the service, Swami Prabuddhananda holds a question-and-answer session in Vivekananda Hall. Organized by Vedanta Society. 11 a.m. Vedanta Society of Northern California, 2323 Vallejo Street, San Francisco. (415) 922-2323. temple@sfvedanta.org. www.sfvedanta.org.
Lecture on the Importance of Values in the Mother’s Yoga. By Kundan
Singh. 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Cultural Integration Fellowship, 2650 Fulton St. (at 3rd Ave.), San Francisco. Free. (415) 668-1559. culturalfellowship@sbcglobal.net. www.culturalintegrationfellowship.org.
Sri Bhagavad Gita Talk and Group Discussion. Followed by aarati and ma-
haprasad. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www. badarikashrama.org.
The Cosmic Motion Picture. Organized by Self-Realization Fellowship. SRF Center Sacramento, 4513 North Ave., Sacramento. (916) 483-9644. SRF Center Los Gatos, 303 E. Main St., Los Gatos. (408) 252-5299. Berkeley Temple, 3201 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, (510) 984-0084. www.yogananda-srf.org. Contact temples for times.
February
27 Thursday
Sri Venkataswara Suprabhatam.
Followed by Sri Mahanyasam Kalasa Prathishtapan. Sri Maha Shiva Rathri mahotsav continued with rudra Abhisheka till the next day (28th). 9 a.m. Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple, 32B Rancho Drive, San Jose. (408) 226-3600. www.vvgc.org.
Maha Shivarathri Puja Celebration.
With a bharatanatyam performance by Shreelata Suresh. 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Shiva Murugan Temple, 1803 Second St., Concord. Free. (925) 827-0127. www.temple.org.
Mahasivaratri Celebration. Worship
of Shiva with rudrabhisheka, music by Rita Sahai, Ilora Jha, Suman and Sargam Shah, followed by aarati and mahaprasad. 7-12 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama. org.
Mahasivaratri. Meditation, readings, recitations, and puja to Siva and Sri Ramana Maharshi. Ends Feb. 28. 7:30 p.m.-6:30 a.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@cruzio.com. satramana.org/ html/mahasivaratri.htm.
February
28 Friday
Sri Karunamayi Individual Blessings-Saraswati Diksha. Sri Karunamayi
will personally be giving Individual Blessings (till 2:30 p.m.). During these programs, Sri Karunamayi will be offering Sri Saraswati Mantra Diksha (initiation) to students ages 4 to 24. Organized by Bay Area Karunamayi. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunnyvale Hindu Temple and Community Center, 450 Persian Drive., Sunnyvale . Free. (510) 209-8697, (408) 865-0709. SFBayArea@ Karunamayi.org. www.karunamayi.org/tour/ Tour-Schedule.html.
March
1 Saturday
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Sri Karunamayi One Day Silent Meditation Retreat. Given by Sri
Karunamayi. Organized by Bay Area Karunamayi. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunnyvale Hindu Temple and Community Center, 450 Persian D.r, Sunnyvale . Approximately $100. (510) 209-8697, (408) 865-0709. SFBayArea@ Karunamayi.org. www.karunamayi.org/tour/ Tour-Schedule.html.
Sri Sundarakhanda Ramayana of Gowswami Tulsidas. Group singing
followed by aarati and mahaprasad. 2:305:30 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro . Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama. org.
March
2 Sunday
Sri Karunamayi Homa. Sacred Fire
Ceremony near the Siddhi Vinayaka Shrine. Organized by Bay Area Karunamayi. 9 a.m.2 p.m. Fremont Hindu Temple, 3676 Delaware Drive., Fremont . Free. (510) 209-8697, (408) 865-0709. SFBayArea@Karunamayi.org. www.karunamayi.org/tour/Tour-Schedule.html.
Harnessing the Power of the Mind.
Organized by Self-Realization Fellowship.
ADVERTISE in the complete Indian American magazine
INDIA CURRENTS Celebrating 27 Years of Excellence
CALL (408) 324-0488 . (714) 523-8788 Fax: (408) 324-0477 Email: ads@indiacurrents.com www.indiacurrents.com Write: 1885 Lundy Ave ste 220 San Jose, CA 95131 Deadline: 20th of every month 108 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
SRF Center Sacramento, 4513 North Ave., Sacramento. (916) 483-9644. SRF Center Los Gatos, 303 E. Main St., Los Gatos. (408) 2525299. Berkeley Temple, 3201 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, (510) 984-0084. www.yogananda-srf. org. Contact temples for times.
Talk and Group Discussion. Readings
from the Bhagavad Gita and commentary by guest speaker, followed by a group discussion, followed by aarati and mahaprasad. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama. org.
March
8 Saturday
ShivYog—Durga Saptashati Beeja Mantra Initiation. Durga Saptashati
Sadhana is the sacred Shakthi Sadhana of Beeja mantras containing hidden powers, which were coded by ancient Yogis to protect it from misuse. Only a learned Guru can unlock the potent mantras for the practice of common people. ShivYog means the union with the Infinite. The initiation is imparted through Babaji’s divine voice and Sankalpa Shakthi through a specially prepared DVD (in English). Ends March 9.
Organized by Hindu Community and Cultural Center. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Shiva Vishnu Temple, 1232 Arrowhead Ave., Livermore . Free. (510) 621-3384, (650) 917-1315, (510) 468-3327. SridarKP@gmail.com, Ashok@ Goruba.com, jaishiva9@gmail.com. shivyogus. com/shivyogus2/index.php?option=com_content &view=category&id=71&Itemid=28, www. LivermoreTemple.org, www.shivyog.com.
March
9 Sunday
Sri Ramanama Sankirtana and Meditation. Group singing of the Ramayana
followed by aarati and mahaprasad. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama. org.
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15602 MAUBERT AVENUE • SAN LEANDRO • CA • 94578 (510) 278-2444 • www.badarikashrama.org
Sunday, Feb. 2nd, 2014, @ 10:30 am
SRI HARIDASA DAY
with Students of Shakuntala Murthy Divya Ramesh, Sreevalli Vinod & Students, Haridasa Kritis Students of Jayashree Varadarajan 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Aarati & Mahaprasad Nachiketa Yakkundi & Students Susheela Narasimhan & Students Padmaja Kishore & Students Sunday, Feb. 9th, 2014, @ 11:00 am
SRI SATYANARAYANA SWAMI PUJA & KATHA & SARASWATHI PUJA
1:30 pm Aarati & Mahaprasad 3:00 pm Odissi Dance Performance by Vishnu Tattva Das
Thursday, Feb., 27th, 2014 @ 7:00 pm – 12 Midnight
MAHASHIVARATRI CELEBRATION PUJA & MUSIC
Siva Puja: Rudrabhisheka Music by Rita Sahai, Ilora Jha,Suman & Sargam Shah
To sponsor homas and pujas please contact the ashrama staff. • Events are free and open to all.
