Read "Redefining Success, A Teenage Story" about expectations and achievements on page 24.
Take a trip "Down Memory Lane with Binaca Geetmala" in the essay on page 40.
The essay about "Journey of Acceptance with Heartfulness" begins on page 44.
"Do We Need a Support System?" How big of an entourage will you need in your golden years? Find the details in our Personal Finances column on page 62.
"What is Pasteurization?" A dairy expert explains how it protects against foodborne illness, including avian flu in an informative article on page 72.
“Does an Ivy League Degree Matter?” Find out in the College Admissions Insider column on page 86.
Check out our newly updated Pops Puzzles and Toons on page 102.
Visit our redesigned classifieds section beginning on page 108.
Share Saathee with friends and family. We would be happy to add anyone in the Carolinas to the Saathee subscription base at no charge, simply visit saathee.com/subscription.
“My
best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.”
- Henry Ford
Gangotri is a town in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi – the origin of the river Ganges. Gangotri is located in the Greater Himalayas, at a height of 3,100 meters.
Photo: Adobe Stock
“Bridging America and the Indian Subcontinent.”
June 2024 Issue # 313 - Saathee.comEditor Samir Shukla (Samir@Saathee.com)
Publisher & Advertising Divakar Shukla
704-527-7570 or saatheemag@hotmail.com
Digital Media & Marketing
Jennifer W. Allen
Ad Design / Layout
DSJ Graphics & Manimaran
Contributors for this issue: Kirit Shukla, Ahsen Jillani, Mithi Shukla, Dipika Kohli, Preethi Sriram, Lakshman Rao, Rishi P Oza, Mo Vidwans, Rupa Pereira, Sereena Kumar, Raajeev Aggerwhil, Ketu Desai, Hasitha Illa, and Jalendu Vaidya.
Mission: Our goal is to be a valuable source of information for the South Asian community and to be a vital advertising tool for businesses.
Saathee (USPS 021-116) (ISSN: 1543-8147) is published monthly by: Shukla Entertainment Inc.
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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 © 2024 Shukla Entertainment, Inc
18
Events
The Editor’s Desk pg. 14
Upcoming Events
A Teenage Story
.pg. 18
.pg. 24
Subcontinental Divide pg. 28
Upcoming Movie Releases pg. 34 Film Clips pg. 36
Binaca Geetmala pg. 40
Journey of Acceptance
Eye on the Markets
.pg. 44
.pg. 46
Kismuth and the Way II pg. 50
Samir Shukla
Persuade Deceive Persuade Inspire
Everything in life is public relations. Everything in life is marketing. These are friendly words that do the bidding for the more sinister motives...persuasion and manipulation.
Those who have a natural ability or learn the power of persuasion, tame that elusive beast and practice the dark art of manipulation, essentially run this world.
As we enter the bruising battles of the 2024 election cycle, all armaments of persuasion and manipulation will be deployed.
Those able to persuade have mastered marketing and public relations on a molecular level. They can read the audience, gauge potential voters, they can manipulate or inspire their audience. A persuasion master can work a diverse crowd, whether friendly or belligerent, with natural ease.
One of the first concepts taught in public speaking classes is that all speaking should be audience centered. You can’t crack the same types of jokes in front of a temple crowd as you can in front of a sports crowd. The reading and understanding of the audience are the essence of persuading, gathering the like-minded and then snowballing them into a useful mass.
Good comedians can read a crowd and accordingly adjust their material. They must lest they go down in flames of yawns and hecklers.
A smooth talker may persuade, but a persuasive talker doesn’t need smoothness or bravado, he or she needs to connect. This is essentially public relations at its core.
Persuasion is an art of steering emotions. We are emotionally fragile, malleable beings. This is where manipulation rears its head and preys on our fears, subtle prejudices, and preconceptions. This mastery of the prime element of persuasion can be used for brutal consequences, Hitler, or for inspiring and evolving positive change, Gandhi or MLK Jr.
The dribble drabble of common words can turn into anger or inspiration when spoken and delivered in the right manner. The cadence of speech delivery, gathering the participants into a tightly wound ball, is the mastery of persuasion.
How do you unwrap or shine a bright light on a speaker or persuader? Active participation. Parsing words and mannerisms, finding intent. Acquire truthful information from multiple reliable sources.
I like to know about things as firsthand as possible. If I can go see it, I will, if I can touch it, I will. If I can smell it or taste it (of course within my personal dietary constraints), I will. Hear it for yourself and hone in on the intent.
Persuasion practiced as a soft power will always have more lasting impact than hard power. People don’t want to be told what to do, they want to be shown what is possible, which can be constructive or destructive.
Politicians are attempting to persuade voters via messaging, rallies, advertisements, dog whistles, dissonance, half-truths, occasional truths, and ideological bents. They will prey on voters’ emotions. Read the fine print, do your homework, question and listen for the intent, make the persuader work harder. Respond with your brain, not your heart.
Samir Shukla
is the Editor of Saathee Magazine
Contact: Samir@Saathee.com
Twitter: @ShuklaWrites Newsletter: ShuklaWrites.Substack.com
The Editor’s Desk by
(June 1 – 2, 2024)
The conference will focus on nutrition and lifestyle medicine with several speakers, medical experts and other professionals covering topics and discussions about lifestyle and nutrition options and sustainability. In person attendance or virtual options available. The 13 Core Topics covered, shown at core.ppod.org, emphasize the prevention or even reversal, through nutrition and allied lifestyle changes, of society's major chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Whole food plant-based vegan meals are included with registration, and the event is open to the public. For full details, visit P-pod.org.
1, 2024)
The 8th annual Raleigh International Food Festival will take place on Saturday, June 1, 2024 (11am to 8pm). Over 50 food dessert trucks from around the globe will be on site with culinary delights along with beer and wine. It will also be host to the largest, outdoor, international dance party with nonstop performances. Admission is free and the event is pet friendly. The festival will be held outdoors in the City Plaza along the 400 block of Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh. Info: Visitraleigh.com.
Classical Jugalbandhi w/ Ambi Subrahmaniam: Charlotte, NC (June 2, 2024)
The Classical Music Association of Charlotte (CMAC) presents a Carnatic and Hindustani Classical Jugalbandhi concert featuring violinist, composer, and educator Ambi Balasubramaniam (son of Dr. L. Subramaniam) along with Praveen Godkhindi (Flute) on Sunday, June 2, 2024, starting at 4pm at the Hindu Center of Charlotte’s Gandhi Bhavan. Both musicians will be accompanied by Soumiya Narayanan (Ghatam) and Amit Kavthekar (Tabla). For more details, call 704-339-4126 or 704-840-5949.
Grand Srivari Panchadasha Brahmotsavam: Cary, NC (June 3 - 10, 2024)
SV Temple of NC presents the grand 15th Brahmotsavam from June 3 - 10, 2024 at SV Temple located at 121 Balaji Place, Cary, NC. This is the most significant annual festival celebrated at the temple. Brahmotsavam literally means utsavas filled with spiritual joy and happiness. These utsavas are supposed to bring all devotees together and celebrate with splendor. For more details, visit Svtemplenc.org.
SC Festival of Flowers: Greenwood, SC (June 6 - 9, 2024)
The unique mix of events and attractions make the SC Festival of Flowers in Greenwood, SC a oneof-a-kind place to visit. The arts and entertainment are alive and well with a wide variety of flower-themed performances and exhibits. Check out the variety of foods and cuisines. The festival will take place between June 6 - 9, 2024 along the 11,000-acre area of Lake Greenwood. Details: Scfestivalofflowers.org.
Jazz
(June 7 - 8, 2024)
Located in the heart of downtown Greenville along Main Street from Broad Street to Falls Park Drive, the Greenville Jazz Fest will feature music and food to inspire festival visitors to learn and love jazz music. The event will be held between June 7 & 8, 2024. Admission to the event itself is Free while food and beverages will be available for purchase with taste tickets. Info: Greenvillesc.gov.
