Saathee Charlotte April 2023

Bridging America and the Indian Subcontinent America and the Indian Subcontinent

April 2023

April 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

Concert Events: pg 18

A Goan Adventure: pg 32

Spot the Differences: pg 50

Recipe: Crispy Rice: pg 66

Hello Readers!

There are lots of family friendly events coming up. Find them all in our Events section beginning on page 18.

Read the stories of positive impact made by digital platforms in India. It starts on page 42.

"Can We Work with Our Teenagers in Investing?" That is the question and you can find the answers in our Personal Finances column on page 54.

Hop on over to page 66 for the simple and mouth watering recipe for Crispy Rice with Spicy Toppings.

Looking for a life partner, a job, or a new business? Check our classifieds section on page 92 and 93.

Don’t forget to visit our newly designed website, Saathee.Com. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Thank you for continuing to read Saathee and please share it with family and friends. We welcome conversations.

Connect with us via email: saathee@saathee.com.

Subscribe to Saathee magazine at saathee.com/subscription.

Cover: Coracle Boat on Tungabhadra River, Hampi

Coracle boats are small round boats and popular modes of local transport as well used for the enjoyment of tourists. This one is on the Tungabhadra River in the southern Indian state of Karnataka near the heritage site of Hampi.

“Bridging America and the Indian Subcontinent.”

April 2023 Issue # 299

- Saathee.com -

Editor Samir Shukla

(Samir@Saathee.com)

Publisher & Advertising

Divakar Shukla

704-527-7570 or rakavid@aol.com

Digital Media & Marketing

Jennifer W. Allen

Ad Design / Layout

DSJ Graphics & Manimaran

Contributors for this issue: Kirit Shukla, Mithi Shukla, Raajeev Aggerwhil, Rupa Pereira, Preethi Sriram, Violet Wei, Mo Vidwans and Jalendu Vaidya.

Mission: Our goal is to be a valuable source of information for the South Asian community and to be a vital advertising tool for businesses.

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Opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and advertisers and not necessarily of the publisher or editor. Please contact us prior to submitting articles or photographs. Saathee is published monthly. Deadlines for advertisement, submissions and events information is 15th of the month. For a free Saathee subscription, visit saathee.com/subscription All content © 2023 Shukla Entertainment, Inc

"You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.”

- Rabindranath Tagore

S. Sayee Rakshith — Violin

Bhadrachaar — Mridangam

In This Issue

Page 18 Zakir Hussain Live and Other Events

Page 38 And the Winner Goes To....

Page 28 Film Clips: Lily James Stars in What’s Love Got to Do With It?

Content

Page 66 Recipe: Crispy Rice with Spicy

Toppings

Shukla

Step aside white fluffy American bread, watch out tortillas and Italian bread. Slide over pita, your cousin from the East is here, and it is staying. Naan is one of the most popular breads that accompanies Indian food. It is that fluffy bread baked in tandoor ovens, served plain or infused with garlic, onions, mint, or other flavors, and it goes with just about anything. It has now made American supermarkets its home.

There are many breads eaten in India, most notably rotis and parathas which are eaten more often than naan, along with kulchas, fried puris, and many regional faves, including rotla and bhakhari. Put a healthy dollop of ghee onto hot roti, naan or paratha and the taste and aroma will launch you to the stars.

Naan on Aisle Nine

The Editor’s Desk by Samir

Upcoming Events

NC Azalea Festival: Wilmington, NC (April 12 - 16, 2023)

The fest takes place between April 12 & 16, 2023 for colorful local gardens tours, entertainment, and a waterfront street fair, family events and one grand parade while showing Wilmington’s exceptional artwork, gardens, rich history and culture. The annual parade is filled with the floats, marching units, bands, clowns, horses, visiting celebrities and the Azalea Queen. Catch fireworks over the Cape Fear River. Visit homes and churches representing 250 years of architecture during the Historic Home Tour. Details: Ncazaleafestival.org.

RiverRun International Film Festival: Winston-Salem, NC (April 13 - 22, 2023)

This film festival is a regional event based in

Awara Hoon, Magic of the Kapoors: Morrisville, NC (April 22, 2023)

The Hindi Vikas Mandal presents an evening of music, drama, dance, and film with a tribute to four generations of the Kapoor family, India’s film royalty. The show will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 7:15pm at Main Hall, HSNC, Morrisville, NC. Dinner will be available for purchase and the festivities begin at 6pm. For more details, call 919-656-5244 or 919-880-8529.

Rhythms of India: Atlanta, GA (April 16, 2023)

India American Cultural Association (IACA) presents dance, music and vocal performances on Sunday, April 16, 2023 beginning at 4pm at Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lilburn, GA. For more details, visit Iacaatl.org.

Charleston Jazz Festival (April 20 - 23, 2023)

Winston-Salem, NC. The 11-day Festival includes family-friendly, independent, and international films attracting diverse audiences from across North Carolina, the US, and world. The 25th annual Festival will be held between April 13–22, 2023. Details: Riverrunfilm.com.

Kiran Heroes for Hope Walkathon: Morrisville, NC (April 16, 2023)

The fundraiser will take place at Lake Crabtree Park, Beech Shelter, 1400 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC on Sunday, April 16, 2023 beginning at 9am.

Kiran’s mission is to end the cycle of abuse and to serve and empower South Asian victims of domestic violence in North Carolina by providing culturally specific services and comprehensive economic, social and community resources. For details, call 919-831-4203 or visit Kiraninc.org.

The 8th annual Charleston Jazz Festival draws musiclovers from around the globe for a four-day celebration from April 20–23, 2023 to showcase the city’s jazz heritage. Musical performances from acclaimed international headliners include Dianne Reeves, Samara Joy, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Cindy Blackman Santana, and more. For info visit, Charlestonjazz.com.

BOOM: Charlotte, NC (April 21 – 23, 2023)

BOOM returns with the 6th year of its annual arts festival. The festival will be the usual mix of indoor and outdoor venues. Started by a group of Charlotte artists in 2016, the BOOM festival quickly grew into one of the largest, most diverse, multidisciplinary creative gatherings in Charlotte. Featuring all mediums from chalk art to classical music, from aerial dance to slam poetry, it became the unique coming together of the whole creative ecosystem of Charlotte. For more details, visit Boomcharlotte.org.

Tuck Fest: Charlotte, NC (April 21-23, 2023)

The annual Tuck Fest will take place at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte from April 21 - 23, 2023. There will be bands performing and many competitive activities including biking, water sports, climbing and more. Food service and vendors will be on hand for the daylong festivities. For more details, visit Tuckfest.whitewater.org.

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Upcoming Events

TAGCA Ugadi Sambaraalu: Charlotte, NC (April 22, 2023)

The Telugu Association of Greater Charlotte Area presents Ugadi Sambaraalu on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 5 - 10pm at Cuthbertson High School, 1400 Cuthbertson Rd., Waxhaw, NC. The event will feature a cultural program. For more details call 408-802-5172 or visit Tagca.org.

Vaisakhi Mela: Morrisville, NC

(April 23, 2023)

Carolina Indian Arts presents Vaisakhi Mela at HSNC Hall, 309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC from 4 - 9pm. The event takes place on Sunday, April 23, 2023 and features cultural performances, mehndi, bhangra showcases, giddha, dhol performances and food. Early bird ticket prices available until April 8. For more details contact, carolinaarts@gmail.com.

MerleFest: Wilkesboro, NC (April 27 - 30, 2023)

MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock, and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the multiday event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, scholarships, and capital projects. For details, Merlefest.org.

North Carolina Pickle Festival: Mount Olive, NC

(April 28 - 29, 2023)

Pickle lovers, get ready! The festival returns for 2023 between April 28 & 29. The awardwinning Festival presented by the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce draws tens of thousands to downtown Mount Olive for a fun-filled, family-friendly festival. Celebrate the agricultural heritage of the area. Rides, children’s area and entertainment plus vendors and the Pickle Derby. Details: Ncpicklefest.org.

Regional Festival of India: Matthews, NC (April 29, 2023)

The India Association of Charlotte in active partnership with the Town of Matthews will present a regional Festival of India on Saturday, April 29, 2023 from noon to 6pm at Stumptown Park. Performances at the event will present a snapshot of the broad variety of dance forms and include classical and folk-dance styles from various regions of India as well as popular Bollywood dances. Come and

see the Visual Art Gallery with artwork by over 40 local artists. Also be sure to try unique cuisine in a new eclectic open setting with a variety of savory Indian dishes. Admission to the event is free. Details: Iacofcarolinas.org/indiafestival.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Live: Greensboro, NC (April 29, 2023)

Legendary singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan performs with a live band for his "Up Close and Personal" tour on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Tanger Center, 300 N Elm St., Greensboro, NC beginning at 8pm. A member of the famous family of Qawwali singers, Khan has sung many hits for Bollywood films. For more details call 718-200-9311 or visit themusikworld.com. For tickets and seats visit, Ticketmaster.com.

Zakir Hussain in Concert: Charlotte, NC (April 30, 2023)

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain will perform live in concert along with Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Rakesh Chaurasia. The show is at Blumenthal Theater, Charlotte, NC on Sunday, April 30, 2023. For more details and tickets info, visit Blumenthalarts.org or call 704-372-1000.

NCTGA Kite Flying Festival: Morrisville, NC (May 6, 2023)

Triangle Gujarati Association presents a family Kite Flying Festival on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 11am - 6pm at Cedar Fork District Park, 232 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC. There will be kids’ games, food, vendors and of course, kite flying. For more details call 919-522-5511 or visit the website Nctga.org.

Upcoming Events

Malladi Brothers Live in Concert: Charlotte, NC (May 6, 2023)

The Classical Music Association of Charlotte (CMAC), which sponsors many classical concerts during the year in Charlotte, presents a vocal concert by the Malladi Brothers, accompanied by S. Sayee Rakshith on violin and Ravishankar Bhadrachaar on mridangam. It will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023 beginning at 4pm at Gandhi Bhavan, Hindu Center, Charlotte. For details, call 704-339-4126, 704840-5949 or visit, Onlinecmac.org.

Home Is Distant Shores Film Festival: Cary, NC (May 6, 2023)

VerveFilms and Town of Cary present Home Is Distant Shores Film Festival which celebrates the lives and experiences of immigrants and refugees who left their land of birth and moved to a new country. In its 4th year, the festival will take place at the Cary Theater in Cary, NC on May 6, 2023. Filmmakers and community members will participate in a Q & A session after the screenings of 15 short films and tickets can be purchased at Thecarytheater.com.

Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes: Charlotte, NC (May 14, 2023)

Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes will arrive at Discovery Place Science, Charlotte on May 14, 2023. This will be the exhibition’s only stop in the Southeast. The exhibit features more than 300 original artifacts, including some of Marvel’s most iconic costumes, props and original art, much of which has never before been put on public display. The exhibition tells Marvel’s story in comics, film and other media and commemorates 1939’s seminal Marvel Comics #1—the first-ever appearance of Marvel’s Super Heroes—as well as the Marvel

Cinematic Universe. The exhibit traces the story of the company and its influence on visual culture while also uncovering the narratives of individual characters such as Captain America, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, and Doctor Strange, giving insight into how Marvel has influenced and drawn inspiration from the ever-changing tides of popular culture. For more details, call 704-372-6261 or visit Discoveryplace.org.

TAHTS Health Fair: Morrisville, NC (May 20, 2023)

The Triangle Area Hindu Temples and Triangle Indian American Physicians Society present their annual Health Fair on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 9am –1pm. This is open to all NC State residents. The blood draw days are May 1 – 15, 2023 and you can select any day to have blood sample taken at LapCorp Service Centers. There is a $25 required for registration and participants can consult with physician of their choice on the Health Fair Day. It will take place at HSNC, 309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC. Details, visit Tahts.org.

Dances of India: Charlotte, NC (May 21, 2023)

The 20th anniversary edition of annual Dances of India will take place on Sunday, May 21, 2023 beginning at 3pm. The classical and folk-dance performances can be enjoyed live and virtually via live stream. It will take place at Kannapolis Performing Arts Center, 415 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Kannapolis, NC. Free admission and parking. For more details, visit Mahasdancesofindia.com.

NuvYug India Fest: Raleigh, NC (June 10, 2023)

NuvYug Cultural Organization presents the 21st anniversary of India Fest in Raleigh, NC. It will take place on June 10, 2023 at Jim Graham Building, State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Enjoy dance and music performances, fashion, crafts, arts, cuisine and exhibitions. Admission is free. For more details, call 9019228-9867 or visit Nuvyug.org.

