Saathee Charlotte February 2023

Bridging America and the Indian Subcontinent America and the Indian Subcontinent

Saathee.com

Saathee.com

February 2023

February 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

Local Events: pg 18

Lockdowns & Children’s Vision: pg 38

Recipe: Heart-Shaped Jalebi: pg 66

Classifieds: New Job Listings: pg 92

Hello Readers!

Check out our expanded Events section covering a variety of upcoming events beginning on page 18.

Read the essay "An Unending Love Affair with Saarees" on page 36. Read about "the Impact of Pandemic Lockdowns on Children's Vision" in our informative article on page 38.

Catch the review of The Last of Us a screen adaptation of the popular video game on page 42.

Go to our College Admissions Insider column to find out "What Should a Junior do to Prepare for College Admission.” See page 48.

Valentine’s Day is this month. See how to make Heart-Shaped Jalebis in our recipe on page 66.

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

Thank you for continuing to read Saathee and please share it with family and friends. Drop us a line with any comments or suggestions. We welcome conversations.

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

Subscribe to Saathee magazine at saathee.com/subscription.

Cover: Tadoba Andhari Reserve, Maharashtra

Tigers in India constitute more than 70 percent of the global population of tigers. Tiger is officially adopted as the National Animal of India. There are about 3,000 tigers living in the wild in India. This tiger was photographed in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.

“Bridging America and the Indian Subcontinent.”

February 2023 Issue # 297

- 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, Taige Shukla, Shyama Parui, Dr. Keshav Bhat, Violet Wei, Raajeev Aggerwhil, Preethi Sriram, Mo Vidwans, & 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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P.O. Box 11468 Charlotte, NC 28220 704.527.7570

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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

Photo: Adobe Stock

"Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up.”

- James Baldwin

In This Issue

18

Page 28 Film Clips: Dhanush’s New Film Vaathi

Content

Page 66 Recipe: Heart-Shaped Jalebi

Few Minutes on a Glacier

Few Minutes on a Glacier

Editor’s Desk by Samir Shukla

We are in the Canadian Rockies. It is midAugust. The paper maps of the national parks we are visiting, Banff and Jasper, give a sense of place that the GPS on our rented car simply can’t duplicate. Our love of national parks has brought us to western Canada for this summer trip.

After exploring many areas and the stunning scenery of Banff, we are standing on a glacier in the Columbia Ice Fields near Jasper National Park, a twin park to the more famous Banff. It’s cold. The temperature is probably around 45 degrees but feels much colder as the wind is kicking, swooshing down the mountain, bouncing off the ice and making the air feel thinner. Just a half hour earlier, before the ride up here (on a tank-like ice explorer with giant wheels), we were about half a mile down the mountain in sunny 75 degrees.

The glacier is a blue and white expanse of thick, rugged ice, jutting out of the mountain, small streams of meltwater are running on the sides, down into the lake below, and onward.

The air feels fresh and ancient at the same time. The glacier is melting. That’s an understatement. All glaciers are melting. According to our driver, this one is expected to be gone within 50 years. The meltwater is trickling down the mountain on either side of the glacier. Swirling and passing through cracks and exposed rocks into the lake below. It’s called a ripple lake for the ripples swaying about on its surface due to a constant, steady breeze.

This water, as it melts, may be unleashing frozen viruses or thawed ancient alien bugs into the water systems. Or maybe it is just pristine water heading back to the ocean via miles and miles of obstacles. These thoughts cross my mind as I rub my hands together to stay warm, while I swish and slide my way back to the giant Ice explorer which brought us up to and onto the glacier. It’s warm inside the behemoth. I continue to absorb this natural wonder on our ride back down the mountain.

What happens as glaciers melt and work their way to oceans and seas? The oceans will rise, their natural balances will shift, some life will thrive while other life will suffer, and as usual, us wily humans will figure out a way to survive regardless.

Jumping back into our rented Jeep at the bottom of the mountain, we followed the meltwater running parallel to the road for a while and then watched it disappear into the earth to emerge again somewhere down the road.

The sky is now a little darker, rain clouds moving in, a soft drizzle accompanies us to our next stop. We pass myriad streams and waterfalls, lakes and ponds. I take a swig out of my water bottle and close my eyes for a second and think about how we take water for granted.

It is precious. Essential.

I thought of all the water, that precious resource, the stuff of life, frozen under my feet, while spending a few minutes on a glacier in Western Canada.

Samir Shukla

Editor of Saathee Magazine

Contact: Samir@Saathee.com

Twitter: @ShuklaWrites

Newsletter: ShuklaWrites.Substack.com

The

Photo by Mithi Shukla

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Upcoming Events

Carolina Chocolate Festival: Morehead City, NC

(February 4 - 5, 2023)

Chocolate lovers indulge! The annual Carolina Chocolate Festival will take place between February 4 & 5, 2023 at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City. Both days will be packed with activities from tastings, demonstrations and Pro/Am and Junior bake-offs to relaxing at the spa. Find out more at Carolinachocolatefestival.com

Hilton Head Marathon

(February 11, 2023)

Good vibes happen on the tides and The Hilton Head Island Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K is back delivering both. Join hundreds of runners on Saturday, February 11, 2023, for an island adventure running by beautiful lagoons, Cross Town Park, and over the Bay Bridge! The scenery is enough to give you that tropical state of mind you’ve been longing for. Registration and other info can be found at Hhmarathon.com.

Dog Days of Winter: Charlotte, NC

(February 11, 2023)

Celebrate winter with your four-legged friends on February 11, 2023 with a variety of activities ranging from a 5K trail race, adoption events, ice rink access, dog yoga, doggy vendors and more. It will take place at the Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC. For more details, call 704-391-3900 or visit Center.whitewater.org.

Aaj Ka Dhamaka and Dola Re Dandiya: Durham, NC

(February 18, 2023)

AKD x DRD is a double national collegiate dance competition coming up on Saturday, Feb 18, 2023 beginning at 5pm. Aaj ka Dhamaka and Dola Re Dandiya will be partnering to host AKD x DRD, a national dance competition hosted by students at the University of North Carolina which will showcase 16 Bollywood fusion and Raas performances by prominent collegiate dance teams across the nation. It will be held at Riverside High School in Durham. This will be a fun family-friendly experience for the community to watch South Asian dance. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite at AKD x DRD 2023 Dance Competition. To learn more about AKD x DRD, visit @uncakd or @uncdrd on Instagram!

Wine & Chocolate Festival: Greensboro, NC (February 11, 2023)

Wineries and wine enthusiasts from across the region will gather on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex – Event Wing A for an unlimited sampling of dozens of North Carolina wines of all styles and tastes. Bottles will be available for purchase. Everyone gets a free souvenir tasting glass. Enjoy a selection of tasty nibbles and treats, chocolates, and cheeses. Browse through mini boutiques featuring purses, jewelry, clothing and more. Check out Wineandchocolatefestivals.com.

Mark Twain in Greenville (February 11, 2023)

Mark Twain was arguably America’s first celebrity and most quoted humorist. His fictional characters, Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Becky Thatcher are more fondly remembered than most American presidents. It has been said of the influence he has had on our language, “Mark Twain wrote the way we talk, and now we talk the way he wrote.” At age 70, at the height of his fame, Mark Twain began to advertise his presence everywhere he went by wearing white suits in winter as well as summer. The secrets this man revealed were as carefully crafted as his art and as his personality. This special performance will take place on Friday, February 11, 2023 at the Greenville Theatre. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Find out more at Historycomesalive.org.

Reedy Reels Film Festival: Greenville, SC

(February 17 - 19, 2023)

The Reedy Reels Film Festival promotes the appreciation of the art of filmmaking while generating support for independent filmmakers especially in the Upstate. The festival engages the community and creates exposure for local filmmaking while building inspiration and new opportunities for local artists. The 7th annual festival will take place from February 17-19, 2023 at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre in Greenville, SC. Find out more by visiting Reedyreels.com.

Upcoming Events

Beaufort International Film Festival: (February 21 – 26, 2023)

The purpose of the festival, taking place February 21-26, 2023, is to recognize aspiring filmmakers of almost every genre to include independent film, music, animation, short and long features, documentaries, and screenwriting. The Beaufort Film Society has served as the tip of the spear in forging a new presence for the art of filmmaking in Beaufort County since their formation in 2009. By producing an internationally respected film festival located in the heart of the South Carolina Sea Islands, they have raised an awareness of the culture and history in the region. For more information, visit Beaufortfilmfestival.com.

Wilmington Marathon Madness: (February 25, 2023)

Experience marathon madness from Pier to Port with this Boston Marathon qualifier and USATF certified qualifier race. The new course for the full marathon starts Saturday February 25, 2023 at Johnnie Mercers Pier in Wrightsville Beach, and runs through Wilmington (total of six bridges) ending in Historic Downtown Wilmington on the Riverwalk in front of the Alton Lennon Federal Courthouse. Runners will span a total 6 bridges (4 of which are flat) and run through some of the best scenery in Wilmington. Learn more at Wilmingtonncmarathon.com.

Charleston Wine + Food Festival (March 1 – 5, 2023)

Visit from March 1-5, 2023 for the 18th annual Charleston Wine + Food Festival. Fueled by a passion for the people and places that make Charleston worth celebrating, this year’s festival will feature over 100 unique culinary experiences that will fill your belly + feed your soul. For five days, Charleston will serve as the backdrop for a gathering of top chefs, winemakers, authors, storytellers, artisans, and food enthusiasts. Tickets are on sale now. Find the information at Charlestonwineandfood.com.

Myrtle Beach Marathon (March 3 – 4, 2023)

Whether you’re looking to qualify for the Boston Marathon or planning a fun running weekend getaway with the family, the 24th annual Myrtle Beach Marathon course is the perfect place to start. With only 25 feet of elevation gain, you’ll be able to tour one of the East Coast’s top vacation towns. Start near Broadway at the Beach, race along Ocean Blvd, and fi nish at Pelicans Ballpark for a post-race extravaganza. Plan your running journey for the weekend of March 34, 2023 with a full marathon, half marathon, 5k, a virtual family fun run, and for the first time they are offering a Virtual 10k Race. The marathon season is coming. Learn more details at Capstoneraces.com/myrtle-beach-marathon.

The Entertainers: Atlanta, GA (March 3, 2023)

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar headlines the show simply titled “The Entertainers,” along with many up and coming young actors and performers, including Mouni Roy, Zahrah Khan, Aparshakti Khurana, Nora Fatehi, Disha Patani, Sonam Bajwa, Stebin Ben, Jasleen Royal, and others. The show will take place on Friday, March 3, 2023 at the Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA. For more details, call 770-904-9297 or 404-786-3252.

Aag Ki Raat: Columbia, SC (March 4, 2023)

Indian Cultural Organization at University of South Carolina, a student organization, will present Aag Ki Raat. It is an annually held Bollywood-fusion dance competition which attracts over 400 people from all over the country. Proceeds from the show will be donated to The Carolina Survivor Clinic, which is the only clinic in North or South Carolina that works to provide comprehensive and holistic care for refugees. This year, Aag Ki Raat is on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia, SC. Celebrate the hard work of all competing teams, appreciate shared culture, share culture with others, and push to support the refugee population of Columbia. For more details, visit Aag Ki Raat page on Facebook.

Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival (March 19 – 26, 2023)

Come experience the Hilton Head Wine and Food Festival during the week of March 19-26, 2023.

Upcoming Events

The festival will celebrate its 38th year with many events, including local chef showcases, wine education sessions, live entertainment and of course the famed Grand and Public Tastings, all located in and around the iconic Harbour Town in Sea Pines Resort. Details at Hiltonheadwineandfood.com.

Red Baraat Festival of Colors: Raleigh, NC (March 3, 2023)

Rhythm India: Bollywood and Beyond: Charlote, NC (March 25, 2023)

The 11th annual festival of colors tour by Red Baraat makes a stop at NC State University, Raleigh, NC on Friday, March 3, 2023. Red Baraat is a pioneering band from Brooklyn, New York. Conceived by dhol player Sunny Jain, the group has drawn worldwide praise for its singular sound, a merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra with elements of hiphop, jazz and raw punk energy. For details, visit Redbaraat.com.

An Evening with Deepak Chopra: Charlotte, NC (March 22, 2023)

Doctor and alternative medicine expert Deepak Chopra advocates for practicing gratitude to counteract stress and to stay healthy during times of stress. Chopra is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation who is known for his spiritual approach to wellness. He will speak at Queens University on March 22, 2023 beginning at 7pm. The event is sponsored by the Learning Society and will take place at Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement,

Sandra Levine Theatre on the campus of Queens University. For more details on the evening, visit Queens.edu.

