Indo-American News: May 12, 2021

Friday, May 21, 2021 | Vol. 40, No. 21

Indo American News

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May 21, 2021

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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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Covid Relief for India

P 2-3, P6 Salman in Action

Houston Welcomes Karya Kares Clinic Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner about to inaugurate the Karya Kares Clinic in West Houston with Subhas Gupta, Swapnil Agarwal (back), Bindu Gupta, and Aryan Agarwal (front).

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COVID RELIEF

May 21, 2021

Sewa to Distribute 7,482 Oxygen Concentrators and 250 Ventilators

Houston: Sewa International has procured 7,482 oxygen concentrators, 20,500 pulse oximeters, 250 ventilators, 256 co-ventilators and other much needed medical equipment and has shipped most of these to India via UPS over the past two weeks.

Working with its partners in India, Sewa International has distributed more than 4,000 medicine kits, and 5,000 essential kits. As Indian hospitals and care agencies struggle to meet this dire medical emergency, Sewa volunteers have been working across the country, in small towns and big cities to offer information about hospital bed availability, medical equipment distribution, vaccinations, and testing for COVID-19. Sewa International has already spent more than $7.5 million procuring and shipping equipment, and helping distribute needed medicines, food, and other supplies.

Detailing some of the work done by the Sewa International team in India, Viswanath Koppaka, National Marketing Director for Sewa International said, “Sewa International volunteers facilitated the COVID-19 testing at the Government Hospital in Hiriyur, in the Indian state of Karnataka on Tuesday, May 11.

Sewa volunteers went door-to-

equipment; and the difficulty for volunteers to work efficiently, quickly, and without hindrance in a country that is essentially under lockdown.”

Sewa International has reached the 105,000-donor mark and raised over $16 million from its ‘Help India Defeat COVID-19’ Facebook campaign and through their website campaign.

As of May 10, Sewa International had procured 7,482 oxygen-concentrators and airlifted 5,482 of them to India.

The highlight of the fundraising campaign was the recent $2.5 million pledge

door to create awareness among people in this small town about the significance of timely testing for COVID-19.”

He said that “Oxygen concentrators sent from the US has also reached Lucknow, the capital city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, May 11.

Sewa has sent 70 concentrators to the city for immediate use as they will fulfill the urgent needs of various Covid Care Centers across the city.

Uttar Pradesh reported 20,435 fresh cases on May 11 and had 2,16,057 active cases. The big challenge right now in India is the sheer number of people testing positive; the lack of medical

made by Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter.

“We are happy that CEOs of multinational corporations and ordinary citizens of America are coming to the aid of India in this hour of need, and we are thankful that they have put their trust in us to offer medical aid in India quickly, efficiently, and professionally,” said Arun Kankani, President, Sewa International.

“We will do our best to help Oxygen Concentrators upon arrival at Delhi those suffering in India, and we will do as much as we can, quickly, to relieve the pressure that hospitals and care agencies are under,” Kankani said, pointing out the challenges in procuring and shipping the needed equipment and getting quick clearance on the ground in India to send the equipment to cities, towns, and villages across the country.

“There are so many generous donors that we cannot name them all, but to all of them a big thank you,” said Kankani, mentioning that among the big donors were the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, which donated $535,000 and Dr. Alok Agrawal, founder of the Global Pragathi (Global Progress), who has donated $500,000.

Ekal Launches Covid-19 Information Offensive in Rural India

By Prakash Waghmare Houston: In India, Covid-19 (Corona) pandemic’s second wave hit hard suddenly and with the force of a tsunami. The country was caught off guard and ill prepared for the toll it took. All the focus of the grave situation revolved mainly around the urban areas and rural-tribal areas received scant notice. There was a reason too for this apathy towards the rural community. Last year, the villages had fared quite well in arresting the spread of corona, by and large, and the majority of folks there had remained immune to it. As India entered well into Yr.2021, the situation changed. According to Bajrang Bagra, the CEO of ‘Ekal Abhiyan’ (federation of all ‘Ekal’ organizations), “the serious aspect of the pandemic, this time around,

is that it has struck even in the countryside where, unfortunately, the medical infrastructure and facilities are not as strong as they are in the urban areas”. In rural India, ‘Ekal’ (as ‘Abhiyan’ is popularly known) has the most wide-spread network of volunteers and collaborators in the deepest corners of villages. It has firm presence and unwavering support in over 100,000 villages. That’s why Ekal has undertaken a comprehensive well-coordinated offensive against the pandemic, with support from its allied organizations.

Last year, Ekal’s successful initiative against covid was based on self-monitoring, self-reliance, education and cooperative-exchanges.

It included a wide-spread awareness campaign about the hygiene, social distancing, food distribution, mask-making and restrictive

movements. The new offensive has not only incorporated all these steps in the direct-action roadmap, but also, has started a proactive counter campaign against the misinformation about the vaccine, the danger posed by covid and voodoo-treatments.

With extensive reach well beyond its footings, Ekal has mobilized tens of thousands of its school teachers for this information campaign. ‘Ekal-Arogya (Health Foundation)’ has established 24-hr Telehealth lifeline (# 011 41236457) for professional medical counselling. According to Ramesh Shah, Ekal Global Coordinator and an advisor to Ekal-USA, ‘Board of Directors’, “currently more than 350 ‘National Medico Organization (NMO)’ Doctors in India and some in U.S. are manning the helpline every day”. In addition to various empowering projects for the economic sustainance of the village folks, Ekal has earmarked one million dollars just for covid relief. It is converting its 29 ‘Gramotthan Research Ctrs’ and ‘Integrated Village Development Ctrs’ into corona isolation camps, fully equipped with Oxygen concentrators, PPE kits, Oximeters and basic medicines.

After making provision for hundreds of beds it is dispensing Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic and Allopathic medicines as deemed necessary. According to Arun Gupta, Chairman of Ekal-USA ‘Board of Directors’, “Ekal has lost many volunteers to Covid and so Ekal

has created an endowment fund to the tune of $500,000 - $1Million, as an assistance to their families.

It is supplying 15,000 Oximeters and infrared thermometers to its ‘Arogya Sevikas’ (healthcare workers). It has created resident facilities for thousands of its city volunteers, throughout its reach.

Ekal intends to extend emergency medical services to 5 million people. It is running vaccination Centers in collaboration with the local govt. These efforts are being spear-headed by Dr. Mukul Bhatia in India and Dr. Rakesh Gupta in U.S., with support from numerous healthcare specialists.

In this national crisis, Ekal is working alongside various organization like ‘Sewa International’, ‘AAPI’, ‘Seva Bharati’, ‘Mission Oxygen’ and few others. It is assisting many humanitarian groups who have collected funds for Indian pandemic but have no proper

Indo-American News • Friday, May 21, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

distribution network to dispense them.

Ekal is appealing nationally and internationally to its donorbase to contribute to its various relief-work packages. As of now four donor-packages have been floated – Diagnostic Kits $50/village; Telehealth Lifeline $500/30 villages; Supporting Covid Ctr $5000/Ctr; and Supporting Covid Victim $5,000/Family.

Ekal’s youth groups are also very active in creating awareness and raising funds for this unprecedented fight against the pandemic. One example - Arnav Enaganti from Michigan has taken an initiative to raise funds for Oximeter, PPE Kits and Oxygen concentrators.

Come what may, Ekal is confident that with everyone’s help, we can defeat this deadly virus, once and for all. Please support this noble cause and donate generously at www.ekal.org

HEALTH/COVID RELIEF

May 21, 2021

Houston Officially Welcomes the Karya Kares Clinic

Houston, (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Located inside Bella Vista Apartments complex, a residential apartment community centered in the Dairy Ashford region of Houston, the Karya Kares Clinic officially opened its doors on Saturday, May 15th.

As a non-profit organization of Nitya Capital and Karya Property Management, Karya Kares acts as a means of bringing a sense of goodwill and compassion to communities across the globe, providing educational and economic relief resources for those in need. Now open for public use, the Karya Kares Clinic provides free health services for those in the area, focusing on preventing major diseases before they occur and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Each year, the United States spends around $3.7 trillion on healthcare services, with $10,500 spent per person on average. Many adults in the United States are suffering from major health issues including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

The Karya Kares Clinic aims to tackle these heavy financial and health-related issues through the collected clinic effort of ensuring a stronger understanding of how

Vivek Shah, Shefali Shah, Mayor Turner, Council Member Tiffany Thomas, Deepika Agarwal, Swapnil Agarwal, CG Aseem Mahajan, and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez (left to right).

to make a positive impact towards a healthier body, and all with free staff services for residents in need.

The clinic’s opening featured an array of publicity upon its opening weekend, attended by noted local public officials including

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Congresswoman Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee, Former-Congressman John Culberson, Consul General of India Shri Aseem R. Mahajan, Former Secretary of State of Texas Geoff Conner, Texas Regional Director

Jason Fuller from the office of U.S senator Ted Cruz, Director of Public sector Sam Merchant from the office of Congressman Al Green, Consul member Tiffany Thomas, and Jennifer Herrara from TXCDR. Founders Swapnil Agarwal, Deepika Agarwal, and Vivek Shah

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were all present to welcome officials, as well as preside over onstage acknowledgments. These included the introduction of Dr. Jignesh Shah, Dr. Mona Shah, and Dr. Parin Shah, a renowned team of doctors from the Indian Doctors Association. All three experts specialize in Emergency Medicine.

Both Mr. Agarwal and Mr. Shah grew up within the Alief area near the clinic and wanted to give back to the community that helped raise them. Mr. and Mrs. Agarwal both live in the same community today.

The event received official public record recognition from both the City and State offices, with the expressed goal of opening several more clinics in the future.

The Karya Kares Clinic’s emergence following the Covid-19 pandemic marks a major milestone in the world of healthcare within the Houston area.

Karya Kares looks forward to continuing to provide quality services for those in need of assistance, utilizing the clinic and all future clinic projects as a way of redefining healthcare. All interested parties can donate to the clinic on the main Karya Kares Website or follow Karya Kares on all social media platforms.

Club 24 Plus Joins Covid-19 Humanitarian Relief for India

By Khyati Mehta Houston: Club 24 Plus joins efforts to provide critical humanitarian relief during the recent wave of COVID-19 in India by donating two ventilators, from a total of over 50 ventilators shipped by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH), and US India Chamber of Commerce (USICOC) of Dallas Fort Worth through the USICOC Foundation. These ventilators will be provided to government and NGO hospitals in seven states across India as well as to the Indian Red Cross.

“We have all been witnessing the unprecedented crisis that is unfolding in India right now, and how dire the situation is over there. It is with deep sense of responsibility that we have chosen to step up and do our part in aiding the local relief efforts. Keeping in line with our core mission, Club 24 Plus has contributed to Indian-American community through various phi-

COVID cases in India, there and thereby contribute to the betlanthropy initiatives since past is a critical shortage of ven- terment of local community. fifteen years; and we will contilators that can save lives tinue to support relief efforts in Local community groups play of patients battling COVID an important role in the fabric of wake of the recent COVID-19 pneumonia. Therefore, Club society and Club 24 Plus brings pandemic,” said Vishakha De24’s donation of ventila-tors together Indian-Americans of ora, President of Club 24 Plus. is valuable and timely and Houston to advance their personal United Airlines has supwill help save many precious or professional goals; as well as to ported the initiative by providlives,” said Dr Aparna Kamat, contribute to the local community. ing free freight of the first two Director, GYN On-cology at consignments to India.

In this unprecedented time, when Houston Methodist Hospi- the health of people and businessThe IACCGH, a partner ortal and a member of Club 24 es around us are struggling, Club ganization of Club 24 Plus, and USICOC, which facilitates United flight bound for New Delhi with Covid Plus.

24 Plus hopes that this donation Club 24 Plus is a social group is the beginning to lead efforts in trade between the two coun- supplies. and network of Indian-Amer- bringing the South Asian commutries, came together to unite ness owners for this efforts. ican influencers in Houston, nity together for a common cause the entire Indian-American “COVID-19 can devastate the to foster and promote meaning- and supporting the generosity of diaspora in Texas for this important effort through the USICOC architecture of the lungs through ful social interactions within the those who would like to contribute Foundation. They have jointly inflammation and thereby sig- community and society at large. in any way. shipped over 50 ventilators in last nificantly impair the ability of the Its mission is to provide support For further information or any two weeks, in addition to several lungs to oxygenate. In patients suf- and resources to its members who questions, please email clubfering from COVID pneumonia, wish to further their social causes 24plus@gmail.com. hundred oxygen concentrators.

Jagdip Ahluwalia, Executive / m e c h a n i c a l Founding Director of IACCGH, ventilation is who is leading efforts on behalf a life-saving of Houston com-munity in coor- intervention. dination with the USICOC Foun- Due to the dation, credited many community overwhelmorganizations and individual busi- ing surge of Competitive compensation, benefits and mutual support. To apply, contact:

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May 21, 2021

Sneha Shenoy: U.S. Presidential Scholar

San Jose: Klein High School Valedictorian Sneha Shenoy is at it again! This outstanding high school senior has been recognized as a U.S. Presidential Scholar for Career and Technical Education.

Sneha is one of only five students to earn this accolade in the state of Texas, and the first ever Klein ISD student to earn this prestigious recognition.

“We are incredibly honored to have Sneha representing Klein ISD’s tradition of excellence in education at the national level with this prestigious recognition,” said Dr. Jenny McGown, Klein ISD Superintendent. “Her unwavering dedication to academics, character development, and serving our community continues to shine a light on just what a magnificent

Sneha Shenoy

person she is.”

The U.S. Presidential Scholar program recognizes high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career

and technical education fields.

“To say I am honored is an understatement. I am incredibly grateful to not only be named a United States Presidential Scholar but to share this honor with a woman who helped me transform from a shy freshman to a confident senior – Ms. Kristen Haggard,” said Sneha Shenoy. “Ms. Haggard has supported me in every single endeavor I have taken on in high school, and I couldn’t think of a more deserving person to be named a United States Department of Education Distinguished Teacher. We have such a special bond, and I know that even though I am graduating high school, Ms. Haggard will be a lifetime mentor and friend.”

Shah Rukh’s Son Aryan Graduates from USC Los Angeles: Shah Rukh Khan’s kids Aryan Khan, Suhana Khan and AbRam are extremely popular in their own right. While Suhana Khan gives a sneak-peek into her life via her Instagram profile, fans miss seeing Aryan. On Monday, a leaked picture of Aryan from his graduation ceremony from the University of Southern California (USC) went viral.

In the picture, Aryan Khan, who is now a graduate, is seen at the ceremony which was held with social distancing norms in place. But one thing that caught our attention is his name – Aryan Shah Rukh Khan. Aryan is a part of the class of 2020, and was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts, Cinematic Arts, Film and Television production, School of Cinematic Arts. As soon as the picture went viral, fans dropped congratulatory

Aryan Shah Rukh Khan

messages for the star kid.

Shah Rukh has time and again spoken about his kids. In March, the actor did an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session on Twitter during which SRK said his children are now his friends.

When one of his fans questioned,

EDUCATION

“Sir, you once told on KwK (Koffee With Karan) that you have no friends and you don’t know how to maintain friendships. Would you still say the same?” SRK replied, “Nahi ab mere bachche mere dost hain (No, now my kids are my friends).”

Another fan asked if he a strict father to which the Don actor had the sweetest reply, “Children were made for hugging and loving…. and for making mistakes, not for reprimand or strictness.”

In an interview earlier, SRK said Aryan “talks about his ambitions, and where he would like to be one day. But he’s very clear that way.

He just wants to be bigger than me and that’s cool.”

“So when he tells me one joke, I tell him that I’ll teach him another version of it. So that’s cool,” he added. -- Indian Express

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COMMUNITY

May 21, 2021

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Chinmaya Mission’s Gita Chanting: Good Vibes and Supercharged Competition

By Radhika Nair

Houston: The much-anticipated Gita Chanting Competition was held on Saturday May 8th, 2021

by Chinmaya Mission Houston.

Seventy-eight participants along with hundreds of viewers - parents, grandparents, teachers, and other enthusiasts came together for this mega online event commemorating the birth anniversary of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.

Preparation for the competition started early in the year. This year, the children learned verses from Chapter 2. It is always a joy when children inspire teachers. Children who attend – some as little as four years old- show such diligence and commitment towards the classes that it never ceases to amaze and motivate the adults be it parents or teachers.

Everyone came dressed for the occasion, glowing in their best clothes, attitude and enthusiasm.

3rd grader Vihaan Bhat, said, “I like chanting because when you chant and chant you send good vibes to other people and the vibes come back to you – super charged.”

Classmate Snigdha Mishra shared that her favorite was verse 24 and went on to explain eagerly that “the soul cannot be slain by a sword. It lives on, at all times.”

Meghna Prabhakaran, participating in the competition for the 10th

Some of the participants in the online Gita chanting competion hosted by the Chinmaya Mission. Photos

by Aarti Randeria and Shilpa Byrichetty.

year, said, “the motivating factor began with my parents’ strong encouragement. Towards the end of middle school, I was required to give short explanations for the verses. This sparked my personal interest, and it became the motivating factor to continue partici-

pating in the Gita chanting competition.”

In these challenging times, it was a joy to see everyone adapt so beautifully to new mediums of communication and come together for the common joy of learning.

Conducting a seamless online

event of this scale, which involved the widest spectrum in age possible, meant a lot of hard work and coordination from the Tech team.

Master of Ceremonies, Picture Takers, Panel of Judges, Event Coordinators had to learn and sync efforts to the tee so as not to

baffle participants.

Going online meant that grandparents and relatives across the world got to enjoy the event. The most awaited goody bags lovingly put together for the participants year after year, were sent out as gift cards for the young scholars.

Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati embarked on his lifelong journey in 1951 to shake off the misconceptions and practices in the name of religion and to impart the universal wisdom of Hindu philosophy.

A hundred and five years after his birth, he continues to touch millions of lives through his lectures, books, schools, hospitals, and over three hundred Chinmaya centers worldwide.

Following his words, “Children are not vessels to be filled but lamps to be lit,” the popular Chinmaya Balavihar classes, along with all the adult classes conducted year- round, stand testimony to Pujya Gurudev’s love and vision for humanity.

And each year, children from Chinmaya Mission Houston offer their best chanting efforts, as a birthday gift to Gurudev who continues to smilingly shower His blessings to all!

For further information about Chinmaya Mission Houston and their various programs please contact: Bharati Sutaria at 281933-0233 or Jay Deshmukh at 832-541-0059.

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COVID RELIEF

May 21, 2021

Arya Samaj of Houston Joins Delhi Samaj to Provide Covid-19 Relief

By Sanjay Jain

Houston: The recent surge in Covid-related casualties in India has broken many hearts among the Indian diaspora worldwide. Realizing the magnitude of the crisis, Arya Samaj Greater Houston (ASGH) immediately committed $100,000 for relief, without waiting for pledges or donations to come in. This was seeded by initial contribution of the management committee members.

To ensure an immediate and maximum impact, ASGH teamed up with the apex body of Arya Samaj in Delhi, Delhi Arya Prathinidhi Sabha (DAPS), who had mobilized a number of volunteers and were already on the ground, providing help to the people affected by this health crisis. They identified various areas of need, such as providing food to the families suffering from the crisis, by turning a school into a makeshift kitchen where volunteers prepared, packed, and delivered hot food to the families struck with this deadly disease. There were instances where nobody claimed the bodies of the unfortunate ones dying at the cruel hands of this Covid-19 virus. These volunteers took their possession and performed the last rites in a dignified manner. The

Providing food to victims of the Covid pandemic.

Performing last rites through Delhi Arya Prathinidhi Sabha (DAPS).

things that were needed were never imagined in the past - hitherto, the donors could imagine food and water as the basic need but now it was a greater precarious situation.

The DAPS identified the acute need to supply oxygen concentrators to the patients at home. This helped ease two critical issues, the

patient gets what is needed urgently, and does not need to be rushed to a hospital, easing the burden on the health care system, already stretched to its limit.

Last year, as the Covid pandemic was raging through the US and causing health and economic hardships, ASGH organized a food

drive at its premises on Schiller Road, Houston, for several weeks to ease the burden on some of the hardest hit.

The community service principle of Arya Samaj Greater Houston is enshrined in the sixth principle of Arya Samaj, as laid down by its founder Maharshi

Indo-American News • Friday, May 21, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

Dayananda - promote well-being of the entire world - physical, social, and spiritual upliftment. In the past the ASGH congregation has contributed generously to provide relief to the victims of the Gujarat earthquake, the tsunami in southern India, the Haiti earthquake and more. Various members of the Arya Samaj Houston management committee lead these efforts and ensure that every penny raised in response to such needs is utilized without any administrative costs. In addition, ASGH has always successfully partnered with local volunteer organizations to make sure that the donations are used with transparency and oversight and make an immediate and maximum impact.

Encouraged by the hard work that the volunteers are doing in a selfless manner, risking their own health, Arya Samaj Houston has decided to send another cache of $100,000+ to support their work.

Please contact Sanjay Jain at 832598-5246 or email sanjay@aryasamajhouston.org, or visit our website http://www.aryasamajhouston. org and donate using the Paypal link. Your checks may be written to ASGH, memo “India Covid relief” and mailed to “Arya Samaj Greater Houston, 14375 Schiller Rd, Houston, TX 77082”

INDIA

May 21, 2021

How Were 18 Elephants Electrocuted in Assam?

Kondoli, AsOne of these is Last Wednesside flashes from day night, 18 elthe first elephant ephants died on a being struck to hilltop in Assam. the others. That’s The preliminary why in lightning post-mortem resafety, we adport indicates they vise people to had been struck by stay at least 2 m lightning. While away from one the state governanother under ment is waiting thunderstorm for the final report conditions. The before definitely other possibility ruling out other is multiple side possible causes, flashes from a the preliminary nearby tree. conclusion raises Are elephants a question: Can A woman offers flowers to the carcass of an elephant particularly vula single flash of which died after being struck by lightening near nerable? Since lightning kill 18 Bamuni Hills in Kondoli, Nagaon district. (Express an elephant’s elephants? The an- Photo) front and hind swer is yes, based feet are wide on science and a history of such events. apart, it would appear to make it more vulAccording to a member of the team that nerable than a smaller animal, such as a rat. conducted the post-mortem, it is possible that The Bamuni Hill in Assam, where the the elephants were killed by current flowing elephants died, has no tall trees that could through the ground. That would be ‘step poten- have taken the brunt of the lightning strike. tial’.

A number of smaller trees were found burnt When current flows through the ground fol- and split down in the middle, indicating that lowing a lightning strike, the electric potential the area had indeed been struck by light(voltage) is highest at the point of the strike, ning. Some of the elephants, too, had burnt and decreases with distance along the direction ears, charred bellies, and burn marks on the of the flow. If an elephant is facing the strike scapular region. point, the current will flow from the front feet Are multiple animal deaths such as these (higher potential) to the hind feet (lower poten- common? In 2007, five elephants were killed tial), electrocuting it in the process. in a similar incident in Buxa Tiger Reserve But so many elephants killed in one flash of in West Bengal. In 2016, over 300 reindeer lightning? It can happen because in a single were killed on Norway’s Hardangervidda lightning flash, the current flows to the ground plateau following thunderstorms. In 1972, several times. There are two other possibilities 53 reindeer were killed in a lightning strike of multiple deaths other than step potential. in Alaska. -- Indian Express sam:

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8

CRICKET

May 21, 2021

Darshil Shah: Meet the Brain behind the Sustainable Bamboo Cricket Bat

Cambridge, UK: When Dr Darshil Shah tinkered with the core of a cricket bat, he knew the traditionalists would bristle. The custodians of the game were not expected to take too kindly to his innovation of replacing the old willow with laminated bamboo.

Shah and co-author Ben TinklerDavies concluded in their study that the laminated bamboo bat was robust, offered a better “sweet spot,” and delivered more energy to the ball on impact.

The study was published in the Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, but Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which frames the rules of the sport, deemed their prototype bat illegal.

Shah knows what the biggest hindrance is in the official acceptance of their ‘invention’.

“The lamination of a bamboo bat is the biggest sticking point. We knew that getting MCC to change the rules on it would be a long shot. I’m not expecting that to happen. That would be a big rule change for them,” Shah told The Indian Express over phone. “Unfortunately, there isn’t any other way to manufacture a bamboo bat without laminating it. That’s because bamboo is hollow, and in order to make it into a solid piece, one needs to assemble different strips and glue them together.”

Nevertheless, Shah, 33, is hoping his research prompts people – particularly bat-makers, law-makers and other innovators – to look

beyond traditional willow, a scarce commodity, and try other sustainable alternatives.

“If they deem bamboo as illegal, it’s absolutely fine. But they ought to open their minds to other sustainable alternatives as well. “English willow has been used to manufacture cricket bats for the past 200 years. There are over 10,000 species of wood… so why would you want to make it with just one material that’s in short supply. It just doesn’t make any sense to me. For example, you don’t make a sitar with one particular tree. You use different varieties to make them. So, why should cricket bats be any different?” he wondered.

For now, he said he would be content if his prototype bat gets used in junior cricket. Following the publication of the study, a particularly cryptic message caught Shah’s attention. It said: “Why fix things, when it isn’t broken?”

But he has a reply ready. “One of the things with innovation is that it foresees challenges. Willow is in short supply, but the reach of the game is increasing. Since bamboo is found in abundance in Mexico, China and South-East Asia – countries that have been showing keen interest in cricket – it makes sense

to make that shift,” he reasoned.

In response to the argument that replacing willow with bamboo with a bigger and better sweet spot would tilt the balance of cricket even more towards batsmen, Shah suggests changes elsewhere.

“Since I’m a medium pacer, I am always sympathetic towards bowlers. Two things need to change to bring bowlers back into the game.

First, change the nature of pitches.

Second, bat sizes need to be regulated. Make the cricket bats waferthin, just like they were back in the 1970s. Only then will the balance between bat and ball be achieved.

But I doubt that’s ever going to

happen.”.

He plans modifications in his own bamboo bat, 40 per cent heavier than the one made of willow, to redress the balance.

“Our next effort will be to reduce the weight by reducing the bat’s thickness. One of the most annoying sights for a fast bowler is to see a top edge going for a six. If the bat’s edges are much thinner, while retaining the sweet spot, batsmen will get full value for middling the ball. It would be a win-win scenario for batsmen and bowlers,” Shah offered.

When Shah is not working at Cambridge University’s Centre for Natural Material Innovation, designing skyscrapers and examining sustainable alternatives to conventional materials, one can find him at Little Shelford Club, bowling medium pacers or thwacking the leather ball.

It’s this love for the game and the scarcity of English willow precipitated by global warming, that prompted the thinking behind the development of the laminated bamboo bat prototype. The research was conducted with Tinkler-Davies, one of Shah’s undergraduate students.

The duo sourced the materials themselves before soliciting the

services of a local bat manufacturer Garrard and Flack, who used the same machines and techniques to craft the prototype bamboo bat that do for the willow one. The initial feedback was startling.

“When I showed it to friends at my club, they didn’t quite realise it was made from bamboo. And for the purists of the game, you don’t need to worry about losing that traditional sound of leather on willow. The only difference was that it was substantially heavier,” Shah said.

The other important consideration was the price aspect. “In India, a Grade A bat would cost up to Rs 20,000. If you want kids from the lower strata to play the game, you will have to lower the bat’s cost. The scarcity of willow, coupled with the transportation and import duty, is the reason for such inflated levels,” he pointed out. In comparison, Shah expects the cost of a bamboo bat to be at least 30 per cent lower on average because of its abundant supply and easy procurement.

The MCC said they will discuss the sustainability aspect of the bamboo bat at the next laws subcommittee meeting. “It’s great that MCC came up with a statement the other day, where they spoke about sustainability and cost-effective nature. We haven’t received a call from them as yet. If we do, we will only be happy to meet, discuss and put our views across,” he concluded. -- Indian Express

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9 ‘Radhe’: Salman Khan’s Mindless, but Popular Mess of a Film

ENTERTAINMENT

May 21, 2021

By Shubhra Gupta Cast: Salman Khan, Jackie Shroff, Randeep Hooda, Disha Patani, Sudhanshu Pandey, Megha Akash, Gautam Gulati, Darshan Jariwala, Vishwajeet Pradhan Director: Prabhudheva Rating: Half star Radhe is a good cop. Rana is a bad guy. There are drugs. Impressionable kids. And death. You know where this going, right? Is that even a question?

That’s the thing with Bhai movies. No putting pressure on the brain. Just a string of one-liners.

A series of songs featuring jerking pelvises. That familiar bracelet with the blue stone. And no evidence of a plot. Not a shred.

But even with sub-zero expectations of What We Will Get In A Salman Khan Movie, and the allround empty hideousness of Prabhu Deva flicks, Radhe slides lower than low. What’s lower than low? I don’t know. Only Bhai does, as he wishes us Eid mubarak and speaks of biryani, but then quickly balances that little bit of subversion with hoping for a Swachch Bharat, tacking on a Jai Hind at the end.

I’m exhausted just at the thought of trying to tell you more, but here goes nothing. Randeep Hooda and his cohorts, wearing black leather and blacker frowns, go about smashing people. Blood gushes from various orifices, sometimes from necks, other times hands and legs. Bones are broken. Body parts are severed and served. And we

grimace and flinch.

The director Prabhudheva’s fetish for freakish violence is almost as strong as his penchant for dressing his leading ladies in the most outlandish outfits. Not that Diya (Disha Patani) needs any clothes to show off her perfect, shockingly chiselled abs. She gets none, either. Her job (Oh my! Yes! She

has one!) is that of a model, and from that comes the only real joke of the movie, which gives rise to a smile or two before it is ruined by overuse. You need to build your body, she tells Bhai, patting his rock-hard bicep. Only then

Indo-American News • Friday, may 21, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

will someone give you a job. Well, haha. She also has an immortal one-l iner of her own, which she slings at Bhai : I’m freaking ‘p—d off’. Perfect tagline.

That’s about the only break you catch in this mindless, moronic mess of a movie in which Bhai does every single thing he’s done a zillion times: bash the baddies, sway the waist, take the shirt off, bash the baddies, sway… You get the idea.Worse, he doesn’t even have an original one-liner in this one, repeating his ‘ek-baar-commitment-kar diya-toh-apni-bhinahin-sunta’. What’s the point of a Bhai movie without a catchy one-liner? Poor Hooda, a fine actor buried under terrible lines, deserves better. Also, just how did Jackie Shroff, playing a clownish cop, keep a straight face through the proceedings?

Oh, oh, here I go, asking questions. What did I say about Bhai movies and logic? But one last thing I want to toss in your lap before I go to recover my scrambled brains: is this the most wanted Bhai? Still? -- Indian Express The film is being shown in theaters overseas.

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IMMIGRATION

May 21, 2021

US Corporate Giants Support Right to Work for H-1B Visa Spouses

Washington DC: Nearly forty companies and associations have joined hands to file an amicus brief, to support the right of spouses of H-1B visa holders to work. These include corporate giants such as Accenture, Amazon, Cisco, IBM, Google, SAP, to name a few. This amicus brief was filed in a US district court (District of Columbia) on May 14, in relation to the ongoing ‘Save Jobs USA’ litigation.’ This suit was filed way back in 2015 by an advocacy group of tech workers, who lost their jobs to H-1B visa holders. As reported

by TOI earlier, according to this group, the right given to spouses to work takes away American jobs and also makes the H-1B program more attractive.

The Biden administration, in January (days after President Joe Biden was sworn in) had withdrawn the proposal to rescind a rule that revoked the right of such spouses to work. However, the ongoing litigation continued in the US district court.

Spouses of H-1B workers are given an H-4 visa. Only in certain cases, such as where the H-1B visa recipient is on track for a green card or where the H-1B visa recipient has got an extension beyond the permitted six years, can the H-4 spouse apply for an em-

ployment authorisation document (EAD).

To take care of the decades-long green card backlog for certain sections, such as applicants from India, the Obama administration in 2015 had introduced the ‘H-4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) rule” – this the Biden administration seeks to continue.

According to the latest available official data, up to December, 2017, nearly 84,360 Indian spouses (largely women) held an EAD (this was 93% of the total EADs issued). The number of such Indian spouses is now estimated to be over a lakh.

The amicus brief contends that H-4 EAD enables tens of thousands of mutually beneficially em-

ployment relationships between these talented employees and leading employers like amici and their members. Moreover, it enables US employers to attract additional top international talent on H-1B visas in the first place, with the knowledge that their spouses will not have to put their own careers indefinitely on hold.

The H-4 Rule thus accounts for $7.5 billion dollars of economic productivity annually, along with additional billions in federal, state, and local tax revenue—all of which will be lost to other, competing nations if the H-4 Rule is set aside. And this is to say nothing of the devastation it would cause to the tens of thousands of affected families who have come to rely on

the economic security provided by H-4 spousal employment, particularly given the uncertainty, adds the brief.

M e a n while, Catherine Lacavera, VP, Legal at Google, has blogged: “A fair immigration system is necessary to preserve America’s laudable history of welcoming people from different places and to fuel a virtuous cycle of innovation. Unfortunately, an impending court case is putting both at risk at the most inopportune moment.”

“The case in question is an attempt to end the issuing of work authorization (H-4 EAD) for certain spouses of high-skilled talent who have come to this country on H-1B visas. In other words, it seeks to end the ability of highlyskilled immigrants’ partners from working in the United States. This H-4 EAD program provides work authorization to more than 90,000 H-4 visa-holders — more than

Indo-American News • Friday, May 21, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

90% of whom are women. The pandemic has already disproportionately impacted women and ending this program would only make things worse, leading to disrupted careers and lost wages.”

“Furthermore, if the program is lost, the practical effect is that we welcome a person to the US to work but we make it harder for their spouse to work. That hurts their family, impacts our ability to compete for talent, and harms our economy.

To support this important program, we are leading an amicus brief with over 40 companies and organizations to preserve and protect the H-4 EAD program.

This builds on an amicus brief we recently joined in support of a lawsuit filed by the American Immigration Lawyers Association to expedite the delayed processing time of H-4 work authorizations,” she pens.

Lacavera sums up as follows: “As an immigrant myself, I have been the beneficiary of a welcoming America and I hope we can ensure that same welcome for future immigrants by preserving the H-4 EAD program. Ending this program would hurt families and undercut the US economy at a critical moment.” -- Times of India.

SUDOKU/HEALTH 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 May 26, 2021. Email us at indoamericannews@ yahoo.com and send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.

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May 21, 2021

11

Sonia Jhas: Overcoming Anxiety after Covid Quarantine As more of the population is getting vaccinated and life is steadfastly marching towards returning to normal, many people are finding themselves filled with a sense of uneasiness towards a return to normal life. This past year has been difficult, to say the least, and according to The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF.org), is a non-profit organization focusing on national health issues, 4 in 10 adults in the US have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder post the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coupled with the fact that South Asians in general are known to be reluctant to discuss mental health issues, this situation can leave many feeling even more anxious at the prospect of venturing back out of quarantine lockdown.

Mindset and Wellness Coach Sonia Jhas (SoniaJhas.com), one of Canada’s leading wellness and fitness gurus, offers steps to make the transition easier. Sonia has been on the covers of many health and wellness magazines, is a regular on morning television shows and a social media influencer with over 350,000 combined followers.

Her holistic approach to wellness acknowledges the mind and body connection and her clients have benefited with long-lasting, transformational results.

When it comes to post-quarantine anxiety and depression, the very first thing Sonia recommends is to mindfully acknowledge these feelings instead of suppressing them and then commit to making positive changes and create an actionable plan. She says, “The more we suppress, the more shackled we actually end up feeling to the emotions we’re trying to run away from. By acknowledging our feelings, we give ourselves the opportunity to actually understand ourselves in a better, deeper and more meaningful way.”

Only by acknowledging and understanding our feelings can we actually “take action” and move towards renewed peace-of-mind, but Sonia prompts, “Acknowledgement then requires action.

Can you commit to really doing the ‘work” required to help you move through what you’re feeling in a productive, healthy way?” Ask yourself the following questions: What does that ‘work’ involve?

Do you need to talk to someone?

Do you need to seek help? Do you need to reframe your thoughts and feelings?

One simple yet effective way to offload your emotions and reorganize your mindset is through journaling. According to Psychology Today (PsychologyToday.com), “Journaling is all about dumping that stuff floating around in your head and then being able to walk away from it. By externalizing your thoughts and feelings through journaling, you tend to have less to ‘carry around’ psy-

chologically. Your brain will thank you. Journaling also gives you the unique ability to look back and see how much you have grown, both emotionally and spiritually.”

Sonia adds, “When you allow yourself to journal first thing in the morning, you open up a stream of consciousness that can give you incredible insight into how you’re really doing.” The simple act of journaling your thoughts let’s you realize what’s laying beneath the surface of your stress and anxiety.

Journaling helps clarify and pinpoint the things that are worrying and frustrating you. It also helps uncover any negative feelings you may be holding onto.

By allowing yourself to write for 10-20 minutes, first thing in the morning, you open yourself up to tremendous release and reorganization, which can really set the tone for your day. Sonia says that soon you will feel more in control by recognizing the fearbased narrative and realigning it to the values more in tune with your core criteria for life. “Experiment to figure out what works best for you and your wellbeing.”

Another tool to help you restore your mindset and reduce stress and anxiety is to practice breathwork and meditation. Both of these practices have significant mental and health benefits and are known to reduce stress and anxiety as well as improve memory function and attention span. Sonia adds, “Another benefit of meditation and breathwork is that it improves feelings of self-worth, self esteem and self confidence. I find breath work to be really productive for me. It gives me something concrete to focus my mind and energy on.””

Although there are any different formats and techniques to breath work, Sonia suggests to start with the basics. Set a timer for five minutes and inhale through the nose for four slow counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts, and repeat. As you get more comfortable, you can experiment with different techniques – breathing through the mouth, different “counts”, etc.If you are like most people, after a year in quarantine, you’ve probably gained a few pounds and may have noticed that your energy levels are not the same as they used to be. Sonia says, “The key to getting back into shape is to

Indo-American News • Friday, may 21, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

avoid taking an ‘all or nothing’ approach.” She suggests to simply begin by moving your body more and focusing on better nutrition. The goal is to start building positive momentum before the world opens up so that the mountain doesn’t feel so hard to climb later. Sonia adds, “Start by increasing your hydration; it sounds silly, but it’s ‘low hanging fruit’ that you can tackle easily which will help to reinforce your focus and commitment”.

As far as diet is concerned, Sonia likes to begin by layering in the “good stuff” instead of removing things from your diet.

Instead of going cold turkey on all that sourdough bread, she suggests adding in one big salad or green smoothie a day. Other things to consider would be to increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Similarly she recommends to begin deliberately moving your body for 20 minutes a day at least three times a week. Go for a brisk walk, take an online yoga class or do an at-home workout.

You don’t need to workout seven days a week to reap the benefits.

Set yourself up with small goals and build from there.

Sonia concludes by reminding us that this pandemic has been a collective experience and that we are not alone. Even though social media may have us believing that everyone is “thriving and happy,” we know that this has been a collective experience that has been so difficult in so many ways. You are not alone for having fears and anxieties and concerns about the world opening back up. There are many alongside with you and the more you open up and communicate about what you’re feeling, especially with family members and close friends, the less alone you’ll feel.

“More often than not, when you have the courage to share, people meet that courage with vulnerability and share as well. This can be particularly hard for South Asians,” adds Sonia, “as we aren’t raised to value and emphasize vulnerability – it’s rarely about “feelings” and almost always about ‘succeeding.’ It’s ok to reach out for help and communicate your feelings.”

Finally, Sonia says, “try to tap into your inner-voice, the more you do so, the easier it will become and soon you will be feeling like your pre-pandemic self.”

Sonia Jhas is a mindset and fitness coach whose particular brand of healthy, holistic living addresses both the physical and mental aspect of wellness, leading her clients to long-lasting transformations. She is an Ambassador for the Canadian Mental Health Association and has been dubbed as one of North America’s leading voices in health and wellness with features in over 75 publications.

SoniaJhas.com @soniajhas

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May 21, 2021

Indo-American News • Friday, May 21, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com