Taste of Charlotte (June 7 - 9, 2024)
Taste of Charlotte is the city’s largest food festival and returns to uptown Tryon Street between June 7 - 9, 2024. The event is a three-day food festival featuring samples from area restaurants. Enjoy delicious food while strolling through the festival experiencing three stages of entertainment, performances, and interactive tours. Aside from that, a large variety of local, regional, and national partners will provide information, coupons, and free stuff. Admission is free. Info: Tasteofcharlotte.com.
Kumar Sanu Live: Raleigh, NC (June 14, 2024)
Legendary Bollywood singer Kumar Sanu will perform at Martin Marietta Center, 2 E. South St., Raleigh, NC on Friday, June 14, 2024 beginning at 8pm. He will be accompanied by veteran singer Sadhna Sargam along with live musicians. Both will perform decades of hits from a variety of films. For more details, call 336-491-3205 or 310-890-5599 or visit the website Livenation.com and search for Kumar Sanu.
Shreemad Bhagavat Katha: Morrisville, NC (June 14 – 21, 2024)
HSNC in association with the Calila Pharmaceuticals Parivar present a Bhagavat Katha with Bhupendrabhai Pandyaji from June 14 – 21, 2024. The katha will present a logical, scientific, rational, and modern discourse in Hindi and English. The venue is HSNC Temple Hall, 309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC. Mahaprasad will be served daily. For more details call 919-656-5224, visit Hsnctemple.org.
North Carolina Juneteenth Festival: Concord, NC (June 15, 2024)
The 2024 North Carolina Juneteenth Festival themed “Educating, Empowering, Entertaining” will feature over 100 black owned companies. Crafts, culture, performances, art, children’s games, information, and more. Free giveaways, discounts, and coupons make the vendor shopping experience like no other. Come support black business and black excellence. This is a family friendly free event! It will take place at Cabarrus Arena, 4751 State Hwy 49, Concord, NC. Visit: Cabarrusarena.com.
SDVS Temple - Praana Prathista Mahotsavam: Columbia, SC (June 14 - 16, 2024)
Sri Dasavathara Venkateswara Swamy Temple & Cultural Center of Columbia, SC is the first in the North Americas and second in the world. The temple is being built on nearly 20 acres of land. Devotees are invited to the grand and sacred Praana Prathista ceremony of Sri
Dasavathara Venkateswara Swamy, Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Swamy and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Sri Dasavathara Venkateswara Swamy Vigraha Praana Prathista Mahotsavam. It will take place June 1416, 2024 at 9554 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC. For more details, call 803-451-0090 or visit Sdvstccsc.org.
Gayatri Jayanti Mahadeep Yagna: Charlotte, NC (June 22, 2024)
Gayatri Pariwar of Charlotte presents the yagna on Saturday, June 22, 2024 (4 – 7pm) at Vihar Hall, Hindu Center, 7400 City View Dr., Charlotte. Mahaprasad will be served. For more details, call 704-825-1803 or 803-810-5114 or write to gayatripariwarcharlotte@yahoo.com.
Dada Bhagwan Spiritual Discourse: Morrisville, NC (June 28 – 29, 2024) Dada Bhagwan Foundation Adalaj presents a spiritual discourse (Q & A format) with Pujyashree Deepakbhai Desai on June 28 – 29, 2024, at HSNC Temple Hall, 309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC. Realize your true self with revealed knowledge. Admission is free but RSVP is suggested. For more info and to register, visit Usevents.dadabhagwan.org.
Beaufort Dragon Boat Race & Asian Festival (June 29, 2024)
Mark your calendar for the Annual Beaufort Dragon Boat Race & Asian Festival on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 6am to 6pm at Waterfront Park in Beaufort, SC. The festival celebrates Asian cultures, diversity, ethnicity, roots and history. Explore the cultural heritage showcase, retail vendors, live music and dance performances, along with
exciting dragon boat races. Proceeds from the event will benefit Beaufort County neighbors battling cancer. For more info, visit Dragonboat-raceday.com/2024.
July 4th SkyShow: Charlotte, NC (July 4, 2024)
Get ready for summertime fireworks. This 4th of July fireworks show will take place in Truist Field, after a baseball game pitting the Charlotte Knights against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. The game starts at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, 2024, and fireworks will follow. This is one of the largest fireworks shows in the southeast. For details, visit Charlotteknights.com.
Ratha Yatra: Charlotte, NC (July 7, 2024)
The event will start with puja beginning at 8:30am along with ratha pulling, archana, cultural program and mahaprasad. Hindu Center is located at 7400 City View Dr., Charlotte. For more details, call 704-535-3440.
Mebane, NC (July 14 – 20, 2024)
The weeklong camp’s theme is “Finding your true path in life: lessons from the Srimad Bhagavatam.” The camp for ages 9 – 17, includes yoga sessions, nature walks, Indian culture, personal development, sports, arts, drama, discussions and more. For details and registration, call 760-473-4811 or visit Lifemissionusa.org.
Concord, NC (July 28, 2024)
The 11th annual Sangamithra Charity Golf Tournament, an event aimed at making a positive impact on the community, will take place on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Rocky River Golf Club, Concord, NC. Support worthy causes along with an opportunity for networking. For more details about registration write to team@sangamithra.org or visit Sangamithra.org.
Keep up with all the events happening in our region with Saathee Magazine. Upcoming events in our area include Amjad Ali Khan, NuvYug India Fest, TGA Holi, MerleFest, Hasan Minhaj, Dances of India, and many more. The best way to find them is in these pages or online at our regularly updated events section: Saathee.com/events
It’s always about how you present yourself and the extent to which you believe in yourself.
A
I used to think that success had to be something that you could hold in your hand. A shiny blue ribbon that you could frame on your wall. A transcript teeming with a long line of “A’s” running down the page. I defined success not as a feeling, but as an object. As I emerge out of the competitiveness of Junior year—luckily in one piece—my one-dimensional thinking of what success really looks like has shattered.
Throughout our tumultuous Junior year, my classmates and I have been bogged down by the constant worry of what colleges will see when they look at our whole life story compacted into a single 200-word essay. Will the golden word of success form in their minds when they review our accomplishments? Or will they see the word “failure” written in big red ink? The colossal shadow of this mysterious institution steals away what success means to us. It is a thief of the satisfying feeling that flourishes in our hearts when we accomplish a worthwhile goal.
My first step of redefining success began with course registrations towards the end of Sophomore year. It is a wellknown fact, especially in my school, Enloe, that Junior year is the optimal time of dumping a pile of AP classes onto your schedule. When asking my friends why they chose so many AP classes, they responded: “I don’t know. It’s an
addiction to sign up for so many AP’s.” They themselves do not know why they are following the crowd and caving in to the pressures of “academic difficulty.” Therefore, they do not feel the satisfaction of being academically challenged.
This accomplishment no longer brings out the warm feeling of success because 4+ AP classes per year is a norm set by prestigious universities. Determined to follow my instincts on what I felt success means, I only chose the AP classes that I knew I would enjoy. The feeling of success was no longer attached to what grade I received—it was attached to the pure joy of learning, quenching my curiosity on how the world works.
Even my failures are attached to a feeling of success; after I take a step back and look at the big picture, I see them as a launching pad for my next big achievement. They may not lead to instant gratification right then and there, but later down the road, these “obstacles” will pay off
I went in for my first group interview for a leadership position as a timid 9th grader. At the time, it didn’t seem worth doing the interview because I surely wouldn’t stand a chance next to the long line of compelling applicants. I came out of the interview with sagging shoulders and a distraught look plastered on my face. Nevertheless, I told myself that this interview would not be a wasted opportunity. I talked to one of the upperclassman candidates who had a knack of procuring answers on the spot that reflected the faith she had in herself.
A Teenage Story continued on page 88
Subcontinental
Divide
by Ahsen Jillani“Welcome to the Seventh-Fifth Bank of Bikini-Atol –Where service comes first. Please listen carefully as our menu items have changed.”
