Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
50¢
Friday, March 26, 2010 | Vol. 29, No. 13
Indo American News
Circulation Verified by
READ US ONLINE at www.indoamerican-news.com Published weekly from Houston, TX
7457 Harwin Dr, Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036 Ph: 713.789.NEWS (6397) • Fax: 713.789.6399 • indoamericannews@yahoo.com
In IAN this Week
The Gentleman’s Game Takes Off In Canada
Asha Bhosle to Perform in Houston on April 17th Legendary Singer Asha Bhosle comes to Houston for a lifetime performance with Krishna Beura and Sudesh Bhosle at Arena Theater COMMUNITY
Dreams to Reality – India House Annual Gala Celebrates Landmark Project
Story on Pg 12
Coherent Strategy and Execution
1
Sen. John Cornyn performs ceremonial ribbon-cutting formalities to officially inaugurate the O.P. Jindal Center, Phase I of the India House project. He is cheered on by, from left, Pritviraj Jindal, Dr. Virendra Mathur, Ashok Dhingra and Dr. Durga Agrawal
By Kalyani Giri HOUSTON: It was in honor of a landmark project nearly thirty years in the making that compelled many from the local community to brave the blustery cold weather March 20, 2010, and attend the India House Fifth Annual Gala, Dreams to Reality. Jointly chaired by Gopal Savjani and Kul Bhushan Uppal, The fundraising event, marked the completion of Phase One of India House, the O. P. Jindal Center. Once all visionary phases of construction are complete, the iconic project promises to be reflective of the diverse and culturally replete ethos of the Indo American community in this city. Dignitaries present included the Consul General of India Sanjiv Arora, United States Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Pete
Olson, and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. During the reception preceding the gala event, Senator John Cornyn inaugurated the edifice by cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Thereafter, the guests were ushered to a large marquee constructed on the grounds, the venue for the evening’s event that would accommodate the gala seating arrangement. The program began with the rendering of the national anthems of India and the USA. President of India House Ashok Dhingra welcomed gatherees and recognized major donors, the Jindal family of India, and Chowdary Yalamanchili, who had each committed a million dollars for the project. As part of the original volunteer-driven team spearheading the India House vision, Dhingra also reminisced about those who continued on page
ENTERTAINMENT
Listen To It or Ticket! Sunil T & Masala Radio Crew Starts New Show Lineup on Weekdays
Houston based author, Ravi Gopaldas Kathuria talks about the captivating tale about management in the upper ranks
Story on Pg 25
SOCIETY
At Attention, In a Turban Capt. Tejdeep Singh Rattan, in a turban and full beard, graduated at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, the first Sikh in a generation allowed to complete Army basic training without sacrificing the articles of his faith. The Army made an exemption to a uniform policy that has effectively prevented Sikhs from enlisting since 1984. “I’m feeling very humbled,” said Captain Rattan, 31, a dentist. “I’m a soldier.” He had to get a waiver from the Army to be allowed to serve without sacrificing the unshorn hair mandated by his faith.
HOUSTON: JAI HO! On the auspicious day of Ram Navmi, at the auspicious birth hour of high noon, Masala Radio signed on a new show, Drive-Time Dhamaal. Beginning April 1, 2010, Houston’s most popular radio show will broadcast Monday – Friday, from 5pm to 8pm on 1320 AM. “I was happy entertaining audiences on the weekends for the past 17 years.” “But Moid Khan of Bollywood Shows 4 U put my focus into perspective, leading the public demand for us to be on in drive time, where almost every adult spends at least 45 minutes in the car,” indicated Sunil Thakkar, host of Masala Radio. “Moid Khan backed me with full support
to promote the Jai Ho! AR Rahman concert, and by the grace of God an excellent station opened with just drive time hours available!” “I have to thank my other sponsors who also encouraged me with advance support for Drive Time, Malik Jamaal with Tara Energy and Kawal Oberoi of Keemat Grocers.” Moid Khan exclaimed “ With Sunil and the crazy Masala Crew’s energy weekdays will never be the same!“ “This will give us so much breathing room, for more comedy, more themed segments, more shers, more Bollywood Buzz, more Masala.” says Preanka, senior co-host. “We were running out of prime time with back to back promotions, star interviews, and grand openings, but now we have an ocean of prime time!” Currently, Masala Radio broadcasts Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM to 5PM on 1480 AM. Now listeners will have to set their dial to 1320 AM weekdays 5-8pm. Masala Radio is busy lining up programming and giveaways for listeners. There is a lot of excitement, a lot of passion in the Masala Radio studios.
3
AR Rahman “Jai Ho” Tour, A Spectacle to Watch India’s most celebrated music director, Oscar and Grammy Award winner A R Rahman, is currently on a music tour to salute Bollywood and Indian music. He has reportedly teamed up with producer Deepak Gattani and creative director Amy Tinkham, who is famous for creating live musical concerts for Britney Spears, Back Street Boys and Mariah Carey. According to Rahman’s spokesperson, The A R Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour, will be a modern presentation of traditions of India in a theatrical format. It is said to be a musical as well as visual extravaganza with large images on LED screens and will have a magnificent cast of musicians and dancers from across the globe, making the concert a “theatrical experience utilizing new technologies”, according to a recent press release. Rahman had most recently participated in the 2010 remake of 'We Are The World' to benefit Haiti, and it is important to note that the concert will feature music that Rahman was working on with the late king of pop, Michael Jackson, before his unfortunate death
AR Rahman is a musical genius who has won two oscar and grammy award for his music in the movie Slumdog Millionaire
last summer (2009). Other performances will include songs from Slumdog Millionaire as well as the Indian films Lagaan, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Dil Se, Rang De Basanti and Roja. The tour will come to Houston on July 3, 2010 at Toyota Center.
ON THE WEB • Read Articles • Post Comments • VIEWNews E-NEWSPAPER • Share Event26 Pictures Become Edition: a Fan on Facebook • Picture Gallery• VISIT OUR WEBSTORE indoaMerican-news.com Indo American • Friday, march , 2010 ••Online www.indoamerican-news.com
2
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
society
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
3
Dreams to Reality – India House Annual Gala Celebrates Landmark Project continued from page
1
had been there in the beginning but had since passed on, notably Harb Hayre. Senator Cornyn who delivered the keynote address, was introduced by Dr. Virendra Mathur, Vice President of Operations at India House.
Vice President of Finance, India House, Durga Agrawal, who along with Dr. Mathur and Dhingra energized and inspired the community to help further the India House dream, was elated by the progress. “India House is a window to the past and a door to the future. Our mission is to unite cultures, create
family fills me with joy,” added Savjani. “I’m so happy that we’re working toward creating something for the coming generations.” The O. P. Jindal Center is fully functional; yoga classes, computer classes, and Bollywood dance lessons are conducted there. A medical clinic also operates out of the center. Cricket games are a fun activity that engages youth and families at the India House grounds weekends. Phase Two, a cultural arts center and additional community outreach will expand on the existing services provided to the community and will include a venue for cultural events, performing and visual arts. India House is located at 8888, West Bellfort, Houston, TX 77031. For more information visit www. indiahousehouston.org.
India House stalwarts, from left, President Ashok Dhingra; VP of Operations Dr. Virendra Mathur & VP of Finance Dr. Durga Agrawal pose with a book on renowned industrialist O.P. Jindal after whom the completed Phase 1 complex of the India House project is named If you receive your paper more than 4 days after the Dateline, please file a complaint with your post office or call the USPS Consumer Affairs Office at 713-226-3442
India House 5th Annual Gala event co-chairs Dr. Gopal Savjani (left) and Kulbhushan Uppal
“India House is a gift given to the Texas community, a place where young people can learn about modern and ancient India,” said Senator Cornyn. “It also reflects the growth of the 250,000 strong Indo American community living in Texas, entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, pioneers in their fields making this state one of the most prosperous in the United States,” added Cornyn.
bridges, and serve human needs by bringing resources, education, services and India’s culture to all Houstonians,” said Agrawal. Gala Chairs Gopal Savjani and Kul Bhushan Uppal were equally elated. “This is our future, let’s work together. I would like to see a unified community. That is my hope,” said Uppal. “Being a part of this growing
Chinmaya Mission youngsters performing the invocatory prayer song
Indo-American News (ISSN 887-5936) is published weekly on every Friday (for a subscription price of $30 per year) by Indo-American News Inc., 7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 262, Houston, Texas 77036, Tel: 713-789-6397, Fax: 713-789-6399, Email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Indo-American News, 7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 262, Houston, Texas 77036.
A-ONE INTERNATIONAL Amazing deals, Best packages in town
Call us! 281-493-1888 aonedishnetwork.com
Indo American News • Friday, march 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
4
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Society
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
5
Headley Pleads Guilty, Reaches Deal with U.S., Leaving India Seeking Info CHICAGO (AP) — Federal officials say an American who admitted slipping quietly into the Indian city of Mumbai on scouting missions that led to a deadly 2008 terrorist attack has already started spilling terrorists’ secrets. David Coleman Headley pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Chicago to laying the groundwork for the massacre in Mumbai. He also admitted performing similar surveillance in anticipation of an attack on a Danish newspaper whose cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad were offensive to Muslims. Federal officials say the 49-yearold Chicago man has become a valuable asset to the war on terrorism, furnishing information in exchange for a promise that he won’t be executed. Headley still faces a potential life sentence. The US has not yet decided whether to give India direct access to a man in custody who identified targets for the Mumbai 2008 attacks, the US ambassador in New Delhi said Tuesday. India has been clamouring for access to David Headley since
he was arrested in In 1998 he was convicted Chicago in October of smuggling heroin but and a refusal would avoided a long jail sentence likely strain relations by cooperating with the auand embarrass the thorities before working for government, which the US Drug Enforcement announced at the Administration in Pakistan, weekend that it had according to the New York secured a deal. Times. US Ambassador to Vir Sanghvi, a commentaIndia Timothy J. Rotor in the Hindustan Times, emer said the US was urged readers on Sunday to “committed to full imagine the furious reacinformation sharing tion if India had refused the in our counter-terror US access to a suspect in the partnership” and had September 11 atrocities in provided “substan- David Coleman Headley, right, facing U.S. District Washington and New York. tial information” to Judge Harry Leinenweber in Chicago. “For us, 26/11 (the MumIndia. bai attacks) is as important how New Delhi agreed to give US as 9/11 is to the Americans,” he “However, no decision made on direct access for investigators access to the man wrote. India to David Headley has been accused of being the only survivThe Washington-born son of ing gunman from the Mumbai at- a former Pakistani diplomat and made,” Roemer said. Headley last week pleaded guilty tacks. American woman, Headley spent A team of Indian investigators two years surveying Mumbai to 12 charges of conspiring in the Mumbai terror attacks and has travelled to the US after Headley’s ahead of the November 2008 atagreed to cooperate with US in- arrest but were denied direct ac- tacks by 10 Islamist gunmen that vestigators. In return for his guilty cess and India has been seeking it left 166 people dead. plea, he is set to avoid the death since. The extradition of Headley to the Writing at the weekend, a num- country was still possible as there penalty and extradition to India. The Headley case has infuriated ber of commentators revived sug- were additional charges against some in India where a number of gestions that Headley was a US him, Home Secretary G.K. Pilcommentators have highlighted agent who had “gone rogue.” lai said. However, U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State for South Asia Robert Blake ruled out extradition of Headley India said on Friday the extradition of Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley to the country was still possible as there were additional charges against him, which were not part of the plea bargain he had entered into with the United States. “If there are other offences, which are not covered under the plea agreement, then of course extradition is still possible,” Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said when asked about the chances of India being able to get Headley extradited. Asked whether he meant to say that the country had more proof to seek Headley’s extradition, Mr. Pillai replied in the affirmative. “Oh yes. There are other charges, which do not come under the 12 counts [on which he had pleaded guilty and which is part of the plea agreement],” he said. Mr. Pillai said India had “excellent cooperation” with U.S. agencies, which had been handling Headley.
Indo American News • Friday, march 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
6
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
SOCIETY
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Altar Foundation Ceremony and Mela on Ram Navami at Govindji Gaudiya Matha By A.B. Ramadas HOUSTON: Since time immemorial mankind has suffered from a lack of many necessities. Today, even despite recent technological advancement in civilization, there is an absence of that which is most necessary, i.e. the food for the soul or the quest to meet the Maker. Although each and every living being is spiritual, yet all are entangled in a temporary material world. The answer is available only by taking steps to satisfy the needs of the soul as prescribed by our ancient scriptures of Vedic culture or Sanatan Dharma. In the great epic of Ramyan by Brahamrishi Valmik and later in the popular Ramcharitmans by Goswami Tulsidas Srimad the process for completely satisfying the soul and ending the unwanted
cycle of material suffering, namely repeated birth and death, is given. Among other teachings , it is explained there that the benefit and glory of establishing a temple where the worship of the Lord’s deity form is performed is matchless. One such occasion to participate in this auspicious activity is being presented by Govindaji Gaudiya Matha on 27th March 2010, in celebration of Ram Navami. That day, a new house of the Lord shall start construction under the guidance of a pure devotee of the Supreme Lord, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja; a close & a dear friend of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad . Shree Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has said: The devotee should more fully establish My Deity by solidly con-
structing a temple, along with beautiful gardens. These gardens should be set aside to provide flowers for the regular daily worship, special Deity processions and holiday observances... Thus whoever worships Me according to the process I have described will ultimately attain pure devotional service unto Me....[Srimad Bhagavatam 11.27.50,11.27.53] On March 27th, 2010, everyone in Houston will have the opportunity to help in the process of starting the house of the Supreme Lord as that day , on the construction site of the Govindaji Gaudiya Math at the exact location of the sacred altar where the deity forms of the Lord Sita Ram, Laksman and Hanuman shall be
placed and worshiped, devotees will inscribe the name of the Lord on bricks, and lay the foundation for the altar. Similar to the army of the monkeys who had helped Lord Ram construct the bridge to Lanka. Also, the names of the devotees sponsoring the bricks shall have their own names sealed in a time capsule and buried in the earth alongside the brick which they have sponsored bearing the name of Lord Ram. Just as the bridge from Ramesvaram to Lanka was constructed with great sacrifice by the Lord’s servants, great and small alike, so will all devotees participate in constructing a beautiful temple in the loving service of Sri Ram. To celebrate Ram Navami and the auspicious occasion of the start of a new temple in N.W. Houston, the Matha is holding a festival on the site, at 16628 Kieth Harrow Blvd. (Off Highway 6 , North of Clay Road). The celebrations shall start at 9:00 a.m. and continue till 6:00 p.m., at The celebrations include a Spiritual Program plus a grand Mela for people of all ages.
Writers ... Take NOTICE
Writers are requested to limit their words to 500
The deadline for advertising and articles is 5 pm on Tuesday of each week. Please be aware that if we do not hear back from you regarding approvals of advertisement. We will publish “As-Is” and Indo-American News will not be responsible for any errors or omissions. For more information, Call 713-789-6397 or
email us at: indoamericannews@yahoo.com
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
SOCIETY
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
Insights on a Better Living by GOPIO Houston HOUSTON: GOPIO Houston, a chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin held a program “Living Your Greatest Life” with Master Del Pe on Sunday March 21, 2010 at the India House. Master Del Pe, modern sage and world renowned miraculous healer, integrates the best of GOPIO Houston members and Supporters with Master Del Pe. Eastern Wisdom and Western Practicalsay is when you cannot manage world philosophies and ity. His teachings bring to people your expectations. Master Del Pe world religions and a concept: “Fly with 2 wings described Life as a flow with that lived in many countries - spiritual and material” to live he reasoned giving and receiving before he settled down your greatest life and be totally to be a continuous process then as an entrepreneur in fulfilled. He explained the reasons provided “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of Houston, Texas, USA. for such balance. Master Del Pe living the greatest life. He was raised in Asia talked about what holds you back Master Del Pe explained trinity of a Chinese-Filipino in life and gave insight of how to of heart, mind and soul by the way descent and educated by overcome these obstacles. He ex- of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh the European missionplained differences between ego, and described on how to focus on aries until he became self awareness, selfishness and these to mediate for the betterment an engineer. He studied greed in a very unique way. of life. He asked the audience to many martial arts forms He demonstrated the importance breath with him in order to increase and mastered Japanese of being focused to accomplish metabolism while focusing on the Karate. He also became your goals and importance of leav- trinity and to meditate with him to an international exing the life with something unique let go all the vices from ones life pert on the 12 styles of by branding yourself with best of by focusing on an ocean. meditation, the 8 types the best to remember you by. He Founder of more than 15 corpo- of yoga and energy me explained how irritability, hatred, rate and not-for-profit organiza- dicine which qualified him to pubimpatience, intolerance leads to tions internationally, Master Del lish the book, Hidden Dangers of anger. Frustration he went on to Pe has studied world cultures, Meditation and Yoga.
Upto 3% BACK to home buyers! NATIONAL REALTY & ABLE MORTGAGE
One place for all Residential & Commercial deals / 24-hr pre-qualification & fast closing We will beat any real mortgage deal - Good & Bad Credit - No Origination / No Cost Options We can Find, Finance & Build Apartment, Gas Station, Shopping Strip, Office Building, Church & Motel
281-733-4242 / 281-242-8500
www.ablemortgageloans.com
TX Mortgage Broker #: 2874
Indo American News • Friday, march 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
7
8
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
ALEXANDER P. MATHEWS, CPA For Services In:
INDIVIDUAL & BUSINESS TAXES • BUSINESS TAX CONSULTATION INCORPORATION, FORMATION OF LLC CERTIFIED QUICK BOOK ADVISOR AVAILABLE
25 Years in Public Accounting 11104 West Airport, Ste 114, Stafford, TX 77477
(281) 564-9500
society
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Start-up Visa Act: US Senators Woo Immigrant Entrepreneurs WASHINGTON DC: Egged on by more than 160 venture capitalists, including several Indian Americans — the majority of whom are from California’s Silicon Valley — United States Senators John F Kerry, Massachusetts Demo-crat, and Richard Lugar, Indiana Republican, have introduced legislation to create jobs in America and increasing America’s global competitiveness by helping immigrant entrepreneurs obtain US visas. The bill by Kerry and Lugar, chairman and ranking member respectively of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, The Start-up Visa Act of 2010, will allow an immigrant entrepreneur to receive a two-year visa if he or she can show that a qualified US investor is willing to dedicate a significant sum — a minimum of $250,000 — to the immigrant’s startup venture. The legislation would amend immigration law to create a new EB-6 category for immigrant entrepreneurs, drawing from existing visas under the EB-5 category, which permits foreign nationals who invest at least $1 million into the US, and thereby create 10 jobs, to obtain a green card. Under Kerry and Lugar’s bill, after proving that she/he has secured initial investment capital and if, after two years, the immigrant entrepreneur can show that he or she has generated at least five full-time jobs in the US, attracted $1 million in additional investment capital or achieved
$1 million in revenue, then she/he will receive permanent legal resident status. Among the Indian-American entrepreneurs, strongly supporting Kerry and Lugar’s bill were Sameer Gandhi of Accel, Manu Kumar of K9 Ventures, Deepak Kamra of Canaan Partners, Ravi Belani of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Karan Mehanderu of Scale Venture Partners and Ajay Chopra, of Trinity Ven-tures, all of whom are from California.The venture capitalists said they fully endorsed the startup visa. The venture capitalists pointed out: “Companies such as Google, Pfizer, Intel, Yahoo,
DuPont, eBay and Proctor & Gamble are all former start-ups founded by immigrants. Yet immigrants have not only founded major, well-known companies, foreign-born residents made up just 12.5 percent of the US population in 2008, while nearly 40 percent of technology company founders and 52 percent of founders of companies in Sili-con Valley are foreign-born.” They said: “As venture capitalists and angel investors, we often fund companies at their very inception… in cases where there are immigrant founders, it is almost impossible for them to get an appropriate visa to stay in the United States and start their company. Even in cases where the founders already have a visa of some sort, they typically can’t use this visa to start a company.” “As a result, they often have to leave the country to start their company, resulting in a loss of innovative entrepreneurs and the correspondingly created jobs in the United States. (Consequently) there are multiple costs to our country and our economy. First we lose the entrepreneur, who is a critical part of our society. We then lose the jobs that are created by the new venture, which in the success case could easily number in hundreds of thousands over the first decade of the company’s life. Finally, we run the risk of losing our reputation as the greatest country in which to start a company,” they added. - IT
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
society
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
Indian-American Gunned Down in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo (AP): On March 19, Gurpreet Singh was working his final shift as a 7-Eleven clerk, before moving on next week to full-time job at a hospital, when he was gunned down during a robbery. Police say they can’t explain why Singh, 35, was shot in the abdomen early Wednesday even after complying with the gunman’s instructions to hand over his register’s cash in a bag. “He didn’t put up a struggle at all,” said homicide Detective Jeff Cowdrey. “He did what he was supposed to do and got shot for it.” The encounter was recorded on the store’s surveillance cameras, and Kansas City police are working to identify the killer and two other people who were with him. Singh, a divorced father of two whose family immigrated to the U.S. from India when he was in middle school, was to start a new job next week as a hospital kitchen supervisor. His brother,
Gurpreet Singh
Gurbhushan Singh, said he could have skipped his final shifts at the convenience store — where he’d already been robbed less than a month earlier — but didn’t because he had promised to be there. Singh called 911 about 1:10 a.m., after the gunman fled, then collapsed on the floor. He later
died in surgery. Gurbhushan Singh said his brother was proud about his new job and told his children, ages 7 and 9, he was going to be “the boss.” Gurbhushan Singh told the children Wednesday that their father wasn’t coming home. “They know they’re never going to see him again,” he said. “That was really hard.” Video surveillance shows the gunman, a man standing next to him and a woman who stood near the store’s door. Kansas City police believe they have identified the gunman and Jackson County prosecutors on Monday filed murder and robbery charges against Phillip D. Martin, 19, of Kansas City, in connection with the slaying of Gurpreet “Tony” Singh.
Hyderabad Student Shot Dead in Store Robbery OKLAHOMA: On March 23, a 28-year-old Indian student, hailing from Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, was shot dead in a store robbery in Oklahoma City in Oklahoma state. Identified as Prasanth Goinaka, the victim was a student of International Technology University at Sunnyvale, California. A resident of Dilkush Nagar in Hyderabad, Prasanth had taken up a part time job in a convenience store three days ago in the Oklahoma City of Oklahoma. He had come to the US just two months ago. The incident is reported to have occurred around 7-15 pm yesterday when two men walked in to the store as customers, stole the cash from the cash register and gunned down Prasanth. Oklahoma City Police are investigating the case. The autopsy report is awaited. Prasad Thotakura, executive vice president of the Telugu Association of North America, said he is in constant touch with the parents of Prasanth, Oklahoma City poPrashanth Goinaka lice department, the Chief Medical Officer and the Indian Consulate authorities. He said he is making necessary arrangements to send the body to India as early as possible.- TOI
Does Quantity Matter over Quality?
if you had a choice, would you rather eat good food or eat a lot of of food advertise where it matters 713-789-6397
Indo American News • Friday, march 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
9
10
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
Indo American News • Friday, march 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
11
12
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
canada
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
The Gentleman’s Game Takes Off In Canada
By Avinash Gavai
ian canada correspondent
On Feb. 28, 22 million people – or two thirds of the Canadian population – were watching the gold medal game at the ice hockey final of the Winter Olympics when Canadian superstar Sidney Crosby scored the winning goal in overtime, making the game the most-watched television broadcast in Canadian history. It had also cemented the prestige of a discipline that is not so much the official national winter sport, as it is an unofficial national obsession. Such is the sheer dominance of hockey, that it casts a huge shadow over football, the second most popular sport in Canada. However, a pastime close to the South Asian heart may be making some dents in this seemingly impregnable athletic armour --with the recent announcement of cricket haven gotten its first winter league in the land of the maple leaf. Even aficionados of the game may be surprised to learn that the ‘gentleman’s game’ was once the most popular sport in Canada until the early 20th century, when the faster, more robust pace of ice hockey was more in tune with the rugged frontier spirit of Canadians. Today, cricket is a popular minority sport in Canada, although it is expanding at a fantastically fast rate. “Cricket is the fastest-growing sport in Canadian schools,” says Howard Petrook, the Canadian Cricket Association’s (CCA) first
vice-president who noted that there are now over 40,000 serious players in the county. “There are literally scores and scores of schools playing cricket.” Though cricket in Canada may have decidedly Anglo-Saxon roots, the fuel that is firing it is undoubtedly spicier and browner. South Asian immigrants from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have always been known to seamlessly transfer their work ethic, and their love for food and Bollywood to their newly adopted lands. Their passion for cricket can be added to this list as well, and it is they who are leading the charge for cricket in Canada. A recent Canwest News report has shed light on how the changing ethnic demographics have or will lead to changes in sporting trends. “Hockey is central to our national identity, but on surveys of Chinese and South Asian youth, hockey doesn’t really register for them,” he says. “It’s more a sport that people watch. A lot of these groups will watch it and not play it,” said Jack Jedwab, executive director of the Association for Canadian Studies in the article. The new league, initiated by the Cricket Champions League, has received massive support from the South Asian community here. Atul Ahuja, former CEO of Cricket Canada (the governing body of the sport in this country) was at the forefront of creating this league. He
Sunil Dhaniram
believes that its only a matter of time before Canadian cricket reaches a professional phase, similar to the administrative and infrastructural set ups in places like India and Australia. “It is important that we create awareness within the Canadian marketplace, that the game is alive and well and growing and that it is on its way to becoming a professional sport,” he said.” When questioned about the overall objectives are for
Canadian cricket, he mentioned that making it more mainstream and obtaining that prestigious allimportant Test status was vital in the evolution of the sport here. Ahuja noted that Canada has in the past played host to scintillating matches between arch rivals; India and Pakistan, which have brought in significant revenue and revenue, and could serve as models on how to “take things further.” Furthermore, during his tenure as CEO Canada hosted two major international tournaments - a triangular ODI series and a quadrangular Twenty20 competition. The new winter league, that will include 14 teams, including three women’s teams, and will run till
the end of April. Simply christened ‘Cricket for Haiti,’ it is a charitable endeavour that will submit all its proceeds to organisations that are proving assistance and relief to the victims the earthquake in Haiti. The PR machine of the League has now launched a multimedia blitz in major South Asian community zones in Toronto with the hope of gaining maximum publicity Manoj Kumar, who immigrated from Andhra Pradesh to these shores in 2000, indicated he is thrilled that cricket is finally setting up a solid Canadian foothold. “I don’t like hockey and football bores me. This cricketing event will stir up interest in people like me who are passionate about the game, and haven’t really had much of an opportunity to practise it,” he said. Kumar said that he expected that measures such as the winter league would increase the number of venues and facilities available to players.Debujt Roy, a promoter and all round cricketing enthusiast said, “Measure such as this will only highlight the beauty of this sport, and the timing couldn’t be better since Canada is going to the World Cup next year.” The Canadian men’s team qualified in April 2009 at the ICC World Cup qualifier held in South Africa to compete in the 2011 World Cup, their third World Cup appearance in a row. It’s team is primarily composed of expatriates from more successful subcontinent cricketing nations and the West Indies.
