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Friday, May 24 2013 | Vol. 32, No. 21

Indo American erican News

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HTC Honors Goradia, Desi Entrepreneurs From left: Nandita Harish, a guest, 2013 Honoree Vijay Goradia, Marie Goradia, President , Pratham Houston, Indian Consul General P. Harish, Pratham USA President Atul Varadhachary, Bimal Jain and her husband Swatantra Jain, previous President , Pratham Houston.

P5 Jasmeeta and Bobby Singh with Mayor Annise Parker and Kathy Hubbard at a fundraiser.

Parker Birthday Fundraiser

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Movie Review

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May 24, 2013

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COMMUNITY

May 24, 2013

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Middle School Students Join on Two Continents to Fight World Hunger

BY PARTH DWIVEDI HOUSTON: The St. Francis Episcopal Day School hosted an award ceremony Friday, May 17, to recognize the St. Francis Wolves Against Hunger - a group consisting of seven of their graduating eighth grade students under the faculty guidance of Debbie Harris – which participated in the World Hunger Leadership Challenge.

The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Prayer of St. Francis, after which point Ashley Butler took the podium. As Executive Director of Lead2Feed, an initiative whose purpose is to foster leadership amongst middle school students in the fight against world hunger, Butler spoke on the importance of “developing future leaders and giving back to the community.”

Ashley was there to present a check for $25,000 to St. Francis Episcopal Day School as top prize from the Yum! Brand Foundation for the work done by the Wolves Against Hunger in the Lead2Feed sponsored nationwide challenge.

More than 300,000 middle and high school students in 1,500 schools participated in the nationwide challenge that encouraged students to develop their leadership skills through projects that focus on solving hunger worldwide. Yum! Brands Foundation provided nearly $250,000 in prize money grants to 140 schools for US public charities engaged in hunger relief programs.

Shortly after the ceremony started, David Novak, joined via Skype to congratulate the team himself, adding that the students recognized were the real heroes and heroines. Novak serves as Executive Chair and CEO of Yum! Brands Inc. and co-founder of the Lift A Life Foundation, both of which partnered with the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation to

Ashley Butler, Director of Lift a Life Foundation, left, presents the winners from St. Francis Episcopal Day School in Houston with a $25,000 grant after taking first prize for the Lead2Feed World Hunger Leadership Challenge on Friday, May 17. Next to her are Dev and Jasdeep Lamba who helped coordinate the efforts with the students of KLI School in Meerut with Skype.

create the World Hunger Leadership Challenge.

The recognition was shared with another student group of similar age, in K.L. International School, located in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, about 100 km northwest of New Delhi, with which the St. Francis Episcopal day School had been in close collaboration for the previous two semesters on the award-winning project. The students from St. Francis Day School packed 5,100 sack lunches, collected more than 6,500 cans of food, and packed boxes at a local food bank, while the students from KLI volunteered time at a local orphanage run by Mother Teresa Missionaries of Charity.

Earlier this year, Harris heard about the World Hunger Leadership Challenge, and felt that the work of both her students and those at KLI School, was deserving of recognition, highlighting

each student’s unique abilities and contributions and added that they even worked on their days off.

The collaboration between St. Francis and KLI School began when Debbie took on the role of organizing an awareness campaign for World Water Day in 2012, internationally observed on March 22 every year. Debbie came into contact with Jasdeep Lamba, whose father-in-law Kuldeep Singh Lamba serves as Executive Chair of KLI School.

Together they arranged for a onetime Skype discussion between the students and faculty of the two schools, laying a foundation for future partnering.

When the next school-year started, Debbie and Jasdeep and her husband Dev took the initiative to get the ball rolling on a larger scale, this time arranging for six Skype forums over the course of two semesters in order to give

students a greater appreciation for serious problems like hunger and poverty. Their involvement also entailed taking steps to become more active in their respective communities and exchanging ideas with one another as to various ways of doing so.

Taylor Bowers, one of the students recognized, gave the example of canned food drives being common in American schools, but not quite so to the students he Skyped with. Ian Southwell, another awardee, spoke about lessons he learned from the project, “You hear about poverty in other countries, but I never realized how bad it really is. The number of poor in India is almost the same as the entire population of the U.S.” Jasdeep said that the students at KLI School had been hard at work on Project 365, in which at least one hungry person - but usually more - is fed every single day of the year. It is entirely up to the students how to coordinate such a demanding task, fostering both teamwork and individual headship.

The award money won by the St. Francis Wolves Against Hunger will be given to Kids’ Meals Houston, a charity whose main goal is to feed hungry and poor children under the age of five, too young to go to school where they would receive state-sponsored meals. The work done by KLI School students has gone to benefit The Earth Saviours Foundation, a local charity in New Delhi, India.

David Novak leads the Yum chant as he joins the ceremony via Skype.

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COMMUNITY

May 24, 2013

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HTC Honors Vijay Goradia for Entrepreneurship at Annual Gala

BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA HOUSTON: The Houston Technology Center held its Tenth Annual Gala last Thursday evening, May 16 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel’s ballroom downtown and about 500 people showed up for the much anticipated event that brought many of the city’s successful as well as new, up and coming entrepreneurs together for a show of camaraderie.

The reception buzzed with conversation and hors d’ouvres as slides featuring the celebrated entrepreneurs of 2013 were projected on a huge screen, and continued on two large screens inside the dining portion of the ballroom.

The forty one companies- and pictures of their founders and main driving forces – represented some well known names and others that hope to become so.

Among these were four Indian names: Juuhi Ahuja of Wise Men Consultants an IT consulting firm that provides augmented staff, software, hardware and support; Gaurav Khandelwal of ChaiOne which builds custom web and mobile applications; Arun Pasrija of CHR Solutions Inc., a telecommunications consulting firm; Vibhu Sharma of Ingenious Inc., a technology company offering real-time performance monitoring software and Umesh Verma of Blue Lance Inc., a global provider of Cyber Governance solutions– and most were in attendance at the event that was full of adulation for their efforts and contribution to the Houston economy.

There was a substantial Indian contingent at the event there to applaud one of the luminaries of the community, Vijay Goradia, who was being honored that night for his entrepreneurial drive that has resulted in his company, Vinmar International Inc,, a 34 year-old petrochemicals marketing group, to become one of the top growing

A number of members of the Indian American community attended the Tenth Annual Houston Technology Gala on Thursday, May 16 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown where several Indian American entrepreneurs were honored. At center left is Nandita Harish, wife of the Indian Consul General and to her right is Marie Goradia, wife of Honoree Vijay Goradia.

Photo: Jawahar Malhotra

firms in the metroplex.

Nearly three years ago, Goradia pledged $1 million to fund an annual Innovation Prize during the next years at the HTC to help companies who got their start from university research. So far, several startups have shared $150,000 in annual prize money for the commercial application of their technology, the soundness of their business plan and the resulting potential for job growth within the region. The 2013 winners will be announced on October 9. Goradia also serves on the Board of Directors of the HTC. Goradia was named the Honoree of the Year at the Gala and was interviewed onstage in a Tonight Show version of a dialogue

where he described how he started his first company making plastics with his brother in India right after high school. “I thought I was too young to be in business,” he recalled, “so I gave it up, though it was rather successful, and hitch hiked around the world and then moved to the US.” Within three weeks of his move, he started another company in his friend’s apartment, and this later became Vinmar International.

Goradia remembered that he learnt the best life lessons when he was hitch hiking for two months, surviving on his wits. He mentioned a time when he was on the back of a pickup truck packed with people in Kabul during the fasting month of Ramadan and had an

urge to eat. When he grabbed some bread and grapes and began to eat, a Muslim man threatened him with a knife. “I blurted out that the Quran forgives the travelers from fasting, and this was seconded by some other person in the truck and the man was satisfied,” he recalled with a chuckle, “but in fact, I had never even read the Quran!”

Goradia attributed much of his success to the support of his family and in particular his wife Marie.

“I am very lucky,” he said, “she keeps me grounded.” He also recalled a turning point in his life in 1996 when he visited a school for 30 kids in a shanty town in Mumbai and saw the value of education. Since then, he has generously supported the US based charity

Pratham which funds childcare and education in India, and will reach 35 million kids this year.