Rhythm India takes you on the journey of dance and celebration through Bollywood & Beyond. Experience the vibrant costumes, dynamic music, and soulful rhythms of the “ghungroo” dancing bells from the echoing heart beats of royal palaces and sacred temples, to the swaying voices of desert villages and modern stages. Created by World Choreography Award Nominee & Telly Award Winning director & choreographer, Joya Kazi, and featuring the company dancers of Joya Kazi Unlimited as seen on screens from Bollywood to Hollywood. The show will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Knight Theater, Charlotte, NC. Tickets begin at $25. For more visit Blumenthalarts.org.

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.

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. It will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023 beginning at 4pm at Gandhi Bhavan, Hindu Center, Charlotte. For details, call 704-339-4126, 704-8405949 or visit, Onlinecmac.org.

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Upcoming Movie Releases

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

February 3

Knock at the Cabin (Director: M. Night Shyamalan)

Cast: Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, and Rupert Grint

Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat

(Director: Anurag Kashyap)

Cast: Alaya F and Karan Metha

Marlowe (Director: Neil Jordan)

Cast: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, Jessica Lange, and Colm Meaney

Michael (Director: Ranjit Jeyakodi)

Cast: Sundeep Kishan, Vijay Sethupathi, and Divyansha Kaushik

80 for Brady

(Director: Kyle Marvin)

Cast: Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, Sally Field, and Tom Brady

Bommai Nayagi (Director: Shan)

Cast: Yogi Babu, Harikrishnan Anbudurai, and Srimathi

February 10

Magic Mike’s Last Dance

(Director: Steven Soderbergh)

Cast: Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek Pinault

Shehzada

(Director: Rohit Dhawan)

Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Paresh Rawal, and Manisha Koirala

Amigos (Director: Rajendra Reddy)

Cast: Kalyan Ram and Ashika Ranganath

Your Place or Mine (Director: Aline Brosh McKenna)

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher, Steve Zahn

February 17

Vaathi (Director: Venky Atluri)

Cast: Dhanush, Samyuktha Menon, P Sai Kumar, and Samuthirakani

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Director: Peyton Reed)

Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Bill Murray, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Michael Douglas

Das Ka Dhamki (Director: Vishwak Sen)

Cast: Vishwak Sen, Nivetha Pethuraj, Rao Ramesh, and Akshara Gowda

Shaakuntalam (Director: Gunasekhar)

Cast: Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Dev Mohan, Mohan Babu, and Prakash Raj Selfiee (Director: Rah Mehta)

February 24

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Emraan Hashmi, Diana Penty, and Nushrratt Bharuccha

Borrder (Director: Arivazhagan

Venkatachalam)

Cast: Arun Vijay, Stefy Patel, and Regina Cassandra

March 3

Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway (Director: Ashima Chibber)

Cast: Rani Mukerji and Anirban Bhattacharya

Creed III (Director: Michael B Jordan)

Cast: Michael B Jordan and Phylicia Rashad

See our complete upcoming movies at: saathee.com/movies

Shehzada

Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, and Sachin Khedekar star in the Rohit Dhawan directed film. Bantu is despised by his father Valmiki since he was a toddler. Samara, his boss shows him affection and love until he discovers that the Jindals are his real parents. Bantu decides to seek Jindals love and protect them from threats they are facing. Look for the film on February 10, 2023.

Shaakuntalam

The love story of King Dushyantha and Shakuntala, daughter of sage Vishwamitra and nymph Menaka. Due to a sage’s curse, Dushyant forgets all about Shakuntala, until destiny brings them together again. Director Gunasekhar guides the cast including Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Dev Mohan, Mohan Babu, Aditi Balan, Ananya Nagalla, and Prakash Raj. The epic is slated for release on February 17, 2023.

Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar

The latest outing by stars Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor is a romantic comedy directed by Luv Ranjan. The film, written by Ranjan and Rahul Mody, also stars Dimple Kapadia and Boney Kapoor (in his acting debut). The film is scheduled for theatrical release on March 8, 2023. The film has been delayed for over two years due to the pandemic and delays in filming. It will now release concurring with the Holi festival.

Inside

Venky Atluri directs Dhanush in the film about the life of a young man and his struggles against the privatization of education. Samyuktha Menon, P Sai Kumar, Shrutika, Tanikella Bharani, and Samuthirakani costar in the movie slated to hit cinemas on February 17, 2023.

Borrder

Action thriller movie revolves around patriotism and how a military officer runs an anti-terrorist operation. The cast includes Arun Vijay, Stefy Patel, and Regina Cassandra. The film, slated for release on February 24, 2023, is directed by Arivazhagan Venkatachalam.

Willem Dafoe stars as a thief trapped in a penthouse. The movie follows Dafoe as a high-end art thief, Nemo, who after a heist gone bad gets trapped inside a luxury, high-tech penthouse in New York’s Times Square. The psychological horror will find him locked inside with nothing but priceless works of art, and a will to survive while he must use his wits to get out. The film releases on March 10, 2023.

65

An astronaut crash lands on a mysterious planet only to discover he’s not alone. The film directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, stars Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, and Chloe Coleman. The sci-fi thriller will hit the screens beginning on March 17, 2023.

A Good Person

The story follows Allison, whose life falls apart following her involvement in a fatal accident. Written and directed by Zach Braff, the cast includes Florence Pugh, Morgan Freeman, and Celeste O’Connor. The film will release on March 24, 2023.

Bholaa

Bholaa, headlined and directed by Ajay Devgn, is a Hindi remake of Kaithi, a Tamil-language film. Soon after delivering his second highest-grossing film, Drishyam 2, Ajay Devgn has been filming in Varanasi and other locations. The film also stars veteran actress Tabu essaying the role of a cop. The film is set for a worldwide release on March 30, 2023.

Vaathi

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4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 Baths, 3,600 Sq. Ft. Amazing and well maintained Full Brick home in sought after Providence Springs. Completely Remodeled kitchen with SS appliances and solid countertops. Gleaming Hardwoods that were recently refinished. Large Master suite with sitting area and Custom Closet. Master bath with spacious shower, double vanity and a garden tub. Relaxing Sunroom. Oversized secondary bedrooms with a lot of closet space. Staircase with wood treads and wrought iron spindles. Gorgeous Stone and pavers covered patio with a Fireplace. Fenced-in Backyard.

Perfect for an Investor or a first time home buyer. Amazing 3 story Townhouse in Ballantyne Area. Great location and Schools. 2 Bedrooms with an office, 2 Full and 2 Half Baths with an oversized 1 car garage. Over 1,800 sq. ft. Beautiful open floor plan with a large Deck. Nice Kitchen. Spacious Master Bedroom. Extra large second bedroom. Office with french doors. Many upgrades. This one is a Must see! $309,900

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The Future Plan The Future Plan

Raajeev’s Corner

by Raajeev Aggerwhil

Hindus believe in reincarnation. Based on your karmas in this current life, you come back as a human or a different animal in the next life. I don’t know how my karma will be judged but I decided to let my mind wander through an array of possibilities of reincarnated life forms.

What if I come back as a dog? I may not have a say in this matter but if I come as a dog, I want to be born in the US. In fact, it may be cool coming back as a dog, especially in Beverly Hills. I’ll be eating at Whole Foods, wearing Gucci harnesses and Apple watches on all four of my legs. Walking around Hollywood, I notice that many of the dogs dress better than I do! In fact, if I get a clue now about my future life form as a dog, I can start planning. I can bury some kibbles in my backyard and at popular places like Malibu Beach, 3rd street Promenade, and Rodeo Drive.

If I come back as a dog, I don’t want to be born in India. I would be a stray dog, roaming the streets, ignored and neglected. I definitely do not want to come back as a dog in China, Korea, the Philippines or Vietnam. I’ll be part of their dim sum.

Depending on my karma, I may get upgraded to a cow. I don’t want to come back as a cow in the US. I’ll spend my

life being injected with hormones, giving out milk and eventually being part of a McDonald’s Big Mac. I wouldn’t mind coming back as a cow in India. People might worship me. After I have served my purpose, they may ignore me, letting me roam the streets or make me part of a Goshala. But at least they won’t kill me mercilessly.

If the grading is on a curve and my karmas don’t get reviewed favorably, I hope I don’t come back as a pig. I don’t want to be a pig in the US. Actually, I don’t want to be a pig anywhere in the world.

If my grade is an A, I may come back as a human being but as a woman. I know I don’t want to come back as a woman in China. I would like my feet to breathe and not be bound. I wouldn’t prefer to be born in the Middle East either. I am ambivalent about coming back as a woman in India. It may not be too bad, especially in the urban areas. I am pretty sure I would prefer to come back as a woman in the US. I may earn 1/3rd less but it might still be worth it.

If I come back as a man, I don’t know if I would have a say in my career choice. If I am coming back as a nerd or an engineer, I definitely want to be born in India. Dating problems will be solved through an arranged marriage. The motto of arranged marriage, “No nerds left behind” will certainly be a big advantage. In fact, the nerdier I am in my future life, the more attractive woman I’ll get in India.

Raajeev continued on page 74

An Unending Love Affair with Sarees An Unending Love Affair with Sarees

Namaskar, Y’all

by Shyama Parui

A special day was around the corner for a 15-year-old girl. The “Tenth Grade Farewell Party” held a couple of decades ago was the highlight of her graduating class as it marked the completion of “school life” and transition to the very grown-up world of “college life.” Celebrating this milestone meant dressing to the nines, dancing the night away and tearful goodbyes to favorite teachers and friends who had shared the classroom with her since kindergarten. A cocktail of emotions was swirling within her and among the many reasons for the excitement was wearing a saree to the farewell party.

I was that girl and I am talking about what ignited my infatuation with sarees. Being wrapped in the luxury of my sister’s magenta colored chiffon, I felt like a dream had come true. Enchanted by its beauty, I even failed to notice my less than perfect make up. What I thought would be just a spring fling gradually blossomed into romance.

If I had to guess, I was draped in a miniature saree for the first time at my annaprasan – the first feeding of rice considered the earliest rite of passage for a Bengali baby. Like most infants, I probably threw a fit and tried to pull out the embellishments from the fabric or protested by scratching wildly. By the time I was a teenager, I had worn sarees as costumes but never as an attire of choice.

Our annual “Desi Day” in college, pujas and weddings presented me with opportunities to borrow beautiful sarees from my mother’s collection. Eager eyes scanned the options that emerged from Godrej cupboards bearing the faint odor of naphthalene, something I still associate with Maa’s heirloom sarees. Wearing six yards of fabric woven with exquisite detail transports me over the moon and for that reason, I always wanted to reserve sarees for special occasions.

I have immense admiration for previous generations of women whose wardrobes consisted exclusively of sarees. Elegantly draped, with flowing pallus, saree clad actresses regaled the audience on the silver screen before Western attire was commonly accepted in India. I would watch in awe as my mother and aunts put on their sarees in the traditional Bengali atpoure style without the help of a mirror and often wondered how my sisters could manage to keep their aanchal in place without any pins. My grandmother only wore plain white or ivory sarees indicating her widowed status, but the soft silks highlighted her beauty

and belied her age in a way that spa treatments couldn’t. And if anyone has reservations about the ability of sarees to stay in place, they should probably head to Mumbai’s Churchgate station in the evening.

On any given day, hundreds of working women board the train to commute home to the suburbs. As the train approaches the station at a slow speed, you can observe some of these brave women step into warrior mode. They clench their mangal sutras with their teeth (to avoid it from getting snatched by thieves), tuck their handbags under their arm, grip the saree pleats and in one swift motion climb into the moving train. This risky antic allows them to have a seat on their hour-long journey perhaps the only time of rest in their hectic day.

The rich diversity of sarees reflects myriads of clothing materials, artisanal skills, subcultures, fashion trends and the history of India. Like a true classic, a saree will rarely go out of style. The new trends of draping sarees in combination with pants and skirts illustrates its versatility. Its popularity is hardly at risk owing to numerous trends on social media. Despite my observations, making the saree my daily attire of choice was never on the horizon. Truth be told, I am unwilling to tie the knot, so to speak, with a single type of outfit. When it comes to sarees, the brief excitement of an affair is far more appealing than a lifelong commitment.

Before you accuse me of betrayal, you must understand that I embrace both the traditional and modern aspects of

Namaskar continued on page 82

Dr. Keshav Bhat

Since the pandemic began, the protracted lockdowns experienced by people in many jurisdictions around the world have taken an unquantified but likely severe toll on human health and well-being.

Of particular concern are the children and adolescents who, upon the closure of schools and public leisure centers, have been required to receive their education, to socialize, and to attempt to keep themselves entertained, all while remaining at home, with digital technology usually doing the heavy lifting in all three domains.

Apart from the unsurprising impacts on children’s mental health, research has begun to show that these behaviors are producing a range of further detrimental health effects — including on the health of children’s eyes, with reports surfacing of a surge in what experts are calling “quarantine myopia.”

“So, my kid needs glasses, no big deal.”

“It’s just nearsightedness.”

It’s not surprising that myopia, or nearsightedness, is often seen as a normal part of life as one in four parents have a myopic child. It’s common for parents to respond to the growing threat of myopia with statements like, “My child needs glasses, no big deal.” Yet, myopia increases the risk of serious, sight threatening conditions. Myopia has been shown to be an independent risk factor for glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment.

The long-term risk factors may seem like issues later in life that we don’t have to worry about today but protecting your child’s vision is vital during their school-age years. If their eyes grow irregularly, as they do with myopia, these issues become more of a risk.

A diopter is the unit used to measure the correction, or focusing power, of the lens your eye requires. A one diopter increase in myopia raises the likelihood of developing myopic macular degeneration by 67 percent. Whereas a one diopter decrease in myopia reduces the likelihood of developing myopic macular degeneration, or loss of vision, by 40 percent.

Conventional glasses, otherwise known as single vision glasses, correct vision but they do not slow down the progression of myopia or address the underlying issue that the eye is growing too long. So, what can we do? We can look at a process called myopia management.

Children’s Vision continued on page 82

The Impact of Children’sLockdownsPandemiconVision

The Last of Us From Monumental Game to the Screen

The Last of Us From Monumental Game to the Screen

Mirror, Mirror

by Jennifer Allen

It was 2013… well before the people of the world had any thoughts about a global virus outbreak beyond the realms of fantasy or science-fiction. Naughty Dog, a video game developer known at the time for the IndianaJonesish adventure series Uncharted took a chance with a new game concept: blending a post-apocalyptic survival story with a touching surrogate father-daughter tale. Oh, and there’s also zombies. Lots and lots of zombies.

On their own, none of these ideas are especially unique. In fact, the game does delve into themes taken from other titles such as The Walking Dead, Children of Men, and The Road. However, writer/director Neil Druckmann incorporated two special details that were nearly unprecedented at the time.

For one, the zombie outbreak itself is based on a real phenomenon. There is a parasitic fungus known as Cordyceps which currently has 600 known strains. The most notable one used as basis for the story is Ophiocordyceps unilateralis which primarily infects ants. Imagine the soothing voice of Sir David Attenborough narrating a scene where you watch the fungus take over the insect’s brain and eventually its body in order for it to spread spores to other ants and continue the cycle. It’s terrifying yet mesmerizing to watch, especially with a victim that isn’t human.

In our new world where Covid is still very much a threat, the concept of Cordyceps suddenly turning to people to evolve is not all that farfetched as we once thought.

The other innovative choice Druckmann made is to exclusively use motion-capture for each of the characters. It seems so commonplace now in all sorts of media, but in 2011-2012 it was nearly unheard of for a video game. And while the characters themselves were physically rendered through the use of face and body models, all of their motions and voices were recorded by the actors themselves to offer more authentic performances.

“…every time you split up the performance in any way, you lose some of that magic where they did a gesture

Mirror continued on page 80

Reach your full potential for healing and happiness. You are capable of boundless growth and infinite possibilities to evolve, transform, and improve your life. You are more powerful than you know.

Shital

I have helped hundreds of clients achieve solutions and make positive life changes to become their best selves. I offer virtual and in-person counseling to individuals ages 17 and older. Contact me today for a free consultation.

Will Your Smartphone Be the Next Doctor’s Office?

Will Your Smartphone Be the Next Doctor’s Office?

By Hannah Norman

The same devices used to take selfies and type out tweets are being repurposed and commercialized for quick access to information needed for monitoring a patient’s health. A fingertip pressed against a phone’s camera lens can measure a heart rate. The microphone, kept by the bedside, can screen for sleep apnea. Even the speaker is being tapped, to monitor breathing using sonar technology.

In the best of this new world, the data is conveyed remotely to a medical professional for the convenience and comfort of the patient or, in some cases, to support a clinician without the need for costly hardware.

But using smartphones as diagnostic tools is a work in progress, experts say. Although doctors and their patients have found some real-world success in deploying the phone as a medical device, the overall potential remains unfulfilled and uncertain.

Smartphones come packed with sensors capable of monitoring a patient’s vital signs. They can help assess people for concussions, watch for atrial fibrillation, and conduct mental health wellness checks, to name the uses of a few nascent applications.

Companies and researchers eager to find medical applications for smartphone technology are tapping into modern phones’ built-in cameras and light sensors; microphones; accelerometers, which detect body movements; gyroscopes; and even speakers. The apps then use artificial intelligence software to analyze the collected sights and sounds to create an easy connection between patients and physicians. Earning potential and marketability are evidenced by the more than 350,000 digital health products available in app stores, according to a Grand View Research report.

“It’s very hard to put devices into the patient home or in the hospital, but everybody is just walking around with a cellphone that has a network connection,” said Dr. Andrew Gostine, CEO of the sensor network company Artisight. Most Americans own a smartphone, including more than 60 percent of people 65 and over, an increase from just 13 percent a decade ago, according the Pew Research Center. The covid-19 pandemic has also pushed people to become more comfortable with virtual care.

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Hot Chocolate Nutcracker Diversity and Equity in Dance

Adult Dance Student

by Preethi Sriram

A few years ago, the first ballet that I recall attending as an adult was the Nutcracker, a holiday themed production. All ages can enjoy this production as it transports the viewer to the magic of Christmas. I recall sitting spellbound throughout the whole dance and transferred to another world. After the show, I made plans for going to more ballets and buying season tickets so I could attend ballets throughout the year.

I felt that watching a ballet was very inspiring in that I was witnessing poetry in motion. I could see the grace, devotion, and athleticism in the dancers. As I have been more interested in learning more about ballet and dance in general, over the past holiday I found a documentary on Netflix called Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. The unique title piqued my curiosity to want to watch the documentary.

The documentary goes behind the scenes of a famous dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen and how the specific yearly show of the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker was conceived. In the documentary, Allen speaks of her passion

for dance and specifically ballet, and how ballet was very exclusive in the time that she was growing up in. She started dance at a young age, and auditioned for a dance school as a preteen, but was denied admission due to her background. She was able to attend another dance school, but when she auditioned for university schooling, she was denied admission.

The reason was because she was critiqued that she did not have the “right body type.”

Having the “right body type” was discussed throughout the documentary and a criterion that was essential for a ballet dancer.

Another teacher in the dance company noted that in Russia, the physical size of the aspiring dancer was measured, and the conditions were very strictly enforced. When looking further into this, another documentary that broaches this topic is “A Beautiful Tragedy” which follows a girl aspiring to be a ballet dancer who also struggles with self-image and anorexia. It is interesting to note that within the film Black Swan, both actresses Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman lost weight for the role. Reading that they had lost such weight, even with their already small frames, and ate unhealthy and very little during the period of filming, is very troubling.

Adult Dance Student continued on page 74

What Should a Junior Do to Prepare for College Admissions?

College Admissions Insider

by Violet Wei

For juniors, college applications are right around the corner and will be here before they know it. College applications that stand out from the crowd aren’t built in just a few weeks or months. Here are a few things juniors should start doing as soon as possible to create a successful college application.

Review Your Testing Plan

Your ACT/SAT score is something that most schools will review. While many schools remain test-optional, only some are, with universities like Georgetown, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and Georgia Tech, all requiring you to submit scores. Especially for very selective schools, your standardized test scores will matter. You might have to take the test multiple times, so it’s best to start preparing now.

Concentrate On Your Academics

Admission officers look at what classes you are taking versus what is available. Did you challenge yourself? You don’t have to take every AP course available, but you should take at least a few Honors and AP courses each year. You want to showcase to the admissions officers that you can handle the added rigor of an AP class. Colleges will look at your grades throughout this year; it is important to put your full effort into your academics. Find a balance between your extracurriculars and academics and discover what is right for you.

Plan Your Summer

The summer before your senior year is the last chance for students to build their resumes. Attending competitive summer programs and getting hands-on experience can help students prove their interest in their field of study.

Students might also consider volunteering, shadowing, or working on a passion project to fill out their resume further. Remember – there is no need to do every activity available. It is better to build on your interests and add layers to your activities than start five new activities this summer.

Letters of Recommendation

Before school ends for the summer, students should identify who they want to ask for a letter of recommendation. Most schools require two teacher recommendations, so you’ll want to determine who will give you the best and most personalized recommendation.

Visit Colleges

Spring and summer breaks are perfect opportunities for juniors to visit colleges. It’s a good idea to visit a variety of different schools: private vs. public and big vs. medium vs. small, to see what type of environment you would thrive in. You don’t need to visit every school on your list; focus on a few to help you build your college list.

Brainstorm College Essays

The personal statement is the best way to showcase your personality on the application. By starting to write it the summer before your senior year, you can produce a wellthought-out essay that showcases your personality. Make it personal!

Violet Wei is a College Counselor and Outreach Coordinator. Website: MoonPrep.com Contact: Violet@moonprep.com.

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.

How Will India Achieve the New Global Goals for Nature? How Will India Achieve the New Global Goals for Nature?

By Rishika Pardikar

In December 2022, the world’s governments agreed on a set of actions to address the rapid disappearance of wild plants and animals everywhere. For India, turning these goals into reality will require focusing on habitat connectivity, neglected ecosystems and financial support from developed countries – while respecting the rights of local communities to benefit from local wildlife – experts tell The Third Pole.

At the 15th meeting of the parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity held in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada, known as CBD COP15, 196 countries agreed upon the ‘Kunming-Montreal Global biodiversity framework’ (GBF). This framework – which is supposed to serve as a guide for countries to arrest and reverse biodiversity loss until 2030 – comprises four broad goals and 23 targets, relating to restoring ecosystems and preventing species extinction; ensuring people can benefit from sustainable use

of wild species; the equitable sharing of the benefits of genetic resources; and securing adequate resources to implement the framework.

Most prominent among these is a target to conserve 30 percent of the world’s land and oceans by 2030 – widely referred to as the “30×30”’ target.

Can India achieve 30×30?

“India can comfortably achieve the target of 30×30 by 2030,” India’s environment minister Bhupender Yadav recently told the Hindustan Times, adding that almost 27 percent of the country’s geographical area is already subject to some kind of conservation measure. This figure includes formal protected areas like sanctuaries and national parks, which represent a little over 5 percent of India’s land area, as well as other areas with tree and forest cover, including scrublands, reserve forests and unclassed forests. According to government statistics, forest and tree cover represents 24.62 percent of India’s total geographical area.

Conservation continued on page 76

How Well Do You Manage Your Assets in a Downturn? A Test of Your Resolve

Personal Finances

by Mo Vidwans

We all dream of making good in our investments, year in and year out. We boast about it, on occasion, when our choices of investments are doing exceptionally well and keep hoping that these investments will continue to prosper forever, totally unimpeded. But do they really?

They can, but we must be very realistic about it. When we talk about investments, we generally talk about the stock market. There are many other kinds of investments too, starting with most conservative like CDs and on to most speculative like private equity. And there are many layers in between like bonds, preferred stocks, real estate market in certain areas and investments in private small businesses; all with varying degree of risks and speculation associated with it. Each one of these investments brings with its own form and level of risk and the key thing in all these investments is to properly understand them and determine which risks can be understood and borne by us, the investors, without affecting our health, family life and/or financial safety. It is a very hard thing to do but somehow, we must reach that point to be at ease with our own decisions about these matters.

I have seen and certainly heard many disasters happen if such precautions are not taken. If we just look at the recessions, small and big, that US economy went through over the last 30 years (that is enough to put a point across but I can go beyond). There have been a few: 1991-92, 1997-98 and few in 2010s were small ones and then 2000-02 and of course the big one in 2008-09, and then what we are experiencing now. We will find that people get panicky, nervous and forget the fact as to why they invested the way they did in the first place. When the subject comes up with the clients about their “tolerance risk” the first question I ask is how you handled the recession of

2008-09. I get a giant mix of answers, but the general trend always is that they sold most of the investments or something very similar; those who didn’t do anything at all were the winners. Yet, if I probe further, they were very happy when the stock market was doing well. Someone said this is akin to a fair-weather friend definition. As a contrast to that a friend of mine tells this story about his client who was a dare devil high flying sky jumper but when the time came to invest his money, he was most conservative. Figure that out!