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
Indo American News • Friday, march 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
13
14
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
society
Sanjay Jha is America’s Highest Paid CEO
INDIAN GRILL “Made from Scratch”
restaUraNt & CateriNG e’ll Ph: 281-781-8718 tee w h n a r gua out
“We your m make ATER!” W
South Indian • North Indian • Indo-Chinese
Sanjay Jha, CEO, Motorola Inc.
Stumpf ($8.8 million) at the second and third spots, respectively. Bank of America’s Kenneth Lewis was paid $1.5 million. John Mack of Morgan Stanley got $0.8 million and Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs received a total compensation of $0.6 million. The survey showed that overall, the median chief executive salary and bonus paid last year by 200 big American companies declined 8.5 percent to $2.24 million, as profits and stock prices were hit by recession. “Including the awarded value of stock, stock options and other long-term incentives, total direct compensation for chiefs slipped 3.4 percent to a median of $7.6 million,” the Wall Street Journal said in an accompanying report. In the wake of the financial meltdown, huge executive compensa-
tions at American companies had come in for severe criticism from different quarters. The payouts for chief execuBrown tives dropped Sugar sharply at banks BBQ and brokerages. Indian Grill > The survey Texaco IHOP noted that me< Green’s Rd > dian annual i cash compensa45 tion for CEOs < Bltway 8 > in the financial industry fell 185 Greens Rd., Houston, TX 77060 43 percent, to $976,000. Total Free Wi-fi • Cable TV - featuring Live Sports, Latest direct compen• Easy access from I-45 • Ample Parking sation fell 14.2 percent, to a median $7.6 million. - IT IAN © 2009
CHICAGO: Mobile phone maker Motorola’s India-born chief Sanjay Jha has emerged America’s top paid chief executive officer, while Citigroup’s Vikram Pandit tops the league among bailed out banks, a survey said. Another Indian on the list is PepsiCo’s Indra Nooyi at the 36th slot with a pay package of $13.98 million. With a total payout of over $104 million in 2008, Jha is the only CEO to get a compensation package exceeding $100 million, with Occidental’s Ray Irani at a distant second with $49.9 million. Irani is followed by Walt Disney’s Robert Iger ($49.7 million) at the third slot.In the overall ranking, compiled by the Wall Street Journal, Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit comes at the fourth position with a payout of $38.2 million. Besides, Pandit is the highest paid CEO for bailed out banks in the US, a newspaper report said. The WSJ CEO Compensation Study was conducted by management consulting firm Hay Group and based on an analysis of CEO pay of the first 200 US companies with fiscal year 2008 revenue of at least $5 billion that filed their proxy statements between October 2008 and March 2009. WSJ said the study would be updated as companies file new proxies. Among the bailed out banks, Pandit is followed by JP Morgan Chase’s James Dimon ($20.9 million) and Wells Fargo’s John
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
shows
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
SOCIETY
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
15
HMM Celebrates ‘Gudi Padwa’
By Madhu Nimkar HOUSTON: On March 13, 2010, Houston Maharashtra Mandal (HMM) had arranged picnic on the occasion of Gudi Padwa at ‘Brazos Bend State Park.
marks the commencement of the Vasant ritu or the spring season. A gudi is also erected on this occasion, giving this festival its name. Gudi symbolizes Lord Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to
On this auspicious occasion, pooja and aarti (worship and prayer) of gudi was performed by a senior Maharashtrian couple.
Gudhi padwa plays vital role as festival for Maharashtrians. It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. Being the first day of the first month of a (Hindu) year, Gudi Padwa is the New Year’s Day for Marathi people. According to the Brahma Puran (Hindu religious text), this is the day on which Brahma (Hindu god) created the world after the deluge and time began to tick from this day forth. According to the Hindu calendar, this
Ayodhya after slaying Ravan, and also his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile. Gudi is a bright cloth adorned with brocade (zari) tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which gathi (sugar crystals), neem leaves, a twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers is tied. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position over it. This gudi is then hosted outside the house, in a window, terrace or a high place so that everybody can see it. It is believed Gudhi helps to ward off evil,
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 26 , 2010• ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
continued on page 16
16
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
IPL Mange More That cricket in India attracts big money is well known. Yet the price that the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) two new franchises fetched is eye-popping. The two teams, Pune and Kochi, were sold together for Rs 3,235 crore at the auction on Sunday whereas the combined amount for eight teams in 2008 was only Rs 2,853 crore. To put the figures in perspective, the current promoters of Liverpool bought the English Premier League club for the equivalent of Rs 1,511 crore in 2007 while the Sahara group’s successful bid for Team Pune was at Rs 1,702 crore. The IPL looks set to become one of the most expensive sports events in the world. The spinoffs of IPL’s success are many. Money is good for any sport. Cricket can be no exception. More IPL teams will mean better cricketing infrastructure across the country. Many tier-II cities now have IPL teams. That’ll help them build new stadiums and spur youngsters to take to the game. A Kochi-based IPL team is likely to help cricket gain deeper roots in Kerala. Cricket has not been a premium sport in Kerala, though the state has a rich sporting tradition. A local team is likely to change that and open up opportunities for young cricketers in the state. The state’s economy, increasingly dependent on tourism, is also likely to benefit from the traffic generated by cricket bu Similarly Pune, for long overshadowed by Mumbai as a cricketing centre, will emerge on its own as a sporting destination. These cities have sizeable cricket-mad populations, but rarely do they get to see international cricketers in action. IPL matches could bridge that gap. These could be the first step towards turning these cities into regular venues for Tests and one-day internationals. With 10 teams, IPL has now expanded its reach. But the geography of the league tells us a few things about the Indian economy. It’s dominated by cities in the south and the west. This region has outstripped the rest of India in terms of economic indicators in the past two decades. Businesses recognise that these cities, with growing markets and substantial middle-class populations, are ripe for branding. There’s a message here for state governments in India’s north and eastern regions. Finally, do the millions of rupees splashed out at the IPL auction indicate that the worst of the economic slowdown is behind us? It seems so, at least as far as cricket is concerned. The sentiment is surely upbeat. And, macro-economic figures confirm the turnaround. After all, cricket’s just a reflection of life around us. Times of India
Quotable Quotes
About two-thirds of those polled in India and almost threefourths of those in Pakistan said they desire a peaceful relationship between the two countries. Aman Ki Asha website
e d ito r i a l
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Why A Quota for Women? By Sunita Aron It’s actually disgusting. Again and again I am being asked, “Why do you want quota? It’s a competitive world. So fight for your space in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha too.” How? No one has the answer. Agreed quota is not a solution to evils like social inequalities — of rights as well as opportunities. But when a major section of the society, the decision makers, is not ready to share the coveted space, the only option is to grab it, even by taking the quota route. I am sure many like me disfavoured quota of any kind. If there is one factor that compelled us to have a re-look at the controversial provision was the service rendered by women pradhans. Please don’t mock. Agreed men ruled by ‘proxy’ in the first few years — but today there are many success stories emanating from different parts of the country. Arguments against quota – women are illiterate, their performance in the Lok Sabha as well as state assemblies has been dismal, what will the fair sex do in an arena dominated by mafias et al. As if men performed better in the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabhas. Majority of them only serve themselves, contribute little or nothing to the constituencies they represent. Political opposition– 33 percent quota will cut into SC/ST quota (Mayawati). As if women are not SC/ST. Why can’t there be internal reservation by the parties (Mulayam). What was he doing all these years? He should have taken the lead and showed how? For any professional seeking or giving no concessions as a woman, quota resembles crutches. No one would want to walk with crutches on the road to political empowerment. What’s the way out then? Men rule the roost in political parties and they, for some reason, feel threatened by women in power. One can understand Mulayam’s fears. Sonia Gandhi and Mayawati have made politics a tough task for him. But why Lalu Yadav is so shak-
Agreed quota is not a solution to evils like social inequalities — of rights as well as opportunities. But when a major section of the society, the decision makers, is not ready to share the coveted space, the only option is to grab it, even by taking the quota route.
en? His wife, a woman, bailed him out when he got stuck in the fodder case. Perhaps quota is required for 15 years—but the Bill has lacunae. Selection of constituencies by rotation is one. First, it will promote family politics. Wives, widows, daughters and daughter-in-laws are bound to turn into ‘khadaun’for the male members thereby diminishing chances of women from non-political families. The Bill has been passed. It’s now for the women to make best use of it. I only wonder how far would it help the BJP or the Congress in garnering votes. Perhaps little. Nonetheless the three key leaders of the Hindi heartland, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati, have let us down by opposing it. I wonder if it would consolidate the Muslims or the OBC’s in their favour. It’s time the country keeps the politics aside for its political growth.
Reader Replies
Our Constituition provides right to equality irrespective of gender, caste, creed or religion. But this right has been diluted by Quotas after Quotas. I guess Indians should get used to reservations as ultimate solution to any problem in India. When we will reach limit of reservation tactics, this country will face anarchy and finally total col-
lapse. Instead of empowering suppressed classes (economically poor irrespective of gender, caste, creed or religion) by providing education, healthcare, opportunities, awareness we are sticking to kneejerk solutions such as reservations. We already have Babalog-Babylog taking over their parent’s seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This quota has now paved way to domination of Biwi-Beti-Bahu-Mistress in Lok Sabha. By the way the people who think women make better politicians are sexists. We have example of super corrupt Jayalalitha, Maya, unstable mamta, dictator Indira Gandhi/Sonia Gandhi. There are only good politicians and bad politians. If this bill helps get 100 -plus women from non-political background into lok sabha and Vidhan sabha in every election, I’ll consider it as truly pathbreaking else it is same old mandal story where rich take the cream. All the countries that have highest women representation are not at the top of development Index. India wants to compete with Rwanda on women representation..Give me a break. The people world over love to curse USA but US is definetly head and shoulders above every country in every sphere. The reason is the people in US don’t beleive in band-aid solutions such as reservation to solve every problem. The democreatic right to agree-disagree or abstain is defended fearlessly in USA. Rajeev This flawed WRB is going to create few powerful women and not empower rural women. Not to mention the complexities of rotating reserved seats and the after effects. The urbane women often support the WRB because it claims to empower rural women. Guess what, we’ve reservations in village councils, municipalities and state assemblies. The expectation is reservation in local bodies will empower enough rural women to enable them to contest national elections on merit. Nikhil
IndoAmerican News Publisher Emeritus: Dr. K.L. Sindwani Editor: Pramod Kulkarni Business Manager: Jawahar Malhotra Marketing Manager: Krishna Giri Community Reporter: Kalyani Giri Community Editor: Manasi Gokhale Administrative Manager: Vanshika Vipin Marketing & Food Correspondent: Jacob David Production Manager: Hussain Mandviwala correspondents Chicago: Nand Kapoor Ottawa: Avinash Gavai ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the written consent of the publisher. The deadline for advertising and articles is 5 pm on Monday of each week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of all unsolicited material. Published at 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 262, Houston, Texas 77036. Tel: 713-789-NEWS or 6397 Fax: 713-789-6399, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com, website: indoamerican-news.com
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 26 , 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
SOCIETY
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
HMM Celebrates ‘Gudi Padwa’ continued from page 15
invite prosperity and good luck into the house.The picnic started at 10:30 a.m. with light breakfast along with tea, juices etc. Some traditional and some new marathi songs were played to create festive atmosphere. Around 11:30 a.m. people gathered together for the pooja and aarti of gudii which was performed by one of the senior Maharashtrian couple. Prasad (small part of the food which is shared by devotees after the worship) was served after the pooja. Some people went for a walk in the park to enjoy the beauty of nature while young people were busy with games etc. Traditional and delicious Maharashtrians lunch was served at noon which was enjoyed by all. During the lunch, people introduced themselves. There were some people staying in Houston for more than 30 years and some were recently moved Houstonites and were happy to get
At the picnic, a traditional and delicious Maharashtrians lunch was served at noon.
introduced to each other. After the lunch everybody spent time in cricket, mingling, playing antakshari (musical game) etc. People were served with tea, biscuits, light snack, milk around 4:00 p.m.
Fantastic weather, gudi padwa celebration, delicious food and games, everything made the picnic special. People left with good memories, festive mood and good food.
Street Naming Honor for Dr. J. Sukhadia By Prakash Waghmare NEW YORK: On Sunday, March 21 afternoon, in presence of family, friends, colleagues and members of City Council of Staten Island, N.Y, the intersection of “Arden” & “Amboy” Avenues was named “Dr Jitendra Sukhadia Crossing”, as a tribute to his wide ranging exceptional Humanitarian work. Dr Jitendra Sukhadia, who passed away on March 21’ 2008 was a brilliant Pediatrician, conscientious community leader and a legendary Philanthropist who touched countless lives through his generosity of help, spirit and commitment, especially in Staten Island which was his home for more than three decades. This event was graced by Hon. Councilman Mr. Vincent Ignicio, NJ Assembly Member Mr. Upendra Chivukula and scores of Indian dignitaries from various organizations. In the words of Dr Jitendra’s Sukhadia’s wife, Dr Ila Sukhadia, the street naming ceremony was a fitting homage by the people of Staten Island to immortalize his ‘ideals’ and she was grateful and feel humbled. Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Councilman Mr. Vincent Ignicio,
said, “Dr Sukhadia was not only an exemplary citizen of our community who lived an American Dream but also an inspiration what we all can be”. Dr Ryan McMahon, Jitendra’s Colleague and President of Medical Staff at ‘Richmand Hill Med Ctr’, while praising Jitendra’s professionalism informed that,”Jitendra was a
guide, a mentor to every one at the Hospital and always resorted to long term solutions for Medical complexities rather than short term.” Dr Dharmi kanuga, a family friend of many decades, emotionally lamented that, ” when life gave Jitendrabhai hundred reasons to cry, he always found thousand reasons to smile and touched people’s hearts like very few could”. The most endearing tribute was paid by one of Dr Sukhadi’s patient, Devon Catugno, who after overcoming numerous medical-physical complications, is now a graduate student.
His expressed feelings, which were vocalized by his mother, portrayed Dr Jitendra Sukhadia a lifetime friend rather than a care giver, who as a doctor, not only treated and nurtured him overcoming all the obstacles he faced but also encouraged him to strive for the higher goals. He elaborated that,” Dr Sukhadia was not only the healer of my body and the spirit but truly believed in me lot more than I believed in myself”. In concluding remarks, Dr Jitendra Sukhadi’s daughter, Dr Sajani Raman, who coordinated the entire proceedings of this well attended event, wished that her father was there to witness the community’s outpouring love and regards for him. Dr. Jitendra Sukhadia was a past president of New York area “Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America - VHPA” for several years and locally spearheaded all its charitable activities. He was also a board member of “All India Movement “( ‘AIM for Sewa’ ) for eradication of illiteracy in tribal areas and recipient of several awards and honors in USA & India
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 26 , 2010• ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
17
18
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 26 , 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 26 , 2010• ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
19
20
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
SOCIETY
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Census 2010: Help Your Community by Filling Out & Returning the Form By Inder Singh HOUSTON: Full page advertisements for United States Census 2010 are currently appearing in many Indian newspapers in the US. It mentions the importance of being counted and assures that the US law “protects confidentiality” of the respondents. It also assures that the Immigration Department, IRS, FBI, CIA or the local police will not have access to any of the information in the Census
than double the previous count. By then, the community also included a large number of those who were born and raised in the United States of America. In 2000, the Census count of Indian Americans – immigrants, citizens, visitors from India, H-1B visa holders, officials of Indian Embassy and Consulates, Indian employees of other non-governmental Indian agencies, such as banks, etc. – was 1.67 million, slightly more than
document. The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Whether you are a citizen, legal or illegal immigrant, on tourist visa or H1-B visa, or even have no visa, the law encourages everyone on US soil to respond to the Census 2010 questionnaire. The Indian community in the US can “help improve schools, increase job training and get its share of over $400 billion per year in federal funds” provided every Indian household ‘answers 10 simple questions and mails the Census questionnaire back to the Census Bureau.” Large majority of people will get the short form with ten questions while some, randomly selected, will be surveyed in depth. However, the usefulness of the information will directly relate to the accuracy with which you respond to each of the questions. Thirty years ago, the U.S. Census Bureau counted 361,544 Indian Americans living in the United States. This number was one-sixth of one percent of 226.5 million US population in 1980. The Indian community predominantly comprised of those who migrated from India and adopted the USA as their new homeland. Ten years later, as per the 1990 Census, the number of Indian Americans rose to 815,447, more
double the 1990 Census count. The 2010 Census is again a number-dependent game. We can participate in it to our advantage by having a complete and accurate count of our community. In March 2010, the Census Bureau will mail Census questionnaire to all households in the U.S. The Indian American community has an edge over the general US population as it is highly educated and would need no outside help to fill the Census form. All Indian Americans should make a sincere effort to complete the Census questionnaire and return before the April 1 deadline. The Indian American community can use its numerical strength to demand its fair share of the funds and services allocation pie. The increased number can be effectively considered as our community’s strength and clout. We can become a force to reckon with against misrepresentation of our culture or negative presentation of our professionals in the movies and other media, as well as in academia, politics and the professions. An accurate count of Indian Americans in the United States could translate into dollars flowing for services to our community during the next ten years. It could also mean increased number of political appointments at federal, state and city level for Indian Americans. This is truly our chance to
be properly and accurately counted as part of the fabric of American life. Since 1790, the census in the United States is taken every ten years. The earliest censuses were simple tallies of individuals in each household for the sole purpose of equal apportionment of House (of Representatives) seats among the states. But policymakers in the U.S. Congress and elsewhere started adding questions on the Census form to gather meaningful data about the U.S. population. The Census Bureau has constantly monitored and evaluated the changing societal needs and added new questions or dropped unnecessary ones from the survey form. In 1988, the Census Bureau wanted to eliminate various sub-groups under the group titled “Asian” on the 1990 Census form. A bill was introduced in the U.S. Congress, proposing elimination of the nine check-off boxes, Asian Indian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, etc. The Asian leaders opposed the bill and eventually succeeded in that effort. Thus, the Asian people continue to be the only major group of US population for which statistics by their country of origin are collected and are maintained by the US Census Bureau. The recognition of Asian Indians as a separate sub group on the Census Form gives us a sense of pride. The Census Bureau collects, maintains and provides data with respect to the number of Indian Americans in the U.S, their household income, education level, etc. It is imperative that Indian Americans check the box titled “Asian Indian” in response to question 9 on the Census form for an accurate count of the Indian Americna population in the US. The Indian American activists in 1980 voiced their concerns that our community count was not correctly reported. In the 1990 Census, we tried to ensure that everybody from the community was included and no one knowingly was left out; not even the employees of public agencies, such as Embassy of India, Consular offices, State Bank of India, etc. The Census Bureau would like to avoid the pitfalls of the previous Census. Millions of dollars are being poured into advertisements and billions more in hiring temporary staff for Census related work. A multicultural and multilingual outreach campaign has already been launched. Publicity in the ethnic media, including Indian American media, has already started and that factor can help in convincing foreign-born residents to respond to the Census questionnaire promptly – and without reservation or fear. Since the Census Bureau is determined to have complete and accurate count of all US continued on page
21
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 26 , 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
SOCIETY
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
21
Accurate US 2010 Census Count Will Aid Minority Representation continued from page
20
households, the census takers will go door-to-door to count residents who fail to return their form by April 1. If a Census worker knocks on your door, make sure that he/she has a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Do not hesitate to see his/ her identification and badge before answering any questions. Also, A Census worker will not contact you by e-mail. So, do not click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail which are supposedly from the U.S. Census
Bureau. A word of caution from Better Business Bureau and law agencies. Be cooperative with the U.S. Census workers but do not give sensitive financial information. It is the scammers who could be impersonating Census workers to gain access to your Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. The U.S. Census Bureau also depends on voluntary help to spread the message to the masses. They have formed the Complete Count Committees (CCCs) of volunteers to increase awareness of the 2010 Census and
motivate residents in various communities to respond. These CCCs plan and implement census awareness campaigns that cater to the special characteristics of their communities. A number of CCCs are already functional and more are forming. If interested in organizing a committee, you can call the regional census center or visit www.2020.census.gov. In the past, Indian organizations played a significant role in spreading the Census message. They created grassroots outreach efforts geared toward reaching every segment of the Indian population. However, the community activists and cultural, social and religious organization heads cannot and should not take past achievements for granted. During the last few years,
many Indian American regional, ethnic and professional organizations have gained more visibility, recognition and respectability and can play a major role in Census 2010. The leaders of all Indian American organizations, national or local, religious or social, political or professional, should band together to increase awareness about the census and work towards full participation of Indian Americans. They need to create awareness and highlight the benefits about the upcoming census count and provide leadership in addressing the Census issue on timely basis. The community activists will be failing in their responsibility if they do not educate and encourage members of the Indian American community
for one hundred percent response to the Census questionnaire. They should identify and convince those who are hesitant or holdouts, and ensure that they stand up to be counted. They must understand that their objective is clearly defined, a full enumeration of people of Indian origin. Any inaction and timidity in pursuing that objective boldly and vigorously can result in less than deserved local community financing, representation and services for next ten years. Inder Singh is Chairman of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), past president of NFIA and founder/President of FIA, Southern California. He can be reached by telephone at 818-708-3885 or by email at indersingh-usa@hotmail. com.
