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Friday, April 30, 2010 | Vol. 29, No. 18

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Round 2 for Rahat If you missed the first show, then get ready for Round 2 of Rahat’s musical ride at the Arena Theater on Wednesday, May 5

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Inside, this Week .......

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Internal Strife Forces Resignations of India House Executives

By Pramod Kulkarni HOUSTON: Inability to work coherently has apparently forced the resignation of three of the top executive members of India House during a weekend joint meeting of the community organization’s Board of Directors and Council.

The three executives who resigned were Ashok Dhingra, President; Dr. Virendra Mathur, Vice President of Operations; and Dr. Durga Agrawal, Vice President of Finance.

The three remaining members of the executive committee, Devesh

Elections will be held within the month to elect three new executives to replace Ashok Dhingra (left), Drs. Virendra Mathur and Durga Agrawal.

Pathak, Treasurer; Col. Raj Bhalla, Secretary; and Jugal Malani, Jt. Secretary, did not resign.

The Board of Directors have appointed Jugal Malani as the interim president. An election committee has been formed under the direction of Attorney Paul Madan to elect three new members of the executive committee. Agrawal, Mathur and Dhingra have made a pledge not to run for office for the remaining duration of their terms of office. continued on page

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Rahat’s Vocals Send Houston’s Full House into Sufi Rapture

Story on Pg 5

Bizzy Women Makes Fashion Sparkle at Poshak

Story on Pg 13

Story on Pg 45

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Get Healthy, Lose Weight with Houston’s Personal Trainer Anu Morgan Interview on Pg 25

By Pramod Kulkarni HOUSTON: Sufi music, with evocative melodies and soul capturing rhythm, sends its performers and audiences into a rapture.

Houston experienced such spiritual sensations on Saturday, April 24 night with the music and vocals of qawwal maestro Ustad Fateh Ali Khan.

In one of the greatest musical concerts presented before Houston’s South Asian audiences, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan dellivered a lifetime of melodious memories to the fortunate few who were able to get inside the Southwest Arena’s circular theater last Saturday night. The concert was brought to Houston by Rehan Siddiqi and his Hum Tum City radio group. Rahat will return to Houston for an encore performance on May 5. This concert ranks among the greatest with the first Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh concert in 1976, Kishore Kumar concerts in the 1980s, and A. R. Rehman and Shreya Ghoshal concerts in recent times.

The scene was somewhat chaotic in the outer halls of the Arena theater as more people showed up than the capacity of the hall. A hundred or more fans were turned away and the Fire Marshals told the audience during the interval that if they left the theater, they would not be let in. Engrossed in the music, most fans were happy to stay put in their seats.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is the nephew of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who gained a reputation among Western audiences in the 1980s before his untimely death in 1997.

Nustrat’s vocals are heard on West-

ern classics such as the Last Temptation of Christ and Natural Born Killers. hortly before his death, he recorded a song each for two Bollywood films, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya and Kachche Dhaage. He sang the title song of the film, Dhadkan.

He also sang Saya bhi saath jab chhod jaye for the movie, Dillagi.

Rahat paid tribute to his uncle by performing classic qawwalis such as Afreen, Afreen.

Beginning with Mann Ki Lagan for the movie Paap in 2004, Rahat has built up a steady stream of hits, such as Jiya Dhadak, Dhadak Jaaye for Kalyug and Teri Ore for Singh is Kinng to Sajda for My Name Khan in 2009. Rahat sang most of his hits to the joy of his fans, including Teri Ore for one fan who went hoarse asking for it most of the night. I thought Teri Ore would be ineffective without Shreya Ghoshal’s voice, but Rahat

Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (right) and his talented accompanists

It’s Vaisakhi! Time to Bhangra the Night Away Story starts on page 3

The models from the Rangla Punjabi Fashion show pose at the Vaisakhi 2010 show at the Punjabi Society of Houston show at the Cullen Auditorium at the University of Houston this past Saturday, April 24.

Photos: www.goafoto.

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Indo American News • Friday, April 30 , 2010

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It’s Vaisakhi! It’s Springtime! Time to Bhangra the Night Away

By Jawahar Malhotra HOUSTON: The night was young, but who was counting the minutes? There were just too many happy feet on the stage, making frantic moves, athletic moves that kept the blood pumping. Young people in bright, colorful costumes.

Young men in long lungis, the ruffles of their turbans splayed out like a peacock’s plume in dance. Beautiful belles in sparkling Punjabi slawar kameezes and gehras, the filigreed duppattas slid over their heads.

Yes, these were the rites Spring, the rites of Vaisakhi. A celebration of the founding of the Sikh khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, one of the greatest moments in Sikhism.

And the show last Saturday, April 23, was brought together by the efforts of the Punjabi Society of Houston, and chief among them were the tireless efforts of “our backbone” as PSH President Manohar Singh Mann put in when the whole Board of Directors came onstage during the intermission held three-quarters of the way through the 4 hour long program. He was referring to Jasmeeta Singh, who was a virtual unknown in the world of local desi entertainment a few years ago but has taken it by a storm by her innovative sense of mixing different styles and genres of music, dance and the body aesthetic.

10 Clockwise from top left: Dirty Bhangra dancers; the Nachde Punjabi group from University of Houston; the show started with dhols in unison by five young Punjabis; emcee Roop Rai with Indian playback singer Krishna Beura; Jasmeeta SIngh, barely recognizable in a turban performed with her group in several numbers. She was the main ingredient in making the evenings entertainment possible; the Rangla Punjabi group hammed it; up for the audience; a women’s gidha dance.

Photos: www.goafoto.com continued on page

Above three photos: Jawahar Malhotra

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Sharmas Relinquish $44 Million, Sentenced to 15, 8 Years in Jail

By Cindy Horswell HOUSTON: A husband-wife doctor team from Kemah relinquished more than $44 million in assets while pleading guilty on Monday to health care fraud charges accusing them of prescribing one or more controlled substances to nearly every patient they saw and then coercing many into signing blank forms for narcotics that were never administered.

Dr. Arun Sharma and his wife, Dr. Kiran Sharma, bilked the federal government out of millions for at least a decade, authorities said.

Just before a jury was about to be selected in U.S. District Judge David Hittner’s court to hear the charges, the Sharmas accepted a plea arrangement. Both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and another count of health care fraud for which Arun Sharma, 56, will receive a 15-year sentence on July 27. His wife, 54, will be sentenced to eight years.

Their attorney, Chris Flood, declined Monday to comment about the case.

“I don’t want to say anything until after the sentencing is over,” he said.

Before the plea deal was struck,

Flood said the Sharmas were helping those who were suffering from chronic pain.

“You can say certain patients are addicted to those drugs or you could say the drugs are a blessing to those in pain,” Flood said at that time.

The couple forfeited all assets previously seized by the government — including their home in Kemah, $1.5 million in cash, and numerous investment accounts and other parcels of real estate bought with proceeds.

The case is part of the continuing push by federal and state authorities to crack down on health care fraud prevalent in major metropolitan areas such as Houston.

Another physician, Dr. Christina Clardy, who lives in West University and practiced in Houston for 30 years, was charged last month with engaging in organized crime at two recently closed pain clinics that she directed.

In addition, 23 other health care workers were arrested around the Houston area last July, accused of making $16 million in fraudulent Medicare claims.

The Sharmas drew the attention of investigators because authori-

Drs. Arun and Kiran Sharma during happier times.

ties felt the doctors were running their clinics in a very unorthodox manner.

When investigators first arrived at the clinic in Webster, for instance, they found Arun Sharma using a tiny room set aside for a copy machine to administer drug injections to a patient.

In a sworn affidavit, that patient admitted being addicted to hydrocodone and going there every two weeks for the past four years to obtain the narcotics.

Prosecutors said the couple ordered patients to return every two weeks for a regimen of shots. By 2000, some patients balked at hav-

ing so many injections, so the doctors made them sign blank forms and billed insurance companies for injections that never occurred, prosecutors said.

FBI agent Kacey Gabriel said in the affidavit that the Sharmas also had threatened to withhold narcotic prescriptions from any patients who refused to sign forms for the fictitious clinic visits being billed to Medicare.

FBI agent Kacey Gabriel said in the affidavit that the Sharmas also had threatened to withhold narcotic prescriptions from any patients who refused to sign forms for the fictitious clinic visits being billed to Medicare.

In addition, patients, such as one identified as “PP,” reported receiving prescriptions — sometimes two on the same day — for as much as seven times the FDA’s recommended daily allowance for a narcotic.

Gabriel also accused the doctors of billing for millions in “facet joint injections” — steroid and lidocaine injections pumped into painful joints — that never took place.

The couple operated multiple

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continued on page

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SOCIETY

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Internal Dissention Forces Resignations of Top India House Leaders

In an email to India House Council members, Dhingra said, “My note is to thank you all very much who have stood by me and those who opted not to, hence, making my resolve to bring our long standing Dream of building a community center for the whole community and beyond, a reality. I believe, I was successful in this responsibility bestowed upon me by all of you. I thank you for your trust. Serving community is a thankless work to fulfill once own desire to do so. I believe I served the India House well. The task is just the beginning and needs total commitment from next generation volunteers wishing to serve. It may bring difficult time and sometimes testing period to your commitment to do the right thing. This project is far away from completing our dream. As I part my ways, I must

reiterate that I will always be available to assist in any way possible to make the Dream a complete reality, however, the pleasure of seeing its completed will bring me total satisfaction. I would like to once again thank everyone who have contributed for the project, financially or volunteering their valuable time it was a great experience in establishing friendship with everyone that would last for years.

I wish a very good luck and success to those who will be honored with the responsibilities to carry on the task in the coming India House executives who resigned: President Ashok Dhingra, VP of Op- days, months and years.” erations Dr. Virendra Mathur and VP of Finance Dr. Durga Agrawal at the In a news release, India House Gala 2010.

Photo: Krishna Giri Agrawal and Mathur said, “All the well wishers of India House continue to strive for its continued success and growth.

It was felt that after spending so many years, the torch should be passed to a new group so that new

ideas and new efforts can take India House to a new level. After a couple of meetings in April following the Grand Inauguration of O.P. Jindal Center of India House on March 20th, 2010, it was decided that the three leaders including the President and two Vice Presidents should pass the gavel to new leadership and it is hoped that the new team will take India House to new heights and make the entire Indian American community proud.”

In an interview with Indo-American News, Dr. Agrawal said he would provide unconditional support to the new executive team.

Located at the intersection of West Bellfort and South Gessner in southwest Houston, India House has steadily become a new center of community activity. Numerous dignitaries have visited the new building, including former Inda President Abdul Kalam, Texas Governor Rick Perry and spiritual head Baba Ramdev.. Several yoga, dance, computer classes and after-school activities are now taking place at the community center

Dr. Sharmas Convicted in Heathcare Fraud continued from page

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clinics around Houston under the name Allergy, Asthma, Arthritis Pain Center, including two principal locations in Baytown and Webster.

The couple operated multiple clinics around Houston under the name Allergy, Asthma, Arthritis Pain Center, including two principal locations in Baytown and Webster.

“Dr. Arun Sharma was known as an easy touch for Hydrocodone, Soma and Xanax (a popular cocktail used by addicts),” said a statement from U.S. attorney Jose Moreno. “As time went on, the doctors began prescribing stron-

Indo American News • Friday, april 30 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

ger narcotics such as oxycodone, methadone and fetynal patches.”

According to prosecutors, the practice grew quickly through word of mouth. The number of patients being seen each day doubled within four years from 50 to a high of 109 by 2002. The doctors eventually hired foreign medical graduates to assist in the conspiracy by adding fictitious patient examination information to the blank forms, prosecutors said.

Based on clinic records, the doctors would have had to maintain the pace of injecting nerve blocks into the spines of 279 patients on one day alone in 2005.-Chronicle

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india

Indo American News • Friday, April 30 , 2010

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Incredible India – A Unique and Classy Cultural Journey through India Your tour manager - Samskriti, Society for Indian Performing Arts

HOUSTON: Mind-boggling!

There is simply no other phrase that convincingly captures the enigma that is India. With its in-yourface diversity, from snow-dusted mountains to sun-washed beaches, tranquil temples to feisty festivals, lantern-lit villages to softwaresupremo cities, it is hardly surprising that India has been dubbed the world’s most multidimensional.

The culture of India has been shaped not only by its long history, unique geography and diverse demography, but also by its ancient heritages, which were formed during the Indus Valley Civilization and evolved further during the Vedic age, rise and decline of Buddhism, the Golden age, invasions from Central Asia, European colonization and the rise of Indian nationalism. The languages, religions, dance, music, architecture and its customs differ from place to place within the country, but nevertheless possess a commonality. The culture of India is an amalgamation of diverse sub-cultures spread all over the country and traditions that are several millennia old.

It is this hoary cultural heritage that Samskriti, Society for Indian Performing Arts, is proudly presenting to the Houston audience on

The Anjali Dance Company in “Gange” from Shanti 2010 - photo courtesy Mahesh Mahbubani

Saturday, May 15, 2010, 8.00 PM, at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in the Hermann Park.

The program, aptly titled “Incredible India”, and curated by the organization’s Artistic Director, Rathna Kumar, will showcase some of the valuable cultural contributions of India to the world, such as the ubiquitous and much popular Yoga, performed by a group of fifteen young practitioners, all trained at the SVyaasa Yoga Center, Houston. A forty member Tabla ensemble, led by maestro Pandit Shantilal Shah, will ‘rock’ Hermann Park with its rousing rhythmic cadences. India’s complex classical dances will be

juxtaposed with colorful traditional folk dances from the North and the South. The influence of the Persian rulers on the performing arts of India will be seen in the Kathak style which gained prominence as a royal court entertainment during the Mogul period, and the ‘Temple Dances’ will be seen in all their pristine beauty. Internationally renowned Kathak artist Nahid Siddiqui of the UK, considered one of the finest Kathak dancers and choreographers in the world, is a special guest performer.

Nahid’s creations have been original and ground-breaking, blending traditional and contemporary techniques. Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi,

Odissi, Sattriya and Mohini Attam will be performed in an unusual ‘sangamam’ or ‘coming together’,

by Archana Sharma, Johnny Jackson, Shipra Mehrotra, Vedajyoti Ozah and Anisha Rajesh, respectively. The lively Raas-Garba from Gujarat, coordinated by Shefali Jhaveri, The ever popular Bhangra, directed by Jasmeeta Singh, an unusual Kannada folk dance, directed

by Yamuna Srnidhi, and the Poikkal Kudhirai or Dummy Horse Dance from Tamil Nadu, rarely seen in this country, will give the audience a glimpse into the familiar and unfamiliar genres of Folk Dances, and the latest global buzz word, ‘Bollywood’, will have its

place in the program too, to show how diverse our dances are, be it classical or filmy.

The Bollywood Medley, under the direction of Mahesh Mahbubani, will have a touch of Flamenco, which, Spanish though it may be, has its roots in Indian Gypsy music.

The Anjali Dance Company will present two contemporary dances, including “Gange”, choreographed

by Rathna Kumar to the mesmerizing music of Kanniks Kannikeswaran, as seen very recently in the mega show “Shanti 2010”.

“Incredible India” is a free event, and wholesome entertainment for the entire family, and friends and neighbors too!

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ALEXANDER P. MATHEWS, CPA

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Rahat Concert Takes Houston by Storm

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and his choir presented an equally entertaining solo performance. Those fans who missed the first show have an opportunity for an Rahat’s encore performance on Wednesday, May 5.

Want to comment on Houston’s greatest desi concerts? Send us your thoughts at indoamericannews@yahoo. com.

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MoneyGram International Announces Sponsorship to ICC World Twenty20 MINNEAPOLIS: MoneyGram International (NYSE:MGI), a leading global money transfer company, announced today an agreement with the International Cricket Council for its sponsorship as the official money transfer partner at the ICC World Twenty20 West Indies 2010 cricket event to run April 30 to May 16. Cricket

“Cricket is a huge part of the lives of millions of our customers. Our goal is to match the value of our brand with the passion of cricket fans to support our growth,” Agualimpia said. “For example, South Asia is among our most important markets and one in which we are growing rapidly. Over the last year, in India alone, we built out our

“We’re pleased to add MoneyGram to a list of excellent local sponsors for the ICC World Twenty20 West Indies 2010. As the world’s second most popular team sport, cricket enthusiasts are a growing and diverse group that touches every corner of the world and every segment of the population. We’re eager for MoneyGram

is among the largest sports attractions in countries that rely on remittance services including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, as well as countries in Southern Africa and the Caribbean.

MoneyGram’s decision to sponsor the most favorite and crucial game among remittance receiving countries was made to connect with its customers, and increase its brand awareness among the millions of cricket fans across the globe. The campaign includes chances for cricket fans to win a dream package to attend the West Indies event and games on May 8.

Winners will be selected from 10 countries, including one winner from the U.S. “When cricket teams and fans from around the world arrive in the West Indies our brand will prominently greet them and further deepen awareness among people who use money transfer services to meet their financial needs,” said Juan Agualimpia, chief marketing officer for MoneyGram International. “This sponsorship will help us reach millions of expatriates as well as their family and friends that are viewing the games.”

The event is expected to host cricket fans from around the world and its broadcast has the potential to reach another billion people at home, especially in Europe, South Asia, Southern Africa, the United States and Canada.

network to 22,000 agent locations countrywide.” While in 2008 India was the receiver of $52 billion sent to the country (data by Word Bank), last year over 100 million Indians watched the Twenty20 championships.

The ICC works on behalf of its members to generate revenue to help grow the game around the world.

ICC General Manager – Commercial Campbell Jamieson said:

to experience the power of the game for its brand.”

Don’t forget to fan MoneyGram on Facebook for more exciting offers and updates from the company and to enter to win your cricket dream package to be in the West Indies on May 8. Also for a limited time, you can enter to win a pair of tickets to the exciting Super 8 matches. Go to www.moneygramT20m.com for more details on how to enter.

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society

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It’s Vaisakhi! It’s Springtime! Time to Bhangra the Night Away continued from page

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taken it by a storm by her innovative sense of mixing different styles and genres of music, dance and the body aesthetic.

Take for example the Rangla Punjabi Fashion Show which Jasmeeta choreographed with Gurwinder Singh and Amardeep Kaur.

It started with two men walking onstage to the edge in sequin embroidered sherwanis. From stage left, Pritpal Singh (a PSH Director) strode on in white salwar kameez, his long black beard open, white turban and working a bow across the santoor: a minstrel.

As he strode across and mouthed a Punjabi couplet, young men entered from the sides and strutted to Punjabi music growing louder, and then more came on in different fashions, followed by the women, some with ghadas (water urns) balanced on their hips, some on their heads. The entire ensemble burned with the moment, dance rippling through their feet.

The brilliant, eye-catching fashions that the models wore came from Sari Sapne on Hillcroft, whose owner, Ramesh Lulla has an eye for what the local community wants. And the makeup for the models was done by Priya’s Salon on Kensington in Sugar Land. The major sponsors for the evening were Bawa Jewelers on Hillcroft, Tara Energy and Moid Khan who generously supported the on air

publicity on Music Masala radio program.

This venue and the entire Vaisakhi program is a yearly event that the over 10 year-old PSH holds, in addition to the religious services, bhajans, langar and martial arts held in the Gurdwara on Breen Street or the Sikh National Center acreage on the Beltway across from the Racetrack. This year, the entertainment portion of the celebrations has been broken up from the more physical martial arts part, which is scheduled to be held soon separately.

But the Punjabi community holds only a couple of events every year and when they do, the socializing gets the better of them as they search each other out. Outside the Cullen Auditorium at the main campus of the University of Houston, friends and acquaintances mingled, some ate snacks from Chutney restaurant which had a stall in the basement, and other came arrived late, Punjabi standard time wise, and this pushed the opening of the program back 45 minutes.

Inside, they were treated to a fast paced show with 16 items, mostly dances from groups in the community crossing all age levels.

A group, the Dallas Bhangra had just gotten in a half hour earlier, but started with men doing the bhangra in pants, shirts and ties.

This morphed into a short skit

The Board of Directors of the Punjabi Society of Houston. From left: Sampuran Singh, a visitor from Toronto, Hardeep Kaur; President Manohar Sinh Mann, Kulwinder Jit Otal, Pripal Singh, Sukhpreet Kaur, Jasmeeta Singh, Bhai Amar Singh, and Aman Singh.

Photos: www.goafoto.com

about the worsening water conditions that farmers in the Punjab are facing, leading some to commit suicide and the effects of hashish and drugs on peasants. The protagonist weaved a tale of woe and ended with a call to be faithful to the Khalsa.

And there was another treat in store for them too: in addition to Roop Rai, who is featured on Music in the Box radio, the other

emcee, but really guest singer was Krishna Beura who stayed over from the Ash Bhosle concert held the weekend before where he performed. “I went to college in Chandigarh,” the Orissa native explained in perfect Punjabi, “and I really owe my career to Punjab.

I love Punjab and Punjabis.” Then he broke out into several songs throughout the evening.

Many groups of all ages per-

Indo American News • Friday, april 30 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

formed during the night and among the most energetic and visually captivating was the Nachde Punjabi Bhangra Team of the University of Houston, Anakh Houston Di, Dirty South Bhangra, Gidha Explosion and the Gatka martial arts. But the opening act of the night set the standard: five young boys, decked in Punjabi finery and beating on dhols, some as tall as them, calling the house to order!

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Bizzy Women Makes Fashion Sparkle at Poshak HOUSTON: Some of the prettiest women in the Bayou City came to see some of the prettiest models in the city walk down the runway at a fashion show that brought in a capacity crowd.

The show was the second Bizzy Women mixers hosted bu Lights Camera Action, a multimedia company. The mixer was held this past Thursday, April 22, at Poshak Boutique on Hillcroft and the Southwest Freeway.

Ruchi Mukherjee, a Houston based freelance TV Asia Journalist and the talent behind Lights Camera Action hosted the event .

“The idea behind Bizzy Women is to highlight women-owned small businesses.” she explained.

“Each event provides an opportunity to mix, mingle, dress up and be photographed while having fun and networking each other’s business goals.” And certainly, many unexpected surprises await at the guests at each mixer.

This past weeknight’s mixer highlighted the creations of fashion designer Sameera Faridi of Poshak Boutique.

In the early 2000s Poshak opened its Dallas store and then relocated to Houston after Faridi completed her degree in Fashion Design in 2004 and was appointed its designer.

Poshak, which launched its US stores in 1996, has broadened its portfolio of clients and expanded its Pakistani fashion presence in the US. Faridi has won many awards for

the Best of Show Award in 2004

by Chich Streak Fashion Show and Best Fashion Student Award in 2004.

She has also participated in Houston Fashion Weekend by AList Models, benefiting United Way, Texas Gulf Coast in 2006 and also in Fashionably Loud as one of the five upcoming designers in Houston.

“It was a lot of fun as these mixers attract the younger generation with a whole new concept of themed parties for the South Asian community,” said Faridi.

The house was full at the chic fashion mixer with a fashion show on the runway strecthed the length of the store. Neal Hamil Models walked the ramp and the flawless make-up was by Fashion Face.

Hors d’ouveres were catered

by Mezban and tiramisu cupcakes were provided by Madhavi Gokhale of Desserts ‘n’ More, a specialty home based dessert company. Local radio host Samia Adil emceed the event with customary poise and grace.

Present at the event were HCC Fashion Textiles Instructors Lisa Waering and Jessica Dolan, FGI Regional Membership Director Judy Gulgun, Tanaz Choudhury who recently made a debut as a fashion designer showcasing her line at Tootsies, Reji Josheph, Sangeeta Pasrija, Houston Young Professionals for Arts’ Committee member Mahek Shah, Shawn Broussard from Health and Fitness Magazine, and many others.

The models from the Neal Hamil agency showed off the creations of Sameera Faridi of Poshak Boutique on Hillcroft and the Southwest Freeway. Poshak has broadened its portfolio as it has sought to expand the presence of its Pakistani fashions in the US.

Indo American News • Friday, april 30 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

Poshak’s chief designer Sameera Faridi (left) with Ruchi Mukherjee, of Lights Camera Action! which hosts the Bizzy Women mixers in the city. On the cover: Faridi and Ruchi with Samia Adil.

Lights Camera Action (www. rmrmedia.com) is a multimedia production site tracking the South Asian scene in Houston.

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Indo American News • Friday, April 30 , 2010

advice

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The Houston Area Urban League has HUD certified counselors who will assist homeowners in achieving financial stability in today’s economic times. Based on a homeowner’s situation, HAUL may be able

tor of the Congressional authorized National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) program.

“Homeowners who seek assistance before their mortgage is seriously delinquent fare better than those who seek assistance later”, states Judson W. Robinson, III, President and CEO of HAUL. HAUL’s mortgage counseling program is for all homeowners in the Houston Area. This program helps homeowners in good standing to remain stable and provide help to those at risk or in foreclosure. HAUL strives to help homeowners to quickly rebound and move for-

to reduce interest rates, assess eligibility for a loan modification or refinance.

For more information please visit our website at www.haul.org or call Houston Area Urban League at 713-393-8730 for a Mortgage Loan Review.

About Houston Area Urban League: The Houston Area Urban League (HAUL), founded in 1968, is a United Way agency affiliated with the National Urban League.

Its mission is to help African Americans and other minorities to secure economic selfreliance, parity and civil rights.

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SOCIETY

Indo American News • Friday, April 30 , 2010

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World’s First Glass Temple in Malaysia Malaysia’s 1st glass temple, the Arulmigu Sri Raja Kaliamman Temple , located in Jalan Tebrau, Johor Baru, is a major tourist attraction apart from being used by Hindu devotees.

The Star quoted temple chairman S. Sinnathamby as saying that 95 per cent of the temple’s walls, ceiling, domes and pillars have been adorned with over a million pieces of colourful glass imported from Thailand, Japan and Belgium.

The total cost of the temple is approximately three million ringgits.

Sinnathamby added that the glass pieces were carefully put together by nine Myanmar workers, and motifs and symbols like the Swastika, Namam and Sri Chakra were created from the glass pieces in seven colours.

The temple was built on land awarded by the Sultan of Johor in 1922, and it was renovated for the first time in 1996.

Sinnathamby said he first visualised the glass temple his Thailand visit, and funds for the construction were raised through community programmes and public donations.

The air-conditioned temple, which can accommodate about 1,500 devotees, is now officially open.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, APRIL 30 , 2010• ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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Indo American News • Friday, April 30 , 2010

A House Divided “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” U.S. President Abraham Lincoln said in reference to Civil War. Unfortunately, an uncivil war has been raging within India House. Hopefully, unlike the American civil war, it will not have to be resolved with rifles and cannons. We Indians are brilliant individually and fairly inept collectively. We were able to build India House, a remarkable tribute to our vision and ability to get things done. However, India House is also a testament our inability to work together coherently. Hopefully, under the leadership of Jugal Malani and the impartial election panel headed by Attorney Paul Madan will help put together a new leadership that will rejuvenate our home away from home that is India House.

Pramod Kulkarni

Saving a Good Thing Through Sunday night, India’s most talked about reality show, the Indian Premier League, was temporarily eclipsed by India’s most popular sporting event, the Indian Premier League. The final match itself was an extraordinary affair, played between one team led by India’s favourite sportsman Sachin Tendulkar and the other, led by the Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Even purists had to recognise that the tournament in its third chapter has been an unstoppable juggernaut. For seven straight weeks, the imagination of a nation was hooked to the sporting spectacle. That despite the off-the-field din about malpractices and shady deals, the noisy sports festival managed to reach a fitting climax with the IPL trophy being lofted by the Chennai Super Kings.

Which is exactly why the IPL needs to be saved. Some would say that since April 11, when Lalit Modi decided to turn the tournament into a stadium-sized battle of egos, the IPL brand was destroyed. The fact that the IPL has been battered by charges and countercharges of corruption and wheeling-dealings cannot be doubted. Mr Modi’s sheer talent to create and firm up a $4 billion-plus industry cannot hide the fact that something equally unsavoury in its business come out in the public domain. This thick patina of sleaze must be removed. This can be done only by having a transparent IPL in place, BCCI cleans its stables to make a very successful sporting brand not become synonymous with corporate thievery and shenanigans. Tendulkar and Dhoni spoke about how they look forward to next year’s tournament. It’s wrong to think that the tournament’s survival depends on underthe-table deals. Make it a fully transparent body and everyone can reap the rewards of one of the biggest mega-events in the world without being having to be tarnished by muck. HT

e d ito r i a l

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Why is America Hiding Headley?

By Vir Sanghvi Here is a hypothetical situation.

Imagine that the Indian police arrest a man who had advance knowledge of the 9/11 plot. Not only did he work with the conspirators but he had also been sent to New York several times to conduct reconnaissance so that the terrorists would be able to successfully execute their assault.

Naturally, the US would want to extradite this person so that he could be tried in a US court for his involvement in one of the worst acts of terrorism in recent times. Assume now that India not only refused to discuss the extradition but also denied the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) any access to the suspect. “We will tell you what he is saying,” the Central Bureau of Investigation would insist.

“There is no way you can interrogate him face to face.”

Take our scenario further. Imagine now that even as the US seethes at being denied access to this important link in the 9/11 case, India announces that it has done a deal with the man.

He will plead guilty to all charges.

So, there is no question of the death penalty under our law. Nor is there any prospect of his being prosecuted under American law. Part of the deal is that we have assured the suspect that we will never extradite him.

As for the sentence, that is still to be worked out but it will be decided on the basis of the deal that we have made with the terrorist.

How do you suppose America will react?

The answers are obvious. There would be a diplomatic incident. The secretary of state would call our home minister (or perhaps our prime minister) to insist that the terrorist is handed over to the FBI. India would be accused of betraying the war on terror. How can we prosecute the man in our country, we would be asked, when the crime he was involved in occurred inAmerica? There would be threats galore. We would be warned of a suspension of aid. Summits would be cancelled and so on.

I have spent some time outlining this scenario because it closely parallels something that has actually happened: except that in this case, the

America is behaving very strangely in the David Headley case. It has something to hide.

And it is scared of what Headley could reveal. terrorist was involved in 26/11, not 9/11.And it is not India that is refusing to extradite him but America that has told us to go take a flying jump.

It is not difficult to see why the case of David Headley evokes such strong emotions among Indians. For us, 26/11 is as important as 9/11 is to Americans. The difference is that while the US knows pretty much everything it needs to about 9/11 — especially as al-Qaeda has openly taken credit for the attack — India is still trying to piece together the details of the conspiracy. It is the US that has told us that Headley made several reconnaissance trips for 26/11. Naturally, we believe that such a man not only deserves to be punished by an Indian court but that his information may hold the key to unravelling the 26/11 plot. What’s more, we suspect that Headley also suggested Poona as a potential terror target. How many other such targets did he pinpoint?

Until we interrogate him, we will never know.

So, why is the US behaving in this manner? Say what you will about the Americans but the truth is that till now, they have genuinely tried to fight a global war against terror and have regularly involved the world’s intelligence agencies in this effort.

Why abandon the cooperation now? Why alienate India so completely for the sake of a terrorist? Why allow more people to be killed — in such attacks as the Poona bombing — by refusing to let Indian investigators

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

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question David Headley?

I believe that only one explanation fits these facts and that there is only one answer to these questions.

David Headley was an American agent.