Understanding our mindsets well is very critical, important and a major step in our investment process. The name given to it in the financial planning lingo is “risk tolerance” and I can say that it is not easy to determine unless the person knows himself/herself well. A cornerstone of any investment plan is understanding one’s tolerance for risk. A strategy with high returns is never optimal for an investor who lacks the ability to stick with it especially in bad times.

A few factors determine how much volatility in portfolio returns you can withstand. They are:

• The timing as to when you will need the money to spend on your goal.

• The length of period over which you anticipate withdrawing the money.

• Is the money required in lumpsum or over a certain period.

• Your psychological ability to cope with up/down markets.

• Your knowledge of investing.

The last item is rather critical because not all investments are as liquid as you may wish them to be and depending on the urgency of the need requirement, that factor can be critical. An example of that would be if a major part of your investments is in real estate and a need arises for the tuition fees for your child or a need to buy a car then it might be difficult to cash some investments immediately.

Our life after retirement has stretched out now to somewhere between 20 to 30 years, which is quite a contrast to what it used to be even just a generation ago and which also has affected the Social Security fund management. When they started doling out their payments back in 1934-35 timeframe their calculations did not account for such long life after retiring. The point here being that if we are going to depend on our own savings then we need to account for a long life and make sure that the money will last that long. For this to happen, it is almost imperative that the money should grow

Some of these products have sought FDA clearance to be marketed as a medical device. That way, if patients must pay to use the software, health insurers are more likely to cover at least part of the cost. Other products are designated as exempt from this regulatory process, placed in the same clinical classification as a Band-Aid.

But how the agency handles AI and machine learningbased medical devices is still being adjusted to reflect software’s adaptive nature.

Ensuring accuracy and clinical validation is crucial to securing buy-in from health care providers. And many tools still need fine-tuning, said Dr. Eugene Yang, a professor of medicine at the University of Washington. Currently, Yang is testing contactless measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation gleaned remotely via Zoom camera footage of a patient’s face.

Judging these new technologies is difficult because they rely on algorithms built by machine learning and artificial intelligence to collect data, rather than the physical tools typically used in hospitals.

So researchers cannot “compare apples to apples” with medical industry standards, Yang said. Failure to build in such assurances undermines the technology’s ultimate goals of easing costs and access because a doctor still must verify results.

“False positives and false negatives lead to more testing and more cost to the health care system,” he said.

Big tech companies like Google have heavily invested in researching this kind of technology, catering to clinicians and in-home caregivers, as well as consumers. Currently, in the Google Fit app, users can check their heart rate by placing their finger on the rear-facing camera lens or track their breathing rate using the front-facing camera.

“If you took the sensor out of the phone and out of a clinical device, they are probably the same thing,” said Shwetak Patel, director of health technologies at Google and a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Washington.

Google’s research uses machine learning and computer vision, a field within AI based on information from visual inputs like videos or images. So instead of using a blood pressure cuff, for example, the algorithm can interpret slight visual changes to the body that serve as proxies and biosignals for a patient’s blood pressure, Patel said.

Google is also investigating the effectiveness of the builtin microphone for detecting heartbeats and murmurs and using the camera to preserve eyesight by screening for diabetic eye disease, according to information the company published last year.

The tech giant recently purchased Sound Life Sciences, a Seattle startup with an FDA-cleared sonar technology app. It uses a smart device’s speaker to bounce inaudible pulses off a patient’s body to identify movement and monitor breathing.

Binah.ai, based in Israel, is another company using the smartphone camera to calculate vital signs. Its software looks at the region around the eyes, where the skin is a bit thinner, and analyzes the light reflecting off blood vessels

back to the lens. The company is wrapping up a U.S. clinical trial and marketing its wellness app directly to insurers and other health companies, said company spokesperson Mona Popilian-Yona.

The applications even reach into disciplines such as optometry and mental health:

• With the microphone, Canary Speech uses the same underlying technology as Amazon’s Alexa to analyze patients’ voices for mental health conditions. The software can integrate with telemedicine appointments and allow clinicians to screen for anxiety and depression using a library of vocal biomarkers and predictive analytics, said Henry O’Connell, the company’s CEO.

• Australia-based ResApp Health got FDA clearance last year for its iPhone app that screens for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea by listening to breathing and snoring. SleepCheckRx, which will require a prescription, is minimally invasive compared with sleep studies currently used to diagnose sleep apnea. Those can cost thousands of dollars and require an array of tests.

• Brightlamp’s Reflex app is a clinical decision support tool for helping manage concussions and vision rehabilitation, among other things. Using an iPad’s or iPhone’s camera, the mobile app measures how a person’s pupils react to changes in light. Through machine learning analysis, the imagery gives practitioners data points for evaluating patients. Brightlamp sells directly to health care providers and is being used in more than 230 clinics. Clinicians pay a $400 standard annual fee per account, which is currently not covered by insurance. The Department of Defense has an ongoing clinical trial using Reflex.

In some cases, such as with the Reflex app, the data is processed directly on the phone — rather than in the cloud, Brightlamp CEO Kurtis Sluss said. By processing everything on the device, the app avoids running into privacy issues, as streaming data elsewhere requires patient consent.

But algorithms need to be trained and tested by collecting reams of data, and that is an ongoing process.

Researchers, for example, have found that some computer vision applications, like heart rate or blood pressure monitoring, can be less accurate for darker skin. Studies are underway to find better solutions.

Small algorithm glitches can also produce false alarms and frighten patients enough to keep widespread adoption out of reach.

For example, Apple’s new car-crash detection feature, available on both the latest iPhone and Apple Watch, was set off when people were riding roller coasters and automatically dialed 911.

“We’re not there yet,” Yang said. “That’s the bottom line.”

International Yoga Festival

The annual International Yoga Festival will take place from March 8 - 14, 2023 on the banks of the holy Ganga River, in the lap of the sacred Himalayas, the birthplace of yoga at Parmarth Niketan Ashram. Receive the darshan and inspiring, uplifting wisdom of revered saints, the teaching and touch of renowned yoga teachers from across the world, from a wide variety of lineages, plus ecstatic kirtan, divine Ganga Aarti and more. The International Yoga Festival is an event bringing together so many masters from so many traditions, cultures and countries in one sacred, beautiful place.

Details: Internationalyogafestival.org.

Unveiling of The Logo, Theme and Website of India’s G20 Presidency

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently unveiled the logo, theme and website of India’s G20 Presidency.

The G20 Logo draws inspiration from the vibrant colors of India’s national flag – saffron, white and green, and blue. It juxtaposes planet Earth with the lotus, India’s national flower that reflects growth amid challenges. The Earth reflects India’s pro-planet approach to life, one in perfect harmony with nature. Below the G20 logo is “Bharat”, written in the Devanagari script.

The logo draws upon elements contained in various entries received during an open competition for the logo design. The contest organized on MyGov portal received over 2000 submissions.

The theme of India’s G20 Presidency - “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth One Family One Future” - is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life – human, animal, plant, and microorganisms – and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.

The theme also spotlights LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), with its associated, environmentally sustainable and responsible choices, both at the level of individual lifestyles as well as

national development, leading to globally transformative actions resulting in a cleaner, greener and bluer future.

The logo and the theme together convey a message of India’s G20 Presidency, which is of striving for just and equitable growth for all in the world, in a sustainable, holistic, responsible, and inclusive manner.

For India, the G20 Presidency also marks the beginning of “Amritkaal”, the 25-year period beginning from the 75th anniversary of its independence on 15 August 2022, leading up to the centenary of its independence.

India took over the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2022. The website is now up and running: G20.org. In addition to substantive information about G20 and logistics arrangements, the website would also be used to build and serve as a repository of information on G20. The website includes a section for citizens to submit their suggestions. In addition to the website, a mobile app “G20 India” has been released on both Android and iOS platforms.

Over 12 million Pay Tribute During Monthlong Pramukh Swami Centenary Celebrations

On January 15, 2023, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj was given a grand devotional tribute in the closing ceremony of the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Celebrations in the divine presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj in Amdavad, Gujarat.

In the month-long festival, over 12.1 million people visited the exhibitions and attractions at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar and were inspired to live better lives. The Nagar hosted a variety of exhibitions, attractions, seminars, films, and shows, each imparting a lesson from the inspiring life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Millions watched the evening assemblies held every day for the past month live, whether at the Nagar or over webcast and learned about his life and work from speeches given by senior swamis and dignitaries from around the world. Thousands gained inspiration from Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life through professional and academic conferences held at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar.

A blood donation drive was also organized over the month-long festival, during which over 5.6 million cc of blood was donated. Hundreds of thousands of people were impressed and humbled by the ornate main gate, Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 30-foot sculpted image, the replica of Swaminarayan Akshardham, the enchanting glow garden, the light and sound show, the Women’s Empowerment Pavilion and other exhibitions. After visiting the exhibitions, many were inspired to give up addictions and strive for family harmony. After watching the shows at the Bal Nagari, 250,000 children resolved to respect their parents, study sincerely, and become ideal citizens of the world. Over 80,000 volunteers worked to make this happen.

The Grand Finale Ceremony of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Centenary Celebrations, was titled, “We Will Not Forget You.” The assembly began with the singing of devotional hymns followed by the grand entrance of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj on a decorated chariot. Youths danced on stage to welcome Mahant Swami Maharaj.

Many speakers noted how Pramukh Swami inspired many temples around the world how he helped changed society by inspiring volunteers, encouraged skill development, and inspired positive change, transforming society through celebrations.

The centennial celebrations were officially concluded with a mass maha-arti, a colorful dance by youths and fireworks.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a spiritual, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service. Its worldwide network of 3,800 centers supports these character-building activities. For more information, photos and videos about the celebrations, visit Psm100.org.

Deepa Purohit’s Off-Broadway Play Elyria Announces Cast and Dates

The Atlantic Theater Company has announced the casting for the world premiere production of Elyria, written by Deepa Purohit and directed by Awoye Timpo.

The play will feature Sanskar Agarwal, Nilanjana Bose, Sanjit De Silva, Mohit Gautam, Gulshan Mia, Bhavesh Patel, Mahima Saigal, Khyati Sehgal, and Omar Shafiuzzaman.

Elyria will begin performances on February 9, 2023, and will run February 27 – March 19, 2023 for a limited OffBroadway engagement at the Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street) in New York City.

The storyline. 1982. Elyria, Ohio: Two women collide 20 years, 3 continents, and 2 oceans after making a deal of a lifetime, forcing them to face the knots of the past and the uncertainty of their inextricably linked future.

Elyria will feature choreography by Parijat Desai. Info at Atlantictheater.org.

India’s Urban Infrastructure Needs to Cross $840 Billion Over Next 15 Years

New World Bank Report

A new World Bank report estimates that India will need to invest $840 billion over the next 15 years—or an average of $55 billion per annum—into urban infrastructure if it is to effectively meet the needs of its fast-growing urban population. The report, titled “Financing India’s Urban Infrastructure Needs: Constraints to Commercial Financing and Prospects for Policy Action” underlines the urgent need to leverage more private and commercial investments to meet emerging financial gaps.

By 2036, 600 million people will be living in urban cities in India, representing 40 percent of the population. This is likely to put additional pressure on the already stretched urban infrastructure and services of Indian cities – with more demand for clean drinking water, reliable power supply, efficient and safe road transport amongst others. Currently, the central and state governments finance over 75 percent of city infrastructure, while urban local bodies (ULB) finance 15 percent through their own surplus revenues.

Only 5 percent of the infrastructure needs of Indian cities are currently being financed through private sources. With government’s current (2018) annual urban infrastructure investments topping at $16 billion, much of the gap will require private financing.

“Cities in India need large amounts of financing to promote green, smart, inclusive, and sustainable urbanization. Creating a conducive environment for ULBs, especially large and creditworthy ones, to borrow more from private sources will therefore be critical to ensuring that cities are able to improve living standards of their growing populations in a sustainable manner,” said Auguste Tano Kouamé, Country Director, World Bank, India.

The new report recommends expanding the capacities of city agencies to deliver infrastructure projects at scale. Currently, the 10 largest ULBs were able to spend only twothirds of their total capital budget over three recent fiscal years. A weak regulatory environment and weak revenue collection also adds to the challenge of cities accessing more private financing. Between 2011 and 2018, urban property tax stood at 0.15 percent of GDP compared to an average of 0.3-0.6 percent of GDP for low- and middle-income

countries. Low service charges for municipal services also undermines their financial viability and attractiveness to private investment.

