Oct 21 Pages 1-26

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Friday, October 21 2011 | Vol. 30, No. 42

Indo American erican News

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End n a f o Era

Rajaratnam

Sentenced for Racketeering A former billionaire described by the government as “the modern face of illegal insider trading” was sentenced to 11 years in prison, the longest insider trading sentence ever but far short of the two decades sought by prosecutors. Galleon Group founder Raj Rajaratnam also was fined $10 million and ordered to forfeit $53.8 million.

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Mohini Sindwani is No More

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October 21, 2011

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 2011 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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October 21, 2011

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7457 Harwin Drive • Suite 262 • Houston • Texas • 77036 - 713.789.NEWS (6397) • fax: 713.789.6399

A Self Effacing Community Builder Passes On

ing Ramakrishna MisHOUSTON: Dr. Mohini sion swamis.

Sindwani, who has left her Along with Veimprint on many solid Indian danta, Mohini ji introorganizations in Houston, duced child-friendly passed away on Tuesday, scriptural education.

October 18, in Wichita Falls, Hundreds of Indian Texas. Mohini ji and her American youngsters husband Dr. K.L. Sindwani, have benefited from lived in Houston from 1975 the Sunday school that to 2010, when they decided gave them an underto move to Wichita Falls due standing of the basic to their advancing age and tenets of Hinduism. declining health, to live with She also taught young their son Arun. children the basics of Mohini ji was 85 years old.

Hindi at the house on The funeral is scheduled for Cypress St., across 11am on Saturday, October from the India Culture 22, at the Garden Oaks FunerCenter’s old building, al Home on Bellaire Blvd (bewhich the Sindwanis tween Eldridge and Synott). had bought and later The Sindwanis were at the Filefoto: At a community farewell felicitation in their honor, KLS and Mohini Sinddonated to the VVS. forefront of community wani share a smile as they peruse IamNEWS, the publication they nurtured from “Mohini ji trained herwork — Mohini Sindwani infancy.

Photo: Krishna Giri self as a priest and percofounded the Vivekananda Vedanta Society - VVS (now Ve- subject, “Understanding Chil- sincere devotees of Ramakrishna formed havans, pujas, upanayans danta Society of Greater Houston), dren”). They moved to Houston Vedanta movement,” said Shobha and marriages. This service enthe Indian Senior Citizens’ Associa- in 1975 where K.L. Sindwani Kulkarni, who knew Mohini ji abled her to introduce teachings of tion, and Indo-American News. All became a professor of sociology for over three decades at VVS. Shri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekathree organizations owe a great deal at Texas Southern University. Being disciples of Swami Bhashy- nanda and Sarada Devi (the Holy to Mohini ji for their status today as Earlier, they lived for a couple of ananda of the Ramakrishna Mis- Trio) to the community,” Shobha high profile, thriving, contributing years in Arlington, Texas where sion’s Chicago center, Mohini ji Kulkarni added.

After founding Indo American entities. they moved from Michigan, and Jim Judd started Vedanta work Mohini ji was born in west Pun- drawn by the warmer climate of in Houston in 1976. They would News in 1982, Dr. Sindwani realinvite Swami Bhashyananda and ized that he needed others to asjab (now in Pakistan) in January Texas.

1926. She and K.L. Sindwani came “This visionary and civic mind- Swami Ranganathananda and ar- sist him and he brought in other to Tallahasee, Florida, as students in ed couple had all the necessary range their lectures in public halls. three partners, Jawahar Malho1958. He earned his Ph.D. in sociol- pioneering spirit — they quickly With their dedication, Vedanta So- tra, Pramod Kulkarni and Koshy ogy from Ohio State University. She entered the local Indian commu- ciety was formed in 1978. Many Thomas. Mohini ji was the second earned her doctorate in child devel- nity as board members of India more people joined as this society employee (after office manager opment from University of North Culture Center, as publishers of became a place to study Vedanta Rehana Sarwar) and at Malhotra’s Carolina (She wrote a book on the Indo-American News, and as and also be nurtured by the visit- insistence and with great willing-

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ness, learnt how to use a computer for database management and become the circulation manager for the next 26 years. She even learnt how to use other programs and other generations of computers as we evolved. “Its remarkable how dedicated she was, week after week,” Malhotra remembered, “to handle the updates and also the mailings through the US Post Office.” Inspite of the hypothermia condition, and aversion to cold air conditioned spaces, she would work, sometimes with a muffler, cap and gloves, to place the labels and bag the copies.

Mohini ji was a woman of simple tastes and undemanding, other than when it was to look after her husband’s health, especially after he suffered a heart attack in the late 90s. She would often ask about others, especially the young children, whom she treated like her own. She would tease Malhotra for “being her three Bs – Boss, Beta and Breadstick provider” for her love of pizza breadsticks that he would get her for lunch. But then, she would tease all of us at Indo American News and we knew her habits so well and looked forward to her coming to the office, even when she dropped it down to once a week.

We will all miss her terribly, our co-founder and a caring Mother to us all.

- Rajeev Gadgil and Jawahar Malhotra

CRIMINAL LAW All Misdemeanors and Felonies DWI Theft/Burglary Assault Juvenile Crimes White Collar Crimes

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October 21, 2011

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Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, ocToBer 21 , 2011 • onlIne edITIon: www.IndoAmerIcAn-news.com

COMMUNITY

October 21, 2011

Hari Udan Naan Partners with Udavum Karangal and Thrills Houston

Harmony Unlimited group at the Stafford Civic Center

BY SOWMYA NANDAKUMAR HOUSTON: The 10th annual fundraiser by Udavum Karangal, USA, on Oct 14, Friday, at the Stafford Civic Center presented to the Indian community, the light music group, Harmony Unlimited. A magnificent seven in their own right, they shot to fame after they were proclaimed the seven fabulous singers of the popular Jaya TV show Hari Udan Naan. The performance dedicated to a noble cause made the evening meaningful and satisfying for all.

As the saying goes, when good is done unto others, the universe conspires for goodness to come by for its doers! Padmini Ranganathan, head of Udavum Karangal USA said, “The Hari Udan Naan team just happened to us as we were working with their coordinator for some other events”.

Udavum Karangal stands for bringing cheer to the lives of those who are in dire need. Harmony Unlimited, in line with this philosophy began their performance with the popular number “Endrendrum Punnagai” (A.R Rahman, Alaipayuthey) and got the audience smiling and ready for an evening of lovely music, performed for an ideal reason. One of the singers Sharanya Subramaniam said, “We thank Udavum Karangal for giving us an opportunity to perform for their cause”.

Harmony Unlimited lived up to their name and were quite flawlessly harmonious right through their performance. They rendered several solos including Sen Tamizh Thenmozhiya in Tamil, Kora Kaagaz Tha Yeh Mann Mera in Hindi, Ilayaraja’s multi lingual song Thumbi Vaa in Malayalam and other languages, and even accommodated a surprise audience request for a Kannada song. Although unprepared for it, they rendered Ilayaraja’s Jothi Hali very beautifully. Some of their group performances were impeccably melodious with each singer, focusing on their part, contributing to the overall rendition, a tuneful and symphonic splendor.

The instrumentalists Naveen on the keyboard, Venkat on the tabla and pads, and Mani on the base guitar were fantastic. Not only did the band involve the very enthuIndo American News (ISSN 887-5936) is published weekly every Friday (for a subscription of $30 per year) by IndoAmerican News Inc., 7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036, tel: 713-789-6397, fax:713-789-6399, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com.

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siastic and participative audience in some of their songs, but also had two Houstonians performing on stage: Ganesh Krishna Balasubramanian on the pads and Barani Krishnan, a singer. The stage was very creatively designed and decorated as was the ambience. The acoustics were excellent making for a musically enriching evening.

Overall this is perhaps one of the best light music performances ever organized in the Houston area.

Udavum Karangal’s decade long efforts at fund raising in Houston, was memorable in my mind for more reasons than one. Ten year old Akhilesh Kumar contributed a sizeable amount of his pocket money ($500 – collected over time) to the cause. Akhilesh told me, “I always want to help people who do not have as much happiness as I have!

I want to make them happy too.” Thoughtful and inspiring words from a ten year old! Padmini Ranganathan mentioned that Haripriya, a youngster who had completed her Arangetram recently had contributed her gifts and money to the fundraiser.

Such wonderful acts of giving and sharing by kids and youngsters certainly will make the world a better place for many people, just like Vidyaakar, the founder of Udavum Karangal has done. His address projected on video before the commencement of the event thanking Houstonians for their support was very thoughtful – a humbling moment for many of us in the audience.

While all these efforts help and support Udavum Karangal, another avenue for high school and University students to explore would be the volunteer program in Chennai.

Padmni Ranganathan said, “High School and University students heading back to Chennai can go to the Udavum Karangal website and enroll for a more formalized volunteer program in line with their own interests”.

Lots of opportunity there for student volunteers to reach out and spread the message of connecting with others and extending a hand of love, friendship and help – which in actuality, is the spontaneous and intuitive nature of all human beings everywhere as Vidyaakar has demonstrated in his life.

5

Bhatt now Facing conspiracy charge Section 120B of IPC has been slapped also on 2 Gujarat Congress leaders

BY MANAS DASGUPTA following yet another assurance by the AHMEDABAD (Hindu): Two days public prosecutor that no immediate acafter the suspended Gujarat cadre IPS of- tion would be taken against Kanara. ficer, Sanjiv Bhatt, was released on bail, Panth, in his complaint of “threat and the police added the charge of “conspir- intimidation” against Bhatt, also named acy” against him and others in the case Modhvadia and Kanara as being among arising out of constable K. D. Panth’s those who “influenced” him to file the complaint on which he was arrested, in “false affidavit” before the amicus curthe first place, on September 30. iae, claiming that the IPS officer had The addimade him talk to the tion of SecState Congress presition 120(B) dent, who told him that of the Inthe Modi government dian Penal would not survive for Code may long and that the Centre create fresh had finalised plans to problems overthrow it. to not only Even during the hearBhatt but ing on Bhatt’s bail apalso PCC plication, special public chief Arjun prosecutor S. V. Raju Modhvadia had hinted at a “conand State spiracy” and submitted Congress details of Modhvadia’s legal cell phone calls to Kanara.

Sanjiv Bhatt with his wife after he was revice-presiBut judge V. K. Vyas leased from jail in Ahmedabad dent Vijay did not take cognisance Kanara, of it, pointing out that who drafted Panth’s affidavit, filed be- mere call details would not establish what fore the Supreme Court-appointed am- transpired during the phone talk. icus curiae, in support of the IPS officer’s Politically Motivated: claim that he was present at a crucial Modhvadia, in an open letter to Modi, February 27, 2002 meeting. It was at that also pointed out that as PCC president, he meeting, held after the Godhra train car- might have spoken to his legal cell vicenage, that Chief Minister Narendra Modi president a number of times, but linking allegedly “directed” the police to go soft the conversation with a “conspiracy” and on Hindu rioters.

Mr. Panth’s complaint was a “politically While the police were tight-lipped on motivated” move. addition of the conspiracy charge in the The Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Bhatt case, the matter came to light in Association, in a resolution, condemned an anticipatory bail application filed in the alleged police harassment of Mr. Kathe sessions court by Kanara. His ad- nara, even as lawyers in various Jamnavocate, B. M. Mangukiya, said the Sec- gar courts stayed away from work in protion 120(B) charge was added even after test against the threatened police action Kanara withdrew the petition before the against their colleagues in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat High Court on Monday on an Besides the new charge of conspiracy, assurance from the government that he the 21-year-old case of alleged “custodial would not be arrested and that due notice death” of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad activwould be given whenever he was called ist at Jamjodhpur when Mr. Bhatt was for questioning. posted as Assistant Superintendent of PoThe sessions court scheduled the hear- lice in Jamnagar district, is set to return ing on his anticipatory bail for Thursday, to haunt him.

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Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, ocToBer 21, 2011 • onlIne edITIon: www.IndoAmerIcAn-news.com

6

October 21, 2011

Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple (JET USA Houston)

Grand Deepavali Celebrations and Sri Rama Seva His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji will be in Houston for this Momentous Six-Day Event Oct. 26 to Oct. 31, 2011

Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple (JET USA Houston)

Grand Deepavali Celebrations and Sri Rama Seva His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji will be in Houston for this Momentous Six-Day Event Oct. 26 to Oct. 31, 2011 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

*DEVOTEES WILL PERFORM SAAMOOHIKA DHANALAKSHMI PUJA AND SRI SITA RAMA KALYANAM

*SAHASRA KALASA ABHISHEKAM TO SRI RAM PARIVAAR

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: *5-DAY SRI RAMA YAJNA BY 40 VEDIC *DEVOTEES WILL PERFORM SAAMOOHIKA DHANALAKSHMI PUJA AND SRI SITA RAMA KALYANAM *SAHASRA KALASA ABHISHEKAM TO SRI RAM PARIVAAR

*5-DAY SRISCHOLARS RAMA YAJNA BY 40 VEDIC SCHOLARS *DAILY DISCOURSES BY SRI CHINNA JEEYAR DISCOURSES BY SRI CHINNA SWAMIJI * INDAILY ENGLISH *CULTURAL PROGRAMS AND JEEYAR SWAMIJI IN HEALTH ENGLISHFAIR BY VT SEVA

*CULTURAL PROGRAMS AND HEALTH

FAIR BY VT SEVA

FORLET SCHEDULE EVENTS OR TOAND SPONSOR, US JOINOFAS A FAMILY PLEASE VISIT:

PARTICIPATE IN SRI RAMA SEVA visit: www.ashtalakshmi.org FOR UNIVERSAL PROSPERITY Ph: (281) 498-2344 KALYAN) E-mail: (LOK sriramaseva2011@gmail. com

FOR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS OR TO SPONSOR, LET US JOIN AS A FAMILY AND PLEASE VISIT: PARTICIPATE IN SRI RAMA SEVA Visit: www.ashtalakshmi.org Ph: (281) FOR 498-2344 UNIVERSAL PROSPERITY E-mail: sriramaseva2011@gmail.com (LOK KALYAN)

Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, ocToBer 21 , 2011 • onlIne edITIon: www.IndoAmerIcAn-news.com

COMMUNITY

October 21, 2011

neha Gupta, empower orphans, to receive world of children Award

helped fund libraries to promote education,

BY JACOB DAVID YARDLEY, PA: Neha Gupta, 15 years started computer centers, science labs, and old, founder of Empower Orphans is to re- sewing centers for girls. She believes that ceive the World of Children Award on No- training these children for different sorts vember 2. Empower Orphans, a non-profit of vocational trade, they will become bet501 (c)(3) organization was birthed when ter equipped for adult life, able to earn for Neha Gupta only 9 years old back then re- themselves, feed their families and not seek alized with alarming clarity what poverty recourse through prostitution. Neha Gupta is, when she visited an orphanage in In- has also hosted Eye and Dental clinics in dia. She talked to a girl who was also nine India to help orphans get their care.

Neha Gupta has been inspired by Mahatyears old, who shared a room with 10 other girls. All she saw was a dirty floor with one ma Gandhi, not only because he was truly a sheet on it. None of the girls had any beds great non-violent reformist, but for the fact to sleep on. In her own words, she vividly that her great, great grandmother Sharda recalls the experience, “I remember the Ben Mehta and Gandhiji were close freemoment I was talking to a girl of my same dom fighters who were thrown into jail by age; she wore tattered clothes, her face was the British during the freedom movement. covered in a thin black layer of dirt. As she She has also been inspired by the greatness showed me around the orphanage, we first and selfless love of late Mother Theresa of went to the room she shared with 10 other Calcutta.

Neha Gupta has eagerly and earnestly girls. As I walked in, all I saw was an empty room with a single sheet on the ground. I mobilized children volunteers in USA, asked in a confused manner, “This is where UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore you sleep? Where is your bed?” She said, and India to help Empower Orphans. Her “This is our bed ... We sleep on the ground. It does get very cold in the winter but we manage.” I was absolutely shocked.

I was used to sleeping on a big queen-sized bed with comforters.” This opened Neha’s eyes, set her thinking. What started as a tradition where she gave away free food and books to orphans, by her grandparents each time she visited India was continued by her parents, Vikas Gupta, her dad from Yamuna Nagar, Delhi and Amruta, mom Neha Gupta with two of the orphans who attend school, who hails from Mumbai. “Education is crucial,” she believes and vocational too This epiphany that orphans had no one to care for them, no one personal goal now is to collect $1 Million. to voice their needs or rights, Neha Gupta So far she has collected $151,844 and has understood. It struck a deep yet sorrowful helped out 15,000+ orphans.

In small ways, she is promoting the work chord in her heart. She wanted to wipe out poverty and take care of as many orphans of the orphans by selling greeting cards as she could. Coming back to the US after drawn or hand painted by them on her her brief vacation, she set out raising funds website. The profit she makes out of this from friends and neighbors and used that is poured back to help more kids. 100% money to help kids in India. Her parents of the donations raised are given to help supported her fully by registering a non- impoverished kids meet their daily, basic profit. Asked what she would like to be- needs like food, clothing and drinking come when she grows up, her answer is to water. She has enabled install water mohelp kids by becoming a pediatrician. Her tor pumps to deliver clean drinking water. immediate goals are to study, do her best, This has helped keep several of her cared continue working for her charity organiza- for orphans, from severe water borne illtion, and empower teams started by other nesses like Botulism, Cholera, Dysentry, children in the US who can help collect Hepatitis-A, Polio and Typhoid prevalent funds to empower orphans. Her long term in India and all over Asia.

Neha Gupta would like to do more acts goals are to branch out globally to help kids across Asia and Africa. She has been of kindness. She wants to open more cenhelping orphans here in the US, but says ters for orphans. But her power comes only “I believe that financially and emotionally through donations of willing indviduals, kids in India and Africa need the most help. children and adults alike, including comThey are in the worst of situations.” She panies and corporations. Children can do talked with Indo American News exclu- their part, collect loose change - pennies, sively by phone on October 17, 2011 after donations from family, friends, schools and completing her school homework for the donate it to Empower Orphans. Together, collective action will make this world a betday.

What Neha understands is true, orphans ter place. In the end, Neha Gupta is not in in India and Africa have no one to fend it for the awards, fame or the recognition. their cause, they live in unsafe environ- She is a teenager with a large heart willing ments, are constantly in danger of being to go out of her way to help suffering kids exploited for devious and merciless labor who do not have parents to tuck them in like begging for the local mafia or being their warm beds to sleep in at night.

Get involved today to help orphans by trafficked into the flesh trade.

To make their situation better, she has visiting: www.Empowerorphans.org Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, ocToBer 21, 2011 • onlIne edITIon: www.IndoAmerIcAn-news.com

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8

COMMUNITY

October 21, 2011

India Jewelers starts off the diwali season

Photos: Jawahar Malhotra

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HOUSTON: In what has become a tradition for the Kamnani brothers, India Jewelers kicked off the season with its annual Diwali party at its store on Hillcroft and the Southwest Freeway in Little India. The party featured sumptuous desi appetizers and drinks from a bartender who setup on one side of the front door. The Kamnani family (picture above) has been in the same location for at the past 21 years and the elder, Raj K. Bhagwan Kamnani was well known for his store in the Galleria from 1990 to 1997. During the course of the evening, many friends and clients attended the party including Sunil Thakkar of Music Masala and his gang (from left Raju, Preanka and Sandhya) and Shakuntla Malhotra seen here with guests Anna and Krish.

Gobind and his brother Narayan hope to hold the Diwali party in the parking lot of the center in the future and spread the joy of the festivities to all Houstonians.

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COMMUNITY

October 21, 2011

navaratri celebration at chinmaya mission

BY SHALINI SOMRAJ & SREEDEVI GUNDAMARAJU HOUSTON: When you wake up in the morning, with the melody of Mother Amba’s songs in your heart, the rhythm of drums in your ears, images of glittering lehengas springing about to its beat, an unstoppable smile on your face, you have danced away merrily at Chinmaya Mission Houston Navaratri Garaba the night before.

This year, Chinmaya Mission Houston (CMH) celebrated the much awaited festive event on October 9 at the beautiful Berry Center. The evening started off with guests, who included friends and family CMH members, arriving at 7:00 pm to the pleasant notes of the Chinmaya Garaba vocalists.

In the great Hall, the beautiful round center piece arrayed in red and white silks was an immediate cynosure of all eyes. Adorning this center piece was Pujya Gurudeva’s picture amidst flowers and beautifully lit lamps along with pictures of Ma Durga , Ma Laksmi and Ma Sarasvati. The intricately adorned Batukamma floral arrangement provided a harmonious blend of some of the traditional Navaratri celebrations of North and South India.

The celebration started sharp at 7:30 pm with melodious invocation to Mother Durga by the choir children of Chinmaya Mission.

This filled everyone’s hearts with devotion.

And then as soon as the beats for garaba started, young and old, men and women all were on the dance floor, dancing to the melodious garabas sung by mission singers.

There was a surprise element tucked in the midst of all the festivities. At 8:15 pm, the lights in the great hall were dimmed and the dancers cleared the center floor. This day also coincided with a very special birthday of our Acarya Gaurang Nanavaty lovingly called by all as Gaurang Uncle. Our dear Acaryas Gaurang and Darshana Nanavaty were escorted to the stage and at the same time Chinmaya choir children, sang “JanmaDinamidam” to the melodious strings of the orchestra. The dance floor was filled with dancing diyas. Lights were turned back on. Gaurang Uncle cut the birthday cake while the hall resounded with the song ‘Bara bara dina ye aye’. Ladies in colorful bandhani costumes took the center floor and executed a beautiful Garaba dance. The high light of this Garaba song was - all non Gujarati choir children singing a very popular Gujarati garaba song “Ajni ghadi te raliyamani”. It was truly North meeting South in a musical blend. Uncle spoke inspiring words and Anish Shah recited a poem

People dancing to the melodious garabas sung by mission singers

written specially in honor of this occasion. Arati followed and this section of the evening’s program ended with uncle and aunty joining in the Garaba dancing to the tune of Uncle’s favorite Garaba song. The hall cleared for Ice cream and cake break.

Outside the Hall, in the wide hallway, tables were set with cake and Ice cream. Stalls were set up for food. Guests enjoyed the food and dessert and sat around at the tables enjoying this festive repast. At exactly 9:30pm, the crowd thronged back into the Hall and Dandiya Rasa began in a frenzy of color and movement. The scintillating and tireless performance of the Garaba singers drew all to the dance floor. This was a time for everyone to relax, enjoy and connect in spirit of amity and love.

Chairs set along the walls, allowed all to take a break from the dancing. The youth gravitated to the center of the hall and led in setting the pace of the dance.

The evening tempo rose higher and higher and hushed into a beautiful lull at 11:30pm. Everyone in the hall stood still for the closing prayer.

With this ended a memorable CMH Navaratri Garaba night in the city of Houston.

Acaryas Gaurang and Darshana Nanavaty performing arati.

Photos: Jayesh Mistry

Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, ocToBer 21, 2011 • onlIne edITIon: www.IndoAmerIcAn-news.com

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daya commemorates october as domestic Violence Awareness month HOUSTON: “Stop domestic violence” “Our children deserve safer homes” “Love is not abuse:” these were the signs that volunteers and supporters of Daya carried as they formed a human chain on Hillcroft Avenue on Saturday, October 15. Clad in bright yellow t-shirts and dancing to the beat of dhol and desi music, they marked One Voice Against Domestic Violence, Daya’s fifth annual outdoor event held in partnership with the Houston Police Department to bring awareness to family violence in South Asian communities.

The sun was bright, the energy level was high, and the message of zero tolerance to violence was just as loud and clear. More than 140 participants showed off their signs and distributed pamphlets and the passers-by responded by honking and cheering.

Since 2007, Daya has been conducting this event in Hillcroft Shopping Plaza, the hub of South Asian businesses buzzing with activity on Saturday mornings.

The setting with the white tent, DJ music, dhol, food and camaraderie provided an ideal forum to inject the message of domestic violence in a non-threatening manner. This year Daya recog-

From left: Sam Merchant (representing congressman Al Green), presented a proclaimation to Abhilasha V(Outreach coordinator-Daya) and Nighat Ahmed(Daya President)

nized Vijaya Emani, an IndianAmerican from Ohio who will (posthumously) receive the 2011 Presidential Citizens Medal from President Obama (the second highest civilian honor one can receive) for surviving and conquering domestic violence and bringing awareness to it in her

community. Sam Merchant read a proclamation from Congressman Al Green.

Primary sponsors of this event were Verizon Wireless and Simmons Foundation. Food and refreshments were donated by Hot Breads, Kohinoor Diamonds, Kirti Jewellers, London Sweets, Laxmi Sarees, Roop Sarees, Sam’s Club and Udipi café.

Daya promotes healthy family relationships in the South-Asian community by providing services that include counseling, referrals, legal advocacy, and financial support to women and children affected by family violence and sexual assault. Daya also promotes awareness on topics relevant to the welfare of South Asian families through educational seminars, publications, and outreach events. In 2010 Daya served 229 South Asian Victims of Domestic Violence of which 40% and 33% were of Indian and Pakistani origin respectively, and the rest from other countries in the region.

Daya’s vision is to create a South Asian community in Houston that is free from family violence. For information, please visit, www. dayahouston.org or call 713-9817645.

‘occupy wall street’ sentiments Understandable: Vikram Pandit WASHINGTON (SI): Banking giant Citigroup’s Indian American CEO Vikram Pandit thinks the sentiments of the Occupy Wall Street protesters are “completely understandable” as US economy recovery fell short of what was wanted.

“Their sentiments are completely understandable,” Pandit said in an interview Wednesday with Fortune Magazine.

“The economic recovery is not what we all want it to be, there are a number of people in our country who cant achieve what they are capable of achieving

and that’s not a good place to be.”

Demonstrators have been camped out in Manhattan’s financial district since Sep 17 protesting against income inequality, corporate greed and the power of financial institutions. The protests have inspired similar demonstrations across the country.

“I would also corroborate that trust has been broken between financial institutions and the citizens of the U.S. and that it’s Wall Street’s job to reach out to Main Street and rebuild that trust,” Pandit said.

“I’d talk about the fact that they

should hold Citi and the financial institutions accountable for practicing responsible finance.”

Pandit added that he’d “be happy to talk to them anytime,” noting that he would emphasise Citi’s efforts to expand small business lending and their decision not to charge a fee for debit card use.

Bank of America announced last month that it would start charging a $5 fee for using a debit card for purchases starting in 2012.

Wells Fargo also announced it would test a $3 fee.

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COMMUNITY

12 October 21, 2011

The Extraordinary Life and Times of Mahatma Gandhi The story thus far… Gandhi arrives in South Africa and is rudely made aware of the rampant racism in that country when has to visit Pretoria on work. He is unceremoniously thrown off a 1st class compartment on a train to Johannesburg. He manages to board another train where his white fellow traveler is quite willing to share the compartment.

They travel harmoniously on to Pretoria.

It was late in the evening when the train pulled into Pretoria.

Gandhi, relieved to reach his destination stayed at a hotel that night and moved into a lodge the next day. There he began to study the Abdulla lawsuit. While he was working on it, he made the time to call a meeting of the Indians in Pretoria. This he did with the help of Tyeb Haji Khan Muhammad, an influential Indian merchant. Only a handful of Indians attended. It was the first time Gandhi had addressed a meeting.

“There is too much division among us,” he said. “Why should we be kept apart by differences in birth, family, caste, and religion?

Let us form a league, representing every group, and keep the Government informed of our difficulties and our needs.”

The audience listened to him with great interest. It was decided to hold regular meetings of all the Indians in Pretoria.

Involved in his work, Gandhi was entrusted with the task of translating into English all the correspondence between Dada, Abdulla & Co. and the rival party.

After studying all the facts, he was convinced that his client’s claim was just and true. He knew, however, that if the case were taken to court it would drag on for a long time, so he called together representatives of both parties.

“Why don’t you choose a good man, whom you both trust, to arbitrate between you?” he said.

Both parties were astonished at this new idea. This young man was not the kind of lawyer they were familiar with; they appreciated his stand and agreed to his suggestion.

An arbitrator was appointed, and

Gandhi’s Impact in south Africa

he gave his award in favor of Gandhi’s clients. Although they had won, Gandhi persuaded his clients to be lenient with their opponent.

They agreed not to demand the money due all at once, but in easy installments spread over a long period. Both parties were happy over the settlement.

Gandhi’s first success as a lawyer was not a crushing victory over an opponent, but the triumph of good sense and humanity. In the Orange Free State, Indians had been deprived of all their rights by a law enacted in 1888. They could stay there only if they did menial work. Traders were sent away with nominal compensation. Under a law passed in 1886, Indians who wanted to live in the Transvaal were forced to pay an annual poll-tax of £ 3 per head. There they were not allowed to own land except in certain locations. They had no freedom to move about. If they wanted to go out of their houses after 9 p.m., they had to carry a permit with them. They were not allowed to use certain highways at all.

Gandhi felt personally humiliated at the way Indians were treated there. He thought it was his duty to defend their rights and remove their grievances. He often went out for an evening walk with an English friend, Mr. Coates, and he

rarely reached home the end of 1893 he went back to stay on for another month and orbefore 10 p.m. He Durban to book his passage to In- ganize resistance to the new bill. had obtained a letter dia. Abdulla arranged a farewell Late that night the Indians held from the State At- party in his honor. While going a meeting in Abdulla Seth’s house torney allowing him through the newspapers that day, under the presidency of Seth Haji to be out of doors Gandhi was surprised to read that Muhammad, the most influential at any time without a bill was pending before the Natal Indian merchant there. They repolice interference.

Legislative solved to oppose the Franchise Walking alone one Assembly that would deprive Bill. Telegrams were sent to the evening, Gandhi Indians of their right to elect mem- Speaker of the was suddenly at- bers to the Assembly. He brought Assembly and the Premier of tacked and knocked this to the notice of the people Natal requesting postponement on down. He was in- gathered there for the party. further discussion of the bill. The jured. He struggled “What do we understand about Speaker promptly replied that the to his feet to face a such matters?” Abdulla Seth said. discussion would be put off for police constable. two days. The Natal Indians then “That will teach drew up a petition to the Legislayou to obey the The Extraordinary Life and tive Assembly pleading against law,” shouted the Times of Mahatma Gandhi the bill. This was followed up by policeman. “No In- is brought to you courtesy another petition to Lord Ripon, dian has the right to Mahatma Gandhi Library. the then Secretary of State for the walk past the Presi- www.gandhilibrary.org Colonies. dent’s house. Didn’t More than 10,000 Indians signed you know that?” the petition. Copies were circulatThe policeman kicked him.

“We only understand things that ed in South Africa, England, and “Gandhi, are you hurt?” asked a affect our trade.”

India. There was much sympathy familiar, friendly voice. It was Gandhi responded that the bill, if for the Natal Indians’ plight, but Mr. Coates. He happened to be it passed into law, would make it the campaign had started too late passing that way when he saw extremely difficult for Indians. to stop the bill becoming law.

Gandhi being attacked. Mr. Coates “It is the first nail in our coffin. It However, the campaign did do warned the policeman. strikes at the very root of our self- some good. For the first time, the “This man is my friend and a respect,” said Gandhi. people of India came to know of distinguished lawyer,” he said. “If The Indians now realized what the conditions in Natal. An even he brings a complaint against you, was at stake; but they were unable more important result was the new I shall be his witness.” to decide what to do. They request- spirit that now awakened the IndiThen he turned to his friend and ed Gandhi to postpone his depar- ans in South Africa. said, “I am very sorry, Gandhi, ture and help them. He agreed to — To be Continued that you have been so rudely assaulted.”

“You need not be sorry,” Subscribe to Indo-American News Today said Gandhi. “How is the We cover your world! poor man to know? All The Indo Queen is Name: ____________________________________ colored people are the Dead American News same to him. I have made Phone: ____________________________________ it a rule not to go to court in respect of any personal Address:___________________________________ grievance.”

Coates turned again to __________________________________________ the policeman and said, “You should tell an Indian Number of Years: 1 2 5 10 Lifetime politely what the regula(circle one) $30 $58 $130 $277 $399 tions are - not knock him down.”

Credit Card: Master Card / Visa (Circle One) “Never mind,” said Gandhi. “I have already _________________________________________ forgiven him.”

Your Signature: Now that the Abdulla Exp Date: ___/___ 3 digit code:______ ___________________________ case had been settled, Do cut and mail to: 7457 Harwin Dr, Ste 262, Houston, TX 77036 (OR) Scan and E-mail to: Indoamericannews@yahoo.com • Call us at 713-789-6397 • Call us to sign up for E-mail Blast Gandhi thought there was Indo-American News is community oriented. We thank you for your subscription & support. no need for him to stay on in South Africa. Towards Read the Newspape r Online indoameric an-news.com Friday, July 31 2009 |

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slumdog million aire has th helpe movie ed o indiar hurt ’s im age ?

Maharani Gayatr i Devi passes away at the age of 90

Read all about it inside.

BollywoodShow EXPLOSION 200 s4U Brings 9 to Houston HOUSTON: Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan and Hard to make a stunning Kaur are set the Explosions eventappearance in Bollywood Shows organized by 4

by Moid Khan. The U conducted event is set to be held at the Reliant Arena on August 7, 2009.

ers to Houston thus

making Houstonians dreams organizing “Explosion come true, by 2009” Concert.

“Explosion 2009 will Houston residents be giving a night non-stop session of long rocking Bollywood melodies, promising one of the most memorable musical treats like never witnessed before.

For tickets log on to www.bollywoodshows4u.com or call 281-2354711.

Moid Khan informed

that Houston residents have been waiting for a long time to see the live performance of Sonu Nigam. Bollywoodshows4u is bringing the perform-

Houston. The Foundation could not have chosen to raise awarenessa better topic among IndoB P Americans in Houston K about its HOUSTON: If there’s one recent Indian studies programs. Prior movie that has to polarized opinions the discussion of the film, Parul about India, it Fernandes is lionaire. The movieSlumdog Mil- explained and Krishna Vavilala has all the elthat the Foundation ements of entertainme nt designed is currently conducting Hindi to glue you to Level I and Level your II courses as awe, amusement, seat – shock, well as love and inspiration. disgust, true Jainism classes on Hinduism, and the Anthropolo have seen movie Some people India. gy of The each time moved several times, received Foundation has also to tears and joy. support from There are a few Indian others, however, government’s Ministry of Overwho could not get past the slum seas Indians to fund a Chair for kid’s jump into Indian studies at the UH. blinding of a child. cesspool or the An 11-minute clip of Slumdog More than 120 people with prob- Millionaire, edited by Anil Kuably 200 opinions about the movie mar, was screened to stimulate assembled at a the discussion. The town clip included held at India House hall meeting scenes depicting negative last Sunday afternoon. aspects of India such as religious disharThe town hall meeting was or- mony, child prostitution , and ganized by the Foundation for lice brutality. These scenes poIndia Studies at were the University of followed by uplifting scenes in 4

Ambassador Ambassador MeeraMeera Shankar Shankar visits Houston Visits Page 11

Houston Page 11

Central Texas Temple Grows

Page 6

NRI nvestors Lose Money Chilled IACCGH to Maytas Waterm Helps elonto Propert in Soupies Hire India Page Page 5 26

NRI Investors Lose Money to Maytas Properties in India Page 21 Indo-American

News • Friday,

July 31, 2009

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COMMUNITY

October 21, 2011

Pratham IAccGH Tee it up for literacy

BY JAGDIP AHLUWALIA HUMBLE, TX: The sold out 3rd Annual Pratham-IACCGH “Tee It Up For Literacy” Charity Golf Tournament was held at Tour 18 in Humble, Texas on Thursday Oct 6.

First launched in 2002 by IACCGH to offer a networking forum and to foster camaraderie amidst the participants, the goal of the Golf Tournament was to create opportunities resulting from relationships nurtured on the golf course.

In 2009, IACCGH partnered with Pratham USA, to embark on the beginning of the PRATHAM-IACCGH Literacy Charity Golf Tournament. Although substantially different in their respective missions, the two Houston based non-profit organizations strongly believe in a common cause, namely, Knowledge.

While IACCGH focuses on economic empowerment of the business community in the Greater Houston region through informational programs, including Distinguished Lectures, Emerging Leaders Mentoring Circles, Small and Medium Business Outreach Programs, etc., Pratham USA, in furtherance of its vision, “Every Child in School and Learning Well,” provides quality education to the underprivileged children in India.

The 2011 program was a grand success due to the planning and hard work of Golf Co-chairs Pankaj Dhume and Manny Chana from the IACCGH; Ash Shah and Amit Bhandari from Pratham USA; Pratham President Swatantra Jain and IACCGH President Mona Parikh.

Major Sponsors included HCL, St Anthony’s Hospital, HIS (who have bought SMT) ,BioUrja, Highland Park Single Malt Whis-

13

registration process and Mani Surkaria and and Sushama of Pratham for coordinating the accounting.

The winning team from Vinmar International with a score of 55, was Doug Friedman, Chris Lokey, Brett Burke and Lee Lewis.

In second place was the Merrill Lynch team with Kevin James, Paul Whitney, Robert Johnson and Marlon Scott with a score of 57.

The team that came in third place was the Business Advisors MD. with Kash Tandon, Gurdeep Sethi, Francis Curry with a score of 62 The other winners were: Closest to the Pin - Narin Sehgal, Longest Drive - Paul Whitney, Longest Putt Srinivas Akunuri, Putting Contest - Yogesh Bhakta

Golf Tournament Winners

key and United Airlines .

The awards reception was co-sponsored by the Law office of Jones, Mays, Ramsey & Parikh and Shiv Om Consultants Inc. Thanks to Ashford Liquor, wine for the reception was donated by Main Street Winery and Murphy-Good Winery. Cushman & Wakefield were the drink cart sponsors and the Putting contest was sponsored by Business Advisors MD. Hole sponsors included BMC Software, Cypresswood Clinic, Impex International, SDB Trade International, Tomball Gastroenterology Associates, Vijay Goradia, Vinmar International and Virgo Engineers.

Foursomes included Amegy Bank, AT &

Photo: Bijay Dixit

T, Bank of America, Bay Area Gastroenterology, Ceera International, HSBC Bank, Manny Chana, Merrill Lynch, Packwell, Raman Das (Palace Inns Group), Sara International and Ocean Engineering.

We would like to thank our volunteers Anuja Mehta, Bhaskar Patel, George Eapen, Milind Sethi, Nitin Kapadia, Pradeep Gokhale, Sojan Mathews. Bijay Dixit (Unique Photo) ably assisted by Sameer Garach and Rishi Sohoni had the players photos ready and waiting at the Awards Banquet. Special thanks to Mondira Tangri (IACCGH) for co-coordinating the logistics that helped make the event a great success, Dimpal Kalani (Pratham) helping with the

About Pratham USA: Pratham USA - Over 200 million children in India - one in every two, cannot read or write.

Pratham, India’s leading non-profit organization in the area of primary education, aims to address this problem through large scale, measurable and high impact programs. Pratham’s pre-schools, remedial learning, and libraries, benefit over a million underprivileged children every year. Its flagship program, Read India, works with communities and governments to improve literacy and numeracy skills among children, reaching over 33 million children since 2007.

About IACCGH: The IACCGH is a non-profit organization that was established in 1999 with a mission to facilitate commerce between the U.S. & India, facilitate access to the Indo-American market, be the voice of the Indo-American Business Community and to Enable Greater Houston Professionals, Businesses and Corporations to succeed.

Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, ocToBer 21, 2011 • onlIne edITIon: www.IndoAmerIcAn-news.com

14 October 21, 2011

 Diwali Yajna, Cultural Program and Mela     on Saturday Oct 22nd, from 5-9pm   

We Request you to bring cans of food to donate food for the Houston Food Bank

Yajna, Cultural Program Diwali mela

Face Painting

FUN, FOOD & GAMES

Henna Fireworks

Balloon twisting

Chole Bhature, Pav Bhaji, Pizza, Kulfi, Tea and more Get your Mela Tickets on Oct 9th & 16th at Arya Samaj For sponsorship of yagna, food or game stalls please contact Madhvi Zingde at 281-787-8986 madhvi123@aol.com or Mr. Dev Mahajan at 713-468-4339, mahajandev@yahoo.com 14375 Schiller Road, Houston, Texas 77082

Phones: (281) 752-0100

(Depending on Burn-ban)

www.aryasamajhouston.org

Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, ocToBer 21 , 2011 • onlIne edITIon: www.IndoAmerIcAn-news.com

15

October 21, 2011

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Rang De with Anup Jalota at radha madhav dham, Austin

AUSTIN: “Enchanting music that touched my soul!” exclaimed Shalini Arora of Plugerville. “By far, one of the best concerts I have been to at the Radha Madhav Dham”.

Jigish Parikh Anup Jalota is a master entertainer and world class performer who had an audience of more than 500 clapping and singing along – some even got up to dance – concluding in thunderous applause that echoed throughout the main prayer hall of Radha Madhav Dham.

He playfully engaged the audience with stories and jokes, in addition to singing bhajans, such as Jag Mein Hain Do Naam, Main Mori Main Nahin Makhan, and Aisi Lagi Lagan. Those in attendance were especially struck by the love pouring from his renditions of bhajans composed

by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Anup met Shree Maharajji in Bombay and agreed to release several CDs of Shree Maharajji’s compositions (available at Radha Madhav Dham).

Long time friend and

master tabla player, Ramesh Kumar, traveled from Southern California to join the troupe, along with Sangeetika who also sang beautiful bhajans and playback. Balkar, an eminent keyboardist and bhajan singer from Houston, rounded out the performance with his brilliant contributions.

Earlier that morning, everyone including the performers took part in Radha Madhav Dham’s annual Rath Yatra celebration. The deity of Radha Rani looked spectacular sitting on the beautifully decorated chariot. After performing Her arti and being showered by marigold flowers, Sushree Banchari Didi led the chanting and the chariot procession began. Everyone was singing and dancing alongside the chariot when a sudden auspicious cloudburst poured down more Divine Love on all the participants. Everyone was soaked and there was so much added excitement.

Gathering the temple at the conclusion of the procession, Didiji gave a wonderful pravachan on ‘Radha Tattva’ and the listeners were deeply moved by her scriptural knowledge, clear explanations, humor and

engaging stories. Attendees then enjoyed a delicious lunch prasad, after which the concert began. The youth were entertained by magician John Maverick and also had a chance to watch and meet with Anup Jalota.

On Sunday, the 9th, the Dallas satsang group of Radha Madhav Dham hosted a concert at the Plano Civic Centre where over 700 guests enjoyed Mr. Jalota’s performance. Co-sponsored by Fun Asia, proceeds from the concert went to support ‘Stride for C.H.A.I.’ www.strideforchai. com. Supporting healthcare from America to India, this nonprofit organization helped build a fully charitable hospital in Barsana, India, and is currently helping to build and supply a JKP Foundation hospital in Vrindaban. For more information, please call Sunita at 972-404-2151.

Radha Madhav Dham’s Sunday services and youth classes are from 11am – 12:45pm.

Lunch Prasad is served following the arti.

For more information, visit www.RadhaMadhavDham.org or call 512-288-7180

WRITERS ...

TAKE NOTICE Writers are requested to limit their words to 500 The deadline for advertising and articles is 5 pm on Tuesday of each week.

For more information, Call 713-789- NEWS (6397) or email us at: indoamericannews@yahoo.com

Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, ocToBer 21 , 2011 • onlIne edITIon: www.IndoAmerIcAn-news.com

October 21, 2011

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 , 2011 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

17

18 October 21, 2011

Memorial for Mohiniji

It is with deep sadness we report the passing of Mrs. Mohini Sindwani.

Mohini ji founded Indo-American News with her husband, Dr. K.L. Sindwani. In the early days, the couple produced the bi-weekly newspaper from gathering the news to editing and layout to distribution by mail and through ethnic grocery stores. As the paper grew, Mohiniji concentrated on maintaining the mailing list, learning how to use the computer at a senior age. Whenever we walked into the office, she always had a quick smile and an enquiry about the welfare of each family member. All of us at Indo-American News will cherish her memories and think of her with every newspaper edition we publish.

The Indian community saw various other facets of Mohiniji’s community service. She had a long and successful career as a psychotherapist and helped many young children and their families in crisis. She was also one of the founders of the Vedanta Society in Houston and led the Sunday prayers for adults and children for many decades.Before there were professional priests in the community, Mohiniji performed numerous marriages, new home havans, etc.The Indian community in Houston has lost a truly founding member.

Pramod Kulkarni

Is Export Boom Black Money?

BY S.A.AIYAR Despite a slowing world economy, India’s exports are booming. After growing 38% in 2010-11 , they are growing even faster this year - by 46.4% in June, 81 % in July and 44% in August. This beats even China hollow . Cynics say this is too good to be true. Earlier, crooked businessmen took black money abroad by under-invoicing exports. Could they be bringing back their black money as over-invoiced exports? Does this explain the export boom? Very possibly, according to a new report from three researchers at Kotak Securities. They looked at export data from company reports of the BSE 500 (the top 500 companies of the Bombay Stock Exchange) and compared these with official data for 2010-11 . For engineering exports, official data showed a huge increase of $30 billion, but engineering companies of the BSE 500 showed an export increase of only $1.38 billion . Who accounted for the balance of over $28 billion?

Minor companies? Ghost companies ? Large private companies owned by big businessmen but not listed on the stock exchanges?

The researchers are cautious in interpreting their findings. They do not make any categorical accusations, but mention the possibility of illicit inflows and roundtripping by Indian crooks. Part of the data gap they have uncovered may be explained by differences in methodology and data sources. Thirty million Indians abroad send home $55 billion a year as cash remittances and tens of billions more as NRI bank deposits. So, the export boom remains a puzzle. We need an urgent, detailed investigation of Kotak Securities’ research findings by the tax authorities, RBI and the commerce ministry . Even if they come up with a perfectly innocent explanation - which sounds a stretch - we need the details to improve our understanding of what’s driving exports.

Times of India

EDITORIAL

The Final Frontier

BY MANAS CHAKRAVARTY Captain’s log, Stardate 67321.09: The Starship Enterprise has burrowed through a wormhole and ended up in the early 21st century, in the vicinity of planet Earth. We are in geosynchronous orbit above an ancient civilisation called India, where we are observing some amazing goings on.

The natives have discovered an extraordinary device that can eradicate inflation, corruption and similar stuff. This rath, as it’s called, will travel around the country zapping things that end in -tion.

Competition has already been decimated.

The locals hope the nation will be spared.

But while perspiration is in danger, the device is helpless against ambition and hallucination.

The natives also believe in something/ someone called LP Bill, supposed to eradicate corruption. Spock says he’s a close relative of Clinton Bill, a great leader of another decaying civilisation. Dr McCoy thinks it’s a pill and not a bill and you’re supposed to pop one after lunch for a corruption-free day. It doesn’t seem to have worked, though, because I know for a fact the bill for this starship was almost double its cost, in spite of being the lowest of three quotations.

Some Indians think that adding the prefix ‘Jan’ before anything makes it infinitely superior. Examples include the Jan Chetna Yatra, the Jan LP Bill, Janata, January and Jangled. A mere mention of jangled nerves to convey nervousness is far better than going on and on about gled nerves.

India has developed a unique political system. I had beamed Scotty down to study it and he says there are two main political parties: the Pseudo-Secular and the Pseudo-Nationalist. The Big Boss is supposed to be someone called ‘Aam Aadmi’, but the person who really runs the show is a ‘Khaas Aurat’. Parliament, where decisions are taken by walk-outs is, however, above both of them and Anna is above Parliament. Decisions are also taken by fasting. They have a prime minister, but opinion is divided about him — while he believes he is not responsible for anything, others say he’s responsible for inflation, power cuts, scams, terrorism, earthquakes, spoiling relationships with their girlfriends and for keeping taps open when they leave the house on vacations. The locals often hark back to their glorious past, when they had a gala time fighting each other and life expectancy was low, so they didn’t have to see old

men go on yatras. Now they fight only the Klingon kingdom to the west.

The country’s main religion is Cricket.

Spock, who has researched it, says it’s based on the battle between Good and Evil. The Evil Ones are referred to as the Wickeds and the purpose of the creed is to take as many wickeds as possible. Vast crowds attend the religious ceremonies where a ball is hurled at the Wickeds, the aim being to hit them. These symbols of Wickedness are also known as Stumps.

I’m a bit stumped, though, about why they ‘run between the Wickeds’. I can understand their hitting the Wickeds, or running away from them, but Spock says running between one Wicked and another is illogical.

The country has two economies: one white, the other black. The gap between them is being papered over by a White Paper on Black Money. They constantly monitor the economy by moving a poverty line up and down. As for the natives, in spite of penury, disease, politicians, do-gooders, khap panchayats, godmen, economists, TV anchors and editorial writers, they are determined to boldly go where no man has gone before.

- Hindustan Times Manas Chakravarty is Consulting Editor, Mint

Four Winners, One Loser Four by-elections in four States cannot be held up as an index of the national public mood against corruption. But surely it is not without significance that while the winners were different, the loser was the same in each case: the Congressled United Progressive Alliance. The Hisar Lok Sabha contest came to be seen as a referendum on the Congress by not only the party’s political rivals, but also by Team Anna, which has been in the forefront of the campaign for an effective Lokpal Bill against corruption. The victory of Kuldeep Bishnoi of Haryana Janhit Congress, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party, was on the cards.

The real setback for the Congress was a significant erosion in popular support, with its candidate finishing a distant third and losing the deposit. Corruption was a key issue in the election — and that hurt the Congress and nobody else. The shocker was in Khadakwasla Assembly

constituency in Maharashtra, where the candidate of the party’s ally, the Nationalist Congress Party, was the front runner.

For all practical purposes, the fight was that of the senior partner: the candidate Harshada Wanjale was a former Congress Zilla Parishad member who contested on the NCP ticket as the seat was allotted to that party. Khadakwasla was the ruling alliance’s best chance to take away something from this round of by-elections. It turned out to be a rout.

In the two otherAssembly by-elections, in Daraunda in Bihar and Banswada in Andhra Pradesh, the stakes were not as high but the losses compounded the Congress’s misery. In Daraunda, the Janata Dal(United), capitalising on the popularity of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, closed out both the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress. In Banswada, the game was quite different: Telangana overrode all other issues, and Pocharam Srinivas

Reddy, who resigned as a Telugu Desam member to contest again as a Telangana Rashtra Samiti candidate, trounced the ruling Congress party candidate by a huge margin. For the loser, there were different lessons from the four by-elections. Hisar showed that corruption is a powerful issue, and that the party can no longer make light of the movement for a strong anti-corruption institutional mechanism.

Khadakwasla taught the Congress and the NCP that opportunistic, short-sighted politics does not pay. Daraunda exposed the Congress’s grassroots weaknesses.

Banswada served as a reality check on the Telangana issue, demonstrating the spreading popular support for statehood in the region. A party in denial might be tempted to dismiss these results as no more than straws in the wind. The real point is that each one of the straws, coming from different directions, is a bearer of grim tidings.

The Hindu

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EDITOR: PRAMOD KULKARNI BUSINESS MANAGER: JAWAHAR MALHOTRA MANAGING PARTNER: KRISHNA GIRI COMMUNITY REPORTER: KALYANI GIRI COMMUNITY EDITOR: MANASI GOKHALE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER: VANSHIKA VIPIN BUSINESS & RECREATION: JACOB DAVID GRAPHIC DESIGN: SAQIB RANA CORRESPONDENTS CHICAGO: NAND KAPOOR, UK: ASEEM KULKARNI NEW DELHI: RAJ KANWAR ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the written consent of the publisher. The deadline for advertising and articles is 5 pm on Monday of each week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of all unsolicited material. Published at 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 262, Houston, Texas 77036. Tel: 713-789-NEWS or 6397 Fax: 713-789-6399, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com, website: indoamerican-news.com

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 , 2011 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

HEALTH

October 21, 2011

Gates Foundation’s AIDS Program’s Progress is Uneven

www.indoamerican-news.com

Read us online at

BY DONALD G. MCNEIL JR. (NYT) A large and costly AIDS prevention program that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pioneered in India eight years ago has had mixed results, according to a preliminary analysis published on Monday in The Lancet.

The foundation spent $258 million on the program from 2003 to 2008. It has since put in $80 million more, but is shifting responsibility to the Indian government.

The program, calledAvahan, focuses on highrisk groups, like drug addicts, gay and bisexual men, and prostitutes and their clients, including truckers. It pays for education campaigns, safe-sex counseling, syringes, condoms and treatment for other venereal diseases. (Above, a sex worker at a prevention meeting.)

When the program began, it was assumed that India, with its huge population and government officials reluctant to discuss the problem, would quickly surpass South Africa as the country with the most AIDS cases. A 2007 household survey allayed those fears; the epidemic had stayed largely within the risk groups. India is now thought to be in third place, behind Nigeria.

Avahan operates in six Indian states, and the analysis, by epidemiologists from India and the University of Washington, concluded that infections dropped significantly in three populous southern states, a little in Tamil Nadu, and not at all in northern Manipur and Nagaland. It did not suggest a reason. The epidemic is driven in the

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The authors estimated that the program prevented 100,000 infections, at a cost of about $2,500 per infection prevented — not cheap, but far less expensive than the lifetime cost of treatment.

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EDUCATION

Squeezed Out in India, Students Turn to U.S

BY NIDA NAJAR NEW DELHI (NYT): Moulshri Mohan was an excellent student at one of the top private high schools in New Delhi.

When she applied to colleges, she received scholarship offers of $20,000 from Dartmouth and $15,000 from Smith.

Her pile of acceptance letters would have made any ambitious teenager smile: Cornell, Bryn Mawr, Duke, Wesleyan, Barnard and the University of Virginia.

But because of her 93.5 percent cumulative score on her final high school examinations, which are the sole criteria for admission to most colleges here, Mohan was rejected by the top colleges at Delhi University, better known as D.U., her family’s first choice and one of India’s top schools.

“Daughter now enrolled at Dartmouth!” her mother, Madhavi Chandra, wrote, updating her Facebook page. “Strange swings this admission season has shown us. Can’t get into DU, can make it to the Ivies.”

Mohan, 18, is now one of a surging number of Indian students attending American colleges and universities, as competition in India has grown formidable, even for the best students.

With about half of India’s 1.2 billion people under the age of 25, and with the ranks of the middle class swelling, the country’s handful of highly selective universities are overwhelmed.

This summer, Delhi University issued cutoff scores at its top colleges that reached a near-impossible 100 percent in some cases. The Indian Institutes of Technology, which are spread across the country, have an acceptance rate of less than 2 percent — and that is only from a pool of roughly 500,000 who qualify to take the entrance exam, a feat that requires two years of specialized coaching after school.

“The problem is clear,” said Kapil Sibal, the government minister overseeing education in India, who studied law at Harvard. “There is a demand and supply issue. You don’t have enough quality institutions, and there are enough quality young people who want to go to only quality institutions.” American universities and colleges have been more than happy to pick up the slack. Faced with shrinking returns from endowment funds, a decline in the number of high school graduates in the United States and growing economic hardship among American families, they have stepped up their efforts to woo Indian students thousands of miles away.

Representatives from many of the Ivy League institutions have begun making trips to India to recruit students and explore partnerships with Indian schools. Some have set up offices in India, partly aimed at attracting a wider base of students.

The State Department held a United States-India higher education summit meeting on Thursday at Georgetown University to promote the partnership between the countries.

Indians are now the second-largest foreign student population in America, after the Chinese, with almost

Nikita Sachdeva is now a student at Chicago. Photo: Peter Hoffman

Moulshri Mohan, a top New Delhi student, enrolled at Dartmouth with a scholarship after elite Indian colleges rejected her.

Photo: Graham Crouch

105,000 students in the United States in the 2009-10 academic year, the last for which comprehensive figures were available. Student visa applications from India increased 20 percent in the past year, according to the American Embassy here.

Although a majority of Indian students in the United States are graduate students, undergraduate enrollment has grown by more than 20 percent in the past few years. And while wealthy Indian families have been sending their children to the best American schools for years, the idea is beginning to spread to middle-class families, for whom Delhi University has historically been the best option.

American universities have now become “safety schools” for increasingly stressed and traumatized Indian students and parents, who complain that one fateful event — the final high school examination — can make or break a teenager’s future career.

Sachdeva, 19, graduated from Delhi Public School in 2010, with a 94.5 percent exam score, one point shy of the cutoff to study economics at St. Stephen’s, one of the top colleges at Delhi University. She decided to take a year off and work as an intern at a nonprofit group affiliated with the World Health Organization, while applying to American universities.

But for some students, it is not merely the competition that drives them to apply to study in the United States. It is also the greater intellectual freedom of an American liberal arts education.

India’s educational system is rigid, locking students into an area of study and affording them little opportunity

to take courses outside their major beyond the 11th grade. Only a few courses of study are considered lucrative career paths. Economics, commerce, engineering and medicine have a certain cachet, while English, history and languages are less well regarded. Often students who cannot afford to study abroad end up in less competitive courses, with a contraction of career possibilities.

“If somebody majors in English here, it’s like, ‘O.K., she’ll get married,’ ” said Sachdeva, who is attending the University of Chicago this fall and is planning to major in economics with a minor in creative writing.

Other students, finding entrance to their dream school in India impossible, have made similar choices.

Siddhant Puri had wanted to study computer engineering at one of the Indian Institutes of Technology since he was a child. But after a month of coaching in the 11th grade, he decided it was not for him. Instead, he became the vice president of his high school class and played soccer, and he now plans to study German literature and computer science at the University of California, Berkeley.

Such students have provided a welcome and much needed boon to American universities. “We’re accepting an increasing number of students, and they’re excellent,” said Matthew Gutmann, the vice president for international affairs at Brown University, which plans to open an office in New Delhi partly dedicated to recruiting students. Undergraduate applications from India have grown from 86 in 2008 to more than 300 for this academic year at Brown.

“India’s a really big country; it therefore has a really big middle class,” said Allan Goodman, the president of the Institute of International Education, a nonprofit organization based in New York. “They value education so much so they have been saving for education, and they’re willing to invest in education. And our prices are very high.”

The financial strain is considerable.

Some middle-class salaries in India are below the poverty line in the West.

The difference in tuition between top American and Indian universities is staggering. Tuition at Dartmouth is $41,736 a year, not including room and board, while most of the colleges of Delhi University cost about $150 to $500 per year.

The emotional sacrifice of letting a teenager travel across an ocean is no less acute for some parents. Dr. Chandra spent the days before her daughter’s departure in a near panic. But she has accepted the idea that there is no college in India quite suitable for a young woman like her daughter, who wants to study psychology and who spent the past few months putting the finishing touches on a documentary she is making — on the short shrift the humanities receive in the Indian educational system.

“In the end, I’m glad it happened,” Dr. Chandra said. “She’s been an excellent student, and she’s not used to settling for second best.”

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 , 2011 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

COMMUNITY

October 21, 2011

Miracle at McLean Street

BY CHITTOOR RAMACHANDRAN For the past 35 years, Sri Meenakshi Temple at Pearland has always enjoyed the highest place to turn to whenever one seeks spiritual help. By following the established rituals, this temple has gained great reputation. Several priests trained and experienced in Veda shastra conduct routinely offer prayers and rituals in accordance with Agama Shastra.

By conducting periodic utsavams, havans, chanting Veda mantras and observing rituals as dictated by shastra, the temple has been gradually gaining increased spiritual powers. Most ordinary devotees find satisfaction in participating and offering special prayers mostly with the hope to fulfill the desires in life like health, wealth and happiness This is the basis the emotional strength gained from the temple.

The most commonly used prayers (hymns ) used by Hindu priests are taken from Vedas. Irrespective of whether there is any specific purpose in the minds of the devotees, all hymns extol the virtues of the Lord. In addition to the regular rituals that are ordained for maintaining the personal spiritual strength , many temples and religious group perform periodic rituals for the fulfillment of individual desires or to realize some potentially important goal either for themselves or for others or for the community in gen-

eral. Conducting rituals for the welfare of the community and for the nation is an ancient tradition. The miraculous incident that occurred recently at Sri Meenakshi Temple may be of interest to all.

The spell of dry weather was still continuing in Houston and neighboring towns for nearly 100 days with the

average temperature north of 100 * F on October 8, 2011. There was no sign of cloud either. Wherever you go- Barber shops, libraries, hospital walkways, coffee shops, elevators, grocery stores- dry weather was the most common subject of conversation. Sri Manicka Bhattar of Sri Meenakshi Temple was unperturbed about nature’s strange weather pattern as if it was expected. He was attributing it to digressed dharma in Kali yuga. Like others, he also believed that in kali yuga, prayer is the only way to seek heaven’s favor. He continued to say more on the

deterioration of brahmana dharmam in modern life style. One person among the crowd remarked ‘ the god of sky could be a little more merciful. That triggered the idea of conducting a special pooja for Varuna, the God of waters. All were enthusiastic about pursuing the idea of conducting a Varuna pooja, a special offering to please Varuna and seek his mercy. Varuna, the guardian of cosmic Justice, is highly revered since the Vedic period. Among the Godheads mentioned in Vedas, Varuna is always worshipped as a dual god known as Mitra-Varuna, the former ruling the day and the latter the night. During course of time the names became synonyms. The hymns in praise of Varuna are some of the most exalted known to man in any culture.

The prayer was conducted jointly by the six priests of Sri Meenakshi Temple on Saturday , October 8. They concluded with the shanthi mantra praising the importance of water in sustaining life on earth with a plea for mercy from the heavens.

What a surprise! It did happen ! It rained! When it rained, it poured on October 9! The largest single day rain since July 2010. Houston officially recorded 3 inches of rain through Sunday. Pearland received 5 inches. Although the rain was not adequate to bust the region’s drought, it was a relief as the region remains 22 inches below the normal. There is a myth that miracles are always things of the past.

Why worry about the myth. Let us look forward to cooler weather, happiness with the spirit of holiday season that is around the corner.

Obama to Honour Indian American Activist Vijaya Emani FREMONT (SI): Vijay Emani was known for her rendering service. She worked for Indian American community, and volunteered as a domestic violence counselor. This gave her recognition and was respected posthumously by President Barack Obama with the 2011 Presidential people medal the nation’s second largest citizen honor.

It was on 15 January 2009, that Emani passed away in a road accident, she was hit by a truck on the Ohio Turnpike. She was among 13 recipients from across the country and the only Indian American to receive this Presidential award for exemplary service to their fellow citizens.

A community activist and a single mother Vijaya, established the cultural garden in Rockefeller Park and a statue of Mohandas Gandhi in the Cleveland cultural garden. She was the longest serving member of the board of FICA, the Federation of India Community Associations

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COMMUNITY

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MR. NIRAJ MUKESH BALWANI S/0. MUKESH BALWANI RESIDENT OF 1306 CROSS VALLEY DR. SUGAR LAND, TEXAS, HOUSTON, USA TX 77479

PRESENT ADDRESS: GREEN COMMUNITY WEST (DUBAI INVESTMENTS PARK), BUNGALOW 4013, DUBAI, UAE, P.O.BOX. 33060 AND MISS: SEEMA MAHENDRA MULCHAND DAUGHTER OF: MAHENDRA MULCHAND RESIDENT OF: PREM KUTIR, KAMLA NEHRU CROSS LANE, KANDIVLI, MUMBAI 67 MS, INDIA PRESENT ADDRESS: JEWEL TOWER, DUBAI MEDIA CITY, DUBAI, UAE, P.O.BOX 29954

BOTH INDIAN NATIONALS PRESENTLY RESIDING IN DUBAI HAVE GIVEN NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE BETWEEN THEM UNDER THE FOREIGN MARRIAGES ACT, 1969. IF ANY ONE HAS ANY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED MARRIAGE HE/SHE SHOILD FILE THE SAME WITH THE UNDERSIGNED ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURE LAID DOWN UNDER THE ACT/RULES WITHIN THIRTY DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE

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SENIOR HEALTH

24 October 21, 2011

Medicare News: Annual Enrollment Period for Pard D Drug Plan Do Not Miss Out. Understand How Part D Works

BY SUDHIR MATHURIA Medicare offers prescription drug coverage to everyone with Medicare.

If you decide not to join a Medicare drug plan when you’re first eligible, and you don’t have other creditable prescription drug coverage, or you don’t get Extra Help, you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty.

To get Medicare prescription drug coverage, you must join a plan run by an insurance company or other private company approved by Medicare. Each plan can vary in cost and drugs covered.

There are two ways to get Medicare prescription drug coverage.

1. Medicare Prescription Drug Plans: These plans (sometimes called “PDPs”) add drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans.

2. Medicare Advantage Plans (like an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare health plans that offer Medicare prescription drug coverage You get all of your Part A and Part B coverage, and prescription drug coverage (Part D), through these plans. Medicare Advantage Plans with prescription drug coverage are sometimes called “MA-PDs.” You must have Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Both types of plans are called “Medicare drug plans.” In either case you must live in the service area of the Medicare drug plan you want to join.

When Can You Join a Medicare Drug Plan?

Between October 15 – December 7, anyone can join, switch, or drop a Medicare drug plan. The change will take effect on January 1 as long as the plan gets your request by December 7.

When you’re first eligible for Medicare: You can join during the 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.

If you get Medicare due to a disability: you can join during the 7-month period that begins 3 months before your 25th month of disability, includes your 25th month of disability, and

ends 3 months after your 25th month of disability. You’ll have another chance to join that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.

If you get Extra Help: you can join, switch or drop a Medicare drug plan anytime.

Special Enrollment Periods You generally must stay enrolled for the calendar year. However, in certain situations, you may be able to join, switch, or drop Medicare drug plans at other times: • If you move out of your plan’s service area • If you lose other creditable prescription drug coverage • If you live in an institution (like a nursing home) How to Switch Your Medicare Drug Plan You can switch to a new Medicare drug plan simply by joining another drug plan during one of these times.

You don’t need to cancel your old Medicare drug plan or send them anything. Your old Medicare drug plan coverage will end when your new drug plan begins.

If you want to join a plan or switch plans, do so as soon as possible so you’ll have your membership card when your coverage begins, and you can get your prescriptions filled without delay. You should get a letter from your new Medicare drug plan telling you when your coverage begins.

Don’t give personal information to plans that call you unless you’re already a member of the plan.

How to Drop Your Medicare Drug Plan If you want to drop your Medicare drug plan and you don’t want to join a new plan, you can do so during one of these times.

You can disenroll by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. You can also send a letter to the plan to tell them you want to disenroll.

If you drop your plan and want to join another Medicare drug plan later, you have to wait for an enrollment period. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

What You Pay for Medicare Drug Coverage You’ll make these payments throughout the year in a Medicare drug plan: • Monthly premium • Yearly deductible • Copayments or coinsurance • Costs in the coverage gap

• Costs if you get Extra Help • Costs if you pay a Late Enrollment Penalty Your actual drug plan costs will vary depending on: • The prescriptions you use and whether your plan covers them • The plan you choose • Whether you go to a pharmacy in your plan’s network • Whether your drugs are on your plan’s formulary Whether you get Extra Help paying your Part D costs Look for specific Medicare drug plan costs, and then call the plans you’re interested in to get more details.

Monthly Premium Most drug plans charge a monthly fee that varies by plan. You pay this in addition to the Part B premium. If you belong to a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) or a Medicare Cost Plan that includes Medicare prescription drug coverage, the monthly premium you pay to your plan may include an amount for prescription drug coverage.

Get Your Premium Automatically Deducted Contact your drug plan (not Social Security) if you want your premium deducted from your monthly Social Security payment. Your first deduction will usually take 3 months to start, and 3 months of premiums will likely be deducted at once.

After that, only one premium will be deducted each month. You may also see a delay in premiums being withheld if you switch plans. If you want to stop premium deductions and get billed directly, contact your drug plan.

Your Premium Could Be Higher Based on Income A small group—fewer than 5% of all people with Medicare—may pay a higher monthly premium for Part D coverage based on their income.

This includes Part D coverage you get from a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Cost Plan that includes Medicare drug coverage.

If your modified adjusted gross income as reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago (the most recent tax return information provided to Social Security by the IRS) is above a certain limit, you’ll pay an extra amount in addition to your plan premium. Usually, the extra amount will be deducted from your Social

Security check.

Contact Social Security With Questions See Social Security’s “Medicare Premiums: Rules for Higher Income Beneficiaries.” Contact Social Security if you have to pay an extra amount and you disagree (for example, you have a life event that lowers your income).

Costs in the Part D Coverage Gap Most Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap (also called the “donut hole”). This means there’s a temporary limit on what the drug plan will cover for drugs.

Not everyone will enter the coverage gap. The coverage gap begins after you and your drug plan have spent a certain amount for covered drugs.

Once you enter the coverage gap, in 2012, you get a 50% manufacturerpaid discount on covered brand-name drugs. Although you’ll only pay 50% of the price for that brand-name drug, the entire price will count as out-ofpocket spending, which will help you get out of the coverage gap.

In 2012, you’ll also save 14% of the plan’s cost for all generic drugs until you reach the end of the coverage gap.

5 Ways to Lower Your Costs in the Coverage Gap 1. Consider Switching to Generics or Other Lower-Cost Drugs: Talk to your doctor to find out if there are generic or less-expensive brand-name drugs that would work just as well as the ones you’re taking now. You might also be able to save money by using mail-order pharmacies. Learn more in the Medicare Plan Finder.

2. Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs: Some pharmaceutical companies offer help for people enrolled in Medicare Part D. Find out whether there’s a Patient Assistance Program for the drugs you take by visiting our Pharmaceutical Assistance Program site.

3. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs: Many states and the U.S. Virgin Islands offer help paying drug plan premiums and/or other drug costs.

Find out if your state has a program by visiting our State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program site.

4. Apply for Extra Help: Medicare and Social Security have

a program for people with limited income and resources that helps you pay for your prescription drugs. If you qualify, you could pay between $1-$6 for each drug. Apply with Social Security by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov or by calling 1-800772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.

5. Explore National and Community-Based Charitable Programs: National and local charitable groups (like the National Patient Advocate Foundation or the National Organization for Rare Disorders) may have programs that can help with your drug costs. Learn about programs in your area on the Benefits Checkup website.

Drug Plan Coverage Rules Medicare drug plans may have the following coverage rules: Prior authorization-You and/or your prescriber must contact the drug plan before you can fill certain prescriptions. Your prescriber may need to show that the drug is medically necessary for the plan to cover it.

Quantity limits-Limits on how much medication you can get at a time.

Step therapy-You must try one or more similar, lower cost drugs before the plan will cover the prescribed drug.

If you or your prescriber believe that one of these coverage rules should be waived, you can ask for an exception.

(To be continued)

Sudhir Mathuria, a Houstonian for over 30 years, has been an active participant in various community associations.

He is a licensed proffesional for Medicare and Medicaid related health care plans. He can be reached by phone at 713-771-2900 or via email at sudhir@ MyMedicarePlanning.com.

For more information, visit: www.MyMedicarePlanning.com

Medicare Advantage Plan for Medicare/Medicaid member or Suplement Plan with Plan D Do you know your Medicare Choices?

Do you have right plan that serves your need?

Is your Medicare Plan competitive and cost effective?

Review your current Medicare Health Plan.

Call me today for your best 2012 Medicare options

Sudhir Mathuria Mathuria Associates

713-771-2900

sudhir@MyMedicarePlanning.com

www.MyMedicarePlanning.com

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 , 2011 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

HOROSCOPE ARIES Mar 21 -Apr 20: This week you will have time to breathe and relax. The hard-work you have put into your projects will start to bear fruits. Not much worry on the work front, you will now pay attention to family and friends. You may visit your ancestral home and elderly relatives, and arrange family functions; this will help you know your roots better. On the domestic front, you may be overloaded with responsibilities, you may not like it very much.

You pursue your hobby or go shopping, or do anything that pleases you, in short channelize your emotions in a positive direction.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 You are in a mood to flaunt. You want to live in a better house and thus will wish to revamp your home. Some renovation and repairing is on the cards.

You may decorate your house with classy artefacts. You may even shift to a better locality.

You may consider moving overseas for betterment of your status and family. There is progress on the professional front, and you also focus on building relationships. Travelling is in the offing. Re-doing your home, travelling, and busy building relationships, don’t ignore your health.

GEMINI May 22 - Jun 21: You have a one track mind about achieving your goal. But, after a point in time, you’ll find it difficult to sustain the perseverance, and you may lose focus. You may have some insecurities regarding your abilities, foresightedness, and relationships. Your restlessness may make you search for solace in drugs, alcohol, and other destructive habits. Once you get caught in this vicious circle, it will be very difficult to get out of it. Therefore, be positive and make sure you vent out your emotions.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 23: It’s time to enjoy the sweet taste of success. There may be some goals to be accomplished, but you see the glass as half full.

The credit of your success goes to your dedication and persistent efforts. Happiness and satisfaction will surround you throughout the week. Celebrate and share the good times with family, friends, and wellwishers; it will surely double your enjoyment.

Don’t worry about the issues of life that trouble you. As of now, just let your hair down and enjoy life!

LEO July 24 - Aug 23: There are chances that you may witness something bizarre, an incident which will completely change your thinking process.

There will be a lasting impact of that incident on your life.

You have been searching for good business opportunities, and you will find plenty of them. Social gatherings, business meetings, interactions with people from different walks of life will keep you occupied. These interactions will inspire you to hone your skills and learn new things. You will now explore new avenues, employ your talents, and move forward in life.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23: Tough times are trying your patience and you have succumbed to the challenges thrown at you.

But, if you don’t put on a brave face now, the damage can be irreparable. Family members and friends hate to see you in such a miserable condition and want to help you out. For some reasons you will not want to listen to them. Forget well-wishers, you will not want to listen to your inner voice as well. You are in a bad company and it is weakening your already weak mind. Wake up and smell the coffee. Don’t ruin your life.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23: The deadlines

October 21, 2011

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are approaching at a fast pace and you still have a lot to do. Family matters will also demand your attention and you need to sort them out, too. Although you will feel the pressure, with hard-work and focus you may be able to complete your work in time. Decide on a plan of action, it will save a lot of your time and energy. One way or the other, you will be able to complete your tasks quite well. No wonder, the hard-work you have put in has earned you rewards and brings a smile to your face.

SCORPIO Oct 24 - Nov 22: Your hardwork is paying off well and you feel very satisfied with the progress you’ve made so far. The credit does not go to you alone, as family and friends have also made a significant contribution to your success. You will include them in the celebrations, share your thought with them, and thank them for being there for you. Relaxed and charged up, you are ready to begin a new journey. You are going ahead in the right direction. The year is in its final months and the period seems to be good for the Scorpion.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 22: This week you will shift gears and pay attention to your loved ones. You are about conquering the world, it’s just that you have achieved so much that there’s no competition in sight. You will make it a point to spend quality time with your kith and kin. Your softer side will come to the fore. Everyone will be pleased to see the emotional side of your personality. You will enjoy being like this and it will be a welcome change for you as well. However, you will not underestimate you opponents and put in efforts to maintain your growth.

CAPRICORN Dec 23 - Jan 20: The results of your efforts are out there for everyone to see.

While you are walking on the path to success and achieving your targets, you have not left your friends and family behind. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and you believe in this. Therefore, while you focus on the goals you have set for yourself, you also spare time for parties and recreational activities. You don’t let your professional life damage your personal life and viceversa. Kudos for striking a balance between both. You will sort out domestic issues and bring happiness in everyone’s life. Good job!

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19: Family and friends will be the centre of your life. Social functions, engagements, marriages, family gatherings etc. will keep you occupied. There will be some bad news, too.

A family member may suffer from a serious illness or face relationship issues, and you may have to get involved in it. The expenses are mounting, you need to increase you bank balance to meet all of them. Explore various options to earn more.

Social welfare may grab your attention, but focus on your personal life right now.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20: Household chores and other domestic activities will keep you busy.

Renovation of the house and re-arrangement of furniture may become tiring but you will love the new look. Going out on picnics with parents, spouse, children, and/or friends will keep the Fish in a chirpy mood. You will make it a point to spend sufficient time with your loved ones.You may attend social gatherings and family functions. You will not have any regrets or complaints, and the happy mood will percolate into every sphere of your life.

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26 October 21, 2011

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 , 2011 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM