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VOL. 24 • NO. 32 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 • P.O. BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487 • PERIODICAL PERMIT USPS 017699 • 25 cents
DAV Montessori School open house set for Friday DAV Montessori & Elementary School (DAVMS) has been serving the Indian community since August 2000. It is a unique school, probably the only one of its kind in this part of the world that successfully blends western traits with time-tested Indian wisdom; the school’s motto is: Academic Excellence and Spiritual Growth. The school will open its doors on Friday 10th August 9 a.m to 12 p.m. If intending to be at the Open House or want to schedule a personal tour at another hour, write to: davmontessori@gmail. com, or call 281.759.3286. The school is located at 14375 Schiller Road, Houston, TX 77082 The school was established and is run by Arya Samaj Houston known to convey spiritual
values in a manner that children can confidently vouch for in their adulthood. Its director Ms. Arti Khanna has earned a number of feathers in its cap: •Academics include Vedic values, Indian culture and Hindi language •Accredited by Texas Alliance of Accredited Private schools (TAAPS) •Traditional and Montessori program with Hindi, Vedic mantras recitation, Prayers and Moral Values taught by Arya Samaj’s Acharyaji. •Montessori curriculum in Preschool till 1st grade. •2nd to 5th grade study an accelerated Common core and TEKS based curriculum with special focus on Math and Science. See DAV, Page 5
Study: Indian immigrants in the U.S. are at high risk for diabetes, heart disease Nitha Mathew Joseph, Ph.D., R.N., an Indian-origin researcher at Cizik School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science at Houston (UTHealth), has identified a link between diabetes and the adopted lifestyles of people moving from India to the United States. Addressing the American Diabetes Association’s 78th Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida, recently, Mathew Joseph said “Research studies showed that people coming from India to the United States are at high risk for diabetes and heart disease because of their genetic predisposition and insulin resistance.” Mathew Joseph and her colleagues completed a statistical analysis of 1,000plus people in seven U.S. cities who had moved to the United States from India, and the results are unsettling. Their already-high risk of diabetes and heart disease went even higher when they adopted the American lifestyle of a highcalorie diet and inadequate
Nitha Mathew Joseph, Ph.D, R.N., Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth exercise. The silver lining is that their healthcare providers can now use this information to develop interventions. Mathew Joseph’s study was titled “Mediating Role of Acculturation and Lifestyle Behaviors on Cardiometabolic Risks among Asian Indians in the United States.” “Acculturation levels influence lifestyle behaviors, and in turn increase the risks for developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease in
Asian Indians in the U.S., yet a gap exists in thoroughly understanding the risk factors and the need for screenings and lifestyle modifications to effectively lower those risks,” said Mathew Joseph, assistant professor in the Acute and Continuing Care Department at Cizik School of Nursing. “Designing culturally tailored dietary education and physical activity interventions for this high-risk ethnic group may promote positive lifestyle changes that have potential to reduce and/or prevent cardiometabolic risks among U.S. Asian Indians. Asian Indians are the second-largest and fastestgrowing Asian American group in the U.S., and they are often prone to developing obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes due to acculturation – namely unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise. Adopting American lifestyle behaviors can specifically See STUDY, Page 3
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PAGE 2 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018
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INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 3
NEWS Mrs. Shakuntala Malhotra turns 90; community celebrates Study On July 22, over 200 people From Page 1
gathered at India House in Houston to celebrate a very special occasion - “Mama’s 90th birthday.” “Mama” is Shakuntala Malhotra, the mother of Jawahar Malhotra, publisher of IndoAmerican News but she is also a motherly figure for the entire community that had come in contact with her over the past several years. The event was not a mere gathering of friends and family, but a communitywide celebration. Shakuntala Malhotra was born on July 22, 1928 in Lahore. Her son, Jawahar, recalled how his parents moved to Delhi after the Partition. His father was in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and was posted in Hanoi for 2 years after which he became an Indian Foreign Service diplomat. The family lived in London, Karachi, Teheran, Bern (Switzerland), Bucharest (Romania) and Kabul. They lived in Rajouri Garden, New Delhi till his father passed away at the age of 83 in 2003. His mama then immigrated to the US in 2004. Jawahar and his brother Dr. Jayant Malhotra from Chicago hosted the celebration. She was surrounded by her grandsons Sanjay Stefan and Jeremy Gyan, Sanjay’s wife Dr. Alexandra Shepherd, other family members and friends. Mrs. Malhotra kept her connection with the community through a popular weekly cooking column. Jayant produced and
K. D. Upadhyaya, left, Sangeeta Pasrija, Swapan Dhairyawan, Rajiv Bhavsar, Pallavi Dhairyawan, Mrs. Shakuntala Malhotra, Bela Bhavsar and Parul Fernandes. directed an entertainment program that included a skit spoofing Mama’s imaginary cooking school. The hilarious skit was enacted by Diane Wutzke, Sarita Mehta and Anil Dandona who portrayed the role of students while Anjana Dhingra played the role of Shakuntala Malhotra. Members of the India Culture Center and the International Hindi Association presented Mrs. Malhotra with a shawl and a plaque commemorating this special day.
affect glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and High-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol levels in this group, according to the study. Researchers concluded that dietary and physical activity interventions that are culturally specific might help lower risks of developing diabetes and CVD in Asian Indian immigrants. Researchers noted that additional research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which acculturation affects other cardiometabolic risk factors such smoking, alcohol, psychosocial factors and abdominal obesity. “Plans for future research include enhancing data collection to include information about all the modifiable cardiometabolic risk factors,” said Mathew Joseph. “Ultimately, better understanding and prevention strategies will reduce the health and economic burden associated with these chronic conditions among Asian Indians living in the U.S.” The ADA’s Scientific Sessions is the world’s largest scientific meeting focused on diabetes research, prevention and care.
A skit based on Mrs. Malhotra’s cooking lessons.
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PAGE 4 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018
BOOK
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different stories, as told in the temple reliefs, from age old epics and the Gita. Temples is a serious literary novel that explores cultural change and misunderstanding, and the inability of easily classifying a culture or people. It sets a provocative light on contemporary India and it beautifully illustrates the insight and the regrets that come with old age. It contains wonderfully written meditations on fate, religion and faith. “Through the eyes of her narrator, a preserver of temples, visionary and blind at turns, Viswanathan explores a great range of feeling and modes of disquiet around contemporary India’s relationship to religions, its conflicts, and its socially restrictive past and present. She has done something paradoxical, even magical here: She’s created a great guide to the crumbling and raided shrines of a civilization, and to the elements poised to undermine tradition, foreign and domestic. In depicting decline, however, she has preserved the great wisdom behind the images, statues and rituals: her story, itself, embodies it.” —Moira Crone, Author of The Ice Garden and The Not Yet “Whether she is writing about North America or India, a middle aged musician or a young boy, Latha Viswanathan’s prose is unfailingly vivid, tender and intelligent, full of sensual details and pungent insights.” —Margot Livesey, author of Mercury “I have read a number of works by Indian American writers and find Latha’s among the best. She has such a sympathetic but unsparing view of the interface between two cultures, and an eye for detail that draws the
reader in immediately and is also rather eye-opening.” —Diane Johnson, author of Le Divorce “Viswanathan writes so incisively and so intensely and so beautifully about what she refers to as this life, this moment, that readers owe her a debt almost even before they have read a single word.” —Alan Cheuse, author of Prayers for the Living
Latha Viswanathan has worked as a journalist for Indian Express in Mumbai and Financial Times publication Investors Chronicle in London. In Manila she worked for the Press Foundation of Asia. In Toronto, Montreal, Baton Rouge and Houston, she has worked as an advertising copywriter and teacher. Her work has been published in major American literary magazines and won awards. She received a Texas Commission of the Arts in Fiction and her first book of stories, “Lingering Tide and Other Stories,” received honorable mention in the Southern California Book Festival and New York Book Festival. Other awards include two Pushcart nominations, John Hazard Wildman Prize and the Goodheart Prize for fiction.