In addition, the Goradias support the Meals on Wheels program of the Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, as well as many other local organizations.

The HTC Gala also honored four individuals with Lifetime Achievement Awards in various spheres of industry. These were Tom Short, the CEO of Anardarko Industries for his work in Aerospace; John Calaway, Director of Wind Development at Pattern Energy Group for his work in Energy; Leland Putterman, the CEO of Acorn Systems for his work in Information Technology and David McWilliams, Chair of BioHouston for his work in Life Sciences. Also remembered in a slide montage for his work was Dr. S. Ward Casscells IIIrd who passed away.

At the start of the Gala, Paul Frison, the Executive Vice Chairman of the HTC briefly touched on the work that the group has done in promoting entrepreneurship since the organization began in 1999. He lauded the efforts of HTC President and CEO, Walter Ulrich for his tireless pursuit of making HTC a premier incubator of talent. Frison also acknowledged the presence of Indian Consul General Parvathaneni Harish and his wife Nandita at the event.

HTC’s nurturing through the $2.5 million in raised funds has allowed 400 entrepreneurs to flourish, bringing in $1 billion to the local economy and 3,600 jobs, claimed Frison, as he also acknowledged the entrepreneurial spirit that had allowed Houstonians like the Allen Brothers, George Brown and Jesse Jones to build many of its institutions and mainstay industries like the University of Houston, Rice University, Texas Medical Center, the Johnson Space Center.

Indo American News (ISSN 887-5936) is published weekly every Friday (for a subscription of $40 per year) by IndoAmerican News Inc., 7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036, tel: 713-789-6397, fax:713-789-6399, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com.

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COMMUNITY

May 24, 2013

Mayor Parker Celebrates Her Birthday and a Fundraiser Among Desi Friends

Harish Jajoo (center) and wife Shashi attended the fundraiser.

Mayor Parker cuts her birthday cake as (from left) Jasmeeta Singh, Kathy Hubbard, and Harry Singh look on.

Photos: Jawahar Malhotra

BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA HOUSTON: Over the past few years, Bobby and Jasmeeta Singh have hosted Mayor Annise Parker at their house on the west side so many times one would think that she has become one of the family. Two year ago she was there at the Super Bowl, and then later for her birthday, which coincidentally falls two days after that of Bobby’s younger brother Harry, who happens to know her well from the days when the two of them worked together when Parker was the City Comptroller’s.

So it seemed only fitting that Parker, along with her companion Kathy Hubbard, be at the Singh’s home once again this past Sunday, May 19 to cut the cake for

her 57th birthday and couple that with a fundraiser for her upcoming re-election run for another term – and her last since she is term limited – for Mayor. About 50 people – friends, the Singh family and admirers – came to attend the intimate dinner with the Mayor and offer their financial support.

“She is the greatest mayor this city has ever had!” exclaimed Bobby in a welcome around the coffee table where the guests gathered around. He recognized the other public officials – some, like Janiece Longoria, Chairman of the Port of Houston Commission, who were appointed by Parker – like Kenny Friedman, Chairman of the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority and former City Coun-

cilman Bert Keller, who is now President of the C Club (a nonpartisan conservative PAC) and Chairman of the Gulf Coast Rail District who came to attend. From Sugar Land, newly re-elected Councilman Harish Jajoo, a former City of Houston employee for many years, and his wife Shashi were there too.

Others from the desi community included Dr. Winnie and Aku Bedi, Dev and Jasdeep Lamba, Harry Singh and his wife Jasleen, Deepak and Deepti Sharma, Jasbir and Darshan Singh, Jugal and Raj Malani, Mohammed Gire and his wife and F. Sabir, to name just a few.

Bobby noted that, under Parker’s watch, the economy has done

well with a business friendly environment, ample funds for street and drainage work thanks to the drainage fee passed two years ago, newer fire stations and lower crime than in many comparable large metropolitan cities. He attributed this to her investment in infrastructure and decisive, inclusive leadership.

“Bobby just delivered my whole stump speech!” joked Parker when it came to her turn. She said she was looking forward to her last term. “The first term I was plugging holes in a leaky boat. The second term I was sprucing up the boat and getting ready to sail to the destination.” she said. “This term, I want to get to my destination through Rebuild Houston, adding hike and bike trails, strong fiscal management and consistent business-like approach to the city.”

She added that a city always needs to be building things like streets, drainage and libraries and

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not ignoring them or letting them run down. She explained that the city now has a complete assessment of all 400 buildings it owns and can prioritize the repairs that need to be made. It was the same with all the thousands of vehicles that the city owns but were being retired due to lack of maintenance and were run into the ground. “The city is my home too, and I need to take care of it,” she concluded.

Asked about her chances of winning against a well-financed opponent, Ben Hall who was former City Attorney under Bob Lanier’s administration, Parker said she wasn’t worried because she intended to win, though her opponent says she doesn’t have a clear vision for the future of the city. “The voters aren’t as angry this time,” she said, noting that the improving local economy had placated the population, “but they need to show up and vote for us to win.”

May 24, 2013

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IMMIGRATION

May 24, 2013

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BY EMILY NEUMANN “The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.” ~Benjamin Disraeli HOUSTON: Sometimes in Immigration, timing is everything. But if you are not prepared when the time is right, you could miss a once-in-a-career opportunity. July 1, 2007 is a perfect example.

The process for obtaining permanent residence based on employment in most cases is comprised of three phases: (1) Labor Certification – ETA Form 9089; (2) Visa Petition – Form I-140 Immigrant Petition; and (3) Application for Permanent Residence – Form I-485 Application to Adjust Status.

Step 2 cannot begin until an approved Labor Certification is received. Step 3 can only be filed when an Immigrant Visa becomes available based on the applicant’s preference category and country of birth. The U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin each month informing applicants when they are eligible to file the third and final step.

Typically the various preference categories can be backlogged by years, but on July 1, 2007, the bottleneck in employmentbased immigrant visas was lifted, and any individual with an approved Labor Certification was eligible to finally file both the second and third steps in the green card process. The following day, the U.S. Department of State announced that no further employment-based applications would be accepted. Since that day, some categories are still subject to a ten-year wait.

Those who did not possess an approved Labor Certification in 2007 have been waiting to complete the green card process for almost six years, and the line for those waiting continues to grow. Those that were able to file on that one day have many advantages now. They have work authorization (EAD), they can travel without a visa stamp (AP), and they can more easily switch employers under a provision called AC-21. These benefits are available because the individuals were ready when opportunity knocked.

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Emily Neumann has practiced immigration law in Texas since 2005, representing both employers and immigrants. Neumann writes a blog on immigration law (immigrationgirl.com) and shares updates on Twitter (@immigrationgirl) and her Facebook page to help her clients stay informed of the latest news. She is a partner in Reddy & Neumann, P.C. in Houston and Dallas.

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For a person in the U.S. on a work visa, such as the H-1B visa, it is a smart idea to start the employment-based green card process as soon as the employer is willing to begin. First, in most cases the H-1B six year limit cannot be exceeded unless a Labor Certification has been filed before the end of the fifth year. Second, it is helpful to allow enough time for both the Labor Certification and I-140 Immigrant Petition to be approved before the six year limit is reached.

This will allow the H-1B to be extended for an additional three years instead of only one year. Third, denials happen. If the process is started early enough, a denial will not be fatal. Whereas, a denial when the six-year limit is near can mean that the H-1B cannot be extended and leaving the country may be the only option.

With the talks of immigration reform heating up, it is even more important to be ready by starting the Labor Certification process.

If the current Senate bill becomes law, the backlog may soon be lifted. But only those with an approved Labor Certification will be ready to seize the opportunity.

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COMMUNITY

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at the two location in Houston where the dances are offered. The maturity of the expressions was well noted in the senior students, the little ones were like a ball of energy. The advance students have been dancing with Kusum Sharma since the school started ten years ago. Guest speaker of the evening was respected Padmakanth Kambathi of Sanatan Hindu Center, who talked about the center and radio channel that air the program on AM 1090 from 9-12pm every Sunday. The school which recently launched it’s face book school (www.facebook.com/shrinatraj) had raffle drawing to promote their website. Three lucky winners gladly accepted their prizes, their effort on facebook had paid off. Kusum Sharma concluded the program by thanking the parents and family for encouraging the kids and bringing them for classes each week without fail.

Shri Natraj School of Dance has been culturally active in Houston since it was founded in 2004 and has done among other programs Ramleela since 2005, Krishna leela, Mughal-e-Azam, Meera and many more. Kusum Sharma’s brand of Ramleela has become very popular in Houston in recent years and a much awaited program for Houstonians each eyar.

This year Ramleela will be held on Oct 27, 2013. For more information visit www.shrinatraj.com or www.facebook.com/shrinatraj

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HOUSTON: Shri Natraj school of Dance celebrated their annual talent program, this past weekend at Shri Radha Krishna temple on Sunday May 19. The program lasted little over an hour and was well coordinated and the event emcee Nipun Gupta, did a very good job engaging the audience with his jokes, trivia and funny quotes and handing out chocolates to kids and adults when they got the Trivia question correct.

The performance started right on time with a Bharatnatyam dance in praise of Lord Ganesha. The students then showcased over the next hour all the three styles of dance that the school offers. Each dance sequence was different, very colorful with elegant and precise dance moves. The executive dance director of the school Kusum Sharma is herself well versed in Bharatnatyam , Kathak and Bollywood and personally teaches the student

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COMMUNITY

May 24, 2013

Samskriti to Present the Sixth Annual Incredible India Program at the Miller Outdoor Theatre HOUSTON: For the past five years Samskriti has been presenting two outstanding shows at the wonderful state-of-the-art Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park – Incredible India and Bollywood Blast. Last year, two amazing dance teams, Nadam and Stem Dance Kampni, from Bangalore, India, presented the very exciting North Indian dance style of Kathak to an audience of more than 2000.

For its sixth Miller Theatre season, Samskriti’s Artistic Director, Rathna Kumar, has chosen one of India’s most renowned dance ensembles from the East Indian state of Orissa to showcase Incredible India and its incredibly rich and diverse artistic traditions. May being the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, it seems so appropriate to end the month with a bang, with a memorable performance, and on Friday, May 31, the Miller Outdoor Theatre will come alive with the drumming of the pakhawaj, the steady metallic tinkling of the manjira (cymbals), and the sounds of twelve pairs of feet striking the ground in syncopated rhythmic sequences, as the curtain rises on Gatha Odissi, a performance tracing the rich history of Odissi, one of the eight classical dance styles of India, and perhaps the most elegant and lyrical of them all.

Gatha Odissi: A Journey from the Temple to the Stage will be performed by the prestigious Orissa Dance Academy, led by the eminent dancer Aruna Mohanty.

The performance takes the audience on an exciting artistic journey of Odissi, from the halls of the ancient Jagannath Temple of Puri to the modern stage. Stone sculptures spring to life from temple walls in the classic chouka (square stance) and tribhanga (triple-bend) to inspire the classic repertoire: Mangalacharan, Pallavi, and Abhinaya.

The audience will also discover the allied art forms and dance styles of Mahari, Gotipua, Sakhi Nata, Raasa and Leela - all of which are equally beloved by both artists and audiences and which so enriched

the style of Odissi.

Odissi (or Orissi) is a traditional style of dance which originated in the temples of Orissa, where it was originally performed by devadasis (temple dancers). Sculptures of Odissi dancers adorn many temple walls in Orissa. It is one of the oldest surviving forms of Indian classical dance, dating back to almost 1st century B.C. There are a number of characteristics of the Odissi dance. The style may be seen as a conglomeration of aesthetic and technical details. It is characterized by fluidity of the upper torso (the waves of the ocean on the shores of Puri) and gracefulness in gestures and wristwork (swaying of the palm trees), juxtaposed with firm footwork (heartbeat of Mother Earth). All Indian classical dance forms include both pure ‘rhythmic dances’ and acting or ‘story dances’. The rhythmic dances of Odissi are called batu / sthayi

(foundation), pallavi (flowering) and moksha (liberation). The ‘acting dances’ are called abhinaya.

Aruna Mohanty, the lead dancer in Gatha Odissi, was trained by the late Guru extraordinaire, Padma Shree Gangadhar Pradhan. She is the Artistic Director of the Orissa Dance Academy and is recognized today as a leading Odissi dancer, teacher, and choreographer and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar, one of the highest artistic honors given by the government of India in the field of performing arts.

The Orissa Dance Academy was founded in 1975 by the late Padma Shree Guru Gangadhar Pradhan and its dance company is renowned for its innovative compositions. Many of today’s leading Odissi dancers are ODA alumni, including Houston’s very own Shipra Avantica Mehrotra. As a senior student of the Orissa Dance Academy, Shipra has performed all over the United States and India.

The New York Times described her performance as “wholly poetic” and “the truest revelation of dance itself”.

INCREDIBLE INDIA is funded in part by the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, and its community partners are the Asia Society Texas Center, Orissa Cultural Association, HUM magazine and the Anjali Center for Performing Arts. Gatha Odissi is FREE to the public, but those interested in securing reserved seats may email rathnanil@gmail.com or call 832 275 9656.

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COMMUNITY

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HOUSTON: His Holiness Avdhoot Baba Shivanandji, “The Father of Indian Healing” and Master of Eastern Vedic Sciences will be conducting a 7-day workshop at Unity Church, 2929 Unity Drive Houston, Texas-77057, beginning June, 26 2013 to July 3 2013.

The shivir is designed to initiate participants into meditation and helping empower one of one’s own inner infinite potential powers. It is a meditation program that includes various processes of initiation and advanced meditational methods practiced by ancient masters of the Himalayas.

Durga Saptashati: 26 June- 27 June (This is a free event) The Durga Saptshati is the powerful scripture on the Shakti sadhna comprising of 700 shlokas organized into thirteen chapters, which is narrated and widely read in the mythological story form but in reality contains the mystical powers of a human. Babaji will reveal these hidden messages and activate one’s powers by invoking the divine mother who in the scripture was invoked wholeheartedly by the Demigods after being distressed by the acts of the demons.

The loving mother, to protect her creatures, incarnates in various forms and slays the demons after long lasting wars. After intensely meditating on the DurgaSaptshati, Babaji has decoded the sacred Beej Mantras encrypted in each Shloka, which possess enormous power capable of relieving one of his/her karmas and the vices. Babaji, whose mission is to eradicate sufferings from the world and fill each home with peace, happiness and unconditional love, for the first time in the history of humanity revealed this guarded sacred sadhna to the common man. In this Shivir, Babaji will initiate

people into this sacred sadhna and facilitate participants to release their karmas, which are the root cause of the problems. The sacred sadhnas are also done in Babajis divine presence thus raising the vibrations to higher dimensions of life. The divine energies arising out of the recitation of these sacred beej mantras increases the vibrational frequency of each and every cell and the DNA of the body that results scientifically in the miraculous healing of the body, mind and soul. Regular practice of this Shakti sadhna with pure intention and utmost devotion, empowers the seeker to create a healthy body, a peaceful mind, loving relations, prosperous life and a rapid spiritual growth.

Prati Prasav Sadhna: June 27 2013 to July 3 2013 (This event requires prior registration): Our present is nothing but the outcome of what our own deeds of the past.

The circumstances, obstacles and the problems in life erupt from the deep-rooted psychic impressions in the subconscious that were knowingly or unknowingly accumulated over many past lifetimes with every action, word and thought. These unresolved problems or issues are sanchit karmas or psychic impressions. This deep-rooted karma create recurring negative incidents in life until they are completely uprooted. In order to be released from the suffering, pain or disease one must release them completely. Prati Prasav Sadhna is the holy practice that helps one surface these deeprooted karma and release them to higher frequency vibrations created with the help of a Guru who is himself a Master in this ancient practice of Indian Yogis. In this shivir, one is taught how to shed this heavy load and bring out the

inner light in the form of health happiness and prosperity. It not only involves witnessing past life incidences, but also releasing these negative psychic impressions from one’s subtle bodies. With the help of Avdhoot Baba Shivanandji’s grace we transcend back to those areas of our past lives and release and heal them. PratiPrasavSadhna is an excellent Sadhana to dissolve fears, phobias, sufferings, limitations and awakening of your consciousness towards infinite dimension.