Masala Chai Hour with Rathna Kumar
A program focusing onIndian Performing & Visual Arts, Literature
Saturdays 10-11am on 1480AM, Masala Radio, 281-277-6874
FOR SALE Double Sofa Bed with Mattress
$100.00
Full Size Mattress + Box with Frame (In New Condition)
$250.00
Hoover Upsize Vacuum Cleaner
$25.00
Interested person, please call after 3:00pm
713-988-9434
GULF PACIFIC RICE CO., INC. 12010 Taylor Rd, Houston, TX 77041
NOW HIRING IMMEDIATE OPENING FOR
Export Sales Correspondent Applicant must be willing to travel to assist at various food shows in the Middle East and Europe. Correspond with buyers and sellers for quotations. Handle import of products from various countries. Must be bilingual including Hindi Must be computer literate, Excel spreadsheet proficiency a must Knowledge of export documentation helpful Must be energetic, self motivated individual Medical Insurance / 40 I (k)
Please send resume to dwindweh@gulfpac.com or fax to: 713-860-5386
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 26 , 2010• ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
22
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 26 , 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
New Book by Dr. Nik Nikam Lessons on a healthy heart lifestyle HOUSTON: Dr. Nik Nikam, the author of Stress less Mind & Priceless Body, a practicing interventional cardiologist in Houston and Sugar Land, who has contributed more than 100 articles on hearthealthyliving, has done it again. He has just published a 350 page book, “HEART HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.” He has compiled more than 25 years of his experience in managing cardiovascular patients, and condensed it into very provocative and practical guidelines that can serve you a life-
Dr. Nik Nikam, M.D.
time. His holistic mind, body, and soul approach to heart healthy living will provide you with a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach to dealing with issues concerning heart health. This book deals with body related topics such as a proper diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and cholesterol reduction, among others. The chapters on, “Carbohydrates: on Everyone’s Mind, “Omega-3s Are Amazing,” and “A Big Fat Story” are a must read. He underscores the importance of calorie counting and calorie control. He explains, in simple terms, how to measure the calories in your foods. Then, he talks about the value of fresh fruits and water in the daily diet. You don’t want to miss his heart-warming dialogs on breakfast and dinner. Mind related issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression associated with related to heart disease are very well covered in this book. He also discusses topics such as meditation, music, and sleep to soothe your soul. Yes, indeed, in his book, he will also tickle your sixth sense, the sense of humor. Dr. Nikam describes the heart’s
structure and function as one of the greatest engineering marvels. He stresses the importance of time when someone is having a heart attack. Not all chest pains are related to heart disease. He talks about many other conditions that can cause chest pain. The book goes beyond these current topics and enlightens you with preventive medicine tips to expand your knowledge and minimize the risk of complications related to heart disease, or diseases that complicate heart disease. Here, he talks about diabetes, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, thyroid problems, pregnancy, irregular heartbeats, atrial fibrillation, dangers associated with blood thinners, medication errors, arterial diseases such as peripheral arterial blockage, ministroke, and carotid artery blockages. He concludes by introducing the stem cell treatment of heart disease, and innovative diagnostic tests that are on the horizon. Nik Nikam’s rational approach will help you to live a leaner, healthier, and better quality of life by shifting your paradigm in the perception of a Heart Healthy Lifestyle. Dr. Nik Nikam says, “Concepts are a dime-a-dozen and those who practice them are priceless.” He provides timeless tips on how to lead a Heart Healthy Lifestyle. You can read sample chapters of this book at: www.sugarlandheartcenter.com The book should be available at local bookstores or online bookstores after April 5 2010.010 Dr. Nik Nikam has plans to release the HEART HEALHTY LIFESTYLE in an eBook in the future. Stay tuned for an iPad version.
SOCIETY
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
23
FBI Recognizes Vaswani’s Leadership WASHINGTON: Manohar ‘Mike’ Vaswani, an IndianAmerican who has worked for integrating all Asian communities into one strong and cohesive entity, has received the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director’s Community Leadership Award for 2009. India-born Vaswani was among 51 community leaders recognised in a ceremony Friday at FBI headquarters by director Robert S. Mueller for having “demonstrated outstanding contributions to their local communities”. “Those honoured here today represent people from different backgrounds and beliefs, from different corMike Vaswani receives the plaque of recognition from FBI Director Robert ners of America, but share Mueller. some things in common: a willingness to lead, a comhelps achieve the ultimate goal of mitment to improving the lives of strong citizens, FBI said. Some of the Asian groups repre- assisting Asians in assimilating comtheir neighbours, and a desire to make the nation safer for their fellow citi- sented in the AAG include: Chinese, fortably into the American culture, Vietnamese, Koreans, Indians, Paki- FBI said. zens,” he said. Many cities throughout the US Selected by the Las Vegas Division stanis, Filipinos, Thai, Malaysians, boast of having strong Asian associaof FBI, Vaswani is the president of and Singaporeans. By organising and participating in tions; however, in Las Vegas, mainly the Asian American Group (AAG) and the Asian American Coalition of many cultural festivities throughout as a result of Vaswani’s leadership, the year, the AAG promotes a strong over 30 Asian associations have unitLas Vegas. Vaswani who came to the US in unity among Asians. The AAG also ed under the AAG. For many years, Vaswani has per1970 became a naturalised citizen in promotes and encourages the active 1978. He is a 2009 graduate of the Las involvement of all Asian youth in var- sonally availed himself to the Las Veious social and political functions. gas community for legal, citizenship, Vegas FBI Citizens’ Academy. By continuously providing oppor- and immigration issues. Vaswani has As the founder of the AAG, Vaswani has emphasised the importance tunities and information for Asians also served as the main conduit beof integrating all Asian communities to broaden and strengthen their un- tween FBI Las Vegas and the Asian into one strong and cohesive entity derstanding of mainstream American community, helping to foster trust and so the community members become traditions and lifestyle, the AAG communication.
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 26 , 2010• ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
24
Indo American News • Friday, March 26 , 2010
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 26 , 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM