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Friday, May 01 2015 | Vol. 34, No. 18

Indo American erican News

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May 01, 2015

HOUSTON: Last Saturday evening about 1500 Sienna residents and their guests from all over Houston were sitting on a massive green hill, sipping Green Mango and Lychee juices, munching on freshly made dosas, chaat, and biryanis while watching a Bollywood musical unfold. “I drove all the way from North because it was a Masala event!” said Parimal and Pratima Desai. Masala Radio & Masala Entertainment presented Bollywood Nite at Sienna Plantation’s Amphitheatre, a gorgeous lakeside venue with rolling hills, quaint gazebo’s and a breeze that brought memories of hill stations in India.

“We want to provide a variety of entertainment programs to our over 6000 resident households in Sienna, and could think of no other company but Masala Radio and Masala Entertainment to create a Bollywood Nite,” said one of Sienna’s Community Events Coordinators, Smita Parikh. “Masala’s Bollywood Fever musical warmed everyone’s heart, while Infused Performing Arts dancers’ energy was incredible!” DJ Zee opened the evening with an expert mix of the latest Bollywood hits. Sunil Thakkar hyped up the audience with Shaan songs sung by local singer Salman, and gave away 10 tickets to the upcoming Memorial Weekend’s Friday Shaan concert by Bollywood Shows 4 U. Next, new to Houston, Payel Mitra charged the momentum with electric songs like “Chittiyaan Kalaiiyaan” and “Chikni Chameli.”

In between Infused’s high voltage Bollywood Dance Blasts, Masala trained actors and dancers presented a musical story of 2 brothers,

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Sienna Plantation Bollywood Nite

Ram and Shaam, sent to study in ‘Amreeka’ by their overbearing Punjabi father PK Varma. Varma hears that the boys are partying more than studying, and recalls them to announce that he has arranged Ram’s marriage to Radha, the pious daughter of his best friend Colonel Sharma. Retired Colonel Sharma – a former “Sher da Puttre” – is thoroughly tired of eating his Gujarati wife’s constant Gujarati cooking! The Varma’s bring their daughter to meet future “Dr. Ram”, only to find a mysterious “Leela” flirt-dancing with Ram. Radha and Leela’s flamingly Bollywood dance-off reveals that Ram is indeed in love with Leela and PK Sharma further concedes that Ram is not going to be a doctor, and that he would offer his second son Shaam – who secretly adores Radha - as the groom, but that Shaam dreams of opening a chain of Punjabi food trucks “Curries in a Hurry…no Worries.” While Mrs. Varma beats her chest fuming claiming deception, the Colonel’s

dream to eat Punjabi food flashes in front of his eyes; he quickly accepts Shaam and insists on investing in his now future son-in-laws Punjabi food truck business. True to Bollywood, both hero’s get their brides, and everyone bursts out into a song-and-dance finale!

The show was then turned over to the debut performance of Four Measures Bollywood rock band with re-vamped rock versions of Bollywood classics like “Chura Liya” and “Pehla Nasha.”

Throughout the evening residents enjoyed the variety of dosas and unlimited chutney and sambhar by DGN Factory, formerly Dosa Factory, Houston’s leading Dosa house. Dosas, Idlis, Vadas, and a 12-item menu were also served by Vishala Restaurant’s new owners. Hyderabad House served spicy curries and biryanis, while Mirch Masala chaated things up with Mumbai street foods like Pav Baji and Papdi Chaat. Kulfi Co debuted their Kulfi Kart of tantalizing Malai,

Mango, Pistachio and stunning Rose Kulfi’s.

The event was commission by Sienna Plantation, providing outstanding quality of life to its current and future residents. Sponsors included Khurram Virani from Tara Energy who gave away Free Tshirts, Mercedes Benz of

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Sugar Land giving away $1000 off Golden Tickets, and Anand & Dr. Ashima Chauhan who sponsored the Four Measures Band. Some of Sienna’s leading developer’s enticed residents with freebies: sunglasses by Perry Homes, and Masala chai and mehendi by Toll Brothers. Deep Food’s Umang Mehta gave away a thousand heavenly juices while New York Life and Met Life gave small balloon animal to kids while answering a variety of insurance concerns.

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A $2 Miilion+ Vote of Confidence in a 20-Year Track Record

BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA

HOUSTON: Everything about the evening seemed to be nestled in superlatives from the get go and for the list of 750 invited guests, this was the Gala they had been waiting for all year long. Pratham’s Gala held up to its promise to not only bask them in the affluent ambiance of its warm and luxurious embrace but let them mingle with the crème de la crème of the Houston community.

This year, Pratham’s Board and the organizing committee pulled out all the stops in reaching out to more segments of the Bayou City’s wealthy elite and then produced a

program that, while light on flashy entertainment, focused on the organization’s achievements and drew on a national celebrity – Nina Davuluri, Miss America 2014 – to emcee the event and even run the bids on the three live auction items.

With just a little prodding and a persuasive smile, yet downplaying her admittedly nascent attempt at auctioneering, Davuluri was able to raise $37,000 in 20 minutes for three items: a 4.5 carat Polki diamond necklace and earring set from Karat 22 Jewelers; a gourmet dinner package to four restaurants – Bombay Brasserie, India’s, Kiran’s and SongKran Thai Kitch-

Indrani Maitra, young speaker

Dr. Marie Goradia, President Pratham Houston

Dinny DeVitre, Chairman Pratham USA, presents a token of appreciation to Dr. Rukmini Banerji, Director Pratham ASER Centre Dr. Madhav Chavan, Founder Pratham, Dr. Rukmini Banerji, Director Pratham ASER Centre, Dr. Suresh Khator, Dr Renu Khator, Honoree, Dinny Devitre, Chairman Pratham USA, Dr. Marie Goradia, President Pratham Houston, Vijay Goradia, Founder of Pratham USA. Photos: Bijay Dixit

Dr. Marie Goradia, President Pratham Houston with Nina Davuluri, Emcee

en; and 40 hours of interior design from Contour Interior Design.

The evening on Saturday, April 25 started with a social hour at the fourth floor reception area of the Hilton Americas, where the arriving guests mingled, had Indian appetizers (by Dawat catering, which also handled the evening’s dinner) and were serenaded by background Indian music by Dr. Rahul Pandit, who is also an accomplished table player and Aaron Hermes, a musical virtuoso who played an amazing santoor on a digital pad.

Inside, the table arrangements paid attention to details, like little folded cards showing kids who Pratham has helped. The entire banquet hall was dazzling and the stage set in electronic colors and precision lighting that is charac-

teristic of Brij Kathuria’s unique touch, yet not as flamboyant as two years ago. Once again this year, Naach Houston performed numbers during transitions in the program, and the end of the event.

Marie Goradia, Pratham Houston’s President welcomed the guests to the organization’s 20th Anniversary and thanked them for their generosity. She outlined the three programs in India that Pratham has become known for - Read India, the Open School for Girls and the Pratham Institute – and illustrated their success with examples of children, teenagers and women who have profited from them. ”The gift of education is your legacy,” she said “It’s a gift of love, a gift of hope.” A fast-paced video showed Pratham’s reach, set to the music of the hit song “Jai Ho”.

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The evening saw the transition of the helm of Pratham from its visionary co-founder and CEO Dr. Madhav Chavan to new CEO Dr. Rukmini Banerji, both of whom traveled from India to attend the Gala. Chavan is moving on to full-time innovator to shape future Pratham programs.

Banerji, the keynote speaker of the event, is the Director of Pratham’s ASER Centre and has won international recognition as an educator, researcher and innovator. “We from India feel Hous-

For photo collage,

see page 14-15

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COMMUNITY

May 01, 2015

BY MANU SHAH

HOUSTON: With the soothing strains of Bhagwan meri naeya us paar laga dena sung by Hemal Bhavsar and Hasmukh Joshi, about 200 people prayed together for the departed souls and families in Nepal devastated by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

The Shradhhanjali sabha was convened at a short notice of just 24 hours.

Organized by Sewa International and supported by the Nepali Association of Houston, Patanjali Yogpeeth, USA, Hindus of Greater Houston, Indo American Charity Foundation, India House and India Culture Center, the event was held at India House on April 27.

Emcees Achalesh Amar and Kavita Tewari invited the heads of several organizations present to speak to the gathering starting with Ramesh Shah of Ekal Vidyalaya. Describing this as a “human tragedy,” he said that Ekal has 1200 schools in Nepal and about 250 villages where these schools are have been hard hit and cannot be contacted.

Two short videos depicted the horrors of the earthquake. According to emcee Kavita, the tragedy is worsened with only a few rescue workers on the ground.