When I first suggested this hypothesis on these pages, it seemed slightly outlandish but now, I am sad to see, it has become received wisdom on the subject. And each day brings us new evidence to support this thesis.

We know that Headley (who called himself Daoud Gilani in that era) was convicted on drug charges and sent to jail in the US. We know also that he was subsequently released from jail early and handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which said that it wanted to send him to Pakistan as an undercover agent.

All this is a matter of public record.

What happened between the time the US sent Headley into Pakistan and his arrest at Chicago airport a few months ago? How did an American agent turn into a terrorist? The US will not say.

There are broadly only three possibilities. Possibility one is that he remained a DEA agent but also got involved with jihadi groups while remaining on the drug agency’s rolls.

Possibility two is that he was never really a mere DEA agent. In the aftermath of 9/11, when it was discovered that America had few agents within the jihadi networks, all American agencies came together to pool assets so that the US could penetrate the terror groups. It is significant that Headley was sprung from jail after 9/11 though of course the court would have to be told that it was the DEA that wanted him (rather than the CIA) because he had been arrested on drug charges.

If you stick with possibility two, then Headley was a double agent.

Sent to infiltrate jihadi groups, he became a convert to the terrorist cause and betrayed his American handlers.

Both possibilities would explain why the Americans are reluctant to let us speak to Headley. They do not want him discussing his role as an American agent with Indian intelligence. continued on page 17

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Indo American News • Friday, April 30 , 2010

Letter to the Editor

Deepak Chopra Should Heal, Not Hurt The new-age guru Deepak Chopra has been quoted as saying that the recent earthquake that rocked Southern California and parts of Mexico was caused by his meditation on Shiv mantra (India Abroad, April 16, page A3). If true, I suppose Dr. Chopra deserves to be commended for his powers. One hopes the physician Deepak Chopra remembers his Hippocratic oath and would now use his powers to resurrect all the lives lost and all the property damaged in the quake. If not, I submit Dr. Chopra be held responsible for all the property damage in a civil lawsuit, and be tried in a criminal case for all the lives lost in the devastating earthquake. And, perhaps an organization of physicians such as the American Medical Association ought to look into this behavior of the physician Deepak Chopra to consider a disciplinary acttion.

Hari Dayal, Houston

Indian Doc Killed in Yale by Chinese Ex-colleague BRANFORD, Connecticut: They are among the most prized immigrants in US academia from two Asian giants that send them in droves to America.

For the most part, Indians and Chinese in the US academia and workplace engage in friendly rivalry with a kind of fierce work ethic that Americans envy and fear. For years, I-C in America has come to mean Indians-Chinese as much as Integrated Circuit.

Lishan Wang

But the gunshots that rang out on a lovely spring morning in Branford, Connecticut, introduced a terrible bloodstain into this equation. At the end of the shooting, Dr Vajinder Toor, 34, a postdoctoral clinical fellow at the Yale School of Medicine, lay dead in the parking lot outside his home even as his pregnant wife cowered nearby.

Police, who Parneeta Sidhu, the wife of Dr. Vajinder Toor who were alerted to was allegedly shot by Lishan Wang, leaves her the shooting by home in Branford, Conn. with her three-year-old neighbours, de- son. attempt to commit murder, carrying tained Dr Lishan Wang, 44, a Chinese national from weapons in a motor vehicle, carrying Beijing who was fleeing the scene in a handgun without a permit and una burgundy colored minivan. He is lawful discharge of a firearm.-TOI being charged with murder, criminal

Why is America Hiding Headley? continued from page 16

But there is a third possibility. One theory — advanced by The Daily Beast website and the American media themselves — is that Headley remained a US agent till the end. He was the source who told the Americans about 26/11, causing them to send us a vague warning about the attack before it happened. (Because this warning was not specific enough, our sloppy intelligence apparatus ignored it.)

If you follow this theory through, then you would have to argue, as some Indian intelligence officials do, that the Americans pulled Headley out because they suspected that Indian agents were getting wise to his identity. Far better to place him in secure American custody and to deny everybody else access than to risk having him exposed by a foreign intelligence service.

We do not have enough information to conclude with any certainty which of these three possibilities comes closest to what really happened. But of one thing, there can no longer be any doubt.

America is behaving very strangely in the David Headley case. It has something to hide. And it is scared of what Headley could reveal. HT

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Indian Americans Catching Up in U.S. Politics

WASHINGTON: Recipient of this year’s prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honour, Indian American business leader Rao S. Anumolu believes the Indian community, doing an “A+ job” professionally and economically, is now catching on in politics too.

“Indians here are mostly professionals - doctors, engineers and in finance field, etc,” says Anumolu, president and CEO of Long Island (New York)-based ASR International Corporation, who would be presented the medal recognising those making outstanding contributions to their communities, their nation and the world, on May 8.

“In these professions, there is ample opportunity to prove themselves professionally and economically, and they are doingA+ job,” he told IANS in an e-mail interview.“In politics, the second generation is catching on and they are much more in tune as participants, be it (Louisiana governor) Bobby Jindal or others, but not to the extent you expect,” he said.Asked what makes Indians excel,Anumolu said: “My take on that is: Talent has always been there in India. The question is of providing sufficient resources to support the basic human talent for growth.”

“Now, in India too they are flooded with the resources, knowledge, know-how, equipment, and whatever is needed to succeed. Indians are excelling worldwide. Anywhere they can excel because they inherently have good talent and they work hard,” Anumolu said.

With the Indian economy now booming, Anumolu’s ASR is “supporting companies here which are going to India and setting up big ventures there”.“With our support, they are able to go there with full force and implement them with these resources and know-how. So, indirectly we are helping everyone,” he said when asked about his plans to venture out to India.

Both the US House of Representatives and the Senate have officially recognised the Ellis Island Medals of Honour and the recipients are read into

the Congressional Record. Anumolu is the only Asian Indian to have been also cited by the US Congress in 2003 for the contributions made by him and ASR International Corporation towards homeland security in the US. He came to Chicago for higher studies in 1969 and went on to turn ASR into a trailblazer in developing innovative systems and leveraging technology to provide cost-effective, high quality services to Fortune 500 companies like BP, Rolls-Royce, Exxon, Textron and government agencies.“They work with us because we serve them well in a cost-effective manner,” he said.

“We support Fortune 500 companies and provide services worldwide.Anumolu, who has also been honoured by national Telugu organisations such as TANA and ATA, has consistently “supported many associations of Indian origin. In turn, they send out aid when and where needed in India”.