“To continue communicating with a giggling A.I. robot, please press 5. To have a giggling robot read you the FAQ from our bank website, please press 4. To ask the giggling robot if you need any additional help, press 7. To ask the programming genius who came up with this number sequence, please hang up and try again later. All the programmers have burger grease dripping on their arms and cannot get to the phone. Your approximate wait time is 19 years 4 days.”
“I want to talk to a human. I want a human.”
“Okay, no problem. Let me connect you. Goodbye.”
Knock knock. “Yes, I am your virtual date. May I come in?”
“Well, I guess. Would you like a glass of wine?”
“I’m sorry, liquids of any kind will short out my circuits.”
“How about doing the Waltz then.”
“I do not appreciate insults against Mr. Disney. I must depart in my self-propelled car now.”
“But what if there’s a malfunction and you fly over a chain link fence and your car door held together with toothpaste detaches and hits a nest of baby birds in the head?”
“Sir, we are A.I. We don’t make mistakes. Do you not watch YouTube and Tik Tok? Have a wonderful day.”
Duh, of course I’ve watched YouTube twice in the last two months. The medical information about guzzling down six gallons of olive oil, eight pounds of walnuts, avocado eggs ala nausea, avocado soup, almond butter bread, pushing pressure points on the body that make me faint for a few minutes, but I wake up with my polyphenols, polynomials, microbiome, Microsoft, estrogen levels, Omega 3, even helping my Omega watch to perfectly synch to the atomic clock. Then there’s this Filipino guy with three trillion views while he sings 40 songs for crying and enthralled judges, so emotional to even change their shirts for an entire season.
Of course that is not a blue screen behind this singer. Of course, out of synch videos of Elon Musk and Warren Buffett selling bitcoin are the real deal. Of course my nephew looked at me funny when he asked me how to turn on my
TV. I handed him a basket with 11 remotes and said I had no idea. One remote even has a cord on it. Maybe 1981? “Careful with this one,” I told him. “It might launch the space shuttle. Or accelerate the Starship Enterprise to Warp One.”
Later, while watering my roses, this prospect of having infinite mass at light speed bothered me. Why don’t photons just fall down and through the floor of the universe? But maybe these pesky critters want to restrict our TV time with some sunshine and exercise. But the Enterprise cracking like a piece of dry naan bread kept me awake. It was the A.I. thing again – with Lt. Commander Data falling through space saying “Seventh-Fifth Bank of Bikini-Atol. Can you hear me now? May I help you? Our menu items…”
A lot has happened in my life approaching these twilight years. But the consistent element throughout has been this desire to purge the electronic noises, the useless phone calls, cars that talk to you, grocery checkouts that keep telling you to place the item back in the bag for the seventh-fifth time. My neighbor knocked at my door a few weeks back. “Your house is always dark when my husband and I go to dinner sometimes.”
“I am okay,” I said. “I sit in the dark. Sometimes I go up and continue to work on an oil painting.” So, this is nothing fancy. Sometimes I write a poem or a short story. None of these activities yield any masterpieces. But they yield peace. Nights become mornings and then the cycle repeats. People keep telling me to enjoy retirement. I keep telling them that if they could see the radio waves, the U/V, and infrared frequencies around us, they wouldn’t be able to see anything.
A lady who has been my friend for 20 years recently said I’d be dead in two years. I said: “There’s no life or death now, Jack. There are private jets and yachts, and $50 million mansions for corporate bosses who are now using robots that call you weekly because their databases remain out of date. That’s the reality. Pull the string in the back and a server fires up and goes yak yak yak and says, No problem. We’ll update your information right away.”
It’s not a live person from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Outer Mongolia. It’s not even someone from Papua New Guinea saying, come enjoy the durian fruit and dance. It’s not someone from Afghanistan saying, “Relax and squat next to fire and enjoy a chai while the goat cooks.” Who is making billions with nonsense robots saying, “Welcome to Seventh-Fifth Bank. How may I help you today?”
“Well, I want to make $47,000/day with Quantum A.I. Please connect me to Elon right away because I dream about a yacht that blows enough pollution in the air as a power plant – but the CEOs and stockholders. I want to be on that final obscene frontier myself.” Invest in A.I. That is God right now. Hang glide, sit with wine in a log cabin against a roaring fire, jog smiling and slapping each other playfully like in those drug commercials. It’ll be okay now. A.I. is here.
Ahsen Jillani
a former editor and publisher, is originally from Islamabad, Pakistan, and now lives in Mint Hill. He owns Must Media, a PR firm focused on political and corporate clients. Contact: aj@must-media.com
June 7
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Directors: Adil
El Arbi & Bilall Fallah)
Cast: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, and Joe Pantoliano
The Watchers (Director: Ishana Night Shyamalan)
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, and Oliver Finnegan
The Exorcism
(Directors: M A Fortin & Joshua John Miller)
Cast: Russell Crowe, Sam Worthington, and David Hyde Pierce
June 14
Emergency (Director: Kangana Ranaut)
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, and Shreyas Talpade
Inside Out 2 (Director: Kelsey Mann)
Cast: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, and Diane Lane
Double iSmart (Director: Puri Jagannadh)
Cast: Ram Pothineni and Sanjay Dutt
Chandu Champion
(Director: Kabir Khan)
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Palak Lalwani and Adonis Kapsalis
Turbo (Director: Vysakh)
Cast: Mammootty, Anjana Jayaprakash, Sunil, Kabir Duhan Singh, Anjana Jayaprakash, Johnny Antony, and Raj B Shetty
Tuesday (Director: Daina O. Pusić)
Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Leah Harvey, and Arinzé Kene
Firebrand (Director: Karim Ainouz)
Cast: Alicia Vikander and Jude Law
June 21
The Bikeriders (Director: Jeff Nichols)
Cast: Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, and Michael Shannon
Kinds of Kindness
(Director: Yorgos Lanthimos)
Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, and Willem Dafoe
Janet Planet (Director: Annie Baker)
Cast: Julianne Nicholson, Sophie Okonedo, and Elias Koteas
Thelma (Director: Josh Margolin)
Cast: June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Nicole Byer, and Malcolm McDowell
June 28
Daddio (Director: Christy Hall)
Cast: Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn
A Quiet Place: Day One (Director: Michael Sarnoski)
Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, and Djimon Hounsou
Ishq Vishk Rebound (Director: Nipun Dharmadhikari)
Cast: Rohit Saraf, Pashmina Roshan, Jibraan Khan, and Naina Grewal
Kalki 2898 AD (Director: Nag Ashwin)
Cast: Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Disha Patani, and Amitabh Bachchan
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (Director: Kevin Costner)
Cast: Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, and Michael Rooker
A Family Affair (Director: Richard LaGravenese)
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Kathy Bates, and Shirley MacLaine
July 3-5
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha (Director: Neeraj Pandey)
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Shantanu Maheshwari
Kill (Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat)
Cast: Laksh Lalwani, Raghav Juyal, and Tanya Maniktala
Saathee.com/movies has the latest info on where the movies
F i l m C l i p s
A young artist gets stranded in an extensive, immaculate forest in western Ireland, where, after finding shelter, she becomes trapped alongside three strangers, stalked by mysterious creatures each night. Ishana Shyamalan directs the film starring Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, and Oliver Finnegan. Look for it on June 7, 2024.
When a dead police officer’s memories are transplanted to his brain, an assassin assists the authorities. Ram Pothineni, Koushik Mahata, and Sanjay Dutt star in this Puri Jagannadh. It opens on June 14, 2024.
Vysakh directs Mammootty, Anjana Jayaprakash, and Raj B Shetty in Turbo. Jose, a jeep driver from Idukki gets in trouble and is forced to relocate to Chennai where he gets entangled with Indhu and his best friend, Jerry. Surprises in the form of Vetrivel and others await Jose in Chennai. The film opens on June 14, 2024.
A man who faced one adversary after another with an undying spirit. His unwavering zeal and never give up attitude led to India’s first individual gold medal in any form of the Olympics. Kabir Khan directs Kartik Aaryan, Palak Lalwani and Adonis Kapsalis. The film hits the cinemas on June 14, 2024.