Over the medium term, the report suggests a series of structural reforms including those in the taxation policy and fiscal transfer system - which can allow cities to leverage more private financing. In the short term, it identifies a set of large high-potential cities that have the ability to raise higher volumes of private financing.

“The Government of India can play an important role in removing market frictions that cities face in accessing private financing. The World Bank report proposes a range of measures that can be taken by city, state, and federal agencies to bend the arc towards a future in which private commercial finance becomes a much bigger part of the solution to India’s urban investment challenge,” said Roland White, Global Lead, City Management and Finance, World Bank, and co-author of the report.

The world’s Longest River Cruise

Now Sails India’s Ganga

Image courtesy Antara

Cruises

In mid-January 2023, Antara Cruises launched its MV Ganga Vilas ship. The ship will travel on a river cruise covering nearly 2000 miles of waterways in India and Bangladesh. It is a 51 days cruise, which according to organizers, makes it the world’s longest river cruise.

Passengers on the cruise will travel along the Ganga, India’s holiest river, as well as other waterways through five states in western India. The ship will also venture into the neighboring Bangladesh, visiting its national parks, UNESCO World Heritage sites and big cities.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed it as a new age of tourism on the subcontinent.

In a speech made by Modi on December 30, 2022, he referenced the cruise as part of a burgeoning trend that could bring more visitors to his country.

“This will be an unprecedented cruise of its kind in the whole world,” Modi said. “It will also be a reflection of the growing cruise tourism (industry) in India.”

The MV Ganga Vilas will carry 36 passengers in 18 suites, according to Antara, the company that owns and operates the cruise ship, plus about 48 crew members.

The cruise was marketed in Europe and the initial round of passengers are from Switzerland, France and other countries, according to organizers.

According to CNN, the company plans to run the cruise itinerary twice a year between October and March, when the weather is better and the river water level is high. Tickets for two scheduled 2024 sailings have already sold out.

Tickets cost between 4.2 million to 4.5 million rupees apiece, which works out to $51,114-$54,765 per guest.

The MV Ganga Vilas’ 51 days on the water include stops in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka, the Sundarbans mangrove forest (which is shared by the two countries) and India’s Kaziranga National Park, which is home to one-horned rhinoceroses.

According to the Economic Times, India has eight river cruise ships capable of traveling between Varanasi and Kolkata. Plans are underway to increase the opportunities for river cruise tourism in India, with 10 passenger ship terminals being built along National Waterway-2, an 891kilometer section of the Brahmaputra River.

AAPI’s 17th Global Healthcare Summit Announced

“After the highly successful Global Healthcare Summit in Visakhapatnam last weekend, I am happy to announce that the 17th annual Global Healthcare Summit will be held in New Delhi from January 2nd to 4th, 2024,” Dr. Anjana Samadder, President-Elect of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) announced here during a Curtain Raiser held at the prestigious Constitution Club in New Delhi on January 9, 2023.

Organized under the leadership of Dr. Udaya Shivangi, Women’s Forum Chair of AAPI, the kickoff event and press conference was attended by nearly 50 journalists from the nation’s capital and several leaders of APPI, who had come all the way from the United States to be part of this important ceremony.

In her address, Dr. Anjana Samadder said, the theme for the next global healthcare summit will be “Maa Bachao,” meaning, protecting the mother, which will be a great way to strengthen families and humanity as a whole.

“Coming from a nation that has given us so much, today Physicians of Indian origin have become a powerful influence in healthcare across the world,” said Dr. Shivangi. “Nowhere in the world is their authority more keenly felt than in the United States. The overrepresentation of Indians in the field of medicine is striking – in practical terms, one out of seven doctors in the United States is of Indian Heritage. We provide medical care to over 40 million of the US population.”

The Global Health Summit held annually in India has been a major contributing factor by Indian American Doctors, focusing on various programs and policies, and making a difference in the delivery of healthcare in India.

Areas of ongoing skill training, investment in infrastructure, modernizing healthcare delivery, and private-public collaboration specific to each state in the healthcare sector are discussed and specific plans laid out.

Since its inception 40 years ago, AAPI has served as a link to foster stronger US-India relations and has been lauded by the governments of both nations for their achievements and contributions. More details: Aapiusa.org.

by Taige Shukla

Heart-Shaped Jalebi

Saathee RECIPES

Hi Saathee Fam! It’s the month of love so naturally we decided to bring you another classic Indian sweet! You can’t go wrong with serving this crisp, syrupy treat at your Valentines (or Galentines) Day celebrations, it’s always a household favorite. Jalebi is a popular dessert found throughout India, with variations of it found in West Asia and even Africa. It’s comparable to an American funnel cake, served with saffron-infused syrup instead of powdered sugar. Jalebi is one dessert that I was almost nervous to finally tackle, but it’s a lot easier than anticipated, and of course absolutely delicious! This easy adaptation comes from a recipe of a longtime family friend, a recipe Amma (my grandma) has been using for years, and it does not disappoint. My favorite part about making Jalebi…frying the dough. Have fun with it and experiment with festive shapes, this time around I attempted hearts for Valentine’s Day and after a few tries they turned out pretty good! Happy Valentine’s Day everyone and don’t forget to wow your loved ones with some heart-shaped Jalebis!

Ingredients Directions

Batter Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp gram flour

½ packet of active yeast

Squeeze of lemon

Pinch of saffron

Yellow food coloring, optional

Oil + 1 tbsp ghee, for frying

Syrup Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

3 cups water

Squeeze of lemon

Pinch of saffron

Servings: About 20 - 25 pieces Prep Time: 8 - 10 hours

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

1. Prep the batter and let rest overnight. Combine both flours, active yeast, lemon, saffron, and food coloring (optional) in a medium bowl. Cover and let rest overnight, or for at least 8-10 hours. Note: food coloring is used to help create the golden yellow color jalebis typically have.

2. Once the batter has set, make the syrup. Add sugar, water, and saffron to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer and continue to mix until the syrup begins to thicken and becomes sticky. Stir in a squeeze of lemon and set aside on a burner at low heat.

3. Prep the frying oil. Add oil + 1 tbsp of ghee to another saucepan, at medium-low heat. The oil should be about a fingertip deep, or about 1 inch. To test the oil is ready for frying, add a drop of batter and it should float to the top after 3-4 seconds.

4. Now fry the jalebi batter. Add the prepared batter to a squeeze bottle or piping bag. Hint: if you don’t have either, add batter to a Ziplock bag and cut a small hole in one of the corners; a homemade piping bag! Squeeze the batter into the frying pan in concentric circles, working from the inside out, until the ideal shape and size- typically 2-2.5 inches wide. Fry the jalebi on both sides until golden brown & crispy. Let the jalebis cool slightly.

5. Finally, add jalebi to the warm syrup. Ensure they are fully coated and soak for about 10 seconds. Don’t let them soak for too long or they’ll become soggy. Place jalebi on a cooling rack until the syrup has dried slightly. Serve warm and option to top with crushed pistachios for an extra crunch! Enjoy!

Upcoming Hindu Center Events & Activities:

Maha-Shivratri: February 18th, Saturday

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February 18, 2023 (Saturday)

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NASA Issues Award for Greener, More Fuel-Efficient Airliner of Future

NASA announced in late January it has issued an award to The Boeing Company for the agency’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project, which seeks to inform a potential new generation of green single-aisle airliners.

Under a Funded Space Act Agreement, Boeing will work with NASA to build, test, and fly a full-scale demonstrator aircraft and validate technologies aimed at lowering emissions. Over seven years, NASA will invest $425 million, while the company and its partners will contribute the remainder of the agreement funding, estimated at about $725 million. As part of the agreement, the agency also will contribute technical expertise and facilities.

“Since the beginning, NASA has been with you when you fly. NASA has dared to go farther, faster, higher. And in doing so, NASA has made aviation more sustainable and dependable. It is in our DNA,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “It’s our goal that NASA’s partnership with Boeing to produce and test a full-scale demonstrator will help lead to future commercial airliners that are more fuel efficient, with benefits to the environment, the commercial aviation industry, and to passengers worldwide. If we are successful, we may see these technologies in planes that the public takes to the skies in the 2030s.”

Single-aisle aircraft are the workhorse of many airline fleets, and due to their heavy usage, account for nearly half of worldwide aviation emissions. NASA plans to complete testing for the project by the late 2020s.

So that technologies and designs demonstrated by the project can inform industry decisions about the next generation of single-aisle aircraft that could enter into service in the 2030s.

Through the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project, Boeing and its industry team will partner with NASA to develop and flight-test a full-scale Transonic Truss-Braced Wing demonstrator aircraft.

The Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept involves an aircraft with extra-long, thin wings stabilized by diagonal struts. This design results in an aircraft that is much more fuel efficient than a traditional airliner due to a shape that would create less drag – resulting in its burning less fuel.

“NASA is working toward an ambitious goal of developing game-changing technologies to reduce aviation energy use and emissions over the coming decades toward an aviation community goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” said Bob Pearce, NASA associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. “The Transonic Truss-Braced Wing is the kind of transformative concept and investment we will need to meet those challenges and, critically, the technologies demonstrated in this project have a clear and viable path to informing the next generation of single-aisle aircraft, benefiting everyone that uses the air transportation system.”

NASA continued on page 94

Artist concept of commercial aircraft families with a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing configuration from the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project. Credits: Boeing

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Adult Dance Student continued from page 46

In an article I came across online, a former dancer from the Metropolitan Ballet noted that ballerinas do not necessarily eat healthy and there are extremes that the individual puts themselves through with calorie restriction and having lots of coffee and smoking cigarettes to curb the appetite. It makes one wonder as to the requirements of ballet and if it should be completely re-evaluated due to its subliminal messaging.

While Debbie Allen did not attend the school of her choice for dance, she studied drama, and she did go on to have a career in dance and acting. Yet, when her daughter was interested in dance and was studying ballet under a Russian instructor, the instructor made a derisive comment to her daughter noting her place in dance was with Alvin Ailey (Alvin Ailey is well known in dance for creating the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in the 1950s, and received numerous honors, such as from the NAACP, the Kennedy Center, and many honorary doctorates).

While Debbie Allen faced racism herself, when she witnessed the racism that her daughter was enduring, she started a dance company where students from diverse backgrounds could come to learn dance and have a welcoming atmosphere for all dancers regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The documentary provides an insight into the different dancers and their experiences in the Debbie Allen Dance Company.

The ballet for the Nutcracker, at its very essence, is not only about the magic of Christmas, but the opportunity for the audience to be able to see various types of cultural dances within the ballet. In the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, Debbie Allen has a very creative take on the story, where different lands and dance styles such as hip hop are incorporated into the show. It was fascinating to watch how she also incorporates Bollywood inspired dance into the dance production.

What then is art? It all depends on who is asked and their opinions and may also have a cultural context to the answer. For instance, in ballet, maybe someone who is “traditional” will say that a dancer needs to look a certain way and the music must be set to certain pieces. To the “traditionalist” or “purist”, to deviate from that standard could be seen as besmirching to the art form.

Art can reflect society as well. With the style of ballet, the art can reflect what society may think is beautiful, or the pinnacle of beauty and culture.

There is a quote by Cesar A. Cruz that “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” To me, this quote applies to the mission of the dance company within the documentary.

Those who are comfortable with the idea of what ballet should be, may be disturbed by the concept that the traditional is now contemporary. And that is where art can reflect the aspirations of society. For the ones who have been disturbed with some of the traditions of mainstream ballet and how harsh it can be on the minds/bodies and well-being of the dancer, now they can find comfort to see that there can be a world that is more inclusive which retains the beauty of the art and can also encompass people of various

upbringings in a manner that encourages unity in diversity and comprehensive health.

While the Nutcracker ballet is traditionally performed in the holiday season, during Black History Month this also seems an opportune time to be inspired by the Debbie Allen Dance Company.

For ballet, the art of the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker is the message within its dancers and performers of the diversity, inclusion, and appreciation of people of different backgrounds, looks and classes, coming together to put on a magnificent show.

May we all be encouraged by the message of the artists and work to incorporate this within our daily lives.

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 dance enthusiast and lifelong learner of dance. Contact: SriramPreethi@hotmail.com

Raajeev continued from page 32

If I am coming back as a politician, I want to be born in India also. In the US, they make the politicians work so hard and there is all this scrutiny. In India, there is all the freedom in the world and no accountability. I asked my friend in India how come the Indian politicians are not satisfied even if their net worth is over billions of dollars. He said, “There is a saying in India that you should earn so much money that the next seven generations don’t have to work.” I said, “But their net worth will last a lot longer.” He said, “Precisely. Their net worth should support at least a hundred of their future lives.”