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Upcoming Movie Releases

April 7__________________________________

April 21________________________________

Ravanasura (Director: Sudheer Varma)

Cast: Ravi Teja, Sushanth, Jayaram, Murali Sharma, and Sampath Raj

Air (Director: Ben Affleck)

Cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Tucker, and Viola Davis

The Super Mario Bros Movie

(Directors: Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic)

Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black

Paint (Director: Brit McAdams)

Cast: Owen Wilson, Michaela Watkins, and Stephen Root

Gumraah

(Director: Vardhan Ketkar)

Cast: Aditya Roy Kapur and Mrunal Thakur

Showing Up (Director: Kelly Reichardt)

Cast: Michelle Williams, Hong Chau, and Judd Hirsch

April 14________________________________

The Pope’s Exorcist

(Director: Julius Avery)

Cast: Russell Crowe, Alex Essoe, Franco Nero, and Ralph Ineson

Renfield (Director: Chris McKay)

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, and Adrian Martinez

Bhola Shankar (Director: Meher Ramesh)

Cast: Chiranjeevi, Tamannaah, Keerthy Suresh, and Uttej

Sweetwater (Director: Martin Guigui)

Cast: Cary Elwes, Jim Caviezel, and Richard Dreyfuss

Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (Director: Farhad Samji)

Cast: Salman Khan, Pooja Hegde, Venkatesh, and Jagapathi Babu

The Covenant (Director: Guy Ritchie)

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim, Emily Beecham, and Jonny Lee Miller

Somewhere in Queens (Director: Ray Romano)

Cast: Laurie Metcalf, Sadie Stanley, and Ray Romano

Chevalier (Director: Stephen Williams)

Cast: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Samara Weaving, and Minnie Driver

Beau is Afraid (Director: Art Aster)

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Nathan Lane, Parker Posey, and Patti LuPone

Back on the Strip (Director: Chris Spencer )

Cast: Kevin Hart, Wesley Snipes, and Tiffany Hadish

April 28__________________________________

Peter Pan & Wendy (Director: David Lowery)

Cast: Jude Law, Alexander Molony, and Jim Gaffigan

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (Director: Kelly Fremon Craig)

Cast: Rachel McAdams, Abby Ryder Fortson, and Kathy Bates

Polite Society (Director: Nida Manzoor)

Cast: Priya Kansara, Ritu Arya, and Renu Brindle

May 5_________________________________

Rama Banam (Director: Sriwass)

Cast: Jagapathi Babu, Nassar, and Khushbu Sundar

Saathee.com/film-guide has the latest info on where the movies are showing or streaming. All dates subject to change.

Gumraah

The murder investigation of a young man takes an unexpected turn when the cops discover that the prime suspect has a lookalike. Aditya Roy Kapur, Mrunal Thakur, and Ronit Roy star in the Vardhan Ketkar directed film that releases on April 7, 2023.

Peter Pan & Wendy

Live-action adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of a boy who wouldn’t grow up and recruits three young siblings in London to join him on a magical adventure to the enchanted Neverland island. Jude Law, Alexander Molony, and Jim Gaffigan star in the David Lowery directed film. It begins streaming on April 28, 2023.

Joyland

Writer-director Saim

Sadiq explores the many sides of love and desire in a patriarchal society. Gentle and timid, Haider (Ali Junejo) lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father, and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. Following a long spell of unemployment, Haider finally lands a job at a Bollywood-style burlesque, telling his family he is a theater manager, when in actuality, he is a backup dancer. The unusual position shakes up the steadfast traditional dynamics of his household and enables Haider to break out of his shell. He becomes infatuated with the strong-willed trans woman Biba (Alina Khan) who runs the show—an unforeseen partnership that opens his eyes and ultimately his worldview. It releases on April 21, 2023.

Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan

Farhad Samji directs Salman Khan, Pooja Hegde, Venkatesh, and Jagapathi Babu in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. It is a story where the eldest brother refuses to marry since he believes it may create disharmony in his big family. His brothers, who’ve already found life partners, come together to find a match for him. The action drama releases on April 21, 2023.

What’s Love Got to Do with It?

For documentary-maker and dating app addict Zoe (Lily James), swiping right has only delivered an endless stream of Mr. Wrongs, to her eccentric mother Cath’s (Emma Thompson) dismay. For Zoe’s childhood friend and neighbor Kaz (Shazad Latif), the answer is to follow his parents’ example and opt for an arranged (or “assisted”) marriage to a bride from Pakistan. As Zoe films his hopeful journey from London to Lahore to marry a stranger, she begins to wonder if she might have something to learn from a different approach to finding love. The comedy also stars Shabana Azmi and Asim Chaudhry.The Shekhar Kapur directed film hits on May 5, 2023.

Kandahar

A CIA operative and his translator flee from special forces in Afghanistan after exposing a covert mission. The is directed by Ric Roman Waugh and stars Indian actor Ali Fazal along with Gerard Butler and Bahador Foladi and begins on May 26, 2023.

Hera Pheri 3

Suniel Shetty, Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal reunite in Hera Pheri 3, directed by Farhad Samji. The trio will return as Raju, Shyam and Baburao Ganpatrao Apte. Shetty, in a LinkedIn blog post wrote, “So Hera Pheri 3 is finally happening! Look forward to being back on set with Pareshji and Akki (Akshay). Like all good things, this one took some time, but it’s a relief to finally have an answer to this question! Films are such a huge part of our culture, and yet, not many understand what goes into making a film.” No release date has been announced.

Polite Society

Focus Features will release Polite Society on April 28, 2023. The film, written and directed by Nida Manzoor, stars Priya Kansara, Ritu Arya, Nimra Bucha, Akshay Khanna, and Seraphina Beh. A merry mash up of sisterly affection, parental disappointment and bold action, the film follows martial artist-in-training Ria Khan who believes she must save her older sister Lena from her impending marriage. After enlisting the help of her friends, Ria attempts to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence and sisterhood.

J. Matthew Whitehead, Atty I Nihar M. Patel, Atty I Hugh McAngus, Atty I Monty D. Desai, Atty I Mitchell K. Byrd, Jr. Atty

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A Goan Adventure

The Road Warrior A Goan Adventure The Road Warrior

Raajeev’s Corner

by Raajeev Aggerwhil

My wife and I visited Goa last month. Last year, we were in South Goa but this year we decided to spend time in North Goa, in a small town called Vagator. One of the lessons we learned from our visit last year is that transportation is a big problem — taxis are hard to come by and there are no Ubers or Olas. They had an equivalent service called GoaMiles but it was unreliable. Most visitors either rent a scooter or rent a car themselves.

I was a bit reluctant to rent a car because I had not driven much in India. I learned to drive in the US, so my mind is tuned to driving the right way! Luckily, I had driven stickshift cars for about fifteen years so I was confident I could handle gear shifting. I was nervous about making a mistake and facing a bunch of cars driving toward me like an armada. I came up with a plan and decided that I’ll remind myself to stay on the left side of the road after every turn. My wife was a bit skeptical, but I managed to convince her. We decided to rent the car for two weeks from a local guy, Amit.

I decided to go on a practice drive with him. He gave me a few useful tips; the most helpful thing he pointed out was

that on most roads there were 1.5 foot wide and 1.5-footdeep trench on the sides. He told me that if I am not careful, the car would fall in the trench. He also showed me where the horn was – a must. He showed me the button to close the mirrors on both sides and warned me not to close them manually. I told him I would be careful. There was a lot of pressure because Amit entrusted me with the best car in his 20-car fleet, an almost new Suzuki Baleno.

Overcoming the conditioning of right-hand drive was harder than I expected. Before starting the car, I would find myself sitting on the left side of the car (the passenger side) while the passersby would look at me strangely. While driving, I kept mistaking the wiper switch with the indicator light which added to the chaos.

Since we were renting an apartment that was about a 15minute walk from Vagator beach, we decided to explore alternate accommodations closer to the beach. My wife and I drove around looking at options. We found a decent lodge. The lodge operator gave us a tour of the place. Although it was closer to the beach, the accommodation was not any better than the apartment we already had. We also noticed that the closer we got to the beach, the more run-down the places looked. I told the operator that we would think about

Raajeev’s Corner Story continued on page 52

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by Rupa Pereira

Crossroads can be of varying degrees of complexity. In simplest terms, it’s a junction where the road ahead looks like quite different from the one we have traveled on and has more than one turn. As motorists, we’re trained to handle crossroads depending on if we know where we’re headed. If not, we circle around, take a detour and figure out the best direction we want to take.

Let’s apply this metaphor to life events. The ones worth celebrating: birth, weddings, milestone birthdays, new jobs, promotion, new home, new relationship or public recognition. We’re full of vitality and excited about the road ahead. How about the ones that leave us less enthused? Death, disability, separation, loss of a loved one, loss of job, health-scare, financial crunch, relocation or marital strife - the list goes on.

As I browse through recent flood of anonymous posts on private Facebook forums seeking to be heard while pouring out their emotional and financial insecurities, it made me wonder if crossroads hit women harder than men.

Let’s look at some statistics. Women outlive men. While men’s life expectancy is 82, women’s average life expectancy is 86. These extra years as a survivor lead to extended income needs during their lifetimes. Gender stereotypes often inhibit women from taking a proactive role in managing their household finances, leaving them more vulnerable in times of crisis.

In a typical household, women pause their career to raise a family, nurture their children and when they’re ready to reenter the workforce, their earning potential regresses or their skills are outdated. Gender pay gap results in moms earning 70 cents for every $1 paid to dads. When you look at earnings over 15-year periods, the wage gap is even wider. Women make just 49 percent of what men do on average, due to career breaks.

Juggling household and work duties accompanied with emotions of guilt, self-judgement and exhaustion is a common sentiment shared by working moms.

A stay-at-home parent, generally 3 out of every 4 it is a woman, relies on her spouse for financial security and when that foundation starts to crumble, they find themselves at a crossroad, more so if children are involved. Personally, I’ve seen this played out too often in many families, including my parents’ household. It has personally informed my career choices.

Women can educate and inform themselves even if they relegate major financial decisions to their partner. The more

Financially Speaking Women at Crossroads

we know, the more we can prepare for any unforeseen event, rather than it catching us unawares.

As a financial advisor, my 7-step advice to clients at crossroads is outlined as follows:

1. Let the emotions settle, so the mind can think straight and clear. One’s reflection is only visible through clear water not when it’s murky and unsettled. Avoid making major life decisions or money decisions when you’re wrestling with conflicting emotions. Did I mention that deep breaths are critical at this point?

Financially Speaking continued on page 82

And the Winner Goes To… Part Deux, The Next Chapter

Mirror, Mirror by Jennifer Allen

“For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that dreams dream big and dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anyone ever tell you you are ever past your prime.

Never give up.”

~ Michelle Yeoh, 95th Academy Awards

Another awards season has come and gone…

We laughed. We cried. We cheered as certain names were announced and those selfsame people advanced upon a brightly lit stage and gifted the world with jubilant speeches for their wins.

At the end of this congratulatory tunnel was the Oscars; an awards ceremony to which Hollywood has befuddled us all with some of the most surprising and controversial choices over its many decades of existence. I’m still not over How Green is My Valley, Shakespeare in Love, Crash, Driving Miss Daisy, and Green Book winning Best Picture Oscars over clearly superior films in their respective categories, by the way.

In a sort of “awards ennui”, my habit of watching the Golden Globes and the SAG awards has overshadowed other ceremonies such as the Oscars, BAFTAs and so on. My reasoning ranges from the Academy’s aforementioned questionable decisions for winners, to finding parts of some ceremonies to be rather lackluster. Ironically, this choice delayed my learning about “the slap” during the 2022 Oscars until it was all over the news the next morning.

Amusingly, that’s not even the most controversial thing ever experienced at an awards ceremony. Reading the wrong winner has happened often enough. Mispronouncing fellow performers’ names. “Wardrobe malfunctions.” Kanye being Kanye. Mistakes and scandals are ripe for mockery, and we as the common audience will devour it all like candy.

Heck Marlon Brando’s stunt rejecting his Oscar in 1973 for The Godfather by sending an actress in Indigenous garb in his place is rather tame by today’s standards. Sacheen Littlefeather (sadly) was boycotted after the incident and not pardoned by the Academy until August 2022, three months before her death.

Something inside me prodded my psyche to watch at least certain portions of the Oscars this year. I was hopeful that this year would be different. This year… the Academy would (hopefully) ignore most of the “Oscar bait” films which sprinkle into our cinemas the week after Christmas

Mirror continued on page 82

Leveraging Digital Platforms for Public Good

Leveraging Digital Platforms for Public Good

Stories of Positive Impact from India

By Suchit Ahuja and Yolande E. Chan

Digital platforms such as Uber, Airbnb, WeChat and TaskRabbit have changed the world by creating new economic opportunities through gig work culture and enabling a sharing economy. However, concerns remain about how these platforms may exploit gig workers and customers if driven purely by profit.

While these platforms are great at creating value by bringing buyers, sellers, and consumers together, their benefits often don’t transcend to their ecosystem. They have been criticized for their poor social and environmental impacts, exclusionary practices, digital colonialism, and surveillance capabilities.

To leverage the power of platforms for social good, it’s important to design socially oriented platforms within ecosystems of shared value that target the UN’s sustainable development goals.

To focus on sustainable development goals, platforms need to change from being exclusively focused on profits and value appropriation, to perceiving themselves as public goods that innovate responsibly by co-creating and sharing economic, social and environmental value. While this is easier said than done, some organizations have begun the process.

A new non-profit

Commercial platforms are expected to earn an estimated $60 trillion by 2025. Meanwhile, the Platform Commons Foundation — an Indian non-profit that builds inclusive platforms to address global grand challenges — is focused on creating social value, while economic value is secondary.