The President of the Nepali Association of Houston, Jyoti Ghimirey, Secretary Vishnu Nepal and Youth Coordinator Swasti also appealed to the gathering to donate funds to help with relief efforts. “India has always treated Nepal like a younger brother,” said the President. The organization has raised about $26,000 and their goal is to reach $200,000. Those who would like to donate can go to their website www.nepaleseassociationofhouston.org As fate would have it, Baba Ramdev of

Prayer Meeting at India House

Nepal Earth quake, Houston meeting speakers

Prayer meeting for Nepal earthquake at India house

Patanjali Yogpeeth was in Nepal to inaugurate an Ayurveda College and hospital and narrowly escaped death. He believed his life had been spared so he can render selfless service and immediately converted the hospital into a shelter for orphans. Along with him, 30,000 Patanjali volunteers are

on the ground in Nepal helping with relief measures. Shekhar Agrawal, who heads Patanjali USA stressed that “the opportunity to serve is a blessing” and appealed to the gathering to help Nepal rebuild itself. Patanjali is also organizing a donation drive and one can go to their website pyptusa.org

if one would like to donate.

USAID Director for Texas, Marty McVey, who is overseeing US assistance to Nepal stated that 2 more aid flights with 130 US personnel have been dispatched to help with rescue operations. He also plans to visit Nepal as soon as it is safe.

Described by the emcee as “a very generous soul,” one of Houston’s leading physicians and a well-known member of the Indo American community, Dr. Virendra Mathur stated that ”we may not have the skills to figure out how and when these natural disasters happen but we can help those who are facing pain and difficulty.”

Past President of HGH, Sharad Amin also observed that “if we work together, we can overcome any calamity” while Kaushik Chatterjee from Sewa International outlined the relief measures carried out by the organization and appealed to the gathering to go to sewausa.org if they would like to help.

Rehabilitation agencies have estimated that rebuilding the earthquake hit areas of Nepal will take $5 billion at a minimum. Sewa International has set a target of raising a minimum of $1 million for this cause. So far, they have collected $100,000 through online and checks with pledges of an additional $200,000.

Yogina Patel from the Gujarati Samaj also expressed their commitment to the cause while Past President of the Indo American Charity Foundation, Ramesh Cherivirala along with Alpa Shah presented a check to Sewa representative Kaushik Chatterjee for their donation drive and promised to work for more funds.

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May 01, 2015

Sant Kabir Bhajan and Pooja at Gauri Siddhivinayak Temple

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HOUSTON: Bhakta Mahila Mandal of Houston held their monthly Sant Kabir bhajan and pooja at Gauri Siddhivinayak Temple last week. Sant Kabir was a mystic poet and saint of India, whose writings have greatly influenced the Bhakti movement The pooja was conducted by Pandit Pradip Pandya and was attended by nearly 100 persons.

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May 01, 2015

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New Jersey Girl, Aratrika Dey Wins ZEE TV SRGMP Little Champs North America

Ali Zafar, Lauren Gottlieb, Jackky Bhagnani, Aditya Narayan & Monali Thakur at ZEE TV North America ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ Lil Champ finale

NEW YORK: Bollywood star Ali Zafar, model and actress Lauren Gottlieb and actor Jackky Bhagnani showed up as celebrity guests at North America Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs finale.

The episode was shot recently at Famous Studio in Mumbai. Hosts Aditya Narayan will be seen giving company to Ali and Monali.

From over 20,000 audition entries, top 14 finalists of SRGMP Lil champs North America were selected and competed on the SRGMP sets specially crafted for them! Artarika Dey from NJ takes home the winner trophy; Niranjanaa Kannan from WA and Preetish Chakroborty from IL becomes the 1st and 2nd runner up of ZEE TV SRGMP Lil Champs North America held in Mumbai, India.

Sameer Targe, General Manager of ZEE TV Americas says, “I am very surprised to see the level of talent that exists amongst the 2nd generation South Asian kids. Ironically all the top 14 finalists are born and raised in America and seldom get to visit India to understand the language. Yet singing fluently and soulfully without understanding the lyrics is commendable. For me the real winners are the parents who despite living so far away from India have encouraged their children to explore Indian music and cuture.

ZEE Americas A pioneer in South Asian entertainment, ZEE TV has become synonymous with unparalleled quality in broadcasting for more than 20

years. As a global brand, ZEE is committed to delivering top-notch international content.

ZEE in the Americas has established itself as a mainstay in American households, reaching more than 2 million viewers. As a market leader in the South Asian entertainment space since its entry into America in 1998, ZEE is continuously evolving its content to meet the changing needs of the market across genres and languages. As the exclusive distributor of the ZEE channels in the Americas, Asia TV USA Ltd. caters to a wide audience with a growing number of channels, including ZEE TV, ZEE Cinema, ZEE Khana Khazana, Zing, ZEE Business, ZEE Smile, TEN Cricket, ZEE Aflam, ZEE Alwan, ZEE Russia, ZEE Marathi, ZEE Kannada, ZEE Telugu, ZEE Tamizh, Alpha ETC Punjabi, ZEE Bangla, ZEE Salaam, ZEE 24 Taas, ZEE 24 Ghanta and ZEE 24 Ghantalu.

In August 2012, ZEE TV became the first South Asian channel to launch in High Definition in the US! About ZEE TV SRGMP Lil Champs North America ZEE TV America has opened the doors for millions of talented children in North America to become the next singing superstars. After successfully launching Dance India Dance North America and completing three seasons – Dance India Dance North America (for Adults), Dance India Dance North America Little Master (Kids) and

DID Super Moms North America (for Moms). ZEE TV Americas, received more than 20,000 entries per season, garnered highest viewership, reach, and impressions leaving competition behind and has successfully built and created a platform for millions of talented first and second generation South Asians across North America.

More than 20,000 audition entries were received and more than 125,000 video views per week during the voting phase where in North American audience got a chance to vote for their favorite contestant and select the top 14 (www.zeedilse.com).

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The Jaffrey Brothers Find the Next Dancing Superstars in the Houston Auditions for Naach Meri Jaan Season 1

HOUSTON: Pioneers of reality dance competition Boogie Woogie, Javed & Naved Jaffri present “NAACH MERI JAAN”, a global dance reality show akin to the hit shows that have recently enthralled audiences in India. Naved Jaffri & Pria Haider Productions, A & K Events & IBDF have brought this show to the US and judges Naved Jafri, Omi Vaidya and Vatsal Sheth came to the Houston auditions on Saturday, April 25, to judge contestants from Houston. Never before has there been a dance reality show with Bollywood judges strictly for US contestants only.

The Houston auditions were or-

ganized by Ruchika Dias, Founder & CEO of Bollywood Shake in association with Youth Association of Houston at the Cullen Performance Hall. In addition to running a very successful Bollywood dance school and hosting her own radio show (Bollywood Shake Radio which airs on 106.1FM weekdays Monday-Friday 4-7pm), Ruchika has always given a platform to locals to showcase their talent from Miss Bollywood pageant with Preity Zinta to Mrs. Bollywood pageant with Raveena Tandon to Mandira Bedi fashion show! And this event was no different!

Last weekend’s Houston audi-

tions brought some great dancing talent from all over Texas in 5 categories – Adult Solo, Adult Group, Couples, Kids Solo and Kids Group! 40 different performances and over 100 participants showcased their talent at Cullen Performance Hall and impressed the judges and audience. The show was organized very well lead by Saritha Yempati of YAH, with back to back performances followed by the judges’ comments on each performance. The judges gave constructive feedback and honest advice to all participants and the feedback was a treat to watch especially from Naved Jaf-

fri who has judged so many dance reality shows!

The show is holding auditions in 10 cities across US and CANADA including Houston, the only city in Texas. The content gathered from these cities will be compiled and a 10 episode season of “NAACH MERI JAAN” will be aired on Life OK channel. The winners will get to tell their stories about their passion for dance and their journey which has lead them to this special moment of being selected as a semi finalist to compete in the Grand Finale.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MAY 01, 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

The winners of the show will get the once in a lifetime opportunity to dance in an upcoming Bollywood film. They will also get an amazing photo shoot done by one of Bollywood’s top photographers who will come down to the US and help to create a portfolio for the individuals. Both these prizes are things that are unattainable for most people from the US who may be looking to get into Bollywood. Overnight an individual will be going from the boy or girl next door to a household name across the world!

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May 01, 2015

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IACCGH Concludes Trade Delegation to India Led by Mayor Annise Parker

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At the reception at the Taj Hotel in Delhi, IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia (left) and President Ashok Garg and past-President Sanjay Ram (right) flank US Ambassador Richard Rahul Verma.

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At the Cricket Club of India in Bombay, an event hosted by the Indo American Chmaber of Commerce India; Sanjay Ram makes a point as Houston Mayor Annise Parker and IACCGH President Ashok Garg (second from right) listen.

HOUSTON: The Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston concluded a week-long investment and trade delegation to India with meetings and seminars held in New Delhi and Mumbai. The mission was led by the Greater Houston Partnership and by Houston Mayor Annise Parker as well as Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz and IACCGH President Ashok Garg, PastPresident Sanjay Ram and Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia.

Other delegates included representatives of the Texas Medical Center, Isani Consultants, KBR, Universal Weather and Aviation, Gunda Corp, Asset Management Consultants, Strategic Infrastructure, Emediscript/Vishal Consultancy, Telco Intercontinental, Geotest Engineering and Ascendon Group.

The delegation hosted a “Doing Business with Houston” seminar for Indian businesses and investors and also met with high-level government officials and corporate decision makers.

On the second day of the mission, the delegation met with the Asia Society where Mayor An-

nise Parker made a presentation on sustainable urban development and Houston’s green initiatives. She also gave a speech before the World Trade Center, a briefing by the U.S. consul general in Mumbai, networked with IACC Mumbai and visited the Mumbai mayor’s home, extending a formal invitation to him to visit Houston and asked about a sister city relationship with Mumbai.

The GHP Chief Economic Development Officer Bob Pertierra and the IACCGH President Ashok Garg signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce India National President Asoke Laha in New Delhi acknowledging a mutual interest in the areas of imports and exports, investment climate, business information and other commercially oriented activities.

The three parties have agreed to exchange trade, market and economic information; promote trade and industrial missions; organize meetings and seminars and organize visits of investment experts, with the IACCI agreeing to send a trade delegation to Houston in June.

“We will continue to reap the benefits of the hard work well into the future as the relationships initiated this week develop further,” said Mayor

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“The timing of a Houston business delegation traveling to India aligns well with that country’s efforts to open trade and investment opportunities with the U.S. and to establish greater economic ties between the two nations,” said Bob Pertierra.

IACCGH President Garg added, “Recent estimates indicate that the Indian GDP will grow at a rate of eight to nine percent in the coming years. This makes it an ideal place for businesses to grow, especially those that already have operations in India.”

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16 May 01, 2015 The Jaffrey Brothers Find the Next Dancing Superstars in the Houston Auditions for Naach Meri Jaan Season 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE

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All the participants did a wonderful job and are winners, but here are the official results.

Kids Solo - Milinda Nutalapatti Kids Group - Twisting Tornadoes Couples - Devi Arunachalam & Pulkit Vats Adult Solo - Preeyanka Hussain Adult Group - UTD Sharara Bollywood Shake and YAH was honored to host the Houston auditions for Naach Meri Jaan Season 1 and wish the winners all the best for the Grand Finale! Houston looks forward to Naach Meri Jaan Season 2 now!

Naach Meri Jaan Houston Audition Judges were Naved Jaffri – Naved Jaffri, along with his brother Javed Jaffri, was one of the creators, directors, hosts and producer of one of the most established Bollywood dance competition reality TV show, Boogie Woogie. In 7 seasons, Boogie Woogie created its own history Omi Vaidya - Omi Vaidya is an American actor who is best known for his performance as Chatur Ra-

malingam or “The Silencer” in the 2009 Bollywood film, 3 Idiots.

He has also appeared in a number of television shows and commercials. Audiences may remember Omi from his roles in Arrested Development, The Office, Rolling, Bones, CSI, 3 Idiots, Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji, Desi Boyz, Players, Jodi Breakers and Rules of Engagement.

Vatsal Sheth - Vatsal Sheth is an Indian film, television actor, model and a young entrepreneur.

He started his acting career with Just Mohabbat ,a Hindi-drama serial loosely based on The Wonder Years, which aired on Sony TV channel. He made his debut in Taarzan: The Wonder Car opposite Ayesha Takia who also made her debut in the same film. He has also starred in movies like Paying Guests, Heroes, Hostel, a Disney Film The Cheetah Girls: One World and recent Jai Ho in which he did a cameo. Most recently he has been seen in the TV serial Ek Hasina Thi.

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ton is special and have roots here,” Banerji said, adding “Houston is Pratham’s heart!” With a PhD from the University of Chicago and 12 years in the US, Banerji explained how Pratham offered her an opportunity to be a part of the exciting journey of transformation of India.

Richa Maheshwari, a young graduate of Columbia University School of International Studies spoke of her two year experience with Pratham in India where travel to villages opened her mind to work with the challenges. “It’s an organization bursting with energy to educate kids,” she said.

Another of the Gala’s new touches was the personal endearing, thoughtful and well delivered endorsements of two young kids – Sachin Chanchani who equated the $25 cost of two pairs of Nike gym socks with a year’s education for a kid in India and raised $10.232 for Pratham and 11-year-old Indrani Maitra who read 100 books with

her friends to raise $5,000 for the charity.

The Gala Honoree this year was Dr. Renu Khator, the energetic and determined President and Chancellor of the University of Houston system, who was introduced

by UH Regent, Beth Madison, who lavished praise on Khator’s 7 years at the helm and turning it into a Tier One University.

Khator thanked Madison and other two co-chairs Harriet Latimer and Lillie Robertson whom she had recruited to help fundraise for the Gala which, by the end of the evening, announced that it had received a record $2,050,000 in donations. Khator noted the impressive philanthropy of Robertson’s grandfather, the late prominent oilman Hugh Roy Cullen, who gave away 93% of his wealth to UH and the Texas Medical Center.

Khator spoke about dream that UH had of achieving excellence as a Tier 1 University and that it is the second most diverse research center in the country. “Diversity and excellence is not mutually exclu-

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sive,” she said. “Pratham is similar too, in that it dreams to give kids a chance to grow,” and applauded its passion.

She spoke of her own struggle to come to the US as a teenager, get admission to a university though she spoke halting English and topped the two courses she took in her first semester, thanks to the mentoring of her husband Suresh.

She told a story of a girl throwing back a fish into the sea from the thousands that were dying on the beach “because it made all the world of difference to it,” equating it to helping one child at a time, as Pratham does.

The event ended with dancing, with the beat first set off by a vigorous number by Naach Houston and then followed on by others on the dance floor as a DJ blasted out Indian pop music.

For photo collage,

see page 14-15

COMMUNITY

May 01, 2015

17

A Step Towards a Healthier Community: BAPS Charities Hosts Health FAIR

STAFFORD: On a rainy Saturday of April 25 the spirit of service shined during the 15th annual BAPS Charities Health Fair in Stafford, Texas.

BAPS Charities believes that early detection is the key to leading a long, health life.

This year, in an effort to raise awareness and screen for potentially life changing conditions, BAPS Charities will host over 40 health fairs in cities across North America. The health fairs bring together community members and healthcare professionals to provide individualized care and raise awareness on prevailing health and wellness issues.

During the opening of the health fair, Texas Medical Association (TMA), Dr. Austin King, MD applauded the efforts of BAPS Charities health fair, “ I thinks it’s so important what BAPS is doing, as far its’ health fair goes, 15 years that’s remarkable.”

In addition to the Dr. King, president of Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) - Dr. Bradford Pratt, MD, Sheriff Adrian Garcia and CEO of Medistar, Monzur Hourani inspired the doctors and attendees of the health fair.

The health fair saw volunteer participation from medical professionals, including pharmacists, dentists, nurses, physicians, and specialists in the fields of cardiology, ophthalmology, pediatrics, gynecology, and psychiatry. These professionals provided individual consultations to the over 800 patients who attended and benefited from this event. Physicians and healthcare professionals alike reviewed participant’s blood panels and previous medical history to provide personalized guidance. Additionally, seminars were provided by industry professionals during the fair on heart health, diabetes, breast cancer, Yoga and exercise and health eating habits.

The president of HCMS, Dr. Bradford Pratt, MD commented, “I was just first impressed when I walked in, the whole organization of the fair and the feeling of connection with the volunteers and physician dedication.”

This year’s health fair in Stafford, provided medical services to a diverse age group. From young children to the elderly, health care professionals provided customized seminars and consultations to address the needs of all participants.

By the end of the health fair, over 2900 hundred tests were performed by volunteer efforts of over 200 healthcare professionals.

Dr. Jay Chavda volunteered time to provide Ear, Nose and Throat services at the health fair. Dr. Chavda also an organizer commented, “This is one time of the year that gives us as physician an opportunity to give back and do what I enjoy the most – provide care for others to help those lead healthier lives! This is a great event for both doctors and participants.” He added that support of physicians and sponsors like Medistar, Walgreens,

All attendes were registered through a physician consultation to ensure proper tests were performed

Attendees were able to take advantage of seminars on healthy living

ENT specialist Dr. Chavda examines one of 800 attendees at the BAPS Charities annual health fair

Alcon,Amgen, Blood Check, BBVA, MD Anderson, Memorial Hermann, New York Life, Cigna Health Spring, and many others play a large role in success of this event.

BAPS Charities hosts a variety of health initiatives throughout the year, including awareness lectures and seminars on a variety of health-related issues. Extending that sentiment throughout the year, BAPS Charities hosts medical fairs, walkathons, education and career development seminars, disaster relief operations, blood drives and much more. BAPS Charities sincerely serves the community, by improving the quality of life of individuals and families.

About BAPS Charities BAPS Charities is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit international charity organization committed to sincerely serving the world by caring for individuals, families, and communities. It is affiliated with BAPS as an indepen-

dent charity and social services arm.

The 55,000 BAPS volunteers networked in over 3,300 centers around the world provide over 12 million volunteer-hours of service annually.

Among social service charities, BAPS Charities is a well-respected and trusted name. It has amassed over 50 years of firsthand experience in initiating, managing, and sustaining 160 humanitarian operations throughout the world in such diverse fields as: medical services, environmental services, community services, tribal services, and disaster relief services.

For additional information on BAPS Charities and its international and local philanthropic activities, please visit www.bapscharities.org CONTACT: BAPS North American HeadquartersPhone: 732-7771414 Email: media@na.baps.org SOURCE: BAPS

“IT HAPPENS ONLY IN INDIA”

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18 May 01, 2015 How Safe Are High Rises in India?

EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY How to Meet an Earthquake

BY GOPALAKRISHNA GANDHI

With its textile mills and workers’ quarters, until two decades ago, the 2.4 sq km sprawl of Girangaon typified the lowrise skyline of Mumbai. Today, this pocket, which accounts for 0.05 per cent of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), houses 10 per cent of its residential highrises — including several pencillike structures over 50 storeys tall — flanking narrow, congested lanes.

The earthquake devastation in Nepal has spurred renewed concern over the islands of highrises in the MMR and National Capital Region (NCR). Data for the last eight years, available with the real estate research agency Liases Foras, shows that 1,700-plus residential buildings of 20 storeys or higher have mushroomed in each of these regions.

The NCR is in Seismic Zone 4, where an earthquake of “severe intensity” may strike. MMR is in Zone 3, prone to shocks of “moderate intensity”. While urban local bodies must ensure compliance with the Bureau of Indian Standards’quake-resistant designs, the guidelines come with the disclaimer that they are not foolproof against structural damage from moderate to heavy shocks.

“There is no case in the world where a 50-storey tower has survived an earthquake despite adhering to all norms,” former IIT-B geologist V Subramanyan said. He cited a study by University of Pennsylvania mathematician Chris Rorres which showed that skyscrapers impacted by an earthquake do not sway and return to their original positions.

“They remain permanently tilted. There is a certain widthheight ratio which, if exceeded, renders a structure unstable after it is hit by an earthquake of over 6 magnitude. Tilted buildings cannot be occupied, and are as good as collapsed structures,” he added.

Subramanyan said that several modest-sized seven storey structures remain tilted in Bhuj, 20 km from the epicentre of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake of 7.7 magnitude.

However, Manoj Daisaria, former president of the Practising Engineers, Architects & Town Planners’ Association, said quake-resistance measures were followed in highrise construction, and while “glass panels might shatter or the building might develop some cracks, the structure itself won’t give way”.

While the NCR has only six structures towering over 50 storeys, the MMR has 67, mainly in the erstwhile mill land belt.

Subramanyan said that while Mumbai is prone to shocks of 6.26.5 magnitude, just 60 km south lies Alibaug, which is in Zone 4, and can be hit by 7-plus shocks. “In slim highrises, top floors can break away during such a quake. It is prudent to restrict the height of buildings to 70 m, or 22 floors,” he said. Indian Express.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reflexes in rushing aid to quake-struck Nepal have been perfect. He knows about earthquakes from the time of the Bhuj tragedy, on January 26, 2001. He was not chief minister of Gujarat then, but he was on his way to assuming that office when Bhuj shook not just Gujarat but all of India out of seismological complacency.

And so our prime minister knows what an earthquake is and does. Also, how help comes pouring in from all over the country and beyond as well.

Especially from neighbors.

We like to think of Sri Lanka as our “small neighbour”. But when Bhuj jolted us out of our smugness on Republic Day in 2001, then President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar did what any neighbor, small or big, would have done — they lost no time in offering and indeed, giving us help.

For a nation that was battling, 24X7, a most brutal form of terrorism, had no foreign exchange reserves worth the name and was, in fact, in need of every kind of help from other nations, Sri Lanka’s response was noteworthy. Colombo rustled up a money contribution and a sizeable quantity of blankets and clothing for distribution to the quake-affected. “No used clothes”, Kumaratunga made clear.

“Only factory-fresh items”.

A couple of days later, I called on Arthur C. Clarke at his Colombo villa-cum-futurist office. I had been intending to do so ever since I arrived in that city to work at India’s high commission but it took that quake of quakes to jolt me into seeking that call.

The visionary received me in his book-lined study. He was in a wheel chair, an old spinal injury impeded his motor movement. I asked Clarke if, in his view, earthquake prediction would ever be possible. His eyes lit up, he said, “strange that you should ask that”. He wheeled himself to a bookshelf full of his own works and pulled out a squat novel, Richter 10, co-authored by him, as if in answer to my question.

Clarke’s introduction to Richter

10 begins thus: “Many years ago I was standing in a Delhi hotel when I became aware of a faint vibration underfoot. ‘I had no idea’ I said to my hosts, ‘that Delhi has a subway system’. ‘It doesn’t’, they answered.

That was my one and only experience of earthquakes.”

Clarke’s only novel about earthquakes begins, therefore, with his only real-life experience of an earthquake — in Delhi. When it comes to earthquakes, the planet is one.

The protagonist of the novel, Lewis Crane, crippled and orphaned in the “great” Californian earthquake of 1974, grows up to be a physicist and a Nobel laureate with a passion for devising a method for quake prediction. Clarke now returned to my question and said, while earthquake prediction may take some more time, what should be done is inaugurate a new architecture in quake-prone areas that would not result in such devastation.

Will we take heed of his words?

Earthquake anticipation remains more an ideal than an actuality.

A couple of years after Bhuj and my meeting with Clarke, I was posted in Iceland, home to the world’s greatest geothermal reserves and volcanoes, in what looks like a lunar landscape.

“The earth is like the human brain”, an Icelandic scientist explained to me. “Prior to a stroke, mini-strokes are known to occur. They generally go unnoticed for they are very, very minor. We try to find out through sensors how many mini-quakes have occurred and within what frequency and where and then, from the data pattern of mini-quake densities and intensities, we are able to conclude if a quake is on its way, like a major stroke”.

India and Iceland have since collaborated on earthquake anticipation. Sensors have been put into the ground at some sites, including our Northeast. We need to know if these installations forewarned us about the Nepal quake.

We have lost time. We can lose no more. We must attempt the following: First, an urgent seismic re-zonation of the Saarc region needs to be carried out. Himalayan members — Paki-

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HOUSTON: MALAY VYAS CHICAGO: NAND KAPOOR INDIA: RAJ KANWAR, ASEEM KULKARNI ®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 4 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.

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stan, India, Bhutan, Nepal — need to either confirm or update the existing zonations, reminding us of the areas of very high risk, high risk, low risk and little risk. This should be public knowledge. Why should the public not know what the seismic values of their lands are, what the MSK (Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik) seismic intensities are, and how they affect the sites they live in?

Second,aSaarcseismologicalagency needs to be set up. This should be independent of the member countries’ meteorological departments and keep all member-states informed of seismicities as regularly as the met office informs us about the weather. And, even more pertinently, it should keep the various administrative stakeholders informed, alerted and advised.

Third, an earthquake plan for the Himalayas needs to be drawn up.

Details need to be worked out on how rescue and relief operations can be conducted by air, land and water, in rough weather conditions and elusive terrains.

Fourth, built structures in the Himalayas need to be identified as very high risk, high risk and low risk so that their residents can be forewarned and also made responsible for protecting themselves and those in the vicinity by securing the concerned buildings against seismic risk.

Fifth, the sites for all large dams and nuclear installations in the region need to be reevaluated from a seismic point of view. How many of them are in high earthquake risk areas? What if an earthquake of the intensity that shook Nepal shakes them, what will the fallout be?

A “seismic stroke” cannot be prevented but by conjoint planning and action in good time, its blow can be softened. Before time lulls us into complacency again, we must follow up the splendidly reflexive first-aid response to Nepal’s trauma by inaugurating an abiding Saarc earthquake management regime. The very fragility of the Himalayas can give the Saarc a defining stability. IE The writer, a former high commissioner to Sri Lanka and ambassador to Iceland, is now Distinguished Professor in History and Politics, Ashoka University.

