Interfaith Ministries Honors Devinder & Sushma Mahajan
Houston: Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston once again filled the Hilton Americas ballroom with close to 600 supporters for its 2024 Tapestry Gala with the theme of “A Better Tomorrow Starts Today”.
The event raised close to $700,000 to support IM’s commitment to another half century of facilitating dialogue and collaboration within Houston’s diverse community by welcoming newcomers, feeding homebound seniors and their pets, building bridges of understanding through interfaith dialogue, and facilitating volunteerism and civic engagement.
The Spirit of Respect award was presented to Sushma and Devinder Majahan for their work in co-founding the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EMGH). The museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy by cultivating the universal values of Truth, Nonviolence, Peace, Love, and Service. Sushma is a past Board member of Interfaith Ministries, and the couple remains active in the organization’s work, in addition to many other community commitments. They are previous Tapestry Award recipients.
Sushma and Devinder Mahajan have been residents of Houston since 1976 and have dedicated their lives to community service.
Devinder ji is the founding president of Arya Samaj Greater Houston and has led multiple charitable initiatives including co-founding the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston. Together he and Sushma have worked to give back to the country that welcomed them and are guided by values of nonviolence, truth, love, and peace. Their involvement in these initiatives has been particularly impactful, showcasing their commitment to fostering a spirit of unity and respect.
“We are deeply humbled and grateful for this recognition,” said Devinder Mahajan. “It reflects the collective efforts of many individuals who believe in the power of respect and understanding. We are fortunate to be part of a community that values these principles so highly.”
Accepting the award, Dev Ji acknowledged the Divinity’s grace and guidance in their lives as the EGMH was a plunge in unknown territories. He quoted one EGMH visitor: “Visit NASA to explore outer space, and EGMH to explore inner space!”
“We are humbled but this recognition bestowed upon us. Thank you so very much,” explained Sushma ji. “Nadia Tajali and Paula Sutton invited me for lunch and Maria Magee also joined. After a little chit chat they surprised me with the proposal to honor us with the Spirit of Respect award. I was taken aback and also felt very honored.”
“Devinder and I are born and raised in India, we lovingly call Bharat, which embraces people of all backgrounds, cultures and faiths and respects their point of view as long as it is for the betterment of humanity and the upliftment of the downtrodden,” Sushma ji continued. “That is why Interfaith Ministries for Houston and its core values attracted us. The United States, our adopted country, gave us the opportunity to fulfill our desire to do something for the benefit of humanity. Spreading the universal message of love, truth, service, peace, nonviolence, respect and resolution of conflicts in a nonviolent way, as taught in our scriptures and followed by Mahatma Gandhi, is our way of educating and serving our fellow beings.”
“None of us three cofounders had even the slightest idea to even build an Eternal Gandhi Museum in Houston,” explained EMGH Trustee Atul Kothari explained. “You can call it a series of coincidences, or as I believe, divinity playing its role for a noble cause.”
“As per Hindu scriptures, we humans are not the doers, but we are the instrument of God born to fulfill the purpose for which we are born,” Atul ji suggested. “So we feel blessed that God gave us the opportunity to build this world class museum in the great city of Houston. As per Trip Advisor, EGMH is already one of the major places to visit in Houston. As one visitor stated, “visit NASA to explore outer space and EGM H to explore inner space. So it is a humble request to please not only find the time to visit the museum yourself but also encourage others to do the same.”
Devinder and Sushma Mahajan (second and third from left) at the Interfaith Ministries Tapestry Gala.
POLITICS
Trump’s Red Tide Sinks Democrat Kamala Harris, but Lifts Some of the South Asian Local Candidates
Houston: Former President
Donald Trump’s landslide election is still reverberating through the local Indo-American community. Trump won his nonconsecutive term by winning the electoral college by 295 compared to 226 for Harris.
According to one theory, 13 million Democrats, who voted for Biden in 2020, simply stayed home for various reasons.
Some of the key frontrunners who might win key positions in the Trump cabinet could be former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, recent Trump supporter Tulsi Gabbard, security expert Kash Patel. Nikki Haley, and possibly, even Bobby Jindal.
Here in Texas, incumbent Senator Ted Cruz won relection with 53.1% of the vote. Other Congressional representatives who won included Dan Crenshaw and Lizzie Fletcher. Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner secured the District 18 seat, held for several decades by the late Sheila Jackson Lee, with 69.4% of the vote.
Nationally, the Samosa Caucus in the US Congress now stands at six with the addition of Suhas Sub-
ramanyam, winner of the Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. Veteran Samosa Caucus members Raja Krishnamurthy, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal and Ami Bera were all re-elected. The caucus might expand to seven if Amish Shah is able to win his race in Arizona’s District 1.
In Fort Bend County, Andy Meyers won his re-election bid for Precinct 3 Commissioner with 59% of the vote against Taral Patel, who is facing nine charges for online impersonation.
In Fort Bend’s Precinct 3, Republican Ali Sheikhani’s well funded campaign for Constable ousted incumbent Nabil Shike with a 52.22% majority.
In the Texas State Assembly, two Pakistan-origin Democratic candidates won re-election: Salman Bhojani and Dr. Suleman Lalani. Bhojani won in District 92 and Lalani successfully defended his seat in District 76, winning 56.1% of the vote. Republican Aaron Bashir faced a setback in Pennsylvania’s tight Congressional race.
SACC Gala Honors Legacy of Late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Houston: The South Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) Annual Gala 2024 was dedicated to the Legacy of late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson. The award recipient was none other than her daughter Erica Lee-Carter who will serve the balance of her term thru Jan 20th, 2025 at 18th Con-
gressional District. The democratic Congressional nominee for the next term, former mayor of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner graced the occasion & participated in the award ceremony along with the founder of SACC, now Consul General of Guyana, Lutfi Syed Hassan.
Erica Lee Carter (center) with Congressman-elect Sylvester Turner (right) and Lutfi Syed Hassan.
Dr. Suleman Lalani
Ali Sheikhani
ICC Nomination Form for Board of Directors/Trustees Position Deadline to receive applications: Nov 23, 2024
Election for Directors (8 positions for a 2-year term) & Trustees (3 positions for a 3-year term)
Section 1 -- to be completed by nominator I nominate ____________________for the ICC Board of (circle one) Director/Trustee position.
Nominator: (Has to be a current ICC BOD or Trustee) (Check one): BOD ___ Trustee ___
Name_______________________________________________________________
Signature ____________________________________________________________
Date __________________________
Section 2 – To Be Completed by the person who seconds (must be an ICC Life Member)
Seconded By:
Name ______________________________________________________________
Signature _________________________________ Date __________________________ Address _______________________________ Phone: _____________________Email:____________________________________
Section 3 – To Be Completed by the Nominee (must be ICC Life Member for 1 year as of 10/15/2024)
I, ______________________________, accept this nomination. I agree to abide by the ICC Bylaws and will disclose any conflict of interest before the election.
Nominee:
Name______________________________________________________________
Signature __________________________________________________________
Date __________________________
Are these three people related? If yes, explain how: ______________________________
Mail Nomination Form and a $50 check payable to ICC or Zelle to 713-962-5555
Jawahar Malhotra, Member, Election Committee, 12207 Westmere Dr, Houston, Texas 77077. E-mail: jawoche@yahoo.com
Election Date: Dec 8, 2024
What Will Trumponomics Mean for India and the World?
By AAncHAl MAgAzine, Anil sAsi
The radical economic outlook presented by Donald Trump includes plans to impose a 20% tariff on all imports and more than 200% duty on cars; a proposal to deport millions of irregular immigrants; and to extend tax cuts at a time when the US budget deficit is at record high. Should he walk the talk after taking charge early next year, these proposals could present some macroeconomic challenges.
The coming presidency is seen as a positive for American stocks and the Dollar, even as it raises some concerns for treasuries given the risk of fiscal profligacy. Trump 2.0 could also potentially throw up challenges for India’s growth imperative amid possible disruptions in global supply chains, trade wars and tariff barriers, heightened forex volatility, and headwinds to global fund flows.
A possible dilution of the Federal Reserve’s rate-cut agenda in the light of a changed macroeconomic situation in the US would also impact the trajectory of India’s monetary policy — given that the RBI may first try to resolve the uncertainties before undertaking any significant rate-cut action.
Bitcoin surged to a record high of more than $75,000 on Tuesday, as crypto investors celebrated the return of Trump, who has earlier pledged to make the US “the bitcoin superpower of the world”.
Higher tariffs and a trade war would most certainly lead to higher inflation in the US. This, combined with runaway deficits and a possible dilution of institutional autonomy could lead to foreigners beginning to rethink if they should lend unlimited money to the US
Treasury — which has been a given thus far.
Such a shift could mark a possible watershed moment — of the scale, perhaps, of the decision in early 2022 to freeze Russian foreign assets, which forced central banks around the world, including RBI, to buy physical gold rather than derivatives or exchangetraded funds that track the yellow metal’s price.
The Fed’s decision to continue its rate-cut cycle depended strongly on the result of the presidential election — and experts believe that the full scale of the cycle may now be at risk. While Trump’s promised tax cuts and tariff barriers could end up stimulating the American economy, at least in the short term, analysts predict they could eventually stoke inflation — and likely force the Fed to end its rate-cutting cycle sooner.
That could have implications for the monetary easing plans of other countries, including India. Such policies may pause the interest rate cycle globally, ICICI Securi-
ties said Wednesday, adding that it could “set in motion higher tariffs and tax cuts, usher in fiscal deficit pressure and become a vehicle for inflationary tendencies”.
As a domino effect, the US dollar could weaken — like in Trump 1.0, “when the dollar index fell and fiscal deficit rose”, the brokerage said in a report.
Rates and the forex market could be a casualty. “The spillover of bond and FX volatility via the global financial markets route would mean the aim of financial stability may precede inflation management and…central banks, including the RBI, would want to see these uncertainties resolved before acting. This makes the December rate cut call tricky and possibly a shallower rate-cut cycle, following the Fed,” an analyst at Emkay Global said.
While Trump’s promise to curb both legal and illegal immigration could be inflationary in a full-employment situation, as the US has experienced in the past months, the President elect also proposed
recently to “automatically” giving green cards to foreign nationals who graduate from an American college.
“…What I will do, is you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically…a green card to be able to stay in this country,” he had said on a podcast that aired on June 21. This could be a positive for Indian students in the US.
Domestic investment demandrelated themes and financials could benefit from a weak US dollar on account of lower import costs and elevated interest rates respectively. In the near-term, however, the proposed reduction in the corporate tax rate (21% to 15%) could free up the budget for USbased end clients of India service providers, driving better demand. This is a possible reason why IT stocks rallied in Wednesday’s trade in India.
The possible induction of Elon Musk into the new administration could have repercussions for India. A proposal rushed through
by New Delhi to accommodate Musk’s demand to import Tesla cars at a lower duty earlier this year was not quite accepted by the President elect’s billionaire supporter. There could be pressure now to sweeten the deal further.
The lobbying for Musk in other areas such as satellite spectrum allocation or space launches could also get more vocal across key global markets, including India. here are two external events to watch out for now. The first is the Fed’s monetary policy meeting on November 6-7, where the Federal Open Market Committee — the bank’s key rate-setting panel — is expected to share its renewed outlook on inflation.
The second is the ongoing meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the executive body of China’s top legislature, which convened in Beijing for a five-day meeting on Monday. The committee is expected to sign off on a second economic stimulus package in a little over a month — which could direct more funds towards buying idle land and property, recapitalising banks, refinancing local government debt, and offering assistance to households.
The high tariffs on Chinese goods promised by Trump could shave more than 2 percentage points off China’s growth during the next year, according to analysts. Beijing could, therefore, push a bigger stimulus package. Nomura anticipates the eventual scale of China’s fiscal stimulus package to reach 2-3% of GDP annually over the next several years. This could make other markets, including India, less appealing to FPIs and other key investors. -Indian Express
Dr. Lohit Datta-Barua of Humble, Texas, passed away on November 3, 2024, in Sugar Land, Texas. He suffered cardiac arrest while doing what he loved, motivating and bringing together his community while running in a 5K raising funds for a cancer hospital in Assam, India.
Lohit deeply loved his birthplace Assam, where he played on the banks of the Brahmaputra river. He grew up in poverty in Guwahati, while working diligently and excelling as a student. He immigrated to Houston, Texas, in 1973, where he pursued higher education. He had a long and successful career in the oil and gas industry, which also supported his passion for global travel. He enjoyed stints living in Colombia and Angola, ultimately visiting all seven continents and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
He was a firm believer in the American Dream and its ideals of equality, diversity, and opportunity. In accordance with his passion for connecting across cultures, generations, and beliefs, Lohit leaves behind a legacy of bridging Assam and the United States. As a founding member of the Assam Association of North America and Assam Foundation of North America, he helped develop a preinternet community directory, an annual convention, and many cultural exchange and philanthropic projects, all of which continue to grow. His most recent projects included the development of Assamese language educational materials and several publications, including memoirs, novels, and short stories in both English and
Lohit Datta-Barua
Assamese.
He is survived by his wife Manjula, daughters Seebany and Indrany, sons-in-law Jonathan and Karim, and four grandchildren: Kiran, Kavita, Munira, and Reda.
In lieu of flowers, Lohit asked that friends and family donate to any charity benefiting orphan welfare. You can contribute to orphans in Assam specifically through Akshar Foundation at https://aksharfoundation.org/join
His Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 12:00pm CST at Rosewood Funeral Home, 2602 S. Houston Ave. Humble, TX 77396
Lohit wanted guests to wear colorful clothes for the occasion. A livestream link will be available through the Rosewood website.
Southwest Airlines Appoints Rakesh Gangwal as Chairman
DAllAs: Southwest Airlines on Oct 4 named Indian-American aviation industry veteran Rakesh Gangwal as the independent chair to its board, days after the budget carrier settled its feud with activist investor Elliott.
The airline brought in the cofounder of India’s largest carrier Indigo to its board in July despite criticism from Elliott Investment Management at the time.
Gangwal has spent several years in senior roles at United Airlines and U.S. Airways. He resigned from the board of Indigo’s parent InterGlobe Aviation in 2022.
Gangwal bought Southwest shares worth more than $100 million last month before the airline settled its boardroom feud with Elliott in a deal that allowed CEO Bob Jordan to retain his job by making bigger board-level concessions.
Elliott had been pushing for months to refresh the board and remove Kelly and Jordan, blaming them for the airline’s poor performance. As part of the deal, the Dallas-based airline was set to add five Elliott nominees to its board, making it the most seats the hedge fund has ever got in a settlement with a U.S. company.
The agreement with Elliott also speeded up the retirement of Executive Chairman Gary Kelly, which went into effect on Nov. 1.
The budget carrier also appointed chairs to its board committees, including the appointment of Elliott nominee Gregg Saretsky as the chair of its finance committee.
Gangwal started his airline career with United Airlines in 1984
and went on to run US Airways Group as its chief executive and chairman.
Gangwal cofounded IndiGo, headquartered outside Delhi, with pal Rahul Bhatia (also a billionaire) in 2006 with one aircraft.
Gangwal was born in July 1953 in a Marwari Jain family based in Kolkata, India. He attended Don Bosco (Park Circus) before earning a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 1975, and an MBA degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. After completing his bachelors degree from IIT Kanpur at the age of 23, Gangwal moved to the United States in 1977. His association with the airline industry began in September 1980, when, as an associate of Booz Allen & Hamilton, Inc, he worked closely with United Airlines. In 2020, Gangwal was ranked 359th on the Forbes 400 list of the richest people in America.
MB Foundation Presents Idol Finalist Senjuti Das and Trijoy Live in Concert
Stafford: On Friday, November 1st, 2024, MB Foundation presented the Sensational Indian Idol Finalist -Season 13 SENJUTI
DAS and Versatile TRIJOY LIVE
IN CONCERT at Stafford Civic Center in Stafford. The show was a sell-out, and Senjuti and Trijoy entertained the audience with their mesmerizing performance.
A dinner event was organized in Lasbela Restaurant and Catering on Thursday, October 31st, with the artists and the sponsors. It was an excellent opportunity for artists to meet the show’s sponsors.
The Sensational Senjuti and Trijoy concert was another success for Mousumi Banerjee following her Javed Ali, Richa Sharma, and Bismil Ki Mehfil show. Mousumi Banerjee said she is fortunate to be supported by her grand sponsor, Omar Khan from Strategic Financial Group, and other sponsors like Parvez Jasani from CellPay and Gopal Aggarwal from Tara Capital. Bud Patel was the emcee for the show. He is an actor, writer, director, and filmmaker who entertained and engaged the audience.
The concert opened with Dr. Suleman Lalani, Texas State Representative for House District 76, honoring Mousumi Banerjee for her foundation’s noble community services, women empowerment, improving older people’s mental health, and cultural contribution.
Sponsors’ shout-outs followed this, and Mousumi Banerjee and Dr. Suleman Lalani handed out plaques to the sponsors. The concert started with enthralling songs by Senjuti of our legendary Lata Mangeshkar and continued with Trijoy’s solo of Kishore Kumar and their duets, including several latest Bollywood hits. Mousumi Banerjee said that MB Foundation hosts concerts
to improve the mental health of senior citizens. Mousumi Banerjee thanked the audience. We are working towards the overall betterment of the Indo-American community. Our goal is to expose as many people as possible to Indo-American artists and provide a platform that lifts all generations through building love, support, and affection for them.
Texas State Rep. Dr. Suleman Lalani (left) recognized concert sponsors and promoter Mousumi Banerjee (right).
Senjuti and Trijoy (center) with MB Foundation’s pre-concert dinner at Lasbela Restaurant.
‘Do Patti’: Damp Squib Even with Kajol, Kriti
By RenukA VyAVAHARe
Story: When an attempted murder case unfolds in a sleepy hill town, investigating officer Vidya Jyoti (Kajol) suspects there’s more to the story than meets the eye. Can she decode fact from fiction?
Review: Twins Saumya and Shailee (Kriti Sanon in a double role, this is not a spoiler) are like chalk and cheese. One gets married to hot-headed Dhruv Sood, (television actor Shaheer Sheikh) the privileged man with a volatile temper and political connect who owns a paragliding business in the hills. All’s well on the surface until an unlikely crime makes police officer VJ (Kajol) question everything about this family.
Do Patti is deceptive. In an ideal scenario, this could have worked wonders as a thriller but that’s not the case here. Do Patti is deceptive as a film, not as a mystery. You are led on and lured into believing that there’s more to this long-winding twin sister saga but it’s all a damp squib. For some strange reason, you pin your hopes on the big twist that might redeem the situation but that wish stays unfulfilled as it’s predictable and underwhelming.
At the heart of the film lies a crucial conflict between the word of law and spirit of law (circumstances vs verdict). The recent much talked about Menendez Brothers’ series and documentary posed the same question. However, the film digresses way too much, taking away from this valid argument. Twin sister tropes have existed in
Bollywood since time immemorial — Seeta Aur Geeta, Sharmeelee, Chaalbaaz, Dushman to name a few. Writer Kanika Dhillon (Manmarziyan and Haseen Dillruba) and director Shashanka Chaturvedi, try to resurrect this theme and give it a legal spin but it all feels frothy and not meaningful.
Characters are one-dimensional, not layered and no efforts are taken to build them. Kajol as a feisty single woman cop, cannot stand fools. Her banter with her subordinate Brijendra Kala is probably the
only interesting thing here. Sadly, this track is sidelined and the two are reduced to being mere spectators. Kriti Sanon looks gorgeous and over the years has evolved as far as her performance and choices are concerned. However, beyond the distinct external appearance, she struggles to internalise the nuances of her dual role as she oscillates between them. Someone as talented as Tanvi Azmi, doesn’t have much to do and Shaheer Sheikh plays a forgettable second fiddle to Kriti.-- ToI
‘Bandaa Singh Chaudhary’: Unfulfilled Potential
Story: Based on true events from 1970s Punjab, the film follows a man who takes on ISI militants when they attempt to oust him from his home and village forcibly. Will he defeat the powerful forces?
Review: Set in 1975 Punjab, Abhishek Saxena’s directorial venture delves into the tumultuous era of separatism and militancy. The film starts with Bandaa Singh Chaudhary (Arshad Warsi) marrying Lalli (Meher Vij) and leading a happy life with their daughter. Tensions soon arise due to their differing faiths and a militant group’s threats, affecting his relationship with his best friend (Jeevesh Ahluwalia) and other neighbours. However, this is not an ‘us and them’ narrative. A more sinister plot unfolds: ISI militants have infiltrated Punjab, seeking revenge for Bangladesh’s separation from West Pakistan after the
Indo-Pak War of 1971. They force Hindus out, instigating youth violence, but Bandaa refuses to flee and mobilises his neighbours against the perpetrators. Can this brave minority member overcome the powerful militants?
Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.
Send us the correct answer before November 12, 2024. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.
Solution Next Week
Last Week’s Solution
Recent Winners
Kumud Athavale, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Sanchali Basu, Prabha Barvalia, Ramana Vadrevu, Yudhveer Bagga, Taranjit Singh, Rohini Mahajan, Tulasi Devireddy, Prabhu Narumanchi, Subramanian Krishnaiyer, Sahiti Palle, Vinod Kumar, Kirit Suthar, Arup Gupta
