Indo American News • Friday, March 18, 2011
Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Friday, March 18 2011 | Vol. 30, No. 11
Indo American News
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Congressman Al Green presents a Certificate of Congressional Appreciation to India House officials, Jugal Malani, President; Kul Bhushan Uppal, Vice-President of Operations; and Brij Agrawal, Vice-President of Finance Photo: Krishna Giri
Jindal and his wife Arti. The first building structure on the India House premises has been named in memory of O. P. Jindal, the father of P. R. Jindal. “My heartfelt thanks to all who joined, supported, and shared our vision of India House. Our mission is to have a warm and welcoming place for Indians and non-Indians to come together, a place that pro-
motes our culture and heritage and serves the needs of our community,” said Malani. In an interview before the event Malani confided that the goal was to raise $1 million. “When people see that there is a good team in place, they have confidence. I have been lucky in that I have good friends that support me, so not a single call was wasted,”
added Malani. He has every confidence that the community will step up and and help further the vision that includes an auditorium and a library. Houston’s Mayor Annise Parker lauded the Indo American community for their endowment to this city by way of education, professionalism, cultural diversity, and now, India House. “I wanted to be here to share this proud evening with you. The relationship between India and Houston has never been stronger as it is today through India House,” said Mayor Parker. “You have enriched our community by being the focal point of a strong and vibrant business community in this city and you make my job a joy. You also understand that we are stronger when we engage in civic actions, we are stronger when we work together.” Keynote Speaker for the evening was Chancellor of the University of Houston (U of H) Dr. Renu Khator, who co-chaired the gala with her husband Suresh, along with Judge Ed Emmett and Susan Emmett, and gala chair Gopal Savjani. Dr. Khator related her oftentimes arduous journey from smalltown continued on page
Katy Art student wins at Houston Livestock show
By Sara raSlan HOUSTON (Chronicle): A Katy student’s color pencil drawing of a man riding a horse raked in a record $205,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s School Art Auction Sunday. Seventeen-year-old Komal Agarwal, a junior at Seven Lakes High School, couldn’t believe her drawing was selected as the grand winner of the auction. “When I first started this drawing I was hoping and praying with every stroke of my pencil to just make it into the top 10,” she said. “I didn’t expect this to happen.” Her subject, the man on the horse, works at George Ranch, where she took photos for the drawing. Alka Agarwal knew her daughter was artistic when she would correct her parents at a young age if they called something pueple, rather than magenta. She’s had her
auction.” When her art teacher mentioned the Rodeo’s School Art Auction, A g a r w a l jumped at the chance to participate. The 17-yearold will receive $30,000, which she plans for using for coltuition. Komal’s drawing won grand champion prize and lege fetched $205,000 at the Houston Livestock Show The rest of the proceeds will and Rodeo fund scholarsights set on the rodeo for years. ships. “With this support we won’t “Since I was a kid, I always have to worry about the extra excame to the Rodeo,” Agarwal said. penses of college,” her mother “ I saw the art galleries and loved said. “Komal will be proud to use how realistic they were. I have al- money she earned herself on her ways wanted to be part of the art education.”
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This Week Inside:
India House Gala raises $800, 000 for Building Projects
By Kalyani Giri HOUSTON: India House gloriously came of age when over 600 from the diverse communities of this city gathered at the Intercontinental Hotel on March 12, 2011, to celebrate and contribute over $800, 000 to the visionary project. Sophistication was a hallmark feature of the annual gala held at Legends Ballroom which was strikingly enlivened by a bold black and silver color scheme, and softened by glimmering candles and vivid flower centerpieces. That India House is fast rising in the echelons as a power edifice was evident in the stellar outpouring of support from dignitaries and movers and shakers alike, who graced the event. Preceding the formal banquet was an early VIP reception for a select group of major donors and sponsors. The program began with the singing of the Indian and American national anthems, followed by an invocation rendered by youth from the Chinmaya Mission. Jugal Malani, President of India House, welcomed guests and recognized the presence of dignitaries, noteworthy amongst them, steel magnate and substantial contributor to India House, Prithvi Raj (P.R.)
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The drawing was purchased by four buyers; Jim Fiume, Joe Van Matre, Tom Dompier and Paul Sommerville. “This drawing is good talent,” said Joe Van Matre, member of the School Arts Committe and chairman of the Wine Sales Committe at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “It’s one of the best things you can do for education,” he said. Tom Dompier, lifetime vice president of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and former vice president of the school Art Auction, agreed that the events have a tremendous benefit. “We enjoy helping kids,” he said. “If they are in school that means they are not out getting in trouble somewhere else. It’s like giving them a job for four years.” This year’s grand champion tops last year’s by $15,000.
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Mahashivrathri Celebration Across H Town
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Akshay Patra Wins the Gold Shield for Second Year in a Row
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Ovo: A New Kind of Bug Story
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Community Felicitaion for Dr. Rathna Kumar
Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, A mArcH 18, 2011 • Online editiOn: Ay, On: www.indOamerican-news.cOm O
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