May 01, 2015

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MAY 01 , 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

19

20 May 01, 2015

COMMUNITY

Sri Meenakshi Pattabhishekam

Highlights the Early Part of Chittirai Mahotsavam at MTS

BY VADUGANATHAN AND CHITOOR RAMACHANDRAN

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PEARLAND: It was a divine sight to witness on Saturday April 25 as one of the traditions of Madurai Meenakshi temple of hundreds of years was followed right in Houston’s own Sri Meenakshi Temple Society (MTS).

As a prelude, on the previous day (Friday) MTS devotees enthralled in the nostalgic Chithirai Thiruvizha watched the annual dhwaja-arohanam (flag hoisting) on Friday, April 24 that signifies the start of the festivities at MTS. On Saturday a decorated podium had been set inside the main temple at the center where the utsavamoorthys of Somaskandha (a name derived from Sa - Uma-Skandha to indicate the gruhasta ashrama (married life) of Lord Shiva with his consort Parvathi, and their sons Ganesha and Karthikeya). Sri Meenakshi has a special place as the female energy (Shakthi) during the utsavam in addition to being part of Somaskandha.

In order to preserve the sanctity of a temple as a place of worship, certain rituals are performed as a tradition everyday (during the 10 days) outside in a tent in accordance with the basic guidelines established by the Hindu Shastras.

After morning showers in Pearland, Sun was shining over the newly painted Kalyana Mantapam and Youth center and the temple was ready for the Pattabhishekam of Sri Meenakshi. Under the guidance of Sri Manicka Bhattar and Acharya Kalyana Sundara Gurukkal, the procession began at Ganesh temple and arrived at the Main temple. Chairman Vaduganathan narrated the story of the coronation of Meenakshi and the Meenakshi kalyanam.

Goddess Meenakshi (incarnation of Parvathi) is believed to have descended on earth as the only child of the Pandya Raja Malayadhwaja and Queen Kanchanamala, as a boon to the Raja’s penance. Meenakshi grew up as a princess of Madhurapuri conquering in all four directions.

Volumes of poems and stories have been written for centuries in praise of the divine beauty, valor, benevo-

Exquisite Sri Meenakshi in Poo Pallakku (flower Palanquin) following the Pattabhishekam at Chitirai Mahotsavam

MTS chairman Dr Vaduganathan family with devotees commenced the Pattabhishekam ceremony with the Invocatory prayer at the Ganesh temple.

Photos : Srini Sundararajan

lence, and spiritual powers of Sri Meenakshi.

The coronation of Meenakshi was done in a festive setting and the symbolic scepter was handed over to the Chairman as was the tradition in the Meenakshi temple. The Chairman in turn carried it around the main temple to display it to the citizens that Meenakshi is now crowned. The Goddess Meenakshi was carried in the beautiful Palanquin, the Poopallakku. With the dusk settling in the scene was surreal with the backdrop of the Rajagopuram as the procession progressed.

The Grand Mahotsavam requires efforts by many including MTS priests and staff, with coordination

by Narayanan and the RAC team;

Poo Pallakku was coordinated by S. Balakrishnan and several volunteers worked many hours to make the beautiful Palanquin. Daily cultural events (coordinated by Mala Gopal) with classical music and dance performance, which started with the presentation by Vedic Heritage Students.

Above all Goddess Sri Meenakshi’s blessing makes it possible for the devotees to enjoy the start of the ten days of Chittirai Mahotsavam celebrations that will conclude with the divine wedding (Thirukalyanam) of Sri Meenakshi with Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva) with a grand lunch feast on May 3. For more information please visit www.eMeenakshi.org.

New Executive Committee of India House Elected During the April 18, Elections

Below are the Names:

13100 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478

www.testmasters.com

281-564-7700

President : Dr. Manish Rungta Vice President, Operations: Nagraj Eleswarapu Vice President, Finance: Jiten Agarwal

Treasurer: Mohit Agrawal Secretary: Annie Aggarwal Joint Treasurer: Ravi Goel

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MAY 01 , 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

Joint Secretary: Vikie Agrawal Chair Council (Ex-Officio): Sam Merchant Past President: Jugal Malani

May 01, 2015

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21

22 May 01, 2015

COMMUNITY

HCC to Assist in Developing Framework for Training Workforce of India

HOUSTON: Houston Community College (HCC) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities to assist the nation of India in meeting its government mandate to train 150+ million people by 2020.

“India is a classic example of what is happening not only in Houston and across the country, but in many nations,” said Dr. Cesar Maldonado, chancellor at HCC. “Well trained, quality workers in the middle skills areas such as construction, manufacturing, energy, and health care are in short supply. HCC is well suited to provide the education to fill those gaps.”

HCC Trustee Neeta Sane served as the facilitator in linking HCC, the government agency National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) in India, and Cambridge Education Development to create a program that will train workers in her country of origin. HCC hosted the initial meeting this week to develop a framework for HCC to begin negotiations with India in exploring the opportunity to provide workforce training and educational opportunities including train the trainer, distance education, and curriculum development.

NSDC has developed the model for the skills initiative. They have identified over three dozen industry clusters in which skills development is needed. Many of those clusters are aligned with the new Centers of Excellence concept that is being deployed within the Houston Community College System.

“HCC is being considered for this partnership because we are known as the leader of workforce education. Our model was developed using standards that are mandated by international industries,” said Dr. Madeline Burillo, HCC associate vice chancellor of Workforce Instruction and Division of Extended Learning.

“We already have industry- approved workforce education that can translate easily to their Academies of Excellence model.”

Over the next ten years, Houston Community College would help educate some of the 50,000 trainers needed to educate future workers in India. Providing instruction to so many people is not possible through the traditional brick and mortar model, so online learning will be a major component of the learning. Once trained, employees of various government vocational colleges across India will go to even the most remote locations to train students.

HCC will provide expertise in leadership education programs in several of the areas defined by the government. The college will assist with curriculum development, teaching and learning resources development, occupational standards, testing and certification; labor marker information systems, etc. Articulated arrangements or joint programming will be developed, either on-site or through an e-learning platform.

“The goal of the program is for the trainers to be able to provide a robust education for millions of potential workers who can then contribute to a meaningful workforce that will bolster the economy of India and form partnerships to bring future opportunities to HCC and the Houston community.” said Dr. Maldonado.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MAY 01 , 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

COMMUNITY

May 01, 2015

23

At Hurried News Conference, Area’s Nepalis Appeal for Aid

BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA

HOUSTON: Shockwaves of panic and confusion due to the earthquake in Nepal 8,500 miles away reverberated throughout the Nepali community in the Bayou City as its members tried to make sense of the unfolding events and tried to reach loved ones by phone, email or social media.

In desperation, and as usually happens in unexpected disasters and tragedies like this, many formed an informal phone/email chain to disseminate information and formulate a response to aid people in their Motherland.

And, as usual, they turned to local leaders and other communities for help. The local Indian community arranged for a get-together at India House, organized by the India House Board, the India Cultural Center, Sewa International’s Houston Chapter and the Nepalese Association of Houston (see page 6).

Meanwhile, the NAH arranged for a community meeting, news conference and candlelight vigil with their representative, US Congressman Al Green (D-9th Dist.) at 6776 Southwest Freeway where three Nepali businesses owned by the prominent Amatya family have their offices. The meeting was held was held in the atrium of the building with about 50 community members who rushed for the 3pm meeting on Monday, April 27.

Green showed up with three of his aides and shortly after arrived Marty McVey, who was invited by Green. McVey is a prominent businessman who announced in January that he is a candidate for Houston Mayor in the upcoming elections this Fall. He was also appointed to the six-member US Agency for International Development by President Obama in 2011 and told the gathering that he has spent a lot of time in Nepal in the past few years discussing development issues, including disaster awareness programs.

Congressman Green immediately took control of the meeting, laying out a framework for conducting it. He called for a moment of silence for prayer and admonished people who were videotaping the meeting to make sure everyone got a copy of it or not to record at all. He then related the events that he was aware of: 4 dead Americans on Mount Everest; 80 evacuated to the US Embassy and American Club; that Katmandu Airport was closed to commercial flights and that the $1 million in aid that the US Embassy had released had now been increased to $10 million. He also said that heavy plastic for building shelters had been given away to about 35,000 people.

“This tragedy allows the US to show the softer side of our military,” continued Green, as he described how two rescue teams had left for Nepal, one from Fairfax County, Virginia and the other from Los Angeles. McVey chipped in that two other planes had left from Washington, DC. Green said it was very difficult to transport goods in situations like this, that it was best to send money and later committed to donate $1,000 to the $22,000 that the NAH has already collected. McVey matched that pledge with his own for $1,000.

Green also revealed that he would file a bill the next day in Congress to allow Nepali citizens already in the US on a legal visa on April 25, 2015 to remain here for an additional 18 months and be allowed to work so that they would not have to return to an unsafe place. Such provisions have previously been made in 1998, 2001 and 2010 during other natural disasters. Green emphasized sending money over volunteerism, and even gave out his personal cell number for those wanting his help.

US Congressman Al Green at the Nepali community meeting on Monday, April 26 with (from left) Madhukar Amatya, past President of the Nepalese Association of Houston; Marty McVey, candidate for Mayor of Houston and a Director of USAID; Dr. Anjali Jain and her brother Dinker Amatya, both founding members of the NAH.

The current president of NAH, Jyoti Ghimirey explained that the his organization is a non-profit that is collecting donations to send to Nepal, and asked Green for his help in raising more donations. Green said he would speak with the Turkish, Chinese and Vietnamese communities with which he was meeting later, to contribute. Vishnu Nepal, Secretary of NAH, asked the Congressman for help in locating displaced or missing people in Nepal.

To donate to the earthquake relief, contact: Nepalese Association of Houston, 6776 Southwest Freeway, Suite 450, Houston, TX 77074; 713-773-4348; www.nepaleseassociationofhouston.org SEWA International (Houston Chapter), P.O. Box 820867 Houston, TX 77282-0867; 708872-7392; info@sewausa.org

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24 May 01, 2015

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PUZZLES/RECIPES

Mama’s Punjabi Recipes

Missi Roti (SPICY MIXED FLOUR FLATBREAD)

No, the name of this bread does not mean that you are “missing” the roti! It actually means a roti made of mixed flours and added spices and herbs like methi (fenugreek), dhania (coriander seeds) and even anaar danna (crushed pomegranate seeds). It’s a special flatbread that is served in many Indian restaurants with daal makhani and jeera aloo.

A Rajasthani variety of missi roti is made with crushed green chilies, black salt and ginger. Another type is made with wheat flour, moong dal, chili powder, garam masala, ground cumin, coriander powder, ground turmeric, salt, oil.

But the traditional Punjabi style missi roti only uses a mixture of atta (wheat flour) and besan (gram or chickpea flour) with some spices to form an unleavened bread on a tava (flat skillet).

The other necessary ingredient is oil so that the two sides of the roti can become crispy and flaky.

Besan is another very popular staple flour in India, made of dried chickpeas. It is used in a variety of dishes, most commonly to make the popular pakodas (fried fritters).

Besan is high in carbohydrates, is gluten-free and has a higher proportion of protein that other flours.

Mixed with water, it can be used as a facial exfoliant or scrub or to replace eggs in vegan cooking.

In the heat of the Punjab, this is the bread that can easily be eaten with a dollop of homemade butter or just plain yogurt or with a cool glass of lassi (buttermilk) sitting under the shade of a tree on a charpai (jute string cot).

Ingredients: 2 cups atta (unbleached wheat flour). Makes 10 rotis 1 cup besan (gram flour) 1 tbsp tael (vegetable oil) – olive oil if you prefer 2 cups pani (water) 1 small piyaaz (onion) – peeled and cubed Spices: namak (salt), mirch (red pepper), dhania (coriander), amchoor (dried green mango powder) and anaar danna (pomegranate seed powder) Tael (oil – use olive oil) for cooking

Directions: 1. Pour the atta and besan in a bowl and mix well, blending in the spices. For best taste, freshly crush the coriander seeds in a mortar with a pestle or in a mixer and add to the flour mixture.

2. Slowly pour the water in while kneading the dough, adding the oil to make it softer, till it becomes a nice, tender but firm ball. Dab the surface of the ball with a little water to keep it moist, cover the bowl and set aside. If the dough is too hard, the roti will also be hard. Do not use any baking soda.

3. Cover the bowl and set the dough aside to become softer.

4. After an hour uncover the bowl and pinch off a portion of the dough and make into a 2 inch round ball.

5. Pour a little dry flour on the counter and roll the ball in it to coat it. Now use a velna (rolling pin) to roll the ball into a nice round, flat pancake, about 1/8 inch thick.

6. Place the tava on the stove and heat on medium and coat with a small dab of oil. Now carefully place the flattened dough on the tava. Once the dough starts to show some bubbles, then turn it over and coat with a little oil. Let the other side also cook till bubbles appear. Now flip the dough

again and when you see small brown spots, gently press the top with a flat spatula.

7. Take the roti off the tava and keep on the side. Both sides should be a little crispy. If it is overcooked it will show large dark spots. Cover with a clean soft cloth to keep warm; do not place in a plate right away as the roti will shed some water vapor.

8. Now repeat the process till the rest of the rotis are made and the dough is finished. people prefer to eat it cold, so refrigerate for an hour or two before serving.

Shakuntla Malhotra is a skilled cook of Punjabi dishes made in the old-fashioned style that she learnt as a young woman in her ancestral home in Lyallpur, India before it became part of Pakistan after the Partition in 1947. People have often admired her cooking for its simplicity and taste that comes with each mouthful. Even in her mid-eighties, she continues to cook daily and agreed to share some of her delectable Punjabi recipes.

MAMA’S TIP OF THE WEEK FOR SOFTER PAKODAS AND FRIED FOODS, DON’T COOK ON LOW HEAT

One of the favorite simple snacks for many people is besan de pakode or fried fritters. These are supposed to be soft but firm, not oily or fluffy (which indicates the use of baking soda in the dough). Most people don’t make them at home anymore, preferring to buy them instead. Some restaurants make really crunchy pakode which are dry and hard to digest. This is usually because they are cooked for too long over low heat. For proper texture, cook over mediumhigh heat for a short time till the pakode are lightly brown.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MAY 01 , 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT Movie Review: Ek Paheli Leela

BY ANUPAMA CHOPRA Ek Paheli Leela is a two-and-a-half hour show reel for the profoundly limited talents of Sunny Leone. There are a few things she does well, but acting is not one of them. And yet here she gets to do two roles — Meera, a Punjabi supermodel from Milan who was orphaned in a plane crash and is therefore mortally afraid of flying; and Leela, a Rajasthani village belle from 300 years ago.

This time lapse doesn’t alter the wardrobe much. Even back then, she was in backless, breathlessly tight bodices that insist on the gravitydefying cleavage getting centrestage.

Only, three centuries ago, she was using much more bronzer.

The other thing that doesn’t change is the panting response she generates. In both time periods, men of all shapes and sizes lust for her. When Meera goes to a party after a blockbuster fashion show, she looks around the room and declares: “Aisi parties mein aankhon se rape karnewale perverts hi milte hain.” But just before this, she strokes her thigh and tells a girlfriend: “Glamour industry mein success ka short cut — short skirt.”

Since Meera refuses to get on a plane, her friend gets her drunk and flies her down to Jodhpur for a photoshoot. She tells Meera they aren’t going to the airport. They are going

to a plane-themed restaurant. Meera insists on ordering fish and chips. Yes, that is the kind of gloriously foolish film this is. I thought it might be a candidate for so bad that it’s good, but thirty minutes in, I was exhausted.

And there were hours and hours to go — hours in which Meera and Leela

dance, strike Kama Sutra poses with different men and pirouette in the sand while mouthing a laughable Rajasthani accent.

Meanwhile the men look on longingly and occasionally they get to touch.

Director Bobby Khan wants to create an epic reincarnation love story.

But he can’t surmount two challenges — the ludicrous script and the wooden actors. Sunny is attractive enough, but emoting is clearly difficult for her. And she has stiff competition in this department from Rajneesh Duggal and Jay Bhanushali. Jay plays a Mumbai musician who has weird dreams about being whipped and then wakes up with slashes of red lipstick on his back.

But nothing will prepare you for the climax, in which the leads have an entire conversation about evil and forgiveness as one of them dangles from a steep ledge.

The biggest riddle here is: Why would anyone want to watch this film?

-Hindustantimes.com

May 01, 2015

Tabu Should’ve Won a National Award for Haider: Irrfan Khan

BY ANJURI NAYAR SINGH Actor Irrfan Khan was very disappointed when Tabu, his co-star in Haider (2014) did not receive the National Award for the film. The 48-year-old says that things like these have made him question the authenticity of these coveted awards. “I am surprised why Tabu did not get a National Award. Her performance in Haider was one of the best performances by any Indian actress in Hindi cinema,” he says, adding, “There are so many awards nowadays and no one cares about them. They don’t even write your name (on an award).

Awards are like a TV show, so you can give that award to anyone, it does not matter. Everyone tries to hide and say that they are non-biased, but there are 4-5 people sitting there and deciding who wins what. It’s all a joke.”

The actor, who is awaiting the release of Piku, feels that awards must be given to individuals who add novelty to the industry. “Awards should be for people who bring new elements and give new dimensions.

I think it is high time that we come up with an award with integrity and respect. When you get an award

Last week’s edition can be found online. Issue dated June 27,2014. inyour Small Continuing, freeSpecializing radicals are made in body as byproducts of natural processes, called Business Commercial Loans oxidative processes. In the same way that car exhaust is created when you run an engine to power the car, free radicals are formed by the oxidative processes to power your body.

Although these processes are very efficient, free radical formation is inevitable in small amounts—even the most efficient engine will produce exhaust.

There are many healthy roles for free radicals, though. For instance, nitric oxide is a free radical that is used by cells to communicate with other cells. In fact it is necessary for proper nervous system function and blood pressure control.

Of course, this type of process is very tightly controlled.

But nitric oxide is not what has made free radi-

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which carries weight, it feels nice. I was surprised when I got the Padma Shri (2011). It made me feel that whatever I was doing was reaching people,” he says.

Irrfan has recently started work on his Hollywood project, Inferno, and says that he looks up to that industry because they respect talent, something that Bollywood should learn.

“They respect talent. If they see talent, they will be the first to incorporate it.

We don’t care about talent at all. We are just surviving on mediocrity. We should learn how to recognise talent and respect it,” he says.

-Hindustantimes.com

26 May 01, 2015

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STOCKS • FINANCE • SOUTH ASIAN MARKETS • TECHNOLOGY

IOC Starts Up 300,000 bpd Paradip Refinery: Reports

NEW DELHI: Indian Oil Corp, the country’s biggest refiner, on Sunday began crude processing at its 300,000 barrel per day (bpd) Paradip refinery and aims to fully commission the plant in six months, two company sources said, potentially adding to the glut of oil products in the region.

Output from the $5.2 billion Paradip refinery will compete with rising supplies of fuels from new and expanded plants in the Middle East and China, putting pressure on the profit margins of Asian refiners.

Asian refining margins- the difference between cost of crude and price of the finished product- have eased after touching multi year highs at the beginning of the year as regional demand is hit by slowing economic growth, especially in China.

“Today we got some naphtha, kerosene and gasoline,” said one of the sources.

IOC aims to start secondary units that help improve the quality of fuels in phases by end-October, the

sources said. The plant on the east coast was expected to operate at 60 percent capacity between November and March.

Paradip plant was initially expected to begin operations in 2012, but a flurry of problems, involving supplies from contractors, environmental concerns and natural calamities, repeatedly delayed the project.

The state refiner will shut the only crude unit at the plant after 10-15 days of operations for about two months and use the intermediary products for commissioning the secondary units, they said.

India has nearly doubled its refining capacity over the last decade to almost 5 million barrels per day, making it the world’s fourth largest refining centre after the US, China and Russia, according to BP’s statistical review of world energy.

The Paradip refinery is the most sophisticated of IOC’s 11 plants. With the commissioning of Paradip refinery, IOC’s overall refining capacity

has been increased to 1.61 million bpd, about 35 percent of the country’s 4.6 million bpd capacity.

The last refinery commissioned in India was three years ago, when HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL) commissioned its 180,000 bpd refinery at Bathinda in northern Punjab state.

Paradip refinery is expected to mainly cater to the markets in eastern India, currently fed by sourcing fuels from private players and other plants in northern India, and free up some gasoline for overseas markets.

Gasoline margins have remained strong in recent months even as margins for other products such as diesel, mostly used in construction, and shipping fuel, have weakened.

The plant is designed to process Mexico’s Maya crude, although West African sweet crude was used to commission the crude unit, the sources said.

-Timesof India

Top 9 Sensex Firms Lose Over Rs 1 lakh Crore in M-Cap MUMBAI: Amid a massive sell-off in the stock market last week, the combined market valuation of nine of the top-10 companies dropped sharply by Rs 1,00,921.74 crore, with Sun Pharma and Infosys taking the biggest hit.

Barring TCS, rest nine companies suffered losses in their market capitalisation (m-cap), including RIL, ITC, ONGC, HDFC Bank, CIL, SBI and HDFC. The m-cap of Sun Pharma tanked Rs 21,534.24 crore to Rs 2,28,046.45 crore and that of Infosys plunged Rs 21,327.13 crore to Rs 2,29,263.79 crore.

Shares of Infosys had on Friday tumbled 6 per cent after the company’s fourth quarter earnings missed the market expectations.

RIL’svaluationtumbledRs15,354.6 crore to Rs 2,84,569.83 crore, ONGC suffered a loss of Rs 12,063.24 crore

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to Rs 2,70,182.38 crore and that of SBI dipped Rs 11,651.96 crore to Rs 2,08,562.52 crore.

The market value of HDFC dropped Rs 9,093.84 crore to Rs 1,96,009.72 crore and that of ITC slipped Rs 3,687.14 crore to Rs 2,78,258.76 crore.

CIL’s market cap fell by Rs 3,126.6 crore to Rs 2,37,590.05 crore and HDFC Bank lost Rs 3,082.99 crore to Rs 2,52,303.82 crore.

On the other hand, TCS added Rs 4,054.57 crore to Rs 4,89,074.79 crore.

In the ranking of top-10 firms, TCS stood at number one place, followed

by RIL, ITC, ONGC, HDFC Bank, CIL, Infosys, Sun Pharma, SBI and HDFC. Over the past week, the BSE benchmark Sensex fell by 1,004.16 points to 27,437.94.

-TimesofIndia

28 May 01, 2015 IPL 2015: Knight Riders Contrive to Lose in Small Chase CHENNAI (ESPN Cricinfo): Chennai Super Kings 134 for 6 (Chawla 2-26, Russell 2-26) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 132 for 9 (Uthappa 39, Bravo 3-22, Ashwin 2-5) by 2 runs Kolkata Knight Riders had no business losing this. Having restricted Chennai Super Kings to 134, they were rushing towards the target at 52 for 1 in five overs, but they contrived to play headless shots and the excellent Super Kings fielders were only too happy to oblige. The asking rate had come down to under a run a ball when Super Kings went to spin, but possibly out of that fear of spin and also because of some ordinary batting from Yusuf Pathan and Ryan ten Doeschate, they contrived a defeat. Super Kings have now won nine home matches in a row, and are at the top of the table with a match in hand.

Robin Uthappa was batting like a dream in reaching 39 off 16, fielding was getting a bit rattled with MS Dhoni refusing to go for a catch as the fifth over ended, and now R Ashwin came on to bowl the sixth over. Uthappa looked to dominate, swept the first ball powerfully, and Brendon McCulum took a special catch at short midwicket. Super Kings had been given a lifeline. In Ashwin’s next over, Manish Pandey, the man reprieved by Dhoni, went for a slog sweep and found deep midwicket.

If they were worried about spin terrors, they had brought them to life by panicked batting with the asking rate comfortable.

Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina then slipped in four overs for 12 runs even before you could realise. What you did realise, though, was Yusuf’s staunch refusal to run singles and his lack of manoeuvring against good bowling as he also depicted against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Knight Riders’ previous match.

If Knight Riders were bent on destruction, Super Kings were effective without being dramatic. The drama was to follow soon. Mohit Sharma came back in the 13th over with Ashwin injured and off the field, and the under-pressure Suryakumar Yadav mis-hit one to-

Suresh Raina taps it to third man, Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2015, Chennai, April 28, 2015

wards the 30-yard circle at mid-on with no man stationed there. Faf du Plessis from extra cover and Dwayne Bravo converged. A collision seemed imminent, but du Plessis showed great awareness.

He didn’t give up the catch, but dived low as Bravo ran in upright.

At the last moment Bravo leaned in, dived forward, got one hand the left - to it, and the ball stuck.

Bravo broke into a customary dance, and Super Kings began to warm up for a victory dance. With nine overs without a boundary, the asking rate reached nine an over for the last five overs. Now Dhoni went to Bravo the bowler, who bowled like a spinner on a turning pitch, dealing almost exclusively in cutters. Yusuf wasted no time in playing one on. When he came in, Knight Riders needed 74 off 67.

He scored 13 off 18, and left the side 44 to get off 28.

With ten Doeschate too struggling, Knight Riders had one hope: Andre Russell, whose aggressive bowling earlier had kept Super Kings down. Ten Doeschate ran him out, calling him for a second, realising it wasn’t on, and then turning back to safety. Bravo’s slower balls and Ashish Nehra’s yorkers then took Super Kings to

victory, with ten Doeschate unbeaten on 38 off 28 - 14 of his runs came off the last three balls with the requirement having reached 17.

Knight Riders will be filthy with themselves after having done excellently with the ball. Super Kings had got off to a streaky start - Dwayne Smith scored 14 off edges in his first 20 - but 38 for 0 in four overs looked menacing. With

Sunil Narine - reported again for a suspect action again - missing, Piyush Chawla, Bred Hogg and Russell handcuffed Super Kings in the middle overs. The three conceded only 70 in their 12 overs, and took five wickets too, but as it turned out with some questionable batting from their side, the bowlers needed to do more.

Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bangalore 99 for 0 (Gayle 62*) beat Delhi Daredevils 95 (Starc 3-20, Wiese 2-18, Aaron 2-24) by ten wickets Royal Challengers Bangalore’s fast bowlers dismantled Delhi Daredevils for 95 at Feroz Shah Kotla, setting up their eighth consecutive win over the hosts. Virat Kohli went for the extra fast bowler in Varun Aaron following a finger injury to legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal, and Daredevils never recovered from 39 for 4 after the India quick dismissed Yuvraj Singh and Angelo Mathews off successive balls.

Generating sharp pace and bounce, Mitchell Starc and Aaron were too much for the Daredevils

top order, and the match soon descended into a no-contest as David Wiese’s variations provided little release on a two-paced pitch.

Daredevils went downhill right from the start. Their leading rungetter of the season Shreyas Iyer got a golden duck courtesy a Starc inswinger, although the leg-before decision was marginal at best.

Then came the knockout blow from Aaron. Yuvraj lasted five balls and went to his first one of express pace. Aaron produced a lifter outside off, Yuvraj prodded at it from the crease, and nicked it to the keeper. Angelo Mathews got a waist-high short ball but in looking to work it away, only popped it up for a simple catch to midwicket.

Royal Challengers Rout Daredevils for 95

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MAY 01 , 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

SPORTS Bouyant Bangladesh

Targets Another First

KHULNA: An 8-0 streak, stretching back 14 years, for Pakistan over Bangladesh in Test cricket is now under legitimate threat after the hosts won the ODI series 3-0 and the lone T20 in Mirpur.

However, with the change to whites comes the addition of captain Misbah-ul-Haq and the veteran Younis Khan to a batting lineup that will also have the in-form Azhar Ali at No 3. The onus will be on Misbah to change the mood within the team. His exit from the ODI side has coincided with immediate losses for Pakistan, so a lot will be expected of him.

Pakistan have a few other players whose experience worked last year but lately have run into poor form. Mohammad Hafeez, who has made 34 runs in four innings on tour, will be important at the top. Asad Shafiq, who has been limited to the nets and the bench so far, and Sarfraz Ahmed, who was “rested” in an ODI, are likely to shore up the middle-order batting at Nos. 6 and 7.

The seam attack will be led by Wahab Riaz, with only Junaid Khan for company, and both have been off colour in Bangladesh.

Saeed Ajmal too hasn’t had a good return to international cricket.

So Pakistan could prefer a second spinner who can contain like Zulfiqar Babar rather than Yasir Shah, who missed the ODIs with injury but has since been bowling in the nets. The Khulna pitch turns from any point after the third day, so Ajmal will be more influential.

Similarly, Bangladesh will expect Shakib Al Hasan to find his rhythm in the longer format, with Jubair Hossain and Taijul Islam for assistance. Their major concern will be the pace attack, which looks thin on threat and experience. Rubel Hossain and Shahadat Hossain have been around for a number of years, but have never come of age in Test cricket.

Bangladesh’s batting resources are a bit more exciting. Most of the top and middle-order are in form and greater solidity can be found if Soumya Sarkar is used well. Much, however, will depend on Tamim Iqbal at the top and Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib in the middle.

COMMUNITY

May 01, 2015

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South Indian Singers Chitra and Her Troupe Delight Fans and Admirers

BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA SUGAR LAND: Usually it’s the hit Hindi singers and Bollywood stars who come to the Bayou City where they have heard there is a large desi population just swooning for their appearance. Many of the lesser heralded performers get left by the wayside, with all the public’s attention – and money – diverted to the large shows.

So it was refreshing to see four of the singing sensations from South India get their due respect when they came to town this past weekend and performed at the Cullen Performance Hall at the University of Houston on Sunday, April 26. Gushed one of the major sponsors, Rajan Radhakrishnan, of the show which brought in 900 people, “It was just fabulous! The audience was just captivated by the singers and their backup musicians.”

The backup musicians were all from Kerela and usually tour with Chitra.

Though the show started a bit late due to the massive diversion on the Gulf Freeway which had people following a twisting detour, the audi-

The touring singers gladly posed for pictures with the guests and the sponsors. Seated from left, singers Vijay Prakash, K. S. Chitra, S. P. Sailaja and Sri Krishna and standing behind them from left, Alpa Shah and Rajan Radhakrishnan of Madras Pavilion, Rajan’s wife Vijaya and concert organizer Rekha Karanam.

ence stayed till the last song and was dancing in the aisles and even onstage with the performers, especially Vijay Prakash when he belted out his popular hit “Jai Ho”. His performance stole the show because of his friendly interaction with the audience.

But the audience had come to see K.S. Chitra who has a huge Tamil

and Telegu fan base the world over, though she has also recorded in Hindi and other languages and sang many of her popular songs, receiving standing ovations. Along with S.P. Sailaja and rising star Sri Krishna, the foursome sang some golden Hindi oldies as well and kept their three and a half hour performance of songs mixed, to

Emcees for the reception held at Madras Pavilion in Sugar Land were Kinnera Koniki (left) and Rajan Radhakrishnan, co-owner of the restaurant.

the delight of the audience. Emcees for the evening were none other than Houston’s own hidden artist and music lover, Rajan Radhakrishnan (more universally known by his first name), accompanied by Ramcharan.

Two nights earlier, after they got in from their New Jersey concert, the four singers were felicitated at a private reception for invited guests at Rajan’s restaurant, Madras Pavilion

in Sugar Land. After introductions by Rekha Karanam, one of the organizers, Rajan emceed the entertainment portion of the event in Tamil, with Kinnera Koniki, doing her portion in Telegu. The reception featured songs by many young people who admiringly sang songs made famous

by Chitra and the other singers, who were seated at a table in the front listening and tapping their fingers in tune. The four singers gladly posed for group pictures with the all the guests before dinner was served during a break midway through the evening.

The concert was brought to Houston by Rajan and Madras Pavilion as the Grand Sponsors and co-sponsored by Bharati Kalai Manram and Akshaya with support by the Telegu Cultural Association. Two days after the show, Rajan couldn’t contain his delight. “It was an amazing accomplishment,” he remarked. “Those who came were thoroughly entertained, and those who didn’t missed a truly great event.”

He Fights His Cancer, with a Little Help From His Friends!

BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA HOUSTON: You wouldn’t describe someone who has had to fight cancer, not just once but twice, as a lucky man. But when the man is showered with love and affection of not only his family but two dozen close friends and their young children, you have to admit that he is indeed a lucky man.

They came from across the Bayou City, and some from further afield, to be there at the surprise party for Sumant Malhotra and to boost up his morale in his fight with a disease that has thankfully still not worn him down.

And the surprise was a video made by the entire Houston Rockets basketball team wishing him luck in his ongoing fight. “Two weeks ago a childhood friend Arjun Mohindra had contacted the Director of communications for the Rockets about sending a best wishes card,” explained Rishi Goswami. “We were floored when they sent a 4-minute video with all the players. All they asked is that we record Sumant’s reaction as he saw the video and send it to them.”

So they contacted their other childSumant Malhotra’s friends Rishi Goswami (left) and Dr. Akash Bhagat (right) who helped arrange the surprise party at Marquee, with his parents Bindu and Bhagwant Malhotra

Sumant with his wife Kavita, daughter Sarina and mom Bindu

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hood friends to come to Marquee, the members only club in City Centre for a surprise get together and all of them agreed. Another friend, Dr. Akash Bhagat who has known Sumant since 1988 in 7th grade, and has stayed in touch, is a part owner of the Marquee and gladly offered a private back room for the party, which had boxes of pizza catered in for the little kids.

Sumant is the older son of longtime Houstonians Bindu and Bhagwant Singh Malhotra. Bindu is from Delhi and worked as an ex-school

teacher and registered nurse for 30 years, currently at Memorial Hermann Hospital Northwest. Bhagwant, from Lucknow, is a retired civil engineer. They left India in 1971 and lived in Lockport, New York for 10 years before moving down to the sunny climes of Houston in 1990.

They have a younger son, Kavin, a radiologist in Houston.

Sumant was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma, a type of brain cancer characterized by headaches, depression and sometimes seizures,

in October 2009 and had surgery in a week later to successfully remove the tumor. Unfortunately, it returned as a stage 4 glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in humans, and Sumant had surgery to remove most of it in March 2015.

All of this hasn’t slowed Sumant, 38, down as he continues to work as a full-time optometrist at America’s Best in Fort Worth, where he lives with his wife Kavita and 5-yearold daughter Sarina (who shares his birthday), both of whom secretly made the trip down to Houston for the surprise party.

As he entered through the massive arched wooden door and stone façade of the party room, Sumant was dumbfounded when he saw his friends and bent down to pick up his daughter who ran to him. Mohindra told him how they got the video and roasted Sumant teasingly. Sumant just couldn’t believe his eyes as he was surrounded by his friends and some of their parents - three generations of Americans - who showered him with affection, and realized that, indeed he was a lucky man.

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