The movie follows the lives of four young people who become enmeshed in a web of friendship, love, and selfdiscovery. Rohit Saraf, Pashmina Roshan, Jibraan Khan, and Naina Grewal portray the protagonists and are directed by Nipun Dharmadhikari. It will open on June 28, 2024.
Experience the day the world went quiet in this prequel to the series where blind but noise-sensitive creatures hunt you if they hear you. Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, and Djimon Hounsou star, directed by Michael Sarnoski. Releases on June 28, 2024.
An American Saga – Chapter 1
Directed by and starring Kevin Costner, Horizon chronicles a multi-faceted, 15-year span of preand post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American west. The epic comes to theaters on June 28, 2024.
by Lakshman Rao
I have been thinking of writing a book for the past 10 years. I’m not trying for a New York Times bestseller – just a simple story of my journey from India to the United States. I want to write an account of events of my life from the past 50 years, meant for my grandchildren. I am not a writer; I have never published anything besides my PhD thesis and a few research papers many moons ago.
I started this project while I was working full time at an 8-to-5 job. At the end of the day, I would stay in my office and type a couple of paragraphs. I am not good at typing either and would type with one finger from each hand. My writing stopped as soon as I retired from my job; there is no quiet office in my home. When I was working, there used to be 24 hours in a day. Now I feel like there are only 12. I don’t know what happened to the other 12. That is another excuse for not writing. I hit a writer’s mountain, not just writer’s block.
Just recently, someone sent me a recording on WhatsApp of top songs from the beloved Indian radio show “Binaca Geetmala” that aired from 1954-1979. I don’t think any Indian aged 60 to 90 has not heard of host Ameen Sayani (who sadly passed away recently) and his radio program. Every Wednesday night, people would gather around and listen to wonderful songs. At the end of the year, he would play top songs and select the top song of the year.
As I was listening, each song took me back down memory lane – the situations I was in, people I lived with. These came back like a movie reel. This energized the writer in me again after several years.
The year 1954 was a sorrowful year in my life and hearing the song “Jayen to Jayen Kaha” brought tears to my eyes. I could sort my feelings out better now as a 76year-old man than as a 7-year-old boy, who had just lost his mother. The wonderful commentary by Ameen Sayani brought back memories – good, bad and all.
by Hasitha Illa
I was 10 when I was diagnosed with a life altering condition - Friedreichs Ataxia. When we experience a great deal of turmoil, there is only one way we can win our mental health back, and that is self-acceptance.
But, to reach those beautiful, high views, we first need to experience all the bumpy roads along the way and this took a great portion of my life. I underwent the various stages of grief as I lost my ability to walk. At the time, I was only a child and kids deal with things way differently and could be one of the reasons why it took me so long.
First thing that I felt when I was diagnosed was denial. The question of why me? Denial showed up in my life to the point where the first mobility aid that I used in public was the wheelchair. My condition is degenerative and even though I could walk, having a walker or crutches would have made life so much easier for me but I refused. My stubbornness to walk masked my nonacceptance to the situation.
The second most evident thing is anger. I have always been that angry and blunt child while growing up. At the time, no one knew why, but now, as an adult I can self-introspect (a skill heartfulness gave me) and tell it was a stage of grief.
Bargaining was also something I did and is another stage of grief. There was a trial drug, which could potentially be a treatment at the time. I kept my hopes so high on this and I literally told myself that if this drug worked than everything will be fine. When it didn’t, that literally crushed me.
And as for depression, that’s something people go through when such an ordeal happens. Days of hopelessness, days of wanting to give up and days of having zero interest in life. And as a kid, all of this was extremely overwhelming.
The Fed pivoted again. Coming into the year the market expected nothing short of six rate cuts with moderating inflation and growth. With both remaining hot, it has been put into serious question whether we get rate cuts at all. April was the month in which the market adjusted to this new reality. The market now expects just one rate cut this year.
Speeches in April by Chair Powell and other Fed officials have walked back the dovish pivot from December, signaling a higher for longer policy. NY Fed President Williams went as far as to say that he has not ruled out further rate hikes. We could be at an inflection point where the backdrop moves to higher growth, higher rates, and higher inflation. The latest data is increasingly signaling that the economy is likely to remain hot. Real wages are also growing faster than inflation.
Low unemployment with these growing wages means the consumer should continue to power the economy. The consumer is less sensitive to higher rates. Household debt to GDP and household debt service to disposable income
are at historically low levels. Only 11% of outstanding household debt carries variable interest rates. We are in the early stages of what is likely to be a lengthy CapEx cycle. PMIs have started to accelerate upwards. This is happening globally.
China after a lengthy COVID hangover is finally starting to show signs of recovery. We have witnessed a significant rally across commodities in recent weeks as the global data has improved. The growth backdrop combined with how the math works makes it highly unlikely that inflation gets back to the Fed’s 2% target this year, forcing the Fed to remain more hawkish.
The dominant investment theme is a major CapEx cycle. It is broad and will likely be lengthy. It spans infrastructure, clean energy, manufacturing, and technology. It is funded by fiscal spending from the infrastructure bill, Chips Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as corporate CapEx, and private capital. At the heart of it is AI. The AI infrastructure buildout is significant, it includes data centers, building semiconductor fabrication plants, and supplying significant energy to power them. Cloud CapEx spending is now tracking up 44% so far this year. Across the
Kismuth and the Way II by
Dipika KohliThere was a time I used to believe that opening up and writing your honest feelings was the way to go. I really did. I honestly, truly thought that I could connect with people if I just made the effort to write the way I felt. It did work, and I have made some extraordinary connections through writing my ideas in Kismuth’s books, blogs, newsletters, and this column sometimes brings a new message or two my way, too.
Noelle Sterne, writing for Writer’s Digest on how to shape a column, gives some insight that I hadn’t really thought through before I started writing Kismuth and the Way I before covid, taking a pause, and, after some years, resuming this series as Kismuth and the Way II. Sterne writes, “A quality column takes consistent effort, thought, and much rewriting,” which, yeah, I know, but — and I paraphrase here — it also gives people insight into your personal life and way of approaching the world, too; at times this could
be oversharing: “Gaie Sebold’s column hilariously chronicled her daily life. But she admits, ‘I sometimes wish I’d been a teensy bit less revealing about my inadequacies as a writer and human being.’”
I really don’t want to give my opinions on everything anymore, I realize, as I’ve gotten more comfortable here, ten years will do it, based in Southeast Asia, and as such, I’ve shifted towards a different style of dialogue. It’s much quieter than what I grew up with in the West. I don’t feel like sharing so much about me, these days, and I don’t want to be anywhere near that universe of people who talk about themselves all the time. I just can’t find that to be an important goal. Why write columns, then?
Kismuth continued on page 84
12/31/24
Financially Speaking by
Rupa PereiraOver the past few decades, college costs have outpaced inflation, at least in the United States. Here are some stats based on research from Federal Reserve and College Board:
There’s $1.75 trillion in total student loan debt (including federal and private loans)
$28,950 is owed per borrower on average
About 92% of all student debt are federal student loans; the remaining are private student loans
55% of students from public four-year institutions had student loans
57% of students from private nonprofit four-year institutions took on education debt
College Expenses can be the second highest expense that families may see outside their home purchase. The Sticker Financially Speaking continued on page 94
See if you can spot the 15 differences between the original photo on left and modified one on right Answers are on page 104
Raajeev’s Corner by Raajeev Aggerwhil
There is no doubt that Indian culture is great with rich practices and traditions grounded in science. That is unlike American culture, which is great with rich practices and traditions... but the “science” part kind of depends on who you talk to!
For example, turmeric originated in India. Its use dates back over 4,000 years to the Vedic culture in India. In this ancient culture, turmeric was utilized for its medicinal properties, as a culinary spice, and in religious ceremonies. If you wanted to escape a wedding ceremony, you’d quickly throw it in the bride’s eyes and run!
Turmeric has become mainstream in the US – you can buy turmeric capsules mixed with black pepper at Whole Foods and Costco. However, turmeric has been a topic of controversy — not for its health benefits but for its monetization benefits. In 1995, researchers from the University of Mississippi Medical Center were granted a U.S. patent for the use of turmeric in wound healing. This patent was based on the use of turmeric powder for promoting healing of wounds which is a traditional practice in India.
The granting of this patent sparked outrage in India, where turmeric has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a research and development organization in India, challenged the patent arguing that the use of turmeric for wound healing was not a novel invention but part of traditional Indian knowledge. They provided evidence from ancient Sanskrit texts and modern scientific publications to support their claim. They even found a white guy to repeat it all so that Americans would listen to them!
In 1997, the United States Patent and Trademark Office
(USPTO) upheld the challenge and revoked the patent, agreeing that the claimed use of turmeric was indeed part of the prior invention and therefore not patentable. There is no doubt that the original claim for patent in the use of turmeric was motivated by monetary gains. That, or the guys at Whole Foods just don’t like to share curry recipes.
This case was one of the first major victories against biopiracy, highlighting the importance of protecting traditional knowledge and ensuring that it is not exploited by entities seeking to gain exclusive rights over age-old practices. Luckily, turmeric grows in tropical climates, so India remains the largest producer and exporter of turmeric today, accounting for about 80% of the world’s production. The other 20% are college kids who secretly think they’re growing weed but end up being disappointed.
Like turmeric, Ashwagandha has its origins in India. In Sanskrit, “ashwagandha” means “smell of the horse,” which refers to the distinct smell of the root and the belief that consuming it imparts the strength and vitality of a horse. This is unlike the herbs I keep getting spam emails about, which promise I’ll get a different feature that’s also “like a horse.”
Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems. Traditionally, Ashwagandha has been used to enhance vitality, longevity, and overall well-being. It is used to treat a variety of conditions, such as stress, anxiety, fatigue, and inflammation. So basically, all the problems that come from eating foods cooked with too much turmeric.
I researched to see if there were any patents on Ashwagandha. There are none as of now. I am sure the reversal by USPTO on the turmeric patent deterred any attempt by private entities to claim that they invented its use to cure stress and improve vitality. While it is interesting to see Ashwagandha being mentioned on television ads that certain medicines have it as an ingredient, it is amusing to see
Raajeev continued on page 110
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Personal Finances
by
Mo VidwansThere is an African proverb, which has been around for a long time, and it says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Those who have seen some of these villages in Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) or similar expanses of Africa like Masai Mara of Kenya will understand exactly what they mean by that. First Lady Hillary Clinton wrote a book with a very similar title many years ago reinforcing the same kind of values as to what it takes to properly raise a child.
So, what could be the connection between that proverb and the vast world of financial planning? Basically, what was suggested for raising a child – a group of people to support, raise and imbibe proper values in a child – is the same effort, a team effort of different disciplines, required to support what the financial/estate/retirement needs of a young and growing family or for that matter a senior person/couple might be. It becomes very apparent as we age that we will need some help from others to manage our affairs. And it is not just one person, but usually a team of people who will collectively help us manage those affairs.
Unfortunately, all these needs creep very slowly, surreptitiously, and sometimes suddenly and then the panic could hit.
If it takes a village to raise a child, it can take a small team, for sure, to support an aging adult. As we get older the range of professionals and services we rely on for physical, financial, and daily living support expands and could even change depending on our circumstances. The physical therapist, the grocery service, and the home maintenance workers - they all become part of our entourage as we age. The Director of MIT age lab and the author of a study on aging population says, “Real longevity planning is planning not just for the stages of your life and the people you will need then but also the services you will need to survive and thrive for 1/3 of your adult life.”
Did he say 1/3 of our adult life? Yes, indeed. Let us review it. Most of us are supposed to retire around 65, especially if we are working for somebody else and are not on our own. Often, it is even earlier than that. If we assume, and this is definitely a possibility for many, that we will live into our 90s, then you are looking at 25 to 30 years after you stop working, pretty close to 1/3 of our adult life, right?
This is another reason why I emphasize with younger clients that they should start building their team from a young age so that it will all be in place when the real and sudden need arises. And who can tell when the need will arise?
For those who are retiring now, they probably still feel the pep in their step and believe that they have at least a decade left in their lives when they can manage everything on their own. And they are usually right about that especially if they have paid attention to their health. But the time will come, hopefully never (Ah, the eternal hope), when they will have to seek help to manage their affairs and that is when such teams will come in very handy.
The word retirement condenses several stages of later life; over that time the people in your entourage and the support you may need could vary. Initially you may depend on a Yoga instructor but that may change to a chair yoga to work up a sweat and keep you limber and your mind sharp. Initially you may think of retirement and old age as health issues and ignore the other important aspects of life. There are people who may help you feel and look good, others who may deliver groceries, do your yardwork, and keep the grass cut and trimmed, yet some others may take you places, manage your checkbook and other financial matters like doing taxes annually for you. At one time, I was doing taxes for a 93year-old lady, and she casually mentioned that she just returned her driver’s license to the state because she did not want to drive any more. Bravo for her to take such a decision but little did she realize that she had just added to the list of help needed by her entourage.
We possibly cannot anticipate all the services and individuals we would need that we would rely on through the aging years, but it does pay to think about them earlier than later.
I really think that we should start thinking sooner than later about creating a list of services we would need for later in life. We should know our health, our disposition and our abilities and disabilities and liking and disliking by then. We should know what we can continue doing in our ripe ages and where we would need help.
The secretary of state of NC Elaine Marshall visited the Triad Hindu Temple in Greensboro on April 27, 2024 and inaugurated the food fair. There were over 1000 attendees at the fair who enjoyed the delicious Indian food items. The new temple construction is in progress and plans to open by next Diwali.
The Charlotte Brahma Kumaris meditation center is now open at 8145 Ardrey Kell Rd., Suite 207, Charlotte, NC. The center offers an introduction to Raja Yoga meditation, which gives a clear spiritual understanding of yourself. It helps you rediscover the self and use the positive qualities that are already present within you. The courses are free and offered by appointment. The center also offers other programs and workshops. For more details about the center, write to Charlotte@us.brahmakumaris.org.
Blumenthal Arts announced in May that, in addition to bringing in renowned global acts alongside art from Charlotte’s most exciting creatives for the Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF), it will partner with more than 10 local festivals and cultural organizations, resulting in 17 days of entertainment and cultural immersion. CIAF, a Blumenthal Arts Original, is a celebration of international communities filled with live performances, art installations, and experiences from around the world and Charlotte’s own backyard.
Blumenthal’s Vice President of Marketing, Danny Knaub, said, “As we continue to expand the definition of art through CIAF, there is no better place to find originality, passion, diversity, and the most creative international and local minds than right here in the Queen City. Blumenthal is proud to partner with revered local organizations that have established annual events and gained major followings. By partnering with organizations across a spectrum of cultures and affinities, we form one big, inclusive community of people open to sharing new experiences, to learning about others through art. A vital part of the mission of CIAF is to shine a light on the multitude of vibrant international cultures in Charlotte—one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities in the US. This joining together is why the festival was created, and why we do what we do.”
The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin will host its inaugural World Health Congress in New York City on July 18 – 22, 2024 at Marriott Marquis. This conference will host physicians, healthcare professionals, and leaders from across the world for a dynamic exchange of ideas, a collaborative effort to shape the future of healthcare on a global scale. The congress will be attended by participants from around the country and the world. Founded in 1982, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin represents a conglomeration of more than 80,000 practicing physicians in the United States. For more details, visit Aapiworldhealthcongress.org.
In 2023, CIAF partnered for the first time with a number of established events and organizations, including two Charlotte cultural fixtures, the Festival of India and the Latin American Festival. This year, Blumenthal will stretch its cultural partnerships even farther into the community for its annual spree of celebrating international cultures through performance, food, art, and community.
Events from CIAF cultural partners this year will expand the festival footprint to new locations in Charlotte, including Charlotte’s new and highly anticipated Sullenberger Aviation Museum, which will open this summer.
The annual Festival of India will also take place during the Arts Festival on September 14, 2024 in uptown.
Organized by the India Association of Charlotte, dedicated to serving the burgeoning Indian American community, the Festival of India in the Carolinas stands as a beacon of India’s rich diversity, offering a platform for cultural exchange amidst joyous festivities, including captivating performances that blend the allure of Bollywood glamour with the elegance of classical Indian dance.
The Charlotte International Arts Festival will take place from September 13 – 29, 2024.
For further details, visit Charlotteartsfest.com.
This summer, thousands of yogis from around the world will gather for a week of divine inspiration and fellowship, based on the yoga teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, world teacher and author of the bestselling spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi
The Self-Realization Fellowship World Convocation will be held July 14 – 20, 2024 — in person at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles for the first time since 2020 — and livestreamed free of charge, so that anyone can participate from anywhere around the globe. Last year over 22,000 participants from more than 130 countries attended Convocation online.
Widely regarded as the father of Yoga in the West, Paramahansa Yogananda established this annual tradition in 1950 to provide an opportunity for aspiring yogis to take a break from daily routines and immerse themselves in spiritual classes, devotional chanting, and collective meditation, while receiving practical guidance on how to successfully meet the challenges of daily living.
“I wish that, as seekers of Bliss, which all of us are, you would try to experience for yourselves that universal truth which is in all and may be felt by all,” says Yogananda. “This state is not an invention of anyone. It is already there; we have simply to discover it.”
Self-Realization Fellowship monks and nuns will also travel to cities across Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America to host Convocation activities; and many Self-Realization Fellowship meditation centers around the world will hold in-person Convocation viewing events.
Led by the monks and nuns of Self-Realization Fellowship, Convocation events for this year include: A meditation and a satsanga by Brother Chidananda, president of Self-Realization Fellowship (a satsanga is a talk based on questions from members and friends); Daily classes on the “How-to-Live” teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda; and Group meditations each morning and evening.
During the “How-to-Live” classes, Self-Realization Fellowship monks and nuns will offer talks on Paramahansa
Yogananda’s Kriya Yoga teachings, giving his counsel on how to navigate life’s challenges as they share their own experiences of journeying on the spiritual path. Classes will focus on such topics as: finding joy in life, introspection for success, intuition, the love and wisdom that come from meditation, and more.
More information about the event, including registration at Convocation.Yogananda.org.
The Consulate will remain open during all holidays (including Saturday/Sunday and other public holidays) from 2 pm to 4 pm to address emergency requirements of the general public. It is advised that before coming to the Consulate for any emergency service, applicants should call the Consulate’s emergency helpline number: +1-917815-7066 to ascertain per-requisite of supporting documents for these services and to ensure that they fall in the category of emergency services, which cannot be postponed to the next working day of the Consulate. This facility is only for emergency requirements of travel documents such as Emergency Visa, Emergency Certificate (for travel to India on same day) and transportation of mortal remains being sent the same day. The applicant will be charged an emergency service fee for Emergency Visa as has been the practice. This service is not for regular consular services.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced the opening of the application period for the Citizenship and Integration Training Academy (CITA), a new funding opportunity under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. CITA, a technical assistance grant, will provide up to $2.6 million in competitive funding to public or nonprofit organizations that have not received previous grant funding from USCIS. Through this grant, USCIS will provide funding and rigorous training to enable organizations to establish new citizenship programs.
On May 11, 2024, Charlotte Heartfulness hosted “Meditative Melodies” which included meditation, relaxation techniques, along with performances from local dance and vocal artists. With more than 150 in attendance, the event was intended as community outreach and the celebration of the release of the book Spiritual Anatomy . The book is third in a series by the “Fourth Guide” of Heartfulness Kamlesh Patel often referred to as “Daaji”. The first book was The Heartfulness Way and it was followed by Designing Destiny
The Heartfulness method, also known as Sahaj Marg, which means “The Natural Path,” stems from the tradition of Raja Yoga. The movement emerged in the late 1800’s with the “First Guide” Shri Ram Chandra, affectionately known as Lalaji (1873-1931). His successor was Shri Ram Chandra or Babuji (1899-1983) and the “Third Guide” was Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari also know as Chariji (19272014).
Certified trainers guide practitioners to expand their awareness, and develop well-being, contentment, calm, compassion, courage, and clarity. The training is offered free of charge.
The whole exercise of fine-tuning the heart with the mind is through meditation on the heart, and that is why it is called Heartfulness Meditation.
As Heartfulness has its roots in yoga, they promote International Day of Yoga on June 21, and have created a free online collaborative platform where yoga experts from many schools join together to offer free programs to the public. To learn more about Heartfulness training visit heartfulness.org.
Also, read the interesting article by Hasitha Illa on page 44 of this issue of Saathee magazine.
International Day of Yoga is celebrated across the world annually on June 21 (longest day of the year, Summer Solstice).
The current and fourth guide, Daaji, has written three books that explore Heartfulness meditation which consists of four elements— relaxation, meditation, cleaning, and prayer. The movement now has more than five million practitioners in 160 countries with more than 15,000 certified trainers.
The initiative for "Yoga Day" was taken by India's Prime Minister Modi in his 2014 UN address. The first International Yoga Day was celebrated on June 21, 2015. Its adoption by the United Nations was in 2014 with 177 nations co-sponsoring it in the General Assembly, where it passed unanimously. As Yoga exercises have shown significant benefits for physical and mental well-being, it was considered important by the UN to globally promote this wellness practice, which originated in ancient India.
The weather is getting warmer. The days are getting brighter and longer. Finally, many of those burdensome layers of sweaters and jackets are being replaced for looser and cooler clothing. Bees are buzzing and pollinating. Flowers are blooming. Trees have sprouted young leaves. Parent birds are feeding their young. More people are going outside for walks. Baby geese are following the mother goose. And with the warmer weather, various animals are coming out of hibernation.
And that includes snakes.
The snake seems to invoke a certain polarity of responses. When the word “snake” is evoked, what are some thoughts that come to mind? Maybe slimy? Creepy? A Halloween decoration? If someone had a pet snake how would their personality be assessed in comparison to someone who had a labrador as a pet? In certain philosophies, the snake seems to be associated with temptation and can be seen as wily, sinister character.
Maybe because the snake has been so maligned in certain societies and within certain ideologies, this is also one of the reasons I feel a sense of kinship with the snakes. For instance, some may think that snakes are scary and with that fear would want to get rid of all the snakes. Yet, if that reality came true, a world with no snakes would mean that people are exposed to more diseases. In that scenario, there may then be a need for more antibiotics given to treat exposures to different bacterial diseases and a vicious cycle then would follow with antibiotic resistance. In essence, snakes help to keep the ecosystem in balance.
Growing up, I have seen snakes as part of the Indian arts and philosophies. Lord Vishnu rests on the divine giant serpent between the materialization of the cosmic worlds. In dance, I have played a part where I was churning the waters for the elixir for immortality. In that story, King Vasuki, a Snake, is used as a “rope” around the mountain that was used to churn the ocean. There are various interpretations on what was King Vasuki’s specific experience, but one interpretation is that when the initial poison was coming out of the ocean, this poison also had hurt Vasuki, and he surrendered thus to Lord Shiva, who then helped him to recover his strength. King Vasuki was then adorned by Lord Shiva as his necklace.
Adult Dance Student continued on page 96
Recent reports that the H5N1 avian flu virus has been found in cow’s milk have raised questions about whether the U.S. milk supply is safe to drink. According to the federal Food and Drug Administration, the answer is yes, as long as the milk is pasteurized.
Nonetheless, raw (unpasteurized) milk sales are up, despite health experts’ warning that raw milk could contain high levels of the virus, along with many other pathogens.