Shiv Yog Science Beyond Science: Last year in March 2013, Avdhoot Baba Shivanandji invited the doctors and medical professionals In the New Jersey workshop to carry out comprehensive pre and post Shivir diagnostic tests on randomly chosen participants at this shivir. Three sadhak volunteers were randomly selected with no pre-screening for any specific health condition or disease predisposition for the experiments.

Interview with sample participants brought out a wide spectrum of health conditions ranging from normal, near-normal to highlycomplex medical pre-condition.

On the 6th day of the shivir healing was sent to these volunteers, one of whom had been suffering from brain tumor and other two sadhaks. The live healing session amazed the doctors and medical professionals to see that the brain tumor and gall stones that were first visible on the ultrasound were no more visible on ultrasound.

It shrunk in size and then disappeared.

Many scientists, researchers and doctors were very surprised when His Holiness Avdhoot Baba Shivanandji mentioned that these healings were not miracles but ShivYog’s Science Beyond Science. As the deeper significance of this description was not so obvious, the descriptor Science Beyond Science.

While Shiv Yog has gained popularity in all parts of India and abroad, because of its unique powerful message of self empowerment, it is largely seen as a program that empowered and encouraged seekers to tap into the healing powers and capabilities hidden within themselves. Babaji has been progressively and consistently revealing the mysteries of life beyond the common and limited understanding known to humans.

For more information visit www. shivyog.com or www.shivyogus. com or call 1-609-474-4808.

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May 24, 2013

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COMMUNITY

HCC-ASPIRE Opens New Scholarships

Bharathi Kalai Manram Tamil School Celebrates Academic Year’s End

From left : HCC Trustee Neeta Sane, District VII; Dr, Parvin Bagherpour, Associate Vice Chancellor for International Student Services & Study Abroad; HCC-ASPIRE scholarship recipient Thushara Korattyil and her brother, Thomson.

BKM Tamil School children during Tamil Thai Vaazthu.

HOUSTON: Houston Community College’s new organization HCC-ASPIRE, Asian Scholarship Program Inspiring Results & Excellence, opened new doors of opportunities at an inaugural fundraising event on May 9. The event served as a morning of entertainment and celebration for HCC faculty, staff, students and sponsors at the Hilton Americas. With an overwhelming sell-out response, the fundraising breakfast raised more than $54,000 for scholarships for HCC Asian students and faculty.

Co-Founded by HCC Trustee Neeta Sane (District VII), with the support of community leaders, public officials, and the HCC Foundation, HCC-ASPIRE program is designed to support educational pursuits and excellence of Asian students and faculty of HCC. Based on financial needs and academic progress, HCC-ASPIRE will grant awards to deserving students and members of the HCC faculty or staff.

HCC-ASPIRE program is committed to inspiring HCC’s students and faculty members to excel in the academic world and in the community as well. By supporting students and faculty with financial awards,

HCC-ASPIRE aims to enhance the teaching-learning process that will enable HCC to educate more students for the 21st century workforce and job market To uphold diversity and inclusiveness, HCC-ASPIRE program will also support activities that highlight the Asian culture of education. For more information about HCC-ASPIRE and to access the application details visit www.hccs.edu/aspire.

Out of HCC’s 70,000 student population, about 14% is of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) origin. In 2012, HCC became eligible to be listed as one of the AAPI-serving institutions as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.

HCC is one of the country’s largest singly-accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training and lifelong learning opportunities for 75,000 students each semester. HCC is composed of six colleges that serve the greater Houston area’s diverse communities by preparing individuals to live and work in today’s increasingly international and technological society. For further information visit www.hccs.edu

PEARLAND: Bharathi Kalai Manram (BKM Houston.org), Houston’s own Tamil organization (established in 1974) celebrated the completion of the fall semester of Tamil language classes with a grand year end program, conducted by the children of BKM Tamil School at Sri Meenakshi Temple, Pearland on Sunday May 19. The children whose age ranged from 4 years through teenage and young adults, enthralled the audience with the three art forms of Iyal (Poetry), Isai (Music) and Nadagam (Drama) with an array of Rhymes, recitation from Thirukural (one of the most important Tamil aphorisms with rhyming couplets), and skits, all in Tamil.

The chief guest for the occasion was Hon. Anil Mataa (Consul and Head of Chancery, Indian Consulate) who had graced the occasion with his presence. In his speech, he praised the efforts of the students, teachers and parents in fostering our culture through the learning and expressing through the Tamil language which he noted as the essential basis to fully experiences the ancient

culture. All the children received a trophy as recognition of their achievement. He even joined to display his working knowledge in Tamil with a few words which the audience fully appreciated.

The current teachers of BKM, Ezhil Asaithambi, Mala Gopal, Malar Narayanan, Sujatha Vijayakumar, Vasanthi Janarthanan, Vennila Sarawanakumar were all felicitated

by Hon. Anil Mataa. Mala Gopal and Malar Narayanan as coordinators of the BKM Tamil School have organized and run the Tamil School, with great support from all teachers, at two centers: Sri Meenakshi temple at Pearland and Durgabari Temple at Sugarland.

For registration and enrollment for classes in spring semester, please email at Tamilschool@BKMhouston.org. It was launched at the program with an expected broader curriculum offering that includes reading and writing classes, besides the popular spoken Tamil language classes. The event finished off with a lovely dinner catered by Annam Restaurant.

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COMMUNITY

ISKCON’s Self Discovery Programs Celebrated “Festival of Love and Trust”

names to make progress in the devotional service.

Bhakti Vriksha Youth group presented a Higher Taste Fashion show, in which they depicted how Bhakta Participants during the Pariprashnena Quiz.

Photos: Nagalla Nagaraj Prahalada is saved and how

BY RAVINDER YERRAM by the Sri Nama Bhajan - “Bol Hari Bol - Hiranyakasipu is slayed by Lord Narasimha HOUSTON: On Saturday, May 18, as Part Chant the name of Hari” beautifully sung by who is none other than Lord Krishna. of “Self Discovery” programs all over the the Bhakti Vriksha kids with different musiHG Kalasuda Devi Dasi directed “Kali’s Houston conducted by ISKCON, the Hare cal instruments which was taught by Sujata Nightmare” drama, in which devotees actKrishna Dham, devotees grand celebrated Srikanteswaran. ed wonderfully showing how in Kali Yuga annual event called “Festival of Love and There was also a presentation of Bhakti (The age of quarrel and hypocrisy), the evil Trust” (FOLT) at Gauranga Hall. This year, Vriksha Testimonies by various members qualities (Meat Eating, Intoxication, Gamthe theme of FOLT was “Nama Ruchi (At- of all the Self-Discovery groups. The inter- bling and Illicit Sex) influence and divert traction towards Mantra meditation) - the active multimedia quiz called “Pariprash- the people in devotional service. The drama Unique Gift of Srila Prabhupada”. The festi- nena” (inquiry) was conducted by Gopal further revealed how the Sankirtana moveval promoted loving exchanges amongst the Ramamurthy, in which the participants were participants with lot of interactive activities asked questions based on Bhagavad Gita, around the theme. More than 100 families ‘Your Ever Well-Wisher’ book (Srila Prabfrom different places of Houston came and hupada’s Biography), Vaishnava bhajans celebrated the FOLT with lot of enthusiasm and Darshana (deities of ISKCON temples and interest. all over the world).

The Festival inaugurated with Ratha YaBarsana Humble Self Discovery group tra of “Lord Jagannath, Baladev and Lady enacted a skit called “Mind Your Mind”.

Subhadra” around the Gauranga Hall of the This skit revealed the mind of a person, who Temple conducted by the children of all ages is trying to progress in devotional path, and who performed ecstatic kirtan. Before start- how the mind resists and distracts him from ing the cultural programs, ladies sang the the same. It also presented how the person Mangala Charana (invocation prayers) led was able to control his mind with the help of Inauguration of Children Art Calendar

by HG Madhavi Gopi. This was followed devotee association and chanting of the holy

11000 Richmond Ave, Ste 300 Houston, TX 77042

ment started by Lord Chaitanya can help one overcome these evil qualities. They also showed the love and trust among devotees will protect from these evil influences and progress in devotion with the blessing from the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada.

The Temple president, HG Shyamsundar and his wife HG Shyamvallabhi inaugurated the highlight of event, “The Art Calendar”, which was made with the kids’ wonderful paintings on the theme, “Nama Ruchi”. The Art Calendar along with a Back to Godhead magazine and a Bhajan CD was given as a gift to all the families. At the end, a sumptuous vegetarian feast prasadam perfectly completed the ensemble for the evening.

ISKCON is excited to invite everyone to the interactive “Self Discovery” programs (consist of music, mantra-meditation, philosophical discussion, and dinner) in your neighborhood. At these Self-Discovery programs you will meet many like-minded, growth-oriented people like yourself, and likely make many new friends and contacts. We would also recommend bringing family members and friends to the program.

For further details, visit “http://www.iskconhouston. org/alpha/activities/outreach/ self-discovery-classes” or call at 713-686-GITA (4482) or visit ISKCON Hare Krishna Dham located on 1320 W 34th Street, Houston, TX 77018

15950 N Dallas Pkwy, Ste 400 Dallas, TX 75248

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EDITORIAL

May 24, 2013

Locked in, Not locked Out

Prisons in our country are unsafe, and actor Sanjay Dutt going to prison has highlighted that aspect yet again. Dutt being the star he is has attracted many demands from prominent people asking that he be provided better conditions in the jail, where he will be serving the remaining part of his five-year sentence for possessing illegal weapons during the 1993 bomb blasts in Mumbai. The reason for these requests is that Dutt’s life is in danger while in prison and that he should be given better facilities as he is a reformed person.

While there might be some truth in these apprehensions given that our prison safety records are poor, it should not be used as an excuse for preferential treatment for a select few because of their position in society. Giving select privileges on certain grounds must be done away with or dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Entitlements — like special food, greater freedom in the prison, comfortable beds and coolers — are not the right of every prisoner. The authorities have to look at demands from prisoners on the nature of their crime and whether such things are absolutely required for their well being.

Dutt may be one prisoner who has got a lot of media attention. His case should occasion a look at the conditions in our jails. Our jails are overcrowded, undertrials and convicted criminals share the same space, the facilities for women prisoners are dismal, and security is nowhere as tight as it should be as seen by the mysterious death of one of the accused in the Delhi gang rape case. The bad management of inmates by prison authorities has led to crimes inside prisons. By lagging on this front, India is violating the UN Human Rights Committee norms (and norms of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights). According to a March 2011 report of the Asian Centre for Human Rights, more than 12,000 people have died in Indian prisons over the last decade — that’s an alarming three people a day.

Our overcrowded prisons and their poor living standards need to be looked into and changed if jails should actually be centres for reform and not last chance saloons from which there is no escape.

Hindustan Times

Don’t Cry for Cricket

BY HARSHA BHOGLE Fans need to be angry and BCCI needs to reach out to them It was a day of untold sadness and vast opportunity. Three players betrayed their fans and their team and dragged our game into much notoriety. They wounded cricket deeply. But by pushing Indian cricket into a corner, they raised the hope that the necessary reforms would materialise. Hopefully, what is lost will produce some gain.

First, the sadness. There is, within all of us, a romantic; we spend hours talking about, and with some of us, reporting on, heroic deeds on cricket grounds. This kindles the love of the game in another generation and forms the foundation of all sport. The sportsman is important but the fan is as vital.

Every time a fixing story emerges, a little bit of the love diminishes.

Incidents like these will make fans question more and more; any mistake will now be scrutinised in search of a dark motive. An unorthodox shot, a gamble with the ball will not produce a thrill and a sigh but anger. It won’t just be the fans, but also captains and teammates who will feel that way. The fan has a right to be angry and let down. And there is a part of me that wishes the anger continues for a while. Thirteen years ago, when the first match-fixing matter erupted, India’s cricket fans weren’t angry for long enough. Maybe the coming together of the most outstanding set of people I have met in sport healed the wounds and gave hope. For the next few years, Indian cricket, through this fine set of people, gave much joy, and occasional despair, but brought trust back. Tendulkar, Dravid, Kumble, Laxman, Ganguly, Srinath — when they lost we thought again that it was only defeat and nothing else. And that was acceptable.

Now, the fan grieves again, but in a different climate. We do not yet know if those who will carry the flame forward are made the way those six, and others who played around them, were. T20 cricket has arrived, with its instant

thrill and unpredictability, and there is a lot of it around. The IPL has revolutionised world cricket and polarised it just as much. It would be easy to lay the blame for what has happened entirely on the IPL and the culture of greed it supposedly propagates. That would be an angry, lazy verdict at a time that calls for calm, decisive thought. True, it is an indicator to the IPL, not just of what could happen but of what actually does.

There were rumours and at least some of them have been validated.

Those that run the sport can be anguished and angry, but they cannot be surprised. Knowing the pitfalls of your business is as important as knowing the opportunities.

But there is a wider issue here.

There is a scandal every day, a scam seems to lurk around every corner, and the legislature is filled with people with criminal records. All this lends a veneer of acceptability to what might have been considered wrong in another time. With fewer people getting convicted, there is greater brazenness. One of these three was a very rich Indian cricketer, another had a good job and a place in one of the best teams in the country.

What happened with cricket, with these three young men, is therefore a reflection of what is happening everywhere. It calls for greater vigilance, but where do you see that in public life today?

What is even more dangerous is that this was uncovered by accident; just as the Cronje affair had been. So how much really is going on? If the police hadn’t stumbled on to this, would it have incited more such falsehood? Was this the result of earlier frauds that went undetected? It would be naive to believe that this is an isolated case. Assumptions of goodness will have to be suspended.

Inevitably, we must ask what the solution is. There has been much talk of mentoring cricketers but every young cricketer, even at the under-17 level, knows he shouldn’t be talking money to people of questionable repute.

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And you can spot them a mile away. These three went into it with their eyes open, not because they weren’t mentored. At the moment, there is no law against match-fixing, but one is required urgently.

But the IPL has also brought much joy, and sustenance, to many families. A lot of cricketers have benefited from it, both financially and through the opportunity it has afforded them. It is important that it stays strong and that the good it has done doesn’t get buried in the bad that we see now. That is why, for the BCCI itself, and by implication for those that run the IPL, this is the time to act swiftly and decisively. Many have spoken about transparency in financial matters and this must catalyse that process. There is already a lot of organisational rigour to the running of the IPL and throwing it open to the best minds can’t hurt. Many industry associations have independent ombudsmen too, people who are not answerable to the organisation but who reassure stakeholders by their presence and actions. Indian cricket needs trust and right now this can only come from people outside the cricket system.

The Indian cricket fan is hurt and the BCCI must reach out to him/ her. It is not possible to police the sport completely. But the fan often wants intent and the BCCI will have to move in that direction quickly. If they strengthen the game, something good can still come out of this. But for that, the anger must simmer longer. The player must fear the administration but the administration must fear the fan and be answerable.

This is needed to protect Indian cricket and make it stronger. It is needed to protect young Indian players and allow them to fulfil their dreams without being waylaid by immoral bandits. Out of the shattered lives of these three young men, newer and stronger players must emerge. Indian cricket must ensure that. Cruel as it may sound, it is too good an opportunity to miss.

The Indian Express

May 24, 2013

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May 24, 2013

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COMMUNITY

Roopal Shah, Named New Assistant Dean for International Affairs - University of Michigan

BY KATIE VLOET MICHIGAN: Roopal Shah—a 1995 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School who has a background practicing law for the government and in the private sector, as well as starting a nongovernmental organization in India—has been named the Law School’s assistant dean for international affairs.

“One reason I was drawn to Michigan as a law student was that Michigan was well regarded in the international community,” Shah said.

“Since then, the Law School has done even more to increase international coursework, added the International Transactions Clinic, and helped students find work abroad for the summers. It’s exciting to me that Michigan is heading in the right direction, and that we have an opportunity to impact broad international happenings— not just in the law, but in treaties, global leadership, Roopal Shah and other areas as well.”

Shah will replace Virginia Gordan, the longtime assistant served as executive director (2007dean for international affairs, who 2010) of Indicorps in Ahmedabad, is retiring, and who helped to build India. The nonprofit works to Michigan Law’s global engage- provide Indians from all over the ment and international reputation. world with a channel to reconnect “Virginia has been at the very with the country of their heritage center of the strengthening of and with the means to contribute our international and compara- to its development, while fostertive law programs and activities,” ing a new generation of socially said Steven Ratner, the Bruno conscious global leaders. Among Simma Collegiate Professor of its accomplishments was the sucLaw and a leader in the field of cessful partnership with commuglobal law. “Finding a worthy nity-based organizations to create successor was a challenge, and it sustainable rural initiatives, such required a worldwide search. The as a clean drinking water project level of interest in the job and the that reaches more than 70,000 extraordinary candidates who ap- people in 120 villages. She replied show how well Michigan mains on the board of directors. is regarded in international law.”

She also served in 2012 as a conShah, he said, “has everything sultant to Ashoka, a nonprofit that we want in this position, from supports social entrepreneurship, her varied work experience to and in 2007 as professional staff her strategic vision for where we at the University of Michigan Proneed to go in the future. She re- vost’s Office, where she provided ally wants our students to be lead- strategic guidance on efforts such ers around the world, and she as the “Expect Respect” campaign. wants to help get them there.”

As a student at Michigan Law, After graduating from Michigan she was a two-term president of the Law, Shah clerked for the Hon. Law School Student Senate. One David Alan Ezra in Hawaii, then of her legacies is the institution of worked as an associate at Shear- a “Day of Service” as part of every man & Sterling in Washington, new Law School student’s orientaD.C. She followed that with a job tion. She also advocated for gradas an assistant U.S. Attorney in the ing reform, a new approach to the border crimes, major narcotics, and mandatory 1L legal writing proterrorism divisions in San Diego; gram, and other innovations. Thenthere, she conducted 24 criminal Dean Jeff Lehman created the trials from jury selection to verdict, Dean’s Exceptional Service Award attaining convictions in 22 of them. and awarded it to her in 1995.

In 2001, she cofounded and “Roopal was a distinguished

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student when she attended the Law School, and she has been a highly accomplished alumna since her time here, making her mark in important ways around the world,” Dean Evan Caminker said. “I have no doubt that she will continue to build Michigan Law’s global reputation, and she will do so with the great energy and verve she has brought to the earlier chapters in her career.”

In addition to Shah’s professional achievements, she also is a fearless adventurer. She has run the Marine Corps marathon twice and, when she lived in San Diego, surfed every day for more than 400 days, “even when the rain was terrible, when the waves were over six feet tall, and when we really shouldn’t have been out there,” she said.

Shah said she looks forward to returning to Ann Arbor. “One of the things I have loved from a lot of the places I’ve been is the idea of building and being in community. Ann Arbor is exciting because there already is a strong sense of community.”

True to her community-building instincts, she also is excited about helping the Law School “continue to build on and extend its global networks, and ensure that it is just as engaged, connected, and energized as our community in Ann Arbor.”

Roopal is the daughter of Indian community leader Ramesh and Kokila Shah of Houston.

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ENTERTAINMENT Aurangzeb : Movie Review

May 24, 2013

Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Prithviraj, Sashaa Agha, Jackie Shroff, Amrita Singh Direction: Atul Sabharwal Genre: Drama Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes

MUMBAI (TOI): Ajay and Vishal (Arjun Kapoor) are twins separated by a set of adamant parents—Jackie Shroff and Tanvi Azmi; he, a notorious real estate developer and she, a conscientious homemaker who turns police informer. And, there’s a family of cops—Rishi Kapoor, Prithviraj, Sikander Kher, who wear tainted uniforms; introduced in the film’s opening sequence as collectors. By a twist of fate the twins find their lives entwined with that of the cops. The real-estate developer’s wife and one twin are saved by an honest cop (Anupam Kher) in a bizarre `encounter’. And he keeps them hidden for 25 years . In what is a convoluted plot, the dishonest bunch of policemen (Rishi and co) makes plans to kill Jackie Shroff, his estranged wife, their twins and take over their empire. So they plant one of the twins as an infiltrator.

Set in Gurgaon, the satellite land maze, the writers of Aurangzeb borrow plot-points and lines from Deewar, Trishul, Naam and you also see slight similarities to Hollywood cop capers like Pride & Glory and Departed.

And if you wondering why the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s name has been used; well we are told he was a traitor, who proclaimed that `kinship shouldn’t come in the way of kingship.’ In other words the end justifies the means.

Arjun Kapoor is still raw and needs polish to juggle the shades required to balance a twin role.

Sashaa Agha is petite, pugnosed and has a nice figure. But

her portrayal of the golden-hearted whore, like the one Parveen Babi played in Deewar, is insipid.

Rishi Kapoor is in top form.

Whether he is playing white, black or grey, this veteran rarely falters.

Prithviraj Sukumaran is in fine fettle, his sultry looks adding to his sulking character. Jackie Shroff , the 80s superstar who had been lost to inconsequential cinema is making commendable appearances now.

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RECIPES/PUZZLES

May 24, 2013

Mama’s Punjabi Recipes Aloo Wadiyan

(POTATO & SUN DRIED LENTIL DUMPLING CURRY) Wadiyan are by far the most Punjabi of all foods and in fact, the Punjab border town of Amritsar is famous for its aromatic and spicy version, along with Amritsari papad. There is a bazaar behind the Golden Temple complex which is known for its foodstuff and a whole lane is devoted to these two delicacies.

There are several types of wadiyan but I think that the ones that are made of skinless urad daal (lentils) are the most flavorful. In the way that my mother used to make them, the daal is first ground finely, then made into a paste into which other spices and peppers are mixed in. The paste is then formed into round nuggets, about 1 to 2 inches in diameter and left to dry on a coarse muslin or cotton sheet in the hot Punjab sun.

Within two days, the outer shell is dry, then after another two days the nuggets are stripped off the cloth and turned over to dry some more. In a week the wadiyan are fully dried and ready for cooking.

But using wadiyan requires care.

Do not keep wadiyan in the pantry because insects can infest them.

There is a better way to store them safely. Simply store them in a plastic zip bag in the fridge, just as you should also store papad. Always roast and brown the wadiyan in a toaster oven, then you can keep them in the pantry for a long time without fear of insects and they are ready for cooking. Keep the roasted wadiyan in a ziplock bag to keep the humidity out. Some people roast the wadiyan in a little oil and then store them in the pantry; but I have found they may get an acrid smell after some time.

Wadiyan can be used with many types of vegetables, beans or even with rice as an ingredient which adds a burst of flavor and a slightly pungent smell. It is not a condiment, but is rather like adding paneer to different dishes, but the secret to cooking with wadiyan is to roast and brown them first as this prevents them from crumbling and falling

apart and giving a raw daal taste.

There are also wadiyan made of moong daal which are smaller in size and is popular in Gujarat.

Over the past fifteen years, wadiyan made of soya powder have become popular too because of their reasonable price, spongy texture that absorbs the curry and their healthy benefits. But the true, Punjabi tasting ones, in my opinion, are the ones made of urad daal.

Ingredients: • 4 medium size aloo (potatoes) • 2 medium size Amritsari wadiyan (sun dried lentil dumpling) • 2 medium pyaaz (onion) – peeled and finely chopped • 2 medium tamater (tomato) – soft ones are best, chopped • 5 cloves of lasan (garlic) – peeled and finely chopped • 1 tablespoon adrak (ginger) – peeled and finely chopped • 6 tablespoons of vegetable or olive oil • 2 cups of water • Spices (to taste): namak (salt), mirch (red pepper), haldi (tur meric), dhania (coriander), garam masala Directions: 1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into medium sized quarters.

Leave them in a bowl of water so that they do not turn a dark color.

2. In a medium saucepan prepare the masala in a medium frying pan, heat 4 tablespoons of oil over medium heat, then add

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the onions, ginger, garlic and tomatoes. Stir well to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom. When the mixture is slightly brown, add the spices and stir well.

3. Take the potatoes out of the water and throw them into the masala. Add two cups of water and cover the pot.

4. When the potatoes are slightly cooked and the curry is boiling, add the wadiyan; cover and let the curry boil for five minutes.

Then turn off the heat and let the dish stay for five to ten minutes.

Do not overcook the potatoes as they need to be solid, not smashed.

5. Uncover the pot and check that the wadiyan have become plump and spread out and their aroma fills the pot. The dish is ready to eat, usually with roti, rice or any variety of bread.

ShakuntlaMalhotra 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.

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A Strip of Cloth That Makes Dry Cleaners Shudder

BY VIJAI SINGH NEW YORK (NYT): After Hurricane Sandy made Tanya Aeya evacuate her apartment in the West Village, she returned to discover that her clothes had been sitting in water for three weeks.

“The embroidery and all the metallic work on it, everything faded and had water marks and water damage,” said Aeya, 33, a speech pathologist. She frantically searched for a dry cleaner who would try to salvage her garments.

But almost no one would touch them because they included saris.

With temperatures rising and weddings looming, many women will be slipping on ornate saris, putting the delicate garments in the cross hairs of wayward pieces of food. That possibility makes many a dry cleaner shudder.

Forget trying to make red wine stains disappear. Perhaps nothing is more challenging than removing, say, a curry stain from a sari.

“I don’t enjoy doing it,” said Anil Dua, 55, owner of Edison Organic Cleaners in Edison, N.J. “The color comes out,” he said. “Thread comes out. Beads melt. They are not meant to be dry cleaned even though they have the label ‘dry clean only.’ ” Still, not all dry cleaners are as leery. Samir Patel came up with his own method after buying an IPURA, a $45,000 Italian dry cleaning machine he discovered at a dry cleaning expo.

“They said,” recalled Patel, the owner of Dry Clean World in Blackwood, N.J., “as long as you pretreat it right and know what cycle to put it in, you would be able to do anything you want.”

After trimming loose threads, treating stains and removing loose dirt, he sprays the fabric with a hydrocarbon solution to see if the

Samir Patel, of Dry Clean World in Blackwood, N.J., bought a $45,000 machine to clean saris without damaging them.

Photo: Jessica Kourkounis

colors run. Then, he puts the sari on the IPURA’S delicate cycle.

After the machine finishes, he steams the sari and presses it. The process takes about an hour and he charges $10 to $50 per piece.

Joon Kyu Park, who owns a dry cleaning store in Queens, has mostly Indian customers.

He decided to invest in a top-ofthe-line machine after too many complaints about damaged saris.

Leafing through a dry cleaning magazine, Park came across the Satec B-300, a German machine that cost $65,000. Now, he said, “the customers are happy.”

Not every piece can be saved.

“One woman brought a garment that had an Indian pickle smell,” Dua recalled.

“She brought it from India.

The pickle container opened up in the suitcase. I cleaned it so many times and it still smelled.”

He put it outside to try to air it out. It was stolen.

A sari, which means “strip of cloth” in Sanskrit, is a traditional

Indian garment, about six yards long, that has been worn in a variety of ways for centuries. The various colors and patterns often have different meanings — Hindu brides, for example, often wear red.

Some women distrust dry cleaners and prefer to clean their own saris, which can cost $300 or more, washing them in a bucket or bathtub, or gently spot-cleaning them.

“Sometimes what I do, I spread it nicely on the dining table or in a big space and then carefully look at where the spot is,” said Srimathi Bhatt, 51, a confidential assistant who lives in Queens Village and owns several dozen saris. “I use delicate soap, such as Ivory soap, to carefully brush these spots,” she said.

Nan Phrsai, 53, who works for the AMC networks and lives in Levittown, N.Y., has a closet filled with about 50 Indian outfits. She says she washes her saris one at a time in her washing machine, sticking them in a pillowcase that she folds and pins shut.

“If it’s going to be ruined, at least I did it,” Phrsai said.

Some women go further — waiting until they travel to India to take care of their soiled saris. Assuming that saris are made there, they reason, Indian dry cleaners should know what they are doing.

“I don’t trust anyone here,” Aeya said.

But Aeya did not want to carry the 30 or so outfits drenched

by Hurricane Sandy all the way to India. She called numerous dry cleaners until she reached Patel, the owner of Dry Clean World, who said he would try.

“If there was even a 1 percent chance to save some of my clothes,” she said, “I would’ve spent anything.” But despite Patel’s efforts, she wound

up throwing everything out.

Samir Patel says he embraces the challenge. “My goal is to have an Indian-dry-cleaning-only store by next year,” he said. He recently started advertising his business in the sari shops in Iselin, N.J., using a friend’s office there as a drop-off point for customers.

Sejal Patel (no relation to SamirPatel) lives in Philadelphia and took in four saris after picking up Patel’s business card in Iselin.

“I’m very happy someone is doing this for Indian clothes,” said Sejal Patel, 29, who is a logistics management specialist for the Navy.

“Some clothes are your favorites, like my mom’s 30-year-old sari, so you want to keep them good and wear them again,” she said.

Phaneesh Murthy in Sex Scandal Again, Sacked

NEW DELHI (HT): iGate Corporation, a US-listed IT company, on Tuesday sacked its Indiaborn president & CEO Phaneesh Murthy for not disclosing to the management his relationship with a subordinate employee.

This is the second time Phaneesh Murthy (49) has been forced to resign on this charge. In 2002, Murthy, then a rising star in Infosys, and head of the company’s US sales team, had had to quit following accusations of sexual harassment by Reka Maximovitch, his secretary. The company settled out of court for $3 million in 2003.

In a conference call with the media on Tuesday morning, Murthy claimed the charge was actually an extortion attempt and that the same lawyer who had represented Maximovitch was involved.

“Recently, I learnt that a lady called Araceli Roiz, who is the investor relations head of iGate, has filed charges against me claim-

127

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

ing sexual harassment. She has not filed any case in a court. She just sent a letter to the company, claiming sexual harassment. I do believe the charges are completely false. But it is pursuant to a relationship I had with her,” he said. iGate rules make it mandatory for employees to report any relationship with colleagues. Murthy claimed he had informed iGate co-chairman Sunil Wadhwani about his relationship and, hence, had not violated company policy.

In a statement iGate said its decision was based on a report by an outside legal counsel hired by it.

“The investigation, which is ongoing, has reached the finding that Murthy’s failure to report this relationship violated iGATE’s policy, as well as Murthy’s employment contract,” said the company statement.

“The investigation has not uncovered any violation of iGATE’s harassment policy.”

24

May 24, 2013

CSK Super Kings Crush Mumbai Indians to Reach Fifth IPL Final

BY SIDHARTH MONGA NEW DELHI (ESPNCricinfo): The IPL faced new crises - including a hearing for alleged spotfixers about 10km from the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium and a hearing asking for a ban on the event itself - but on the field the same old story of Chennai Super Kings’ domination of big IPL matches continued as they made it to their fifth final out of the six IPLs played.

Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina powered them with 80s, but the 192 seemed inadequate the way Dwayne Smith hit 68 off 28. Into the game came Ravindra Jadeja with the wickets of Smith, Dinesh Karthik and Kieron Pollard. Mumbai get another shot at making it to the final when they face the winner of the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.

Super Kings looked a bit hassled in the eight-over slog against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their previous match, but in a full-duration big match you always back them to get back to their best. It was a typical Super Kings performance. It was Hussey and Raina first, who hardly ever disappoint in big matches, with an unbeaten 140-run partnership.

That partnership followed a solid unhurried opening between M Vijay and Hussey. Hussey and Raina then got together as if they have been playing IPL qualifiers on Feroz Shah Kotla tracks all their lives. There were no uncertain prods in the beginning, no hesitation in the running. Hussey, who reclaimed the orange cap during the innings, was special in how he took apart Lasith Malinga.

It was actually a good over from Malinga - the fifth of the match featuring two excellent yorkers.

Hussey not only kept the yorkers out, he pushed two balls of that over for fours. No back lift, just timing. Even when the two exploded towards the end, taking 123 runs off the last 10, it hardly looked like they were taking risks. It seemed the innings was headed towards its natural end.

What followed wasn’t quite expected. Smith went absolutely ber-

SPORTS

Royals Suspends Contracts of Trio

If it’s a big IPL match, it must be Hussey and Raina

serk in the chase. Everything he touched seemed to be going for either four or six. He didn’t spare the opening bowlers nor Chris Morris.