“They are better than me in channelling the resources so we give it to them,” he said.

Anumolu has no political favourites, be it in India or the US. “We stand neutral on the political spectrum. I have friends on both sides of the aisle. We keep away from politics,” he said.“Our mission is clear - we are focused to achieve a few things. And we believe that this is a major contributor to societal growth, whether it is here or anywhere in the world,” Anumolu said when asked what he believed brought him the honour.

His formula for success: “Anything you take, work at it, focus on it, try to learn from it, and then move forward with total determination and you will succeed beyond your imagination.”

His two sons, Praveen and Naveen too are now fully involved in the family business, yet Anumolu who keeps fit and at peace by not getting “involved in unnecessary activities” and doing “interesting things all the time”, has no retirement plans.As he told his nephew recently, “I just started my career. Lots to be done.“We have only started scratching the surface. We will keep going!” IANS

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Introducing Hindu Culture to the Mainstream America Hindu YUVA of Case Western University celebrates Guru-Vandana

By Nand Kapoor “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devoh, Maheshwarahah. Guru Sakshat Parabrahama, Tasmay Shri Guraveh Namah”.

“It says that Guru is Brahma, who is the Creator of the universe. Guru is Vishnu who is all pervasive and is also the Doer in the universe. Guru is Maheshvara who commands and ordains everything in the universe in the right manner. Guru is not one who merely teaches. A real Guru is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent, He is God Himself.”

Guru Vandana- Reverance to the Teacher, took place for the first time in the history of one of America’s Top Universities, ‘Case Western Reserve University’ and the event honored Professor of Mathematics, Christopher Butler.

With such a beautiful, inspiring, and revered concept of Guru, the Hindu YUVA at ‘Case Western Reserve University’ chose Guru Vandana to be one of their Cultural events of the year, a tradition that they hope to continue every year honoring all those Educators and Teachers that impart knowledge on the students. The event took place in Adelbert Hall/College, the Administrative Building of Case Western, which included students, faculty, the local Indian community, as well as members from Undergraduate Indian Student Association, Muslim Students Association, Un-

dergraduate Student Government, Satrang Graduate Students Organization, Art of Living Foundation, etc.

The event began with an Electric Lamp Invocation by Professor Chris Butler and a Shanti Mantra by Hindu YUVA’s Philanthropic Chairman, Apurva Kaushik. President Barbara Snyder was also present at the event, along with Dr. Sudesh Agrawal of the Cleveland Clinic as representative of Hindu Education Foundation.

The Ceremony consisted of Hindu YUVA students and other students present at the event putting Tilak on Professor Butler, doing Aarti to him, and a Shawl Ceremony with a Bouquet.

Mohammed Gazanfer Khan (Gazy Khan), community relations director, next year’s President of Muslim Students Association and a junior, spoke at event talking about the scene in the Great Epic, Mahabharata, between the relationship of Ekalavya and his Guru Dronacharya. He then went on to point out that events such as Guru Vandana are “beyond culture, religion, caste and creed” and such events only create Unity within Diversity among the students and its faculty and the community. He also expressed strong interest in Hindu YUVA and its team to collaborate with the Muslim Students Association next school year to have events such as this to promote Unity among campus life.

After Gazy’s speech,Dr. Adityan, named as one of top 100 Neuropsychiatrists in America, and currently serves as the Secretary, Board of Directors at the Hindu University of America, Orlando, FL started with a word of praise for Gazy and spoke about the Guru-Disciple Relationship and the pivotal and universal role it plays. He pointed out the relationship as something Divine and Transcendental, illustrating stories throughout the history of Hinduism that played a significant role in honoring and showing Reverance to the Guru. Dr. Jessica Gerard, the Director of ESL who works with Hindu YUVA in the Sewa Project Vani helping the Bhutanese with ESL Classes, described the event, “I had tears in my eyes the entire time while this was happening, you guys did an absolutely wonderful job and I wish you all the best”.

The event concluded with Professor Chris Butler speaking about how humbled he was and honored he was for the event. He said that students usually ask him to sit in Dunk Tanks* for student life activities but they have never asked if they can felicitate him through a unique culture and tradition and such as Guru-Vandana.

Many distinguished faculty members, intellectuals, and community leaders that were present at the event congratulated the Hindu YUVA organization for having such a unique cultural event “that should become a tradition every year”.

Indo American News • Friday, April 30 , 2010

HElP WaNTEd

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Excellent opportunities.

Abdul Panjwani (713) 502-8523

Picture of the Week

Coordinated by Prahalad Appaji and Radha Dhananayak over 50 members of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) participated in the March of Dimes - March for Babies walk on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at University of Houston Robertson Stadium.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, APRIL 30 , 2010• ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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Indo American News • Friday, April 30 , 2010

SOCIETY

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Arya Samaj HostsVolunteer and DAVSS Teacher Appreciation Event HOUSTON: Volunteer and Teacher appreciation lunch is an annual tradition at Arya Samaj Greater Houston and marks the successful closing of another school year. It is hosted by the members of the Arya Samaj management committee filling the day with pleasant surprises.

Just like the previous years the committee members planned and executed this luncheon to perfection.

The beautiful sunny day started with the management committee members, dressed in crisp white shirts and black trousers, welcoming the teachers and volunteers. Everyone socialized and was treated to a mouthwatering “jaljira” and hot straight-off-the-oven delicious spring rolls. Mr. Dev Mahajan wearing his very traditional chef hat organized the group together for a memorable picture by our very own Mr. Rajesh

ASGH Volunteers and teachers

Thatte. Continuing with the tradition of maintaining an element of surprise, this year’s food theme was Chinese followed by a game of gestures. Management Committee members acted as the perfect hosts serving the food and making the day special for all attendees.

After lunch Acharya Praveen Gulati ji, humbly thanked the teachers for their untiring work, Yajna they do by teaching children of our community Vedic values, culture and traditions. Mr. Dev Mahajan, continued the thanking, embellishing the contributions with examples of our children and the remarkable improvement in their behavior, knowledge and self-confidence as a result of being students of DAVSS and Arya Samaj.

Jeevan Prabhat Pondicherry and Bhutanese families support are a few special projects that school and Arya Samaj have very successfully undertaken with the support of the congregation and specially volunteers who also gave their time.

The best was obviously saved for the last. The game of gestures was introduced to the group, by management committee playing first demo round. I think they did ok. The two teams were made by the seating arrangement. Obviously an Indian touch to the game was completed by adding a list of movies which also carried the highest score. Only the bravest went up to act the movies out and Arya Samaj discovered hidden talent among its members.

DAV Montessori School is celebrating its successful 10 years, on May 15th, from 5-7pm and DAVSS is graduating its seniors on Mar 23rd, from 10-12 am in Arya Samaj Greater Houston. All are welcome to attend and see for themselves the accomplishments of our students.

Free Meditation Sessions at Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir Meditation means to forget our physical existence completely and become one with the Universal Consciousness.

At such a time we experience the pure joy as universal energy starts flowing within. Just as words are insufficient to describe the scents of flowers in the same way the experience of this eternal joy cannot be expressed through words.

Samarpan Meditation is a path of experience so meditate and experience an internal transformation by attending free sessions at Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir, 5645 Hillcroft Street, on May 1st 2010.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, APRIL 30 , 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

Indo American News • Friday, April 30 , 2010

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The Blue Mug: A Play that Overflows with Angst & Humor HOUSTON: Try finding a link between theatre, pickle shop, premium Scotch and Konkona Sen Sharma and you might end up splitting hairs. The answer is: Atul Kumar, the director of current theatre sensation in the country, The Blue Mug. And here is how: Born into a Delhi spice merchant family, if Kumar hadn’t taken theatre as his vocation, he would be selling achaar, kaali mirch and amchoor at Khari Baoli market. But the dramatic enthusiast “chose to be a freak” and worked his way to the stage without compromise. His struggle paid off. Two decades later, with several unsung laurels in his bag, when an event management group, Showhouse, sent sponsorship proposals to various corporate houses about a play which communicated in the form of human memories, albeit in a funny way, the draft managed to “make an impression” on Ballantine’s.

That the play featured Konkona, Ranvir Shorey and Vinay Pathak also helped the cause. Nonetheless, the final verdict, in the form of sold-out houses in all the pre-

sentations, had cast the dice. Kumar is out of backroom theatre and bang under media spotlight today.

Having worked in theatre for two decades at a stretch, one would think it is a cakewalk for him to deal with the flashbulbs and spotlight. But Kumar appears edgy, fidgety, and often tapping his feet impatiently, as if eager to beat a retreat.

“Yes, that makes me uncomfortable,” he confesses nonchalantly.

“Frankly, there has never been a play in my repertoire that has drawn such attention of the media and I wonder where theatre lies in all this, if it does at all!” Is it because the star faces in his play like Konkana and Vinay Pathak....

“People constantly place me and my actors under the slots of ‘stars’, ‘known faces’, ‘filmy!’ etc etc and though I realize that I am working on this piece with actors who are also now household faces from cinema, but... people need to see them as actors on stage, as performers first and then comment or ask questions since that is what the essential is in this case in point.

We are doing a piece of theatre and

people seem to be focusing on all other things but that.”

The angst in Kumar’s words is hardly visible in The Blue Mug, which has been reported as a laugh riot, right from the word go.

Probably he is in his comfort zone when playing on the stage. It is the publicity, hype and five-star hospitality that annoys him a little. “I am tired. I am bored,” says Kumar, “with the five-star surroundings”.

The writer, translator, actor, director is curt... and honest.

The Blue Mug play is on May 2nd at 5:30pm at the Stafford Civic Center in Houston and the show is almost sold out. A word out from the organizers is to please arrive at the show early to avoid any disappointments. Seating begins at 4:30pm. Refreshments and tea will be served.

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Methodist Sugar Land to Open New Spine Center on May 3 S U G A R LAND: Back and neck pain ranks near the top of the list as a reason for visits to primary care physicians.

To expedite surgical and nonsurgical care for patients with back and neck pain, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is opening its new Spine Center May 3rd.

The center will feature a unique spine care navigation service, designed to help patients receive the complete spine care they need from diagnosis and treatment through rehabilitation services — all in one convenient location.

It’s not uncommon for people suffering with back and neck pain to try many kinds of treatment without real relief, and it can be frustrating to wait many weeks for an appointment with a specialist. At the core of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Spine Center is a nurse practitioner or “navigator” who will help patients get going in the

quickly.”

“Care is coordinated by a nurse navigator assigned to each patient who then assists the patient through the treatment process,” says Dr. Bindal. “The nurse schedules all appointments and continues to meet with the patient to discuss the treatment plan, answer questions and help educate the patient about his or her treatment and condition.”

“The overall management of spine care includes imaging, diagnoses, pain management, physical and occupational therapy, and surgical procedures when necessary,” says Irfan Lalani, M.D., board-certified neurologist and pain specialist on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “At the Spine Center, we will coordinate this care and be able to make the correct referral the first time due, in large part, to evidence-based medicine.”

Jeffrey Jackson, M.D., board-cer-

tified neurologist and chief of the Medical Staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, agrees. “This multidisciplinary approach means patients will receive the most appropriate treatment from the right specialty physician based on scientific research and proven treatment methods. Patients can be assured treatment will be of the highest possible quality and that it is provided as soon and as safely as possible,” Dr. Jackson says.

“Patients will be led through a process of assessment and treatment ranging from physical therapy to aggressive non-surgical management, and if necessary, delicate spine surgery tailored to the patient’s unique condition,” says Jeffrey Wood, M.D., board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas. Through minimally invasive spine surgery, such spine conditions as degenerative disc

right direction.

“We believe patients with back and neck pain should have the benefit of comprehensive care that includes easy access and a simple process from start to finish,” says Rajesh K. Bindal, M.D., board-certified neurosurgeon and medical director of the Spine Center. “Our innovative approach to care helps all patients — walk-ins and those with physician referrals — see the right specialist they need very

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disease, spinal stenosis, nerve compression, recurrent herniated discs and other trauma can be alleviated.

“Our spine care patients also benefit from Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s sophisticated diagnostic equipment and technology,” shares Dr. Wood. “For example, the industry’s most powerful whole body 3 Tesla MRI provides state-of-theart image resolution while reducing exam times.”

The new Spine Center is located on the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital campus with easy access off Town Center Boulevard. Patients with primary care physician referrals, as well as those without referrals, are welcome.

For more information or to schedule an appointment at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Spine Center, call 281-313-BACK (2225).

online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

Indo American News • Friday, April 30 , 2010

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, APRIL 30 , 2010• ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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Indo American News • Friday, April 30 , 2010

online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, APRIL 30 , 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM