Indo-American News: August 18, 2023

Houstonians Join the World in Celebrating India’s 77th Independence Day

By Pramod KulKarni

houston: Newly arrived Consul General DC Manjunath led the energetic celebration of India’s 77th Independence Day throughout Houston.

The celebrations began with a flag hoisting at the Consulate on Scotland Street with the attendance of the Consulate staff. CG Manjunath read excerpts from President Doupadi Murmu’s address to the nation. This was followed in quick succession with flag hoistings at the Gujarati Samaj of Houston and India House. In the evening, the Consulate hosted a reception for local political dignitaries and about 250 invited members of the Indo-American community.

Dignitaries attending included representatives of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, and Sheila Jackson Lee. Congressman Al Green himself attended the flag hoisting at India House. Many of the representatives presented proclamations in honor of India’s Independence Day. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee attended the flag hoisting at GSH.

Both Fort Bend County Judge KP George and University of Houston Chancellor Renu Khator recalled their childhood in India and were appreciative of the education and values they received through their upbringing in India.

Due to a malfunction in the au-

Enthusiastic I-Day Celebrations throughout India

neW delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed people as “my family members”, urging them to declare war on corruption, dynastic politics and appeasement in order to achieve the goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.

Addressing the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day, the prime minister listed past achievements of the government and laid the roadmap for the future promising to return on August 15 next year to report further progress.

Noting that India was not going to stop in its onward march now, the PM listed “corruption, familybased parties and vote-bank politics as the three evils sapping national capacity and potential.”

“I seek your help to eradicate some evils that have crept into our society in the past 75 years,” said the prime minister listing the need for propriety, transparency and impartiality to make India developed by 2047.

Noting that there was never any dearth of capacity in India, PM said the country could “no longer shut its eyes to these evils”.

“Some aberrations have become such a part of the social system that sometimes we close our eyes to them. This is not the time to close eyes. If we have to counter these evils, we have to look them

in the eye and fight the evils,” the PM said.

He said corruption had sapped vitals of all systems and a “war against corruption in all sectors is a must”.

Noting that there was never any dearth of capacity in India, PM said the country could “no longer shut its eyes to these evils”.

“Some aberrations have become such a part of the social system that sometimes we close our eyes to them. This is not the time to close eyes. If we have to counter these evils, we have to look them in the eye and fight the evils,” the PM said.

He said corruption had sapped vitals of all systems and a “war against corruption in all sectors is a must”.

He also spoke of the country be-

ing shackled by dynastic politics which “has snatched rights of the people”.

Promising to keep fighting corruption, the PM slammed familybased parties as a “disease”.

Spangled Banner”.

After the rendition of Bharat Natyam dances and singing of patriotic songs such as “Vande Mataram”, CG Manjunath addressed the audience of about 150 IndoAmericans and their guests.

“Independence Day is a special occation when we remember our long and hard freedom struggle and remember the sacrifices of those who led India to become a free nation,” explained CG Manjunath. “It is also a day for us to take a stock of the progress we have made as a nation, challenges that we face, and reaffirm our resolve to overcome them collectively.”

dio system, there were live renditions of the national anthems of the United States and India. Consul Sandeep Choudhary ably performed “Jana Gana Mana”. HPD Chief Troy Finner was assisted by TV Asia Correspondent Manisha Gandhi in performing the “Star

“India, the largest Democratic nation of 1.4 billion people, stands at the cusp of immense potential and opportunity. India is the fastest growing G20 economy and the largest consumer market globally. with a GDP of $3.7 trillion. By 2030, India will become the third largest economy of the world.”

CG Manjunath also paid a tribute to the contributions of the local Indo-American community to the economy of the United States.

Flag Hoisting at Indian Embassy

Washington dC: The 77th Independence Day of India was celebrated in Washington D.C. with a flag-hoisting ceremony on 15 August, 2023 at India House. The ceremony was attended by a number of Indians, Diaspora members, students and friends of India.

Ambassador of India H.E. Taranjit Singh Sandhu paid floral tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial in Washington D.C. Following this, Ambassador unfurled the tricolor at India House, which was followed by singing of the National Anthem. The Address by the Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji on the eve of India’s 77th Independence Day was played during the ceremony.

In his remarks, Ambassador noted that this year’s celebrations are special, as the commemorations of 75 years of Independence being marked as the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ culminate, and the country continues her march into the Amrit Kaal- the journey into the next quarter century, towards 100 years of independence. This year also marks India’s G20 presidency; guided by ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, the country has worked to promote global good and has infused new energy into the international development agenda.

Ambassador emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and President Biden, the India–US partnership today is “one of the most consequential relationships” in the world. Prime Minister’s recent State Visit to the United States reaffirmed deep bonds of friendship and provided a new impetus to cooperation between India and the US. The range of initiatives, announced during the visit span all areas of human

endeavor and are a testament to the mutual trust between both countries.

Ambassador mentioned that a key pillar of the India-US relationship is the 4.4 million strong Indian Diaspora, including 200,000 Indian students in the United States. Their talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovation, contribute to the prosperity of both India and the United States and serve to strengthen the relations between the two countries.

A cultural program involving rendition of patriotic songs depicting India’s diversity was presented on this occasion by young Indian Diaspora from Gandharva School of Music. Winners of the Painting Competition organized by the Embassy on the theme of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ were felicitated during the celebrations. The ‘Meri Maati

Indian

Mera Desh’ and ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaigns were commemorated with large handcrafted

Tricolor displayed during the occasion.

Flag hoisting at the Indian embassy in Washington DC

Consul General DC Manjunath hoists the Indian flag at India House in the presence of India House trustees, political dignitaries and guests.

Celebrations in Srinagar, Kashmir were a change from the past.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking on the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi.

Consul General DC Manjunath speaking at the evening reception at the Consulate.

Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EMGH) – Now Open to Visitors

houston: The Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH) is proud to announce the opening of this world class museum to the public on Tuesday, August 15, which is coincidentally the 77th anniversary of India’s Independence Day. It is but a small tribute to the architect of India’s independence, Mahatma Gandhi, who freed India from the British Colonial Rule. He spearheaded the freedom struggle against the British by courageously deploying Truth and Nonviolence – A Force More Powerful. Please visit the museum to learn about Truth and Nonviolence and Gandhi’s universal influence on global peace leaders.

EGMH is the only free-standing museum in all of America dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi by preserving and promoting his most significant legacy, nonviolent conflict resolution. The museum’s address is 12379 Riceville School Road (@ Beltway 8 South), Houston, TX 77031.

The exhibit space takes the visitor through three distinct galleries:

Gallery One – His Journey: Learn about the transformation of Mahatma Gandhi from a child of fear to a man of freedom.

Gallery Two – Our Journey: Learn how global peace leaders have followed into Mahatma Gandhi’s footsteps to bring about profound social change around the world. Learn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Lech Walesa, Nelson Mandela, Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan, and others who used nonviolent conflict resolution in their work for social justice.

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Gallery Three –

My Journey: After learning about Mahatma Gandhi and global peace leaders, this gallery provides the visitor with a place to reflect and contemplate. It invites the visitor to make a personal commitment to be a catalyst for positive changes in their own lives and community

i.e.- “What is something you can do, large or small, that can make an impact on your own life and environment?” How can you “Be the change you wish to see in the world?”

EGMH started on this journey in 2016 when one of its Trustees and Co-Founder, Atul Kothari, returned from India with offer from Eternal Gandhi Multimedia Museum in Delhi of Aditya Birla Group to host a travelling exhibit in Houston. The EGMH Board consisting of Sesh Bala, Dr. Barkat Charania, Sanjay Jain, G V Krishnan, Devinder Mahajan, Ajit Paralkar, Namita Sutaria and Dr. Manish K Wani immediately agreed to host and establish a new civic asset - the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston.

It has been a long and exciting journey. With the Almighty’s grace, our dreams have turned into reality.

One of the earliest supporters of the museum was the Houston Endowment Foundation. To date,

they have donated $750,000 for the construction of EGMH. Another major endorsement came from Congressman Al Green when he sponsored a grant of $3 million under Community Project Funding of Department of Housing and Urban Development. Under the leadership of Fort Bend County Judge K P George, the Fort Bend County Commissioners approved a grant of $475,000. Dr Anne Chao, Chair of the Advisory Board, has donated $500,000 through her various foundations. EGMH is truly fortunate and grateful to all our donors, large and small, supporters, and volunteers of EGMH.

EGMH was fortunate to put together an All-star team for the establishment of this historic project.

The journey began with the selection of RDLR Architects and Lorie Westrick, the Principal of the firm. The Charkha, the spinning wheel (referenced in the teachings of Gandhi) inspired her masterful

museum design. We engaged the services of Brian Crockett, a museum consultant with Smithsonian background. He has superbly guided the trajectory of the museum from day 1. EGMH was fortunate to select Solid Light, Inc., Cynthia Torp, CEO, from Louisville, Kentucky as the exhibit designer. They have masterfully planned, designed, fabricated, and installed all the museum galleries.

To gain inspiration for the museum, the Board, Architect, and Solid Light went on a whirlwind tour to India in February 2020 visiting 6 different Gandhi museums in 4 different cities in 5 days.

Honor Moorman has also been involved since inception as our education consultant. She has ensured that the docent-led museum tours are TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) compliant, so that children can visit the museum as a school-sponsored field trip.

The Consul General of India Aseem Mahajan facilitated the donation of the Mahatma Gandhi Statue from the Government of India. Sanjay Khanna of Superior Granite and Marble By Vivaldi, was instrumental in producing the granite figures that are prominently embedded in the facade of the mu-

seum. The museum builder is TDK Construction owned by Dhansukh (Dan) Khatri and his daughter Tina, who managed the entire construction from inception.

As they say, seeing is believing! All visitors who were given a hard tour of the museum have said without exception -- one can fully appreciate and grasp the scope of the museum only after visiting the museum in person. So please do make plans to visit with your friends and family.

We are extremely excited for the opening of Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston and have no doubt this world class facility will develop into another crown jewel for our great, diverse city of Houston.The museum has a state-of-the art auditorium which is available for birthdays, anniversaries, conferences, performances, and other celebrations. The auditorium can accommodate up to 108 people.

The museum has many volunteering opportunities, and anyone can register to volunteer on our website at www.egmh.org .

To date, we have raised $8 million of the total construction budget of $10 million. To support this project, please help spread the word and follow us on our social media platforms - Facebook and Instagram@egmhouston. To learn more and donate, please visit www.egmh. org, call 832-850-EGMH, or email info@egmh.org.

We look forward to seeing you at the museum! You can purchase your tickets online at www.egmh. org

houston: Indo-American Charity Foundation (IACF) Grants Night was held on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 11:30 am at Narin’s Bombay Brasserie. There was a significant turnout.

The event raised $52,000 to benefit local charities. The beneficiaries were all very grateful for the funding, and they shared their stories with the audience.

IACF was founded in 1988 by a group of Houstonians of Indian origin (Indo-American) compelled by an altruistic desire to give back to their local community.

IACF mission to help the underprivileged originated with the effort to fight hunger and has now developed into a multi-faceted philanthropic endeavor to help those in need in the Greater Houston Area.

The commitment of IACF to local communities is well represented in our motto “ WE LIVE HERE, WE GIVE HERE”.

Over the past 36 years, IACF has raised millions of dollars to support a wide range of charitable causes.

For last 36 years, IACF has appealed to the philanthropic spirit of the Indo-American community in Houston to work in four key areas: “ E- F- G -H” : Education, Family, General Welfare and Healthcare.

According to IACF President Rajesh Diconda:

IACF has been active and did a

lot of work in our local communities and around the world during two years of COVID. Thanks to past president Joseph and all my colleagues on board we donated for two 10 bed ICU Hospital units in India during the peak of covid with a donation of $100k.

IACF distributed more that 15000 masks during the initial stages of covid surge and many more activities.

This year has started well and IACF ss executing all theur signature events.

IACF had a very successful SCHOLARSHIP Distribution EVENT on April 16, 2023 in which we Awarded Scholarship to about 26 Students from Fort Bend, Katy and Alief ISDs with a total sum of $40,000, we also had donors who had pledged to donate a rolling scholarship spanning about 4 to 5 years.

We had a successful Walkathon on April 22, 2023 which was well attended by Community Members and Community Leaders and raised Money during the event.

IACF has in its midst very kind and honorable souls who are associated with charities doing selfless services in all the areas we focus of Education, Family, General Welfare and Healthcare in local Houston community.

Dikonda thanked the grants committee, which worked tirelessly to go through the strict filtration process in place to select

the recipients. He also thanked all the charity representatives who are partners in this effort

The charities benefitting from IACF included: Attack Poverty, Asians against Domestic Abuse, Catholic Charities of the Archdiosese of Galveston and Houston, Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Child Advocates, Inc., Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, Hindu Charities of America (HC4A), Indian Doctors Charity Clinic, Indo-American Cancer Network (IACAN), iEducate USA, Parents Engagement for Active Children’s

Engagement (PEACE), Parks Youth Ranch, Prevent Blindness Texas, Search Homeless Services, Second Servings of Houston, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Wellspring Village, Inc., YMCA of Greater Houston -- YMCA Camp Cullen.

IACF Annual Gala will be held on September 9 at the Stafford Center.

SEWA Interns Complete 4,558 hours of Service

houston: Sewa International Houston Chapter hosted an Internship Gala for their “Get Inspired Houston” (GIH) and “Leadership Development through Community Engagement” (LEAD) interns on August 12 at the T.E. Harman Center in Sugar Land. The event was designed to celebrate the many accomplishments of 49 interns this summer. The interns accumulated over 4,558 hours of service in nearly nine weeks and served at Sewa’s ASPIRE (Assuring Student Progress in Remedial Education) centers, the Houston food bank, participated in a 5K Walk, attended leadership sessions with prominent community members, and underwent FEMA’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training. Their service helped 75 kids at these centers and it also helped

these interns to become better citizens of society.

During the Internship Gala, Anagha Patwari, Ronak Mehta, and Rutva Gupta assumed the roles of emcees, skillfully engaging the audience. They invited Nikhil Jain who initiated the proceedings with an interactive activity, urging the interns to encapsulate their experiences in a single word or phrase. This icebreaker segued into his poignant message about the inception of their internship journey. Jain emphasized the significance of perpetuating kindness and al-

SEWA Helping Maui Victims

houston: Sewa International is reaching out in the wake of the devastating fires that have struck Maui, Hawaii. Lives have been lost, homes turned to ashes, and communities in ruins.

Sewa International is actively engaged in bringing solace to the affected people. Our volunteers are working tirelessly to provide immediate aid and essential supplies to those affected. During this critical period, we appeal to you to join hands in bringing relief, rebuilding lives, and rekindling hope.

Your generous donation will provide victims with shelter, sustenance, and solace. Your contribution will directly impact their lives. Here’s how you can make a difference:

1. Donate: Visit our secure donation page https://sewausa. org/HelpMauiRisefromtheWildfireAshes to make a gift of any amount.

2. Spread the Word: Share this urgent appeal on your social media platforms using #MauiStrong and #SewaWildfireRelief. Your reach can help amplify our efforts and bring more help to those in need.

truism among the interns, encouraging them to consistently extend support to others without reservation. Interns highlighted their accomplishments through a sixminute video depicting the service activities they participated in.

September 8, 2023

Akshaya Patra announces famous celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor to Houston at Kiran’s Restaurant

Akshaya Patra to host celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor with renowned Houston chef Kiran Verma for a superb afternoon of delicious food, fun and fundraising.

Akshaya Patra provides 2+ Million hot mid day lunches at 20,000+ government schools in 15 states and 2 territories across India.

Join us in helping raise the funds for this noble and worthy cause.

Venue: Kiran’s Restaurant, 2925 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77098

Admissions & Donations: www.tinyurl.com/chefkapoor , www.apusa. org/events

Complimentary Valet Parking at the venue.

Houston Contact: Ashok Shah 832-518-9938, Janardan Thakkar: 713-249-4256, National - AP Development Director: Geeta Rai – 408839-1123

All donations & admission charges are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. APUSA organization is a registered 501(c)3 organization. TAX ID: 01-0574950

Chef Jassi Bindra’s ‘Chopped’ Victory a Win for Houston, Indian Cuisine, and Sikhs

houston: Jassi Bindra, the executive chef behind the Woodlands luxe Indian restaurant, Amrina, hinted last week that his appearance on Chopped would do Indian cuisine justice, and sure enough, the chef, known for his eclectic spin on Indian cuisine, did not disappoint.

The Indian native, who identifies as Sikh, went on to win the episode, taking home $10,000 and bragging rights for the Houston area and the Sikh community.

The chef appeared to go into the challenge with confidence, intending to use traditional recipes from India with his own eclectic touch. “I’m here to show how Indian cuisine can be sexy,” said Bindra before facing off in the appetizer challenge against Massachusetts chef Emilie Rose Bishop, traveling celebrity chef Morgan Ferguson from Maryland, and Rachel McGill, the first James Beard Award-nominated chef from Lincoln, Nebraska.

At first glance at the four ingredients required to concoct an appetizer, “I feel great actually, and not great,” Bindra said. But the chef went on to spin the Brick French Toast soaked in egg custard, watermelon radishes, smoked peanut butter mixed with Mexican hatch chiles, and canned sardines into mirchi walla, an Indian street feed that’s a stuffed pepper. Bindra

stuffed poblano peppers with sardines and portobello mushrooms and topped them with a cheddar cheese fondue that used the peanut butter and panko bread crumbs. Judges had their doubts, with one questioning his use of peppers. “If he can pull that off, I will be so impressed,” said another, and Bindra pulled through, impressing the judges with layered flavors despite the dish’s large portion and lack of texture.

The chef resolved that he’d implement the judges’ feedback into consideration in the entree round when chefs were given 30 minutes to make an entree using a potato chip omelet, pea greens,

raw Korean-style short ribs, and cherry cola. Bindra’s grilled short ribs with a pea green salad and Cola-coconut sauce, plated with a liquid egg mousse, was enough to get to the dessert round, where he sealed his win by transforming a giant fortune cookie, gooseberries, blue Hubbard squash, and camel milk into a fortune cookie Rabri, a popular Indian sweet dessert made with condensed milk with sugar, and combining it with candied squash and gooseberries. Though judges said the squash component in the dish was underwhelming, the dessert was still enough to win judges over.

Bindra said he believes the short

rib dish is what truly solidified his win. “The only thing that came from the judges was it was delicious. I told them, ‘I need to go back to Texas, so I can’t mess up my meat!’ That made me feel proud,” Bindra says.

The chef held a watch party at Amrina on Tuesday, August 16, inviting guests to watch the excitement unfold. Bindra said reservations began “blowing up” starting at 5 p.m. and by the time of the episode, it was a packed house full of curious diners. People kept asking him whether he won. “I just said, ‘Keep watching!’ ... The fun was actually in watching. It felt like a game show with all the cheering,” he said.

Bindra says the show was a fun challenge. “It really brings out your inner qualities with planning and time management,” he said.

“If I get a chance again, I’d love to

showcase my skills again.”

Until then, the chef will celebrate his win, which he considers a win for Houston and the Sikh community, too. Bindra says this could be the first time a turban chef from the community has won a reality TV cooking competition like Chopped, which is part of the reason he busted out with the Punjabi phrase “Balle Balle” and a popular dance Punjabi dance move following his win.

He’s hoping to share the experience, too. Bindra says he’ll donate some of his $10,000 to charity, particularly the Make-aWish Foundation. The remainder will go to gadgets for his kitchen, gifts for his son, and partying with his friends. Then, after restaurant week, he’ll offer a three-course Chopped menu at Amrina, with a twist on the three dishes featured on the show, so diners can get a literal taste. -- Eater Houston

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Amrina chef Jassi Bindra took Houston home bragging rights on the latest episode of “Chopped.” Photo by Rick Frank

HEALTH

AAPI’s Women’s Leadership Forum Focuses on “Celebrating Women of Excellence.”

PhiladelPhia: Women are leading the world by being the proponents of economic empowerment, strengthening educational organizations, and being a powerful voice in politics. They have overcome obstacles and have shown the world what a woman can achieve and contribute to the betterment of the world as never before in human history.

The presence of a dozen successful Women Leaders representing a diversity of professions, involving public, private, and government organizations at the much-anticipated Women’s Leadership Forum during the recently concluded 41st Annual Convention organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in Philadelphia, PA from July 6th to 9th, 2023 was a way of celebrating the success stories of women who are trailblazers and have inspired and led others with their exceptional achievements, personifying grace, and setting the standard for success.

Setting the tone for this celebration, Dr. Udaya Shivangi, Chair of AAPI’s Women’s Committee, in her opening remarks, provided an overview of the Forum and the many initiatives by the Forum both in India and the United States. “Women’s Forum has been an integral part of AAPI, always at the forefront, coming up with innovative ideas to make each event a unique and transformative experience. Each year the Forum aims to spotlight women leaders who are changing the world and work-

ing towards the betterment of the community.”

The theme chosen for the Forum today, “Celebrating Women of Excellence “ holds immense importance as it recognizes and pays tribute to the remarkable achievements and contributions of women in various spheres of life, Dr. Shivangi, who was honored with AAPI’s Distinguished Service Award during the Convention here, said.

“Throughout history, women have overcome numerous obstacles and have shattered glass ceilings, leaving an indelible mark on society. They have become pioneers, breaking stereotypes and proving that gender should never limit one’s aspirations or potential. By recognizing and honoring their excellence, we uplift the achievements of women everywhere and pave the way for future generations to strive for greatness,” Dr. Shivangi added.

In her keynote address, Her Holiness Jagadguru Sai Maa, a world-renowned spiritual master, healer, and humanitarian, with a unique fusion of Eastern spiritual wisdom, Western therapeutic knowledge, and energetic mastery, fondly called Sai Maa shared with the audience on ways to uplift and empower others to master their lives. Sai Maa, who is the first-ever female to be awarded the prestigious title Jagadguru in India’s 2,700 years of the Vishnuswami lineage, one of the highest designations in the Hindu tradition, is being recognized as embodying

the power and influence to transform the entire planet.

“Each of us comes from Mother. We are now in transition, shifting from an old era to a new era. An era of consciousness, higher consciousness, an era where our heart and light merge together. We have entered a phase on this planet called longevity. You look at the cosmos and you look at a fetus. There’s a similarity. Every human is born as an enlightened child. So every single human is born with like the Satya Yuga, the next step

832-766-6662

for humanity. Every child is connected and every adult no matter how a is connected to the Atma. Sai Maa, who has developed a signature program, HealthSpan by Design, that introduces a new health paradigm where you align with your innate life force to retain vibrant health as you age, spoke about how to program your cells for maximum health, youthfulness, and longevity. With great passion, Sai Maa shared her inner knowledge and offered effective strategies that work for everyone.

Dr. Asha Pillai, Chair of Hematology, Hematologic Malignancies, and Transplantation in the Scientific Council at Regeneron received her medical degree and fellowship training in Pediatric and Adult Hematology from Stanford University. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Pillai and her research group have established important new immune theories in mismatched donor bone marrow and organ transplantation as well as cellular immunotherapy for cancer treatment.

OMG 2: Laugh-Out Loud Film with Timely Message

By renuKa VyaVahare

OMG 2 Story: A diehard bhakt of Lord Shiva, Kanti Sharan Mudgal (Pankaj Tripathi) is forced to question his own thoughts and societal norms on morality, religion and sex after his son gets expelled from school on grounds of obscenity.

OMG 2 Review: A video by an anonymous person captures Kanti’s troubled teen son Vivek, masturbating (‘selfie’ as a slang) in the school washroom.

play safe. His writing challenges the status quo and yet upholds the sanctity of religion, dignity and India’s family values. His language is desi and voice, progressive. The social dramedy dares to begin a dialogue and conversation perceived as awkward. It calls out the parental flaws that have been long buried under the garb of culture.

Most importantly, it’s a courageous attempt to understand the

play here as the messenger of God (altered from playing God to his messenger after the CBFC modification). There are at least 27 modifications made for Indian viewing so expect weird dubbing in parts. The A rating is an issue given how important this film is for families and teenagers.

OMG 2 boasts of a talented ensemble cast. Pankaj Tripathi is excellent as a father torn between

Solution Next Week

Once the video goes viral, the school expels Vivek (a brilliant Aarush Varma) to salvage its image and reputation. Ashamed of his son’s vulgar act and fearing the public outrage, Kanti decides to flee with his family to an undisclosed location. His son’s suicide attempts and declining mental health owing to humiliation and bullying, compel him to open his eyes and question his own understanding of being a parent and an adult.

unspoken distance between desi parents and their children. How many of us are comfortable watching a lovemaking scene in a movie in front of our parents?

Religious and God-fearing Kanti decides to sue the school for the mental harassment caused to his son. He holds the elite educational institution accountable for being negligent towards their student’s need for sex education and right to information. The school appoints English speaking Kamini Maheshwari (Yami Gautam) as their defence lawyer. The latter argues that ‘masturbation is a sin’, our conservative society isn’t ready for sex education yet and there’s a reason why private parts are called private. Their contradicting views and verbal exchange in court in front of a rather delightful judge (Pavan Malhotra as Judge Purushottam Nagar) forms the story. The film does take a few liberties in depiction of the court proceedings. You can even tell who’s winning the legal battle fought on moral grounds but it’s still quite interesting.

It’s rare for sequels to outshine the original and writer-director Amit Rai’s clever and crisp courtroom comedy fulfils this mammoth task. A spiritual sequel to Umesh Shukla’s OMG – Oh My God! (2012), OMG 2 hits the nail on the head while addressing a rather sensitive topic. Funny, fearless and entertaining, Rai doesn’t

Why are vagina and penis given names and not addressed as vagina and penis! Why is there no talk on the menstrual cycle in schools?

Porn is accessible freely on the internet but sex education is a taboo. Women can perhaps be safer in the country if men know more about their sexual needs and boundaries?

guilt and anger. Akshay’s starry presence and hippie look make an impression. He humming ‘Udd jaa Kaale Kaava’ of Gadar is a chef’s kiss, since the two films (Gadar 2 and OMG 2) clash at the box office. Yami Gautam is sincere but the attempt to project her as a menacing lawyer by resorting to over the shoulder camera angles don’t work.

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Last Week’s Solution

The first half is more gripping but through its 2 hours, 36 minutes runtime, the narrative doesn’t get preachy or sluggish. Akshay Kumar, who had a cameo in the previous film, gets a larger part to

Kaushika Shah

Licensed Sales Agent 832-282-3515, TT Y 711

OMG2 shows you how a film can be entertaining, socially relevant and informative. You don’t need to leave your brain behind to have a good laugh. Take your family along to watch this interesting blend of social commentary and humour.

-- Times of India

Kumud Athavale, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Sanchali Basu, Yudhveer Singh Bagga, Prabha Barvalia, Taranjit Singh, Mihir Kumar Chakraborty, Ramana Vadrevu, KB Amarnath, Pruthvi Seth, K.S.Balasubramanyam

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