He laid into R Ashwin too and took Mumbai to 86 for 1 in seven overs. Then Dhoni went to what has been his trump card all season.

On came Jadeja and just like

that Smith sliced one inexplicably. Gone. Then went Karthik to a skidder: 95 for 3. Rohit Sharma fell under the pressure too, but when Pollard began to hit sixes, the flat track and small outfield promised anything was possible.

Not against Jadeja, though. Two sixes in that over were followed by

a dart into the pads, which Pollard happened to flick straight to square leg. That was game over, but Super Kings went on to show brilliant pieces of fielding and celebrations.

Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

NEW DELHI (ESPNCricinfo): Rajasthan Royals has suspended the contracts of all three of their players who were arrested on allegations of spot-fixing. The three players had already been suspended by the BCCI soon after the controversy came to light.

The franchise has also filed a complaint against the players with the Delhi Police, and said that additional security has been allotted for the team for the playoff stage of the IPL. “Based on the information provided by the authorities, the contracts of all three players have been suspended pending enquiry,” Royals said in a press release. “We have already filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against all three players earlier today.”

The extra security for the team follows a decision taken at Sunday’s BCCI working committee meeting to provide each team officers from its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).

The moves come in the wake of the arrest of three Royals players - Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila - by the Delhi Police last week on allegations of spot-fixing. Their police custody ends on Monday evening and while the players’ lawyers have announced their plan to move for bail, the Delhi Police are likely to apply for extension of the custody.

Meanwhile, Royals have reached the playoff stage of the IPL for the first time since their unexpected run to the title in the inaugural season. Their campaign resumes on Wednesday when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in a knock-out game. “The team has re-grouped itself after the shocking events of last week and are preparing for the playoffs,” the franchise’s chairman, Ranjit Barthakur, said.

INDIA

May 24, 2013

25

How He Missed the Marriage Bus?

I have Seen and Done it All, Says Author Ruskin Bond

BY RAJ KANWAR IAN INDIA CORRESPONDENT RUSKIN BOND, India’s most lovable storyteller, celebrated his 79th birthday on 19 May. His has been a long, long journey spanning nearly six and a half decades during which he hardly ever took a break. In this yet-tofinish marathon, Ruskin has written over 500 short stories, nearly 50 children’s books, a dozen or so novellas and 150 other books that include numerous anthologies, collection of his short stories and even non-fiction. Four of his stories have been made into movies. His first novel the “Room on the Roof” had won him the prestigious ‘Llewellyn Rhys Prize’ given to a Commonwealth citizen under 30. He had also won ‘Sahitya Akademi Award’ in 1992 for his ‘Our Trees still grow in Dehra’. Ruskin was also honoured with Padmashri award in 1999.

When I met Ruskin last week for an informal interview at his Ivy Cottage residence in Landour Mussoorie, he was in a nostalgic, expansive and frank mood.

EXCERPTS: Ruskin, now that you have been writing for six and a half decades, and have seen and done it all, are you now left with any unfulfilled ambition or are you fully satiated?

Raj, you were there when the “Room on the Roof” won the “John Llewellyn Rhys Prize” and you were good enough to get that news with my picture published in The Statesman. You have also seen me in those struggling years.

It has been indeed an uphill journey, both figuratively and literally. I have been acclaimed and venerated by generations of fans.

From those ‘hand-to-mouth’ days, I have now reached both financial stability and professional fame.

What else men like me in my twilight years now wish to achieve?

Yes, you are right. I have seen and done it all. I will continue writing and will happily go with pen in my hand when my time comes.

Tell me about those struggling and tough years. What was the motivation and inspiration that guided you through that tempestuous period?

Thank God, that turbulent phase is now in the past. Of course, those were the difficult years and occasionally I thought of giving it all up and taking up a job, suitable

Ruskin Bond

to my qualifications, not much to boast about. Remember that I had only done my Senior Cambridge and did not even possess a college degree. I was on my own most of the time, even though occasionally I lived with my Mom and stepfather. Fortuitously, those days some mainstream newspapers and magazines such like Sunday Statesman and the Illustrated Weekly of India published short stories and that provided me a ready outlet. Many other newspapers too started carrying my stories. It was tough but I nevertheless managed. I then made 300-400 rupees a month. Mandy encouraged me a good deal. Later, the Weekly also serialized my novel “Vagrants in the Valley” and that helped a lot in building my reputation as a short story teller.

You are no doubt aware that I had worked with CARE for a couple of years or so when I lived in Delhi during 1958-64 in order to supplement whatever little income I got from my short stories and other pieces. The motivation, in fact, was my desperation, since I had then hardly any other option.

Eventually, my determination and audacity paid dividends, and I started making a reasonable living, though nothing to shout about.

How many of your stories have been made into movies and what has been your experience with the film industry?

Junoon was the first movie produced in 1979 by Shashi Kapoor and directed by Shyam Benegal.

It was based on my novella, “A Flight of Pigeons”, set around 1857 War of Independence. The

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next was “Blue Umbrella” by Vishal Bhardwaj. It was based on my story of the same name.

Again Bhardwaj made another movie “Saat Khoon Maaf” based on my story “Susanna’s Seven Husbands”. I have had to expand my four-page story to an 80-page novella to make it suitable for film adaptation. I was then paid rupees three lakhs. Currently, a movie named “Life Mein Hungama” directed by Sunil Advani is being shown in Maharashtra and couple of other states.

My experiences with people in the film industry are by and large very pleasant. Everyone there including some of the top directors, producers and stars gave me due respect and regard.

Ruskin, tell me why you have remained unmarried? Didn’t you have any love affairs?

And how come you are today a ‘Bachelor grandfather’?

Yes, there was a Vietnamese girl in London and we dated for a while. But then one day she suddenly left, without a word, for home to join her family in those turbulent civil war years in Vietnam. I was somewhat heartbroken but there was nothing I could do.

Then there was a Punjabi girl in Delhi whom I liked but her family thought that she was too young to marry. Oh! [he sighs!] It’s a long story of teenage crushes, instant infatuations and all else that generally happen to men of marriageable age. When I was young and personable, most parents or even their daughters did not find me a “Suitable Boy”, possibly

due to my financial instability.

And when finally I had gained that stability and more, I was in my 50s, past the marriageable age.

Happily by then I had become a ‘House-holder’ and soon over the years I became head of a growing family. It so happened that in 1969-70, I had employed Prem and his wife Chandra as domestic help. While the duo looked after my household chores, they also gave birth to three children.

Then in due course, those three children too grew up and got married. In the course of natural progression, they too became parents.

All of my children and grandchildren are suitably placed; a granddaughter who has a master’s degree in English language is married in Punjab. Thus today I am a grandfather with seven grandchildren. Surely, I couldn’t have asked for more.

Starting your career with an average income of rupees 300 or thereabout, what is your annual income today? Don’t answer if you do not want to.

On the contrary, I will happily answer your question. Yes, you have been with me in those early days during which we both struggled; you as a journalist and I as a story writer.

Today my average annual income ranges between rupees 20 to 30 lakhs. Even then, it is just about enough to meet the needs of my large extended family. I am really very grateful to my guardian angel.

However, all this affluence has come much too late in my career.

In 1970s when I lived as a tenant in Mussoorie’s Maplewood Lodge, it was then offered to me for just rupees 10,000. But alas, I then could not even arrange that small amount. Today, when my income has gone up manifold, the price of the property has jumped more than a thousand times. That again takes a real good property out of my price range.

And Ruskin why you have chosen to remain an internet illiterate and don’t even own a mobile phone?

Raj, you are rather naïve. Don’t you remember that I never ever could learn to ride a bicycle in my younger days! How do you now expect me to learn the complicated rigmarole of internet and mobile telephoning? I even have given up typing, and I now hand write all my stories. I think I am happy as it is.

Raj Kanwar is a Dehra Dun based freelance journalist and writes columns on current affairs for local and national newspapers. He is also the author of the official history of ONGC, which is one of the top three companies in India in terms of market capitalization. Kanwar is also associated with World Oil as its Contributing Editor for South Asia.

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