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INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 5
IN MEMORIAM
Dada J.P. Vaswani
DAV From Page 1
•School’s philosophy and methods have been proven by the success of its ex-students excelling in academics along with pride in their heritage and confident transition to large and diverse school environments. •DAV Montessori graduating students have been accepted in prestigious programs (Vanguard, Magnet, Gifted & Talented) in both private and public schools in the Greater Houston area. In these schools, the children are excelling academically and confidently participate in all the school activities. •Graduates from the first few years of DAV Montessori are now at some of the top universities in the country. •Professional, dedicated & experienced teachers are enthusiastic educators committed to creating an inviting and warm atmosphere. •Low student/teacher ratio leads to individualized attention and a personalized learning plan, designed to help each child reach their full potential. •Stage performances and cultural programs in front of large gatherings in the beautiful Arya Samaj hall builds unparalleled stage presence and confidence. • Yoga, PE, Art and technology are part of the school curriculum. •Students scoring 2-3 grade levels above on National standardized tests. •Participation in the Private School Interscholastic Association (PSIA) competitions and have won first place in state and district. •Afterschool clubs – Chess, Lego league, Music, Dance, Girl Scouts, Mad science, Soccer •Gated, safe and secure school compound. Vegetarian Food •Extended school day facility available 7 am to 6 pm. •Bus service available for students.
The Sadhu Vaswani Mission was founded by T.L Vaswani, and the light was then passed to J.P. Vaswani. Dada had many accolades, derived from his continuous efforts to empower women and establish the mission’s St. Mira school. St. Mira was Dada’s gateway to promote education and ensure that education was accessible to all. Dada made an impact on humanity by ensuring that continuous efforts were made to feed, medicate, and ensure the well-being of the poor. His purity of love is like nectar in flowers, extended to animals, as he believed animals should not be slaughtered in vain. If you met a person with “a heavy load, did you help them lighten the load.” I can picture
him saying this with a radiant smile that spread like the brightness of the sun. Dada’s arms were always giving and guiding his flock to higher enlightenment with the Lord. August 2, 2018 was Gurudev Dada J.P. Vaswani’s birthday, and we would have celebrated his centurion birthday. Unfortunately, he left his physical body on July 12, 2018. Nevertheless, his presence is among us on this auspicious day. He is embedded in our DNA and our daily lives. One just has to close their eyes and follow his principles in life. To some, Dada was a beacon of hope. To us, he was a friend, which can be summarized in one word “LOVE.” We were fortunate in Houston, to witness his wit, laughter and compassion for all, at several of his
yatras. He created an ecstatic environment and touched many lives in our city. Several of us became vegetarian and saw miracles in our daily lives. Yes, my friends, this pilgrim (Dada) was a true disciple of the Lord. He was a Guru, who led people from darkness to light. If you can remember, a few key things would be love the world around you and establish a link to the Lord. Accomplish this task by developing your inner self that your “Atman (Soul),” creates a bond with the Almighty. After that, all will be well, Dada Shyam. “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear.”
INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 6
COMMUNITY Bhagwan Ajitnath Endowed Professorship in Jain Studies
Income inequality rising among Indian Americans: Pew Center
On July 27, 2018 which was Indian Americans enjoy the Guru Purnima day, Drs. Jasvant highest levels of income among and Meera Modi of Los Angeles various Asian ethnic groups in made a gift of $800,000 and signed the U.S., but wide economic the legal documents to establish disparities exist within the the Bhagwan Ajitnath Endowed community, noted the Pew Professorship in Jain Studies at the Research Center in a report reCalifornia State University Northleased July 12. ridge (a suburb of Los Angeles). The report, titled “Income The Modis are big philanthroInequality in the U.S. Is Rising pists; particularly in promoting Most Rapidly Among Asians,� gnan mandirs (temples of learnsurveyed income levels of seving) in Jainism at colleges and unieral Asian American ethnicities versities in the United States. So and found that Asians at the top far, they have been instrumental in 10 percent of incomes earned establishing the Bhagwan Parsh10.7 times more than those at vanath Chair at the University of the bottom 10 percent. California in Irvine, the Bhagwan The Pew report is one of a Mallinath Endowed Professorship few such papers that disagat Loyola Marymount University, gregate data for various Asian the Bhagwan Vimalnath LecturerAmerican communities. “Toship at the University of Califorday, income inequality in the nia in Santa Barbara, the Shrimad U.S. is greatest among Asians. Rajchandra Chair at the Univer- Drs. Jasvant and Meera Modi From 1970 to 2016, the gap in The Jain community is grateful sity of California in Riverside, the the standard of living between Bhagwan Mahavir Post-Doctoral to the Modis for their vision, dediAsians near the top and the botFellowship at Rice University and cation and support of causes that tom of the income ladder nearseveral other initiatives with their will help in sharing the wisdom, ly doubled, and the distribution richness and philosophy of Ahimgenerous donations. Dr. Jasvant Modi is a vegan and sa (non-violence), karuna (com- of income among Asians transthe current President of the Jain passion), multiple perspectives formed from being one of the Center of Southern California, Los and practices of non-attachment most equal to being the most unequal among America’s mawith Jains and non-Jains. Angeles.
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jor racial and ethnic groups,â&#x20AC;? noted the authors of the study, Rakesh Kocchar, associate director of research at Pew Research Center; and Anthony CilluďŹ&#x20AC;o, research assistant at the Pew Center. Within the Indian American community, median household incomes vary widely, noted the National Coalition for Asian PaciďŹ c American Community Development, in its response to the reportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ ndings. For example, the organization noted, the median household income in San Jose, Calif., is $157,036 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; where incomes are driven by the tech community â&#x20AC;&#x201C; compared to $51,060 in Yuba City, Calif., where agriculture is the driver of the local economy. Education levels are also lower in Yuba City, said the organization, noting that Indian American residents of Yuba City come largely from a previous wave of migration, whereas Indian Americans in San Jose represent a new wave of migrants chosen largely for their technical skills. Almost four million people of Indian origin live in the U.S., with a median household income of $100,000, noted the survey. About 7.5 percent of the community lives at or below the federal poverty level, deďŹ ned as $30,750 for a family of four in 2017. Sri Lankan Americans, with population numbers of about 60,000, have median household incomes at $74,000 with about nine percent of the community living in poverty. More than half a million Pakistani Americans currently reside in the U.S., with a median household income of $66,000; 15.5 percent live in poverty, according to the report. Around 188,000 Ban-
gladeshi Americans have a median household income of $49,800; almost one-quarter live at or below the federal poverty level. Similarly, Nepali Americans, who have a median household income of $43,900, also have almost a quarter of their community living in poverty. Burmese Americans have the highest level of poverty among Asian Americans, with one out of three living at or below the federal poverty line. The median household income is $36,000, according to the Pew report. About 72 percent of Indian Americans hold bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees or higher, compared with just nine percent of people from Bhutan. Seema Agnani, executive director of the nonproďŹ t National CAPACD, said in a press statement: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Pew Research Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report draws attention to the stark economic inequality in the AAPI population. The success of some of us has contributed to the marginalization of many of us.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must challenge the dominant assumptions of our success, and we need to build solidarity within the AAPI community. We need to encourage the idea that successful AAPIs have a social responsibility to learn about, support, and lift up lower-income AAPIs who are unduly set back by the success of their community members,â&#x20AC;? said Agnani. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wealth that is dangerously inequitable is not sustainable and, thus, we all have a shared interest and beneďŹ t in lifting AAPIs living in poverty out of the margins,â&#x20AC;? she said. The full report can be found on the Pew Research Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website.
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INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 7
PAGE 8 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018
INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 9
COMMUNITY
Swaminarayan Bhashyam and Swaminarayan Siddhant Sudha being launched at the World Sanskrit Conference by (from left to rightV. Kutumba Shastry (President, International Association of Sanskrit Studies. Head of Organizing Committee of World Sanskrit Conference), Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, Mahamahopadhyaya Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami, Prof. Ashok Aklujkar (Member World Sanskrit Conference Secretariat), Prof. George Cardona (University of Pennsylvania).
Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s Akshar Purushottam Darshan deemed Vedantic tradition Vancouver, Canada—The 17th World Sanskrit Conference, the premier international forum for Sanskrit scholars, recognized Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s Akshar-Purushottam Darshan as the first new independent school of Vedanta since the 16th century. The recently authored ground-breaking Sanskrit works on the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, the Swaminarayan Bhashyam and the Swaminarayan Siddhanta-Sudha by Sadhu Bhadreshdas of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, were also launched in the conference’s inaugural session on July 9, 2018 in Vancouver, Canada. More than 600 eminent Sanskrit scholars and educators had gathered from over 40 countries for this historic event. The triennial World Sanskrit Conference, which for the last half-century has been bringing the finest minds in the world of Sanskrit together to advance understanding of Sanskrit language and literature, was held for the first time in Canada, at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. World Sanskrit Conference organizing committee member and senior Sanskrit scholar from the University of British Columbia, Professor Ashok Aklujkar said, “Bhadreshdas Swami is one of the most amazing personalities of the religious traditions of India that I have ever met. His scholarly genius is jaw-dropping, and his
commentaries on the Prasthantrayi are a truly great achievement. I think all of us at the World Sanskrit Conference are fortunate to have a bhashyakar in our midst. Just as the Kashi Vishva Parishad acknowledged Swaminarayan Bhagwan’s Akshar-Purushottam Darshan as a distinct darshan in the Vedanta tradition, we are honored to do the same from the platform of the World Sanskrit Conference.” Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami, an eminent Sanskrit scholar and ordained swami of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, completed the Swaminarayan Bhashyam, a five-volume comprehensive Sanskrit commentary on Hinduism’s three Vedic canonical texts (Prasthanatrayi) – the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Brahma Sutras – in 2007. These three texts form the foundation for the philosophical beliefs of Hindu Vedanta (commentarial) traditions. In 2017, Bhadreshdas Swami also completed the SwaminarayanaSiddhanta-Sudha, a classical Sanskrit dialectic treatise that offers an exposition, justification, and defense of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan’s theological and philosophical principles. The significance of Bhadreshdas Swami’s achievement was highlighted by Professor Deven Patel of the Uni-
See AKSHAR, Page 10
PAGE 10 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018
NEWS USINPAC co-hosts panel discussion on trade WASHINGTON, D.C. This past Thursday USINPAC co-hosted a panel discussion titled: Tariffs and Turbulence: A Panel Discussion on US-India Trade Relations. The panel discussion took place on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C and the audience included university students, young professionals, and congressional staffers. Strained US – India trade relations have raised concerns both in the US and abroad. The panel discussion was aimed at dissecting the effects of tariffs on businesses within the United States and India. Mr. Sanjay Puri, Chairman and Founder of USINPAC, welcomed the panel and the audience and said in his introductory remarks, “It is a very important discussion because we are talking about tariffs on a country, which the US calls a strategic partner.” Our distinguished panel included Mr. Tom West, the Associate Vice President of the Cohen Group, Dr. Pravin Krishna, a professor of International Economics and Business at the Johns Hopkins University, and Mr. Akhil Bery, a Senior Research Associate at McLarty Associates. The panel was moderated by Mr. Ak-
shobh Gridharadas, a consultant at the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center. During the discussion, all panelists recognized an improvement in the US – India strategic partnership. Importantly, they noted that India’s stance on tariffs had improved significantly in recent years. “Indians have seen the merits of lowering tariffs and have gone from 350% to 10% and that’s very a significant transition,” Dr. Pravin Krishna said. However, the panelists also acknowledged that more progress still lay ahead and that both parties needed to operate with mutual respect. Mr. Bery observed that some “give and take” was required and a little bit of flexibility on both sides would go a long way.” Mr. West noted that personal relationships between American and Indian leaders will be important for US – India trade relations to continue to move forward. The discussion concluded with questions from the audience and an opportunity for networking. USINPAC was delighted to partner with the Atlantic Council for this discussion. You can find a link to the video of the discussion here.
Akshar From Page 9 versity of Pennsylvania. He said, “The World SanskritConference is proud to honor this new and truly historic achievement in the world of Sanskrit philosophical culture. It is the first Sanskrit commentary on the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita in nearly 200 years and the first commentary on the complete set by a single acharya in over 1200 years. This five-volume commentary, known as the Swaminarayan Bhashyam, interprets the Prasthantrayi through the lens of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s Akshar-Purushottam Darshan. We are fortunate to have present before us today, in Bhadreshdas Swami, the acharya who, in the tradition of Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka, Vallabha, and others, has composed these commentaries.” World-renowned Sanskrit scholar from the University of Pennsylvania, Professor George Cardona aptly detailed the importance of the Bhadreshdas Swami’s work in establishing Akshar Purushottam Darshan saying, “This is a very important classical Sanskrit commentary that very clearly and effectively explains that Akshar is distinct from Purushottam.” In the conference’s inaugural address, Bhadreshdas Swami
Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami addressing the 17th World Sanskrit Conference during the conference’s Inaugural Address. explained the principles of the shar, who takes the form of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, exemplary living guru.” This was followed by the the classical name of the distinct school of Vedanta. This blessings of Ishwarcharandas darshan was revealed by Bhag- Swami, the International Conwan Swaminarayan in the 19th vener of the BAPS Swaminacentury and propounded by rayan Sanstha, who appreciatHis Holiness Shastriji Maha- ed the great work of the World raj, the third spiritual succes- Sanskrit Conference and ensor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan couraged Sanskrit research and and the founder of the BAPS learning. The World Sanskrit ConferSwaminarayan Sanstha. Bhadreshdas Swami further ence’s inaugural session conexplained: “The essence of cluded with all the assembled Akshar-Purushottam Darshan scholars collectively recognizis to offer devotion to Purush- ing Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s ottam, the supreme being, with Akshar-Purushottam Darshan loving servitude having quali- as a distinct school of philosotatively realized oneself as Ak- phy in the Vedanta tradition.
Hari Venkatachalam Hindu Students Association, Board of Directors
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rid of staffi ngAssociaproblems and spend more April 6, 2017Get – AUSTIN, TX –your The Hindu Students tion (HSA) would like to regretfully announce that Numbers it will be Good = Good Decisions cancelling its annual Gateway Retreat for the 2017 year. HSA prides itself in building a strong network of young Hindu Americans, and it looks forward to organizing other events in the future that will link students from its various branches. HSA has been reorienting itself in recent months to doing more grassroots work. “We have been focusing more on accomplishing work on the local and branch level,” said Mrinalini Vijalapuram, National President of the Hindu Students Association. “We have been doing this through many different activities including interfaith events with other religious organizations, building community partnerships, and expanding into other campuses that don’t already have HSA branches.” While the cancellation of Gateway may come as a disappointment for many prospective attendees, HSA hopes to get feedback from students on other projects and events that interest its branch members. Currently, several projects, including developing HSA’s podcast series and releasing monthly articles that highlight the accomplishments of members from the various campuses have been the focus of the organization’s efforts. HSA welcomes student and community members to get involved in these activities to help further the goals of the organization. “It is important that we meet the needs of the campuses and communities we serve,” reiterated Ms. Vijalapuram. “We want to make sure that we are putting our attention on projects that will truly benefit them.” -***-
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INDIA HERALD â&#x20AC;˘ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ PAGE 11
FILM REVIEW
Death of a Nation Death of a Nation, conservative pundit Dinesh Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souzaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest documentary, uses re-enactments about major 20th Century events, interviews with history scholars and commentary to show that the leftist policies of the current Democratic Party and the so-called progressive movement are racist and fascist. Jampacked with information, Death of a Nation is a little long and some of the re-enactments seem unnecessary to Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souzaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main arguments, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a powerful, factually credible indictment of the Left in America, including the fanatic, frenzied leftist critics of Pres. Donald Trump. The movie opens with the suicide and immediate aftermath of Adolf Hitler and his mistress, Eva Braunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, deaths at the end of World War II, as the Allies bomb Berlin. Narrator Dinesh Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza, the movieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s co-writer and co-director, notes that a nation can be destroyed by being conquered from outside or by decaying from within. He then shows the reactions of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;newsâ&#x20AC;? media, Democrats, and leftists to the candidacy and election of New York real estate mogul Donald Trump as the 45th American president. As Trump becomes more and more successful, the reactions become more frenzied and more fanatic, going from laughter to virtually frothing at the mouth. Eventually, the leftist â&#x20AC;&#x153;newsâ&#x20AC;? reporters, anchors, pundits, and political ďŹ gures, including some well-known Democrats, call Trump and his supporters racist and fascist. But, who are the real racists and fascists, asks Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza. To answer his question, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza ďŹ rst launches into a short commentary regarding the ďŹ rst Republican president, Abraham Lincolnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, ďŹ ght against his Democratic Party opponents, who supported slavery and eventually created the Ku Klux