In my current life, I can imagine a scenario where my wife is with a doctor discussing my health. If this doctor is a Hindu, the conversation will be like this: “About your husband … I have got good news and bad news.” “What’s the bad news?” “Bad news is that he has got some serious disease and we can’t save him. My RX is to have a fresh start. A clean slate.” “What’s the good news?” “The good news is you can save a bunch of money on him.” “How?” “Because he is coming back as a dog. And this time he will be obedient, will make you happy and we will make sure he is not afraid to ask for directions. I may also refer one of my good friends who is a veterinarian. But you still might want to consider getting pet insurance!”

She might feel a little sad and may ask the doctor, “Doctor, his pulse is fading. Can I at least say goodbye.” The doctor would smile and would start singing the popular Bollywood song, “Kabhi Alvida na kehna. Never say Goodbyes.” And I’ll be wagging my tail, ruminating my cud or simply smile behind my veil. Only karma will decide!

Raajeev Aggerwhil

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

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Conservation

continued from page 52

But a possible cause for concern is the fact that plantations, including monocultures which harbor very little biodiversity, have been classified as “forest cover”, and their inclusion may be artificially inflating the figure of land under conservation measures.

At present, India has a National Biodiversity Action Plan which is aligned with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the predecessor to the GBF. The Aichi targets were adopted at CBD COP10 in 2010. “Now, the challenge is figuring out how to internalize the new 23 targets [under the GBF],” Vinod Mathur, former chair of India’s National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and a long-time negotiator for India at the CBD tells The Third Pole.

One of the most effective ways to implement the 30×30 target in India could be to focus on habitats which tend to be overlooked in conservation action, like grasslands, seagrass meadows and wetlands, says Neha Sinha, head of policy at Bombay Natural History Society.

“If we look at the Central Asian Flyway as a planning unit, there are several sites that come up that need protection and should be seen as connected to each other – such as beaches, coastal areas and inland waters,” says Sinha. The Central Asian Flyway is a major bird migration route, on which birds that breed in Central Asia, China and Russia travel to South Asia to spend the winter. The 30×30 target – which speaks of “well-connected” protected areas “integrated into wider landscapes, seascapes and the oceans” – provides India with “an impetus” to strategically plan the protection of sites that have been historically overlooked and improve habitat connectivity, she says.

A new conservation model?

Many commentators have expressed concern that a potential expansion of protected area networks in South Asia risks diluting the rights of communities. Speaking on the relationship between fishing communities and Marine Protected Areas, Naveen Namboothri, marine biologist and program head at nonprofit the Dakshin Foundation, explains that in India, such areas are typically ‘no-take zones’, meaning that communities are not permitted to do any fishing within the protected area.

well as their “customary and sustainable use” of wild species – should be respected and protected throughout its implementation.

The management of India’s marine protected areas has also been criticized for relying on training and experience that is geared towards terrestrial ecosystems. “It’s an exclusionary, inequitable system which often has no positive outcomes for both conservation and fisher communities,” Namboothri says.

According to Vinod Mathur, India is unlikely to focus on expanding protected areas like sanctuaries and parks that could entail displacement of local communities and restrictions on their access rights. “We already have many sanctuaries and parks, and we recognize that there is resistance to declaring new areas as such,” Mathur says. At present, India has 106 national parks and 567 wildlife sanctuaries.

Instead, Mathur says, India is now focusing on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). This term, officially recognized under the CBD in 2018, refers to biodiverse areas that exist outside protected area networks and where conservation goals could be achieved as a by-product of area management.

In June 2022, the Indian environment ministry and United Nations Development Program released a report to identify potential OECMs in the country, which included traditional agriculture systems practiced by the Apatani tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, Chakhesang tribe in Nagaland and saffron farmers in Kashmir, as well as several areas that are privately owned.

“It’s not just about tigers and elephants. Issues like soil conservation are also important because there are many degraded lands. And we need urban biodiversity” Vinod Mathur, ex-head, National Biodiversity Authority

This focus on OECMs is part of an effort to redefine conservation to include areas with fewer restrictions on human activity and more focus on co-benefits and comanagement than traditional protected areas, says Mathur. “It’s not just about tigers and elephants. Issues like soil conservation are also important because there are many degraded lands. And we need urban biodiversity,” Mathur adds.

Eliminating harmful subsidies

While land and access rights of forest-dwelling communities in terrestrial protected areas are legally protected under the Forest Rights Act of 2006, no equivalent statute exists to safeguard the rights of fishing communities.

The GBF adopted in Montreal specifically states that the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities – as

One target India engaged with extensively during discussions at CBD COP15 relates to agricultural subsidies. India, along with a few other South Asian countries, urged governments to carefully consider which subsidies may be genuinely harmful to biodiversity, and which may bring benefits. For instance, Mathur pointed out that subsidies for cooking gas can reduce reliance on forests for fuelwood, which can help improve the health of forest ecosystems.

Conservation continued on page 94

Mirror continued from page 42

or they delivered a line a certain way. And those things have to be in sync or there’s just something subconscious that’s just off putting about the performance,” the creator explained in a behind the scenes interview about the game.

This second distinction is especially apparent with one iconic scene during the opening of the game involving Joel, one of two main protagonists, and his daughter Sarah. By using motion-capture to capture such authentic performances, we as players get to experience the fear and heartbreak in both character’s eyes. Troy Baker (Joel) and Hana Hayes (Sarah) had to perform this scene multiple times and were emotionally wrecked after each take.

And now, 10 years later that very scene plays out faithfully in life action during the first episode with Pedro Pascal and Nico Parker portraying Joel and Sarah respectively. The tension is there. The emotional depth is still present. Whether you’re a fan of the game (like myself) looking for every little homage, reference, and direct adaptation present in every scene or watching the show with fresh eyes, that scene still creates buckets of tears.

In a world full of notoriously terrible game to screen adaptations, this show offers a unique ideal. More often than not, video games aren’t created with linear stories in mind. So attempting to shift a branching narrative into a focused one is an immense, if not impossible task. The Last of Us, on the other hand, is a game with a rich storyline that follows a relatively straightforward path. If it weren’t for the various combat sequences, the extremely detailed cutscenes make the player feel immersed in their own movie experience.

At the same time, cinematic storytelling can accomplish techniques a video game simply can’t convey. On screen, characters are motivated by actions, conflicts, and emotions that seldom get shown through game protagonists. Luckily this TV adaptation co-created by Druckmann and Craig Mazin, the mind behind the Chernobyl miniseries, seem to have split the difference.

The game’s world was initially designed to make players feel like they’d walked into a film during a zombie apocalypse: The show, allows for more in depth characterization which couldn’t be shown between shooting things and sneaking around in game play.

The pilot puts more emphasis on Joel and Sarah’s relationship as it spends a whole day with them on the former’s birthday, September 26, 2003; the very same day the pandemic breaks out. The tension is much more dramatic as small hints of what’s about to come are shown in the background through Sarah’s various daily tasks. One particular scene made me absolutely shudder as a neighbor’s catatonic mother behind Sarah’s back begins writhing uncontrollably in her wheelchair, and then emits a muted scream as the Cordyceps take control.

The pilot opens with a flashback to a talk show in 1968 featuring a pair of epidemiologists. One warns that humanity is at great risk from a pandemic caused by a flulike virus. The other scoffs, explaining that the real threat is not bacteria, but a fungus which controls its victims by flooding their brains with hallucinogens and turning them into “billions of puppets with poisoned minds,” he says,

“with one unifying goal… to spread the infection to every last human alive.” The show’s host interrupts with a series of jabs about LSD, but the scientist is deadly serious. All it would take is just a few degrees of global warming to encourage the fungus to jump from insects to larger creatures like humans.

“So if that happens?” the host asks.

“We lose,” the scientist answers with a curt nod.

The show eventually jumps to 2023, but in an alternate post-apocalyptic landscape. The world of The Last of Us is one beseeched by mortality, fascism, sadism, fanaticism, and paranoia. The survivors have been separated into towns under strict martial law to keep them from being infected. A separatist group known as the “Fireflies” have taken up the cause to find a cure and save humanity at any cost.

We meet their leader Marlene (portrayed by Merle Danbridge who also provided the voice and motion capture for her in the game) who is harboring a teenager girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey). Joel and his partner Tess (Anna Torv) are tasked by Marlene to deliver Ellie to a Firefly safe house in a secure location outside the city.

And so begins a cross-country journey where at its emotional core a middle-aged man and a teenage girl develop a remarkable relationship that slowly progresses in a very human way. And while the story is not unique in concept, the fact it’s narrative can ultimately work in a visual medium may be just what we need in our current pandemicladen reality.

At last, we can all experience a game adaptation that stands alone as a great live-action TV show which will appeal to skeptical gamers and those casual viewers latching on to the “next best thing in TV.” Both the game and the show are not for everyone, as they depict disturbing violence and language. If you don’t mind that, they’re bound to bring all your emotions to bear as we follow along with two characters brought to life and into our hearts.

The Last of Us is currently streaming on HBO Max.

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

• Management information systems consulting and technology implementation services.

continued from page 38

What is myopia management?

Myopia management is a process in which an eye care professional:

● Identifies risk factors for myopia and high myopia

● Provides information, advice and recommendations to children, parents and other stakeholders

● Prescribes appropriate interventions to slow myopia progression and reduce the risk of developing high myopia

● Is proactive in taking and recommending steps

In addition to taking and recommending steps, your doctor will track the progression of myopia after they diagnose your child.

Some of the treatment options include:

● Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) or Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT): hard contacts that are worn overnight to reshape the eye.

● Contact lenses: specialized multifocal daytime lenses.

● Other pharmacologic interventions are in development but are not yet FDA approved.

How can you get myopia management for your child?

Your eye doctor can help determine if your child has myopia and discuss the next steps. It’s important not to rely on vision screenings, like those that children may get at school, as vision screenings provide less than 4 percent of the information generated during a comprehensive eye exam and miss up to 75 percent of children with vision problems.

There is a 25 percent chance that a child will develop myopia if one parent is myopic. That number jumps to 50 percent if both parents are myopic. Parents who have myopia themselves should be especially interested in finding an eye care professional who specializes in myopia management.

Some eye doctors are investing in the world’s first device to combine the important measurement methods axial length, refraction values and the central corneal radii called Myopia Master.

The quick, contactless, and extremely accurate measurement method is not influenced by the focusing status of the eye and delivers reproducible results. Much like the growth charts presented at your pediatrician’s office, doctors can chart the likely progression of your child’s prescription through their teen years.

In our practice we talk a lot about the importance of getting kids to spend time away from screens and to get outdoors as much as possible. Together, these factors can support kids’ healthy vision. Especially, after a year when nearly two out of three of parents reported that their children spent more than 50 percent more time indoors due to the pandemic.

How sunlight helps with myopia

Spending time outdoors is one of the key lifestyle changes known to help mitigate the risk of myopia in children. One study cited by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, looked at kids who spent just 40 extra minutes outdoors each day. These kids lowered their risk of getting myopia or developing more severe myopia (stronger prescription/eyeglasses). The kids who spent more time indoors, more time reading or more time on their digital devices, were more likely to get myopia or severe myopia.

The American Optometric Association suggests anywhere from one to three more hours of outdoor activity a day to help protect eyesight. With Spring and Summer on the horizon, we as parents must put together a checklist of creative ways to get your child to spend more time outside.

Dr. Keshav Bhat

is an optometrist serving the community in South Charlotte for over 15 years. Contact: drbhat@unionfamilyeye.com

Namaskar continued from page 36

my life with equal gusto. However, when I was younger, commuting to college and work in the crowded, fast paced environment of Mumbai, the responsibility of carrying a saree would have slowed me down. And then I landed in Charlotte! It is hard to even imagine the reactions I would have invited if I had attended graduate school and my office in our beloved Queen City, draped in a saree.

Adapting to the situation is a bigger strength than digging one’s heels to the ground and refusing to change habits. For that same reason, women, including myself, trade suits and heels for athleisure outfits and sneakers to spend days out with their children or to juggle the many tasks at hand as a mom.

Mothers often undertake the responsibility of passing on culture and traditions to the next generation and forgive me for gloating, but I have succeeded in this area in a miniscule way. My heart swelled with pride and joy when my daughters asked to wear sarees at Durga Puja. After scrutinizing my humble collection, one picked a blue silk saree with an abstract print that I have owned since my college days and the other picked a white organza with a contemporary floral pattern. After nearly two hours of effort that entailed care, patience, and a boxful of safety pins, the result was priceless. I was delighted to see that my children shared my appreciation of this timeless beauty of woven art and even remarked that its best quality was that it could be worn by anyone regardless of size or age and thus champion inclusivity!

While, my kids and I may not agree on everything, our favorite picture from 2022 was the one clicked at the puja with them adorned in my sarees and with me wearing my mother’s tussar

What more can I ask for? Well, some praise from my mother-in-law would be nice.

Shyama Parui

is a long time North Carolina resident and an ardent writer. You can reach her at: shyamashree_parui@hotmail.com

Quiz Corner

Word World By Kirit Shukla

U S P A E

CY M

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)

Some Words are in Sanskrit

10+ words = Excellent; 6 to 9 words = Good; 5 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 Number 0

Language

A. Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi

B. German

C. Hawaiian

D. Urdu

E. Spanish

F. Turkish

G. Swahili

H. Italian

I. Gujarati

J. English

Who wants to be a Scholar?!

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

1. Arrange these longest railway platforms in India in descending order. (Large to small.)

(a) Kharagpur (b) Kollam

(c) Gorakhpur (d) Hubli

2. The Best Film of 67th Filmfare Awards is

(a) 83(b) Shershaah

(c) Mimi(d) Sardar Udham

3. In the SI unit system the unit of pressure is:

(a) Kelvin(b) Kilogram

(c) Mole(d) Pascal

4. To ‘chop’ means

(a) Mince(b) Run

(c) Stew(d) Walk with limp

R5. The minimum distance between the sun and the Mercury is...

(a) 43.5 million miles (b) 18.5 million miles

(c) 28.5 million miles (d) 13.5 million miles

6. Two tablespoons is equal to

(a) 1/4 Oz(b) 1/2 Oz

(c) 1.0 Oz(d) 1.5 Oz

7. Asti Spumante is wine from this country:

(a) Russia(b) USA

(c) India (d) Italy

8. The winner of the 2022 World Series is (a) Astros(b) Phillies

(c) Yankees(d) Braves

9. Gravitational waves were predicted by (a) Isaac Newton(b) Thomas Edison

(c) Albert Einstein (d) Charles Darwin

10. The national flower of Canada is

(a) Golden Wattle(b) Twin Flower

(c) Rose(d) Bunchberry

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. ___ This magazine. ___

___ States of America.

___ Standard Time. (Carolinas)

Capital of Rhode Island. ___

Good, Better, ___.

___, DC.

SAUCY, SAURY, SCARY, SMEARY, SPACEY, SPRAY, SPRUCY,

Word World (Solution): CAMPY, CAUSE , CAYUSE, CREASY, CYPRES, CYPRUS, MERCY, PAYER, PURSY, RASPY, RESAY,

Barack ___, Former President of the US. Good fortune. ___

Answers on page 88

Nicole Cottone, FNP Colleen Hibbert, PNP Debra Clark, PNP

Clues Down:

PUZZLES AND JOKES

By Kirit Shukla

Note: * denotes abbreviation of the word or phrase

Clues Across:

1. A southern state (Cap. Atlanta)

7. Causing emotional pain or distress.

10. A high rugged mountain.

11. Up to such time as.

13. Upon.

14. In the event that.

16. Killed violently.

18. Village in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu.

20. Unit of pressure in the SI Unit system.

22. A purgative resin. C15H10O5. (organic chemistry)

24. Extraversion Nutrition Thinking Judgement. (*)

26. As much as you please. (*) (Used in writing Rx.)

27. Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. (*)

29. The longest division of geologic time, made of periods.

31. Estimated Tie of Berthing. (*)

32. Yellow fresh official fruit of Georgia state.

34. Left Arm Of Buddha. (*)

36. A confusing intricate network of passages.

39. Value. (*)

41. To retard; delay.

43. American plant with bracted spicate flowers, a corolla with a 5-lobed limb & a fruit that separates into 4 nutlets.

46. A tropical wading birds related to the herons.

47. Yesterday. (Italian word)

48. Girls' name (Latin) which means "small winged one".

50. A holiday to express love with greetings & gifts. (02/14).

1. A path or a way.

2. Elevation. (*)

3. A powerful and addictive drug made with poppy seeds.

4. Guam. (*)

5. Motivates.

6. Capital of Georgia state.

7. To cut with or as if with a knife.

8. Romania. (*)

9. Cessation of a course of action, pursuit or activity.

12. International Accounting Standards.

15. Used as a function word to indicate the source or basis.

17. None. (Scotland)

19. The fourth letter of the Greek alphabet (Δ, δ).

21. Letter. (*)

23. A notch cut in one timber to receive another.

25. A crowded mass that impedes or blocks movement.

26. A city in western Israel on the Mediterranean Sea.

28. The highest point or stage; Summit.

31. The trademarked name of a thick & salty meat extract paste, developed in the 1870’s.

33. A salt of any halogen acid. (chemistry)

35. An extremely attractive person. (Slang)

37. A region, near Aleppo in Syria, where the first recorded text in the Arabic alphabet (written in 512) was found.

38. Early Trauma Inventory. (*)

40. Law Enforcement. (*)

42. Catch sight (glimpse) of something distant or obscure.

44. Same as 29 across.

45. An entrapping device or situation.

49. Indiana. (*)

Hee Hee

(solution on page 88)

Jokes & Riddles From Around The World

A couple was getting ready to attend a party.

Husband: “You look so beautiful without jewelry.”

Wife: “You’re only saying that because you don’t want to buy me any.”

Booddhoo came home from work early.

Mafatlal, concerned asked, “What happened? I thought things were going well at the calendar factory.”

Booddhoo: “I got fired.”

Mafatlal: “Why?”

Booddhoo: “I took a day off.”

Wife: “Where did you leave my iPad?.”

Husband: “The Titanic? It’s on the counter over there.”

Wife: “Why do you call it The Titanic?”

Husband: “Because when you plug it in, it’s always syncing.“

Math Magic

Fill in the empty squares to get = the final given answers. Use any number from 1 to 9, except 4 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)

Find

& circle the words in the puzzle.

Subject: Georgia

ALTO ATHENS AUGUSTA BOGART BRUNSWICK COOSARIVER

DADE

GOLF

GRAY HIKING

JAKYLL LEE LOAM

MACON

NAPA

PAPER

PEACH

PETTIT

PLYWOOD

REDAPPLE

ROCKCITYROME

SAVANNAH

SKIDAWAY

TUGALOO

TYBEE

UNICOI

(answer on page 88)

EZ-BZ

TEST YOUR IQ

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

1. The capital city of Belgium. BRU _ _ _ _ _

2. Second month of the Gregorian calendar. _ _ BRU _ _ _

3. A very dry champagne or sparkling wine. BRU _

4. A rule within another rule. _ _ BRU _ _

5. A small, air-operated tool that atomizes and sprays various media, most often paint, ink & dye. _ _ _ BRU _ _

6. Having dark or brown hair. BRU _ _ _ _ _

7. An industrial city in Upper Assam, India. _ _ BRU _ _ _ _

8. The largest part of the brain. _ _ _ _ BRU _

9. Unexpectedly sudden. _ BRU _ _

10. An oral hygiene tool used to clean the teeth, gums and tongue. _ _ _ _ _ BRU _ _

11. To clench or grind one’s teeth; gnash. BRU _

12. Upper or anterior mouthpart of an arthropod consisting of a single median piece above the mandibles. _ _ BRU _

13. A meal served in the late morning. BRU _ _ _

14. A region of Southern Italy; Capital: L'Aquila. _ BRU _ _ _

15. Mist; fog; vapor. BRU _ _

16. A wild or unbroken horse. (Australia) BRU _ _ _

17. Hybrid of a male zebra & female horse. _ _ BRU _ _

18. An abrasion underneath the skin. BRU _ _ _

19. To stain. _ _ BRU _

20. In a rough or blunt way. BRU _ _ _ _

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

The unused 11 letters name the river that Wallace Dam is located in Georgia.

Saathee Puzzle Master Kirit Shukla kiritsshukla@gmail.com

Festivals & Holidays

February 2023

Feb. 1 - Jaya Ekadashi

Feb. 1 - National Freedom Day

Feb. 2 - Groundhog Day / Imbolc

Feb. 3 - National Wear Red Day

Feb. 4 - World Cancer Day

Feb. 5 - Magha Purnima (Full Moon)

Feb. 6 - Tu B'Shevat

Feb. 14 - St. Valentine's Day

Feb. 14 - Janki Jayanti

Feb. 15 - Hazrat Ali Birthday

Feb. 15 - Nirvana Day

Feb. 16 - Vijaya Ekadashi

Feb. 18 - Maha Shivratri

Feb. 18 - Lailat Al Miraj

Feb. 20 - Presidents' Day

Feb. 20 - Somavati Amas (No Moon)

Feb. 21 - Mardi Gras

Feb. 22 - Ash Wednesday / First Day of Lent

Key Word Search Answers from page 84

Spot the Differences Solutions from page 50

1. Removed church window.

2. Added an airplane.

3. Removed a person.

4. Added bicyclist.

5. Changed color of clothing.

6. Changed backpack color.

7. Added a turtle.

8. Removed clock.

9. Removed walking stick.

10. Removed notice board.

11. Changed window design.

12. Added bird.

13. Added bell.

14. Removed light.

15. Shortened tower height.

Puzzle Solutions from page 86-87

Key Word of the Month: Super Bowl

Math Magic from page 87

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

LAW OFFICES OF DAVID A. CONCHA

725 East Trade St., Suite 105

(Court Arcade Building)

Charlotte, NC 28202

Tel: 704-525-8824

Fax: 704-525-8820

IMMIGRATION SERVICES:

-Residency (green cards) -Citizenship

-Fiancé visas(K) -Labor Certification -H1-B L-1 O-1

- Removal & Deportation Defense

-General Immigration Matters

We can also serve your needs in the following areas: Auto Accidents

Workman’s Compensation

DWI, Speeding Revoked License and Similiar Traffic Infractions and Simple Divorce

SERVING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

My parents are IMMIGRANTS therefore I can understand your situation. You will be treated with the utmost integrity and respect. Saturday and telephone consultations available

BHAVEN SAYANIA DMD, MS NEAL PATEL DMD, MS

Member American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Astroscope

Aries (March 21 – April 20)

The process of entering new ventures and other major changes will continue until the last week of the month. Remember that there won’t be any major changes in social relations, but your finances, career and partnership might develop diversification. Don’t act too aggressive and keep an eye on your health. Business-related travel could prove favorable.

Taurus (April 21 – May 20)

You should feel energetic and confident this month. This is the perfect time to make bold decisions to move forward. Use your wits to enhance new social relations. However, you may also experience a gradual slowdown in your day-to-day existence. Don’t dispute with your partner. A minor accident is also possible. Watch your health.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Peace of mind and a steady flow of income would be there, but unexpected expenses or problems at your workplace may prove disorienting. Be sure to curb your expenses. Watch what you say at public gatherings. Meditation could help in making the right decisions. Things would slowly improve after the middle of the month. This month will be all about one concept: “change.”

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

This will be a good period for you as luck is on your side. Chances are high of taking on more responsibilities. You will overcome your competitors and could gain recognition for your inventive work. Your overall reputation will increase, but you might also receive discouraging news. Try to act with courage and confidence.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

This month will relieve you of tension and anxiety, which could cause you to act more selfish. An accident is possible at your place of business. You may try to spend funds on frivolous family issues. Don’t get involved in any new ventures as someone may cheat and cause you to lose money. Respite with a minor health issue is also possible. This is a good time for a long-distance journey.

Virgo (August 23 – September 21)

This month you could face major financial problems as your usual flow of income will be disrupted. Your parents’ health is also likely to suffer. Don’t sign any important documents. Your friends or associates may break your trust. An opponent could be successful in damaging your reputation. You may not react seriously to these problems at first, but they will persist unless you tackle them as soon as possible.

Libra (September 22 – October 20)

Try to remain practical this month. Even though your income will be on the rise, an unexpected health problem or dispute with your partner could disrupt it. Speculation should be beneficial for you. Others will appreciate your written work. You may become more interested in philosophy or metaphysics. Business-related travel might not produce the best results. Stay cautious while driving.

Scorpio (October 21 – November 20)

Your spiritual inclinations will intensify this month. A sense of relaxation will prevail during the last week. A rise in income is clearly indicated. Short distance travel could be fruitful, pleasant, and even bring good luck. You might get involved in new business deals but with that comes difficulty with family, particularly your partner.

Sagittarius (November 21 – December 21)

You should feel quite happy this month as past efforts will provide good results. Long distance travel shall be rewarding, but short travel will not. This is also a good time for love and romance. A new member of the family is possible. However, you may face bitter experiences with a sibling or friends. Sudden health-related problems are also possible.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 21)

You will feel like a puppet this month as fortune plays games with you. Try to control your emotions and remain cautious in your day-to-day pursuits. Risk taking tendencies must be curbed as heavy financial losses are also possible. Try to surrender yourself to a higher power. Pass the time quietly and remain patient for next month.

Aquarius (January 22 – February 18)

You will experience a mixed bag this month. You may have to work extra hard but should receive rewards for your efforts. A lack of confidence may disturb you. You will see an increase in finances, but some unexpected heavy expenses are also possible. Your subordinates shall extend their full support. A minor stomach ailment is also possible.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

This month should be quite comfortable for you. A rise in status is possible along with happiness in your family life. Avoid travel or disputes with siblings. Your associates may not fulfill their responsibilities. This is a good time to get involved in new ventures as your efforts will bring good results. Try to take full advantage of good fortune while you can.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

C-Stores for Sale: Cleveland City, NC $179,000 + Inv. Annual $1,470,000, no gas; Williamston, NC $99,000 + Inv., Annual $710,846, C- Store Distributor: Charlotte, $65,900, Annual $813,000; Contact: County South: 704-440-4433 or Countysouth.biz.

Motel for Lease in Greensboro, NC. 20-rooms w/ large manager's residence. Great business! Walmart / restaurants 1 mile away. Please call H.D. 5-9pm, M-F at 336-471-3777.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Help Needed at Perfume Stores in Charlotte & Pineville, NC. For details, please call Veer Singh at 415-265-8686.

Now Hiring Housekeeping & Front Desk positions for hotel in Wilmington, NC. Free apartment provided. Call 704-798-8748.

Household Help Needed in Ballantyne (South Charlotte) area. Cooking for 4 people (no kids), laundry, organizing, cleaning kitchen, etc. No bathroom cleaning. 3-4 hours per day, 2-3 days a week, flexible schedule. Call or text 704-577-6873.

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

Front Desk & Housekeeping / Laundry help needed for Franchise Hotel in Lumberton, NC. Accommodations provided. Great pay! Call Krina 850-602-4852.

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

Gas Station / C Store Help Needed in Charlotte for 3 Locations near each other. Openings for Cashier and Management (Single or Couple). Great Pay! Must have legal status. Call or Text 717-368-8728.

Experienced Live-In Manager Couple needed for independent motel in Florence, SC. Must have legal status. Salary plus accommodations. Call 843992-8424.

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.

For 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 704649-6833 or abcone@abcinns.com

Motel Group in South Lake Tahoe, CA seeks Singles / Couples for Manager, Front Desk, Housekeeping, & Maintenance for multiple motels. Good Pay! Accommodations provided. Contact hotelintahoe@gmail.com or 530-318-8706.

Looking for Energetic employees (Full-time/Part-time, single or couple) for Tropical Smoothie Cafe on Concord Pkwy, Concord, NC. Some English required. Call Ajay Patel 704-661-4708.

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 704-408-1504 or househelp177@gmail.com.

Gas Station in Rock Hill, SC seeking help. Single or couple. Good pay, depending on experience. No accommodations. Call 803-659-3330.

Elderly Care Help Wanted: Single or couple, live-in or full-time for 70 yearold paralyzed man in Apex, NC. Salary & terms negotiable. Please contact Dina Patel 919-924-8658.

Looking for live-out Nanny to take care of 1 year-old & help with basic housework in Concord, NC. Text/call 804-501-9629.

Convenient Store / Gas Station help needed near Gastonia, NC. Single or Couple. Good pay and incentive. Call Hitesh at 609-334-2486.

Hotel Help Wanted: Front Desk, Laundry & Maintenance for franchise motel near Charlotte. Fluent English required. Experienced preferred. Couples welcome. Accommodations provided. Please call 704-312-8928.

Senior Care Helper Needed: Live-in or min 4 days/week in North Charlotte/Concord area to take care of Gujarati couple with limited mobility. Light vegetarian cooking, laundry and other day to day assistance. Contact Smita 704-796-1949.

Front Desk Manager Wanted: franchise hotel in Columbia, SC. Accommodations provided. Fluent English required. Text / Call 704-701-9975.

Convenience Store Help Wanted in Atlanta, GA. New investment partnership. Single or Couple. Fulltime only. Call 614-981-1885.

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.

Manager / Front Desk needed for Franchise Hotel in Rock Hill, SC. Accommodations Provided. Call 803517-4662.

Now Hiring General Manager for Comfort Inn & Suites in Hillsville, VA. 50 hours per week minimum. Must be flexible with hours and help with all shifts if need be. $50,000 - $60,000 salary. Fully furnished living quarters provided off site. Insurance + Dental/Vision provided as well. Contact Sanjay at 276-733-9511 or sanjay32@email.com.

Front Desk Clerk needed for Franchise Hotel In South Carolina. Accommodations provided with kitchen. Call 336-944-8003.

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 pay! Call 919-518-4456.

Looking for Energetic employees (Full-time/Part-time, single or couple) for Tropical Smoothie Cafe on West Catawba Ave in Cornelius, NC. Some English required. Call Ajay Patel 704-661-4708.

Immediate opening for Front Desk/Night Auditor (2nd Shift) at Franchise Hotel in Matthews, NC. Please call 910-733-0656.

Salesperson needed for Men’s clothing store in Gastonia, NC. Parttime or full-time. Call 704-865-7841. 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.

Housekeeping Help Wanted (single or couple) for Motel near Richmond, VA Airport. Accommodations provided. Contact 804-475-5895 or 804304-2027.

Saathee Classified ads: Sell your business, or property. Find the perfect job, hire the perfect employee. Get great adversting results with Saathee Magazine and Saathee.com. for details call Divakar Shukla at 704.527-7570 or email saathee@saathee.com.

MATRIMONIALS

US born physician son seeks bride. 39 years-old, 5'6", Sikh (clean shaven). Never married from a well-educated and settled family. Contact 410-6520286 or gbmatt135@yahoo.com.

Seeking well-educated US resident groom for 47 year-old woman. Divorcee (1 kid), 5'3", US Citizen, Physician in Virginia. Contact docps2008@yahoo.com.

Hindu Punjabi family seeks a match for a very pretty 31 year-old girl. 5'4", slim and fair, US citizen, medical services coordinator in FL. Prefer suitors from the southeast. Contact at rishtaho@gmail.com or 689-209-5729. Looking for well-educated, established boy from Punjabi Sikh community for very good-looking 25year-old girl from Punjabi Sikh family. 5'7", born in England & raised in the US. Charming yet traditional. Works in property management in TX. Contact 678-304-8184 (Refer RG)

Looking for a life partner? Saathee can help you reach hundreds of potential matches. Cost is only $15 per month. Includes matrimonial classified in Saathee Magazine print edition and on-line at Saathee.com. For details, email saathee@saathee.com or call 704-527-7570. Saathee classifieds work for you!

5.6 Acres of Land (zoned GC) available in Rock Hill, SC city limits. Corner of Mount Gallant Rd, Greenbrier Ave and N Anderson Rd. Can be developed for Retail Stores, Automotive Dealership, Gas Station/Truck Stop, or Self Storage Facility. Asking $1,500,000. Appraisal available upon request. Contact Punam Patel 803-417-0063 or punampatel970@gmail.com.

Prime plot of 613 sq yards for sale (Survey No: 422) situated in Dammaiguda, Keesara Mandal, R.R. District, Telangana state. No third parties please. Please text 336-262-4949 or 704-402-6971.

Tess locks HT24 (silver) available for purchase. Working condition. $30.00 per lock. Contact Punam Patel 803-4170063 or punampatel970@gmail.com.

LearnAboutLand.com

Installation for CCTV surveillance, networking products, and WiFi solutions in North and South Carolina. Contact Jasmin Patel at 630-998-6627.

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. 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 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. Call: 704-846-7912. email: gescpl@gmail.com.

87 AC. SILER CITY

$875K This is the BEST BUY!!!

919-362-6999

Consulting: One-on-one Guidance with Coursework, Extracurriculars, Summer activities, & AP Credits. Middle School/High School. NCSSM aspirants. Coaching: SAT, ACT & PreCalculus. For details, email PowerHelp03@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.

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.

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In countries like India, decisions around agricultural subsidies have major socio-economic ramifications, because millions of poor farmers depend on government support. In a statement, environment minister Bhupender Yadav has argued there should be no numerical target for the phaseout of pesticides, and individual countries should be left to decide how to manage a phase-out.

The final text on subsidies in the GBF now references “reform” of subsidies that are harmful to biodiversity, in place of a singular focus on phasing out, and includes caveat language that this process should be done in a “a proportionate, just, fair, effective and equitable way.” A separate target speaks of reducing “overall risk from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals.”

Elaborating on what “reform” of subsidies could refer to, C P Goyal, director-general of forests in the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, says that some subsidies for the agricultural sector could be redirected to alternatives, like subsidies for gas canisters. Goyal was part of the Indian delegation at Montreal.

“Those farmers who want to move away from pesticides and other harmful chemicals, and those who can afford to do it, can do so,” Goyal tells The Third Pole, adding that for other farmers, support would still be required.

Many developing countries share similar concerns when it comes to protecting biodiversity, including huge numbers of people who depend on wild ecosystems for their livelihoods. In India, over 300 million people are dependent on forests. And so, Mathur explains, since the very beginning stages of deliberations on the GBF, India coordinated with neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives to arrive at common positions that reflect their needs, including on the responsibilities of developed countries to provide financial support.

In the end, these discussions resulted in an agreement that developed countries would mobilize at least USD 20 billion per year by 2025 and at least USD 30 billion by 2030 towards implementation of national biodiversity action plans and strategies in developing countries.

Overall, countries pledged to mobilize at least USD 200 billion per year from all sources to support the implementation of the framework by 2030. At present, reports point to an annual biodiversity finance gap of USD 598-824 billion.

Unless biodiversity finance is scaled up substantially year-on-year, the UN Environment Program estimates a gap of a little over USD 4 trillion by 2050.

“Now [under GBF] we have a target to protect 30 percent of the global land and seas by 2030,” Goyal says, contrasting the agreement with the previous Aichi targets that were widely regarded as being vague.

“Whether we meet the target or not is dependent on capacities and financial resources, but at least there’s a clear target we can start working towards,” he added.

Article courtesy of The Third Pole. More at Thethirdpole.net

NASA continued from page 72

NASA’s goal is that the technology flown on the demonstrator aircraft, when combined with other advancements in propulsion systems, materials, and systems architecture, would result in fuel consumption and emissions reductions of up to 30 percent relative to today’s most efficient single-aisle aircraft, depending on the mission.

Through separate efforts, NASA has worked with Boeing and other industry partners on advanced sustainable aviation concepts, including the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept.

The new Funded Space Act agreement allows NASA to capitalize on private industry knowledge and experience, with Boeing and its partners laying out a proposed technical plan. NASA will provide access to its aeronautics facilities and expertise. NASA will not procure an aircraft or any other hardware for its missions. The agency will obtain access to certain ground and flight data that can be used to validate the airframe configuration and associated technologies.

The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator will help the United States achieve net-zero carbon emissions from aviation by 2050 – one of the environmental goals articulated in the White House’s U.S. Aviation Climate Action Plan.

The project is an activity under NASA’s Integrated Aviation Systems Program and a key element of the Sustainable Flight National Partnership, which focuses on developing new sustainable aviation technologies.

Learn more about NASA’s Sustainable Aviation efforts at: https://go.nasa.gov/3GzcDMP

at a reasonable clip to last that long and perhaps beyond. This is where determination of your risk tolerance becomes critical.

There are other forms of investments too if we determine that our risk tolerance is not the one to depend on. There are many different forms of annuity contracts available now which are quite different from the old ones. Now, I am not a big fan of annuity contracts, but it is determined that generally for about 10 percent of the population in the retirement predicament, annuity is the best thing to do. There are reverse mortgages which themselves have gone through many changes recently and are now more palatable to the end users.

As it is mentioned before in this column, managing your own expenses and health in retirement is a major factor in determining how much withdrawal would be needed. Those two factors are not something you start managing after you retire, they need to be managed long before one retires.

Mo Vidwans

is an independent, board certified financial planner. For details visit, VidwansFinancial.com, call 984-888-0355 or write to: mpvidwans@yahoo.com

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