The Platform Commons Foundation has launched several platforms focused on sustainable development goals such as poverty alleviation, providing quality education and decent work, improving economic growth and reducing inequalities.

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by Jennifer Allen

Book Review In the Heart of the Linden Wood

After reviewing author Ekta R. Garg’s previous Christmas-themed novella, The Truth About Elves I was all but elated to hear that she has published a new story set within a more fantastical setting.

Her particular style of prose leans itself to exploring a character’s personal thoughts and draws you in to understand more of who they are.

As The Truth About Elves focuses primarily on one protagonist, In the Heart of the Linden Wood progresses the tale through the several important characters including a King, Councilwoman, Woodsman, Healer, and the Healer’s son. Through the unique perspectives of each, Garg provides the reader a glimpse not only into their individual motivations, but also various observances about the others as well.

“All of us have experienced the searing pain of betrayal by someone we once trusted. A friend who knew our deepest secrets. A guardian who vowed to nurture us. A love who promised us the sky above the sun and the dust between the stars.”

The story opens with a confession from someone known simply as “The Keeper”; an admission of pain and heartbreak over the betrayal of a man… a royal prince of Linden named Vincent. The portrayal of this man is not kind, as he is personified as a spiteful, greedy, and distrustful by nearly all his peers.

However, we focus instead on his son Christopher who received most of his father’s ire and abuse until a fateful “hunting accident” thrusts the boy to take Vincent’s place upon the throne. We then learn of Christopher’s beloved wife, Lily, who is moments away from birthing their first child. Unfortunately, the procedure leads to tragedy and neither the queen nor the baby survives.

Such news causes Christopher into a downward spiral of grief with rage that occasionally mirrors his father’s own. Such remorse is felt throughout all the characters, as the queen was highly regarded as kind, generous and supportive to many.

The Healer Geraldine who served as Lily’s midwife is the first to bear the brunt of her king’s anger, dismissing her from her healing practice for (in his grieved state) not saving his wife nor their child. Over the course of our tale, we learn of her determination and intelligence as she continues her work in secret.

At least… until a series of cascading circumstances lead both to team up with her son Alistair and his Guardsman Martin to partake upon an urgent quest to save the kingdom’s forest, housing a special wood prized throughout all the kingdoms, from slowly dying out.

As with most “quest stories” the prose then beckons us in to observe and experience the characters’ journey rather than just their ultimate goal. While the narrative is chiefly about King Christopher’s gradual shift to become a better ruler and more confident person, we’re also privy to the thoughts and motivations of everyone around him. Geraldine becomes especially important for these changes to occur, and in turn she learns a bit more about Martin, her son, and even herself in the process.

As with Garg’s previous work there is a twist or two to look forward to. Also, the actual quest doesn’t begin until roughly halfway through the book which can make all the buildup beforehand a bit of a slog to read through. Stick with it, though! By the end it all becomes worthwhile and as with all fairy tales… leaves the reader elated with hope and… a happily ever after.

This is Ekta R. Garg’s second fiction release, and first full-length novel. She also works as an editor, writing contest judge, and offers writing workshops on her podcast, Biblio Breakdown.

Jennifer Allen works at Saathee and is also a Podcaster, Blogger, Photographer, Graphic Artist, Gamer, Martial Arts Practitioner, and an all around Pop Culture Geek. You can reach her at Saathee@Saathee.com

Recipes

Saathee is seeking original South Asian Recipes to publish. Send a query to Samir@Saathee.com with “Recipe Idea” in the subject line.

Diversity and Equity in Dance Inspiration from Movies

Adult Dance Student

by Preethi Sriram

I have seen a good share of Indian movies and there has been content that I thought was amazing. There was content that explored topics of beauty in a film called Mugam, where the main actor Nassar depicts a facially deformed character who must make a choice of being pained for beauty or being pained by an ignorant society and their treatment of him for the way he looks. When noting how the character is “pained” in his portrayal, the character wears a mask that hurts him physically, but the mask allows him to be accepted by society. Parallels can be drawn to what people may go through in society for the pursuit of what they may feel is good looking. For instance, maybe someone wants to go through surgery to get a physical enhancement to feel better about themselves and are willing to take a high risk with their health for something that may be viewed as superficial to others.

Another thought-provoking movie I enjoyed watching was Bombay because it felt like a movie that tried to unite people of different ideologies. Moondram Pirai a film starring Kamala Hassan and Sridevi was an insightful movie where the topic of vulnerability, and how should the most vulnerable in society be treated was explored. And another favorite that I recall is Mudhalvan where the concept of choosing between personal happiness and the welfare of the state is analyzed. These are some of the movies that stick out to me which I thought were captivating due to the topics and themes that were delved into.

I have also danced to many Indian songs during various festivals. Even if I have not seen the movie, there are songs that we had danced to for festivals. Some songs that I recall include “Taal Se Taal” from the movie Taal, “Bhumaro” from the movie Mission Kashmir, and Nimooda from the movie Hum Dil De Chuka Sanam. One that is funny and memorable for me is where I had the opportunity to dance for a garba

Adult Dance Student continued on page 74

How to Appeal a Financial Aid Award

How to Appeal a Financial Aid Award

College Admissions Insider

by Violet Wei

As school decisions begin to be announced, students and their families should review their financial aid offers and calculate the actual cost of attending the university. Most universities allow financial aid appeals, but the process and reasons that they will accept for a change in financial aid offers can vary greatly.

If you believe you are eligible for additional financial aid, the next step is to write a letter to the admission officers at your preferred university. You have nothing to lose, so why not appeal? This letter aims to demonstrate how your current income and savings, along with your parents, cannot cover the cost of attending college.

It’s important to have a conversation with your parents before writing the letter—has something changed in your family’s financial situation that will affect your ability to pay for college? For example, did one of your parents lose their job or get a job with a lower income? Your family might also be facing increased expenses, such as childcare costs or college tuition fees for other children. There are many reasons why college may no longer be affordable, and the appeal letter is your chance to explain this to the admission officers.

Keep in mind that this letter could be worth more than $10,000, so this is not something you spend just a few minutes on. Take the time to think it through with your parents and write it well.

College Admissions continued on page 76

Spot the Differences

See if you can spot the 15 differences between the original photo below and modified photo on the right. Answers are on page 88.

Kirti

Kalgi

Raajeev continued from page 32

it and asked for his card. I looked at the card and noticed that his name was Lazarus. I couldn’t resist asking him, “When did you come back?” He seemed to be impressed that I knew enough about the Bible to ask that question. He replied, “As a matter of fact I almost died twenty years ago but by some twist of fate, I was revived.” I gave him a congratulatory handshake and told him we would get back to him if we were interested. It was a relief to hear his name was Lazarus. If something happened to me driving on the wrong side of the road, maybe I’d come back too.

On the way back from the beach to our apartment, I noticed that there were no road signs. No yield signs, no merge signs, no one-way sign and no stop signs. There were no lane dividers. You knew the road ended on the left side when the trench began. I also did not see any traffic lights. I also suddenly became aware of the large number of cows and dogs on the road. It reminded me of my rides in Old Delhi from my childhood where cows, dogs, and camels were common on the street. Luckily, I never had to bother driving at that time. Here in Goa, it was different. I had to be hyper alert all the time. That meant, no chit-chatting with my wife. There were no relaxing moments where we could enjoy the ride. We had to be constantly vigilant, keeping the analytical left-side of the brain busy.

During the first two days, it was like riding a rollercoaster at an amusement park. Literally. There were large numbers of speedbumps on the road and most of them did not have any markings. I found my car was airborne every few minutes. My wife would be screaming, “Aram se! Be careful! Slow down!!” Then I would point out that the speedbumps had no or worn-out paint so I couldn’t tell when they were coming up. Later we figured out that besides navigation and warning me of pedestrians, scooters, cows and dogs, her job would be to point out any speed bumps ahead of time.

The most terrifying part of the drive was that on narrow roads, a big truck or an SUV would come on the other side. I would slow down and come to a complete stop. My wife would just close her eyes in fear. I would look up to the driver of the other vehicle to give me instructions because I was afraid my car would fall in the trench. “OK, now go a bit left. Now stop. Now move slowly. Straight.” Luckily, the people were friendly, and they could tell I was a new driver. Other drivers following the truck would also give instructions through sign language. It was amusing and scary at the same time!

I learned quickly that the cars followed a hierarchy like the Indian caste system. The big trucks were the Brahmins, the upper caste, followed by the SUV’s, the Kshatriyas, the warriors. I automatically fit in the correct category of the Bania, the merchant, driving a small car. The two-wheelers and the pedestrians were the lower class. I always had to stop and give the right of ways to the Brahmins and the Kshatriyas in their trucks and SUV’s. I learned to go into traffic without fear if there was a swarm of scooters coming in the opposite direction, knowing that they would give me the right of way.

My wife was a big savior using Google Maps on the phone, helping me navigate. But I never got used to her

screaming or fearful expressions. I found it more distracting than the cows. When we were leaving Goa, we got a cab to drop us at the airport. The driver was driving a bit fast so my wife, out of her habit, started repeating, “Be careful! Slow! Easy!!” After hearing it a couple of times, he told my wife that he could not drive like this, and he surely would have an accident if she continued that way. I smiled because he accurately summed up my feelings for the last two weeks.

The night when we were scheduled to leave, I was making a left and my wife warned of a dog on the street. I slowed down and honked, hoping it would move. But it didn’t. Maybe he was complacent or confident of my driving skills to avoid him. I honked again and moved slowly. I didn’t hear any howling, so I knew I didn’t hurt the poor animal. I marveled at the fact that the dog was too lazy to get out of the way. But then I thought the dog was confident of my ability to drive properly.

When I was leaving Goa, I was thankful that I was able to move around with my wife and explore nearby places in the car. I was also thankful that I managed to return the car to Amit without running into a ditch and without a single scratch mark. In the end, I was amazed during our two weeks stay, we didn’t see any road accidents or any calamities despite the lack of road signs, warnings against speedbumps, and carefree cows and dogs roaming the streets. That was amazing and it defied all logic. One would think that the system would collapse anytime and would create utter chaos, but it didn’t. And for that Goa has to thank two other G’s for that: Google Maps and the Gods!

Raajeev Aggerwhil

is a Los Angeles-based comedian. Follow him on Instagram @raajeevcomedy

To see his videos on YouTube, search for his name.

Can We Work with Our Teenagers in Investing?

Some are Doing it Successfully

Personal Finances

by Mo Vidwans

Those who are raising children, especially teenagers, know well how hard it is to know what is mulling in their minds. Teenagers can be moody, withdrawn and aloof and there is a communication impasse from both ends unless somehow those channels are kept open in absolute confidentiality. Then we try to gauge what interests they may have so that maybe we can expand on that and keep them engaged.

One thing is for sure, the old autocratic ways of doing things that perhaps we were subjected to, may not, do not work today. We are stressed as it is to get them to do their homework as such and other chores they are supposed to do. Are there any other activities where their real interest may lie?

Some go for different kinds of interests: video games for sure, repair of laptops and cell phones, art and many unusual sports come to mind as possible interests and also businesses, where even teenagers have been successful. Barron’s magazine in June 2021 had portrayed two teenagers, Ronak and Esha, who have successfully dabbled in stocks and are making money without spending a ton of time and without ignoring their studies.

JP Morgan, Fidelity and many others are making a deliberate attempt to tap this teenage market with the assumption that once you get them hooked and they see the benefit and perhaps the excitement in it, maybe they will stay with them for life.

There could be some truth in that; there is also some brand value in familiarity (GEICO and Liberty Mutual commercials come to mind).

I must admit the apps and the online platforms that exist today didn’t exist even a decade ago and it sure has made it so convenient for teens as well others to instantly buy/sell

securities. There is also so much information available almost at the push of some keys, which is beneficial but could also become a problem.

Barron’s says, and I paraphrase, if there is an overarching challenge for teens and especially parents it’s finding a balance between righteous investing and the thrill of trading. The focus must be kept for learning and financial literacy, by making actual, real-life mistakes, albeit on a small scale, so that teenagers learn from experience but not get discouraged.

Many High Schools have started programs for seniors whereby allowing students to dip their tows in actual waters, by investing small amounts, they demystify the markets and teach a bit about its mechanics, too.

One of the reasons this is possible today and was rather difficult, if not impossible, in 80s and even 90s was that buying and selling securities was very expensive for individuals and the process was cumbersome and outright difficult. No broker paid much attention to a teenager unless he/she is completely backed by adults. Even today, I would venture say that without custodial oversight, it is basically a bad idea. In this regard my suggestion would be to get the teenager to discuss why he is thinking of buying/selling a particular stock with the adults, like responsible knowledgeable parents, and then execute. Right or wrong there must be a rationale behind all such actions and the teenagers have to know what they are. This is all part of learning.

At the age of 16 or 17 children could make decisions as well as adults but, on many occasions, they don’t have the backing of any previous experience. Adults, most of the times, go too much with their previous experience and are not willing to try new avenues. There are always exceptions. Teens tend to be more guided by their peers than adults. This makes a case for not only making sure that teens are in the right peer circle but also getting the peers to plant the right kind of bug for action in your teenager’s mind than parents doing it at home. For investments, maybe it is a good idea to get all the peers together and let them make a group decision. This is another lesson in consensus building, an indirect benefit.

There is no doubt, that an adult must be involved. Not only for opening an account but also for guiding the teenager through whatever decision-making processes they are applying. You would not wish them to buy just one stock like TIKTOK or GAMESTOP just because the stock happens to be hot. The question the teenager needs to tackle is will it be equally hot a month or a year from now and why?

News Notes

Hum Sub Basant Bahar 2023

faiths. The event will also be remembered for bringing together African tap dance and Indian kathak within an experimental work that explored the evolution of rhythm or “taali” from the clap, or “taal.” Hum Sub is proud of area choreographers who are pushing the boundaries of creativity while keeping the classical forms in music and dance alive. This was also evident in the three-school collaboration Abhushanani Visbhushana, which explored the various forms of “abhinaya” or theatrical expression, and even delved into the realm of the gods, with dazzling costumes, props, and backdrops.

Krishna Leela and Sivaarpanam employed two distinctive dance styles, from India’s North and South, respectively, to tell the much-loved stories from the lives of Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. The familiar songs and stories featured in these productions struck a chord with many.

Hum Sub received an overwhelming response when applications for Basant Bahar opened. It was a tough choice to select the four that finally went on stage.

Government of Nepal and the World Bank Launch $100 Million Water Sector Governance and Infrastructure Support Project

The theme of Basant Bahar 2023, held at Cary Arts Center on March 12, 2023, was “Ritu Rang- The Many Shades of Spring.” The exuberance of spring was presented with the fusion musical extravaganza, Sadhbhavana, Taali se Taal tak, and Abhushanani Vibhushana to Sivaarpanam and Krishna Leela.

The high point of the afternoon was a 50-minute musical collaboration between the Concert Singers of Cary and a 14-member strong group of Indian instrumentalists and vocalists, who showcased the language of music, which transcends cultures and

The Water Sector Governance and Infrastructure Support Project was jointly launched in February by the Minister of Water Supply, Abdul Khan and World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos.

The $100 million project, of which $80 million is financed by the World Bank and $20 million from government counterpart funding, will help Nepal improve the delivery of water and sanitation services and promote integrated water resources management. Aligned with Nepal’s federalism principles, the six-year project puts the municipalities at the forefront of project planning and implementation with a focus on strengthening service delivery and institutional capacities.

“In the context of climate change and federalism, delivering improved water supply

Photos John Tal Photography, courtesy of Hum Sub

and sanitation services and integrated water resources management are critical for economic and social progress. Strengthening sector governance and capacity at the federal, provincial, and local levels to improve institutional and regulatory reforms will be the key drivers to achieve this,” stated Abdul Khan, Minister of Water Supply.

“The project complements the Government of Nepal’s existing programs in transitioning the sector service delivery to the municipalities as provided for under the Local Governance Operation Act 2017.”

The project will be implemented in six municipalities of two provinces: Birendranagar and Sharada municipalities in Karnali Province; and Dipayal Silgadhi, Bardogoria, Joshipur, and Janaki municipalities in Sudurpashchim Province. Both the provinces have low access to water supply and sanitation services, and a higher incidence of poverty, and are vulnerable to climate change.

“This project will help promote green, resilient, and inclusive water supply and sanitation services to over 400,000 people while providing employment opportunities and skills training to women in the water and sanitation sector,” stated Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

The project agreement for the Water Sector Governance and Infrastructure Support Project was signed in July 2022 by the Government of Nepal and the World Bank.

Senate Confirms Eric Garcetti to be Ambassador to India

The Senate on March 15, 2023 confirmed President Joe Biden’s nomination of Eric Garcetti to be ambassador to India. The chamber voted 52 to 42 earlier in the day to break a filibuster on the former Los Angeles mayor’s nomination, advancing it to a final confirmation vote.

Washington had left its ambassador job in India vacant for 26 months – the longest stretch in the history of U.S.Indian relations. The last U.S. ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, left on January 20, 2021. The following July, President Biden nominated Garcetti to replace him. The nomination was held up amid questions of what he knew –and when – about sexual harassment allegations against one of his former top advisors at Los Angeles City Hall where he was Mayor.

CNN reported last year that a number of Senate Democrats had privately expressed concerns over the nomination, which faced headwinds as a result of accusations that he had ignored alleged sexual harassment and bullying by one of his former senior aides. Garcetti has repeatedly denied the allegations that he ignored the alleged harassment.

New York Indian Film Festival 2023

Manoj Bajpayee, Sharmila Tagore, Kalki Koechlin and Shefali Shah will make appearances at the festival which runs May 11-14, 2023.

Shefali Shah stars as the lead in the opening film The Three of Us and Kalki Koechlin is the lead for the closing film Goldfish

NYIFF is North America’s longest running Indian film festival. It will screen more than 20 features, documentaries and shorts.

“As we celebrate the 23rd year of the New York Indian Film Festival, we are thrilled to witness the global recognition of Indian cinema with not just one, but three Indian films being acknowledged at the Oscars. This milestone highlights the incredible talent and diversity of Indian cinema, and we are honored to showcase some of the best works of Indian filmmakers to our audience. We are committed to providing a platform for independent voices and stories that captivate and resonate with audiences worldwide, and we look forward to another year of celebrating the rich culture and cinematic heritage of India.”, said Suman Gollamudi, Executive Director for the Indo-American Arts Council which runs NYIFF.

“After a hiatus of three years we are thrilled to be back with a physical film festival,” said Aseem Chhabra, NYIFF Festival Director. “Once again our audience will interact with the filmmakers, discuss and celebrate new Indian cinema. The mission of NYIFF has and will always be to elevate the very best filmmakers and storytellers featuring India and its culture.”

Apart from the opening and closing films, NYIFF will also hold a special New York screening of Rahul Chittella’s critically acclaimed film Gulmohar on May 12, 2023. In attendance will be actors Sharmila Tagore and Manoj Bajpayee and director Chittella.

Full details at Nyiff.us.

PBS’ Antiques Roadshow to Visit Raleigh in May

Part adventure, part history lesson and part treasure hunt, PBS’s most-watched ongoing series Antiques Roadshow heads out again in summer 2023 to search for America’s hidden treasures. The pop-culture phenomenon will film episodes for Season 28 with stops in five cities including a visit to Raleigh on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

“Taking ANTIQUES ROADSHOW across the country, meeting our event guests and learning about their items each year brings the magic to our episodes,” said executive producer Marsha Bemko. “I am thrilled for the show to return to Raleigh 14 years after our last visit and can’t wait to see what local treasures await!”

Historic venues where each event will be held will be revealed closer to the event dates.

At each appraisal event, guests will receive free verbal evaluations of their antiques and collectibles by

experts from the country’s leading auction houses and independent dealers. Each ticketed guest is invited to bring two items for appraisal.

Admission to Antiques Roadshow is free but tickets are required and must be obtained in advance. Fans can enter for a chance to win one pair of free tickets per household.

Details: Pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/tickets/faq.

To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit Pbsnc.org.

Introducing the Explore NC App for Young Learners and Families

PBS North Carolina recently launched Explore NC, a free augmented-reality (AR) app for young learners. Designed for ages five to ten, the app celebrates North Carolina as a state with a rich history of innovation and a deep connection to nature. Through fun interactive games, Explore NC encourages learning and showcases the state’s natural, cultural and historical attractions.

The augmented reality app celebrates North Carolina’s rich cultural and natural heritage. Each experience offers educational and entertainment enrichment for children and families looking to learn more about important sites in North Carolina.

Experiences in the app include: A flight simulation at the Wright Brothers National Memorial; A 360-degree encounter with endangered red wolves in their den at the North Carolina Zoo; An augmented reality concert featuring a string quartet from the NC Symphony; An interactive game with an indigenous carnivorous Venus flytrap; A 3D look at a life-size bronze statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It also features an audio excerpt from the Civil Rights leader’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which he first delivered at a high school gymnasium in Rocky Mount, NC.

Additional experiences will be added regularly by the team at PBS North Carolina. Explore NC is available for iOS and Android devices at their app stores.

USCIS Provides Guidance on Program for International Entrepreneurs

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued comprehensive guidance on parole for international entrepreneurs.

To enhance entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the International Entrepreneur Rule on Jan. 17, 2017.

This rule provides a framework for DHS to use its parole authority to grant a period of authorized stay, on a case-bycase basis, to noncitizen entrepreneurs who possess a substantial ownership interest in a start-up entity and who can demonstrate that their stay in the United States would provide a significant public benefit through that start-up entity’s potential for rapid business growth and job creation.

A Policy Manual has now been published, which includes information about:

The criteria for consideration for the applicant, the

start-up entity, and the qualified investment or government award or grant; Evidence and documentation; The discretionary nature of the entrepreneur parole adjudication; Conditions on parole and bases for termination; The criteria for consideration for an additional parole period; and Options available to the entrepreneur’s family to join the entrepreneur as parolees and, if eligible, to obtain employment authorization.

Although an individual who is paroled into the United States has not been admitted into the United States for purposes of immigration law, parolees may enter and remain in the United States and may be authorized to work.

Go to International Entrepreneur Parole page at Uscis.gov for more details.

Visit of US India Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology

The 6th meeting of Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Co-operation (JWGACTC), constituted under the auspices of the Indo – US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), was organized in India from February 27 – March 3, 2023. An 11 member US delegation headed by RAdm James Downey, Program Executive Officer (PEO), Carriers visited various defense/ industrial installations in Delhi and Kochi. The opening session of the Joint Working Group Meeting was held on February 27, 2023 at New Delhi and was co-chaired by RAdm Sandeep Mehta, Assistant Controller Carrier Projects (ACCP).

During the meeting, RAdm Downey acknowledged India’s status as one of the very few countries capable of constructing Aircraft Carriers and appreciated India’s landmark achievement of operating the indigenous aircraft, LCA from the indigenous Carrier in a short span of time post commissioning of the Ship. Plans for future cooperation under various aspects of Aircraft Carrier Technology were also discussed and a joint statement released. As part of the visit, the US delegation also interacted with the senior leadership at both Delhi and Kochi. The meeting marked yet another significant milestone in the ongoing co-operation between the two countries in the field of Aircraft Carrier technology.

India – USA 5th Commercial Dialogue 2023 Held

On the invitation of Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, the US Secretary of Commerce, Gina

Raimondo visited New Delhi, India from March 7 - 10, 2023, to participate in the India-US bilateral Commercial Dialogue 2023. Co-chaired by the Minister and the Secretary, the Commercial Dialogue is a part of ongoing efforts to strengthen USIndia Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. She led a high-level Business delegation of US CEOs for the CEO Forum, which is also focusing on shared strategic priorities in an outcomeoriented way. The Forum was itself also re-launched in November 2022.

During the visit, she attended Holi celebrations at Raksha Mantri Residence. She held bilateral meetings with other Ministers. She also visited Textile Exhibition at Handloom Haat, Janpath focusing on Women and Sustainability.

The India -US Commercial Dialogue meeting was held on March 10, 2023 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. During the meeting, the Minister and the Secretary acknowledged that the bilateral goods and services trade has almost doubled since 2014, surpassing $191 billion recorded in 2022. Both sides welcomed further steps to enhance their commercial collaboration and tap into market potential across multiple sectors, and also enable an environment for investment by small and medium-sized industries (MSME) and startups.

Secretary Raimondo applauded the steps undertaken under the National Infrastructure Pipeline and PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The Minister and the Secretary welcomed the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

The Ministers also noted India’s interest in partnering with the United States in developing a secure pharmaceutical manufacturing base and diversifying

supply chains for critical and strategic minerals (including rare earths). Many industries, business and entrepreneurs will receive support and infrastructure achieved via the dialogues.

One of the major outcomes was signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership under the framework of India – US Commercial Dialogue.

Secretary Raimondo welcomed India’s ongoing G20 Presidency. The Ministers expressed interest to look forward to the next Commercial Dialogue meeting, to be held in Washington, DC, in 2024 contributing towards a growing strategic and economic relationship between India and the United States.

Indie Meme Film Festival

The 8th Indie Meme Film Festival returns this April, bringing the best of South Asian, Indian and Iranian cinema to audiences through in-person screenings, Q&A’s, mixers, and filmmaker events. The festival comes to Austin, TX from April 12 - 16, 2023 with screenings held at Austin Film Society. For more details, visit indiememe.org/indie-memefilm-festival-events-2023.

Bridge and Game Club of Hindu Center - Charlotte

This club has been serving Hindu Center active senior members since March 2015 and ran successfully until March 2020. The club shutdown during the pandemic and reopened on January 3, 2023. Members meet every Tuesday at Hindu Center Vihar Hall from 1 – 3pm. Along with games, tea and snacks are shared along with socializing. Activities include playing bridge, various board games, carrom and chopat. During the year there are also other activities like special lunches to celebrate festivals, picnic, visiting temples of other faiths, arranging workshops on various, medical, social, and financial topics, and helping members during any family crisis. The club is expanding assistance for children in orphanages starting this year. Club organizers are Kalindi and Manu Naik (704-287-0300) and Veena Hari (704-763-6071).

Williamston, NC: $89,000

Annual Sales $710,846, NO GAS

York County SC: $625,000 + Inv., Annual Sales $7,000,000, Fuel Gallons 1,700,000

Forest City, NC: $179,000 + Inv, Annual Sales $641,906, NO GAS

Stokes, NC: $379,000 + Inv, Annual Sales $724,800, Fuel Gallons 114,000

Charlotte, NC: $59,900,C- Store Distributor, Annual Sales $813,000 --REDUCED

OTHER LISTINGS:

Livestock and Pet Supply Store, NC $499,000, Annual Sales $2,000,000+

Specialty Food Store: Hickory, NC $649,000, Annual Sales $397,469

Tire Shop: Monroe, NC $545,000, Annual Sales $872,122

Butcher Shop: Lake Norman, NC $249,000, Annual Sales $1,278,230

by Mithi Shukla

Saathee RECIPES

Crispy Rice with Spicy Toppings

I know we’ve all been there, staring down at a day-old pot of rice desperately trying to find a creative way to use it up. Well luckily this recipe will solve all your rice worries! This colorful and easy dish is the perfect way to spice up your rice. This recipe is inspired by spicy tuna crispy rice, but instead of tuna I opted to use tomato and cucumbers to give it a veggie zing. This delicious snack is made with crispy jasmine rice, fresh cucumber, fresh tomato, spicy, sweet, and savory sauces, and a slice of serrano pepper for that extra kick. It’s the perfect spring and summer appetizer for your next gathering to wow your guests.

Servings: About six patties

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients Directions

Measure with your heart! But if you must know the details…

2 cups cooked Jasmine rice

Peanut oil (for frying)

¼ Cucumber

¼ Tomato

½ Serrano or jalapeno pepper (optional)

1 tbsp. Soy Sauce

1 tsp Sesame oil

½ tbsp. Honey or maple syrup

1 tbsp. Lime juice

1 tbsp. Mayonnaise

½ - 1 tbsp. Sriracha (depending on how spicy you want it)

1. Prepare the rice. I used leftover rice for this recipe, but if you don’t have any, slightly overcook jasmine rice. This will allow the rice to become stickier and mold into a patty much easier. After it is done cooking, let it cool and transfer rice to shallow container. Press the rice down so that it becomes compact and place in the fridge for at least an hour. You want to chill the rice so that is it easy to mold into a circular shape. Once the rice is chilled, mold the rice into bite sized circular patties.

2. In a heated pan add in peanut oil and wait for the oil to heat. Hint: Add in a small piece of rice to the oil – once it starts to sizzle, it’s hot enough. Add in the rice patties to the pan and fry on each side for 2-3 mins or until it has a golden brown crust. You may need to fry in multiple batches depending on your pan size. Note: Be careful when frying, the oil may splatter.

3. When the rice patties develop a golden crust, remove them from the pan and place them on a wire rack or paper towel-lined tray to drain any excess oil.

4. While the rice patties cool, prep the veggies. Dice up the cucumber and tomatoes into small pieces. Once diced, put them in two separate bowls. In the bowl with the cucumbers, add in the sesame oil, soy sauce, maple syrup or honey, and lime juice. Mix thoroughly and there should be extra juice at the bottom – save this! In the bowl with the tomatoes, add in the mayo and sriracha and mix thoroughly.

5. Once the tomatoes and cucumbers have been mixed with their sauces, it’s time to assemble the crispy rice! Take a patty, add some of the cucumber sauce juice from earlier and sprinkle some over the rice. This will add more flavors to the rice itself. Then add a spoonful of cucumber, and a spoonful of tomato. If you don’t want it too spicy you can stop here, but if you want a little extra kick, add a drizzle of sriracha on top and garnish with a serrano or jalapeno pepper slice.

Upcoming Hindu Center Events & Activities:

Swaminarayan Jayanti: April 1st, Saturday

Mahavir Jayanti: April 2nd, Sunday

Hanuman Jayanti: April 6th, Thursday

Ramayan reading begins April 7th, Friday at 7 pm & ends on April 8th, Saturday in the evening

MahaPrabhuji Patotstav: April 16th, Sunday

Vasavi Matha Jayanhti: April 30th, Sunday

Balaji’s Brahmotatsava: May 19th, Friday thru May 21st, Sunday

Gayatri Jayanti Havan: June 3rd, Saturday

Rath Yatra: June 24th, Saturday

Gauri Vrat: June 29th ,Thursday to July 3rd, Monday

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Guru Purnima: July 3rd, Monday

Hindu Center’s 41st Anniversary: General Body Meeting / Mela / Health fair - July 29th, Saturday

Independence Day: August 19th, Saturday

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Sri Rama Navami & Sita Rama Kalyanam

Saturday, April 1, 2023 (5:30 pm Vihar Hall)

Procession starts @ 5:30 followed by Kalyanam

For Details Call: Hindu Center: 704-535-3440 or Priests

Lakshmikanth Bhattar 980-254-1022; Balaji Bhattar 704-906-2109

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Hindu Center

H INDU C ENTER

Vaishnav Samaj of HC is Celebrating 546th Pragatya Utsav of Shrimad Vallabhacharya

Sunday, April 16th, 2023 (4 pm - 7 pm) at Hindu Center, Vihar Hall

The celebration will include Shobha Yatra, Sthapna, Sarvottam Path, Followed by Kirtan, Bhajans, Discourses, Cultural Programs, Arti, Ashray Pad and Mahaprasad. Please join us and let us celebrate this joyous / auspicious occasion!

Shree Mahaprabhuji Pragatya Day Ni Khub Khub Badhai

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Shri Vallabhacharya (1479-1531 C.E.) was a devotional philosopher, who founded the Pushti sect in India. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and worshipped the Shrinathji form of Lord Krishna. He is also known as Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya.

Ratha Yatra

Saturday, June 24th, 2023

O F C HARLOTTE

NASA Uses 30-Year Satellite Record to Track and Project

NASA Uses 30-Year Satellite Record to Track and Project

Rising Seas

Observations from space show that the rate of sea level rise is increasing. Knowing where and how much rise is happening can help coastal planners prepare for future hazards.

The average global sea level rose by 0.11 inches (0.27 centimeters) from 2021 to 2022, according to a NASA analysis of satellite data. That’s the equivalent of adding water from a million Olympic-size swimming pools to the ocean every day for a year and is part of a multidecade trend of rising seas.

Since satellites began observing sea surface height in 1993 with the U.S.-French TOPEX/Poseidon mission, the average global sea level has increased by 3.6 inches (9.1 centimeters), according to NASA’s Sea Level Change science team. The annual rate of rise – or how quickly sea level rise is happening –that researchers expect to see has also increased from 0.08 inches (0.20 centimeters) per year in 1993 to 0.17 inches (0.44 centimeters) per year in 2022. Based on the long-term satellite measurements, the projected rate of sea level rise will hit 0.26 inches (0.66 centimeters) per year by 2050.

“We have this clear view of recent sea level rise – and can better project how much and how quickly the oceans will continue to rise – because NASA and Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES) have gathered decades of ocean observations. By combining that data with measurements from the rest of the NASA fleet, we can also understand why the ocean is rising,” said Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division in Washington. “These fundamental climate observations help shape the operational services of many other federal and international agencies who are working with coastal communities to mitigate and respond to rising waters.”

The 2022 increase was less than the expected annual rate because of a mild La Niña. During years with an especially strong La Niña climate pattern, average global sea level can even temporarily drop because weather patterns shift in a way that leads to more rainfall over land instead of the ocean.

“With an increasing demand for accurate and timely climate information, NASA is committed to providing annual sea level observations and future projections in order to help vulnerable communities

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Adult Dance Student continued from page 46

song called “Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje” from the movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, but I kept tripping on stage because of my long lehenga. (It was not funny when it was happening, but I can look back and laugh and feel it was a good lesson).

So, then it may come as ironic, that for a while I have also avoided watching many Indian movies. While I have seen thought provoking content which I would recommend, in general, many of the movies I have simply avoided because of the content. Even while being able to enjoy the music, simultaneously, I did not enjoy certain themes, or representations. I decided that I would stick with other shows on various streaming platforms.

But social media has a sneaky way of piquing interest through simple word of mouth on the social media street. Very recently, along with others, I had heard that the song “Naatu Naatu” from the movie RRR had won an award for best original song from the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Once I found that out, I had to watch the movie. My husband and I both watched the movie together. The movie for the subject matter explored was amazing. For me, it felt a pan-Indian consciousness was being presented, which is a movie that I could relate to within that theme. I could also see that the director incorporated concepts from the Ramayana and Mahabharatha which was captivating to watch. After finishing the movie, Naatu Naatu was played in our house for a good amount of time. It became almost its own Suprabhatham throughout the day.

So, from watching the movie RRR directed by RR Rajamouli, it was but natural to try to find other movies by the same director to watch. Thus, we happened upon the epic journey of Bahubaali. The journey was an intense one starting with Baahubaali 1 and then going onto Baahubaali 2. From past experiences, the movie Titanic by James Cameron helped to prepare us for the ride of Bahubaali. In this movie was where one of the songs that became the next Suprabhatham was encountered. This is the song “Dhivara” within the movie.

In the song, my husband later searched for the lyrics and noted that some of the lyrics in the song were in Sanskrit and inspired from a section in the Ramayana. Dhivara, Prasana Shourya Bhara. This of course piqued my interest because I read the Ramayana when in eighth grade. The book was presented to me by my great uncle and aunt along with the Mahabharatha. Both versions were a version by C Rajagolachari. Having read these two books I have been very influenced by the various topics within the epics as it seems to be content that one can think about at different stages in life.

As an adult, learning that the song had influences from the Ramayana, I was thus inspired to seek out the version of the Ramayana that has these scenes. I found a version of the Valmiki Ramayana to listen to. In this version, which is a translation, Hanuman is encountered as a general in the Vanara Kingdom to Sugreeva. In one of the scenes, the group of Vanara monkeys are trying to decide who can make it Lanka to find Seetha. Some noted what they could do, but all noted that they could not make it the full distance to Lanka and back. It is noticed by Jambavant, who is a bear,

that Hanuman is quiet. He then tells Hanuman that he knows him to have tremendous ability and then goes on to discuss Hanuman’s birth and power. He notes that Hanuman was begotten by Vayu, the wind God, and soon after his birth, he leapt thousands of miles wanting to catch the sun and was struck down by Indra. Vayu, Hanuman’s father was grieved that Hanuman was killed, and stopped blowing and then all beings began to suffocate. The Gods, to appease Vayu, brought Hanuman back to life and blessed Hanuman with many powers. With these blessings, Hanuman became fearless as a young child and was mischievous and causing havoc, and to check him, the Rishis made an implication that Hanuman would forget his powers until it was heard from another.

Jambavant finishes his narration to Hanuman and mentions there is no doubt that he would be able to jump to Lanka, and asks why he is sitting there quietly, seeing the other monkeys in despair. At this, Hanuman rises, and remembers his great powers and with a great roar, declares that he will jump across the mighty ocean and expands his body from his normal height and announces his descent from Vayu and says that he can leap to the outer limits of the universe and can overtake the blazing sun and proclaims that he will easily reach Lanka. With that, Hanuman roars again and again to the delight of the other assembled beings.

This is such a powerful scene. I continue to think of this scene and the way Hanuman has awakened to himself. He is reminded of his potential. This is the scene that now has caused me to buy the Sanskrit Version of the Valmiki Ramayana with English translations to further learn about this scene. Can this scene of Hanuman and his awakening have themes as well that people can learn from? Does this story of Hanuman have a lesson for us everyday people? That is something to ponder on as many scenes in the Ramayana are scenes to ponder upon.

Imagine in our daily lives, we think that we are mundane. Or we want to do something, but do not have confidence in ourselves. But then, alas, a friend, a family, a teacher, a guru, a poet, a writer, a song: They remind us to stand up and see who we are and our origins. From a scientific point of view, some say we are products of the Big Bang: that we are all made from the stars. It took many billions of years to be who we are today.

Inspiration can be in places when we are looking, or sometimes, we happen to come upon it when we are least looking. This was found by happenstance within a song from the movie Baahubali

Dhivara, Prasara Shourya Bhara: Uthsara Steera Gambheera Ugrama Aasama Shourya Bhaava. Roudrama Navaa Bheethirma.

Or as Mufasa, the father in Lion King tells his son Simba “Remember who you are.”

This series of articles is about the journey and unique insights of an adult dance student learning classical Indian dance and the experiences and perspective of taking classical Indian dance as both an American and an Indian.

Preethi Sriram

is a classical Indian dance enthusiast and lifelong learner of dance. Contact: SriramPreethi@hotmail.com

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Now, to the negotiations. Here are a few tips.

• Specify the amount of money you need. Don’t just ask for money; ask for a specific amount to make attending this college feasible.

• Provide proof. Without documentation to support your request, your chances of receiving more aid are minimal.

• Compare offers from other universities. If another university of a similar ranking has offered you a substantially larger financial aid package, you could use that as a negotiation tool. However, it’s important to compare apples to apples. For example, private universities typically offer more aid than public schools because they have higher tuition fees. Therefore, asking a public school to match a private university’s offer may be unrealistic.

• Maintain a polite and professional tone throughout the letter. In this case, it pays to be polite.

• Finally, emphasize your strong commitment to attending the university but clarify that money is the only obstacle in your path. Hopefully, this may increase the chance of receiving a larger financial aid award package. You can find samples of financial aid award letters online.

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Personal Finances

continued from page 54

Learning the long-term strategy is critical and teens need to learn that from adults who have emerged through the experience of hard knocks. Day-trading is not investing; it is not much different than a child playing with toys, and I would not suggest that for teens. Besides, I haven’t heard of anyone making any kind of money by day trading, most of them don’t.

If we consider the adult working life for these teens, their focus has to be on investing for long-term which has a totally different perspective than instant gratification. By long-term I am thinking more like a horizon of 30/40 years for them, if not longer. Such thinking is beneficial for them in their working lives, too. Granted there is a need for instant gratitude or satisfaction, but those things are at best fleeting and don’t linger too long.

As I have mentioned in earlier articles, let us start with opening a bank account and see it grow. Then slowly build up to opening a broker account and dabble in one stock maybe after enough research. One big advantage that may come out of this joint effort is bonding between two generations like father/mother and son/daughter.

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around the world better understand the risks they face in a new climate,” said Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, a NASA program scientist for ocean science. “Timely updates are key to showing which climate trajectory we are on.”

Despite natural influences like La Niña, sea levels continue to rise because of human-caused climate change driven by the excess amounts of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide that society pumps into the atmosphere. Climate change is melting Earth’s ice sheets and glaciers, adding more fresh water to the ocean, while warming causes the expansion of seawater. Both of these effects contribute to rising seas, overriding many natural effects on sea surface height.

“Tracking the greenhouse gases that we add to the atmosphere tells us how hard we’re pushing the climate, but sea levels show us how much it’s responding,” said Josh Willis, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “These measurements are a critical yardstick for how much humans are reshaping the climate.”

A Long-Term Record

The measurements of sea surface height that began 30 years ago with TOPEX/Poseidon have continued through four subsequent missions led by NASA and partners, including the French space agency CNES, ESA (European Space Agency), and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The most recent mission in the series, Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service), consists of two satellites that will extend these measurements through 2030. The first of these two satellites, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, launched in 2020, with the second slated to head to orbit in 2025.

“The 30-year satellite record allows us to see through the shorter-term shifts that happen naturally in the ocean and helps us identify the trends that tell us where sea level is headed,” said JPL’s Ben Hamlington, a sea level researcher who leads NASA’s Sea Level Change science team.

Scientific and technical innovations by NASA and other space agencies have given researchers a better understanding of the current state of the ocean on a global scale. Specifically, radar altimeters have helped produce ever-more precise measurements of sea level around the world. To calculate sea level height, they bounce microwave signals off the ocean’s surface and record the time the signal takes to travel from a satellite to Earth and back, as well as the strength of the return signal.

When altimetry data from all ocean basins is combined with more than a century of observations from coastal surface-based sources, together they dramatically expand and improve our understanding of how sea surface height is changing on a global scale. And when those measurements of sea level are combined with other NASA data sets on ice mass, land motion, and other Earth changes, scientists can decipher why and how seas are rising.

Learn more about sea level and climate change: Sealevel.nasa.gov.

NASA continued from page 72

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Digital Platforms continued from page 42

One of the Platform Commons Foundation’s many platforms — I Got Garbage — transformed the lives of underpaid and marginalized waste management workers in India’s informal sector, who faced frequent harassment and exploitation, by helping them earn a steady income and a dignified livelihood.

Another platform — Commons.farm — is an agritech platform that provides equitable and accessible services to smallholder farmers that face challenges across the agricultural supply chain.

Smallholder farmers make up 80 to 90 per cent of India’s agriculture. Yet, they own less than five acres of land and usually grow only two crops a year. They are often unable to find buyers for their produce, forcing them to only sell through intermediary controlled markets.

Let’s take a closer look at these platforms.

Revolutionizing waste management

I Got Garbage turned the informal waste collection process into a formal process.

The platform consists of an ecosystem of thousands of citizens, government agencies and municipal officers, NGOs, & waste workers

By formalizing the waste collection process, I Got Garbage transformed waste workers into micro-entrepreneurs who can earn sustainable wages and protect themselves from exploitation.

I Got Garbage did this through several technology interventions. Some of these interventions include the I Got Garbage app that runs on low-cost cellphones, SMS and WhatsApp-based communications in various Indian languages, waste and recycling management planning software, customer service training, providing uniforms and identity badges, geotagging locations for waste pick-up and tracking wages.

I Got Garbage worked with the community of waste workers to understand their problems and gain their trust. It also signed households up for its services via Facebook and SMS/WhatsApp campaigns.

I Got Garbage made a significant impact as it reduced landfill waste by 40 percent and processed more than 10,000 tons of recycling materials daily in one city. It employed more than 15,000 waste workers and expanded to several cities in less than five years since its inception.

I Got Garbage has led to a revolution of waste management and recycling in India which is set to be replicated in 72 countries in Asia and Africa.

Empowering farmers and preventing suicide

The Indian agricultural sector suffers the same fragmentation and informal process issues as the waste management sector.

Productivity issues, corruption and supply chain issues within India’s agricultural sector are so stark they have

caused a suicide epidemic among debt-ridden smallholder farmers. Over 10,000 farmers died in 2020 alone according to the government.

The situation was dire and needed intervention at the grassroots level.

The Platform Commons Foundation launched Commons.farm in 2019 to assist farmers and regional governments in and around Bengaluru. The idea was the same as I Got Garbage, except for the revenue model — empowering farmers by connecting them with each other to form co-operatives, resolving agriculture supply chain issues, enabling communication among farmers, governments and markets, and improving social and environmental impact.

This would empower smallholder farmers with digital tools to reduce waste, cut out corruption and communicate directly with suppliers and customers.

The platform obtains its primary revenues from government subsidy programs instead of charging farmers for services. Local and state governments that use Commons.farm receive guaranteed impact outcomes from the money they spend on the platform, which is a fraction of the overall subsidy bill they would otherwise incur.

Sustainable use of digital platforms

Platforms like I Got Garbage and Commons.farm that also focus on sustainable development goals are gaining attention. The FRANCIS project, for example, hosts open innovation challenges in Europe that involve citizens, scientists and academics. Its aim is to develop affordable innovations that address real-world challenges.

Citizens can join the challenges via the online platform or in face-to-face events. Scientists run workshops during the challenges that offer method training. This project is currently working on a solar disinfection project targeting low- to middle-income households in rural areas, people in refugee camps and micro-entrepreneurs.

The Indian government has also created its own set of public platforms that it calls the India Stack. It has built a biometric digital identity platform, a real-time mobile payment platform, a COVID-19 vaccine records platform and an open and inclusive e-commerce platform.

Digital platforms can be used as private pipelines that enable monopolies, or they can be used as open, inclusive mechanisms leveraged for the public good.

By learning from examples that have leapfrogged common platform pitfalls to focus on the public good, we can move towards an equitable and empowering version of digital transformation. We can emulate these successful examples in our own contexts.

Suchit Ahuja is Assistant Professor, Business Technology Management, Concordia University

Yolande E. Chan is the Dean, Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University

Article courtesy of the Conversation. Find more at theconversation.com.

Article courtesy of The Conversation. Visit, theconversation.com

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Mirror continued from page 38

so they can just hit the deadline before awards season. They would sit back and acknowledge cinema as a true art form once again. Imagine my delight when an independent film focusing on family relationships through the lens of an everything bagel, talking rocks, and hot dog fingers walked away with seven awards including Best Picture.

And oh yeah… RRR’s “Naatu Naatu” won Best Song, which was not surprising in the slightest. That music is so catchy it had moviegoers dancing to it in the theatres. The other nominees didn’t stand a chance.

But for my part, I was most elated by the four best actor winners this year.

A few facts about these particular choices:

1) All four were over 50 years old

2) All were first time winners

3) All received standing ovations when their names were announced

4) Their roles were in movies produced by A24 studios

5) This was the first time an East Asian performer, let alone two, won an Oscar

6) Two had just recently returned to acting after nearly giving up

To their credit, each had tough competition in their corresponding categories. Any of one their fellow nominees could easily have won as all the performances were stellar this past year. If other names had been announced instead, I would have been completely fine with it.

Yet like the Grinch, my heart swelled two sizes larger watching Hallie Berry (the first woman of color to win a Best Actress Oscar) reach over and hug Michelle Yeoh for her win. I nearly burst when Ariana DeBose (a queer person of color) announced Ke Huy Quan’s name with such emotion for his win.

I could barely watch through my tears as Brendan Fraser hastily breathed out his acceptance speech and showed us all the humble and loving person he is. Jamie Lee Curtis (already descended from Hollywood royalty) screaming with glee at 63 years old, that “We just won an Oscar!” had me grinning from ear to ear.

So what’s the ultimate takeaway from all this? I think that after two years of near solitude to protect our health, we as patrons have altered our mindset about what entertains us. Bombastic comic book and sci-fi movies have lost some of their luster. Remakes and reboots of various childhood sentimentalities are growing stale.

2022 became the year when the mid-budget art film made its official comeback… and we’re now all but salivating for more. Let’s hope that for the remainder of 2023, entertainment corporations will realize that the frontier of movie making is constantly in flux and we as consumers of their product… are ready for more intelligent, creative, and poignant storytelling.

Jennifer Allen

works at Saathee and is also a Podcaster, Blogger, Photographer, Graphic Artist, Gamer, Martial Arts Practitioner, and an all around Pop Culture Geek. You can reach her at Saathee@Saathee.com

Financially Speaking continued from page 36

2. Understand your family’s finances - What are your sources of income? What are your fixed and variable monthly expenses? What is necessary expenses vs discretionary? What is your household spend averaging over three months? What are your outstanding debt payments? Can some payments or deposits be deferred? Do you have an emergency cushion to cover six months of household expenses?

3. Assess your marketability for current employment opportunities. It often takes some upskilling and networking to re-establish professional connections so as to reenter the workforce. Community college, online MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) such as Coursera.org, Udacity.com are great learning platforms that cost little to nothing.

4. Take stock of financial accounts in your household. Bank accounts and CDs offer liquidity, i.e., immediate access to your funds. These are your emergency funds and meant for such situations. Next is your brokerage accounts or funds held with Custodians. Certain retirement accounts allow for early distribution due to death, disability, unemployment, paying for first-home, medical expenses or college expenses. Important to note is also the titling of all the financial accounts - are they in Joint tenancy or they Sole owners. Who are the beneficiaries of these accounts?

5. Review all your insurance needs - health, life, auto, disability and home. While paying a tiny premium for an event that seems unlikely may feel tedious, it’s in such moments that insurance comes in handy.

6. Gather important documents - Government issued documents, i.e., visas, passports, driver’s license, bank account statements, insurance policies, auto and home deeds, passwords for online accounts, and maintain a copy in secure location.

7. Lastly, don’t hesitate to seek help from professionalscounselors, therapists, accountants, financial advisors or legal assistance. It’s overwhelming to navigate a crossroad all by oneself especially if the road ahead is uncertain. These experts can help position you to move forward in a direction best suited for you.

Women tend to look out for their families’ well-being, often at their own expense. This comes at a huge cost - to their confidence level and their financial independence. It actually, serves women well if they model assertiveness and preparedness to their children, so, they in turn can learn how to navigate their own crossroads later in life.

Rupa Pereira

is the owner and lead financial advisor at FWJ Planning, an investment advisory and planning firm registered in NC. As an enrolled agent, she’s also authorized by IRS to represent her clients on tax-matters. Contact: info@fwjplanning.com.

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• Financial reviews and compilation including compliance testing. • Corporate, partnership, individual, trust and estate tax consulting, planning and compliance. • Mergers and acquisition reviews including business valuations. • Comprehensive business services in accounting and

Quiz Corner

Word World By Kirit Shukla

E T N O E

SP C

Make words using 5 or more letters. The central letter must be used in each word. Plural words are not allowed. Use all letters for the subject word (underlined in solutions below)

7+ words = Excellent; 4 to 6 words = Good; 3 or less = keep looking. Words we found are in solutions below.

Brain-Train

Here is a fun quiz. See if you can solve it. No peeking! Match the number in column 1 with letter in column 2

A English Name

Who wants to be a Scholar?!

Answer the ones you know and research the rest. There is only one correct answer!

1. Arrange the average temperature of these countries from warmest to coldest. (a) Canada (b) Switzerland

(c) China(d) United Kingdom

2. The Best Film of 66th Filmfare Awards 2022 is (a) Sherni(b) Shershaah

(c) Mimi(d) Aashikui

3. The largest subtropical wilderness swamp in the United States is in:

(a) Virginia(b) South Carolina

(c) Louisiana(d) Florida

4. ‘Kiln’ means (a) Pot(b) Large Oven

(c) Crate(d) Small Cave

T5. Which state charges income tax for SSI benefits?

(a) Georgia (b) South Carolina

(c) Kansas(d) North Carolina

6. Two tablespoons is equal to (a) 1/4 Oz(b) 1/2 Oz

(c) 1.0 Oz(d) 1.5 Oz

7. What is the current annual salary for the President of the United States?

(a) $200,000 (b) $300,000

(c) $400,000  (d) $500,000

8. 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup champion. (a) England(b) West Indies

(c) India(d) Bangladesh

9. The wavelength of red color is about __ nm. (a) 380-435(b) 500-520

(c) 625-740(d) 590-625

10. The national flower of China is (a Dahlia(b) Honeysuckle

(c) Pansy(d) Plum Blossom

Indian Name

A. Dhania

B. Karela

C. Wafers

D. Lassi

E. Haldi

F. Brinjal

G. Makkai

H. Dahi

I. Japani Fal

J. Bhindi

Brain Train:

Word World (Solution): CEPES, COPEN, COPES, NETOPS, OPENEST, PECTEN, PECTOSE, PENCES, ,PENTECOST PENTOSE, POSTEEN, POTEEN, POTENCE.

Answers are on bottom left. No Peeking.

Scholar: All correct; 1st Class: 9 Correct; 2nd Class: 8 Correct; 3rd Class: 7 Correct; Need to improve: 6 or less

Key Word Search

Fill in blanks of these clues, then take the first letter of each word and unscramble them to find this month’s Key Word.

Indian Basic unit of currency. __

A person who participates in plays, cinema, TV. __

To disregard deliberately. __

Permission offered by the Govt to do something. __

44th President Of the United States (last Name). __

A popular mythical story from the past. __ Small bag or pouch for carrying money. __

English University established in 1096. __

100° Celsius = 212⁰ ___.

Answers on page 88

BHAVEN SAYANIA DMD, MS NEAL PATEL DMD, MS

Clues Down:

PUZZLES AND JOKES

By Kirit Shukla

Note: * denotes abbreviation of the word or phrase Clues Across:

1. The Sunshine State.

7. The seed of a vetch.

11. City that hosted the 1932 & 1980 Winter Olympics.

13. An expression of opinion.

14. To load in advance at a time removed from that of use.

15. Have permission to.

16. A Portuguese island of the Central Group of the Azores.

17. New York. (*)

18. An abstract entity. (Pronoun)

19. Gleaning Real Life Situations Adding Caring Trust. (*)

21. At your convenience. (*)

23. Start to finish. (*)

24. Hawaii. (*).

26. A tract of soft wet land usually characterized by grasses.

28. Title of local chief in some parts of Nigeria.

29. The 12th letter of the Greek alphabet. (μ)

30. Wild goat having large, recurved horns ridged in front.

31. Very Old. (*)

32. Healed mark left on the skin after surface injury.

34. Hectare. (*)

35. Characteristic of or resembling oil.

37. Day And Time Of Naval Activity. (*)

39. “ ___West”, the southernmost point of 1 Across.

40. To send an instant message to.

41. A reddish-brown dye that is used on hair. (Mendi)

43. Bruce ____. Martial artist and actor.

45. West ____ Beach, a town in 1 Across.

46. “The Wonderful World of ___.“ (TV programming).

1. Abbreviation of 1 Across.

2. An American skin care brand.

3. A beam of radiant energy.

4. I know. (*)

5. To go away, leave.

6. A joke or trick played on April first.

7. The capital city of 1 Across.

8. Accountable Care Organization. (*)

9. Mirthful; Cheerful.

10. A water current running contrary to the main current.

12. A grassland; meadow.

13. A Hindu goddess & the 3rd queen-consort of Krishna.

15. Second-most populous city in Florida, a coastal metropolis.

16. Aquatic, gill-bearing animals.

20. Check In. (*)

22. An East Indian herb having a juice that is a strong, bitter tonic used in local medicine.

25. Terrestrial, freshwater & marine reptile with a toothless horny beak and a shell of bony dermal plates.

27. Sacks. (*)

29. Mother (Slang)

31. An item of food, especially a choice or tasty dish.

33. A milky bodily fluid consisting of lymph and emulsified fats, or free fatty acids.

35. The first whole number above zero.

36. The given name stands for practicality, realism, reliability, discipline, sincerity and experience.

37. Inclination downward.

38. The practical MKS unit of electric resistance.

42. Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, __ .

44. Ernst & Young Global Limited, trade name.

(solution on page 88)

Hee Hee

Jokes & Riddles

From Around The World

Prison Warden: “I’m not happy with your work.”

Prisoner: “Then you might as well let me go!”

Jack's teachers told him he would never amount to much because he procrastinates so much. Jack replied, "Just you wait!"

Boy: What cartoon mouse walks on two feet?

Girl: Mickey Mouse.

Boy: What duck walks on two feet?

Girl: Donald Duck.

Boy: No, all ducks do!

A man walks into a library and loudly orders a hamburger. The librarian gives him a hard look and says, "This is a library." The man apologizes and whispers, "I'd like a hamburger, please."

Find & circle the words in the puzzle.

Subject: Florida

BEACHES BISCAYNE CYPRESS

DOLPHINES

DUNES DADE

EVERGLADES

FISHING FORTMYERS

GATOR

GRAPEFRUIT JACKSON

KEYWEST KISSIMMEE LAKE

LAKEPLACID MANATEE

OCALA ORANGE PORT SAND

TAMPA TORNADO

The unused 14 letters spell “Ocala is a...”

(answer on page 88)

Math Magic

Fill in the empty squares to get = the final given answers. Use any number from 0 to 9, except 3 and 7, only once: Note: Follow the order of operation per basic math rule: ×,÷, +,The multiplication or division is done before addition and subtraction. (solution on page 88)

EZ-BZ

TEST YOUR IQ

The common letters are “PRI” - Fill in the blanks)

1. A petty thief or pickpocket. PRI _

2. An island in the Bay of Naples; part of Campania. _ _ PRI

3. A reward to the winner of a competition.PRI _ _

4. Fourth month of the Gregorian calendar year. _ PRI _

5. A place of confinement for criminals. PRI _ _ _

6. To move upward or forward quickly. _ PRI _ _

7. Energy, spirit or enthusiasm. _ _ PRI _

8. A sense of one’s own worth. PRI _ _

9. Containing copper. _ _ PRI _

10. A crispy potato snack, brand name. PRI _ _ _ _ _

11. The head of an high school. PRI _ _ _ _ _ _

12. Advice aimed at resolving a problem. _ _ PRI _ _ _

13. Polyhedron made of 2 parallel copies of some polygon, connected by an alternate band of triangles. _ _ _ _ PRI _ _

14. A fountain of continual water. _ _ _ _ PRI _ _ _

15. To astonish. _ _ _ PRI _ _

16. To scatter over something or an area. _ PRI _ _ _ _

17. One guilty of a fault or crime. _ _ _ PRI _

18. Powered seasoning made from red peppers. _ _ PRI _ _

19. Extremely small print. _ _ _ _ _ PRI _ _

20. Ship name commonly associated with the Star Trek franchise. _ _ _ _ _ PRI _ _

(Puzzle solutions are on page 88. NO peeking!)

Saathee Puzzle Master Kirit Shukla kiritsshukla@gmail.com

Festivals & Holidays

April 2023

Apr. 1 - April Fool's Day / Kāmadā

Apr. 2 - Palm Sunday

Apr. 4 - Mahavir Swami Jayanti

Apr. 6 - Hanuman Jayanti / Chaitra Purnima (Full Moon)

Apr. 6 - Passover Begins

Apr. 6 - Theravadin (Buddhist New Year)

Apr. 7 - Good Friday

Apr. 9 - Easter Sunday

Apr. 11 - Vallabh Acharya Jayanti / Varuthini Ekadashi

Apr. 13 - Passover Ends

Apr. 14 - Baisakhi / Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year)

Apr. 17 - Go Fly a Kite Day

Apr. 18 - Yom HaShoah

Apr. 18 - Income Tax Day

Apr. 20 - Lailat al-Qadr

Apr. 20 - Darsh Amas / Solar Eclipse (No Moon)

Apr. 22 - Parshuram Jayanti / Earth Day

Apr. 22 - Ramadan Ends / Eid al-Fitr

Apr. 23 - Akshay Trutia / Akha Trij

Apr. 25 - Shankaracharya Jayanti

Apr. 26 - Administrative Professionals Day

Apr. 26 - Yom Ha'atzmaut

Apr. 28 - Arbor Day

Apr. 29 - Janki Jayanti

Key Word Search Answers from page 84

Key Word of the Month: April Fool

Math Magic from page 87

9. Added a swimmer in the water

10. Removed the tent

11. Removed Tree

12. Color Changed

13. Crane added

14. Trees added 15. Stone added

Puzzle Solutions from page 86-87

Astroscope

Aries (March 21 – April 20)

APRIL 2023

You’re entering a period of stagnation, so it’s best to rest and contemplate past decisions. Your destiny may prove stronger than you believe. An old health issue may resurface. Caution is key this month. Expenses may spiral out of control, so don’t make any abrupt decisions. Your child could provide a helping hand. Try to spend more time with family and attempt to solve any lingering issues. You may benefit through your competitors.

Taurus (April 21 – May 20)

After a major downturn, the second half of the month should produce great success. Be patient and wait for the right time to make decisions. An unexpected opportunity may arise, be sure to grab it or else you will regret it later. Your mother’s health or property-related problems may alter your plans. Also watch your speech as any egoistical comment could cost you. Ride the wave of change and accept any challenge.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Life will move pretty fast, and you may not be able to keep up. Build your team and strive to work together. You may accept more responsibility and end up disoriented in the process. Siblings and friends could be involved in your advancement; follow their ideologies in order to achieve success. The possibility of an accident is there, so drive very carefully. Focus on research related activities.

Cancer

(June 21 – July 22)

A minor setback may pause a long term project. Stay alert as you could potentially compromise your moral standing. If you’re not careful, this could also hurt your reputation. Avoid any major decisions this month. A major dispute with your partner is also possible. The month will begin with some good news but by the second week, your situation will worsen. Take things slow.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

You may ignore a powerful spiritual sign during the last week of the month. If you keep working hard with integrity, you may receive a very important opportunity. You could also suffer with serious health problems. If single, the likelihood of meeting a life partner is high. Your close friend could even assist in making the right choice.

Virgo

(August 23 – September 21)

You are likely to experience several awkward situations this month. As a result, arrogance may create a terrible effect on your overall environment. A rise in income may not bring the kind of happiness you desire. A lingering yet serious health problem could also create additional stress. Adapt to change and stay sharp.

Libra (September 22 – October 20)

You should do extremely well in your profession and an expansion of business may even take place. Friends and enemies alike will constantly surround you. In either situation, remain vigilant as your intuition protects you from any potential harm. Enjoy success but don’t compromise your morals in the process. Keep your partner out of any business-related decisions.

Scorpio (October 21 – November 20)

You will step into this month with confidence. The stars will guide you toward bold victory during the second half of the month. Enjoy not just your newfound success, but also the gradual improvement that accompanies it. From within the perfect team, you will find relaxation. A last-minute decision should bring extra income for you during the final week. Keep your head held high with power and determination.

Sagittarius (November 21 – December 21)

You may alter your traditions to support a new ideology. This decision may create friction within your family, but successful results could shut them down temporarily. You will need to revive those old traditions to avoid further conflict. You should also experience a gradual rise in income. Avoid any business-related travel this month. A bad decision may negatively affect an investment.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 21)

You may experience the loss of ethical support as dishonesty will control your thoughts and drive you to commit mistakes. Even though a sliver of light may be visible through the clouds, don’t rush towards it. Remain cautious and avoid compromising your ideologies. The golden slogan for this month is “wait and watch” or be prepared to face the consequences. Just relax with friends and siblings for now.

Aquarius (January 22 – February 18)

Something good will occur this month. Don’t try to fight the status quo to enhance your ego. Instead learn to compromise and enjoy the fruits of happiness. Powerful support from family will delight you during the second half of the month. Your decisions will shift any and all influence toward success or failure. Also try to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Even though you will receive a grand business opportunity, you must adhere to someone else’s authority. Don’t insist on overcoming this obstacle, but instead simply enjoy this achievement with family and friends. You may get distracted from your responsibilities. This is a period of good luck. It’s also a favorable time for travel and earning some extra income to

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

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Neeta’s Beauty Parlor

Near Hindu Center - Charlotte

• Bleaching

• Threading

• Waxing

• Facials

• Manicure

• Pedicure

• Hot Oil treatment for Hair

• Mehndi for Hair

• Hair coloring

• Hair Cuts

• Body Scrubs

• Massage

Open: Tues - Sun (9am - 7 pm)

Call For Appointment

704.968.0270

open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner

Lunch everyday

Dinner A La Carte everyday

Let us cater your next function anywhere in NC or

Weddings • Corporate Parties

Birthdays • Anniversary

Any Special Occasion 901 South Kings Drive, Suite 115 (Kings Court) Charlotte, NC 704.370.2455 or 704.370.2824

Reservations Available

Member American Immigration Lawyers Association

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

25-Room Motel for Sale with living quarters in Virginia. Perfect for owner/operator. Serious inquires only. Email vamotel1@yahoo.com.

C-Stores for Sale: Granite Falls, NC $250,000, currently closed; Denver, NC $199,999+ Inv., Annual $ 2,000,000. Fuel Gals 280,979; Gastonia, NC $45,000, Annual $500,000, no gas; Charlotte, $1,000,000, Annual $7,000,000; Contact: County South: 704-440-4433 or Countysouth.biz.

30-Room Motel For Sale. Good location in NC right off I-77. Very well maintained and recently remodeled. Will sell if good offer. Call 336-244-4199.

10k to 100k Investment Partners Wanted to help start South Indian restaurant in Rockingham, NC. Profit sharing included. Call 910-318-6594.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Household Help Needed in South Charlotte for light housekeeping and cooking. Veg or non-veg cooking ok. Male with car preferred. Room and board available. Call 704-942-4798.

Front Desk Help & Housekeeping / Laundry needed for Franchise Hotel in Concord, NC. Accommodations provided. Call Rick 704-772-5554.

Help Wanted for Indian Grocery Store in Morrisville, NC. Fluent English required. Good salary and accommodations available. Contact 919-518-4456.

Manager Couple Needed for Motel in North Carolina. Excellent pay. Accommodations provided. Call 910817-4313 or 910-995-1707.

Live-in Helper wanted to care for elderly couple in Morrisville, NC. Duties include cooking and household chores. Send resume & qualifications to mihirmitra1929@gmail.com.

Help Needed at Perfume Stores in Charlotte & Pineville, NC. For details, please call Veer Singh at 415265-8686.

Manager Wanted (single or couple) for 30-room Motel in Dobson, NC. Good computer skills & fluent English preferred. Accommodations provided. Call 336-244-4199.

House Help needed: Part-time cooking, housework, and personal help for North Indian vegetarian couple near Hindu Center in Charlotte. Fluency required in English and / or Hindi. Contact: email: househelp177@gmail.com or call: 704-408-1504.

Hotel Help Wanted: Front Desk / Manager, Night Auditor & Housekeeper (Single / Couple) for franchise hotels in Charlotte, Gastonia, High Point, NC & Columbia, SC. Accommodations provided. Call 704-460-0379 between 6-9pm.

Gas Station / C-Store Help needed in Greensboro, NC & surrounding areas. Multiple positions available from cashiers to managers. Must have prior experience & speak English. Great pay! Call 336-509-4054.

Manager / Front Desk needed for Franchise Hotel in Rock Hill, SC. Accommodations Provided. Call 803-517-4662.

Immediate Hire: Accounting manager (must have experience). Hotel GMs - Wyndham, Choice, and Hilton brands (must have experience). Front Desk (multiple locations). Pay rates higher than competition. Contact 704-649-6833 or abcone@abcinns.com

Front Desk/Housekeeping Couple Needed in SC. Good English & computer skills required. Accommodation can be provided. Email employment9210@gmail.com / call 803-934-6840 & leave msg.

Cashier Wanted for Convenience Store near Kannapolis, NC. Very attractive salary! Accommodations provided. Text or Call 704-701-9482.

Looking for Live-In House Help in Charlotte. Duties include light housework, vegetarian cooking, and watching kids after school. Please call 704-900-9134.

Gas Station / C-store Help Needed at stores near Huntersville & Northlake areas. Must speak English. Family friendly oriented people. Pay $15/hr and up. Call 704-402-4661.

Live-in House Helper Needed in Greenville, SC for daily cooking and light housework. Lady preferred. Please call 318-562-0664.

Experienced Live-In Manager

Couple needed for independent motel in Florence, SC. Must have legal status. Salary plus accommodations. Call 843-992-8424.

Seeking a Home Care Provider in Morrisville, NC. Duties include assistance with daily living, travel to health appointments, and light cleaning. Live-in and/or medical background preferred but not required. Please contact 571-426-1623 or 786-521-1413.

Front Desk Manager Wanted franchise hotel in Columbia, SC. Accommodations provided. Fluent English required. Text or Call 704701-9975.

Convenience Store Help Wanted (single or couple) at VGO Store in Camden, SC. 2 BR house provided walking distance from store. Call Ron at 415-728-6595.

Hiring Housekeeping Couple for motel in Greenville / Simpsonville, SC. Accommodations provided. Call or text 828-386-5184.

Seeking Convenience Store Manager (single or couple) in South Hill, VA. Excellent pay provided + performance bonus. Contact Mahesh 703-627-3259 or tridah@gmail.com.

Experienced Live-In Manager

Couple needed for independent motel in Fayetteville, NC. Salary plus accommodations. Call 910-494-7228.

Housekeeping Help needed for Franchise Hotel in Lumberton, NC. Accommodations provided. Great pay! Call Krina 850-602-4852.

Looking for Nanny (live-in or 9 to 5) for 1 year-old in Morrisville, NC. Please contact via Whatsapp at 334333-4216.

Front Desk Help Wanted: Franchise Hotel in Fort Mill, SC. Previous hotel experience preferred. Fluent English, legal status, and computer skills a must. 2nd (3pm-11pm) and 3rd (11pm-7am) shifts. Email details to bwhospitality78@gmail.com.

Convenience Store Help Wanted in Atlanta, GA. No investment partnership. Single or Couple. Fulltime only. Call 614-981-1885. Hotel Help Wanted: Looking for all positions (GM / AGM / Front Desk / Housekeeping) for properties in Charlotte, NC. Contact Danish at hrwyndham1@gmail.com.

Convenience Store Wholesale Business Help Wanted in Indian Land / Fort Mill, SC. One part-time / full-time bookkeeper & 2 fulltime store associates. Contact Harry: 803-228-0711 or palcodistributors@gmail.com.

Sales Associate Wanted for jewelry store in Winston Salem. Please call 786-502-0333.

MATRIMONIALS

Seeking Match for 32 year-old Patel girl. Finance background & now a successful art educator/artist. Contact 980-636-3533 and refer PJ. US born physician son seeks bride. 39 years-old, 5'6", Sikh (clean shaven). Never married from a well-educated & settled family. Contact 410-6520286 or gbmatt135@yahoo.com.

Hindu Punjabi Khatri parents seek match for daughter. 31 year-old, 5ft 4in. Fair, slim, and very pretty. Medical office administrator in Central Florida. Prefer suitors from the southeast. Please respond with full details to nudaak@gmail.com.

Seeking tall, vegetarian, welleducated boy preferably in the medical profession for 25-year-old girl from a Gujarati family. 5'3", born and raised in the USA. 2nd-year Medical student living in Indianapolis, IN. Refer SP and contact 470-684-0830.

Seeking well-educated gentleman for 41-year-old woman, 5’1″. Raised in India, Marathi family, divorced with no children. Lead Solution Architect in Florida. Call 678-304-8184 & refer RK.

PROPERTY FOR SALE / RENT

Well-furnished time-shared condo for rent or sale in Banner Elk, NC. ideally situated between Sugar Creek Mountain and Grandfather Mountain. Available between June 24 & July 1st. Contact Murahari Rao 980-221-6174.

LearnAboutLand.com

87 AC. SILER CITY $875K

Live Dhol, Tabla, & Music Services for all types of events including Weddings, Concerts, Birthday Parties, Graduation Parties, or any other Festivities. Serving the Carolinas since 2006. Open to travel. Contact Jeetu Singh at 919-752-7309 or email dholi.jeetu@gmail.com.

Saree Draping: specializing in draping sarees, dupattas and jewelry for Weddings, Engagements, Baby showers, Birthdays, etc. Contact Rital Patel: info@bridaldraping.com or www.bridaldraping.com.

Atkinson Properties Group bobatkinson321@gmail.com 919-362-6999

Penthouse Condo for Sale (2 Bed/2 Bath) in prestigious Chamarajapet, Bangalore, India. Wood flooring, special wall treatments, and very well lit & ventilated perfectly satisfying Vastu. Call Murahari Rao 980-221-6174.

SERVICES

Priest Available for Shree Satya narayan katha, Shanti hawan, Vastu shanty, Weddings, Baby shower, Bhumi pujan, Mata ki chowki pujan, Funeral, all types of karmakand. Please call Viral Bhatt 704-438-6334. Travel Passion: International & Domestic Air tickets. We process India Visa, OCI, Indian Passport Renewal, Hotel bookings & Tour packages. Call 509-550-9076 or 509-550-9034 or please Email: travelpassion24@gmail.com

Pari Beauty in Matthews: Threading, Waxing, Facials, Massage for newborn and mom & other services. 33 years of experience. Special Deals & Great Service. email: gescpl@gmail.com or call: 704-846-7912.

Neeta's Beauty Parlor: Charlotte area open 7 days a week. Full service. Call 704-968-0270 for appointment.

Gujarati Priest: Devendra Dave Independent priest. Ganesh, Randal, Navratri, Diwali's Laxmi & Sharda Pujas, Satyanarayan Katha, Weddings, Vastu, Baby Shower, Funeral Seva. Call Daveji 704-7803563. God Blessings to All.

Safa, Pagh, and Turban Tying Service for weddings, baraats, parties, photoshoots, other events. Centered in North Carolina & able to travel wherever your event is located. Contact us for bookings! Carolina Turban Crew: 919-752-7309 or Carolinaturbans@gmail.com.

Gujarati Priest in NC & SC for Ganesh, Randal, Laxmi, Sharda Pujan, Satyanarayan Katha, Wedding, Vastu, Baby Shower, Hawan, Grah Shanti. Kishor Trivedi: 336-774-0597 Cell: 336-486-7925 EMail: kishor7@juno.com.

Indian Astrologer and Spiritual Healer in Glen Allen, VA. We do horoscopes, birth charts, negative energy removal, black magic removal, etc. Contact 804-738-0034 or astroprataprajusa@gmail.com.

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When our family first arrived in the States nearly 50 years ago, the Desi supplies were almost nonexistent in grocery stores. Families would pool together orders and bring in shipments from India. Bags travelling with visiting family members, or with folks returning from India after a visit, were filled with spices and food supplies, even yogurt starters.

The allowable weight for international flights was always surpassed by couple pounds extra stuffed in for good measure. “Hey,” was the common thought among these travelers, “if this bag of cumin from my village, where it has the best tasting cumin in the world, busts the weight limit of the check-in bags, I’ll just squeeze it into my overstuffed carry-on. I’ll just put a hot water bag on my aching back when I get there.”

That bag of cumin or fill in the blank spice made its way across the world, somewhere on that plane, thank you very much.

Through the ensuing decades, and especially the last couple of decades, Indian food has become part of Americana food lore. It’s been a fast evolution.

Samosas, chutneys, garam masala, chai, ghee, all are commonplace. Turmeric has been anointed a super superfood. Naans are pervasive in grocery stores, taking over real estate in bakery sections and of course among the bread aisles. If you’re looking to make a quick homemade pizza, look no further than naan. It’s a perfect readymade base for personal pizzas, top off with what you like and toss it into a preheated oven for a couple of minutes. Call it naanizza.

I have always been intrigued how foods from halfway across the globe become commonplace in other places. Usually, the foods are brought over by travelers and immigrants, where some items, like naan and samosas, become as common as local fare.

Some of these items are quite similar to other local commonly eaten foods, so they catch on quicker.

Alas, Julia Child should have gone to India instead of France. The American palate would have been infused with nourishing, mouth awakening spices, herbs, breads, and Indian cooking methods decades earlier. No worries. Indian foods are making fast progress. The complex mélange, well pardon my French, of flavors and textures have made Indian food popular ethnic eats just behind Mexican and Chinese.

Heck, even the Brits, ahem, the kings of how shall we put it, bland food, have now made Indian food the most popular cuisine on that little island. Cheerio. The Brits are finally eating proper.

India has been the destination of travelers, seekers, traders and armies for millennia, and now it is spreading its food, music and cultural love all over the world without even lifting a toothpick, let alone swords.

I’m a proud American who was born in India. A country so diverse and ancient, mythical, bewildering and exotic that it may as well be a different planet. America and India are brotherly planets, albeit a young one and a much older one. I’m a happily blended alien of both worlds. It’s the best place to be, this dual flavoring.

Not only food, but all stuff Indian is infusing into the Red, White and Blue. Indian films regularly play cinema halls. They are now winning once elusive American awards. Crowds are dancing in movie theater aisles to Indian film songs. Can’t pronounce “Naatu Naatu,” well just substitute the world “naan” for “naatu” and start pogoing in the aisles. Yoga is practiced daily by millions, as common as hitting the gym.

The lovely concoction known simply as chai will someday, if the gods are truly fair, overtake coffee as the hot beverage of choice from sea to shining sea. It’s just a matter of time and taste.

Many regional Indian foods await their discovery and will expand American palates and menus. In the near future the most widely eaten breads in India, rotis and parathas, will stand beside naan and become standard table fare for Americans.

Here’s looking forward to that tastier day. Hold up your cup of chai, and cheers.

Explore the unfathomably diverse varieties of foods known collectively as Indian food, and don’t forget to grab some naan at your friendly neighborhood food market. It’s right over there, on aisle…

Samir Shukla

Editor of Saathee Magazine

Contact: Samir@Saathee.com

Twitter: @ShuklaWrites

Newsletter: ShuklaWrites.Substack.com

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