Klan. He cites a couple quotes from Pres. Lincoln. The ďŹ rst quote is to the eďŹ&#x20AC;ect that slavery is the idea of being forced to work for another person without enjoying the fruits of your own labor. The second one is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.â&#x20AC;? Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza then relates the history of the fascist movements created by the Marxist Benito Mussolini in Italy after World War I and by Hitler and his minions in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s. Multiple re-enactments are screened, interspersed with commentary and interviews with several leading history scholars. Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza shows how Mussolini and Hitler borrowed from Democratic Party methods in the 19th and 20th Century, such as Democratic Party laws of forced segregation and mistreatment of Native Americans, and from the American eugenics movement led by such ďŹ gures as Margaret Sanger, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;progressiveâ&#x20AC;? founder of Planned Parenthood. Hitler actually wrote a couple personal letters to Planned Parenthood oďŹ&#x192;cials praising their work. Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza also shows how leading Democrats such as FDR expressed admiration for how Mussolini ran Italy and how Hitler ran Germany so eďŹ&#x192;ciently in the early 1930s. Finally, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza shows how Hitlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people tried to solve the so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jewish Problemâ&#x20AC;? by using Democrat laws in the South geared to oppressing black people. Democrat lawmakers used the â&#x20AC;&#x153;one drop ruleâ&#x20AC;? to determine what people should be legally labeled black, but Hitlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people (amazingly) found that rule too harsh and invented a threegrandparent rule for deciding which people should be legally declared fully â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jewish.â&#x20AC;? People
with two Jewish grandparents were considered partly Jewish. By making these comparisons with the Democratic Party and deďŹ ning fascism, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza proves that todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party leaders have similar policies to the fascists running Italy and Germany in the ďŹ rst half of the 20th Century. He also shows that the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s treatment of blacks and Hispanics in the urban ghettos and barrios of America is similar to Hitlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s racist practice of putting Jews and other â&#x20AC;&#x153;unacceptableâ&#x20AC;? people into labor camps. These ghettos and barriers are similar to the slave plantations that Democrat slaveowners ran before the Civil War. Finally, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza shows that Pres. Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic, social policies are the exact opposite of the fascist, racist policies of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party. He even interviews white supremacist leader Richard Spencer to show that Spencerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collectivist, secular, big government ideology is much closer to the Democratic Partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neo-fascist, racist and statist â&#x20AC;&#x153;progressiveâ&#x20AC;? policies than they are to Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pro-capitalist and antisocialist policies favoring economic, political, and religious freedom. What are we to do about stopping the fascist, racist agenda of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza asks viewers. He not only oďŹ&#x20AC;ers Donald Trump and his supporters as an
example. He also points to the non-violent rebellion of Sophie Scholl, a leader of Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Resistance movement, against Hitlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fascist regime. Scenes patterned after the 2005 Award-winning German movie, SOPHIE SCHOLL â&#x20AC;&#x201C; THE FINAL DAYS, are inserted, showing Sophieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brave resistance and sacriďŹ ce. Death of a Nation, could be tightened up a bit. It runs a bit long and is jampacked with almost too much factual information. Also, some of the re-enactments seem unnecessary to Dinesh Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souzaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main arguments, especially scenes of Hitler and Eva Braun getting ready to commit suicide and reenactments of Hitler leading the famous â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beer Hallâ&#x20AC;? revolution that led to his imprisonment in 1924. That said, the movie is a powerful, factually credible indictment of the Left in America, including the Democratic Party, the mainstream media and their fanatic, frenzied leftist critics of Pres. Donald Trump. Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza correctly and eďŹ&#x20AC;ectively labels their program for America as enslavement and tyranny. Written and directed by Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza and Bruce Schooley, Death of a Nation has a very strong moral, patriotic worldview. The movie is also strongly pro-capitalist and takes a ďŹ rm
stand against all forms of government socialism, which is clearly shown to be Anti-American, immoral, and tyrannical. Death of a Nation also contains strong, overt, positive references to Christianity and even the Gospel. For example, at the end a lead singer with a chorus behind her belts out the words to â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Battle Hymn of the Republic,â&#x20AC;? including the passage about Jesus that reads, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transďŹ gures you and me. As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free.â&#x20AC;? Death ofa Nation has some depicted and implied violence. For example, some Nazi thugs are shown beating up a couple people. Eva Braun, Hitlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mistress, is shown taking poison and modern-day leftists in America are shown setting ďŹ res and vandalizing buildings in newsreel footage. Also, a gunshot is heard oďŹ&#x20AC; screen after Hitler puts a gun to his head. The documentary also contains one light obscenity and some bleeped out obscenities from several Cable News programs that played the night that Donald Trump won the presidency. Finally, one of Hitlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s associates is shown being arrested by Hitlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s secret police while the man and two of his young male lovers are arrested. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; www.movieguide.org
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PAGE 12 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018
NEWS Hunger Mitao: How an Indian-American group wants to ‘wipe out hunger’
Raj and Aradhana “Anna” Asava were shocked when they first learned in 2014 that some schoolchildren in North Texas struggled with hunger on the weekends, when school meals are not available. They also found it hard to believe how many of their neighbors reportedly struggled with hunger and homelessness. “When they go home after school Friday, the next full meal is Monday when they come back,” Raj Asava said. That really hit us really hard,” Raj Asava said. “It was a shock, but once we validated this, we knew we had to do something about it.” At lunch with Harry LaRosiliere, mayor of Plano, Texas, Raj Asava learned about some of the initiatives at the North Texas Food Bank targeting school children, he recalled. The conversation encouraged the Asavas, who are retired from corporate jobs, to volunteer for the food bank and start a campaign called “Million Meals March” with a goal of raising funds for 1 million meals. We will never be able to eradicate hunger. But as human beings, it is our duty to ensure that no one goes hungry. “Hunger — whether it’s in India, U.S., or anywhere in the world — hunger should not be an issue in this day and age,” Anna Asava said. According to the Department of Agriculture, Texas ranks 17th in the U.S. when it comes to food insecurity, with 14.3 percent of households reporting either low or very low food security from 2014 to 2016. And in a 2016 study that analyzed federal government data, nonprofit Feeding America found that about 4,277,540 people in the state of Texas struggled with hunger, 1 in 4 of which were children. Raj Patel, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who studies the world food system, said approximately 40 million Americans experience
food insecurity, meaning they reported “reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet” or “disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake,” according to the USDA. “Hunger has long been a serious and largely unspoken problem in the US for decades, and it got substantially worse with the crash in 2007, when the number of food insecure Americans went from around 35 million to near 50 million. Under the Obama presidency, that number fell and we now have figures of around 41 million,” Patel said by email. “The important thing to understand is that food won’t end hunger,” he added. “And although it’s vital to understand and address the dignified emergency that exists among poor AAPIs and other communities, no amount of goods can fix ongoing problems of healthcare debt, high rents, and low income.” To help involve the IndianAmerican community in their efforts, the Asavas in 2017 cofounded the Indian American Council at North Texas Food Bank. The couple also launched their volunteer campaign with a slogan partly in Hindi, “Hunger Mitao!,” which translates to “wipe out hunger.” To gain some traction, they wrote a check for $100,000 to benefit the campaign. In seven months, the group has helped the food bank surpass their goal of funding one million meals, through a mix of cash fundraising, food donations, and volunteering, the Asavas said. One dollar provides approximately three meals, according to Anna Asava, and the council’s goal is to help expand the 70 million meals a year the food bank currently provides to 92 million by 2025. Raj and Anna Asava contributed the initial funds and launched the Indian American Council to help North Texas Food Bank.North Texas Food
Bank. To help raise funds for the next million meals, the council have declared Aug. 11 to 19, which includes the anniversary of the day India gained independence from the United Kingdom, “Hunger Mitao! Week.” The council is collaborating with Indian-American associations and promoting the campaign through social media, radio, print, and flyers. The Asavas have hosted information sessions about the group’s efforts at friend’s homes, faithbased organizations, Diwali parties, and other venues to encourage those in the community to participate in food drives. The Asavas’ hope for the campaign is twofold: They hope it helps people who may need assistance — including Indian Americans — as well as get people to start talking about the issue of hunger. “Indian American community members are now visibly engaged and have made possible hundreds of thousands of meals for our food challenged neighbors across North Texas,” said Raj Asava.“We need to become visible on the front lines, we need to be seen as participants in the wider community,” Anna Asava added. Hunger — whether it’s in India, U.S., or anywhere in the world — hunger should not be an issue in this day and age.” The Asavas hope to expand their efforts to other communities and regions. Recently, Raj Asava worked with a ChineseAmerican colleague who was intrigued by how the Texas Indian-American community has rallied around hunger. “After hearing Anna’s speech to his organization on Chinese New Year, the organization joined the IAC to volunteer and donate funds,” Raj Asava said. “We were touched by this action by other members of the Asian community and believe that the IAC model can be scaled to other communities.”—www.nbcnews.com
