Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
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Friday, April 22 2011 | Vol. 30, No. 16
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This Week Inside
Pg 29-36
Pg 5
Ekal Foundation Reports Higher Donations
Pratham Houston Gala 2011
Pg 6
Awesome Blossom
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Area nepalese celebrate elebrate a Lively Vaisakhi
By Jawahar India. After years Malhotra of celebrating HOUSTON: On Vaisakhi, which the dance floor, for the Nepalese half a dozen men community is their or more, all of largest festival, at varying ages and Maharaja restaushapes, some with rant on the far west Nepali caps and side on Highway traditional kurtis 6, this year marked and pajamas, were the first time they dancing a folk had held it in andance in unison, other venue. with impromptu The hall was fessteps and flowtively decorated ing hand and arm and provided a movements. The stage and a large song that the singfloor to for dancer onstage, Janak Children and their parents participated in a colorful traditional dress parade at the Vaisakhi ing, which got Thapa (while his cebebration held this past Saturday. underway once Photos: Jawahar Malhotra little 5-year old dinner was over son danced along, both dressed tion for the Nepali community had “Many young Nepalese work around 11:30pm on Saturday, alike in black) had caught the managed to re-capture that home- late hours on the weekends and April 16, and went on till 2am on imagination, with its implorations ly spirit once again, all thanks to will show up only after 10pm,” Sunday! “They begged us to conto have fun, and took these men the hard work that many in the or- predicted Dinker Amatya, one of tinue,” said a delighted Amatya, back to their ancestral home and ganizing committee had put in for the organizers. “We’ll have over “but of course, we couldn’t!” This villages in Nepal where they had the past two months in not only ar- 400 people here pretty soon,” he was far cry from the same celebradanced like this before. ranging the evening but especially added as he surveyed the large Taj tion in the past few years and had And this year’s Vaisakhi celebra- also in spreading the word. Hall off Harwin Drive near Little continued on page 3
BAPs Annual Health Fair Promotes wellness
Pg 9
BAPS Celebrates Swaminarayan Jayanti & Ram Navmi
ets
Pg 14
Dr. Manu Vora: Recipient of 2011 Ellis Island Medal of Honor
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Monzer Hourani, Chester Jones, Dr Ashok Tripathy, Dr Guru Reddy, Nilkanth Patel (front), Dr Dilip Patel, Dr Mukesh Patel, Dr Neekum, Ellie Hourani, Harish Jajoo (behind) continued on page 9
STAFFORD, TX: The thought of periodic health check-ups is daunting for many, however, early detection and prevention is the key to a healthier life. Nonetheless, preventable ailments such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are still largely prevalent across the United States. Recognizing early detection and prevention as vital for the well-being of communities, BAPS Charities dedicated April 2011 as Health Fair Month and organized a community health fair on Saturday, April 16, 2011 in Stafford, TX. The 11th Annual Health Fair opened with a guest speech by Texas A&M neuroscience professor, Farida Sohrabji, Ph.D and a keynote speech by Harris County Medical Society President, Dr. Guru Reddy, MD. “This great Success has been possible, simply because of the volunteerism and spirit that many of you have within you. The great success happens to serve 25000 individuals in the past 10 years,” addressed Dr. Guru Reddy, MD. “I’d like to thank all the volunteers today for
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
Area nepalese celebrate a Lively Vaisakhi continued from page
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to do as much with the venue as it did with the hard work that the Nepalese Association of Houston had put in under the current President, Madhukar Amatya, the younger brother of Dinker (who founded the NAH over a decade ago). This year, many items were included in a long stage program that highlighted the community’s youthful talent for music and dance. The program was emceed by the team of Akleesh Katel, Tara Baral and Anoop Pandey, who first started the performances off with a short parade of small children and their parents in traditional Nepali attire. This was followed up with several performances by small kids of songs and group and solo dances; one in particular that stood out was a dance to the Michael Jackson number Dangerous, which was performed by a spirited 6-year old boy, all of four feet tall, complete with fedora and black suit What followed were performances on the guitar by a young enthusiast, growling into the mike to the amusement of others, and several dances that featured the folk-rock fusion song Jhalkaiden by the group Nepahliya and some comedic relief. Awards for community service were presented and Madhukar gave an appropriately short speech as the party goers were getting restless for dinner and more entertainment. A raffle was held for the prizes from event sponsors Lifetime Furniture and Hair Gallerie. Another eight sponsors supported this year’s Vaisakhi celebration. The celebrations brought out many out of
the estimated 10,000 Nepalese in the Greater Houston area. According to Dinker, there are an estimated 35,000 Nepalese in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and perhaps double that number in Chicago and even more in the New York-New Jersey area. And, as a sign of the times, many of these new immigrants and entrants into the US are making sure they pass along their heritage to their offspring, thanks to events like the Vaisakhi celebration, and the Nepalese associations that have sprung up around the nation. It was a fact that hasn’t escaped the eye of Houston Mayor Annise Parker as she
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Clockwise from top left: Nepalese Association of Houston President Madhukar Amatya; young girls perform a dance inspired by the folk-rock fusion music of Nepahliya; Janak Thapa sang a song that brought many men to the dance floor to do a traditional dance, while his son danced onstage with him; emcees Anoop Pandey and Tara Baral kept the program moving along; from left, Dr. Anjali Jain, Iren and Dinker Amatya at the event. Photos: Jawahar Malhotra
declared May 28, 2010 Nepal Day. “Since then, we have decided to hold a Nepal Day celebration every May 28,” explained a proud Madhukar. “This will bring all of us together for another event soon!”
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Homage to a musical stalwart
CICMH presents an audio-visual tribute to Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi By PraMod KulKarni K HOUSTON: Center for Indian Classical Music of Houston (CICMH), spearheading the cause of Hindustani classical music and musicians under the guidance of Pandit Suman Ghosh, paid a moving audio-visual homage to Hindustani music stalwart, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, on Sunday, April 17. More than 75 CICMH classical music students, their families and their wellwishers attended the Sunday afternoon event. Born Feb. 4 1922, Pandit Joshi had an extraordinary classical music career until his death recently on January 24 at the age of 88. Pandit Joshi wass a member of the Kirana gharana and won accolades for his renderings of ragas Mal-
kauns, Shuddha Kalyan, Miyan Ki Todi, Puriya Dhanashri, etc. and popular Marathi devotional songs called abhangs.He also gained recognition for a jugalbandi with the Carnatic music singer, M. Balamuralikrishna. The homage began with a floral tribute before an altar of Pandit Joshi that was creatively arranged by Varsha Pangarkar. The presentation, consisting of audio and visual clips and narrations, was made by Sunil Pangarkar with frequent commentaries by Ghosh. As recounted by Pangarkar, Joshi was born in the small town of Gadag in Karnataka. Joshi has a musical inclination since childhood and embarked on a long journey at the age of 11 to find a guru to teach him classical music after listening to the record of a thumri. The young child wandered throughout North India to cities such as Gwalior, New Delhi, Lucknow and Calcutta, often riding trains without a ticket and working in menial jobs. After three years of wandering, Joshi’s father tracked him down and brought him home. In 1936, Joshi was fortunate to find a guru in nearby Dharwar, Sawai Gandharva. Later on, Pandit Joshi paid homage to his guru by founding
the annual Sawai Gandharva festival in Pune, which has provided a platform for numerous senior as well as up and coming performers. The audience was also privileged to listen to an exclusive interview in Marathi with Usha Kulkarni, Pandit Joshi’s daughter. Kulkarni said Pandit Joshi’s devotion to learning was literally “strong enough to break rock.” Among his insightful comments, Pandit Ghosh
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
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IACF Annual Walkathon Slated for April 30 at Lost Creek Park
HOUSTON: The Indo-American Charity Foundation directors are humming with enthusiasm as they gear up for the Annual IACF Walkathon that is planned for April 30, at Lost Creek Park in Sugar Land. Donations for the event are $20 for individuals, $50 for a family and $10 for senior citizens and students. Just like last year, this year’s walkathon is being organized as a community event with the active participation and support of over 15 Indo-American organizations, like the ICC, Daya, India House, IAPAC, Sewa International, IACCGH, Indo American Forum and IITAGH just to name a few. IACF hopes to generate great enthusiasm for this
year’s Walkathon, expecting over 500 participants. As in past years, many elected and community leaders are expected to participate in the 2K to 5K walk in the beautiful park
located in Sugar Land, and will run from 8:30 am till 12:30 pm. The Walkathon is planned as a true family outing with activities for all ages including live music and yoga instructions as well as assorted snacks, fruits, tea and other refreshments. This year, thanks to a new Board member, Dr. Dominic Shresta, a free medical clinic checking vital statistics will be part of the Walkathon. Again as in past years, the IACF asks that Walkathon participants bring at least 10 non perishable items along with them, which will be donated to the Houston Food Bank in order to fight hunger in the local areas.
The Walkathon is a way to share the IACF Vision, which is to foster a local community whose basic needs are met and where everyone can lead enriched lives through better health, education and growth opportunities. This year’s event will earmark half of the proceeds to the Japanese earthquake and Tsunami victims. This year, the IACF has embarked on an invigorated way to reach out further, raise more funds for local charities and hold more events throughout the year to show its commitment to the community. With this year’s new Board, a new Executive Director, Surender Talwar has been appointed to help meet the stated goals.
Ekal Foundation Reports Higher Donations in 2010 In addition to fund-raisers featuring entertainment, Ekal also held full and half marathon runs in several cities in which all Indian Americans and non-Indian Americans participated. Last year, Ekal commissioned a yearlong “Social Impact Study” to determine impact of Ekal Vidyalayas on village upliftment. This study is being conducted by Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Tata Dhan Academy. The report is expected in July 2011. Ekal’s concept of one-teacher schools and their contribution to literacy and empowerment of citizens in the rural and tribal areas of India have been roundly applauded by the state governments and social organizations. Ekal received the
“Meri Dilli Award” in the field of literacy from Speaker of Delhi Assembly, a further testimonial to Ekal’s contribution. This is in addition to the highest award by Bharat Vikas Parishad (India Development Council) conferred on Ekal by retired justices of India. This year’s Houston program is on April, 23, Saturday, at the New Stafford Center, 10505 Cash Road in Stafford. The program will start with dinner at 6 p.m. and the concert at 7:30 p.m. and continue till midnight. The tickets are only $30 per person. For more information about Ekal Vidyalaya USA, contact Subhash Gupta at 1-855-EKALUSA (352-5872) or email ekalusa@ekalvidya.org.
Ekal Vidyalaya Board Members
HOUSTON: The national leadership of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA (EVFUSA) held a highly successful mid-year meeting in Houston from April 8 through April 10. EVFUSA is a charitable foundation with the mission to help disadvantaged children in the rural and tribal areas of India through education related to basic literacy, personal hygiene and basic health care, economic upliftment and social empowerment. The Board of Directors and the Executive Committee members travelled from all over United States. Mr. Subhash Gupta, President of EVFUSA, reported that Ekal Foundation was currently running a record 34,343 schools and educating 1,030,290 children all over India. EVFUSA through its fundraising events raised a record $3.5 million, up from $3.3 million a year ago, despite economic meltdown. Currently, contributions from USA support about 9550 one-teacher schools in India. Ekal USA added five new chapters, in Las Vegas, Portland, North Jersey, Delaware, and Northeast PA, bringing the total number of active chapters to 34. Mr. Gupta also cited that various youth clubs were very active in creating awareness and raising funds for education in tribal India. Such as Sachi Dave, 16 years old, from New York, and Vidya Sreenath, 5, from Houston, donated their birthday gifts to Ekal. Mr. Ashok Danda, Secretary said at the national office in Houston, the efficiencies and cost saving measures has been added to make it a successful organization. Mr. Pawan Sharda, Treasurer, gave the Foundation’s financial report and
informed the leadership that the cost ratio was kept in check at 5% of total revenue and the total donations received had increased by 4.4% compared with 2009. Ramesh Shah, Chairman of the Board, facilitated productive and lively discussions on several pilot initiatives, including “Leveraging newer technologies and computers in rural education”, “improving vaccination rates in villages”, “techniques to improve economic return from village-based enterprises” and other innovative projects. These efforts are in keeping with Ekal’s objective of holistic village development. “The highlight of the meeting was the deliberation and adoption of new Bylaws to facilitate more effective implementation of EVFUSA goals and objectives”, said Dr. Sudhir Prabhu, Vice-Chair of the Board, from Jacksonville, FL. Last year three Boards of directors, Dr. Yash Lakra, Jyotish Parekh and Ram Nehra, retired and Dr. Sudhir Prabhu, Dr. Surendra Garg and Mr. Jugal Malani were elected for three-year term effective Jan 1, 2011. The out-of-town guests were most appreciative of the warm weather and warm hospitality of the Houston Team. Every year, Ekal Vidyalaya’s fund raising programs are organized in 45 cities around USA. This year’s program features the musical group of Manoj Mishra and Nirupama Dey, who are well known singers in India. Ekal officials have received spectacular reviews from the cities where the events have already taken place. People who attended the show were highly pleased with high quality of singing from Mishra, Dey and their team of musicians.
Indo American News • Friday, APRIL 22, 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
HOUSTON: Pratham Houston will be hosting its annual fund raising gala on Saturday, April 23 at 6:30 pm at the Westin Galleria Hotel. This year’s annual gala is expected to enable sponsorship of Pratham’s Read India program in 460 villages in India impacting over 8,000 children. The evening promises to be a delightful one with a profesionally choreograghed
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Pratham Houston Gala 2011
fashion show (En Vogue) by the leading boutiques in Houston: MABY USA, Kohinoor Diamonds, Poshak Fashion and Style Ordhni Boutique and Carmaa Boutique. An exciting live auction to be conducted by Dr. Subodh Bhuchar will be one of the highlights of the event. The auction items include a Lladro figurine donated by Karat 22, tickets to the Astros and the Rockets
game, an exquisite set of diamond earrings donated by SB & T Imports, a gourmet restaurant package featuring top restaurants in Houston: Café Ash’s, Bombay Brasserie, India’s Restaurant, Pondicheri, Indika, Mumbai Spice, Gourmet India and a vacation in Belize. Although primarily a grassroots organization, Pratham’s partners include Indian and international corporations and foundations, universities such as MIT, Columbia, Harvard and UC Berkeley, and local and state governments. Pratham is also the recipient of several awards: Madhav Chavan received a 2011 Skoll Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Award which carried a $1,235,000 grant to Pratham to fund leadership training. In 2009, Pratham was named the CNN Indian of Year in the Public Service Category. Pratham is the recipient of the 2010 Henry R. Kravis Leadership Award. In 2007, the Hewlett and Gates foundations jointly awarded a $9.1 million grant to Pratham to fund the Read
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India program in 100 districts (payable over three years). Google also awarded a $2 million grant to support an independent institute to conduct ASER. The Hewlett foundation renewed its commitment to Pratham in 2010 with another 3-year grant totaling $9.5 million in additional funds. In 2000, the World Bank and the Government of Japan jointly awarded Pratham the Global Development Network Award for its innovativeness. With an annual budget of less than $15 million, Pratham works in collaboration with the government, local communities, parents, teachers and volunteers across the country to achieve its mission. Pratham USA (www.PrathamUSA.org), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with a four-star rating (the highest possible) from Charity Navigator, accepts tax deductible contributions from U.S. donors. For more information on the Houston Gala, please contact 713-774-9599 or send an e mail to houston@prathamusa.org
exiled malaysian Human rights Activist Addresses Large crowds on U.s. tour
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The exiled Malaysian human rights lawyer and founder of the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF), Waytha Moorthy, completed a seven city tour of the United States sponsored by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) last weekend. Moorthy was jailed and then exiled from his native Malaysia, and HINDRAF was banned after organizing a peaceful rally of more than 50,000 in 2007, protesting the country’s persecution of ethnic Indians and Hindus. Moorthy’s speaking tour took him to several meetings on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as well as stops on university campuses and community events. He called for international attention to be focused not only on the mass movement of
Hindus and other religious minorities that was crushed by the Malaysian government in 2007, but also on the ongoing systematic discrimination. “Moorthy’s presentation was critical in educating Americans about the extent and pervasiveness of human rights abuses in Malaysia and the brutal repression of tens of thousands that tried to bring peaceful change there just as we are witnessing in parts of the Arab world today,” said Samir Kalra, HAF Executive Council Member. “From destruction of Hindu temples to political persecution, Moorthy provided great personal insight into the daily struggles endured by the Hindu minority.” Hindus, who were brought to Malaysia from India as indentured laborers by the British during the 1800’s, comprise 6 - 7% of that country’s population. Many human rights organizations assert that Malaysian Hindus are economically deprived and lag far behind ethnic Malaysian Muslims who benefit from a majoritarian affirmative-action policy that includes discounts on housing, quotas in educational institutions, and preference for government jobs. Moorthy’s lectures detailed attacks on temples and religious shrines and several high-profile legal battles where Hindus have been forced to deal with the Sharia law courts in personal and family matters. “I am indeed grateful for this ten day HAF tour bringing me to the United States so I may spread awareness of the tragic situation confronting Malaysia’s Hindu and other religious minorities,” said Moorthy upon wrapping up his tour.
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
Amy mitchell Announces candidacy for sugar Land city council
SUGAR LAND: Amy Mitchell, a Sugar Land resident since 1993, has announced her candidacy for Sugar Land City Council, District 3 in the May 14 election. The District 3 seat is currently held by Councilman Russell Jones, who is stepping down due to term limits. Mitchell, a founding partner in the law firm of Mitchell & Duff, LLC, a local female owned law firm, has been a very active community leader in Sugar Land for many years. Her community involvement includes President, Sugar Land Exchange Club, Sugar Land 101, Citizens Police Academy, CAST, and Citizens Fire Academy. Mitchell passionately supports the Fort Bend Women’s Center, Child Advocates, Asians Against Domestic Abuse, American Red Cross, Fort Bend Literacy Council, Fort Bend Seniors, Santa’s Exchange, ARC and has chaired fundraisers for several of these organizations. Mitchell volunteers for FBISD serving as a guest speaker, awards presenter and dedicating many hours to keeping Colony Bend Elementary School open. Mitchell has earned the highest rating by judges and lawyers for her ethical and legal work and has served on the State Bar Grievance Committee overseeing Fort Bend lawyers conduct. “I look forward to continue serving Sugar Land and adding another voice of leadership and expertise to City Council,” said Mitchell. “I am a fiscal conservative, and am ready to immediately start working on maintaining the strength and policies that are necessary to maintain the economic condition and future of our city. With a weak national economy, and a multi-billion budget shortfall in the Texas Legislature, now is the time to craft intelligent solutions to protect Sugar Land’s future. It is imperative that we elect strong leaders to guide us through these times of uncertainty and preserve this foundation of strength we enjoy in Sugar Land, especially in light of the many departures this year on City Council.” “This is unarguably, a crucial moment in
our city’s history. Over the next months and years, Sugar Land must address many critical issues, including: multicultural interaction, aging infrastructure, continuing with economic development and redevelopment, supporting city services including police and fire departments, protecting our citizens and addressing mobility issues related to increased population. Additionally, the potential sale of the prison land, the impact of the new baseball stadium, and continuing to work with our partners such as the Fort Bend Independent School District are all necessary steps in ensuring the economic strength of our community and the quality of life we have and appreciate.” Mitchell continued, “As an 18 year resident, I’ve grown a deep and abiding love and pride of Sugar Land. “I will work hard for the future stability and growth of our city. I stand committed to open lines of communication, and covet the input of citizens in our decision making process. I have the experience and fortitude necessary to lead our city through hard work, dedication and fiscally responsible economic decisions. As a parent, I want to ensure that our children and grandchildren have the best community to live in now and twenty years from now.” For more information, visit amyforsugar amyforsugarland.com
Blood Drive by Sant Nirankari Mission hOUStON: Sponsored by Sant Nirankari Mission a van of Gulf coast regional Blood center will collect blood donations from the public on Sunday, a april 24 from Noon to 4.30PM. the van will be located at the parking lot of India house ( 8888 West Bellfort St.) fully equipped with staff. For scheduling your appointment time please call 832-646-7292 or 713-859-6421 and bring your ID.
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
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BAPs Annual Health Fair Promotes wellness continued from page
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giving their time and expertise for making this health fair a great success,” concluded Dr. Reddy, “By working together we will improve the health for all those in need and the community.” This health fair offered a range of services and information for children and adults. A number of volunteer healthcare specialists were involved including, physicians, pharmacists, dentists and nurses. Specialties in the fields of cardiology, pediatrics, gynecology, dermatology, ophthalmology, orthodontics, and endocrinology
cure’, BAPS Charities is educating individuals about potential risk factors and prevention methods to improve their quality of life.” During the fair, children sat in special sessions with doctors and nurses who taught them how to maintain good hygiene. They learned the proper techniques of brushing their teeth, the importance of washing one’s hands after sneezing, how to care for cuts and wounds, and handle emergency situations. “The doctor was funny and showed us how germs can make you sick,” said Yash Bhatt, “now I going to make sure I brush
Many free screening such as Pediatric Screening at the BAPS Charities Health Fair
were also on hand and in total, provided personal consultations to over 1100 visitors and performed over 4500 individual tests. “One of the reasons why became a physician is to help individuals,” said Cardiologist, Dr. Ramesh Patel. “Over the years, I have truly enjoyed volunteering for this BAPS Charities Health Fair,” added Dr. Patel “At the age of 24, I never thought I would have high cholesterol, ” said Amal Patel, “last year through a blood test I received here, I was not only diagnosed with high cholesterol but received personal doctor consultation in regards to my diet and my lifestyle.” All participants received preliminary physical examinations and had their blood pressure, blood sugar level and body mass index measured. “The dangers of undetected high blood pressure can be fatal,” said Dr. Siddarth Dave, a healthcare physician who volunteered at the fair. “In the spirit of the saying, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of
my teeth every night.” Over 40 booths hosted by a diverse set of organizations distributed the latest medical information to those that need it most -- both patients and medical professionals. For example; pharmaceutical companies with information on their latest drugs, hospitals and allied health institutions to give guidance on getting the best patient care, and insurance providers with information on their patient offerings. All throughout the day, doctors attend various lectures on the latest in drug and medical information. A continuing medical education CME lecture on “Spirituality and Medicine” by Dr. Kiran Shah, MD enabled physicians to earn their ethics credit. Many people in the United States do not seek healthcare for fear of not being able to afford it. BAPS Charities aims to create a new culture of preventative health care through interactive health fairs and educational seminars, which supplement government
Dr Guru Reddy address the assembly at BAPS Charities Health Fair
healthcare programs by raising awareness and providing information about alternative healthcare options. “Dedicated volunteers, local physicians, and community organizations from Houston all contributed to the success of this event,” said Dr. Jay Chavda, MD BAPS Charities event organizer. “With their support BAPS Charities provided this service to over 1100 members of the community.” This BAPS Charities Health Fair at Stafford, TX is one of over 40 such fairs which BAPS Charities organizes annually throughout North America. In total, over 2,500 health care professionals from local communities treated nearly 12,500 participants across the nation. In India, BAPS Charities regularly provides treatment to villagers in remote areas and manages 9 charitable hospitals and 11 mobile medical vans, which have treated over 2 million patients to date. Throughout the year, BAPS Charities hosts Health fairs, Blood Donation Drives, Flu Vaccination Drives, Health Awareness Lectures, 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 independent 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. For additional infor information on BAPS Charities and its international and local phil philanthropic activities, please visit www.bapscharities.org
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Several Medical Tests were offered during the Annual Health Fair
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BAPs shri swaminarayan mandir celebrates swaminarayan Jayanti and ram navmi
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Cultural Dance performance in celebration of the birth of Bhagwan Ram and Bhagwan Swaminarayan
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HOUSTON: Sages, poets, and devotees have hailed Bhagwan as a hitakāri, a moral and spiritual benefactor, as impartial as the sun shining upon all within its perimeter. This quality of Bhagwan, to ensure well-being of all baring distinction, was brought to the fore in this year’s annual celebration of Swaminarayan Jayanti and Ram Navmi. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Stafford, TX celebrated the 230th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Swaminarayan on April 9th. Falling on Chaitra Sud 9, which also marks the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Shri Ram, this day is one of the most celebra-
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Children of BAPS sing bhajans of Bhagwan Ram and Bhagwan Swaminarayan
dertake a journey across the Indian subcontinent. Through his travels, words, and deeds, he inspired a spiritually enriched way of life as prescribed in the scriptures. And to those who lead such lives, he guaranteed ultimate salvation. Anecdotes relating to the transformations of Sagram Vaghri and Joban Pagi were also reiterated. Bhagwan Shri Ram, similarly liberated Ahalya from Gautama’s curse and granted liberation to Shabari by eating her berries. The assembly, attended by community leaders and local dignitaries, provided an occasion for the
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attendees to meditate upon the glory of Bhagwan and reflect upon personal spiritual journeys. “We always take this guarantee of liberation and God’s compassion towards us for granted,” Akshar Patel from Sugarland, TX said. “But as devotees we need to be equally proactive in seeking this path of spiritual elevation. Today’s program reminded me of this important step.” The festive atmosphere continued as the assembly joined in singing the Janamasutsav, “Dharma gher anand bhayo, jay bolo Ganshyam ki.”
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tory events of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. Excitement and devotion abounds on this occassion as children, youth, and adults engage in various spiritual endeavors including chanting the Swaminarayan mantra, observing a nirjala fast, and preparing for a grand celebration. This year’s celebration expounded on the theme of “Sar“Sar vajivahitãvaha” to highlight one of the chief motives for Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s incarnation on Earth—to grant ultimate salvation to all by facilitating their physical, moral, and spiritual well-being. As exemplified through drama performances and discourses, Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s limitless compassion, propelled him to un-
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HISD to Create Gender Specific Academies Aimed at College Years By Jacob David HOUSTON: Houston Independent School District, the seventh largest in the United States, is set to open two new single gender academies - one for boys and one for girls, both aimed at helping aspiring students develop a college bound culture. With increasing and ever frequent school drop out rates nationwide, the mentality of school students has become to settle for a basic paying job. Students are not being adequately challenged to finish their college degrees which would help them earn a better pay, face better opportunities and develop a life long career. Gender specific schools also help keep girls and boys stay focused on education and achieving better grades. It helps them get ready for their college years, rather than get distracted in education due to reasons of attraction. It helps avoid potential relationship problems due to their lack of knowledge or inexperience at handling feelings of infatuation toward the opposite sex. “This is the first public school district to develop a magnet school like theme. We are focused on students who are at 75% or higher performance averages in classes, have a serious desire to enter into colleges, go it the four full years and successfully graduate, have a good attendance record and good behavior.” says Delesa O’Dell Thomas, Principal of the All Female College Preparatory Academy. “We will focus on an advanced place-
focused and achieve better in my studies and grades.” she says. The All-female academy is going to have 6-12 grades. “It will open with grades 6 and 9 as they are the transitionary years,” says Delesa. We will be adding grades 7 and 10 in 2012 and grades 8 and 11 in 2013, with grade 12 finally added in 2014. In addition to education, the Preparatory Academy will focus on developing student skills for facing challenges in life. Students will be taught Leadership Development, Giving back to the community and complete set of Living Skills. “Both parents and the student will be responsible for attaining achievement levels set by the academy. Teachers and counselors will work in tandem to help the student gain the experience and skills they require to face their college years.” Delesa The Houston Independent School District is headquartered in the Hattie Mae Educational Support O’Dell Thomas assures me. Center located at 4499 West 18th Street in Northwest Houston (77092). The large, spacious and Today education has gotten open design building is the brand new facility that opened in March 2006 and houses administration much more streamlined and staff and those who design the curriculum and programs for Houston’s school children more challenging. “Which is why the foundation schools are more adept at tions for the 2011-12 school year. Interested leadership programs: www.feyw.org. This is training our students in parents may call 713-556-6787 for more in- an exciting opportunity for both parents and C-STEM - Computers, formation. Applications are available on the students alike, where the dreams for a better Science, Technology, HISD website at www.houstonisd.org To education is now easily attainable, but with Engineering and Math get details, email them at : genderschools@ loads of hard work and focus, where the opskills at their summer houstonisd.org. Visit the foundation website portunities in life to succeed, get better, biginstitutes. Various uni- to know more about their unique high school ger and higher. versities and organizations have lined up to support and make effective the curriculum teaching in these gender specific schools.” says Jyoti Malhan. Afterall, the slogan for the new preparatory academy stands by this high expectancy outlook and reads, “Whatever it takes” which shows a resolute attitude to make students successful for their college years. The schools opened by the foundation have achieved exemplary status and highest ranking in training the students and performance results. In addition to C-STEM, these schools are focused on L-R: Jyoti Malhan, Dean of Instruction, HISD and Delesa O’ Dell giving students a well Thomas, Principal are excited about the All Girl Preparatory rounded education by Academy that is going to help girls from grade 6 to grade 12 emphasizing on global getting them ready for their college years Photos: Jacob David and public policy issues. ment curriculum and do so with academic For boys, the E.O Smith Middle School rigor, making sure that the students are well campus will be available and the girls will prepared before they even enter a college of be housed at 1906 Cleburne at the Contemtheir choice. We plan to open in August 2011 porary Learning Center Mid High school. in partnership with the Foundation for the The All Female academy is being renovated Education for Young Women (FEYW). This to the tune of a million dollars and is cenfoundation has five schools all over Texas, trally located in Houston. School buses will in Dallas, Lubbock, San Antonio, Austin be provided for students within the district. and Houston” says Jyoti Malhan, Dean of Students will be selected after a rigorous Instruction at the academy. Jyoti Malhan, process which includes a student written a Punjabi from North India, has studied all essay as well. All students will be provided her life in gender specific schools. “I have with a personal laptop to help better their gone to all girls Catholic schools and col- educational environment. lege, it did help me a lot. It helped me stay The school is currently accepting applicaIndo American News • Friday, APRIL 22 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
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out & about
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Aling’s Hakka Cuisine Celebrates Grand Opening! By Jacob David SUGAR LAND, TX: The first Hakka tradition Sugar Land Chinese restaurant, Aling’s Hakka Chinese Cuisine at the First Colony Commons shopping center had its grand opening on April 16,
Hakka Tradition Permeates Chinese Flavors
It departs boldly to new territories, making Chinese flavors new and interesting by introducing the Hakka influence in cuisine. Gary Yan, Chef, Lin Motiwala, Chef, and Irfan Motiwala, Partner and Public Relations were over-
joyed to meet the diners. The inflow of new customers kept them busy through out the day. A select menu featuring only four of their top dishes like Crispy tender chicken deep fried in batter and sauced - the Manchurian Chicken
L-R in the Center: Gary Yan, Executive Chef, Lin Motiwala, Executive Chef and Irfan Motiwala (arm around Lin) his wife, and their super star team that is full of hopes and high expectations for Aling’s Hakka Chinese cuisine to stand out from the rest of the breed out there.
paired with steaming fried Rice which features high quality Basmati Rice, was available for the grand opening. “Gary my brother-in-law and Lin my wife, are the happiest people. They are so proud that they have accomplished their long awaited dream of opening their own restaurant. This is their passion. I have never seen my wife Lin, more happier.” Irfan Motiwala said. “The food is called Chin-dian, Chinese and Indian.” Irfan ex-
plains. “Both Gary and Lin are of Hakka descent. So the food is authentic,” he adds. The Hakka Chinese were nomadic people living mostly around the Yellow river. They emigrated in large numbers to South East Asia, East Africa, Europe (Holland, United Kingdom, France and Germany), South America (Brazil and Trinidad) and parts of Canada. The Hakka tribe mainly settled in metropolitans like Calcutta and Mumbai. Gary Yan and Lin are of continued on page
Amy Mitchell, Candidate for Sugar Land City Council position, her husband Jake Messinger and Grace their daughter enjoy a hot meal at the Aling’s Hakka grand opening day. “I love the food here, this is my second visit. She has her personal favorites and loves Chef Gary Yan’s vibrant personality
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out & about
Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
Aling’s Hakka Grand opening! continued from page
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Indian descent. Gary Yan born in India knows Hindi and lived in Pune. “We are glad that the restaurant is finally open. It took us a long time to develop the concept.” Gary Yan said. One of the chief guests at the grand opening was Amy Mitchell, running for Sugar Land City Council. “This is my second visit,”she Chef Gary Yan meets his guests at the grand opening going from table to table extending his hospitality and graciousness a trait, said. “When I Amy Mitchell, can vouch for personally first came, Chefs Gary and Lin were such gracious hosts. They sat with me during the entire meal. That made me want to come back. The food is just healthy and delicious. Chef Gary, he has the best and widest smile.” she said. “My personal favorites are: the Shrimp with Hot Garlic Sauce which is “fiery” the Hakka Chow Mein (Chinese egg noodles with chicken / shrimp / veg) , the Loong Foong soup (egg drop soup that features minced chicken with diced mushroom and vegetables) and the Chicken Dumplings. Amy ate with her family, husband Jake Messinger and daughter Grace. The restaurant is located 15425 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Ph: 281-242-0432 Website: www.alingsusa.com
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Dr. Manu Vora: Recipient of 2011 Ellis Island Medal of Honor NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS, March 28, 2011 - The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) has selected Dr. Manu Vora as a recipient of the 2011 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The Medal will be presented in a special ceremony on Saturday, May 7, 2011 on the Ellis Island in New York. Each year since 1986, NECO – whose mission is to honor our diverse Past, to advocate for positive change in the Present, and to build strong leaders for the Future – has honored our nation’s diverse past by sponsoring the Ellis Island Medals of Honor. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor annually pays tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America’s unique cultural mosaic. The Medals are presented on Ellis Island, in a dramatic ceremony, to American citizens of diverse origins for their outstanding contributions to their communities, their nation and the world. Past Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients include six Presidents of the United States, Nobel Prize winners, athletes, leaders of industry, artists and others whose work has made a lasting impact on humanity. They are awarded annually to outstanding American citizens, from all walks of life, who have distinguished themselves through their significant contributions to this
country. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor ranks among the nation’s most prestigious awards. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have officially recognized the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, and each year the recipients are listed in the Congressional Record. To date, more than 1,600 American citizens have received Ellis Island Medals of Honor. Dr. Manu Vora of Naperville, Illinois is Chairman and President of Business Excellence, Inc., a global quality management consulting firm. He serves as an Dr. Manu Vora of Naperville, Illinois is Adjunct Professor at the Chairman and President of Business Northern Illinois Univer- Excellence, Inc., a global quality sity’s College of Busi- management consulting firm ness. He has published over 40 articles in professional iners of the Global Performance journals and conference symposia. Excellence Award Program since He has delivered over 250 presen- 2004. tations on business excellence and He has served on the board of diquality management topics around rectors of the American Society for the world in Africa, Asia Pacific, Quality (ASQ), the world’s largCaribbean and Central America, est network of quality resources Europe, Latin America, the Mid- and experts. He has been honored dle East and the United States. with the ASQ’s Distinguished He served as a Chief Judge at the Service Medal, Grant Medal and Illinois Team Excellence Award Lancaster Medal. He is an ASQ Program from 1993-1999 and is Certified Quality Engineer and a serving on the Board of Exam- Fellow member of ASQ. He holds
B.S. in chemical engineering from Banaras Hindu University, India, M.S. and Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago and an MBA with marketing management from Keller Graduate School of Management, Chicago. In 1968, he came to the United States on a J. N. Tata Scholarship to pursue his graduate work at IIT, Chicago. Vora is the founding director and president of the Blind Foundation for India (BFI) which has since 1989 raised over $3.5 million to serve over 15 million blind people in India. The mission of BFI is to prevent and cure blindness and educate and rehabilitate permanently blind people in India. BFI has supported 100,000 free Cataract operations, donated 96 mobile vans, distributed 10,000 Braille kits to blind children, performed eye sight checkup for over one million people and completed child sight projects for over 400,000 schoolaged children. For his BFI service, he has received Paul Harris Fellow Medal from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. For further information about BFI, please visit: www.blindfoundation.org. He also served as a chair of “Save The Children Holiday Fund Drive” at AT&T Bell Laboratories/ Lucent Technologies from 1986 through 1999 sponsoring 52 children in
Indo American News • Friday, APRIL 22 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
19 countries around the world. He has been honored with the Save The Children Federation’s Distinguished Service Award in 1990. He served as a president of the Pratham Chicago chapter in 2009. Established in 1994 in Mumbai, India, Pratham is the largest nongovernmental organization working to provide quality education to the underprivileged children of India. From 2000-2010, he served as an Executive Director for the GOSUMEC Foundation to support the Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital in Mumbai with over $225,000 in health care technology and educational areas. About NECO NECO was created in 1984 on the conviction of its founder, William Denis Fugazy, Sr. that the diversity of the American people is what makes this nation great. NECO’s mission is simple: to honor our diverse Past, to advocate for positive change in the Present, and to build strong leaders for the Future. NECO does this with one goal in mind: Unity through Diversity: Investing in the Power of Caring. NECO is a non profit 501(c) (3) organization with strategic alliances that allow us to support a range of diverse programs and insure that every dollar we spend goes to creating a better world in the future for us all.
Indo American news • Friday, April 22, 2011
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
Ballots Over Bullets
The unprecedented 82% turnout in the second phase of the ongoing Jammu & Kashmir panchayat polls - besting the 78% turnout in the first phase - is a positive sign. Taking place for the first time in a decade, the polls represent a great opportunity to invigorate local governance in the state. Jammu & Kashmir has been backward in terms of institutions of local governance, and a further blow was dealt by the onset of insurgency in 1990. Few dared to vote, rendering the electoral process ineffective. Allegations of vote-rigging further damaged the credibility of such polls. Consequently, the lack of effective local governance meant poor implementation of central welfare schemes and rampant corruption. As a result, many villages in the state continue to lack basic amenities such as drinking water and electricity even though sufficient funds have been sanctioned. This happened at a time when devolution of power to local bodies was advancing in the rest of India. The absence of development has only added to the frustration of the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. It is precisely for this reason that the enthusiastic response to the panchayat polls needs to be leveraged by the state government by devolving greater power to local bodies. Empowering grassroots institutions is key to enhancing accountability in administration. For far too long the politics of Jammu & Kashmir has been hijacked by vested interests. The focus on bread and butter issues needs to be encouraged to prevent a handful of leaders from directing the fate of the state. It must also be recognised that the hitherto impressive voter turnout is possible due to reduction in violence. Such an enabling atmosphere needs to be deepened through long-term security reforms. The army footprint in the state must be made lighter, while the local police must be equipped to deal appropriately with routine law and order incidents such as stone-throwing. The successful conduct of panchayat polls will also belie the separatist call for boycotting them. Separatists have attempted to tap into the changing public mood by condemning the assassination of moderate cleric Maulana Showkat Shah, who was killed after he advocated peace talks and criticised stone-pelters. But such condemnations are meaningless as long as they are blanket condemnations, which refuse to name Shah’s real killers or those of other moderate voices in the Valley. While talks continue on resolving Kashmir both with people in the state and with Pakistan, improving governance will make the lives of people better while giving separatist sentiment less to feed on. -Times of India
editorial
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Khadi or Teflon? Your Choice
By Pritish Nandi The nation is split in two. There are those who believe change is a possibility and must be supported at any cost, setting aside cynicism. So they go on marches, light candles, join fasts, and come out into the open against corruption and venality, knowing that in a society like ours there is always a price to be paid for dissent. On the other hand, you have those basking in the eternal sunshine of the status quo. They are the privileged ones who back current power equations for they fear that change could subvert their cosy, comfortable world of give and take. They see the Hope brigade as a bunch of political upstarts anxious to break the queue. For them, men like Anna Hazare are dangerous. If he can emerge from nowhere, with no money, no patronage, no political party to back him, and yet win the support of millions of people, how will the status quo survive? What also disturbs them is that those who have set aside cynicism to raise the banner of hope are also spurning the typical political alignments of the past. They can’t be labelled any more. So who are these new enemies of the State? No, they are not secret armies of the saffron Right. All attempts to prove that Anna Hazare has clandestine links with the RSS and the BJP have been laughed away. Nor can they be labelled, like Binayak Sen, as the ugly face of the radical Left. From a dangerous Naxalite, Sen has now cheerfully morphed into a new middle class hero after the Supreme Court sternly ticked off the State Government and set him free on bail. So who are these new Andolan junkies and what do they want to do? Stop all development? Subvert democracy? Derail our Parliamentary process? Hijack the political agenda? Or are they just dangerous blackmailers trying to sell us nonsensical ideas about social justice? The argument of the cynics is simple. Where in the world has a nation progressed without corruption? Is the US graft-free? In fact, it has institutionalised graft and made lobbying on Capitol Hill a respectable profession. Is China graft-free? Go try and do business there. You will figure. Is Russia graft-free? Brazil?
South Africa? If the other BRICS nations are not graft-free, why are we so anxious to sacrifice our scorching growth rate, our economic well being for such ridiculous and obsolete ideas that Anna Hazare stands for? You seriously expect a khadi clad, topiwallah, 72 year old Gandhian who has suddenly emerged from political obscurity to lead India into the 21st century? Whatever happened to our dream of building the new temples of modern India that Pandit Nehru dreamt of. What about more SEZs, more factories, better jobs, higher wages, the new lifestyle we dreamt of? Why should India’s progress be waylaid by these bandits questioning our short cut to wealth? There is an entire constituency out there, led by those who benefit from being in power or close to it, who have suddenly emerged as the great defenders of the faith. They are the cynical backbone of the power elite, who want the status quo to continue. It gives them a sense of comfort to know that things will not change in a nation where every year dollar billionaires keep growing as fast as millions slide below the poverty line. There are more people buying cars in India today than anywhere else. There are more people buying second homes. There are more tall towers coming up in our cities to taunt the homeless. Swiss banks hold more hot money from this subcontinent than from anywhere else. We even have a Chief Economic Adviser who has put up a paper on the Finance Ministry website proposing that paying bribes be made legal. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a ragtag bunch of civil society activists have emerged to question the morality of the economic model that promises us a 9.8% GDP growth. How can all this progress be sacrificed on the altar of some stupid, old fashioned notions of morality? Can khadi take over from teflon? Will the Gandhi topi come back to mock a generation that has grown up on
IndoAmerican News Founder: Dr. K.L. Sindwani Editor: Pramod Kulkarni Business Manager: Jawahar Malhotra Managing Partner: Krishna Giri Community Reporter: Kalyani Giri Community Editor: Manasi Gokhale Administrative Manager: Vanshika Vipin Business & Recreation: Jacob David Graphic Design: Saqib Rana correspondents Chicago: Nand Kapoor, UK: Aseem Kulkarni New Delhi: Raj Kanwar ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the written consent of the publisher. The deadline for advertising and articles is 5 pm on Monday of each week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of all unsolicited material. Published at 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 262, Houston, Texas 77036. Tel: 713-789-NEWS or 6397 Fax: 713-789-6399, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com, website: indoamerican-news.com
Indo American News • Friday, APRIL 22 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
twitter and facebook? Are we going to sacrifice all our achievements for the sake of few crackpots chanting Vande Mataram at Jantar Mantar? For those who love the status quo, it’s a clear No. What impresses me, however, is that the main propagandists for change are the young. I see it wherever I go. Never was it more obvious than at Hazare’s fast. The people queueing up behind the new heroes of our time are mostly young. The generation that drives the new social media have campaigned with greater fervour and far less cynicism than traditional media. They are the ones most excited by the promise of change. It’s now up to each one of us to decide on which side we are. With the good guys struggling to bring in change? Or with the bad guys resisting it? - Times of India Reader Feedback While I agree with you, Media may not cover the poor of the poorest, but 125 channels covering the whole nation X24X7x4days speaking the same language favoring ANNA has made a difference. Poor as you have rightly said may not understand ‘what ANNA wants to say’but certainly understands ‘he wants to say something against those ‘who are cheating/ or keeping these poors deprive of their bread’. And that has made the difference and made the Govt surrender. . - GA Kumar There are so many questions raised, that progress and development are directly proportional to free market meaning corruption and statu quo, that premise is wrong. totally wrong. That there is lobbyism in US and that is corruption, is also false. In US the infrastructure to deal with any corruption is very strong and there is the sixth sense ie the public judgement, the morality meter is always on with public debates on tv. The Lobbyism mentioned in the article is strictly within the limits of national interest. The corruption in India is beyond any control, it is comedy of errors, we are the laughing stock of the world. People like Sing, will crop everytime with a CD orAbd.And dont forget the same character came up with the formula to save the nuclear deal. Do you think we should let people like him to lobby for anything. - Rakesh Kaul
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india
Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
Afghanistan: India’s Uncertain Road
By Jyoti Thottam GURGAON (Time): From the fourth floor of an office building in Gurgaon, a northern Indian city of tangled highways, yammering call centers and wandering livestock, Sanjay Gupta plays a bit part in the Great Game. His company, C&C Constructions, first ventured into Afghanistan in 2002. It started with a road from Kandahar to Spin Boldak, and then another one from Kandahar to Kabul. Over the past eight years, C&C has built more than 700 km of roads — worth about $250 million — and has subcontracted with USAID, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. “It’s good to see a country getting built,” Gupta says. “We also feel we contributed.” C&C’s grandest project is the $125 million, bronze-domed Afghan parliament building. Funded by the In-
of a regional power struggle. With the U.S. looking for an exit, India is trying to figure out what its role in Afghanistan’s uncertain future will be. U.S. counterinsurgency strategy aims to “clear, hold, build and transfer” a stable Afghanistan back to its people. The Indian government hopes to aid the “build and transfer” part of that effort by helping to develop Afghanistan’s infrastructure and institutions. Whatever New Delhi does, it can expect truculent opposition from archrival Pakistan, which has long tried to influence what happens in Afghanistan, primarily to ensure that the country’s power players are friendly to Islamabad. Its suspicion of India’s regional intentions is plainly revealed in several cables released by WikiLeaks. In a September 2009 missive, Anne Patterson, then the
President, is convinced New Delhi is responsible for providing insurgents with weapons. “The Afghans have nothing,” he told Time, “so it must be the Indians.” Softly, Softly The Indians deny those claims and counter that their presence in Afghanistan is actually quite small. There are no Indian troops in the country, other than paramilitary guards at the embassy and consulates. The number of Indian nationals in Afghanistan is fairly modest too: around 3,000. They work for companies like C&C, for international aid agencies or directly for the Indian government. Indians have built a 400-km power-transmission line that carries electricity to Kabul. They have also established field clinics, a midday-meal program for 2 million schoolchildren and a children’s hospital, the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health. To New Delhi, this is all part of a long and evolving relationship with Afghanistan — what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh calls “enduring civilizational links.” Both countries fought for independence from Britain (won in 1919 in Afghanistan’s case, 1947 in India’s), and both at first tried to develop their rural economies using socialist Work continues on the Afghan parliament building, funded by India Photo: central planning. India Sami Siva supported the Sovietbacked regime of Mohammed Najibullah, dian government and scheduled to U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, wrote giving asylum to his family, as well be finished at the end of 2011, it will that a closer U.S.-India military re- as to thousands of other Afghan refube the most prominent symbol of lationship “feeds Pakistani estab- gees, after he was executed by the Indian efforts to help Afghanistan. lishment paranoia and pushes them Taliban in 1996. India then backed But it may also be, at least for the closer to both Afghan and Kashmir- the Northern Alliance of mujahedin time being, one of the last sizable focused terrorist groups.” In a cable against the Taliban. Even when the manifestations of India’s $1.3 billion describing a Feb. 16 meeting with Taliban won, India let the Northern aid program. After a series of attacks U.S. Senator John Kerry, Pakistan’s Alliance maintain the only Afghan targeting India’s presence in Afghan- Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is diplomatic mission in New Delhi. istan — including bombings of the quoted saying that to gain Pakistan’s That has not been forgotten. In a Indian embassy in 2008 and 2009 — trust India would have to “decrease region where so many great powers India is scaling back. Pakistan resents its footprint in Afghanistan.” Paki- have come and gone, India has credIndia’s presence in its backyard, and stan’s press routinely accuses India ibility as a country that sticks around. Indian companies like C&C fear they of sending in spies in the guise of Abdul Salam Rocketi, a former memcan no longer guarantee the safety of doctors and engineers, and Islamabad ber of the Taliban and a 2009 presitheir workers. “There are elements claims that India’s four consulates dential candidate, believes that India, who don’t want the Indian presence are bases for espionage and for fun- like Pakistan as well as Iran, “wants there,” says Gupta. “Maybe it’s time neling aid to separatist rebels in the to play in the Afghan sandbox,” but to wind up.” Pakistani province of Baluchistan. in the process “won’t try to destroy Or maybe it’s just the beginning Pervez Musharraf, a former Pakistani Afghanistan.”
Indo American News • Friday, APRIL 22 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
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society
Indo American news • Friday, April 22, 2011
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Bike Tour to eradicate multiple sclerosis
HOUSTON: BP MS 150 fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a 180-mile bike ride from Houston to Austin is the largest char charity ride in North America; the BP MS 150 is expected to raise $17 million this year. Last year, the ride raised $16.4 million, said Debbie Pope, the National MS Society’s executive vice president for development and mar marketing in the south central region. Money from past events has funded most of the research behind the MS treatments used today, said Kim Suiter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, but there’s still progress to be made.”It’s completely unpredictable,” she said. “We don’t really understand yet what causes MS.”
tin that every drop of sweat that I, my fellow cyclists and countless volunteers have shed is for “Creating a World Free of MS”. - Madhukar Prasad, Immediate Past President - Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston “This was one of the best rides I had in the last 7 years of my MS150 rides. This year our teams practice was less but our morals were higher. We all were motivated & were confident of finishing the ride safely & with fun. The last 10 miles riding up the hill at the state capital was really painful but the thought of helping the MS patients kept me going.” - Star Pipe Team Captain- 7th
and your own determination to finish the ride especially the last few miles. Biking 150 miles over two days is a physically demanding task but cer certainly not more taxing than having to deal with MS everyday. This was our way of expressing solidarity and support with our fellow humans who are suffering from this disease. I truly admire the spirit of volunteerism in US and the appreciation people have for it. As part of Sewa International’s team, I feel proud and privileged to have done my bit for a great cause. As long as my body permits, I would be doing this ride again and again. It’s an experience of a lifetime.” - Suryansh Purwar, Chapter Coordinator, Sewa Houston
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Star Pipe team for MS 150 2011 Photo: Vijay Pallod, Harshada Jaswant year Multiple sclerosis is a disease that “The MS 150 is a one of a kind “MS150 is one event that I keenly affects the central nervous system. It look forward to every year – it not experience that fundamentally tested often interrupts the flow of informa- only gives me a chance to give some- my dedication and made me admire tion to the brain. The disease affects thing back to the community, but the spirit of volunteerism and appre400,000 people in the U.S., many of also helps me do so in a very healthy ciation in Texas. The last 20 miles on whom are diagnosed between the way. Now that my daughter Soha both days were the most challengages of 20 and 50. is becoming more aware of things ing. The body is tired, sore, hungry, About 13,000 people began the around her (she completed 6 yrs this thirsty, your mind imposes a mental ride from Houston on April 16 in year), doing MS150 also helps me set block on itself telling you to get off the morning, spent the night in La an example for her to instill the feel- your bike and you feel discouraged. Grange, then made their way through ing of giving back to the community. I found out that this is when the little Bastrop and finished at the Bob Bull- This year’s MS150 ride was very things in life really matter, it is one of ock Texas State History Museum in special for me as Soha came with my those “intangibles”: support. Right Austin. wife Harshada to cheer for me at the along side the biking road, supporters “My journey of BP MS 150 start- MS150 finish point at Austin – she from cities encouraged us, blasted ed 15 months ago. Following my was all excited and inspired and I am energetic music, blew bubbles, and retirement from Shell, my friends very hopeful that she will join me in posted signs that said, “Two days of invited me to join their weekly this ride in the near future.” pain...aren’t we the lucky ones?” or bike rides. Some of them were - Sanjeev Jashwant, Star Pipe Team “We ride for those who can’t.” All casual riders while others were Vice Captain- 5th year those smiles, kind words and acts go training for the MS 150. At my “My life has been a canvas for really far. The reinforcement really ripe age of 66 (+), 150 (+) miles several memorable experiences but fired me up and allowed me to draw ride through the hilly terrains of this one takes the cake. This was on my determination to finish the ride the Hill Country, seemed an in- my second year of riding in the MS- safely. I was honored to ride the MS surmountable task. As I struggled 150 and this weekend yet again bore 150 for those who could not and I was whether I could successfully com- testimony to the triumph of human really humbled by the end. It would plete the ride, I was inspired by an spirit. 13000 people - across different be a privilege to have this experience news paper article about my good ethnicities, age groups and abilities once again! friend Vijay Pallod and his wife battled their own physical limitations, - Karthik Kalapatapu, Chapter Li LiSushma Jie’s successful MS 150 endured pain and united for one com- aison for Hindu Students Association Ride. My confidence increased mon cause to eradicate Multiple Scle- at UT Austin by leaps and bounds. Several other rosis from the society, one pedal at a Unforgettable ride of this year for friends also shared their MS 150 time. If that is not amazing and excep- me compared to my last 4 years. stories and assured me that I had tional, I don’t know what is. To me the Star team, my wife / kids and overall “nothing to fear but fear itself”. personal high point was the support enthusiastic participants (more than Two of them – Ravi Bayas and of the people not riding. The atmo- 12,000 people) of MS150 ride are my Gordon Muraki - experienced MS sphere all along the ride was simply inspirations to make this ride successRiders, literally took me “under mind-blowing. People would show ful and enjoyable. I am committed to their wings”. Finally, I “jumped up in their trucks playing energetic be part of this event next year as well in” and as they say – rest is his- music, offering hi-fives and cheering in coming years. tory. For me what began as a fun our tired legs and body with chants - Ashish Biyani physical challenge, ended with an of “Almost there” and “Good Job”. “Riding MS150 creates a self conimmensely satisfying realization You needed all that encouragement fidence and it also motivates us to as I touched the finish line at Aushelp people who are the victim of
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and in good spirit. The team prides itself on helping young riders take part in this challenging event and this year was no exception. Six teenagers – Anjay, Deep, Nakul, Sagar, Siddarth, and Zachary – took part in the event and finished strong. - Kotesh Rao
Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, APrIL 22 , 2011 • online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
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india
Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
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Last Jaipur Maharajah Sawai Bhawani Singh Dies Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh, the last Maharajah of Jaipur, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, has died
(BBC) Brigadier Singh, who continued to be revered as a social and cultural icon after India abolished royal titles, died after a long illness. He was 79. He took over as the Maharajah after the death of his father in 1970, but royal titles were abolished shortly after. Former royals are still associated with the wealth and glamour of the past and attract a lot of interest in India. Jaipur was one of scores of kingdoms which existed in India until the country’s independence from Britain in 1947. The Rajasthan government has announced two days of mourning. Funeral procession Brigadier Singh was cremated with full state honours after a funeral parade through the city. Huge crowds gathered to pay their respects to the deceased Maharajah, adorning his body with garlands
of flowers, before his 12-year-old grandson lit the funeral pyre. Brigadier Singh, who served in the Indian army, received the Mahavir Chakra award for gallantry for leading troops into Pakistan in the 1971 war. Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh was revered as an icon in Rajasthan
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
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Indo American News • Friday, APRIL 22 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
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horoscope
Indo American news • Friday, April 22, 2011
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WEEKLY HOROSCOPE www.GaneshaSpeaks.com ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20: Life explodes in a flurry of love, romance, fun, games, partying and socializing. You paint the canvas of your existence with bright, colourful and bold strokes of joy. Relationships, both personal and professional, blossom like never before. You begin to look at your future with hope and optimism in your heart. Financial worries melt away into nothingness. Work seems pleasur pleasurable, and the pursuit of pleasure seems, well, fun! Carpe Diem! TAURUS Apr 21 - The efforts you have made last week will create positive and cheer cheerful vibes. You are able to put yourself in other’s shoes and this allows you to widen your perspective and gain a better understanding of long simmering conflicts which will thus be easily resolved. This gains you a lot of appreciation, and you will endear yourself to all. Your gentle and soothing presence makes your home a safe haven, where your family and you will be able to reside in peace and harmony. You bask in the warmth of the company of your loved ones, will be more than enough compensation for you. GEMINI May 22 - Jun 21: A plethora of opportunities arise to tantalise you with lucrative gains during this phase. You richly deserve all the breaks you will get because of the massive amount of ef effort you have put in off late at work. You are filled with energy, enthusiasm and a positive attitude, and this helps you meet deadlines and earn the appreciation of your co-workers and superiors. The enhanced self-esteem that this brings you will elevate your sense of selfworth which in turn will translate into a better and much more harmonious atmosphere at home. You are likely to make new associations socializing. CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 23: You will adopt a fresh approach towards life. While finances are an important part of life, you are not satisfied with it being the only parameter to measure your life with. You will set out to explore progressive, and at times controversial, ideas. You are almost out of step with reality in your pursuit of the unknown, as you gaze into the future with the vision of a seer. You may embark on ambitious new ventures on a whim, but if these ventures aren’t well planned and turn out badly, you will plunge into depression. Explore your limitations, always remember the old adage, fools rush in where angels fear to tread. LEO July 24 - Aug 23: A significant week for you, wherein you can expect the three P’s, Promotion, Prestige and Profit to dog your steps,. You undertake initiatives that will empower you in the long run. Your energy levels are unflagging, and this helps you to put in long, intensive and productive hours at work. You however need to learn to get along well with people at work, family and in public. Learn to be diplomatic about communicating your feelings. There is a possibility that you will receive an award given by your local community. It will mean an increased standing in your influence and aura in society. VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23:You have consolidated the gains that you have made in the recent past. On the domestic front also life is happy and peaceful. As a result you now have the time to explore new ideas and philosophies in your quest for wisdom and erudition. This phase is a happy mix of work and fun, peace and bustle and of travel and solitude. You seek out the inner
recesses of your soul in a bid to better understand yourself and will realize that it is possible to live in another dimension without the help of any hallucinogens. You are now ready to move on from the mundane and materialistic world to much more profound pursuits. LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23: So far, you have worked really hard to reach where you are right now. Money, your priority till now, will become a catalyst that will divert your attention and energy towards your interests and hobbies. You will be motivated to do something you have been longing to do for a very long time. Thus, rejuvenating your mind will bring a freshness to your approach. Your spouse will be the first to share in your happiness. It is fun to be with you this week. SCORPIO Oct 24 - Nov 22: Now that everything is in its place, think about the future and your plans. You are the one who calls the shots and you insist to keep it like that only. Be careful, situation may get out of hand, if you become too aggressive in your approach. Be lenient, allow others to speak their minds and consider their opinions too while you arrive at a decision. A cordial relationship is always helpful. After all, you will reap what you will sow. SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 22: You are now feeling positive and you will turn the stones in your path into stepping stones and achieve the success you have wished and worked hard for. You are armed with achievements, imagination, vision and capabilities to deal with the challenges. You may feel sad, apparently for no particular reason. But, you will achieve peace by helping others. Your philosophical approach to life will help you find answers to some unsolved mysteries. CAPRICORN Dec 23 - Jan 20: Your career graph is steadily going upwards. This time you are in an introspective mood, trying to get answers about life; you may even become philanthropic. Philanthropy gives a new direction to your life, as you wish to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate and underprivileged. You are into parties, gettogethers and merry making with friends and family during the later half of the week. AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19: Too much socializing may hinder your work. Remember, too many interactions & conversations may leave you drained, eventually resulting into mood swings & fickle temperament. Too much stress is likely to take a toll on your health, so make sure that you do not take certain things to heart. There may be too many factors & vibrations affecting your thinking, emotions and needs. Protect yourself and follow your instincts. PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20: A social butterfly you will be, and you have a series of events to attend this week, right from meeting and interviews to marriages and conferences. You become extravagant and do not hesitate to shell out extra bucks to get that glamorous look! You enjoy all the attention at social dos and make time for pleasant amusements. Keeping your work aside, you spare time for old pals and ailing relatives. Your humane touch and kind gestures are sure to cure their depression, if not the disease. In a nutshell, you not only show your outer beauty, but also the beauty that lies within you! www.indoamerican-news.com
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Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, APrIL 22 , 2011 • online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
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Indo American News • Friday, April 22, 2011
Online Edition:www.indoamerican-news.com www.indoamerican-news.com online edition:
The Grand Wine & Food Affair April 27 - May 1, 2011 A Sugar Land - Houston
TRADITION
TheGrandWine&FoodAffair.com www.facebook.com/thegrandwineandfoodaffair
APRIL 30–MAY 1 MAY 7–8 2011
Saturdays 12pm-10pm & Sundays 12pm-8pm
Bollywood Blast
Golden Dragon Acrobats
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Jonny Lang
Lucinda Williams
Homayun Sakhi
iFest Preview Day
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one at iFest! Z a i d In
Advance Price Ticket: $12 (+ svc. fee) (til April 26) Regular Price Ticket: $18 (after April 26) Child’s Ticket: $3 (ages 3-12) Kids FREE Sunday May 8th (Age 12 & under) courtesy of ConocoPhillips
at
Tickets Available and www.ifest.org
Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, APrIL 22 , 2011 • online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com