Oct 28 Pages 1-26

Friday, October 28 2011 | Vol. 30, No. 43

Indo American News

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Arya Samaj of Greater Houston Celebrates Diwali

HOUSTON: A festive spirit energized everyone, as they gathered to celebrate Diwali at Arya Samaj this past Saturday evening, October 22.

Captivating renditions of songs, and enthralling music and dance performances by DAV Sanskriti & DAV Montessori School children were the highlights of the Diwali celebrations. The carnival atmosphere drew throngs of families and friends, young and old as everyone enjoyed the celebrations and the food fiesta at the Arya Samaj grounds.

The evening kicked off with the ceremonial Havan and discourse

by Acharya Premchand Shridhar who reminded the assembled audience of the religious, cultural and the moral relevance of Diwali to the Indian community. Diwali also coincides with celebration of Rishi Nirvan Divas – the day when the soul of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, the religious scholar, reformer and founder of Arya Samaj departed from this world.

The MCs for the evening were Rupal Mehta and Avichal Gulati who guided us through the evening’s program and kept every one engaged.

Diwali is also known as the festival of lights symbolizing the homecoming of Rama, the deity, after a 14-year exile in the forest, and his victory over Ravana the 10-headed king of the demons, representing the good overcoming the evil. This message was encapsulated in several heartwarming performances by the children of DAV Sanskriti and DAV

Jay Guerrero with Sh Dev Mahajan and other ASGH organizers at Diwali celebrations

Montessori School children.

The cultural program started with a rendition of song “Aaj Ki Raat Karen Duur Andhera..”

– in synch with the message & celebration of Diwali – the lighting of lamps banishes the darkness of a New Moon night, under musical guidance of Smt. Smriti Srivastava ji.

Chief Guest for the evening was Jay Guerrero, Regional Director for SE Texas at the US Senate, office of Senator John Cornyn. He was given a warm welcome on behalf of ASGH and described as someone who is a friend of the Indian Community. He shared his views on how important it is for people to maintain their cultural roots, so that they know who they are,

building to savor the plentiful Indian delicacies from the various booths set up and run by volunteers. The ASGH volunteer team under Madhvi ji’s co-ordination had decorated the entire Yagya shala and surrounding driveway area with lamps and festoons – in the tradition of Diwali. All around the driveway there were stalls with games and activities for the younger children – face painting and henna were a great hit. All the children had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the various carnival activities. There was something for everyone, and Sh. Chidanand kept everyone enthralled with his folksy ‘dhol” performance. The

what their cultures represent thus enriching their local communities.

He emphasized how India, the largest democracy in the world, and USA, the oldest democracy in the world, share this strong common thread of deep belief in freedom & prosperity for all. He said that we are at a stage where the relationship between the two countries should go beyond trade and into that of friendship. He passed Senator Cornyn’s best wishes and presented the letter sent by the Senator to Arya Samaj.

After the cultural program, Acharya Shridharji led the gathering in the Aarti to seek blessings of the Gods for a prosperous and peaceful year ahead.

Everyone then moved to the grounds behind Arya Samaj

Tiny tots of DAVMS dressed up as Ramayana characters

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highlight of the evening was the fireworks show – this time due to the burn-ban in effect, the ASGH team organized a virtual fireworks show. The organizing team had set up a huge screen and projected the fire-work display on the screen, using the technology to find a green solution for an essential tradition of Diwali celebration. The children enjoyed glow sticks instead of fire crackers and used their creativity in coming up with interesting shapes and combinations.

The Arya Samaj volunteer team worked hard to make the program a huge hit for the attendees with a clean fun-filled and memorable evening.

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October 28, 2011

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Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

COMMUNITY

October 28, 2011

One Last Homecoming and a Final Farewell to a Community Icon

By Jawahar Malhotra HOUSTON: There was a huge outpouring of grief and sympathy at the death of Dr. Mohini Sindwani last Saturday, October 22, at her funeral held at the Garden Oaks Funeral Home on Bellaire near Synott in far west Houston as the hall was filled to standing room only capacity.

Mohiniji had passed away the preceding Tuesday, October 18, at a nursing home in Wichita Falls where she had been moved to about six weeks earlier. She had fallen and broken her hip on June 4 and her health had deteriorated steadily ever since. Her body had been flown down from Wichita Falls to Houston, where she had spent nearly 40 years, so that her close friends, family (nephew and sister) and so many others whom she had touched with her simplicity, love and involvement in socio-religious associations could pay their last respects.

Her husband of 65 years, Dr. K. L. Sindwani, the founder of Indo American News and a sociology professor at Texas Southern University, was unable to attend due to his own frail health and has recently also entered the same nursing home in Wichita Falls.

As was to be expected, most of the people who attended were from her generation but many were those younger ones whom Mohiniji had adopted as her betas and betis who had the opportunity to study the Hindi language, Indian culture and Vedanta philosophy from her and some for whom she had conducted Hindu marriage ceremonies before priests were commonly available in the area. One of them, Dr. Sanjay Mehta, remembered her fondly the next day, Sunday, when a memorial service was held at the Arya Samaj at 11am, and reminisced about the days when the Vedanta Society first held meetings at the Jewish Community Center and then later when he attended Hindi classes with Mohiniji almost 30 years ago.

The funeral services were brief and conducted by Acharya Preveenji with the Arya Samaj who also related a short biography about Mohiniji. When he heard the details, US Congressman Al Green, who came to pay his respects, explained as he spoke at the podium, how many points Mohiniji’s life intersected with his own, from Tallahassee, Florida to Michigan, Texas Southern University and Houston. “It is as if we were travelling along the same path,” he said, marveling at the way Life brings human activity together. He presented Arun Kumar, Mohiniji’s son, a flag which had flown over the nation’s Capitol.

Kumar has been his parent’s caregiver in Wichita Falls after they moved there in March 2010. He spoke briefly about his mother and her contributions and was followed up with eulogies by this reporter (who had encouraged Mohiniji to work at Indo American News); Shobha Kulkarni who had worked closely with her at the Vivekananda Vedanta Society; Saroj Bahl who also helped in the running of the VVS and then finally Lalitha Trehan with whose family the Sindwanis were very close.

After the eulogies, the assembled walked past her body and placed rose petals in homage before it was rolled out and across the Indo 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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POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Indo American News, 7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036

Clockwise from top left:Mourners at the funeral for Mohini Sindwani; Acharya Praveenji, US Congressman Al Green; havan at Arya Samaj; Lalitha Trehan; Saroj Bahl; Shobha Kulkarni.

asphalted parking lot to the crematorium in the back, escorted by her caring friends and family.

The next day, a havan was conducted by Acharyaji at the Arya Samaj after which he gave words of consolation on the essence of Life and the Beyond to the 100 or so people who attended. This was followed by two bhajans and then eulogies by Devinder Mahajan of the Arya Samaj; and close friends Surinder Trehan, Kanta Seth (who read a poem she wrote, see box), Sanjay Mehta, Lalitha Trehan who read a note from her son Dhruv (who also studied under Mohiniji) who could not attend, Jitendra Kumar (Dr. Sindwani’s nephew), Chhaya Timmaraju who is involved with the Vedanta Society and with her son Arun thanking all for coming and was followed by a lunch catered by Gourmet India restaurant.

My Loving Mohiniji

By Kanta Seth A star twinkled and brightened this world Its glow spread far and wide, Who could it be that fluttered as softly as a bird And spread a beautiful smile lighting up the sky?

An angelic face with peace writ large A soothing voice like a melodious sitar, Be it old, be it young Be it gold or a rotten bun, All is welcomed by the same warm embrace To soothe the pains and aches and gently cast them away, A gentle touch of her hand Mixed with hues of sunshine Describe none other but Mohiniji of Mine”

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Letter to the Editor

Clockwise from top left: Bhajans at the Arya Samaj; Arun Kumar remembers his mother; Dr. Sanjay Mehta recalled his younger days as a student with Mohiniji.

Photos; Jawahar Malhotra

Dear Editor, Shanti and I considered Mohini Sindwani a friend and supporter. I remember when I graduated from law school and went to Indo-American News to ask if they would carry a legal column. The four partners at the time Dr. Sindwani, Pramod Kulkarni, Jawahar Malhotra and Koshy Thomas consented to this idea. Immediately after that, I remember meeting Mohini, who wanted me to help some women who were in abusive relationships. She was compassionate without being ostentatious because she believed in what she did for a lot of people in our communities. Her convictions were deep and her actions were so intimately tied to her compassion that she remained committed to her goals even through illnesses and other impediments.

Her humor, which she wore so lightly, helped through the burden of service. I was not able to attend the funeral. Therefore, I wanted to wish her a farewell and celebrate her life as she no doubt rests now is a far better place.

- George and Shanti Willy

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Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28, 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

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October 28, 2011

Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

COMMUNITY

October 28, 2011

A Close Knit Group of Punjabis Celebrate Diwali

From left: Surinder Mistry, the tabla player; Dr. Kiramn Bhatia; PCC President Saroj Bahl; Sudesh Mehta and Salil Bhadekar the singer for the evening. Below: The audience enjoys the show.

Photos; Jawahar Malhotra

By Jawahar Malhotra HOUSTON: As in the past three years, the Punjabi Culture Club celebrated Diwali this year at Ashiana restaurant on the city’s Westside, but in a welcome departure from the past, they did so with a musical performance that certainly tugged at the heartstrings of most of the mostly middle-aged group of just under a 100 people who attended the event this past Saturday, October 22.

Not all were happy with the selection.

“The music should be upbeat, Diwali style,” bemoaned Asha Mishra jestingly, even as she tapped her feet to the beat. “And where is a Sindhi selection for me?” she teased.

The selection chosen for the night was by Salil Bhadekar, a mid-twentys young man who has been featured in the Indian hit music show, Sa Re Ga Ma, and “has performed at least 1,000 concerts since then,” explained PCC outgoing President Saroj Bahl. Bhadekar is a chemical engineer who came to Houston four years ago from his native Pune in India and has always been musically inclined, he said. “I have never had any musical training,” he explained, “but have always loved to play the harmonium

and sing.”

And his 16-song repertoire for the evening focused on the nostalgic songs and ghazals that the audience could relate to, including those popularized by Kishore Kumar (even the ones with yodeling!), Jagjit Singh, Mohammed Rafi. He even did a duet of Kishore and Asha Bhosle in which he mimicked her female voice (quite well!) as he quickly went between the two verses.

Salil even sang a couple of songs in Punjabi. He was accompanied on the table by Houston’s own maestro, Surinder Mistry, who followed the beat very admirably. “It’s all in the anticipation of the next rhythm,” he said of his ability to follow a singer whom he had never worked with before.

Bahl turned the floor over to Dr. Paul Mehta who had been President of the PCC until his health forced him to relinquish control Mehta disclosed that the PCC will once again hold a Punjabi Night in conjunction with the festival of lohri, on January 28, as it had done once before. He went on to read the names of many members who had pledged to support the event.

Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28, 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

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COMMUNITY

October 28, 2011

Hare Krishna Ex-Leader Kirtanananda Swami Dies

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MUMBAI: On Sunday, October 23, Kirtanananda Swami, a controversial former leader in the Hare Krishna society who was excommunicated by the parent organization for serious legal and moral transgressions, passed away in India. Expelled from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1987, Kirtanananda (also known as Swami Bhaktipada) continued to lead a splinter group and maintained a small following of disciples, unaffiliated with the mainstream worldwide Krishna movement.

“We express our condolences to his family and followers,” said Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON’s Minster of Communications.

“At the same time, its important to restate that Kirtanananda was no longer a part of our organization. He’s had nothing to do with ISKCON for almost 25 years. ” Born Keith Ham in 1937 to conservative Christian parents in Peekskill, New York, Kirtanananda was one of the first Americans to become a disciple of Hare Krishna movement founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who brought the Krishnas’ brand of monotheistic devotional Hinduism, or Vaishnavism, to the west in 1965.

Kirtanananda was perhaps best known for helping to found New Vrindaban, an expansive Hare Krishna farm community in rural West Virginia whose ornate Palace of Gold and large temple became a major American tourist attraction in the 1980s, and continues to attract more than twenty thousand visitors and pilgrims each year.

Disturbed by his having sharply deviated from the Krishna movement’s principles -and strongly suspecting that he might be engaged in criminal activity– the movement’s Governing Body Commission voted to strip Kirtanananda of his position and excommunicate him from the organization in 1987.

ISKCON leaders also worked closely with local and national law enforcement agencies investigating the allegations of Kirtanananda’s involvement in crimes.

“Kirtanananda Swami will be remembered

Swami Kirtanananda, shown in a 2008 photo provided by his biographer, Henry Doktorski.

as a divisive figure,” said Anuttama Dasa, “he never took responsibility for exploiting the trust that was placed in him, nor that he hurt many people under his charge,” Dasa said. “Although he played a positive role in the Krishna movement’s earliest years, and rose to the position of a spiritual teacher, or guru, he later severely violated the strict standards expected of a Krishna devotee, especially a leader, and thus was expelled nearly 25 years ago.”

In 1990 the United States Federal Government indicted Kirtanananda on five counts of racketeering, six counts of mail fraud, and conspiracy to murder. He pled guilty to one count of racketeering (mail fraud) and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was released early in 2004. Upon his release from prison, Kirtanananda maintained a relatively low profile.

In 2008 he permanently relocated to India.

He was 74 at the time of his death.

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COMMUNITY

October 28, 2011

Sri Meenakshi Temple’s 16th Deepavali Bazaar: A Grand Success

By Rathna Kumar PEARLAND: After successfully propitiating Varuna to send rains to Houston, the priests must have ‘communed’ with the Powers that Be to make it a picture-perfect day – balmy weather, nice breeze, not too much sun – for the annual Deepavali celebrations at the Sri Meenakshi Temple. Certainly the weather helped to make it a wonderful experience - attending the very well organized Pooja inside the main temple, walking around browsing or shopping at the various booths in the Youth Center, strolling outside admiring the Ratham and sampling diverse foods from the many enthusiastic vendors, or sitting in the cool Kalyana Mandapam and enjoying the excellent array of classical and folk dances by students of several local dance schools. The Bazaar was inaugurated by Pearland Mayor Tom Reid and Frost Bank Senior Vice President Mike Clemens. The entire event was coordinated by the Joint Treasurer of the Meenakshi Temple Board, Parthiban Dhanabalan, and flawlessly executed, thanks also to a number of Board members and eager volunteers who brought entire families to help out!

For sixteen years a Health Fair has been successfully conducted at the Deepavali Bazaar and the person in charge, for the past few years, has been Dr. P. Vaduganathan, assisted by Dr. Dorairajan and Dr. Parameswaran.

This year people started lining up to register as early as 8.30 am. The ribbon cutting was done by Mayor Tom Reid and the CEO of Memorial Hermann Southeast hospital Mrs. Erin Asprec. Health care professionals from Memorial Hermann South east and Kindred hospitals were on hand to help the participants who were able to get a wide variety of physical checks. This year massage therapy was an attractive new feature and free flu shots were provided with a generous donation by Friends Helping Friends.

More than 150 children and youth took part in the Kids’ Art Competitions being held upstairs, with every child receiving a ‘goody bag’ filled with snacks, pencils and erasers, as well as a certificate of participation. Priya Chandru, as always, was a picture of poise as she put even her parents to work, guiding kids to the right rooms and ensuring that each child left with a smile on his / her face. Fierce concentration was visible on every adult face downstairs where women, some of them being helped by their husbands, participated in the Rangoli competition, supervised by Raji Shankar, and the resulting works of art were a joy to behold. A Kids’ Carnival, organized by

9

arrangements by Raj Mikkilineni; well laid out vendor booths inside the Youth Center, coordinated by Board Treasurer Gnanam, Parthiban Dhanabalan and MTS Board Vice Chairman Tupil Narasiman; a beautifully conducted Lakshmi Pooja, courtesy Roopa Bala, Tupil Narasiman and Nat Annamalai and a big team of volunteers helping with the temple; a raffle organized by V.K. Dorai; an awesome night time Rathotsavam with the Ratham lit with lights thanks to Rajendran , a food drive organized by M. Balakrishnan for the poor and the needy; and the Garba organized by D. Kannan. Finally thanks to our administrators, Venkatachalam and Sasi, and our priests and the rest of the staff who worked tirelessly to make the function a grand success.

Rathotsavam for Goddess Lakshmi in the night following the Lakshmi Puja

Mala Gopal and Thenmozhi Ganesh, gave children plenty of fun things to do. The entire Kalyana Mandapam was alive with one activity after another, with crews clearing up the place after each individual event, in readiness for the next. A lively magic show

by Bruce Chadwick kept children and adults fully entertained for the next hour, after which the stage was set for a much appreciated cultural program, coordinated by MTS Executive Board member and Cultural Programs in-charge Rathna Kumar, with vibrant dances by Abhinaya, Anjali, Nritya, Silambam, Bharata Darshan, Sunanda’s and Darshi’s dance schools, and with Abhinaya and Anjali students also presenting folk dances. During the program the MTS Board honored Rathna Kumar for her recent Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and presented her with a plaque and traditional ponnadai.

Mention must be made

of the many people responsible for the success of the Temple’s 16th annual Deepavali Bazaar and what made this event so special: the bright, decorative flags specially brought from India by Roopa Bala; the tents prepared

by Ponraj and Vimal; impeccable parking

Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28, 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

10 October 28, 2011

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COMMUNITY

Rosa Lladro Signs Iconic Artwork at Karat 22

By Kalyani Giri HOUSTON: Rosa Lladro, the President of Lladro, the illustrious world-renowned creator of fine porcelain art, made her first visit to this city as a guest of Karat 22 Jewelers on Hillcroft on October 19, 2011. At a cocktail reception held in her honor, the scion of Lladro met and mingled with local connoisseurs of the exquisite line of figurines, signed purchased art pieces, and enchanted gatherees with her effortless charm. Traveling with Lladro’s New Yorkbased public relations coordinator Cristina Egido, the duo readily shared insights into the creative handmade process of fashioning the iconic porcelain pieces and spoke glowingly of the inventive originality of the artists at the Lladro company headquarters in Tavernes Blanques, Valencia. The brothers Juan, José and Vicente Lladró established the company in 1953; Rosa Lladro is the daughter of Juan Lladro, and along with her father and her sister Ángeles, sit on Lladró’s Creativity Committee, the decision-making body for artistic issues. Holding reins of a successful company involves listening respectfully to the ideas put forth by the team, said Rosa.

“We are always open to the suggestions of our craftsmen who have an unerring sense of what will work for the brand,” said Rosa. “We have a wonderful team of people, very discreet. It isn’t a modern business, more familylike. They bring their ideas and sketches to the table and we discuss and begin work, a process that takes up to two years or more to accomplish,” she added.

At the event, Passionate Tango, a smolderingly sensual 2011 limited edition piece of 3,000 units, was unveiled. With its close embrace, small steps, and syncopated rhythmic footwork, the Tango is the very embodiment of romance.

Created by Lladro sculptor José Luis Santes, Passionate Tango is a 14. inches tall piece that captures and freezes the eroticism and com-

Seen from left: Aku and Meena Patel, Rosa Lladro, Anand Patel and Rachna Patel at a cocktail reception held at Karat 22 for Rosa Lladro Photo: Vanessa Tilton

plexity of the dance in one single and glorious step. Resourcefully imaginative, Karat 22 owners Aku and Meena Patel and their children Anand and Rachna, hired a professional team of Tango dancers whose costumes echoed those of the Lladro piece; with their sultry moves they brought the sculpture alive. Also on display was another new Lladro, the limited edition Jazz Trio. A new contemporary piece on exhibit was one of a surfer riding a high wave that led to the realization that the Lladro brand carries something magical for a diverse range of tastes.

The Patels are arguably the most prolific purveyors of Lladro fine porcelain in the nation, a fact that Rosa Lladro is well aware of. A massive single piece, Lladro’s Queen of the Nile dominates a major section of the Karat 22 showroom and literally holds the eye hostage to its resplendence.

“I think the Patel family and Karat 22 are wonderful customers for us. We gel together very well. Through them we learn more about Indian culture and hospitality. The Indian community is very exciting,” said Rosa Lladro in her hesitant English.

The store carries many Lladro statues of Indian gods such as a

dancing Nataraja, and several figures of Ganesh, the god of good beginnings. What inspired the line?

“From the beginning we thought the Hindu gods were very beautiful. Then we started learning more about the culture and traditions,” said Rosa Lladro. “In some ways our cultures are similar because we like to have the physical representations.”

Recently, Lladro released Naturofantastic, a new line of functional creations also in porcelain. Platters, salt/pepper cruets, and other items can create a whole table, confided Egido. Lladro also makes home ware such as mirror frames and chandeliers.

“This debunks in part the theory that Lladro is purchased as an investment, as collectible art only,” said Egido. “Lladro is art for the heart, to be enjoyed every day.”

The Patel family was elated at the success of the event.

“It’s such a compliment to have Rosa here,” said Anand Patel. “She knows we are the biggest retailers of their company and it speaks volumes as to our pull in the community to be able to successfully market them here,” added Anand.

For further information on Lladró, visit www.lladro.com.

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observe this holiday do so by lighting the Diya, or lamp, which symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. I was proud to be the first President the mark Diwali and light the Diya at the White House, and last year Michelle and I were honored to join in Diwali celebrations during our visit to India. Diwali is a time for gathering with family and friends and as we experienced in India celebrating with good food and dancing. It is also a time for contemplation and prayer that serves as a reminder of our obligations to our fellow human beings, especially the less fortunate. To all who are observing this sacred holiday here and around the world, Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak.

HOUSTON: The 10th annual fundraiser by Udavum Karangal USA, on Friday, October 14, featured light music group Harmony Unlimited ­— a magnificent seven in their own right. Proclaimed as 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

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Today, here in America and around the world, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists will celebrate the holiday of Diwali – the festival of lights. Many who

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11

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Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28, 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

COMMUNITY

12 October 28, 2011

The Extraordinary Life and Times of Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi Returns Home, Meets Tilak, Gokhale

The story thus far…In South Africa, Gandhi saw how the Indians were treated as inferiors, only allowed to work the soil but not permitted to own land. Under the law enacted in the Orange Free State in 1888, Indians had been deprived of their rights. In Transvaal, they had to pay a poll tax of 3 pounds if they wanted to stay in that state. Gandhi gathered the community together and drew their awareness to the deficiencies in their statuses and advised them unite for justice.

The Indians, as advised by Gandhi, now realized what was at stake but they were at a loss at to what to do. They requested Gandhi to postpone his departure and help them.

He agreed to stay on for another month and organize resistance to the new bill. Late that night the Indians held a meeting at Abdulla Seth’s house under the stewardship of Seth Haji Muhammad, the most influential Indian merchant there. They resolved to oppose the Franchise Bill with all their might. Telegrams were sent to the Speaker of the Assembly and the Premier of Natal requesting them to postpone further discussion on the bill. The Speaker promptly replied that the discussion would be put off for two days. The Natal Indians then drew up a petition to the Legislative Assembly pleading against the bill.

They followed up with another petition to Lord Ripon, the then Secretary of State for the Colonies.

More than ten thousand Indians signed the bill. Copies of the petition were circulated in South Africa, England, and India.

There was much sympathy for the Natal Indians’ plight, but the campaign had started too late to stop the bill becoming law.

However, the campaign did some good. For the first time, the people of India came to know of the conditions in Natal. An even more important result was the new spirit that was now awakened with the Indians in South Africa. The Natal Indians pressed Gandhi to remain and guide them for a little longer.

Gandhi told them that he was pre-

Natal Government sought to impose an annual poll tax on the indentured Indians.

These were laborers who had been recruited from India on a five-year contract, but on a pittance.

Under the contract they could not leave their employer.

They were treated practically as slaves. These men had been taken to South Africa to help the white colonizers in agricultural work. The Indians did more than had been expected of them.

They worked hard, purchased land, and started cultiGandhi with his wife Kasturba after returning vating their own from South Africa fields. Their enterprise did not end there. They soon pared to stay on if the Indian com- built houses and raised themselves munity would provide him with far above the status of laborers. sufficient legal work. They gladly The white people did not like this. agreed to do this. Twenty mer- They wanted the Indian workers chants turned over all their legal to return to India at the end of the contract period. business to him.

To make things much harder for When Gandhi applied for enrolment as an attorney to argue them, the Government now imhis caseload in court, the entire posed an annual poll-tax of £25. bar, composed of white lawyers, The Natal Indian Congress startstrongly opposed him. The Su- ed a strong agitation against this. preme Court of Natal overruled Later, at the intervention of Lord the objection, and he was allowed Elgin, the then Viceroy of India, to practice. Soon Gandhi became the tax was reduced to £3. Still one of the busiest lawyers in Dur- Gandhi considered it an atrocious ban; but to him law was a subordi- tax, unknown anywhere else in the nate occupation. His main interest world. The Natal Indian Congress was his public work. He felt that continued its agitation, but it was merely sending in petitions and 20 years before the poll-tax was protests would not help the Indians finally withdrawn. In three years much. He felt the need to organize in South Africa, Gandhi had bea sustained agitation. So he pro- come a well-known figure. And posed the formation of a perma- his practice was well established. nent organization to safeguard the He realized that he was in for a interests of Indians. A meeting was long stay. He knew that the people called to discuss this matter. The there wanted him with them, so in spacious hall in Dada Abdulla’s 1896 he asked their permission to house was packed. It was there, on go home and bring his wife and children to that occasion that the Natal Indian Congress was formed. In 1894 the

South Africa. Besides, a visit to India would be useful in gaining more support for the Indians in South Africa. He had arranged his work so well that he could look forward to six months’ leave.

In the middle of 1896 Gandhi sailed for India, and after 24 days landed at Calcutta. From there he went to Rajkot. It was a happy family reunion when Kasturbai The Extraordinary Life and Times of Mahatma Gandhi is brought to you courtesy Mahatma Gandhi Library. www.gandhilibrary.org welcomed him with their two sons. But the plight of the Indians in South Africa was so much on his mind that he could not be content to enjoy domestic bliss in peace. He therefore launched a campaign to acquaint the people of India with the real condition of the Indians in South Africa. He met the editors of influential newspapers and important Indian leaders, including Lokamanya B. G. Tilak, the hero of Maharashtra, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale who, like Gandhi, was already famous at the age of 27. Wherever Gandhi went, he tried to make the people aware of the lot of their compatriots in South Africa. Many newspapers published his views and strongly condemned the South African government. Summaries of these newspaper reports and comments reached South Africa long before Gandhi returned there.

Meanwhile, plague broke out in Bombay and threatened to spread to neighboring areas. In Rajkot Gandhi volunteered to join a group who tried to educate the people about the need for sanita-

tion and other measures to prevent the spread of the disease. At the end of November, however, Gandhi received an urgent message from Natal asking him to return immediately. There were some developments which required his presence there. So Gandhi set sail for South Africa once more, this time taking with him Kasturbai and their two sons and the only son of his widowed sister.

However, a message reached Gandhi advising him not to land with the others but to wait until evening, as there was an angry mob of whites at the dock. Kasturbai and the children were sent to the house of Gandhi’s Parsee friend, Rustomji. Later, accompanied by Jason Laughton, the legal adviser of Dada, Abdulla & Co., Gandhi went ashore. The scene looked peaceful, but some youths recognized him and shouted, “Look, there goes Gandhi.” Soon there was a rush and much shouting. As Gandhi and his friends proceeded, the crowd began to swell until it was impossible to go any further. Suddenly Laughton was pushed aside and the mob set upon Gandhi. They pelted him with stones, sticks, bricks, and rotten eggs. Someone snatched away his turban, others kicked him until the frail figure collapsed. He clung to the railing of a house. The fury of the white mob was unabated and they continued to beat him and kick him.

“Stop, you cowards,” cried a feminine voice. “Stop attacking the poor man.” It was the wife of the Superintendent of police. She came up and opened her parasol and held it between Gandhi and the crowd. This checked the mob.

Soon the police arrived and dispersed the crowd.

— To be Continued

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13

14 October 28, 2011

AGLA organizes its Annual Bollywood Movie Night

HOUSTON: American General Life & Accident (AGLA) insurance company organized its yearly Bollywood Movie night at Bollywood cinema, on Hwy 6 on October, 19.

More than eight hundred customers, mostly from South Asian communities were entertained to a movie of their choice out of five Hindi movies – Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara , Arakshan, Bodyguard, Bol and Chillar Party. The social hour started at 6.30pm.

The whole event was well planned and orderly this year unlike last year when the crowds outside the theatre got unmanageable due to the overwhelming response from its community based clients.

“We have learnt a lot from our last year experience and the result is in front of you – a well organized and peaceful get together in an family environment, and everybody went home entertained and happy,” said Abha Dwivedi, Associate Manager, AGLA. We arranged this Bollywood movie night to bring the community together under one roof during the festive season, to appreciate staff for their hard work and dedication towards the company’s growth, and to welcome our new agents on board, she added.

”Yes, we are expanding and we are hiring! Our company not only pays for the training but also offers many lucrative benefits to the entrants and the candidates don’t have to have previous insurance experience,” Abha said. “Anybody interested in more information about career prospects with AGLA or its ’Quality of life products’ , or requesting to get included in such future events may call 281-650-3229 or email at agla. abha@gmail.com According to William Garner Jr., General Manager, AGLA, ”We have life insurance products which are very competitive and unmatched in the insurance industry. We have recently added another feath- er to our cap by introducing AGLA Choice Index Plus, which is a Universal Life insurance that provides protection for a customer’s entire lifetime.

Garner further elaborated , “ AGLA Choice Index Plus, is designed to provide for one’s loved ones in the event of a premature death. He emphasized that it gives customers opportunity to grow policy values by using index linked strategies that are based on the movement of a major market index.

AGLA Group at Bollywood movie night

COMMUNITY

A Colorful and Musical Diwali Celebration at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir STAFFORD: The flickering of lights and the rhythmic sounds of traditional musical instruments could be felt as one entered the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Saturday, October 22.

The special outdoor program titled “Swar se Ishwar” was performed by a well known musician from Mumbai, Jaydeep Swadia and group. “The entire program was set up perfectly,” said Sonia Bhatt from Pearland. “The open stage with the colorfully lit Mandir as the background was stunning!”

Diwali is a time when families and friends come together to commemorate the good over evil. The entire Mandir was filled with a sense of celebration with sparkling lights adorning the exterior and beautiful rangoli made of colorful flowers and rice on the interior.

Babu Patel from Sugarland commented, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspires us to sustain our culture and this Diwali celebration is just one of the ways we can do this home away from home.”

The festival of lights cannot be complete without fireworks. The dazzling and colorful display was kicked off as Jaydeep Swadia concluded the Indian National Anthem. The festivities concluded with a blessing of a bright, joyous and a prosperous New Year to come from Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

About BAPS The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide sociospiritual organization in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, is dedicated to community service, peace and harmony. Motivated by Hindu principles, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families and individuals. Through a number of social and spiritual activities, BAPS endeavors to produce better citizens of tomorrow who have a high esteem for their roots - their rich Hindu culture. Its 3,300 international centers support these activities of character-building.

Under the guidance and leadership of His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Diwali lights gave a sense of a grand traditional celebration

Swar se Ishar performance by Jaydeep Swadia and group at the BAPS Shri Swaminaryan Mandir

build a community that is morally, ethically and spiritually pure, and free of addictions.

About Pramukh Swami Maharaj

His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, has inspired millions of people across the world to lead a Godcentered, morally pure life.

YLDP Appoints New Board and Kicks off 4th Year Students Program

HOUSTON: The newly incorporated Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP) of Houston met on October 10 and confirmed the appointments of its 2011-2012 Board of Directors.

The organization, which has grown from a fledgling group since the idea was conceived almost 4 years ago, to a fully functioning Board that hold monthly programs for its students.

With three years of operations under its belt and successful alumni numbering about 100 students, the organization reinforced its rigorous admission criteria this year as well. This years students were exceptionally talented and a marked increase in the caliber of students which convinced the Board to increase the number of admissions to 31. In order to

keep the admission process impartial, the organization invited members of the Boards of other Indo_American organizations to be on their panel. Members of the selection panel included Mona Parikh (President IACCGH), Anu Bala (President IACF), Shobana Muratee (Trustee ICC), Jawahar Malhotra (Board Member IACF), Pinakin Jaradi (BAPS) and Sam Merchant (Board Member IAPAC), The current year’s inaugural program will commence with an address by Hon. Judge Ravi Sandill on Saturday October 29 at 9.30 am. The event will be held at India House.

For further information on YLDP, visit www.YLDPHouston. org or call Sushma Bhan at Tel 713-679-9104.

Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

COMMUNITY

Sharad Amin Appointed as New HGH President

October 28, 2011

HOUSTON: Sharad Amin has been appointed as new Hindus of Greater Houston (HGH) President.

In the past, Sharad Amin has served as community leader of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, HSS shaaka, Balagokulam, SEWA International, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America. He has also been a source of inspiration to many Hindu youth in the community, emphasizing values such as self-discipline, self-confidence and a spirit of selfless service for humanity.

As one of the active leaders of HSS Shaaka, he has conducted structured programs of regular athletic and academic activities to develop strong character and leadership skills in its members, inspired by the idea that the whole world is one family. He is well known for his selfless service and model of excellence.

For the past five years, Girish Naik has ably served as the President of Hindus of Greater Houston and the organization appreciates his admirable leadership and management. Under his commendable guidance, HGH has celebrated various Hindu festivals with enormous success and the annual Janmashtami festival that attracted over thousands of people every year. He will continue to provide his support to the organization.

HGH is fortunate to have the continuing involvement of several volunteers, Thara Narasimhan, Partha Krishnaswamy, Vijay Pallod, Dharminder Dargan, Vinod Mantri and many of the founding members.

I am humbled and honored by the Committe’s decision, said Sharad Amin. “I want to make a smooth transition of the organization where the youth and the younger generation took a lead role, also as many new Hindu families arrive in Houston, HGH would like to welcome them to the community through periodical welcome meetings and organize seminars for them” he added.

HGH also wants to make a difference in the community and be a voice for Hindus by undertaking projects and one of them is to make vegetarian food available in local public schools, he said.

Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28, 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

15

16 October 28, 2011

Mutually Owned or Publicly Traded Companies: Which Are Right for You?

What is the sign of a good decision?

It’s knowing how a company is run – one factor that can help you decide which is right for you.

There are many reasons to choose a life insurance company to help meet your financial needs: protection for your family or business, products to help provide supplemental income, and the confidence of knowing you will be better prepared for the future.

Two common forms of insurance companies – mutually owned and publicly traded There are two common forms of insurance companies: 1) mutually owned, and 2) publicly traded. So why does a life insurance company’s ownership structure matter to a policyowner – to you?

When choosing a life insurance company, it’s important to know how a company is run. While both a mutually owned company and a publicly traded company can provide you with life insurance protection, the company’s ownership structure is one factor that can help guide you as to which company is right for you.

Key considerations By asking the following questions, at a high level, you may learn the differences in how a company is run and what drives its business strategy: • When making decisions, who

Jimmy Abraham is a financial representative with Strategic Financial Group, LLP, a MassMutual agency who represents Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and other companies, courtesy of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) © 2010 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Springfield, MA

comes first – policyowners?

Shareholders?

• Does your insurance company have the financial strength to always keep your needs a top priority?

• Will you be able to take some role in the decision making process of your insurance company by exercising certain voting rights?

Mutually owned insurance companies A mutual company is owned by and accountable to its members and participating policyowners, not stockholders. Mutual compa-

nies have no shareholders; instead, policyowners and members are often described as sharing in its ownership. Members who are insured under certain policies issued by a mutual insurance company may be eligible to vote for its board of directors and, those who also own the policy, may be eligible to share in dividends the company may declare.

Of course, dividends for a given policy are influenced by such factors as policy series, issue age, policy duration, policy loan rate, smoking status, changes in experience, and are not guaranteed.

Publicly traded insurance companies A publicly traded company must balance the interests of its policyowners with the earnings expectations of its shareholders.

Shareholders typically judge a company’s performance based on a number of factors, including projected earnings for the next quarter or the next year, which might conflict with the long-term interests of policyowners.

Knowing how a company is run may be one factor to help you decide which works best for you.

Learn more about prospective companies before deciding which company is the right choice. © 2010 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.

CRN201201-129572

COMMUNITY CO

IITAGH Celebrates Fall Picnic 2011

By Suraj Mhatre SUGAR LAND: About 100 IIT Alumni and their families celebrated IITAGH’s annual fall picnic on October 22, a beautiful Saturday afternoon, at Lost Creek Park in Sugar Land. It was a family affair that everyone, big and small, enjoyed immensely.

For cricket enthusiasts, Sundy Srinivasan made arrangements for a spirited game that was played with great vigor. Men of all ages and skill levels participated and had a good time. While diehard cricketers were showing their skills on the field, children took advantage of the well-equipped public playing area at the park.

Dhakshin restaurant set up a dosa-parlor, where fresh custom dosas and appetizers were served. Later, delicious Indian food and dessert were served. These too were enjoyed by everyone.

After lunch, the major attraction of the picnic was the Gana Pehchana program by Ram Seetaram. Five teams competed for the top spot in a competition that required knowledge of Bollywood/Hindi film songs, both old and new. Team ‘Munnabhai MBBS’ scored the highest points to win the completion.

After Gana Pehchana, all adults and children participated in an entertaining Bingo session, hosted humorously by Sundy Srinivasan and Hemant Jha. In the breaks between activities, participants also volunteered and registered for the joint IITAGH-IACF tutoring Math and Science tutoring program for HISD students.

IITAGH thanks its trustees for their ongoing support, especially David Raj for his generous donation of the PA system and Sundy Srinivasan for hosting the cricket game and entertaining Bingo session. IITAGH also thanks all members of its voluntary board and its trustees for their behind-the-scenes work in making this picnic a warm and memorable one.

IITAGH organizes events periodically in the Houston area to meet its overarching goals of promoting professional growth, giving back to the local community, and helping families create local social networks. Please visit www.iitagh.org for more information.

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Call 713-789-NEWS

Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

October 28, 2011

Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

17

18 October 28, 2011

Lead, Kindly Light

Deepawali, which literally means a row of lights, significantly falls on ‘amavasya’ — that is the darkest night of the ‘kirshan paksha’of the Kartik month. In order to dispel the darkness in its various connotations, darkness of unrighteousness, of evil, of ignorance, of sin, etc., the world enlightens itself into wisdom and knowledge by lighting the lamps. For the lamps symbolise the illumination of the mind.

There are two types of lights: the external light and the internal light. The external light removes the external darkness. But the internal light enlightens the consciousness, illuminates the mind. Thus the festival of lamps becomes symptomatic of “tamso ma jyotirgamye” (Lead, kindly light).

The popular belief that Deepawali is celebrated to extol the return of Rama to Ayodya after he put an end to the demon king Ravana, has yet another symbolic connotation. Ravana was a great scholar and yet the mind of this highly learned king was clouded by unrighteousness. And Rama was the embodiment of equity, integrity and morality. Though he conquered Lanka, he handed over the kingdom to Ravana’s brother, Vibhishan. Therefore, the festival of lights signifies the victory of light of knowledge over the darkness of ignorance, of righteousness over unrighteousness and of morality over immorality.

Scriptures have it that a lamp combines in itself Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The earthen pot is like Brahma, the Creator, the originator, in which light is born. The oil is the preserver, like Lord Vishnu, which helps the wick glow with light. And Mahesh, the destroyer, destroys the darkness of injustice, inequity and unrighteousness. The lamp is again like a human body, made up of earth. Oil is like the breath, the soul. Without light, the lamp is nothing.

Further, the light emanating from a lamp connotes positive energy, while the darkness symbolizes the negative energy.

Light always flows upward. Therefore, it teaches us discipline, and makes us look upward. The Bible postulates that “God is light,” for the light is the symbol of spiritual illumination. And Lord Krishna manifests light equal to 10,000 suns.

The Buddha too underlined the significance of light – ‘atmdeepo Bhav-’ be the lamp yourself.

- Hindustan Times

That’s Life

Frank Sinatra had a hit song in 1966 with the lyrics, “That’s life, that’s what all the people say. You’re ridin’ high in April, shot down in May. But I know I’m gonna change that tune ... when I’m back on top, back on top in June. If Anna Hazare could carry a tune, he would probably singing this song. Apparently, the Anna Hazare team is wilting under pressure and struggling to development a strategy to keep the movement alive. Obviously, the Congress is launching aggressive accusations of corruption and unethical behavior against team members such as Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal.

The main issue the campaign faces is whether the team should get involved in the politics of the assembly and Lok Sabha elections or stay on a moral plane above the fray.

- Pramod Kulkarni

EDITORIAL

Don’t Go All Chicken

By Indrajit Hazra The other evening, I found myself at a restaurant in the Indian Habitat Centre chomping and gnawing on a chicken wing right down to the bone. For me, that kind of thing is standard operating procedure. And yet, I stopped midway when I realised that sitting at the table next to me was Maneka Gandhi.

I instinctively put the semi-chewed chicken piece down. For a few seconds, I felt awkward eating (fantastically cooked) flesh and bone with the knowledge that someone who’s not only a vegetarian, but who also finds meat-eating abhorrent, was sitting a few feet away. A brief hiatus later, however, I remembered the sanctity of sovereignty - the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, in this case, my body - and resumed my vicious attack on a marinated piece of chicken.

I reckoned that even as Gandhi was justified in holding her views on nonvegetarianism and protesting against violations of basic animal rights (that includes the right not to be killed and eaten), in the territory held by me, I was free to do things my way.

(For the record, at no point in the evening, did Gandhi interfere with my dinner. By simply ignoring my loud appreciation of non-vegetarian dishes, she impressed me by showcasing her belief in the supremacy of sovereignty.)

Two days later, the issue of sovereignty cropped up again. This time, it was in the context of the capture and death of Muam-

mar Gaddafi by Libyan rebels. Many here ignored the news out of genuine disinterest, a news channel preferring to air Narain Kartikeyan endorsing a car battery while the story was breaking elsewhere. But there were many others who reacted to the mobile phone-captured visuals of Gaddafi being dragged and roughed up with shock.

A human - however dastardly he may be was shown being tortured and killed and then his lifeless body put on display on a shopping centre meat freezer. All without the usual courtesy shown to the dead.

The standard reaction to the unsavoury death of a dictator, especially one from the West Asian-North African region, is to go all ‘anti-imperialist’. The Americans and their boy scout allies go in and intervene, messing up the whole sovereignty thing.

They did it in Afghanistan when they ran the Regime Change® programme; they did it in Iraq when they repeated the algorithm.

But unlike Saddam Hussein’s departure, Gaddafi’s ouster and death were carried out by Libyans on their own. Well, in the manner of the Republicans (with Soviet and French support) during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, or in the way of Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army from outside British Indian territory in the 1940s (with Japanese support). Sure, without Nato and US support, the rebels would have ended up being chewed by Gaddafi chicken wing-style.

Sure, the Americans and others who have been doing business with oil-sloshing Libya want a piece of the pie now.

But just because many countries are lining up to get discounts and hoping to get bail-out coupons to fix the economic crisis in their own backyards in post-Gaddafi Libya (as they had been benefiting earlier while Gaddadi was king) doesn’t mean that the Libyans didn’t do their own Arab spring cleaning. It would have been swell to have Gaddafi alive to tell us his bit of the story and to make many governments squirm about their dealings with the despot who once bankrolled Pakistan’s nuclear programme, funded the IRA and blew up a passenger airline over Lockerbie in Scotland killing 270 people.

But in Libya they do things differently.

‘Differently’ to many non-Libyans, that is. So in the spirit of sovereignty, if some of us found western intervention in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and Saddamruled Iraq terribly rude, who are we to go against what most Libyans in Libya are celebrating over?

Martin Buber, the Austrian philosopher, pointed out how the erosion of empathy - feeling for fellow humans - arises from “people turning other people into objects”. The ability of an overwhelming number of suddenly empowered Libyans to treat Gaddafi as an object to be trampled upon is the same as Gaddafi’s genius for turning his enemies over his 42-year rule into easily disposable objects. Which in turn isn’t that different really from my ability - and Maneka Gandhi’s inability - to dehumanize a chicken.

- Hindustan Times

On the Brighter Side

Team Anna may be leading the charge against corruption, but this Diwali we really need to salute that part of civil society which has fostered a far greater sense of environmental consciousness and safety. For a start, many schools have for years now been teaching children about the hazardous conditions in which less fortunate children make the crackers that light up Diwali. Often, there have been horrific accidents and loss of life in these factories, many of which are in south India. As with Holi, over the years, the festivities have become more sedate, dare we say civilised and inclusive. The overdrive of shopping has been taking place this Diwali, but with labour becoming more expensive, the sale of crackers has seen a dip.

The festival of lights was once upon a time about just that, sweetness and light.

It then evolved into a noisy, often offensive, mela in which sound mattered much more than light. We don’t quite know if we must thank Anna and his gang, but there seems a little more awareness today that one should not literally blow up thousands of rupees worth of fireworks.

Today, children for whom crackers were at one point of time not negotiable during Diwali festivities, are actually persuading their parents not to splurge on them. At a time when there is so much cynicism in public life, these are the trends that make life seem that much more worth it in the festive season.

We are all too quick to dismiss young people as self-obsessed. But it is young

people who have today pushed the envelope on environmental consciousness, be it banning plastic bags or refusing to buy crackers that have been made by employing child labour. They hold out the hope for the future. Young people were at the forefront of making Holi a safer and cleaner festival. They have also been the driving force against cruelty to animals.

Team Anna may present a very gloomy picture of where we are going wrong as a society and much of it is justified. But in this season of lights, we would like to look at the brighter side of things. People, like you and me, are making a huge difference to how we celebrate our diverse festivals.

So, do enjoy yourselves and have a safe and happy Diwali.

- Hindustan Times

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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 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

COMMUNITY Renowned Author Abraham Verghese Celebrated at U of H

By Lois Zamora HOUSTON: Dr. Abraham Verghese spoke at the University of Houston Hilton Hotel on Tuesday evening, October 24, to a crowd of more than 500 people. Dr. Verghese is a medical professor at Stanford University, and a renowned novelist and memoirist. His novel, Cutting for Stone, has been a best seller since it appeared two years ago, in 2009, and his two medical memoirs about his experiences practicing medicine have also been widely celebrated. The University of Houston awarded Dr.Verghese with the John P. McGovern medal for his interdisciplinary work in Family, Heath, and Human Values.

The event also celebrated the India Studies Program at the University of Houston, which is inaugurating an India Studies minor with a number of courses devoted to India’s histories and cultures. Dr. Verghese talked about his own experiences as an Indian growing up in Ethiopia. His parents, from Kerala, were physics teachers, recruited by the then Emperor Haile Selassi. Dr. Verghese said that he wasn’t sure how his parents had met and married: “Maybe it was physics, or maybe it was chemistry,” he quipped.

In what was a lovely informal style, Dr. Verghese told about how traditional Indian parents want certain things of their children. For them there are only four career possibilities: engineer, doctor, laywer, and failure! He went on to say that when he was a child he announced that he would become a doctor mostly to make his parents happy (because

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Abraham Verghese interviewed by UH Prof. Chitra Divakaruni at the launching of the UH India Studies Program on Monday, Oct. 24 at the UH Hilton Hotel, Grand Ballroom.

his older brother was going to be an engineer). But later, when he read Somerset Maugham’s “Of Human Bondage,” he really understood what it meant to be a doctor and was truly inspired to become one.

Dr. Verghese started medical school in Ethiopia, but he was forced to flee for political reasons, and went to the US, where he got a job for a year as an orderly in a hospital in New Jersey, bathing patients and otherwise helping them with their basic needs. At the time, he said, it seemed like a disaster in his life, but in hindsight, he learned from this job how to imagine patients’ experiences and how empathize with them. He returned to medical school in Madras, then came back to the US to do his residency in internal medicine, with a specialization in infectious diseases. His work with AIDS patients in the early 1980s in rural Tennessee is recounted in his

memoir, “My Own Country.” AIDS was a mysterious plague at that time, and a social stigma. His empathy and expertise are both greatly called upon, and beautifully described, during this period of his career.

There were subsequent medical positions in El Paso and San Antonio, and now in California. Dr. Verghese started his talk by saying that he believed in the statement, “Geography is destiny.”

He thought that Freud had said it, learned later that it was Napolean (!), but he still believes it. His global experiences, grounded in his Indian culture, have made him a man of unusual breadth professionally, and unusual insight into our shared human condition. He belongs to his own country, to repeat the title of his book, which includes India and so much more. And he enlarges the countries of us all.

the ceremony.

Oscar-winning German composer Hans Zimmer beat out Desplat for the Best Original Film Score honour, taking

the prize for his work on Christopher Nolan’s Inception.

Veteran songsmith Randy Newman nabbed the Academy’s Best Original Song prize for his tune We Belong Together, written for Toy Story 3.

Other winners at the 2011 World Soundtrack Awards, which closed the Ghent International Film Festival this weekend, included Alex Heffes, who won Discovery of the Year for his scores to The First Grader and The Rite. The Best Young European Composer honour went to Gabriel Heinrich.

This year’s lifetime achievement award was presented to three-time Oscar winning Italian composer Giorgio Moroder, whose credits include songs for Scarface, Flashdance and Top Gun.

A.R. Rahman Wins Public Choice Award for ‘127 Hours’

LOS ANGELES (Hindu): Indian music maestro A.R. Rahman has received the Public Choice Award for his score in 127 Hours at the World Soundtrack Academy Awards.

The 45-year-old composer, who has already won two Oscars for his music in Slumdog Millionaire and two Grammy for the same movie, has won the laurel for the Danny Boyle directed film, reported Ace Showbiz.

“Thanks to my fans and the World Soundtrack Academy for the Public Choice award for the score of 127 Hours,” Rahman posted on Facebook.

Alexandre Desplat, who scored music for films The King’s Speech and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, bagged the film composer of the year award at

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Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

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By Vikas Bajaj MUMBAI (NYT): When India’s richest man completed his extravagant 27-story new house here last year, it incited a public debate along the lines of “What’s he trying to prove?”

Now, the chatter involves a different question: Why hasn’t he moved in?

The owner, Mukesh Ambani, and his spokesman have declined to discuss the matter, leaving the theorists plenty of room to ruminate. One popular explanation is that, despite the time and money lavished upon it, the building does not conform to the ancient Indian architectural doctrine known as Vastu Shastra. (More on that below.)

Certainly the home — which is called Antilia and according to Indian news reports has three helipads, six floors of parking and a series of floating gardens — looks lived in.

At night, the cantilevered tower is lit up bottom to top, inside and out.

Members of the city’s moneyed class report attending movie screenings in the theater and eating dinners in the grand ballroom, served by a staff trained by the luxury Oberoi hotel chain.

Yet, friends of the family say that after the last canapés have been served and the guests bidden goodbye, the Ambanis often decamp to Sea Wind.

That is the more modest, 14-story apartment tower at the south end of the city that Mr. Ambani, his wife, Nita, and three children, share — on different floors — with his mother and his estranged younger brother, Anil, and Anil’s family.

When does Mukesh Ambani plan to actually move into Antilia?

“I have asked him the question twice,” said a friend who has attended several parties there. He asked not to be identified for fear of ruining his relationship with Mr. Ambani, whose net worth Forbes has estimated at $27 billion. “He said, ‘Yes, we’ll go next month. Let it be done.’ They don’t talk about it.”

Another close family friend confirmed that the Ambani family did not live at Antilia but said they did sleep there “sometimes.” This friend, who also insisted on anonymity to avoid offending Mr. Ambani, had no explanation.

Tushar Pania, a spokesman for Mr. Ambani’s company, Reliance Industries, dismissed questions about whether the family was living at Antilia as idle gossip. “It’s a private home. There is no reason to discuss it in public.”

He said the family had moved in, but when asked whether the family still lived at Sea Wind, he revised: “They live in both places.”

But why would someone build what is widely considered the world’s most expensive private residence and then use it as a pied-à-terre?

Some friends, business associates and Ambani watchers posit the Vastu explanation, which gained wider cur-

Mukesh Ambani’s 27-story home Antilia, which has three helipads, six floors of parking and a series of floating gardens, has yet to become Mr. Ambani’s main residence.

rency earlier this year when DNA, an English-language newspaper in Mumbai, published an article about it citing “sources in the know.”

Vastu, a philosophy particularly significant in Hindu temple architecture, emphasizes the importance of directional alignments that create spiritual harmony. Many Hindus believe that living in a building not built according to vastu principles brings bad luck.

Basannt R. Rasiwasia, a Vastu expert whose clients include prominent businessmen and their families — although not Mr. Ambani — said Antilia appeared to run afoul of one of the key principles of Vastu: the building’s eastern side does not have enough windows or other openings to let residents receive ample morning light.

“From the outside what I see is that the eastern side is blocked while the western side is more open,” he said. “This always leads to misunderstanding between team members or sometime may create issues. This also indicates more hard work to achieve moderate success. There is more negative energy coming from the western side.”

Mr. Rasiwasia cautioned that he could not provide a full analysis since he had not been inside the building, which was designed by the architectural firm Perkins & Will and the interior design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, both American. Officials from the firms declined to comment, citing confidentiality agreements.

Even before it was built, Antilia was clouded by controversy. Mr. Ambani acquired the plot where the tower sits, on Altamount Road, in 2002. He bought it for 215 million rupees ($4.4 million) from a Muslim charitable trust that elsewhere operated an orphanage.

Muslim political leaders and other critics said the land was sold for only a small fraction of its market value.

Mr. Ambani acquired the property in an auction, and his spokesman has denied allegations that he paid less than the land’s market value.

Last year, as Antilia was nearing completion, many Mumbai residents criticized the building as an ostentatious display of wealth in a country where most people live on less than $2 a day and a city where more than half the population lives in slums. Many domestic and foreign newspapers — including The New York Times — wrote about those sentiments, which one friend said upset the Ambanis.

Gyan Prakash, a history professor at Princeton University who wrote the book “Mumbai Fables,” said the criticism could have influenced the family’s decision not to make Antilia their full-time residence.

“It is one thing to brashly announce your arrival in the billionaire’s club by looking down on the rest of the city from your gated community in the sky,” he said via e-mail, “but then you may realize that it is lonely at the top!”

Even if the Ambanis now have reservations about Antilia, the building appears to have some admirers.

A half-mile away, in the waterfront Breach Candy neighborhood that is home to the American consulate, another rich Mumbai business clan, the Singhania family, is building a tower with cantilevered floors. Many say it resembles Antilia.

The move-in date? Don’t ask.

Sagar Joshi, a spokesman for Raymond Ltd., the retail company controlled by the Singhanias, declined to answer questions about the building.

Neha Thirani contributed reporting.

Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

October 28, 2011

Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

21

22 October 28, 2011

INDIA

Look Ma, I Made A Switch

Forget the course of study, their future course is elsewhere

By Lola Nayar (Outlook) Varun Singh Parihar comes from a family of lawyers. So it was a given that he would study to be a lawyer. He graduated in law, then went on to acquire two MBA degrees in marketing and human resources. Today, at 30, Varun is what he calls a lifestyle designer; he does up houses, designs clothes and organises events. He studied what his family expected him to, and then, after a few years, went to do exactly what he wanted to. “There are certain things that parents prescribe and you end up following them. So I did that for a while. Now, I do only what comes naturally to me,” he says.

Varun is still one of the few youngsters who pursue a course of education because their parents want them to, and soon enough go on to follow their heart to do what they are passionate about. But their numbers are certainly on the rise. “The profile of people switching careers or taking up something entirely different from what they have been trained for is definitely getting younger. People are no longer waiting for a mid-life crisis to strike them,” says Satya Narayan R. of Career Launcher. The trend has been most marked in the recent years. “Earlier, most people pushed into a profession would stick it out despite hating their job, owing to insecurity or fear of upsetting a settled life. There are many more breaking away now,” says Usha Albuquerque, a Delhi-based career counsellor.

It’s a tough call. There are a thousand questions, a million doubts in a youngster’s mind before taking such a drastic step. The pressure to succeed in what you have chosen to do is immense as the family (and community) is watching you closely. Karan Nambiar, 22, was luckier. His parents advised him to complete his graduation before pursuing a career in music.

So Karan is a BCom graduate and does many

A law course and two MBAs later, Varun is designing clothes, houses

Ditched the BCom Karan Nambiar found his calling in music

Abhay Rao in journalism (Photograph by Apoorva Salkade)

things—none of them remotely connected to commerce. He is a producer with Hit 95 FM, holds karaoke musical nights, and is the lead singer in his band Guillotine. “I have no use for my BCom degree now. I am very happy with my music. My parents have also been very supportive, which is what has made me more confident of chasing my dream,” he says. He may even pursue higher studies in mass communication in a couple of years.

Not everyone’s parents are like Karan’s, though. Despite a multitude of opportunities opening up, parents continue to guide their children into safe or time-tested careers; medicine, engineering, law and accountancy still rule in most of middle-class India. “For the large part, there is no real decision-making happening

based on what you like and what you are capable of doing,” says Albuquerque. A study carried out last year by UK’s Tesco, the world’s third largest retailer, revealed that a third of British Asian graduates said family influenced their career choice. In comparison, only half the British student group said their family had any role in choosing their careers. Interestingly, among Asian graduates, while 18 per cent claimed to be strongly influenced by their family views, 37 per cent admitted their family’s wishes were paramount.

In India, this percentage would be much higher, say career experts. But they do point to hopeful signs that a spirit of adventure might be taking hold of the young who, if not directly rebelling, are obliging their parents’ aspirations only to a point. The change is more apparent in cities where the youth are more exposed to opportunities and more so in families where the parents are not too bogged down by societal pressures. But convincing the elders about a career change is not easy. Abhay Rao, 25, took up a business development executive job after doing BCom and completing two levels of CA. He did it for three years, then quit to become a journalist with a leading business newspaper. It was only after many bylines and front-page stories

that his parents were convinced of this move.

“I am lucky that in my second chance I found something I enjoy. If I’d completed the CA, I would probably have never discovered what I like doing. There are many who would like to move out of their present careers but don’t dare to do it,” says Abhay. His younger sister Karishma, 21, a BCom graduate, has meanwhile decided to pursue an alternate career. “I am aiming to complete my CA as I am close to the final. But since I don’t want to be a practising CA, I have opted for law, which I am enjoying,” says Karishma. She had initially resisted following her parents choice of doing a commerce degree, but now feels it may be useful if she opts to become a corporate lawyer.

If she does and likes being a lawyer, she would only be part of less than 3 per cent students in the world who do what they like doing, as a Stanford University study discovered. The rest 97 per cent end up doing whatever is in vogue or are nudged into careers of others’ choosing.

And for most students, it is not risk aversion but unwillingness to upset the family. Career counsellors say parents have to be more open about their children’s aptitude. At a time when universities are offering newer areas of specialisation, to be pushed into a groove to acquire a respectable or fallback degree is unfortunate, they say. Before that happens, the youth today has hit upon a formula where it’s win-win for both parties: do a course parents push you into, maybe even take up a job in that area, then quickly go on to chase your dream.

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Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL Pumpkins Pumpkins everywhere! It’s Halloween Time! Houses are decorated, people are picking their favorite costumes for the day, children are excited to go trick and treat! You all must have bought lots of candies for the little pumpkins coming to your house for the treats  Talking about pumpkins, this time of year you see so many different varieties and colors of pumpkins.

There are so many different recipes in which pumpkin can be used. How about we celebrate this Halloween this year with homemade Eggless Pumpkin Pie? Flaky buttery crust filled with spiced pumpkin and baked to perfection!

Here is the recipe of a perfect fall treat: Ingredients: For the crust: 1 cup unbleached plain flour 1/3 cup cold butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 5-7 tablespoons cold water For the filling 2 cups (1 can) pumpkin puree 1 cup sweetened condensed milk 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 tbsp pumpkin spice 1 tsp ground cinnamon

4 tbsp packed brown sugar 4 tbsp white granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt Method for the crust: Mix the flour with the salt and cut the cold butter into the flour using a pastry blender or with

your fingers until you get coarse breadcrumbs.

Alternatively, combine the flour, butter and salt in a food processor and process with 12-15 short bursts until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Put in the cold water and form into soft dough.

Do not handle the dough more than required at this stage.

Gather the dough into a ball and chill well for about 35-40 minutes.

October 28, 2011 Place the dough on a floured surface. Roll out the dough to a circle, approximately 12″ in diameter to line a 22.5cm (9-inch) pie dish or tart pan with removable bottom. Prepare the edges and chill while you prepare the filling.

Prepare the filling: For the pumpkin puree: In a pan, mix in the pumpkin puree, condensed milk, cornstarch, spices, sugar, salt and beat until there are no lumps. Then put the pan on gas at medium heat for 3-4 minutes until the puree is warm. It shouldn’t be boiling.

To make the pie: Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spoon the filling into the chilled crust and level with the help of a palette knife.

Bake for about 40 minutes or until the filling is set and the top crust is a nice golden brown.

Allow to cool, cut into wedges and serve warm as is or with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream.

For more recipes, visit www. zestyflavors. com or visit h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e book.com/pages/ Zestyflavors-AddingZest-to-your-Cooking/145518712165348 Also “LIKE” Zestyflavors on FACEBOOK.

Recipe by Vaishali Sharma

Please send your feedback to indoamericannews@yahoo.com

23

By Manali Oak Why is the name ‘Halloween’?

The term Halloween is an abbreviated form of ‘All-hallow-even’ because it is the All Hallows’ Day. It is also known as the All Saints’ Day. It was regarded as a religious day of the European Pagan culture. Pope Gregory III and Gregory IV shifted the Christian Feast of the All Saints’ Day to November 1. Today, All Saints’ Day follows Halloween. But during the 9th century, both of them were celebrated on the same day! Till 1970, people used to fast on that day.

Halloween Celebration A carved pumpkin with a candle inside makes up a lantern. This Halloween pumpkin symbolizes the Stingy Jack of Ireland. He was a greedy, old farmer. The farmer had once tricked a devil and trapped him. In revenge the devil cursed Jack.

According to the curse, Jack was condemned to roam on earth at night. Pumpkins are carved into comical or fearful faces and placed at doorsteps of houses in the dark. Originally carved pumpkins were associated with harvest in America. But by the late 19th century, they began to bear an association with the Halloween. Black and orange are regarded as the traditional colors of Halloween.

Black color is linked with death, witches, fear and silence while the orange color is associated with pumpkins, autumn and fire. Halloween post cards and catalogs popularized Halloween celebrations. Trick-or-Treating received an impetus when people promised to gift the trick-ortreaters with candies. One of the primary reasons behind the Halloween celebration is the harvest festival. Warding off the evils in many different ways remains another important reason behind Halloween. In many cultures, certain Halloween customs are related to understanding of the future.

Thus the fear of the evils of today and eagerness to see tomorrow underlie Halloween. It is human psychology and tendencies of the human mind that in some way dictate traditions.

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10/14/11 1:33 PM

Enjoy Best of Health during Festival Season and Upcoming New Year Choosing Right Health Plan Under Medicare or Not Do You Know You Can Get Help with Medical and Drug Costs?

By Sudhir Mathuria Under Medicare you may be eligible to save money on medical and drug costs with these programs:1) Medicare Savings 2)Program Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy 3)State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program 4)Pharmaceutical Assistance Program 5)Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) 6)Medicaid Medicare Savings Programs You can get help from your state paying your Medicare premiums.

In some cases, Medicare Savings Programs may also pay Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments if you meet certain conditions.

4 Kinds of Medicare Savings Programs 1. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program 2. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program If you have income from working, you may qualify for SLMB benefits even if your income is higher than these limits.

3. Qualified Individual (QI) Program You must apply every year for QI benefits. QI applications are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to people who got QI benefits the previous year. (You can’t get QI benefits if you qualify for Medicaid).

4. Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program The QDWI program helps pay the Part A premium. You may qualify if any of the following apply to you: o Are a working disabled person under 65 o Lost your premium-free Medicare Part A when you went back to work o Aren’t getting medical assistance from your state o Meet the income and resource limits required by your state How to Apply for Medicare Savings Programs If you answer yes to these 3 questions, call your State Medicaid Program to see if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program in your state: 1. Do you have, or are you eligible for, Medicare Part A? 2. Is your income for 2011 at or below these income limits?

3. Do you have limited resources, below these limits?

Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy If you meet certain income and

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resource limits, you may qualify for Extra Help from Medicare to pay the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. You may qualify if you have up to $16,245 in yearly income ($21,855 for a married couple) and up to $12,510 in resources ($25,010 for a married couple).

Drug costs in 2011 for most people who quality will be no more than $2.50 for each generic/$6.30 for each brand-name covered drugs. Other people pay only a portion of their Medicare drug plan premiums and deductibles based on their income level. **NOTE: These amounts may change in 2012.

How to Apply for Extra Help Apply online at Social Security or call Social Security at 1-800-7721213 to apply by phone or get a paper application. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.

You automatically qualify for Extra Help if you have Medicare and meet any of these conditions: Have full Medicaid coverage Get help from your state Medicaid program paying your Part B premiums (in a Medicare Savings Program) Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) Some states have State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) that help people pay for prescription drug based on financial need, age, or medical condition.

How to Apply for SPAPs Each SPAPhas different rules about eligibility, how to apply, and how it works with Medicare prescription drug coverage. Learn more by contacting the State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program in your state.

Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (PAPs) Some drug companies have Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (PAPs) that help people pay for the drugs they make. Find out more about PAPs and see if any programs are available for the drugs you’re taking.

Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid program that helps people meet their health care needs in the community instead of going to a nursing home or other care facility. PACE covers prescription drugs, doctor visits, transportation, home care, checkups, hospital visits, and even nursing home stays whenever necessary.

**NOTE: The income and resource limits below may change in 2012.

Medicare Savings Program 2011 Income Limits Medicare Savings Program

Individual Married Couple Program Helps Pay Monthly Income Monthly For Limit* Income Limit* Part A premiums

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)

Part B premiums $928

$1,246 Deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments

Specified LowIncome Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)

$1,109

$1,491

Part B premiums only

Qualified Individual (QI)

$1,246

$1,675

Part B premiums only

Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI)

$3,715

$4,989

Part A premiums only

To qualify for PACE, you must meet all of the following conditions: Be 55 or older Live in the service area of a PACE organization Need a nursing home-level of care (as certified by your state) Be able to live safely in the community with help from PACE (To be continued)

*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii Medicare Savings Program 2011 Resource Limits

Medicare Savings Program 2011 Resource Limits

Resource limits for the QMB, SLMB, and QI Medicare Savings Programs are $6,680 for a single person and

$10,020 for a married couple. limits for thePrograms are Resource limits for the QMB, SLMB,Resource and QI Medicare Savings QDWIfor program $4,000 for a single person and $6,000 $6,680 a single are person and $10,020 for a married couple.

Resource for a for married couple. limits the QDWI program are $4,000 for a single person and $6,000 for a married couple.

Countable resources include:

Countable resources include:

• •

•

•

money in a checking or savings account stocks bonds

money in a checking or savings account

Countable resources don't include: • • • •

•

your home one car burial plot up to $1,500 for burial expenses If you have put that money aside furniture other household and personal items

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

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2012 Medicare Annual Enrollment has begun and will end on December 7, 2011...

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√ Do you know your Medicare Choices? √ Is Health Club Membership benefit important? √ Do you have the right plan that serves your need? √ Is your Medicare Plan cost effective? √ Do you want to know which plans provide Dental Vision coverage and over the counter medicines?

Call me today for an annual review of your current Medicare Health Plan and select the best option for 2012.

We represent all major Medicare health plans companies.

SUDHIR MATHURIA Mathuria Associates

TEL: 713-771-2900 Email: sudhir@MyMedicarePlanning.com www.MyMedicarePlanning.com

Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com Desi Digest Diwali 2011

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Page 1

HOROSCOPE ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20: Relaxed, you will continue to spend time with friends and family.

You have a pretty hectic timetable will come to an end with a lot of free time available for merrymaking. You may meet the person of you dreams and start a romantic journey. Well, romance is on your mind! If you’re married, you may renew your vows, make your beloved feel special, or even plan a trip for both. You have to draw your attention to the financial matters that are likely to pop up during this favorable week.

Keep a tab on your expenses.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 Money will be important. You desire a big bank balance, as it gives you financial security in this highly competitive world. You also know that it takes money to make money.

Therefore, you’ll invest wisely and make sure the returns are favorable. Money is a good servant, but a bad master. Misuse of power, unethical practices, secret deals, jealousy, even extra-marital affairs cannot be ruled out. You’re driven by money but apply breaks before it’s too late. Meditate and direct your energy in the right direction.

GEMINI May 22 - Jun 21: You may shift gears and now attend to personal and social matters. Material pursuits no longer seem attractive to you, as you now realise that they can’t fill the void in your life.

Leaving behind ego and selfishness, you’ll now embark on a journey to find the real ‘you’. Social work and charity will give you happiness from within.

Family and friends will be the first ones to receive your generosity. You are interested in alternative healing methods like acupressure, Reiki, acupuncture, and Yoga.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 23: This will continue to be positive through the last week, too.

On the career front, you’re going great guns. Busy you will be but after a hectic day at work, you will be happy that you are coming home to a loving family. There’s too much happening around you, but you will effortlessly handle everything well, nobody will have any complaints against you.

Let the celebrations continue! You should grab every good opportunity, and like a true follower, you have taken the advice seriously. See how beneficial that advice has turned out to be?

LEO July 24 - Aug 23: While you will make new contacts, you will also revive old friendships and connections.

You don’t trust people easily and take your time to open your heart in front of them even when you need to let out your emotions. You keep your feelings under wraps. But, you will make efforts to change this side of your personality for good.

Extensive travelling to unexplored locations is in the offing. Relatives and friends from far away may visit you, and you will have a gala time with them. Take full advantage of the good times VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23: You have realized the magnitude of the problem. You will try to put your life back on the track. Take one step at a time.

First, relax your mind and develop self-discipline, and nothing will work better than yoga and meditation. Your work has borne the brunt of it and unless you immediately rectify your mistakes, there are chances that you may even lose your job. You may still manage to minimize the damage, thanks to your loved ones. You’re lucky to have loving family and friends. They will get you out of the storm.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23: Your hard-work pays off. The Sun is shining bright, you feel

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relaxed and are surrounded by happiness. You are in a positive mood and may want to take up new projects to march ahead in life. Test the waters before signing business deals, as there may be some clauses that may go unnoticed, or are unfavourable. The introspection done during the previous weeks may prove to be very helpful. Now you know your strengths and weaknesses, and are all gung-ho about the new projects.

SCORPIO Oct 24 - Nov 22: Nothing in your life can go wrong right now. You are climbing up the ladder, earning respect and status in the society, receiving compliments from one and all, and enjoying the fruits of your hard-work, you’re living your dream! You do not give undue importance to the power of money, but are aware about the fact that you need it to have comforts and luxuries of life.

Therefore, from now on, money will be the focal point of all your activities. You life will revolve around loans, capital, investments, joint-funds, earnings, and expenses.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 22: Your spiritual, financial, intellectual, and emotional growth will be in equilibrium.

Religion, philosophy, legal matters, and the occult sciences will grab your attention and you are at such a stage in life that you can afford to spend time to learn about these matters. You want to expand the horizon of your knowledge and for that you will read plenty of books and novels, visit libraries, and meet highly knowledgeable people and interact with them. You desire to have material growth and spiritual enlightenment both, and want be known for that.

Your desire will be fulfilled.

CAPRICORN Dec 23 - Jan 20: You should be proud of yourself for tackling every problem with patience, courage, and wisdom. You have achieved growth in every sphere of life, be it professional, personal, intellectual, or spiritual. The good thing about you is that you have not let success go to your head. You are confident enough to take up new challenges but at the same time you are aware about your limitations. Increasing bank balance, improving status, and networking will be the areas of your focus. Believe in your vision, make the right decision, and take it forward!

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19: It’s time to act without delaying anything any more. Pay more attention to some outstanding matters and do the needful to resolve them. Get yourself free from the pending work.

Relatives, friends, and colleagues may ask you to hang out with them, but you will be busy clearing the backlog. You must understand that unless you get your act together, it may damage your life severely. Concentrate on your life, and will manage to recover.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20: Times are so favorable now that nothing will go wrong for you.

At work, you will seriously consider expansion plans and move forward in life at a faster pace. You have been through ups and downs, but from here on, there will be more ups than downs. You will handle financial issues, such as investments, loans, bonds, funds, stocks effortlessly and earn profit out of many of them. Your gut feeling will play a vital role in your success, as you will know for sure what is right and what is wrong for you. Not everyone is blessed with such a power.

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Indo American News • Friday, OCTOBER 28 , 2011 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com