badarik@pacbell.net • Call: 510-278-2444
Om Sri Mathre Namaha
Vaidica Vidhya Ganapathi Center
SRI LAKSHMI GANAPATHI TEMPLE 32B Rancho Drive, San Jose, CA 95111
(Capitol Expressway West and Montrey Road Junction, Opposite and 1 Block from Capitol Cal Train Station)
(408) 226-3600 • www.vvgc.org or siliconvalleyhindutemple.com Wednesday, February 12, 2014 Wednesday, February 5, 2014 At 6.00 pm Pradosham Shiva Sri Rudra At 8.30 pm Sukla Sashti Sri Valli Deva Sena Sametha Sri Subramanya Sahasra Abhisheka Aarati and Manthra Pushpa Nama Archana Friday, February 14, 2014 At 4.00 pm Sri Bhuwaneswari/Sri Lalitha Thursday, February 6, 2014 Devi Abhisheka continued with Sri At 10.00 am Ratha Sapthami Special Surya Narayana Pooja Shiva Abhisheka Lalitha Shasra Nama Chanting Aarati and Manthra Pushpa Aarati and Manthra Pushpa At 6.00 pm Pournami Vratha Sri Sathya Narayan Swamy Vratha/Pooja. All are Friday, February 7, 2014 welcome to participate with family Sri Bheeshma Asthami At 5.00 pm Sri Bhwaneswari/Sri Lalitha Saturday, February 15, 2014 Devi Abhisheka, Kritika Vratha Sri Valli Sri Maasi Magham (Makham) Deva Sena Sametha Sri Subramanya Abhisheka continued with Sri Lalitha Monday, February 17, 2014 Sahasranama Chanting Aarati and Presidents Day - Week End Timings Manthra Pushpa
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 At 5.00 pm Sri Sankata Hara Chathurthi Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Homa/Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Abhisheka, Sri Shiva Abhisheka, Aarati and Manthra Pushpa Thursday, February 27, 2014 Temple Opens at 9.00 am Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam continued with Sri Mahanyasam Kalasa Prathishtapan. Sri Maha Shiva Rathri Mahothsav continued with Rudra Abhisheka till next day 28th morning final Shiva Abhisheka at 5.30 am. Temple will close at 6.00 am. Friday, February 28, 2014 Temple will open at 10.00 am
Please Make A Note:: Temple Address: 32 Rancho Drive, San Jose CA 95111 Temple Timings: Week Days Morning 10.00 Am To 12 Noon, Evening At 6.00 pm To 8.00 pm - Week Ends And Holidays 10.00 am To 8.00 pm FOR BHAJAN'S RELIGIOUS DISCOURSES, MUSIC AND DANCE PERFORMANCES, PRIVATE POOJAS PLEASE CONTACT TEMPLE FOR FURTHER DETAILS MANGALANI BHAVANTHU,SUBHAM BHUYATH,LOKA SAMASTHA SUKINO BHAVANTHU, LOVE ALL SERVE ALL LOVE IS ALL
For Pujas & Rituals Contact: PANDIT GANESH SHASTHRY 245-5443 / Cell: (925) 209-7637 E-mail: srikalahatheeswara@yahoo.com
5639 Kimberly Street, San Jose, CA 95129 — Home: (408)
APPEAL TO THE DEVOTEES SRI LAKSHMI GANAPATHI TEMPLE (VVGC) 11355 MONTEREY HWY., SAN MARTIN, CA 95046
NEW SITE PROJECT (12.7 ACRES OF LAND)
OUR APPEAL TO THE BAY AREA COMMUNITY • PLEASE SUPPORT Dear Devotees, VVGC sincerely appreciates the continued support over the years. It has not only outgrown its capacity to accommodate the increasing number of devotees from many faiths, but has also been facing challenges such as inadequate parking. VVGC is in the process of acquiring a much larger plot of land, about 12.7 acres, at 11355 Monterey Road in San Martin, CA (About
18 miles from the present location). We are currently working with Santa Clara County to obtain the necessary permits, and will start offering regular services at the new site as soon as we get the use permit. We hope to move to the new location gradually within the next 9 months. The estimated cost of the land is about $1.5 million. VVGC has embarked on an ambitious fund raising campaign for the first
Please make the check payable to VVGC with a memo at the bottom to read "San Martin Site” Mail to: VVGC, 32 Rancho Drive, San Jose, CA 95111
YOUR CAN DONATE ONLINE FROM THE WWW.VVGC.ORG WEBSITE BY USING CREDIT/DEBIT CARD OR PAYPAL ACCOUNT BY CLICKING ON THE PAYPAL DONATE BUTTON
Your support is absolutely essential for this ambitious plan.
time, and requests the devotees to come forward to either make a donation, for which a receipt will be mailed OR make a pledge (loan) payable to VVGC. We will mail you the promissory note. All donations are tax deductible, to the extent allowed under the Law.
VVGC is committed to provide the excellent traditional services that the Hindu community in the Bay Area has enjoyed over the past few years. In addition we plan to conduct Yoga, Meditation, Music and Language classes as well as facilities such as an Auditorium and a Library. — Thanks, VVGC Please feel free to contact any of the volunteers listed below.
Subramaniam Y. Dixit (408) 628-9166 • RamKumar (503) 997-5368 Sarangapani (408) 332-9894 • Sriram (650) 438-5477 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT WWW.VVGC.ORG
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 109
110 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 111
healthy life
Crucial Workout Meals By Malar Gandhi
Y
our total daily calorie and nutrient intake, along with getting those nutrients from mostly higher quality sources, is always the most important part of every single diet plan regardless of what your goal is. Once you ensure you’re getting all of your totals right for the day, the meals directly surrounding your workouts are next in line in terms of the amount of impact and influence it has on the results you get. Fueling your body before and after a strenuous exercise is important for minimizing soreness and fatigue, playing a key role in energizing your muscles. After a long high-intensity cardio your body’s stored energy is depleted and your muscles need to replenish lost glycogen as soon as possible. Choosing the right combination of protein and carbohydrate is crucial. In order to maximize energy and calorie burning potential in a workout session, it is always recommended to eat something prior to physical activity. Skipping meals altogether is a big mistake. Many think that to burn calories or lose tummy fat they should workout with an empty stomach, but blood glucose drops when you are fasting, so the body uses its reserve fat as fuel, but this does not mean you are actually burning fat. Burning fat is more about overall calorie expenditure and not just about the type of energy your body is using up for a physical activity. The undermining issue is that one cannot perform well at the gym for a reasonably long period. Therefore, one will end up burning fewer calories than planned for. Eating before a workout has its own benefits, besides boosting recovery and strength. It will help you sustain for long hours and for an intense workout. If you had a light snack before any physical activity, the blood glucose level won’t hit bottom and make you dizzy. At the same time, if you have eaten a relatively big meal, make sure to give enough time for digestion before you hit the gym. The larger the portion of the meal, the more the time you will need before the workout.
112 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
The timing of your post-workout meal is critical for proper recovery. In a 2001 study conducted by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, researchers found that ingesting protein and carbohydrates an hour after workout was superior for protein synthesis, or the muscle growth process within cells, and muscle recovery rather than consuming carbohydrates three hours later. Pre and Post Workout Meal Plan Each genre of workout may demand a different approach of meal before and afterward to help maintain energy and to maximize the results. Pre-workout meal means grabbing a snack about 30-60 minutes prior to exercise, whereas, post-workout meal is an hour after. Yoga and Stretching. Though yoga and
stretching could be stressful for some of us, it is still considered low impact exercise. Choose fibrous foods like apple, pears, pineapple, berries before your activity. While your body is still burning calories, afterward, replenish with water and plan for healthy meal like whole wheat chappathi wrapped with paneer or black eye beans. Cardio Workout. Before you hit the studio, you need energy, but not too heavy a meal. Start with an Indian trail mix, dry fruits and nuts (bananas slices, peaches, coconut pieces, dates, raisins, candied sugar, walnuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds). Following your exercise, opt for palak paneer or grilled fish. Maintain a low fat diet for high metabolism. Strength Training. Prior to strength training, eat a protein-carbohydrate rich diet. After training, choose complex carbohy-
drates like brown rice with vegetable subzi (stir-fried vegetables), or whole wheat phulka with dal tadka and avoid simple starches like potatoes and white rice. Vegetarian’s Choice. Pre and post workout snacks usually compromise on vegetarian ingredients. This leaves vegetarians with fewer options to boost performance. Some of the best vegetarian snack ideas include banana-walnut smoothie, toasted brown bread with fresh cream, Punjabi lassi (with palm sugar), South Indian sundal (tempered legumes), sprouted mung bean salad, paneer tikka (grilled), whole wheat roti with dal are all some of the power packed, smart choices to have soon after a hard day at the gym. Stay Hydrated. Exercise often causes dehydration, which hinders muscle recovery. According to research reported in the 1996 issue of “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise,” athletes should drink about 17 oz of fluid every two hours during and after exercise until they are adequately hydrated. Prepare your own liquid electrolytes, like honey based lemonade, ginger-mint juice, water melon juice, salted buttermilk, tender coconut water and whey. The next time you make home-made paneer (Indian cottage cheese), do not throw away the whey. It is rich in liquid milk serum, lots of albumin and globulin proteins are still present in it. In fact milk serum or whey is often sold as a nutritional supplement in many health care industries. It’s quite popular among body builders. It’s one of best post-workout drink, helps the aching muscles to relax and tone. Liquid Diet Lovers. In order to nourish yourself after an intense workout, your meal itself can be something with lot of fluids, like finger millet gruel (ragi koozh), mixed beans pottage (Indian chili), cracked wheat porridge, lentils and spinach soup, barley and chicken broth, red rice kanji, health mix kheer, ragi malt, greens broth and mixed vegetables juice. n Malar Gandhi is a freelance writer, who specializes in Culinary Anthropology and Gourmet Indian Cooking. She blogs about Indian food at www.kitchentantras.com and can be reached at malargandhi@kitchentantras.com.
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ONGOING SPIRITUAL EVENTS Daily Laughter Yoga Club. Simple effective
yogic exercises with laughter therapy for perfect health and happiness and to reduce stress. Serra Park, Hollenbeck Roadd, Sunnyvale. Daily. 7 a.m.-8 a.m. Free. (408) 4901260. mkm.blr@gmail.com.
Vishnusahasranama. Daily, 12 p.m. Balaji Temple, 678 Cypress Ave., Suunyvale. (408) 203-1036. Balajitemple1@gmail.com. www. balajitemple.net.
Aarti. Daily, 8:30 p.m. Balaji Temple, 678
Cypress Ave., Suunyvale. (408) 203-1036. Balajitemple1@gmail.com. www.balajitemple.net.
Patanjali Yoga Sutras: Satsang. Parama-
layam.org. info@yogalayam.org.
Sunday Worship Services. The service offers a nonsectarian message of hope, faith, and the essential harmony of the world’s religions, emphasising on self-realization, awakening to the inherent goodness of our spiritual nature and living in harmony with divine will. Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, 1146 University Ave., San Jose. Sundays, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. (408) 283-0221, x30. www.CSEcenter.org. Lecture on different religious traditions. The meditation hall is also open for those who wish to deepen their meditation practice. Organized by Cultural Integration Fellowship. 2650 Fulton St. San Francisco. Sundays, 9-11 a.m. (415) 626-2442. Yoga and Meditation. Sundays, 9:30-11 a.m. Premarpan Yoga and Wellness Center, Los Gatos. Free. (408) 406-8197. premarpan@ gmail.com. www.premarpan.com.
Nome on self-dnowledge and self-inquiry, recitation and readings from the Upanishads, recitation of Tamil Ribhu Gita. Organized by Society of Abidance in Truth. Every Sunday, 10-11:30 a.m. 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. www.satramana. org.
Advaita Vedanta and the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi. Society of Abidance in Truth, 1834 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz. Sundays, 10 a.m.-12 noon. (831) 425-7287. www. SATRamana.org. Monthly Satsangs of Vaswani Mission of Bay Area. Includes video discourse tapes of Dada Jashan, reading of the Noori Granth, Gita path, bhajans, and shloka recitation. Fremont Hindu Temple, 3676 Delaware Dr., Fremont. Third Sundays, 10:30–11:45 a.m. (510) 796-4472, (408) 218-6364. prmlani3@ yahoo.co.in.
hamsa Nithyananda says, “Don’t add movements to your life, add life to your movements.” That is yoga. Patanjali is a great sage and inner world scientist from ancient India. He was the first person to systematize the oral yogic tradition and encode it in a concise form called Yoga Sutras, roughly over 2,000 years ago. Through these talks, he enables the flowering of yoga in you, so you can see a visible change in your very postures, ethical discipline and sensory perceptions. Program broadcast live from India, conducted by Paramahamsa Nithyananda. Organized by Life Bliss Foundation. Daily, 8-9:30 p.m. Nithyananda Vedic Temple, 513 Los Coches St., Milpitas. Free. (408) 263-6375. info.vedictemple@gmail.com. www.vedictemplebayarea.org.
panied by the divine and auspicious chants of Rudram and Chamakam we perform abhishekam (holy bath) to Lord Anandeshwara, Anandeshwari (Shiva and Parvathi), Shiva linga, Devi, Karthikeya and the Nava grahas using divine powder, sandalwood powder and turmeric. It is later followed by grand alankaram (dressing up) of the deities, naivedhyam, and Maha Aaarthi. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nithyananda Vedic Temple, 513 Los Coches St., Milpitas. Free. (408) 263-6375. info.vedictemple@gmail.com. www.vedictemplebayarea.org.
Community Gatherings include a short
Sunday
Sunday Service Sikh Temple, 2301 Ever-
alization Fellowship. SRF, 303 E. Main St, Los Gatos. Sundays, 11 a.m. (408) 252-5299.
Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY),
Abhishekam and Alankaram and Special Pujas to magnificent deities, accom-
green Ave, West Sacramento. Sundays, 10 a.m. (916) 371-9787.
plus physical exercises. We guide and initiate SKY meditation. We also provide Kayakalpam and Introspection courses. Sundays, 8-10 a.m. Sunnyvale-Sanadan Dharma Kendra,897 Kifer Road, Suite #1, Sunnyvale. Free. (510) 456-8953. sky.bayarea@yahoo.com. www. skybayarea.org.
1930 S Grant St, Stockton. Sundays, 10 a.m. (209) 946-9039.
Guru Gita Chant Siddha Yoga Medita-
Free. Open to all. (650) 218-4223. braroo@ gmail.com.
tion Ctr, 4115 Jacksol Dr., San Jose. Sundays, 8 a.m. (408) 559-1716.
Purification and Meditation Ananda Sangha, 2171 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Sundays, 9 a.m.-9:45 a.m. (650) 323-3363. www.anandapaloalto.org.
Meditation and chanting. Yogalayam,
1717 Alcatraz Ave., Berkeley. Sundays, 9-10:30 a.m. (510) 655-3664. www.yoga114 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Sri Akhand Path Sahib Sikh Temple,
Sri Aurobindo Meditation and Study Group. Sundays, 11 a.m.-Noon. In Danville.
Jainism Classes for children 4 years and older. Organized by Jain Center of Northern Califorina. Jain Bhavan, 722 South Main St., Milpitas. First and third Sunday of every month. 10-11:30 a.m. $35 annually for members, $50 anually for non-members. (408) 517-0975, (408) 262-6042. www.jcnc. org. Satsang, silent meditation, discourse by
Sunday Services Self Realization Fellowship, Sacramento Center, 4513 North Ave, Sacramento. Sundays, 11 a.m. (916) 483-9614. talk with discussion, kirtan, puja, meditation, and treats. San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute, 770 Dolores St., San Francisco. Sundays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (415) 821-1117. www. integralyogasf.org.
Ramanama meditation and kirtan.
Organized by Badarikashrama. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave, San Leandro. Sundays, 11 a.m. (510) 278-2444. www. badarikashrama.org.
Sunday Service Organized by Self Re-
Sunday School for children 6-14 years
of age to give them a general knowledge of the universal truths of Vedanta, to acquaint them with the basic teachings of the major living religions, and to inspire reverence for the great religious teachers of the world. Organized by Vedanta Society of Northern California. Vedanta Society of Northern California, Old Temple, 2963 Webster St., San Francisco. Sundays, 11 a.m.-Noon. (415) 9222323. www.sfvedanta.org.
Zoroastrian Temple Arbab Zoroastrian Temple, 10468 Crothers Rd, San Jose. First Sundays, 12 p.m. (408) 365-0119. Nithya Dhyaan Meditation Satsang,
a powerful meditation technique to achieve physical and mental well-being. Organized by Life Bliss Foundation. Sundays, 3:30 p.m.
health
451 (Kung-Fu School), Los Coches St., Milpitas. Sunday Festival, an evening of bhajans, arati, discourses and Krishna prasadam. Organized by ISKCON. ISKCON, 951 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose. Sundays, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. (408) 559-3197.
Festival and Feast an evening of bhajans, Bhagavad Gita classes, aarti, kirtan, and prasad. Radha Krishna Temple, 2990 Union Ave, San Jose. Sundays, 5:30 p.m. (408) 5593197. Satsang. Kirtan, lecture, prasad distribu-
tion, and vegetarian feast. Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Ashram, 2900 N Rodeo Gulch Rd, Soquel. Sundays, 6 p.m. Free. (408) 462-4712.
Meditation with devotional chanting and talk on yoga philosophy. Sivananda Yoga Center, 1200 Arguello Blvd., San Francisco, Sundays, 6 p.m. (415) 681 2731.
Satsang. Prayer, chanting meditation, lec-
ture series on devotional topic (Geeta, Bhagwatam, Brahma Sutra, Upnishads etc.), followed by arti and prasad. Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP) Center-San Jose. Sundays, 6-7:15 p.m. 4940 Avenida de Carmen, Santa Clara. (408) 980-9953. www.JKPSanJose.org.
Women’s Sufi Gathering Discussion of Sufi principles, poetry, literature and meditation. Organized by International Association of Sufism. Berkeley venue to be announced. Sundays, 7 p.m. Free. (510) 849-5309. Devotional Meetings Programs includ-
ing prayer, chanting meditations, video discourse (Bhagvad Gita series), arti and homage. J.K.P. Sunnyvale Center, 955 Ponderosa Avenue #27, Sunyvale. Sundays, 7:30-8:45 p.m. (408) 738-1201. dk.taylor@sbcglobal.net
Sri Ram Amrith Vani and bhajans. Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. followed by Preeti Bhoj. Sunnyvale Hindu temple, 420-450 Persian Dr., Sunnyvale. (408) 734-4554, (408) 734-0775. www.sunnyvaletemple.org.
Bhajan, Kirtan, Sathsang or Puja.
Sundays, Balaji Temple, 678 Cypress Ave., Suunyvale. (408) 203-1036. Balajitemple1@ gmail.com. www.balajitemple.net.
Monday Bhagavad Gita—The Song of God
with Kamala Lee, teaching the scriptures of the Bhagavad Gita. Organized by Integral Yoga Institute. Integral Yoga Institute, 770 Dolores St, San Francisco. Mondays, 6 p.m.7:30 p.m. $48. (415) 821-1117. www.inte-
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gralyogasf.org.
Sri Rudrabhishekam Mondays, 6:30-8
p.m. Sunnyvale Hindu temple, 420-450 Persian Dr., Sunnyvale. (408) 734-4554, (408) 734-0775. www.sunnyvaletemple.org.
Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati lead Sanskrit chanting, commentary and discussion of scriptures including Lalitha Trishati, Bhagavad Gita, Sundarakand, Chandi Path. Devi Mandir, 6:30 p.m. Live web broadcasts at www.shreemaa.org/ broadcasts (707) 966-2802.
Shiv Puja. 6 p.m. Bhajans with music, discourse, and arati. Vegetarian food served. Free. Shree Ram Mandir, 3401 Claus Rd., Modesto, CA 95355. mandir@modestotemple.org. (209) 551-9820. Rudrabhi Sheka. Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m. Balaji Temple, 678 Cypress Ave., Suunyvale. (408) 203-1036. Balajitemple1@gmail.com. www.balajitemple.net.
Tuesday Discourses on Sri Rudram. By Vijay
Kapoor. Half hour of chanting followed by explanation of meaning, based on books by
116 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Swami Dayananda Saraswati and Swami Maheshananda of Dakshinamoorti Math. 7:30- 9 p.m. Jain Bhawan, 722 S. Main Street Milpitas. Free. arshavidyacenter.org, vijaykapoor@gmail.com.
Shri Appaji Meditation. Participate in
unique psychosomatic spiritual meditation techniques Shri Appaji has developed after years of in-depth analysis, research, and experiments. Group meditation, discourse sessions. Shri Appaji Meditation Center, Sunnyvale. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. (women only), 7:30 p.m. (men and women). $10/session, first Tuesday free. Registration required. (408) 7359025. shri_appaji@hotmail.com.
Jain Spiritual Lectures on topics such
as syadwad, anekantwad, nonviolence, forgiveness by samanijies from Jain Vishwa Bharati, Ladnun, Rajasthan. Jain Bhavan, 722 S. Main Street, Milpitas. Tuesdays, 8-9:30 p.m. Free. (408) 262-6242, (650) 207-8196. www.jcnc.org. hirensaraiya@hotmail.com.
Gakara Ganapathy Sahasranama
Hindu Community & Cultural Ctr, 1232 Arrowhead Ave, Livermore. Tuesdays. (925) 4496255. www.livermoretemple.org.
Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda
Saraswati lead Sanskrit chanting, commentary and discussion of scriptures including Lalitha Trishati, Bhagavad Gita, Sundarakand, Chandi Path. Devi Mandir, 6:30 p.m. Live web broadcasts at www.shreemaa.org/ broadcasts. (707) 966-2802.
Sri Hanuman Puja. 6:30-8 p.m. Sunnyvale Hindu temple, 420-450 Persian Dr., Sunnyvale. (408) 734-4554, (408) 734-0775. www.sunnyvaletemple.org. Osho Meditations. Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. at Amrithika, 248 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. Free. (650) 462-1980. www.amrithika.com. Hanuman Chalisa and Durga Pooja and Subramanya Strotam. Tuesdays,
7-8:30 p.m. Balaji Temple, 678 Cypress Ave., Suunyvale. (408) 203-1036. Balajitemple1@ gmail.com. www.balajitemple.net.
Chanting Hanuman Chalisa. Chanting of the powerful Hanuman Chalisa in a group grants the devotee protection from all harm and blesses him/her with health, wealth and prosperity. It is followed by special aarthi to Ram parivar (Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman). Transcripts of the Chalisa provided (in English, Hindi, and Tamil). Tuesdays, 8-9:30 p.m. Nithyananda Ve-
dic Temple, 513 Los Coches St., Milpitas. Free. (408) 263-6375. info.vedictemple@gmail.com. www.vedictemplebayarea.org.
health
Wednesday Yoga for Wellness. This class will offer tools to help manage stress, enhance the immune system, promote healthy digestion and sleep, and optimize the body’s own healing mechanisms, by using movement, breath, meditation, and sound in a supportive group setting. Wednesdays, 9-10:15 a.m. Yoga Shala, 330 Melville Ave, Palo Alto. $15. (650) 857-0226. dhurgareddy.nd@gmail.com. www.dhurgareddy.com. Worship Services include a burning bowl
ritual that supports each one in consciously letting go of that which no longer serves our highest good and inviting in that which does. Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, 1146 University Avenue, San Jose. Wednesdays, 12-1 p.m. (408) 283-0221, x30. www.CSEcenter.org.
Bhagavad Gita Class An in-depth explo-
ration of the Bhagavad Gita, led by Vaisesika Dasa Adhikari. ISKCON, 951 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Free. (408) 5593197.
Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati lead Sanskrit chanting, commentary and discussion of scriptures including Lalitha Trishati, Bhagavad Gita, Sundarakand, Chandi Path. Devi Mandir, Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. Live web broadcasts at www.shreemaa.org/broadcasts (707) 966-2802.
Bhagavath Seva - Voluntary Service to
God. Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m. Sunnyvale Hindu temple, 420-450 Persian Dr., Sunnyvale. (408) 734-4554, (408) 734-0775. www. sunnyvaletemple.org.
Ramayana Katha Aranya Kand with pravachan by Shastriji. Vedic Dharma Samaj, Fremont Hindu Temple, 3676 Delaware Dr., Fremont. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. (510) 6590655. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, a discourse by Swami Prapannananda. Vedanta Society of Sacramento, 1337 Mission Ave., Carmichael. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. (916) 489-5137. www. vedantasacto.org. Mandukya Upanishad is a class by Pra-
pannananda on Vedanta scriptures. Vedanta Society of Sacramento, 1337 Mission Ave., Carmichael. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. (916) 4895137. www.vedantasacto.org. February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 117
Devotional Meetings including prayer, chanting meditations, video discourse (Bhagvad Gita series), arti and homage. J.K.P. Sunnyvale Center, 955 Ponderosa Avenue #27, Sunyvale. Wednesdays, 7:30-8:45 p.m. (408) 738-1201. dk.taylor@sbcglobal.net. Satsang. Prayer, chanting meditation, lecture series on devotional topic (Geeta, Bhagwatam, Brahma Sutra, Upnishads etc.), followed by arti and prasad. Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP) Center-San Jose. Wednesdays 7:30-8:45 p.m. 4940 Avenida de Carmen, Santa Clara. (408) 980-9953. www. JKPSanJose.org. Sri Aurobindo Meditation and Study Group. Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. In
Danville. Free. Open to all. (650) 218-4223. braroo@gmail.com.
Meditation. Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Balaji Temple, 678 Cypress Ave., Suunyvale. (408) 203-1036. Balajitemple1@gmail.com. www.balajitemple.net.
Satsang Siddha Yoga Meditation Ctr, 4115 Jacksol Dr, San Jose. Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. (408) 559-1716. Inspirational Service SRF, 303 E. Main
St, Los Gatos. Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. (408) 2525299.
Zen Fitness Designed to reduce stress, pain, and weight. Thursdays, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Sunnyvale studio. Contact for location, (415) 203-9231, taoak@yahoo.com. Ancient Wisdom, Modern Mind,
Kirtan, an evening of chanting. Words
8-10 p.m. For location, call (408) 910-6052, (408) 578-5685.
Jain Swadhyay with an illuminating study
Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati lead Sanskrit chanting, commen-
The Secret of the Self, introduction
to meditation and philosophy in the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. Organized by Sri Sambha Sathashiva Vidya Peetham. Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m. Nine Star University of Health Sciences, 441 DeGuigne Drive, Suite 201, Sunnyvale. info@vidyapeetham.org. www. vidyapeetham.org.
Shri Shirdi Sai Baba haarathulu dhoop aarti. Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple, 32B Rancho Dr., San Jose. Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. (408) 226-3600. www.vvgv.org. www.siliconvalleyhindutemple.com.
118 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
and Sri Maha Lakshmi Puja. Fridays, 6:30-8 p.m., Sunnyvale Hindu temple, 420-450 Persian Dr., Sunnyvale. (408) 734-4554, (408) 734-0775. www.sunnyvaletemple.org.
Dada Bhagwan’s Satsang. Thursdays,
Thursday yoga class for people with mild to moderate anxiety as well as for those seeking to reduce anxiety in their lives. Teachers use movement, breath, meditation, and sound in a supportive group atmosphere. Organized by Healing Yoga Foundation of San Francisco. Thursdays, 4-5:15 p.m. 3620 Buchanan St, San Francisco. Donations. (415) 931-9642. admin@healingyoga.org. www.healingyoga.org/ schedule.html.
Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Parayanam
Sri Santhoshi Mata, Durga Devi Pooja and Lord Lakshmi Pooja.
chanting and learning of kirtans. Organized by Society of Abidance in Truth. 7:30-9:30 p.m. 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. www.satramana.org.
Yoga for Anxiety, an on-going, drop-in
mentary and discussion of scriptures including Lalitha Trishati, Bhagavad Gita, Sundarakand, Chandi Path. Devi Mandir, Fridays, 6:30 p.m. Live web broadcasts at www. shreemaa.org/broadcasts (707) 966-2802.
guided Kriya meditation led by Pratibha Gramann, longtime student of Sri Baba Hari Dass. Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. Shubhamayurveda Center, 3606 Thornton Ave., Fremont. rmg.pratibha@att.net.
of Jain scriptures Series continues on Samyag Tap, Samyag Gyan, Samyag Darshan and Samyag Charitra, with samanijies from Jain Vishwa Bharati, Ladnun, Rajasthan. Jain Bhawan, 722 S. Main Street, Milpitas. Thursdays, 8-9:30 p.m. Free. (408) 262-6242, (650) 207-8196. www.jcnc.org.
Atmotsava (Ramana Nama San-kirtanam), meditation, readings, devotional
Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati lead Sanskrit chanting, com-
tary and discussion of scriptures including Lalitha Trishati, Bhagavad Gita, Sundarakand, Chandi Path. Devi Mandir, Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Live web broadcasts at www.shreemaa.org/broadcasts (707) 966-2802.
Shirdi Sai Bhajans. Shirdi Sai Center,
897-B, E. Kifer Rd., Sunnyvale. Thursdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. (408) 705-7904. www.Shirdisaiparivaar.org.
Sri Sai baba Aarti and Bhajana.
Thursdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Balaji Temple, 678 Cypress Ave., Suunyvale. (408) 203-1036. Balajitemple1@gmail.com. www.balajitemple.net.
Friday Kirtan and chanting. Organized by Ananda Sangha. Ananda Sangha, 2171 El Camino (at College), Palo Alto. Fridays, 7:30-9:15 p.m. Free. Note: Only on the first Friday of the month, these sessions will be held at 240 Monroe Dr., Mountain View. (650) 323-3363. www. anandapaloalto.org.
Fridays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Balaji Temple, 678 Cypress Ave., Suunyvale. (408) 203-1036. Balajitemple1@gmail.com. www.balajitemple.net.
provided. English as well as some Indian chants accompanied by harmonium and guitar. Every second and third Friday, 7:30 pm, Ananda, 2171 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, free (650) 323-3363, free www.anandapaloalto.org
Meditation, self-inquiry meditation instruction by Nome, silent meditation, and dialogues. Organized by Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT). Every first and third Friday of the month, 8 p.m. 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. www. satramana.org. Group Meditation with mantra chanting and lecture with Swami Pranavananda, a senior meditation teacher. His kirtan and music is lively and his talks are practical. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, 1200 Arguello Blvd, San Francisco. Fridays, 8 p.m. (415) 681 2731, SanFrancisco@sivananda.org.
Bhajan Class for Children, ages 4-18.
Fridays, 8-9:30 p.m. Nithyananda Vedic Temple, 513 Los Coches St., Milpitas. Free. (408) 263-6375. info.vedictemple@gmail.com. www. vedictemplebayarea.org.
Saturday Srivenkateshwara Suprabhata and Vishnu Sahasranama Strotam. Satur-
days, 8-9 a.m. Balaji Temple, 678 Cypress Ave., Suunyvale. (408) 203-1036. Balajitemple1@ gmail.com. www.balajitemple.net.
Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY),
plus physical exercises. We guide and initiate SKY meditation. We also provide Kayakalpam and Introspection courses. Saturdays, 9 a.m. Fremont Temple. Free. (510) 456-8953. sky.bayarea@yahoo.com. www.skybayarea.org.
Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Literature, a discourse by Swami Prapannananda. Vedanta Society of Sacramento, 1337 Mission Ave., Carmichael. Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. (916) 489-5137. www.veantasacto.org.
eN-Kriya for Kundalini Awakening.
eN-kriya is a 42-minute process involving intense pranayama (breathing techniques), mudras (yogic hand gestures), asanas (yoga poses), and meditations. At the individual level, one experiences: physical health and healing, emotional well-being, spiritual ripening through kundalini awakening, Levitation and high state of awareness. Enkriya doesn’t contain any religious rituals or beliefs and it doesn’t matter who you follow. Organized by Life Bliss Foundation. Program broadcast live from India. Two-way live connection. Conducted by Paramahamsa Nithyananda. Saturdays, 8-10 p.m. Nithyananda Vedic Temple, 513 Los Coches St., Milpitas. Free. (408) 263-6375. info.vedictemple@gmail.com. www.vedictemplebayarea.org. www.nithyananda.org/en-kriya.
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commentary
Charm of the Farmers’ Market By Archana Asthana
I
’ve never been on a farm and I don’t live near one, yet the ubiquitous lure of the farmers’ market brings me to our local milieu most Sundays. The freshness of the locally produced fruits, vegetables, flowers, honey (even beehives), breads, marinated olives, garlic, ravioli, varied nuts are all fair game; the local musician enthusiastically cranking out tunes and livening up the ambience. It was a glorious 70 degree day, last Sunday, and the refrigerator resembled Mother Hubbard’s bare cupboard, so we trekked out to the market toting our reusable cloth bags (like all good Indian Americans, who were green even before being green became fashionable). The scene was awash in bright sunshine. The local guitarist was strumming musical numbers that we knew all the words to (read Beatles, ABBA, Eagles). The smell of fresh flora, and the delectable taste of fresh fruit set out for tasting by vendors combined to create a really heady feeling. I felt transported to another time and place. The busy street junction’s usual hustle and bustle was replaced by people on foot, strolling along with babies and dogs in tow, pausing to examine the wares, testing them for ripeness, sniffing, scratching, staring intently and then haggling with the vendors for a more affordable price. These days the haggling has all but disappeared, as the savvy farmers have realized that their wares, once considered a cheaper alternative, are now considered “super foods” and command a higher price, suitable to their “organic” status. All in all, I was feeling good, socializing with known faces and sharing recipes with strangers while tasting an unknown variety of fruits and vegetables. I watched the world pass by in slow motion as the sights and sounds were filed away for later retrieval. These moments represented tranquility in my busy life, a few stolen moments of respite amidst the clamor of attention from all that touched me. What was most endearing was the ability to select the amount of food and have the farmer measure its weight ... much like the old times, or, like when I lived in India. The “bhaiya” or “dada” factor is some120 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
A Creative Commons Image what restricted, but we are getting close to calling them “amigo” or “buddy” whenever appropriate, which makes the simple act of buying food somewhat more personal. A few years ago, I recall stopping by a farmers’ market and catching a glimpse of fresh crabs as they were being unloaded. Deciding to be adventurous, I had bought some. Back at home cookbooks had been rifled through, in our maiden attempt to cook this delicacy, and finally hubby dear had decided he was confident enough to try to recreate the black pepper crab we had so enjoyed in Singapore. I had been warned of the lingering smell from cooking crab at home, so, the stove on the outdoor barbecue grill was used and a big pot of water was soon bubbling with boiling water, into which the crabs were dropped. This act should have evoked other thoughts, rather than the one of imminent food, however by this time in the afternoon, we were all too hungry to be sentimental about the last rites for the crab. The dish was topped with black pepper liberally sprinkled on melted butter. Then began the crab fest ... a sight to behold, and about an hour and four large mounds of shells later, we were satiated campers. I realized then that our family tended to bond
over food. More recently, it has been whole walnuts from the farmers’ market that have prompted similar moments. I miss my hinged doors to crack the walnut shell with, and contend with the nutcrackers. I also miss the kids cracking their own walnuts, instead of waiting for me to finish cracking theirs! Fresh flowers are my husband’s indulgence. There is always a reason to buy flowers in my household (special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, makeup after fights), or for no reason. Honey is another interesting item to pick up at these local stalls, especially when you can see it being made as you watch the buzzing hive in action. What is missing is live cows, and then we’ll be all set with fresh milk! Until then, we enjoy our Sunday mornings spent outdoors, buying food in a way that brings us closer to the source, and more importantly re-establishing the human connection. n Archana Asthana is a biologist by training, and currently a high school science teacher in Fremont. An adventurer by avocation, she is always on the lookout for something interesting to read, talk, or write about.
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 121
122 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
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Divesting Dependencies By Alzak Amlani
Q
My wife and I have two daughters who are now in their late twenties. We put a fair amount of energy into raising them and giving them lots of opportunities. They went to good schools, we helped them with their homework, enrolled them in extra curricular activities and we traveled to interesting places as a family. When my wife and I were younger we had to struggle much more to assure ourselves of a good education and career. We had to work during high school and college, since our parents couldn’t afford to pay for everything. I enjoyed working hard and knowing I could create the future I wanted for myself. One of my girls is quite independent. The other one seems unmotivated and tends to rely on us for financial support regularly. I don’t see her looking for work with any seriousness or wanting to get a degree so she can have a graduate education. Saying no to her requests makes me feel guilty. I don’t know how to help her grow in this area?
A
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a career or start a business. You are not the only financial source for her. Lastly, some parents unconsciously hold on to one of their children so as to not face the loss of an “empty nest.” Are you sure you want her to be on her own? She may move further away or have a serious relationship. Not having any children in the home after many years can feel strange and could put a strain on your marriage. Partners wonder what they will have in common and how they are going to deal with each other, since the distraction of raising a child is gone. Some couples have to rebuild their relationship to stay together and grow. Finding individual and shared activities and interests can rekindle your partnership at this point. Letting your child go is essential for her freedom and maturity. It will also initiate you into the next phase of your life. n
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To place a classified ad online, go to http:// www.indiacurrents.com/forms/placeclassified/ ANNOUNCEMENTS HAIR STATION FOR RENT IN Fremont. Also hiring Threading & Hair artists. Call now (510) 797 8955 or e-mail mbijor2003@yahoo.com. New salon coming soon in Fremont. AKHIL BHARATIYA GANDHARVA Mahavidyalaya Mandal California Center. Registration is open for Sangeet Parichay to Madhyama Poorna in vocal, tabla and dance. For further details, please contact us at (408) 792-7014. LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST PROVIDES treatment for depression, grief, anxiety and marriage difficulties. Expert Psychological Assessment for immigration: Political Asylum, VAWA or Hardship Waivers. (510)402-4114 www.meembay.com. BEAUTY THREADING, FACIAL, HAIR, and full range of Shahnaz products. Khoobsurat Threading, 1014 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. Contact Shefali (408) 8350097. KASHISH SALON - Threading, facial/waxing, Hair & Makeup, bridal and wedding studio. Two locations San Francisco (408) 219-0046, Santa Clara (408) 260-2676. CHILDCARE BEST INDIAN DAYCARE SINCE 1998 ON ONE ACRE ground near 280/85 Cupertino. Afterschool, preschool and infant programs. Freshly cooked vegetarian food. Best student/teacher ratio. www.balmandircupertino.com. (408) 737-0790. MOST TRUSTED INDIAN DAYCARE by loveable Marathi family in Cupertino. Contact (408) 792-7014 or visit www.gharkul126 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
indiacurrents.com daycare.com. CLASSES: DANCE CHHANDAM SCHOOL OF KATHAK DANCE. Classes held in Berkeley, Mountain View, San Francisco, San Bruno, San Rafael, and Union City. Beginning classes available in all locations. Call (415) 759-8060 or visit www.chhandam.org. CLASSES: MUSIC CLASSES OFFERED BY LAKSHMI C. SAXENA in San Jose. North Indian vocal music: classical, semi classical, light music like bhajans, geet, ghazals, film songs, instrumental music: harmonium, tabla. Also Hindi lessons. Available for performances. Call (408) 268-3651 or email Lsaxena99@ yahoo.com. CLASSES LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO TEACH MATH from Mon to Thurs for 2.5 hours a day. Will be paid hourly. Please call (510) 754-9264. DE ANZA COLLEGE CUPERTINO, CA Learn Hindi, Earn 5 credits per quarter. Professor Nilu Gupta. guptanilu@fhda.edu. (510)713-2500. COUNSELING FREE PEER COUNSELING and support offered to South Asian women. Maitri has a live person handling phone calls 9am-1pm (Mon-Fri) and a voice message helpline at all other times. Are you having problems with your partner? Are you going through cultural adjustment problems? Call (408)4368398. Our South Asian female volunteers speak many South Asian languages. Toll free hotline 1(888) 8-MAITRI or go to maitri@ maitri.org. IS A FAMILY MEMBER HURTING YOU? Contact Narika, a domestic violence hotline for South Asian women. Our services are free and strictly confidential. Call (800) 215-7308. EDUCATION VEDIC MATH AFTERSCHOOL EN-
RICHMENT. Sharpen your mental math and problem solving skills. Calculate at lightning speed with amazing ease and accuracy. More information (408)931-1000, vedicmath@comcast.net. ENTERTAINMENT DJ MUSIC, LIVE AUDIO SYSTEM, DJ lights, fog machine, bubble machine, weddings, receptions, birthdays, events, religious ceremonies, fund-raisers, graduations. Please call or text at (510) 366-3086 for more information or email at mohsaleem@ comcast.net. www.saafentertainment.com FOR SALE INSTRUMENTS - Greatest selection of North Indian instrumetns in the U.S. Ali Akbar College store sells the finest quality sitars, sarods, tanpuras, harmoniums, tablas, flutes, etc. Complete repair service. We ship anywhere in the U.S. 1554 4th San Rafael, CA 94901. Call (415) 454-0581. www.aac. org/shop. HELP WANTED TRAVEL AGENT: NEED EXPERIENCED corporate/leisure agent with fluent English. Sabre Experience required for a 25 year established travel agency in Santa Clara/ San Jose. Arc/IATA approved. Please e-mail Meena@all-star-travel.com. ASSISTANT HOUSE MANAGER FLINT Center, Cupertino. Part-time evenings/weekends - $15/hr. Assist with all front of house operations: Usher supervision, customer service, first aid, volunteer training. No experience necessary - will train. Must be reliable, personable and motivated. Send letter of interduction with 2 references to: Flint Center, P.O. Box 1897 Cupertino,CA 95015. LOOKING FOR INDIAN COOK, TANDOORI chef, and dishwasher (full time). Looking for farmer to grow seasonal vegetables. Please call (650) 630-8588. INSURANCE AMILA INSURANCE SERVICES - Looking for a better deal on Auto Insurance? Call (408) 723-2100.
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INSURANCE SPECIALIST Amar Sehgal. Most Competitive Rates and Friendly Services. (408) 298-2194. LEGAL ESTATE PLANNING AND ASSET Protection - Call Haresh Mirchandaney, Esq, of the HMA Law Group at (800) 756-1091, or email ham10@cornell.edu. Check out www. ThinkHmaLaw.com FREE LIVING TRUST SEMINARS. Presented by Attorney Robert P. Bergman. Learn about Living Trusts from an expert. Visit www.lawbob.com to register or call (408) 247-0444. DIVORCE ATTORNEY Madan Ahluwalia. Divorce, Alimony, Child Support, Child Custody, Property Division in Divorce. (888) 861-8436. MATRIMONIAL: FEMALE I AM AN INTERNIST IN SOLO PRACTICE seeking a matrimonial alliance from an educated, professional, Hindu Gujarati male age 40-55. Preferably in a medical or computer science field. Interested in relocating to California, USA where I have a well established medical practice. I am divorced, 5 feet, average build, very good looking, 48 year old Kapole Vania Gujarati female. I have 2 daughters, 19 and 16, and I am looking for a suitable life partner who shares my values, hobbies, and ambitions. I am a writer, singer, a great dancer, a doctor, a social activist and very outgoing, religious and successful business woman. If interested, please email me at matrimony.relative.1@gmail.com. 1982 BORN 5’7” HINDU ENGINEER working in Canada; Seeking qualified USBased professionals. Innocent, issueless divorcee separated after 3 months. Slim, fair, beautiful, personable, humble, family-oriented professional. Has lived in Mumbai, Pune, Dallas. Frequent U.S. visitor, eligible for TN Visa 2014. Contact mfamily012@gmail. com or call (971) 238-4960. SEEKING AN EDUCATED INDIAN MALE, PREFERABLY Gujarati or South Indian aged 40-45. This is for a divorced Gujarati lady, 40 years old, slim, tall and fair. 128 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
indiacurrents.com www.indiacurrents.com Would prefer someone without any attachments. Meetings possible in the month of May ’13. Email: rupij04@gmail.com. SEEKING A MATRIMONIAL alliance for your sister, daughter or a loved one? Place your ad here and reach 32,000 households. You may find the right person here in India Currents classifieds. To place your ad call (408) 324-0488. MATRIMONIAL: MALE I AM A 54 YEAR YOUNG PROFESSIONAL male who is adventurous and very competitive. I’m looking for my best friend, partner, companion and soulmate who loves life and challenges. Email me at rumysoulmate@hotmail.com. SEEKING A MATRIMONIAL alliance for your brother, son or a loved one? Place your ad here and reach 32,000 households. You may find the right person here in India Currents classifieds! To place your ad call (408) 324-0488 today! REAL ESTATE BUYING OR SELLING PROPERTY? Call an expert with over 22 years of experience, Harshad Shah (408) 238-1200. FIRST TIME HOME BUYER’S SPECIALIST. Foreclosures/REOs. Call Sue Bose (408) 835-3330. SERVICES HAIR, NAIL, WAX BEAUTY salon. Very good business and location. 19998 Homestead Rd. Cupertino, CA 95014. Call Mindy (408) 429-5524 after 8 PM. Feel free to leave a message. PROFESSIONAL WRITER/EDITOR, Ph.D. Novels, memoirs, stories, screenplays, speeches, essays, personal statements, proposals, dissertations, desktop publishing. In person or online. Website (with a link to a TV interview): http://editor-writer.net. Paul Weisser, editinggg@gmail.com, (510) 710-2249. MEGHNA HINDIA, A LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST
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(MFC52578) is now accepting new clients. She sees individuals, couples, and children. Visit www.meghnahindiamft.com for details. Email at meghnamft@gmail.com or call 650 279 9531. SERVICES! SERVICES! HAVE A SPECIAL service to offer to India Currents readers? Do you do catering, tailoring, repairs or cleaning? Advertise here in India Currents Classifieds for $10 only. Call (408) 3240488 today! SPIRITUAL GROWTH EAST COAST SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE CENTER: All spiritual needs - books, learning help, practices, counseling. Contact: Ma Yoga Shakti International Yoga Center of New York (718) 641-0402. TAILORING FOR ALL KINDS OF LADIES suits and any kind of alterations. Contact Jaswinder Kaur at (925) 232-3921 or indymanga@ hotmail.com. TUTORING PRIVATE TUTOR, children and adults, specializing in reading/writing/ELD, 25 years teaching experience, M.A. Columbia University. www.Tutor4Kidz.com or contact Laura (408) 253-0509.
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On Inglish
Crushed By the Juggernaut By Kalpana Mohan
juggernaut—noun (juhg-er-nawt, -not)—any large, overpowering, destructive force or object, as war, a giant battleship, or a powerful football team; anything requiring blind devotion or cruel sacrifice; Also called Jagannath, an idol of Krishna, at Puri in Orissa, India, annually drawn on an enormous cart under whose wheels devotees are said to have thrown themselves to be crushed. Origin: 1630–40; < Hindi Jagannath < Sanskrit Jagannatha lord of the world (i.e., the god Vishnu or Krishna), equivalent to jagat world + natha lord
I
n the last few week of November 2013 and for a few weeks afterward, every Indian news channel I watched, and every newspaper I opened, chewed on the ignominy of what had happened in the world of Indian journalism. An organization called Tehelka, the lord and purveyor of investigative journalism in the country, was lambasted for suppressing the misdemeanors of the man at its helm, Tarun Tejpal. He had allegedly molested a young staff member during a leadership conference in Goa in early November. With the revised laws in India following the Delhi gang rape incident of December 2012, Tejpal was not just accused of sexual misconduct and harassment; his offence was now deemed to be rape. Furthermore the powers at the juggernaut called Tehelka were hauled up for suppression of information following the incident in Goa; under the Vishaka guidelines drawn up in 1997, it was “the duty of the employer or other responsible persons in work places or other institutions to prevent or deter the commission of acts of sexual harassment and to provide the procedures for the resolution, settlement or prosecution of acts, of sexual harassment by taking all steps required.” The word “juggernaut” comes from the Sanskrit term “Jagannatha” which means “Lord of the World.” It denotes the form of Krishna as he is worshipped in Puri, Orissa, where during the annual festival the image of this avatar of Lord Vishnu is carried through the streets on a lumbering chariot called a “rath.” During this time the three deities of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken out in a grand procession in specially crafted gigantic temple-like cars that are pulled by thousands of devotees. To imagine such a vehicle inspires awe. The chariot at the temple of Thiruvarur in South India, for instance, is one of the biggest in Asia. At 96 feet tall, it weighs more than 300 tons. This grand floating temple is finished with intricate wooden carvings and massive wheels. The chariot steering Thyagarajaswamy, another aspect of Shiva, is pulled by a minimum of ten thousand people to move the chariot through the four streets hugging the temple at festival time. When the British first watched the spectacle of the Rath Yatra in Orissa in the 18th century, they wrote up descriptions that then gave rise to the term juggernaut, meaning “destructive force.” The accidental deaths of some devotees under the chariot wheels caused by the crowd and commotion is still an occurrence at temple chariot processions around the country; children are often victims under the ominous turn of the wheel. The figurative sense of the English word later began to embrace the evil or the sense of “something that demands blind devotion or merciless sacrifice.” Thus, today, the word sometimes alludes to a large rumbling machine, or a grassroots organization, or a political movement in which people work as a unit to make it function. It’s easy to see why the term often has a negative connotation. My 90-year-old father once told me how, when he was young, he 130 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
was always haunted by the fear of dying under the majestic wheels of a village temple’s chariot. He was not a risk-taker and so he would never get close to the chariot. Other uncles of mine often talked about the magnificence of the yearly chariot festivals when they were growing up in the village of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. On the day the deity was herded around the village in a procession pressed by hundreds of people, the children of the village were cautioned about the dangers of a stampede. They could be crushed under the mighty carved wheels. No one would know until you had been chewed by the spokes on god’s whirring wheels. On some rare days when I’ve had little control over the course of my life, I have nursed the feeling that life itself is about doing a balancing act inside a large chariot, while keeping myself from toppling onto the road and being crushed by its enormous wooden wheels. Through the years I’ve got a sense of how my own family members, in turn, experience their course through life. “You’re trying to crush me with your idea of the person I should become,” my son said to me last month when he arrived in India for a series of concerts. In the eagerness to have him perform in Chennai during the December performing arts season, I had signed him up somewhat excessively, with scant regard to his enormous commitments during the semester at school. He enjoyed music greatly but he wished to have the freedom to chart his own course and draw up a different schedule, especially now that he also had to prove himself in college and in his chosen career. I imagined my son at that moment, a scrawny, slight young man in the last teen year of his life, screaming silently from under my enormous chugging engine, his torso buckling under my wooden stance. It wasn’t difficult then to imagine how nurture could warp into a scourge. In February 2013, Tejpal and his magazine had actively sought to talk about the issue of sexual violence in India, but by the end of the year, they were heaving under accusations of vehemence and hypocrisy. No one in the nation had missed the stark irony of what the news juggernaut had wrought. The arrows that Tarun Tejpal had once launched from his quiver were now hurtling back towards him. I sensed how hubris could, with one mighty grind or turn, make an oppressor of a visionary. n Kalpana Mohan writes from Saratoga. To read more about her, go to http://kalpanamohan.org and http://saritorial.com.
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 131
132 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 133
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environment
Coastal Cleanup By Zenobia Khaleel
T
he drive on the Pacific Coast Highway in California towards Monterey Bay, framed on either side by jagged cliffs and emerald ocean, has been ranked as one of the top 10 scenic road trips of the world. But behind the scenes of this visual splendor is a dark and filthy secret; 8,659 pounds of trash that washes up in the Monterey shores every year. The joy of your picturesque journey might turn down a notch, when you realize that you are unwittingly part of the equation that generates this colossal problem. Over 80% of the plastic pollution that ends up in the ocean begins on land. Most of the litter on our streets floats to our storm drains, leading to the ocean or nearest body of water. Every Earth Day, the marine environmental organization, Save Our Shores (SOS) coordinates the largest cleanup efforts in Santa Cruz, San Lorenzo River and Del Monte Beach in Monterey. In 2013, a total of 523 volunteers from schools, girls scouts and boy scouts, religious, and business groups and individual drop–ins celebrate Earth Day bringing their own buckets, gloves, shovels and reusable bags; to help this stretch of the Californian coastline revert to an ecofriendly, no-waste reality.
138 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
Every year, volunteers pick up around 700 pounds of trash and recycling, the most common item collected being cigarette butts. Similar reports from the Southern California organizations, Heal the Bay and Save Our Beach point to a pervasive problem. In fact, the Washington, D.C. organization, Ocean Conservancy, reports that international coastal cleanup efforts have yielded 10 million pounds of trash in the year 2012. The most common items being “cigarettes, food packaging and plastic bottles.” These beach cleanups demonstrate the power of how each individual can bring about a monumental change. For 30 years, SOS has been coordinating over 200 beach cleanups every year. 27,080 pounds of pollution was prevented from entering the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in 2012 alone. In the last 27 years, Ocean Conservancy volunteers have found 9,806,905 plastic bags, “which required 1,176 barrels of oil to produce;” 57 million cigarette butts, “which, if stacked vertically, would be as tall as 3,867 Empire State Buildings;” and 1,017,444 diapers, “enough to put one on every child born in Japan last year.” The underlying theme of these nonprofits is education and awareness, connecting people to the ocean; showing them how their actions affect the marine environment, and offering choices to make a positive impact. When junior girl scout Rihanna Razack signed up for the beach cleanup as part of the leadership project requirement for the Girl Scout Bronze Award, Rihanna’s high point of the trip was a day at the beach with her friends. The field trip turned out to be an eye-opener for Rihanna, that inspired in her
a newfound respect for the fragile resource; the ocean. The first leg of the trip comprised of interactive educational presentations where students learned fundamental ocean concepts such as food webs, the impact of pollution on marine animals and ecosystems, American consumer habits and waste generation. Through rounds of play, students collected colored beads, representing their food source. In the later rounds, some students were told that they had become entangled in a piece of plastic and were now couldn’t use their right hand to gather food. This simulation enlightened students on how marine debris debilitates creatures of land and sea. The macabre sideshows of dead birds with assorted plastic junk in their guts drove the point home. The display of “plastic pollution fashion” caught the fancy of the whole troop. A whole line of jewelry was fashioned out of single use and throw-away items like bread clips, bottle caps, bar straws, broken seashells and seaglass. After four hours of combing the beach for assorted litter, the scouts were dismayed at the huge haul of garbage they collected. “Plenty of trash was dumped on the beach, whenever we took a step, we had to dodge one or two pieces of trash,” stated Razack. “My friends and I took a few plastic bags and started collecting as much trash as we could. We filled five large trash bags! A stray bottle cap is all it takes to choke a seagull! Each cap we collected, saved the life of a baby bird!” Razack’s act of goodwill earned her a Girl Scout Bronze Award, and more importantly, helped her recognize her potential in making a difference. People forget that the beach is not just a fun place but the home of many fish and birds too. It feels good to have helped save many lives is the message she took back home. n Zenobia Khaleel is a stay at home mom who dabbles in a lot of adventures (and misadventures), and is passionate about writing, traveling, acting, direction, girl scouts, and community volunteering. Some of her articles have been published in The Hindu and The Khaleej Times.
viewfinder
Legendary Hill By Dhruv Joshi
r winne
O
n our way to the famous Lingyin Temple in the beautiful city of Hangzhou, China, we passed by a hill with many Buddhist statues. With a twinkle in her eyes, my guide, Shau Jung, asked if the hill looked familiar. Confused, I shook my head. She laughed and said, “It should look familiar to you. After all, it is called Fei Lai Feng, The Hill That Flew From Afar. A legend says it flew from India.” I looked at the hill and saw the inscription
Om Mani Padma Hum and realized that the legend was true. The inscription was made during the lifetime of a renowned Indian Buddhist monk who lived in the Lingyin Temple about 1,200 years ago. n Dhruv Joshi teaches chemistry at Chabot College, in Hayward, California. Teaching, meditation, and writing are his main interests. He can be reached at djoshi@comcast.net.
India Currents invites readers to submit to this column. Send us a picture with caption and we’ll pick the best entry every month. There will be a cash prize awarded to the lucky entrant. Entries will be judged on the originality and creativity of the visual and the clarity and storytelling of the caption. So pick up that camera and click away. Send the picture as a jpeg image to editor@indiacurrents.com with Subject: A Picture That Tells a Story. Deadline for entries: 10th of every month. February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 139
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the last word
Chia Seeds, Psyllium Husk and a Blender By Sarita Sarvate
G
o to any new-age retreat in California, and you will find young people preparing their breakfasts, not with spatulas and skillets, but with blenders. If you are eating your meal instead of drinking it, you are in danger of dating yourself. If you are eating bread or any other wheat products, you are at risk of being ostracized. Why is it better to blend your meal rather than use your teeth to break it down? Because, when you have a blender in front of you, you can put anything into it, like kale, frozen blueberries, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and carrots, just to name a few items. Never mind what the resulting concoction might taste like. The advantage of a liquid diet is that it goes directly from a straw into your throat, bypassing your tongue altogether, which is just as well because you wouldn’t want to taste something that combines kale with blueberries and sweet potatoes, even if they are all “super-foods.” Let’s face it, kale has no taste and possesses the texture of sawdust, even though it is the latest fad. If you go to a potluck, chances are you will run into a kale dish or two, steamed and garnished with olive oil, feta cheese, pine nuts, and spices. What wouldn’t taste good with these ingredients? Then there is the list of no-nos, which has gotten longer and longer over the years. Take eggs, rice, potatoes, butter, sugar, and meat, for example. Even olive oil is now bad for us The because it turns out that if you heat it at high temperature like I do (to prepare popular Indian food), it oxidizes. misconception is To some extent, I understand that just because the taboos. I myself have marginal blood sugar levels and can certain products are no longer eat too much of white rice or potatoes and have to made from natural avoid most desserts. But what gets to me is the “gluten free” ingredients, they are label. Admitted, some people have good for intolerance, not allergy, to gluten. But statistics indicate that such intoleryou. ance occurs only in the developed world, and only among less than one percent of the population. Why then is everyone gluten-free? I suppose it is because gluten has suddenly become a bad food. Unfortunately, what most people don’t realize is that gluten is in that part of wheat that also contains proteins. So when you eliminate gluten, you are eliminating all the nutrition out of the grain, leaving only fiber and starch. Imagine an Indian laborer living off bhakri—hand-rolled bread—and mirchi (chili), his only source of protein, without gluten in it. For me, the last straw came when my favorite Indian restaurant suddenly began to carry a banner declaring “gluten free.” I tried to imagine “gluten free” naan and chapattis but then decided not to even think about it. When you research the facts about gluten you realize that the gluten content of dough is enhanced or reduced depending on the variety of wheat used, as well as the method of preparation. I suspect that it is not gluten itself that is at fault but corporate food production in America which increases the gluten content of bread with the use of yeast and industrial baking methods. When you hold a loaf of hardy French bread in your hand, you do not find it soft and mushy, unlike American sliced bread, which is elastic and crumbly, indicating high gluten content. American consumers, I am afraid, have come to associate that elastic, rubbery sensation with bread that I myself detest so. No gluten, no transfats, no carbs, no GMOs , no butter, no eggs, 142 | INDIA CURRENTS | February 2014
no bread and no vegetables (with pesticides), that is today’s mantra. In fact, so many things are bad for you that it is hard to find a food that is good for you. The only things left to consume, I suppose, are Chia seeds, Psyllium husk and Stevia. And I am not kidding. I recently stayed in the house of a woman who daily prepared a milkshake of frozen blueberries, chia seeds, psyllium husk and stevia, declaring that the angels had told her to eat this meal after her recent bout with lupus! I was not surprised that she had lupus, only that she was still alive! For some people with weight problems, psyllium, the main ingredient in Metamucil, might be helpful, but one should never forget that psyllium is pure fiber, with no nutritional value whatsoever, unlike vegetables like celery or carrots, which contain minerals and vitamins. The popular misconception is that just because certain products are made from natural ingredients, they are good for you. Take green tea for example. A man nearly died of liver failure recently from consuming green tea extract. MSG too is natural but causes severe allergies and headaches in many people, including myself. Stevia is made from a plant but it is not clear that consuming it daily is good for you. When I see people preparing delicate shakes and salads at a California spa, I wonder if they go home, and in the privacy of their own television, pig out on burgers and fries. And I am tempted to ask, “Why don’t you just eat normal, balanced food for a change?” When my sons were babies, I asked their doctor about giving them daily vitamins. I had never taken any vitamins or supplements myself and wondered if they were necessary for people who ate healthy foods. The doctor encouraged me to give them supplements regardless. Luckily or unluckily, neither one of them got the hang of popping pills, with the result that the bottles simply sat on kitchen counters. Now, a quarter century later, researchers have finally concluded that vitamin supplements provide no health benefits whatsoever and are simply a waste of money. I told you so! The new focus on chia seeds and probiotic pills—the latter, for many, have replaced a daily intake of plain yogurt, which my Maharashtrian diet at home always included, and which aided digestion —might indicate a new health-consciousness. On the other hand, it might also signal a move away from actually cooking food. A family meal is becoming a rarer and rarer phenomenon in America, perhaps occurring only on Christmas and Thanksgiving. For me, the substitution of a blender for a saucepan suggests something tragic about modern life, namely, the death of the culinary experience as a sensory, aromatic, and visual delight. My father, though not religious, often recited a Marathi prayer before meals. It contained the following words: Anna he purnabrahma; udar-bharan nohe janije yadnya-karma. Food was Brahma himself, the verse said, and eating amounted, not to filling your stomach, but to conducting a yagna, a holy fire. In today’s hip culture, we have sadly lost the sacred ritual that used to be eating. n Sarita Sarvate (www.saritasarvate.com) has published commentaries for New America Media, KQED FM, San Jose Mercury News, the Oakland Tribune, and many nationwide publications.
February 2014 | www.indiacurrents.com | 143
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