American Red Cross awards $500,000 grant to Sewa International: Little Cambodia to benefit
R to L): Sewa International Houston Chapter Coordinator Achalesh Amar discussing house rebuilding plans with Sewa Construction Supervisor Pham and a Harvey affected resident in Rosharon, TX. The American Red Cross awarded Sewa International a $500,000 grant to rebuild homes of the economically underprivileged devastated by Hurricane Harvey in Rosharon Village, Brazoria County, TX. This grant in the next 18 months will help Sewa reconstruct 11 completely destroyed homes and 24 partially-damaged homes thus benefitting 154 men and women, including 35 seniors and 47 children. Since day one of Hurricane Harvey’s sweep across Southern Texas damaging property and destroying lives, Sewa International has been at the forefront of rescue operations initially, and then in relief and rehabilitation efforts. One of the most affected communities was Rosharon in Brazoria County which suffered major damage. Known as Little Cambodia, Rosharon with a population of approximately 1,400, is 30 miles south of Houston in an underserved rural area. Home to predominantly Cambodians refugees, and some Laotian and Mexican refugees, the majority eke out a livelihood in this insular setting through subsistence farming. Families here had fled Cambodia in the late 1970s escaping the genocidal regime of the Khmer Rouge. Nearly fifty percent of the families are involved in growing water spinach, a staple of Asian cuisine. When Hurricane Harvey roared through South Texas it devastated Little Cambodia, bringing down houses rendering people homeless, and leveling greenhouses thus destroying livelihoods. The Sewa International team members in Houston, many of whom themselves had to bear losses to their homes, have been hard at work, in raising funds from its supporters across the US, and then applying for grants from organizations who sought the help of trustworthy and qualified groups to carry out relief and rehabilitation. Sewa raised over $2 million for disaster recovery in less than a year since Hurricane Harvey hit, including the latest American Red Cross grant of $500,000. Sewa was the recipient of a $397,000 grant awarded by the Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF) in December 2017, providing case management help for 600 individuals. Completing the work in record time, Sewa International ended up helping 1,600 individuals from minority and underprivileged communities, earning kudos from GHCF. Thus, this grant from the American Red Cross is an affirmation of the good work done by Sewa as well as acknowledgement of the can-do spirit of this Hindu faith-based charitable organization standing out amongst its mainstream peers. The total cost for rebuilding and repairing homes at Rosharon for this project is estimated to be about $675,000, out of which Sewa International’s donors are contributing $175,000 or 25%. “Despite the generous support of funding agencies, the task at hand is enormous,” said Achalesh Amar, Coordinator of Sewa Houston who has continued spearheading the disaster recovery efforts in Rosharon for nearly a year. Ecstatic on hearing the award of this grant, he continued, “The experience of rebuilding Rosharon has been demanding, sometimes frustrating, but more often rewarding and always an optimistic one. The American Red Cross grant allows us to lay the foundation, literally – one home at a time -- to rebuild and revitalize Little Cambodia.” Gitesh Desai, President of the Houston Chapter of Sewa International who has for months lived in a hotel room as his house was flooded, said “We are honored for the recognition by American Red Cross, a major humanitarian organization. We are grateful to them for reposing their trust and confidence in us through this amazing gift. The grant further strengthens Sewa International’s resolve to fulfill our mission of giving back to the society through selfless service – a cornerstone of our Hindu faith.” For further information, contact: Achalesh Amar, houston@ sewausa.org, phone: 713-357-8216.
INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 13
NEWS Sabarimala case: ‘People For Dharma’ lawyer leaves court spellbound The petition in the Supreme Court of India seeking entry of women of all ages in the Sabarimala Temple is in the final stages of its hearing. The petitioners have argued that not allowing all women inside the temple amounts to discrimination based on gender and is thus violating of the Indian Constitution. A series of respondents has contested the claims of the petitioners in the case. On 26 July, lawyer J Sai Deepak appeared on behalf of a non-profit organisation called ‘People for Dharma’, one of the respondents in the case. Sai said that from the language of Article 25(1), it is evident that the rights of any worshipper under the said Article are subject to the rights of religious institutions under Article 26 and, therefore, the former cannot claim to have better rights than the latter. The lawyer submitted that while the petitioner, temple, and devotees have been asserting their rights under Articles 25(1), 26, and 25(1) respectively, no one has pointed out that deity also has rights under Articles 25 (1), 21, and 26. Sai then referred to various judgments of the Privy Council and the Supreme Court of India establishing that a deity has juristic character and is thus a legal person and, therefore, can enjoy rights under Articles 21, 25(1), and 26. Sai submitted that the deity has rights to practise and preserve its Dharma, including its vow of Naishtika Brahmacharya under Article 25(1) and has the right to expect the privacy of that character under Article 21. He further stated that it is the vow of the deity that is implemented as the tradition of the Sabarimala Temple, which, therefore, brings into the picture rights under Article 26(b). The lawyer then argued that the petitioner cannot claim that its rights under Article 25(1) must prevail over the rights of the deity along with the rights of devotees, men and women, who observe the tradition. He also submitted that a worshipper cannot claim to have a greater right to worship than the rights of the deity whom he or she claims to worship and whose traditions he or she has no respect for. Sai argued that the issue in the petition was not about “temple vs women” or “men vs women”, but “men v men” and “women vs women”. If the petitioner’s contention were allowed, then men who don’t observe the 41-day vow can also claim right of entry into Sabarimala Temple citing Article 25(1). A Hindu might say that he wants to offer chicken to Lord Ganesha citing Article 25(1) and so on. While arguing for the temple’s right to preserve its denomination under Article 26, Sai was asked by the Chief Justice how Ayyappa devotees constituted a religious denomination when there was no specific “Ayyappa sect”. Sai pointed out to the Chief Justice’s observation that the status of a religious denomination is not bestowed by the court but is something that comes from within the community. Since Ayyappa devotees share a common faith in Lord Ayyappa, and respect the practices associated with the worship of Lord Ayyappa, they would qualify as a religious denomination. The Chief Justice then asked that since Ayyappa devotees come from other faiths, would it still be possible to call them a religious denomination. To this, Sai responded that Hinduism differs from other faiths on this aspect and Anglican/Christian definition or understanding of religious denomination cannot be applied to Hinduism. On the charge of discriminating against menstruating women, Sai submitted that the primary object of the religious practice was to preserve the celibate form of the deity and not exclusion of menstruating women. The latter follows from the former. Sai put evidence from the religious texts before the bench, establishing the celibate nature of the deity. Sai stated that the discrimination charge would’ve been justified had the entire focus of the temple and its practices was to keep “all women” out, but that’s not the case. All exclusion is not discrimination, especially when the object of the rule has nothing to do with misogyny or impurity of menstruation, he said. On the issue of whether the Sabarimala Temple was being maintained out of the funds drawn from the Consolidated Fund of India, Sai placed before the court the 1922 proclamation of the erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore, where, in return for taking over the lands of the temples in Travancore, he had declared to pay an annuity of Rs 16 lakh for the running of the temples in the Travancore Devaswom. This obligation was inherited by the Indian state since it took over the temple lands from the Princely State. Therefore, it’s incorrect to state that the Sabarimala Temple was being run by state funds and, therefore, were state bodies. Sai was granted 10-15 minutes’ time in the forenoon to put forth his submissions. However, he argued for more than one and a half hours without being asked by any of the judges to stop. This is a testament to the quality of his argument and rhetoric. Justice Nariman observed that Sai Deepak’s submission was instructive. The Chief Justice commented that not only was it instructive but was an impressive articulation with both rhetoric and logic. “Your arguments are impressive, I must admit that”, he said. — swarajyamag.com
Deepika Padukone’s wax figure to be unveiled at Madame Tussauds
Actress Deepika Padukone will be joining the world’s biggest superstars at Madame Tussauds, with wax figures in London and Delhi. The first figure will be launched in London in early 2019, while the Delhi figure will follow a few months later to draw more attention to tourists and fans of the actress, a statement said.
Padukone, the daughter of sports personality Prakash Padukone, made her Bollywood foray with “Om Shanti Om,” beginning a journey that has seen her experience a whole lot of success. Known for her savvy style and versatility seen via films as diverse as “Piku” and “Padmaavat,” Padukone has also done a Hollywood film, “xXx:
Return of Xander Cage.” The team of Madame Tussauds expert artists met Padukone in London for the all-important sitting for her figures, where they took over 200 specific measurements, as well as photographs to create an authentic likeness. “The sitting with the team of experts was a special experience and I look forward to the incredible figure at the attraction,” the actress said in a statement. “Deepika is an extremely talented actress that Bollywood has seen over the years. Her fan following is huge and is growing across the world. Her beauty has won the hearts of millions across the nation and worldwide,” said Anshul Jain, general manager and director at Merlin Entertainments India Pvt Ltd. “We are thrilled to announce her figure at the Delhi attraction. We are certain that our guests will love to see her wax figure.”
INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 14
INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 15
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NEWS
U.K.’s Green Party comes out in support of August 12 pro-Khalistan rally in London Britain’s Green Party has come out in support of a controversial pro-Khalistan rally due to take place in London at the weekend, in support of a referendum for an independent Sikh homeland. Caroline Lucas, Member of Parliament and co-leader of the Green Party, said in a statement that she stood in “solidarity” with those joining the event on Sunday – dubbed the “London Declaration” – and for those “fighting discrimination and campaigning for a referendum around the world... Sikh people have a right to determine for themselves whether they want to establish an independent Punjabi state.” The rally, due to take place in the afternoon of August 12, in central London, has heightened tensions between India and the U.K., after Britain said it wouldn’t ban the demonstration, despite concerns raised by India, and the issuance of a demarche to take action. Last month the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said they expected the U.K. government not to allow a group “whose intention is to spread hatred and impact our bilateral relations,” to use the country. He emphasised “good relations” with the Sikh community more widely, but expressed concerns around “fringe elements” who sought to spread “hatred and communal disharmony”. The British government has said that people had the right to gather together and demonstrate their views, provided they did so within the law. It wouldn’t “tolerate anyone who spread hate or deliberately raised community fears and tensions by bringing disorder and violence to our towns and cities and the police have comprehensive powers to deal with such activities”. The rally in London is being organised by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which said it hoped to use the rally to raise awareness of its plans to hold a nonbinding referendum in 2020. The group said that members of the British Sikh community had written to their MPs urging them to support the London Declaration and “oppose India’s interference.” Ms. Lucas is the first British MP to publicly voice support for the campaign and rally. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said they were aware of the planned event on Sunday afternoon and had been liaising with the SFJ. “There are no restrictions on the event and we have not received any complaints. An appropriate and proportionate policing plan is in place.” Over the past few weeks, the SFJ have been using social
media to highlight groups they said would be coming from other parts of Britain and Europe to take part in the rally. “Pick Your Side” tweeted Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to the SFJ campaign with images of the Khalistan
flag, and the Indian flag and the dates of August 12 and 15 beside each other. Other groups have also supported the rally. Following an article on the protest in The Times of London, the Sikh Federation U.K. accused Indian authorities of
“overreacting” to the Sikh diaspora and described the “reestablishment of a Sikh homeland” as “inevitable”. The rally comes several months after a separate controversy over the tearing of an Indian flag on Parliament square
during a rally, attended by several groups including pro-Khalistan protesters. India raised concerns about the flag-tearing and received an apology from the British government over the incident. —The Hindu
INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 17
NEWS U.S. encourages, welcomes qualified Indians: Consul General Edgard Kagan As the Trump administration continues to tighten screws on the H-1B visa programme, United States Consul General in Mumbai, Edgard Kagan, says his country encourages and welcomes “qualified Indians”. U.S. President Donald Trump is “very committed” to relations with India, he told PTI. “The U.S. continues to be as welcoming as it has always been to qualified Indian travellers,” Mr. Kagan said, adding a record number of Indians flying to the U.S. last year proves that people in India are aware that his country welcomes them. “We strongly encourage and welcome Indians to study in the U.S. We believe that Indians studying in the U.S. and our students studying in India are part of the glue that holds our relationship together,” he told PTI. Indians who are in the U.S. continue to have great opportunities there. The country is aware that Indians there want to be treated well. “If you look at the facts, you will see that the U.S. continues to be just as welcoming as it has always been,” he said. Responding to another question, he said the U.S. President is “very committed” to relations with India. “If you look carefully you
can see that from the very beginning of his administration, his time in office, the President and his team have emphasised the need to expand and strengthen the already good relations with India,” he said. Fair and balanced trade “I think part of this is making sure we continue to grow trade in a way that is fair and balanced on both sides, part of it is making sure that both the countries continue to support investment,” he said. “We welcome and are thrilled with the amount of Indian investments that are coming to the U.S.,” he added. Mr. Kagan said the U.S. wants to get the right policy framework favouring investments in both the countries and make sure that ties between people of the U.S. and India remain strong. “The President understands all that Indian-Americans have done in the United States. He also is very proud of what the Americans have done in India and I think we want to find ways to highlight that and expand it,” he said. Asked about the U.S. withdrawing from the Paris pact on climate change, Mr. Kagan said his country is deeply committed to protecting the environment in the U.S. and in the world. “We recognise that there always are trade-offs and dif-
All unselected H-1B petitions returned: U.S.
ficult decisions to be made, but we believe the way in which we go forward is by building popular support for the idea that we all have a shared stake in our world,” he said. Business ties The U.S. had last year announced its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change and renegotiate the deal that was agreed upon by over 190 countries. On the areas in which the U.S. and India could further strengthen ties, Mr. Kagan said, “Having more travel, having more people know each other, expanding study, expanding partnerships in educational institutions, partnerships between businesses.” He underlined the need for getting the right regulatory framework, encouraging investments and capital flow to those who can use it, making sure venture capital is supported, and that entrepreneurs and technology innovators can get access to support for their companies through loans and on a market basis. “Making sure we continue to expand the collaborations between our educational and academic institutions and also look at ways to expand our business ties because those have been incredibly important in both the countries,” Mr. Kagan added.
The Congressional-mandated cap of 65,000 H-1B visas and another 20,000 in the advanced degree categories were reached within the first five days after the USCIS started accepting H-1B applications. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Tuesday said that it has returned all the petitions of H-1B visas, popular among Indian IT professionals, that were not selected in the computer-generated lottery system in April. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said that it has returned all the unselected H-1B petitions for the fiscal year 2019, beginning October 1 which were submitted to the agency in April. The Congressional-mandated cap of 65,000 H-1B visas and another 20,000 in the advanced degree categories were reached within the first five days after the USCIS started accepting H-1B applications. As an H-1B non-immigrant, the applicant may be admitted for a period of up to three years. The time period may be extended, but generally cannot go beyond a total of six years. However, there are some exceptions to it. On April 6, around 94,213 H-1B petitions were received in the general category and 95,885 in the advanced degree category, as a result of which the federal agency resorted to a computerised draw of lots to select the successful applicants. Petitions of those not selected have now been returned, the USCIS said. The H-1B application process began from April 2 as the top federal agency temporarily suspended the premium processing of all such work visas subject to fiscal cap. The suspension of premium processing of all the H-1B petitions which are subject to the annual caps is expected to last until September 10, 2018. During this time, the USCIS said it will continue to accept premium processing requests for the H-1B petitions that are not subject to the fiscal 2019 cap. According to the USCIS, between 2007 and 2017, it received the maximum number of 2.2 million H-1B petitions from highskilled Indians. India was followed by China with 301,000 H-1B petitions during the same period.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Art Museum Kannappan Art Museum will be open for public Tuesday 5.30 PM to 7.30 PM, Saturday 10AM to 2 PM, Sunday 12 noon to 4 PM. Address: 2341 N. Galveston Ave, Pearland, TX 77581.
Sri Meenakshi Temple 10-Aug Fri 7PM Aadi Sukravara Ashtalakshmi Deepa Puja 13-Aug Mon 6:30PM Aadi Pooram, Meenakshi and Andal Abhishekam 16-Aug to 19-Aug Thu-Sun Sri Nava Chandi Maha Homam 24-Aug Fri 7PM Varalakshmi Vratham 25-Aug Sat 10AM Onam 26-Aug Sun 7AM Rig Yajur Upakarma Aavani Avi`am Durga Bari Temple Durga Bari temple is open from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Mon. thru Sat. Sandhya aarti at 6:30 p.m. Temple closes at 7 p.m. Sunday special from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Temple is located at 13944 Schiller Rd (oďŹ&#x20AC; Hwy 6 bet. Bellaire & Westpark). Call Ganesh Mandal at 713-797-9057 / 832-423-8541. 7 Divine Laws for Happiness & FulďŹ llment and Ram Katha Rahasya by Pujya Swami Mukundananda Swami Mukundananda, a worldrenowned teacher of spirituality, Yoga and Meditation will have Free program on 7 Divine Laws for Happiness & FulďŹ llment at India House at 8888 W Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77031 from August BUY
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4th(Sat) â&#x20AC;&#x201C;10th(Fri). August 4th (Sat) & 5th (Sun): Yoga & Meditation from 4:30 pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:45 pm, Discourse from 5:45 p.m to 7:30 pm., August 6th (Mon) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9th (Thu): Yoga & Meditation from 6 p.m to 7:15 p.m, Discourse from 7:15 pm to 9 p.m. August 10th (Fri): Discourse from 7 p.m â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9p.m. Ram Katha Rahasya from August 11th (Sat)-17th (Fri) at Hindu Worship Society, 2223 Wirtcrest Lane, Houston, TX 77055. August 11th (Sat) & 12th (Sun): Discourse from 5 pm to 7:30 pm. August 13th (Mon) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 17th (Fri): Discourse from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. Free Admission & Prasadam served on all days after program. Visit http:// www.jkyog.org/events or call 281630-5982/832-377-6070/281-7827345 or email: houstonjkyog@ gmail.com. Arya Samaj Satsang Weekly Havan Satsang every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. DAV Sanskriti School Sundays 10 a.m. to 12 noon. - Havan, Hindi and Naitik Shiksha classes. DAV Montessori School for ages 2 to 7 years. Call Arti Khanna 281-759-3286. Free Yoga classes on Sat. Sanskrit & Upanishad classes Tue. 6-8 p.m. At 14375 Schiller Rd. (bet Westpark & Bellaire oďŹ&#x20AC; Hwy 6). 281752-0100. Brahma Kumaris The Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Meditation Center is open 7 days a week. The center oďŹ&#x20AC;ers free Raja Yoga Meditation classes: MonFri @ 6:00-6:45am and 7-8 pm, Sat-Sun @ 7:00-8:30am, 10 am-2 pm. Visiting hours are Sat-Sun @ 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact us at (832) 379-8888, houston@bktexas.com, OLD
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or bktexas.com to sign-up for classes. All Raja Yoga Meditation teachers at the Houston center are samarpit and have 15+ years of teaching experience. Chinmaya Mission Summer schedule Both BalaVihar and adult classes will remain closed from May 27th to September 8th. Classes will resume on Sunday, September 9th. New member registration for Bala Vihar will be conducted in Chinmaya Smrti Hall on SUNDAY, August 12th from 2 PM to 5 PM and August 19th from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon. Detailed information will be provided at the time of registration. No registrations will be done for Bala Vihar during September 2018. For more information: Visit www.chinmayahouston.org or call Bharati Sutaria 281.933.0233 Vedanta Society Vedanta Society of Greater Houston, VSGH (oďŹ&#x192;cial Branch Center of Ramakrishna Math, Belur), 14809 Lindita Dr. (77083), has lectures & talks on every Sunday 11 am - 12 pm, followed by Arati & Prasad; Bhagwad Gita Class on Tuesdays, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm; and Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna on Thursdays, 11 am - 12 pm. Rev. Sw. Atmarupanandaji, the Resident Monk, gives all classes, lectures & talks. Ramnaam Sankirtan is on 1st Saturdays 6 pm - 7 pm. Please visit www.houstonvedanta. org or call 281- 988-7211. Jain Society Jain Society of Houston (JSH) located at 3905 Arc Street Houston Texas 77063 is open M-F from 7:30 AM to 12 Noon and 4 to 7 PM, and Sat, and Sun from 8 AM to 6 PM. Jain Society of Houston invites Jain scholars all year round. Please call Urvashi Jain 713 789 2338. Visit www.jainsocietyhouston.org for more information. Shiv Shakti Mandir Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir, 6640 Harwin. Open daily 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All major festivals, as well as birthdays, naam karan, engagement and other ceremonies. Call Pandit Virat Mehta 713-278-9099 or Hardik Raval 361-243-6539 for puja or other ceremonies. Heartfulness Meditation Heartfulness Meditation is a practical technique of tuning inwards to experience our higher selves. Meditation with someone who has the capacity of yogic transmission can help you explore the Heartfulness practice more deeply. There are no charges for this, and we invite you to experience the unique beneďŹ ts of this transmission. Workshops on Heartfulness relaxation and meditation are held weekly throughout Houston, including Saturdays at 11 am at India House. Web: www. heartfulness.org; Email: houston. heartfulness@gmail.com. Cell: 713-929-0040. Hare Krishna Dham Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original Vedic temple, ISKCON of Houston. At 1320 W 34th St. (77018). Daily Darshan & Arati Times: 4.30 a.m, 7 a.m, 8.30 a.m, 12 noon, 4.30 p.m, 7 p.m, 9 p.m. Sunday Festival: 5.30 pm to 7.30 p.m. Weekly Gita classes for adults; call 281-433-1635 or harekrishnadham @gmail.com Houston Namadwaar A prayer house where the Hare
Rama Hare Krishna Maha-mantra is continuously chanted. Weekends: 8-11 AM & 4-7 PM, Weekdays: 7-8 AM & 6-7 PM. Weekly â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gopa Kuteeramâ&#x20AC;? childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heritage classes and Srimad Bhagavatam classes. Call 281-402-6585; visit www.godivinity.org (Global Organization for Divinity). Saumyakasi Sivalaya Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya is located at Chinmaya Prabha, 10353 Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Temple timings: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon and 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. For more information Contact 281-568-1690 or Jay Deshmukh at 832-541-0059 or visit www.saumyakasi.org Gauri Siddhivinayak Temple Darshan from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. All major festivals as well as birthdays, naam karan, engagement and other ceremonies. Call Pandit Pradip Pandya 832-4669868 for puja and other ceremonies. At 5645 Hillcroft Ste 701, Houston, TX 77036. Veerashaiva Samaja VSNA Houston is a group of families who believe in Veerashaiva dharma (Basava dharma). Monthly Mahamane program for prayer and discussion on Vachana Sahitya followed by Prasada. Contact: vsnahous ton@gmail.com or Jagadeesh Halyal 832-744-4166. Mar Thoma Church Trinity Mar Thoma Church every Sunday at 5810 Almeda Genoa Rd. Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. Malayalam service at 9:30 a.m. on 1st & 3rd Sunday. Adult Bible class at 9:30 a.m. English service at 10:30 a.m. on 2nd & 4th Sunday. Call 713-991-1557 or 281261-4603. Telugu Christian Fellowship Telugu Christian Fellowship meets every third Saturday of the month at Triumph Church, 10555 W. Airport Blvd., StaďŹ&#x20AC;ord TX 77477 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a time of praise, worship and fellowship. Worship is in English. For information call Chris Gantela 281-344-0707, or Rev. Vijay Gurrala 281-997-0757. Sri Guruvayurappan Temple Hours: Mon to Fri 6 a.m. -8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Weekends & Holidays: 6 a.m. to noon and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bhajans Saturdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Special poojas (weekends and holidays) Choroon (Annaprasam) for kids, Thulabharam, Vahana Pooja, Nirapara. Temple is located at 11620 Ormandy St. (77035) Tel: 713729-8994 email: temple@ guruvayur.us Preksha Meditation JVB Preksha Meditation Center conducts weekly Meditation, Yoga and Swadhyay sessions inside its unique Pyramid hall under the auspicious guidance of Samani Kanchan Pragyaji and Samani Pranav Pragyaji who are stationed at Houston Center this year. It also runs special events and programs like I-Choose, Meditation Camps and Gyanshala program for children ages 4-14 yrs. JVB is located at 14102 Schiller Rd. Houston 77082. Every Tuesday,
9:30am-11:30am, Samaniji has pravachan for all adults interested in learning about Jainism. Every Wednesday there is Swadhyay class from 7-8pm and meditation from 8-9pm. Every Thursday from 9:30-11am there is special Yoga class for Ladies only. Every Saturday, there is Yoga Class from 9-10am and Meditation from 1010.30am. Ist & 3rd Sundays, there is Gyanshala Classes for Kids ages 4-14yrs. from 10-12:15pm followed by Lunch. Visit www. jvbhouston.org or send email at info@jvbhouston.org for more details. Patanjali Yogpeeth Free Yoga Classes every Sat/Sun at Arya Samaj from 8 am to 9:30 a.m. Call Anil 281-579-9433. For other free classes, call Indra 281537-0018. For Yoga/Herbal products, call Shekhar 281-242-5000. www.pyptusa.org; www.DivyaProducts.com. Hindu Temple of The Woodlands 7601 S. Forest Gate Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77382 Temple Hours, Weekdays: 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM 5:30 PM - 8.30 PM Aarti @ 7:30 PM Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM Aarti at 12:00 PM 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Aarti @ 7:30 PM; Contact 832-585--0001 or temple@myhtw.net Sathya Sai centers Sunday program held at two locations (North Houston: 12127 Malcomson Road, Houston; South Houston: 246 Fluor Daniel Drive, Sugar Land) from 3:00 to 5:30 pm) - Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) classes for children; Study Circle for adults & Devotional singing for all. Service programs - food distribution, canned food drives, nursing home visits, tutoring at schools, etc. Contact Venkat Rao (North) - 602-503-2249 or Ranji Raghavan (South) 281-451-8238. Visit www.sairegion10.org Sadhu Vaswani Center Sadhu Vaswani Center of Houston holds regular Satsang on 3rd Thursday of the month and daily Arti at 7.30 p.m. Call 281-4630379 or e.mail ramolaj@aol.com Gaudiya Math Shri Govindji Gaudiya Matha is a Hindu Vaishnava temple of Sanatan Dharam and worshipping place of Shri Shri Radha Krishna, Shri Gaur Nitai & Shri Ram Darbar. Mandir is open daily from 5.30 AM until 8.30 PM. We urge you to make a special eďŹ&#x20AC;ort to join our Sunday services regularly with your family & friends. The services are held from 5.30PM to 7.30PM followed by delicious prashad. Daily Aarti times : Mangala Aarti- 5:30 am. Bhog Aarti - 12:30 pm. Evening Aarti - 7:00 pm. Enroll your child in Sri Govindaji Vedic School. We oďŹ&#x20AC;er Hindi classes for all ages. Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha is located in Northwest Houston at 16628 Kieth Harrow Blvd Houston TX 77084. For more information, call at 832-464-4686 or visit our website: http://sggm.org.
INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 19
NEWS Death for child rape convicts, bill passed Indian Parliament on Monday passed two important Bills — one to provide constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) and another to provide death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years. While the both the Bills were passed in Rajya Sabha, after the Lok Sabha nodded it last week, the Lok Sabha in the evening unanimously passed a bill on SC/ST Amendment Bill to overcome the Supreme Court verdict quashing the immediate arrest of the accused. Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed as “historic” the passage of the bill granting constitutional status to the NCBC. “A historic moment for our country! I am glad that Parliament has passed the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, which grants Constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes. This will contribute to the empowerment of the OBC communities across India,” the PM tweeted. The Government feels it would help people from backward classes fight atrocities against them and ensure quick justice to them. There has been a demand to grant constitutional status to OBC Commission from the 1980s. Before the passage of NCBC Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 several members in the Rajya Sabha urged the Government to make public the findings of the caste census and implement reservation accordingly. The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the measure on July 31 last year, along with an amendment and sent it to the Lower House. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill last week with alternate amendments as well as some more changes unanimously with over twothird majority. Replying to the debate on the bill, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said it would help the backward classes people fight atrocities against them and ensure quick justice to them. “This bill would provide justice to the OBC people, it is the need of the hour,” Gehlot said. Participating in the discussion Bhupender Yadav (BJP) urged political parties to shun “vote politics” and support these measures and charged the Congress of sabotaging the issue earlier and said it had chance to rectify its mistake by ensuring passage of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. Chaya Verma (Cong) sought reservation in Parliament and Assemblies for OBCs said creamy layer should be removed. She asked the goverment how it will implement the quota when it was encouraging contractual jobs. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 too was passed back to back in Rajya Sabha after the house working hours were extended for three hours. The Bill was moved by Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju seeking to amend the criminal law to award death penalty for child rape convicts as passed by Lok Sabha last week. The Parliament passed a stringent legislation prescribing death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years and making the law against such sexual offences harsher. The Bill replaces the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance promulgated on April 21, following an outcry over the rape and murder of a minor girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and the rape of another woman at Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2018, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on July 30, was approved by a voice vote in the Upper House. Rijiju assured the House that the concerns and issues raised by the members would be looked into by the Government, even as he did not agree with the demand of several MPs to send the bill to a
Select Committee for scrutiny. During the debate in Lok Sabha on the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, Congress demanded for including it in the Ninth Schedule of Constitution to avoid legal challenges. Participating in the debate Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Choudhury reiterated that the need for insulting this bill by placing under Ninth Schedule. Replying to the debate, Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot thanked all members for supporting the Bill. He said this bill provides dedicated courts to tackle cases pertaining to the SC/ST Act. The Bill proposes compensation to victims, he said, adding that compensation will be given within seven days of registration of FIR. The bill reinstated the earlier provisions in the bill providing immediate arrest soon after receiving the complaint from SC/ST community. The bill also maintained the provisions of IPC banning the bail provisions.
India to impose delayed tariffs on some U.S. goods India also planned to impose a 120 % duty on the import of walnuts in the strongest action yet against the United States. India said on Saturday that delayed higher tariffs against some goods imported from the United States will go into force on September 18. New Delhi, incensed by Washington’s refusal to exempt it from new tariffs, decided in June to raise import tax from August 4 on some U.S. products, including almonds, walnuts and apples, and later delayed the move. Officials from New Delhi and Washington, including U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, are scheduled to hold a series of meetings including strategic talks with their Indian counterparts in September. Trade differences between India and the United States have been rising since President Donald Trump took office. Bilateral trade rose to $115 billion in 2016, but the Trump administration wants to reduce its $31 billion deficit with India, and is pressing New Delhi to ease trade barriers. India, the world’s biggest buyer of U.S. almonds, in June decided to raise import duties on the commodity by 20 %, joining the European Union and China in retaliating against Trump’s tariff hikes on steel and aluminium. It had also planned to impose a 120 % duty on the import of walnuts in the strongest action yet against the United States. India has proposed to buy petroleum products from the U.S. to help narrow the trade deficit. The United States has also emerged as a top arms supplier to India and U.S. companies are bidding for military aircraft deals worth billions of dollars.
Will examine if Article 35A affects ‘Basic Structure’ of Constitution: Supreme Court Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, heading a Bench, on Monday orally observed that the Supreme Court will consider whether Article 35A, which gives special status to the State and people of Jammu and Kashmir, is violative of the ‘Basic Structure’ of the Constitution. ‘Basic Structure’ is a collective term coined by a 13-judge Bench in the historic Keshavananda Bharati case to include a catena of fundamental rights, including the right to equality, non-discrimination, liberty, life and dignity, enshrined and preserved in the Constitution. Centre seeks adjournment of case The Centre, represented by Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, persisted that the case should be adjourned, as an interlocutor was carrying on dialogues with the State’s stake-
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holders. The State of J&K, represented by Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, also sought an adjournment. What is Article 35A? However, the Bench comprising Justice A.M. Khanwilkar was missing its third member, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. He is on leave. Chief Justice Misra explained that since the issue was being heard by a three-judge Bench and one of them is absent, the case should be adjourned. “The challenge to Article 35A is being heard by a threejudge Bench. The Bench will determine whether the case should be referred to a Constitution Bench. Today, as you see, the other judge is absent and so we have to hear the case another day,” he addressed the petitioner lawyers who objected to an adjournment. One of them even complained that J&K was virtually shut down before every Supreme Court hearing. To this, Chief Justice Misra said the challenge is to a provision, Article 35A, which has been implemented for over 60 years and the petitions were filed only in 2014. The case had progressed to the extent of the question of reference by a three-judge Bench to a Constitution Bench. The Bench posted the case for hearing to the week commencing August 26. Solving the autonomy puzzle Article 35A gives the J&K
State Legislature a carte blanche to decide the ‘permanent residents’ of the State and grant them special rights and privileges in State public sector jobs, acquisition of property within the State, scholarships and other public aid and welfare programmes. The provision mandates that no act of the State legislature coming under the ambit of Article 35A can be challenged for violating the Indian Constitution or any other law of the land. NGO’s plea One of the main writ petitions was filed by NGO We the Citizens, which challenges the validity of both Article 35A and Article 370. It argues that four representatives from Kashmir were part of the Constituent Assembly involved in the drafting of the Constitution and the State of J&K was never accorded any special status in the Constitution. Article 370 was only a ‘temporary provision’ to help bring normality to J&K and strengthen democracy in that State. The Constitution makers did not intend Article 370 to be a tool to bring permanent amendments, like Article 35A, in the Constitution. The petition said Article 35 A was against the “very spirit of oneness of India” as it created a “class within a class of Indian citizens.” Restricting citizens from other States from getting employment or buying property within Jammu and Kashmir was a violation of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
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