Friday, October 13, 2023 | Vol. 42, No. 41
October 13, 2023
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Indo American News
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Published weekly from Houston, TX
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Special Reports Community Briefs Local Politics South Asians in the News
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IACF Gala Goes “Casino Night” to Raise Funds for Local Charities
P2 IACF incoming President Pankaj Rana with current Pres. Rajesh Dikonda and Board members.
Grand Opening of NJ Akshardham
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Reception for President Kovind
‘Thank You for Coming’: Sexy Comedy
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P11 PP7 13
WEDDINGS, SPECIAL EVENTS, TENTED EVENTS, OUTDOOR COURTYARD
3 3 3 0 F M 1 4 6 3 | K a t y, T X 7 7 4 9 4 | 8 3 2 . 8 5 5 . 5 5 2 0 | p a l m r o y a l v i l l a . c o m
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COMMUNITY
October 13, 2023
IACF Gala Goes “Casino Night” to Raise Funds for Local Charities By Jawahar Malhotra
Stafford: It was a case of dejavu as the Indo American Charity Foundation once again turned to a format for its 36th Annual Gala, which had worked well for it in the past. Who, after all, could turn down a Casino Night, especially if was tagged as a “Play to Win, Win to Give” opportunity that would benefit many local charities?
IACF Pres Rajesh Dikonda
IACF Board
Keynote Speaker Arjun Sen, CEO of ZenMango
Judging from the 320 people who attended the Gala on Saturday, September 9 at the Stafford Centre on Cash Road, very few could resist the temptation to try their luck at Poker, Roulette or Chaps know-
ing their gaming would support others in need. Adding to the allure was an entertainment show that featured the very funny comedian Paul Vargheese who has often performed in Houston followed by a dance segment by Meckka Dance Project, a National award winning competition and performing arts company; and some Bollywood dance numbers by the Team Synergy troupe. As if that wasn’t enough of a distraction while playing Black-
jack, Subodh Bhuchar, always in demand at many galas as auctioneer, managed to raise the ante for fund collections by pushing up the prices on many items, including dinner at Mahesh’s Kitchen and Indian Summer restaurant. Lest we forget, the cuisine was the evening was brought out by Dawat Catering. Among the guests were several elected officials – Stafford City Mayor Ken Mathew, Ft Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton, Ft Bend Commission-
ers Court Judge K. P. George , and Fort Bend County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 Sonia Rash. Keynote Speaker for the evening was Arjun Sen, CEO of ZenMango, who is a former Fortune 500 executive, an acclaimed Brand Zen® and one of the top growth drivers in the Brand and Customer Experience space. At Papa John’s, he led the 3,000-restaurant chain to 4-years of record growth. He is a celebrated author of the book Customer Karma. Sen spoke of the ways to overcome fear and work
with it instead. During the year, the IACF awarded scholarships to 26 students from Fort Bend, Katy, and Alief ISD, with a total value of $40,000; held a Walkathon to raise money and made annual grants to 18 charities, totaling $52,000. The IACF website has also been updated and now features a Digital Payments tab; while the IACF has increased visibility in social media. This year’s Gala was estimated to have raised $125,000. Reflecting on these milestones, Rajesh Dikonda, President of IACF said “We are so grateful for the support of our community. The funds raised tonight will help us to continue our work of providing essential services to those in need.”
Grand Opening of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, NJ Robbinsville, NJ: It was a moment of jubilation, a moment that transcended borders, cultures, and continents. BAPS, a global spiritual and humanitarian organization, celebrated the grand opening of the Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, in a spectacular event that left hearts brimming with joy and gratitude. Hundreds of thousands of individuals from across the globe witnessed this historic celebration, which marked not only the unveiling of a magnificent Hindu mandir but also a gift to the world - the largest Hindu mandir in the US. BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, a marvel of Hindu art, architecture, and culture, stands as a testament to the rich heritage and traditions of the Indian community. It serves as a bridge between the Asian Indian diaspora and the diverse American audience, inviting all to explore the spiritual and cultural treasures it holds within its sacred walls. The grand dedication ceremony was breathtaking to behold, filled with joy, fun, and dedication. As fireworks illuminated the night sky, they symbolized the spirit of celebration that lit up the hearts of all those in attendance. The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham represents a fusion of tradition and modernity, where the echoes of ancient wisdom resonate harmoniously with the vibrant energy of the present.
Priests and dignitaries at the Akshardham dedication ceremony
Seeing the fireworks go up, Harish Patel, a BAPS volunteer from Washington, DC said, “This moment is going to be etched in stone in my heart forever.” Palak Shah, a New Jersey resident said, “I have a flood of emotions right now. The moment we were waiting for year is finally here.” In a world where birthday presents are typically received, the spiritual guru of BAPS, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, chose to give
a remarkable gift to the world on his 90th birthday. This gift, the Swaminarayan Akshardham, is a symbol of unity, spirituality, and cultural appreciation, reflecting the shared values that bind people from diverse backgrounds. In his blessings, Mahant Swami Maharaj stated, “It was Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s divine wish to construct an Akshardham in North America, where people can come and visit, irrespective of race, creed or reli-
gion.” In his address to the audience, U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland mentioned, “This mandir is magnificent. We marvel at its immense size. We admire the craftsmanship behind the thousands of carved elephants, peacocks and other sculptures. But what I find most extraordinary is the community that built it.” Admiring the dedication of the volunteers and their selfless service,
Indo-American News • Friday, OCTOBER 13, 2023 • www.indoamerican-news
Congressman Hoyer continued, “They did it because they believe in the values this structure represents: equality, liberation, truth, harmony, and most importantly, service to others. The values enshrined here are not just Hindu values, they are human values.” Governor John Carney of Delaware shared his admiration for the message of the evening. “I was struck by what was said by the Swami just before that the temple is a bridge, a bridge from the past to the future, a bridge from India to America, a bridge from one community to the next. It is an incredible place of devotion.” Also, in attendance was Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India in New York who addressed the assembly and delivered a message of congratulations from Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. “Love the end and love the means by which we reached here, said, Chaitali Inamdar a volunteer from Pennington, referring to the 12,500 volunteers that built the largest Hindu Mandir in the modern era. BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham invites everyone, regardless of their background, to experience the feelings of fun, joy, happiness, and dedication that were celebrated during the grand opening. It is a space where cultures converge, traditions flourish, and hearts unite.
October 13, 2023
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OBITUARY
October 13, 2023
Prashant Muzumdar: 1971-2023 Houston: We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Prashant Muzumdar, loving husband, father, and friend, who passed away on October 3, 2023 in a car accident. Born on February 11, 1971, Prashant’s 52 years were filled with laughter, wisdom, and a profound love for his family and friends. Prashant is survived by his devoted wife, Geeta Muzumdar, and their two inspiring children, Kabir and Sanjana Muzumdar. Prashant’s love and wisdom will continue to light their paths and support them through life’s journey. A native of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Prashant graduated in 1996 from Pune with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. His talent and dedication in his career led him to become a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas in 2009. His accomplishments included his contribution to improvements of Memorial Park & renovation and expansion of multiple facilities at Bush Intercontinental Airport. Known for his kind heart, jovial nature, and gentle spirit, Prashant believed in living a responsible and balanced life, often sharing wisdom about leading a debt-free life, taking life one day at a time, and love your parents unconditionally.He was an avid reader with a deep appreciation for literature, his favorite books ranged from spiritual texts like the Bhagavad Geeta to inspiring works such as How To Live in 24 Hours. He always taught his family to understand the struggles of historical characters and how we can be inspired by them and when life gets tough for us, we look to these individuals to gain strength. Prashant’s compassionate character
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October 13, 2023 IN MEMORIUM ARTS 5 CULTURAL Extraordinary Auditory Experience: Sanjay Subrahmanyan Concert By Partha Krishnamurthy Houston: This is not a review. Just a view of an extraordinary auditory experience. The Classical Arts Society of Houston presented Vidwan Sanjay Subrahmanyan in a vocal concert with Vidwan S. Varadarajan on the violin and Vidwan Neyveli Venkatesh on the mridangam at Sri Meenakshi Temple on Sept 30, 2023. Going to a Sanjay Subrahmanyan concert is to experience the essence of carnatic music. It is category-defining. It is like a G. R. Vishwanath square cut. Kumbakonam degree coffee; Tiruavaanaikkaval Parthasarathy Vilas rava Pongal (only between 5.30 and 6.30 am, thank you); The tri-color Kadambam garland with jasmine, marikozhundu and kanakambaram for the Gods in the streets of Tiruvallikeni and Mylapore. There are a clutch of few artists that give you the authentic experience with no dilution. Saturday, September 30 was one such; an immersive, outstanding concert by Sanjay, Varadarajan and Neyveli Venkatesh. CAS President Nalini Sadagopan warmly welcomed the rasikas who had packed the auditorium. She thanked the board members and those who had worked behind the scenes on what was going to be a memorable experience. As Nalini welcomed the artistes, the curtains opened to a resounding applause from the audience. The visual presence of the trio on the stage was worth noting. The emerald green stage backdrop was lit gently and adorned with a few bells. The stage was a typical rectangle with a sensible elevation. It was covered in the striking traditional Bhavani jamakkalam. Upon this, the three artistes were seated, all of them in white shirts with white dhoti. This look was simultaneously simple and grand. ‘The Men In White’ as Nalini called
them were ready to give us the audience a musical extravaganza. The evening started off with legendary Bhairavi Atatala varnam, viriboni. Talk of starting out with a bang. The kaalapramanam (loosely, the tempo) was brisk, the voice was nothing but sonorous, the violin played the perfect shadow, and the mridangam was speaking with authority both on the right and left, especially the thoppi (bass side). At the artists’ ‘ meet and greet’ event, they commented that they each practice between 3 and 6 hours every day. It showed in the comfort, command and effortless ease with which they took over the stage. After the varnam, we encountered the sparkling Naattai rendition of a viruththam by Periyaazhwar followed by pallandu pallandu pallaayiratthandu. Sanjay has mentioned that he trained with the legendary Nadhaswaram Vidwan Semponnarkovil SRD Vaidyanathan on channelling the Nadaswaram, in vocal music. One does not know if that was the intended idea in this particular instant, but when the expression of the word “manivanna” reached the upper tonic, it was very reminiscent of the timbre of the majestic instrument. This was followed by a fantas-
tic Purandaradasa Krithi, kaliyugadolu hari naamava nenedare in HariKamboji. The phrase ‘japa ondariyenu’ was soaked with so much comfort that it is hard to describe how beautiful it was. Interestingly, the lyric goes on to say that “I do not know how to chant, nor to meditate”, yet, the sonic experience was one of pure meditation. The extempore swara prasthara was sparkling. It was most heartening to see this lovely dasa sahitya given a prominent place early in the proceedings rather than being relegated to a minimalist treatment at the end of the concert. It is impossible to describe how well Varadarajan and Neyveli Venkatesh sync with Sanjay. The experience as a group shows how they anticipate and react to every instance of musical creation, and their camaraderie shows in their real-time on-stage mutual appreciation of their craft. Sanjay then presented an essay in the raga Hindolam. One of the things felt when listening to this song was that Sanjay does not simply present music. He is exploring music real-time, and invites you to join in on that. He demonstrated how each swaram has its unique place in the garland that makes up that ragam. The Thamizh compo-
sition, “maatchi migunda thaaye, arul meenakshi deivam neeye” nicely tipped the hat to the reigning deity of Pearland. This was followed by the Tyagaraja composition in raaga Gangeyabhushani, evvare raamaiyya. The movements defining this vivadhi raga were delightfully traversed as the swaraaksharams were playfully emphasized. The mridangam was particularly remarkable for the sowkhyam (comfort), especially the bass side. The swara exploration was in keeping with the gentle sensibility of the raga. A Swati Tirunal composition in Hamirkalyani followed, where Varadarajan’s violin was the always-pleasant companion. The main piece of the concert was a raga-thaanam-pallavi in the majestic Karaharapriya. The upper sthayi (octave above the tonic) sancharams were novel yet so familiar thanks to the complete fidelity to the raga. The thaanam was expressed with utter clarity, and the control over the gamakas was simply incredible. The violin exposition of the raga by Varadarajan was beyond delightful and brought out the grandeur of Karaharapriya. The pallavi on Lord Muruga was presented exquisitely. In particular, the diction was so precise that it easily
accommodated the complex taala structures Sanjay built into the presentation.This also featured the tani-aavartanam by Neyveli Venkatesh. It was a treat, ranging from the gentle to the thundering. The hall had minimal sound absorption, and as a result, as the mridangam gained intensity, one could hear the reverberations all around. The mathematical precision combined with the sollkattu dynamics was a joy to experience. The conclusion of the solo was received with a thunderous applause by the audience. Following the RTP, Sanjay presented a delicate piece in the raga Mohanam, bansiwaale ne mana moghu. This was followed by a ragamalika viruttham that travelled Saaveri, Sahaana, Subhapantuvarali, Naatakurunji, and behag followed by a beautiful, aadum chidambaramo. When Sanjay started thunbam nergayil in the raga Desh, there was an audible expression of delight from the audience. The concert started its descent with an absolutely beautiful Sindhu Bhairavi composition, vaa vaa vel muruga. The touchdown was accomplished with a brisk, traditional, nee naama roopamulaku nithya jaya mangalam. Not surprisingly, the concert as a whole got sustained, multiplerounds of resounding ovations at the conclusion. Sanjay brings extraordinary competence and knowledge to the stage, coupled with a genuine, unflagging and deep engagement in the proceedings. This translates to palpable energy on the stage and in the audience, and kept the house-full crowd riveted for the duration of the concert. There are some concerts in which YouTube videos may be a substitute. Not so for this. You have to be in the hall to experience and feel what transpired.
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COMMUNITY
October 13, 2023
HGH Expresses Solidarity with Jewish Victims
L to R: Madhukar Adi- HSS, Robin Stein - Jewish Federation Board Chair, Rabbi Steve Morgen - Congregation Beth Yeshurun, Renee Wizig-Barrios - CEO of Jewish Federation of Houston, Rabbi Oren Hayon-Temple Emanu-El, Vijay Pallod HGH Director, Thara Narsimhan HGH President.
Houston: Hindus of Greater Houston joined Jewish Federation of Greater Houston to support at a critical time for Relief services. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour, after thousands of rockets from the Gaza Strip slammed into south and central Israel. Hindu Heritage Youth camp and many of our Cultural programs from all organizations were held at facilities and they have helped for a long time to make use of their facilities. In fact the timely help was much appreciated by our participation at the Prayer meeting held yesterday at Houston Community Gathering in Solidarity with Israel on Monday, October 9 at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut St. The Jewish Community Center in Houston and their Campsite has been of great help for over 35 years. HGH is donating $10,000 to Jewish Federation of Greater Houston to assist victims of terror and their families.
HGH was invited by Inter faith ministries and Jewish Federation in Houston and honored us as special guests for the prayer meeting.. well attended over 1500 people from all Jewish Congregation Beth Israel, Houston. It was attended by Ted Cruz, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Sheila Jackson Lee and other Houston area officials and local concerned citizens. Appeal from Houston Community Gathering in Solidarity. Please give to assist victims of terror and their families. We have established a Support for Israel Fund following multi-front attacks on Israel during Shabbat and the Sukkot/ Simchat Torah holiday. We are in close contact with our overseas partners, and we anticipate an unprecedented need to assist victims of terror and their families. Now, more than ever, they need your support. Israel will prevail and the Jewish people will stand together as we always do. Am Yisrael Chai.
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Indo-American News • Friday, OCTOBER 13, 2023 • www.indoamerican-news
COMMUNITY
October 13, 2023
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Houston Indians Attend Reception for President Ram Nath Kovind By Pramod Kulkarni Houston: An elite segment of the Indo-American community in Houston attended a dinner reception in honor of Ram Nath Kovind, the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022. The reception took place on Friday, October 6 evening at the Post Oak Hotel in the Galleria area. The presidential reception was organized by Maneesh Media, a publishing house based in Jaipur and with operations both in Canada and the United States. Most recently, Maneesh Media published a coffee table book titled Modi Ho to Mumkin Hain (With Modi, Anything is Possible). Several celebrities joined as sponsors, including Jugal and Raj Malani of Unique Industrial Product Co., Dr. Dayal T and Indu Meshri of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Brandworks, a telecommunications manufacturing company based in Mumbai, with Ishwar Kumhar as CEO. Guests contributed $500 per
Raj and Jugal Malani of Unique Industrial Product Co. (top row) with special guests at the reception: L to R: Chandmal Kumawat, Chairman of Maneesh Media, daughter Swati Kovind, President Ram Nath Kovind, wife Savita Kovind, Consul General DC Manjunath and Dr. Dayal T. Meshtri of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
person to attend the event. There were about 150 guests, including political dignitaries, such as Fort Bend County Judge KP George, Judges Juli Mathew and Surendran Pattel, and Stafford Mayor Ken Mathew. On Thursday evening, a private dinner reception was held
for President Kovind and his family at the home of the Malanis. In their introductory speeches, both Consul General DC Manjunath and Jugal Malani praised President Kovind for his affability and a friendly demeaner at the earlier dinner. President Kovind was born to
Maiku Lal and Kalawati in a Dalit family during the British Raj on 1 October 1945, in Paraunkh village in the Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh, as the youngest of five brothers and two sisters. After his elementary school education locally, he needed to walk each day
8 km, to attend highschool. Eventually, Kovind earned a law degree from DAV College in Kanpur. He then went on to a distinguished career in law and government service. Prior to presidency, he served as the 26th Governor of Bihar from 2015 to 2017. He also served as a Member of Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 2006. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer for 16 years and practiced in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India until 1993. Kovind currently serves as Chairman of One Nation, One Election committee to seek a single election date for all of India. In remarks at the Houston reception, President Kovind spoke of the emergence of India as the world’s 5th largest economy. He praised the contributions of Indo-Americans and urged them to speak either in Hindi or their native language to inculcate Bharatiya culture to the next generation, including via frequent visits to India. “I am proud of all of you and I will be pleased to meet you in New Delhi,” he said.
Dr. Sumit Ganguly Speaks at Inaugural Tagore Center Lecture Series By Arindam Ghosh Houston: To build a global village at Tagore Center in the heart of a very diverse city like the City of Houston had been a dream come true for the founders Dr. Ruma Acharya and Asoke Dey Sarkar. The dream is taking shape on a 14acre land of hope and harmony in Southwest Houston. On October 7 it held its inaugural lecture of the Tagore Lecture Series delivered by Dr. Sumit Ganguly, Tagore Chair at University of Indiana, Bloomington titled the mystical journey of Rabindranath Tagore in search of global peace and humanity. The event started with light refreshments and instrumental music of Tagore playing in the background. Ruma Acharya then presented the architectural vision of the development of the complex. With its emphasis on education embracing diversity and convergence of knowledge, the complex currently houses an Early Education Development Center and an Adult Education Center. It also includes a Visual and Performing Arts Center, an Open-Air Theater, an Art Gallery, and Fairgrounds. Its focus is
L to R: Asoke Dey Sarkar, me, Aurko Dutta, Ruma Acharya, Surupa Shaw, Philamena Baird, speaker Sumit Ganguly, Subbalakshmi Mohan from indian consulate, Mark Praigg and Paula Sutton.
to bring awareness and implement the inspirational global vision and ideals of Rabindranath Tagore with regard to art, literature, philosophy, education, global socialization, understanding of diversity, and empowerment to a broader international audience.She welcomed the foundation advisory board member Mark Praigg who briefly described Tagore’s mystic journey in search of global peace, love and humanity and introduced the speaker of the day. Professor Ganguly spoke about the history of the relationship between India and the United States
of America explaining the historical context of the relationship and pointing out that the collaboration of these two like-minded countries are vital in creating the world envisioned by Tagore. In the cold war era due to Indian Policies such as non-alignment and state-driven industrial development there was no intrinsic interest of the USA to engage with India, and thus the relationship was framed in terms of US interests and engagement with other countries such as the USSR and PRC. However, due to PRC’s current aggressiveness and India’s opening up the economy after the
end of the cold war cooperation is now possible. This has been aided by the growing influence of the Indian American diaspora and the civilian nuclear agreement between the two countries. This has led to US strategic aid such as supplying India real-time troop movement information to assist her in defending its borders. The relationship has become multifaceted, and while challenges remain it is vital to strengthen this relationship to prevent rise of ethnic nationalism and backsliding of democracy in both countries. The lecture was followed by a
Indo-American News • Friday, OCTOBER 13, 2023• www.indoamerican-news.com
Speaker Dr. Sumit Ganguly
lively question and answer session moderated by Indo-American Radio news commentator Sanchali Basu. The event was attended by dignitaries such as Ms. Subalaxmi Mohan representing the Indian Consulate, a representative of the Fort Bend County Commisioner’s office, noted philanthropists Philomena and Arthur Beard, scientist Professor James Tour, and members of the local interfaith community as well as local guests.
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COMMUNITY
October 13, 2023
California Governor Vetoes Bill to Outlaw Caste Discrimination
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The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and members of the IndianAmerican community in California stage a peaceful protest against the anti-caste discrimination bill.
Sacramento: Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed the contentious Senate Bill 403 or the ‘caste discrimination bill‘. In a written statement, Gov Newsom said since California already prohibits discrimination based on “sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other characteristics, and state law specifies that these civil rights protections shall be liberally construed,” the new law was “unnecessary”. The Bill, if signed into law, would have added caste to the list of characteristics protected by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and the California Education Code. The Hindu American Founda-
tion hailed this as the killing “of a bill premised on racist rhetoric.” In a statement, HAF managing director, Samir Kalra said, “With the stroke of his pen, Governor Newsom has averted a civil rights and constitutional disaster that would have put a target on hundreds of thousands of Californians simply because of their ethnicity or their religious identity, as well as create a slippery slope of facially discriminatory laws.” Opinions in the Hindu diaspora about the Caste Bill – introduced in March this year by Democratic state Senator Aisha Wahab, an Afghan American – have been bitterly divided since it first made it through the Senate Judiciary Committee in April this year. -India Currents
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FINE ARTS
October 13, 2023
Award for Mahimatura Folmsbee’s Mural at IAH Houston: Janavi Mahimatura Folmsbee was honored with the “People’s Choice” prize for her installation – the Aquarius Art Tunnel at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The honorees gathered on Oct. 6 at CODAsummit in San José, California. Mahimtura Folmsbee attended with Alton DuLaney, curator of public art and director of cultural arts programs at Houston Airports, who submitted her work for the award. “Now the world’s best airport art program officially has the world’s best public arts project,” DuLaney said. “The immersive art experience by Indian-born, Houstonbased artist Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee received more than 20 percent of the total votes cast. That’s the most votes of any artwork in the history of the award.” The “Aquarius Art Tunnel” is 240 feet long, almost 9 feet high and 22 feet wide. Walking through it will transport travelers to under the sea, complete with colorful murals of aquatic life. Mahimtura Folsmbee’s design was inspired by Flower Garden Banks Marine National Sanctuary
on the Texas coast. She selected dozens of marine life from the reef – including coral, fish, algae, crinoids, sharks, Atlantic dolphins, turtles, eels, manta rays, octopi, mollusks and lobsters. Mahimtura Folmsbee is focused on making the final product educational. The title of the installation pays homage to the constellation Aquarius, the water-bearer. The word “Aquarius” can be broken down into: “aqua,” representing water; and “ri,” inspired by the Hindi word “humari,” which translates to “ours,” and finally “us.” Mahimtura Folmsbee’s drive to help the marine world has grown since she began diving 11 years ago. She has completed 253 dives. For more information about Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee, visit janavimfolmsbee.com.
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Indo American News Founder: Dr. K.L. Sindwani Publisher: Jawahar Malhotra Editor: Pramod Kulkarni Correspondent: Sanchali Basu
Janavi Mahimatura Folmsbee
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Indo-American News • Friday, OCTOBER 13, 2023• www.indoamerican-news.com
10 October 13, 2023
COMMUNITY
Could A Millennial Reformer First Indian-American in Texas Legislature?
Renewable energy developer, Millennial non-profit leader, and award-winning former HISD public school teacher is running in the Democratic primary for Texas Senate District 15 Outsider Soora starts a wellfunded campaign with a bold progressive agenda focused on real reform to root out corruption in Austin and update a broken system. Houston: Today, Karthik Soora, a renewable energy developer, Millennial non-profit leader, and awardwinning former HISD public school teacher, announced his candidacy for Texas Senate District 15. Soora, who co-founded education nonprofit One Jump (now Momentum Education) and the Texas chapter of TheySeeBlue Texas, a grassroots group focused on mobilizing South Asian Texas voters, is running to fix a corrupt system by passing real reforms that empower the rising majority of Texans to finally be heard in Austin. Soora was born in Americus, Georgia, to ethnically Telugu Indian immigrants who emigrated from Chennai and Bengaluru, and he grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. He attended public magnet schools and graduated as valedictorian from Parkview High School in 2007. He grew up speaking Telugu and also has an intermediate proficiency in Urdu and Hindi. Karthik then attended Rice University in Houston, graduating cum laude, earning a
triple major in Political Science, History, and Asian Studies with a minor in Global Health Technologies. He met his wife Shivani Chatterjee, a fluent Bengali speaker whose family hails from Kolkata, while at the Yale School of Management in 2017. They were married in 2020. Shivani works for Technovation, a nonprofit focused on increasing girls’ participation in STEM, programming, and AI. A full biography is included in the press kit. Soora would make history in many ways. He would be the first Millennial or Generation Z Democrat in the Texas State Senate, the first in clean energy in the Texas Legislature, the first Indian-American in the Texas Legislature, the first South Asian American and the first AAPI in the Texas State Senate, and the first minority individual to represent Texas State Senate District 15, a 72% majority minority district, since the founding of the Texas Republic. He would also provide a voice to the over 450,000 Indian-Americans and people of Indian origin who call Texas their home as well as tens of thousands of other Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nepali-Americans hailing from SAARC communities. Soora has seen firsthand the costs of failed leadership in the Texas capitol. As a teacher, Soora saw his students work hard because they wanted to be the first
Karthik Soora
in their families to go to college; they’d come in on Saturdays and work till 6 on weekdays, but the system wasn’t there for them. He saw his students face out-of-control flooding, a lack of health care, a broken grid, a lack of adequate K-12 school funding, and a lack of safety as school shootings became an ever more-present threat. At a time when Austin politicians are taking over our schools, attacking Texas renewable energy, and ignoring the vulnerabilities in our grid, we need leaders who know the issues we face and will champion reforms to make real change possible. “I am running for Texas State Senate because we can’t solve 21st-century problems with a 19th-century system. We need real reforms like banning current legis-
lators from simultaneously serving as lobbyists, allowing citizen voices to be heard through referendums so we can put Roe v. Wade and universal gun-background checks on the ballot, and passing bold campaign finance reform to stop billionaires from buying our elections,” said Soora. “Texas Democrats know the challenges we face – gun violence, attacks on our reproductive freedoms and democracy, underfunded schools, a lack of affordable health care and housing, and the climate crisis – and change starts with passing reforms to ensure that all Texans, not just the ultra rich and MAGA Republicans, are heard in the halls of power.” This legislative session, MAGA Republicans have continually tried to sideline renewable energy and cleantech that are creating jobs for thousands of Texans across the state. Soora is stepping up to give voice to the rising generations of Texans, particularly the Millennials and Gen Z who will make up 50% of eligible voters in 2024 and who are sick of dysfunction and bigotry, and ready for leaders who represent all of us. That’s why he’ll fight to put our Roe v. Wade rights on the ballot - just as has been done in states across the country, from Montana to Kentucky, and as recently as the Supreme Court election in Wisconsin last week. Soora is committed to listening to the voices of every Super Neighborhood and municipality in
District 15 and fighting for them all, meeting voters where they are: from Acres Homes to Atascoscita, Greater Heights to Gulfton, or Montrose to Meyerland. In the tradition of successful first-time candidates like Rep. James Talarico, Soora plans to kick off a walking tour of the district in the coming weeks and months, and walk across the entire length of the gerrymandered district to draw attention to gerrymandering and a need for political reform, as he listens and learns from residents of all backgrounds who have been ignored by career politicians in favor of powerful special interests and billionaire donors. Committed to representation, Soora released his announcement video in Spanish as well, voiced by him. The Soora campaign has put together a powerhouse and diverse team including The Win Company (media consulting) and Data for Progress (polling). Strategist Myles Bugbee led Sen. Jon Tester’s 2018 digital team and consulted on campaigns such as Gov. Jay Inslee’s climate change-focused 2020 presidential bid and Gov. Katie Hobbs’ 2022 campaign, as well as Texas campaigns like Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s 2022 reelection. Other vendors include South Asian designer Zenab Kashif, and Latino videographers and photographers: OneTap Media and Evelyn Gubler Photography.
Indo-Pak Diwan Restaurant Opens at a Busy Location in Southwest Houston
The restaurant is located at 10920 West Bellfort (832-295-3311) is in a busy part of town at the intersection of West Bellfort and Wilcrest near Hwy 59
By Jawahar Malhotra On a bright sunny Sunday late last month, Diwan Restaurant at 10920 West Bellfort (832-2953311) opened its doors to a constant stream of people. It is a small, cozy place in a busy part of town at the
intersection of West Bellfort and Wilcrest where there are other attractions for the Desi crowd. The Savoy Shopping Center and Ibn Sina Center are nearby as are other eateries. The opening was festive with a balloon arch at the door and loud
Diwan Restaurant Manager Rizwan Mohammed (left) with guest Syed “Sunny” Hyder at the opening.
Desi music blaring outside. Inside, a buffet was laid out at the counter and the first 25 people got free kachoris and chai. Manager Rizwan
Mohammed made sure the stream of people tasted all the other veg and non-veg dishes. And for those who want a calmer
Indo-American News • Friday, OCTOBER 13, 2023 • www.indoamerican-news
afternoon, tables are laid out on the covered front patio for chatting and a hookah or smoke.
ENTERTAINMENT
October 13, 2023
‘Thank You for Coming’: Funny Sex Comedy
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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 October 17, 2023. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.
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Kumud Athavale, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Sanchali Basu, Yudhveer Singh Bagga, Prabha Barvalia, Taranjit Singh, Ramana Vadrevu, KB Amarnath, Pruthvi Seth, K.S.Balasubramanyam, Kanubhai Patel, Prabhu Narumanchi, Ramesh Shah, Sahiti Palle, Rekha Trivedi
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saab. Shehnaaz Gill performs well as a self-assured young girl who unabashedly admits that a girl should seek out pleasure. Qaran and Hanita Bhambri dish out a banger of a soundtrack, especially Sunita Rao’s Pari Hoon Main redux, featuring Sushant Divgikar, which is brilliantly shot. Often raunchy in its content, the movie delivers the message of self-love through female pleasure. The sex comedy is a fun ride and worth watching for its bold and rarely-seen-in-our-cinema theme. -- Times of India
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Story: In this coming-of-age story, a 32-year-old die-hard romantic settles for an arranged marriage after a spate of failed relationships. She invites her ex-lovers to her engagement ceremony and, by the end of the boozy night, experiences her first orgasm. The night turns out to be a journey of introspection and exploration of love and female pleasure. Review: Director Karan Boolani’s film follows Kanika Kapoor (Bhumi Pednekar), a 32-year-old woman still looking for a man who can fulfil her desires in bed. Failing to find one, she blames herself as a ‘defective piece.’ Tired of being labelled with unceremonious monikers and convinced she will never have a fairytale romance, Kanika decides to marry a successful but ordinary guy. Will she finally find her prince charming, who will sweep her off her feet and satisfy her carnal pleasures? As the story unfolds, she deals with more confusion during an event on her roka (preengagement) ceremony that makes her question who is the right one — one of her ex-lovers or fiance? Radhika Anand and Prashasti Singh’s story is more than just a sex comedy. It addresses issues like peer pressure and how women should make peace with not having an orgasm - a subject rarely discussed in our society, even behind closed doors. And it brings up these sensitive subKaushika Shah jects while being ultraglamorous and funny. Licensed Sales Agent At times, it feels infu832-282-3515, TTY 711 riating when you see what almost everyone — from teenagers like Kanika’s bestie Tina Das’s (Shibani Bedi) daughter to even senior Y0066_23SPRJ55188_C single women like her
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mother, Dr Kapoor (Natasha Rastogi) often go through as fiercely independent women. The movie is also peppered with funny oneliners such as “GST nahin, apni maang bhar,” and Kanika’s tendency to fall for older as well as younger guys from “wheelchair to pram.” Bhumi Pednekar is perfectly cast as someone who has inherited her mother’s strength and feministic streak without being aware of it. She is a prototype of someone who deals with self-doubt and runs herself down but refuses to compromise on whom she considers eligible. Though her lovers remind her of her strength, it seems more latent, and she portrays it in just a one-off instance. As her BFFs, Dolly Singh and Shibani Bedi, are funny and perform well in the emotional scenes, too. Kusha Kapila, as one of the quintessential mean girls, is also great in a brief role. It’s a delight to see Anil Kapoor as Kanika’s much older lover (and her minus one after their breakup) and someone who loves Gulzar
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Solution Next Week
12 October 13, 2023
Indo-American News • Friday, OCTOBER 13, 2023 • www.indoamerican-news