As an extension food scientist in a state where raw milk sales are legal, I provide technical support to help processors produce high-quality, safe dairy foods. I also like to help people understand the confusing world of pasteurization methods on their milk labels, and why experts strongly discourage consuming raw milk and products made from it.
Dairy products, like many foods, have inherent risks that can cause a variety of illnesses and even death. Our milk comes from animals that graze outdoors and live in barns. Milk is picked up from the farm in tanker trucks and delivered to the processing
For example, listeria monocytogenes comes from environmental sources like soil and water. Mild infections with listeriosis cause flu-like symptoms. More serious cases are, unfortunately, too common and can cause miscarriages in pregnant women and even death in extreme cases.
Other pathogens commonly associated with dairy animals and raw milk include E. coli, which can cause severe gastrointestinal infections and may lead to kidney damage; Campylobacter, the most common cause of diarrheal illness in the U.S.; and Salmonella, which cause abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms.
In the 1860s, French microbiologist Louis Pasteur discovered that heating wine and beer killed the organisms that caused spoilage, which then was a significant problem in France.
This heating process, which became known as
Pasteurization continued on page 90 plant. These environments offer numerous opportunities for contamination by pathogens that cause illness and organisms that make food spoil.
by Mithi Shukla
Transport your taste buds to the streets of Mumbai with this tantalizing Tandoori Paneer Taco recipe! Bursting with bold Indian flavors, this fusion dish combines the smoky goodness of crispy tandoori-marinated paneer topped with a creamy mint chutney for the perfect cooling-kicking bite. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, these tacos are easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress. Get ready to spice up your taco night with this delicious twist on a classic favorite.
Creamy Mint Chutney
1 cup of mint leaves
½ cup cilantro
1-2 green chilis (your spice preference)
1 clove of garlic
¼ inch of ginger
1 cup of Greek yogurt
½ tsp of sugar
1 tsp of roasted cumin & salt to taste
Paneer Marinade
3 cups of cubed paneer
½ cup of Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons of tandoori masala
1 teaspoon of cumin
1/2 tablespoon lime juice & salt to taste
Taco Toppings
Small flour tortillas
½ cup of thinly sliced red cabbage
½ cup of diced onion
Cilantro for garnish
Servings: About 3 - 4
Prep Time: 10 minues / Cook Time: 25 minutes
Marinate the paneer: Combine the yogurt, tandoori masala, cumin, and lime juice in a large mixing bowl.
Mix well until all the seasonings have combined into a smooth paste
Add paneer and gently mix until all the paneer has been evenly coated Set aside for 30 mins
Make the creamy mint chutney while paneer marinates
Thoroughly wash mint and cilantro leaves and add them to a blender.
Add ginger, garlic, green chili, 1 tablespoon of the 1 cup of yogurt, salt, sugar, and a splash of water.
Blend for 15 seconds, or until everything has been blended into a smooth paste. (Note: don’t over blend the ingredients because it could cause the chutney to become bitter)
Pour the chutney in a mixing bowl and add the remaining yogurt, roasted cumin, and a splash of water
Mix well until the chutney becomes creamy
Add salt to taste
Pan-fry Paneer: Over a medium heat, add ½ tablespoon of butter
Once the butter has melted, add the marinated paneer and fry the paneer on one side for 5 minutes
Once the paneer has developed a crust on the bottom, flip the paneer to evenly fry the other sides – about 15 minutes
Once the paneer has finished frying, it’s time to assemble your taco!
Lightly heat up a flour tortilla on a clean pan
Add the pan-fried paneer, sliced cabbage, diced onion, a squeeze of lime juice, and the creamy mint chutney. Add a cilantro leaf for garnish.
Hindu Center Expansion
Leave a Lasting Memory on HC Wall. Sponsor Plates for $1001, $5,001, $10,001, $25,001 or more Expansion project update:
Work Completed: Grading, Parking Lot , foundation, stone work inside and outside.
Work Continues: Main Shikhar and electrical.
Annual Membership: $101, Students & Seniors $31 Become life member for $1001!
Gayatri Jayanti Havan: June 22nd, Saturday
Ratha Yatra: July 7th, Sunday
Hindu Center’s 42nd Anniversary: July 20th, Saturday & July 21st, Sunday
General Body Meeting / Mela / Health Fair
Independence Day: August 17th, Saturday
Janmashtami: August 26th, Monday
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations: September 6th, Friday Thru September 11th, Wednesday
Ganesh Visarjan: September 11th, Wednesday
Saturday, June 22, 2024 (4-7 pm) - Vihar Hall
Ratha Yatra
Sunday, July 7th, 2024
All are welcome. Mahaprasad will be served.
Lunch / Anand Bazaar
1 PM- 6 PM (Sat) Vihar Hall Foyer
To sponsor a food stall or for more info ontact:
Sunder Mirchandani: 704-691-2974
Nilesh Chuadhry: 704-307-6979
Narain and Deepa: 704-307-0942
Ajay: 678-978-3952
Jatin Patel: 678-602-0935
General Body Meeting
1 PM - 2 PM
Cultural Program
2 PM - 7 PM (Sat) Vihar Hall
Participate in the cultural program or come enjoy the show!!
For Details Contact:
Anitha Gowtam 704-206-9348
Rashmikaben 980-322-3505
Sarika Milhoutra 201-696-1877
Poonam Rojra 704-682-1388
Riya Annesha 980-349-9476, Hemant Amin 704-258-3588
Reena Roy 704-607-8412 reena.roy@hcclt.org
Health Fair
Sun, July 21
Noon - 4 PM Vihar Hall
Learn about your health and how to improve it.
For more information contact:
Rajeev Puri: 704-649-2165
Vipul Mistry: 704-392-8789
Dr. Anoop Kalia: 704-674-3632
Dr. Mahesh Duggal: 704-793-3208
For donations / sponsors contact: Pujari, Bal Gupta, Ravi Patel or Hemant Amin.
To sponsor food for a stall or volunteer, contact Ashok Shah Hemant Amin, or anyone above.
Cultural Program Contacts
Email: hc_cultural@yahoo.com
Anitha Gowtam 704-206-9348
Sponsorships
Nirav Pandya 570-205-2636
Niketa Mittal: 704-971-0572 or email: hc_cultural@yahoo.com
HC Contact
Hemant Amin 704-258-3588
Ameeta Patel 203-434-4004
Reena Roy 704-607-8412 or email: reena.roy@hcclt.org
Saturday, July 20, 2024
2 PM - 7 PM
Saturday, August 17 (Noon to 2 pm)
Flag Hoisting, National Anthem & Cultural show.
To participate in the cultural program call:
Anitha Gowtam: 704-206-9348, Poonam Rojra: 704-682-1388, Anju Jain: 704-620-4503 or Niketa Mittal: 704-971-0572
August 26th (Mon)
7 pm to Midnight
To participate in the cultural program call:
Anitha Gowtam: 704-206-9348
Poonam Rojra: 704-682-1388
Anju Jain: 704-620-4503 or Niketa Mittal: 704-971-0572
New Vedanta Bhavan
Donate generously and etch your name forever by opting with one of these options:
Brick for $1001, Marble plaque 5x7" for $5001, Marble plaque 8x10 " for $10001 (brick can have only two names and plaque can have multiple names and/or larger message) Contribution can be paid with check or credit card. Login and donate today by going to hcclt.org or mail the check to Hindu Center
7400 City View Drive, Charlotte NC 28212
Immigration Matters by
Rishi P. OzaThe EB-1A visa, part of the Employment-Based First Preference category, offers a pathway to lawful permanent residency in the United States for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field. Renowned for its stringent criteria and high standards, the EB-1A visa is a coveted option for those who have achieved exceptional acclaim in their profession, be it the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Let’s delve into the intricate requirements that define eligibility for this prestigious visa category.
The EB-1A visa is specifically designed for individuals who have risen to the top of their respective fields and have garnered sustained international or national acclaim for their extraordinary abilities. Unlike many other employment-based visas, the EB-1A does not require a job offer or labor certification, making it an attractive option for highly skilled individuals looking to immigrate to the United States. This means that individuals can “self-sponsor” without needing an employer to sign or support their own applications.
At the heart of the EB-1A visa is the criterion of extraordinary ability. To qualify, an applicant must demonstrate a level of expertise and recognition
significantly above that ordinarily encountered in their field. This can be evidenced by sustained national or international acclaim, as well as achievements recognized by experts in the field.
USCIS evaluates extraordinary ability based on a combination of criteria, including:
• Receipt of major awards or prizes in the field.
• Membership in associations that require outstanding achievements.
• Published material about the applicant’s work in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
• Participation as a judge of the work of others in the field.
• Original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance.
• Authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
• Display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
• Performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations.
Immigration continued on page 96
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Kismuth continued from page 50
There are so many ways you can slice this pie. You could talk about self-expression. You could talk about community. You could talk about leaving a recording of ideas, as a collection, even while cognizant of the fact that, maybe, quite probably, you may contradict yourself as you cross over your own old writings. This is why writing is like traveling. We go down pathways, and, through the very act of choosing to go, and actually going, how we feel will change.
Writing is fine, writing to connect was fine, and writing what might inspire people to go their own way and design their own path is better than fine, for me.
I hope these words encourage people to walk their own walk, instead of trying very hard to conform to standards that they didn’t really have a chance to choose for themselves as meaningful, relevant, or even significant. Do what moves you. That’s advice I got directly, once, from a distant musician I’d seen at a show in Winston-Salem but never met, and yet, who helped me grok this, over a simple email exchange about “art.”
We can’t just follow along the lines that someone drew for us, or we will grow bitter, later. You see it all the time. The resentments.
According to a 2020 survey called “Social Realities of Indian Americans,” conducted by researchers at the Carnegie Endowment, “Today, Indian Americans are a mosaic of recent arrivals and long-term residents. While the majority are
immigrants, a rising share is born and raised in the United States. Many Indian immigrants might have brought with them identities rooted in their ancestral homeland, while others have eschewed them in favor of a nonhyphenated ‘American’ identity.”
Authors Sumitra Badrinathan, Devesh Kapur, Jonathan Kay, and Milan Vaishnav go on to report, “Despite the overall professional, educational, and financial success many Indian Americans enjoy, this has not inoculated them from the forces of discrimination, polarization, and contestation over questions of belonging and identity.”
Now, I am in Cambodia, where things evolve all the time, but subtly. Walker, there is no path. Walk, and a path will appear. Gone so long, and so far, that things that used to be familiar before, simply aren’t anymore. People, places, ideologies and dogma.
You let go of all that when you keep moving around, shedding what no longer fits, along all the roads.
Kismuth and the Way, I think, is about this movement. The way we go when we’re ready to embrace what the next can teach us and let that feeling of readiness guide. It’s not for everyone, of course.
Some people really want to stay in their boxes, others are happy pretending they are.
Kismuth Books is a project of Dipika Kohli. See kismuth.com for more.
Dipika Kohli is an author who is based in Phnom Penh. Discover her books at kismuth.com and other projects at dipikakohli.com.
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This year was a record year for many Ivy League colleges, with more students applying to Yale University and Dartmouth College than ever before. The draw of academic excellence, prestigious reputation, robust alumni networks, and diverse activities and opportunities on campus are what draw in so many applicants to these renowned universities.
However, as tuition costs continue to escalate, accepted students into top universities might wonder if the prestige of being an Ivy League graduate is worth the high tuition bill. Here are what students should consider before committing to an Ivy League school.
The Ivy Leagues consist of the following eight institutions: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University. Except for Cornell, all of these schools predate the founding of the United States. Harvard, the oldest of these universities, was founded back in 1636. These schools have had centuries to build their reputations as academic powerhouses.
More Intimate Learning Environment
Ivy Leagues tend to admit a select number of students, with Princeton’s average freshman class size hovering around 1370. They also tend to have favorable student-to-faculty ratios, with Brown sporting an average of 6:1. Having a more intimate educational setting often helps students get more individual attention.
Robust Alumni Network
Famously, the Ivy Leagues have a strong alumni network, which extends far beyond the student’s undergraduate years. For example, Yale University’s Office of Career Strategy helps students find internships by connecting them with alums, employers, and donors. Similar networking opportunities exist across all the Ivy Leagues.
One of the most significant benefits of attending an Ivy League university is the large endowment funds, which means the universities have the ability to provide cutting-edge laboratories, extensive libraries, studio space or extracurricular clubs for their students.
Perhaps the most crucial factor for many students and their families as they decide is the earning potential of the graduates from a particular institution. Having the weight of an Ivy League diploma on a resume, as the student applies to their first job, could help them get noticed, especially if they have combined it with other internships and extracurricular activities while they were in undergrad. In the Global University Employability Ranking in 2023-24, Harvard University, Princeton University and Yale University cracked into the top 10 worldwide, and all Ivies except the University of Pennsylvania ranked in the top 100.
Other Schools Are of Comparable Caliber
While Ivy Leagues are undeniably prestigious, it doesn’t mean that these eight universities are the only places where students have positive outcomes. Other schools like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Vanderbilt University, and Rice University are also recognized as being “Best Value Schools” by the U.S. World and News Report. Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvey Mudd College, Babson College, and Santa Clara University are also ranked in the top ten for mid-career earning averages.
In the late 1950s, the Ivies collectively agreed not to offer merit-based scholarships. They believe that all their accepted students are worthy of a merit scholarship, so they give it to no student. For middle-class families who make too much money to receive need-based financial aid, they might find it difficult to afford the steep tuition costs.
Coupled with the lack of merit scholarships, the exorbitant costs of Ivy Leagues might be a major turnoff for potential students, depending on the family’s income and whether they qualify for financial aid. For example, Dartmouth costs a total of $91,312 per year after
A Teenage Story
continued from page 24
This year, with an open mind and new knowledge in mind on how to amplify my skills, I walked into another group interview. I managed to secure a leadership position while telling myself I was that cool upperclassman who I had asked for advice in 9th grade. Ultimately, success came little by little, not all at once. Moreover, blocking out people’s perceptions of me stammering and clambering in my 9th grade interview helped rephrase the question, “Do they think that I look like a successful person?”, to “Do I think I am a successful person?”.
I owe the shift in my thinking on what success means to my mom. She constantly reminds me, “If you are proud of what you accomplish, it will show on your college applications.” It’s always about how you present yourself and the extent to which you believe in yourself. You can either write about a tremendous accomplishment while downplaying it, or you can charge your high self-esteem into your writing to highlight your success.
If you stand your ground and hold your head high, you don’t give anybody an option to doubt your abilities. I know my worth and that value is more than that of an “A+”. College applications are now looming, I aim to take back what success means to me – not allowing societal pressures to confine its meaning to another number on a transcript.
Sereena Kumar is a junior at Enloe High School and has a passion for writing. Contact: slkumar@mycomedical.com
Heartfulness continued from page 44
Accepting myself and my situation has been one of the toughest roads I have ever embarked on but Heartfulness meditation was a major self-care tool which gave me so many realizations in my teen years.
When we think of meditation, the first thing that comes to mind is peace. But, this tool does much more than what it appears to be. Personally, it provides me with a major shift in perception which is what makes or breaks our lives. We receive and have a plethora of perceptions on a daily basis but only the right ones will help us in our self-betterment. I use to repeatedly say, “Why me?” But now I say “Why not me” and that’s when my life truly started blooming
In addition, Heartfulness made me realize the importance of self-change. For the longest of time, I have been angry with the people around me but true bliss can be attained only when we self-introspect and start working on ourselves.
Life is a collection of ups and downs. And during those moments of distress, we need such a self-care tool which will always be with us. I once hated God for the life he has given me but I now can’t imagine a life without Him. Heartfulness gave me such a transformative journey and it will surely do the same for you too!
Read more about Heartfulness on page 68. Hasitha Illa has been practicing Heartfulness for 10 years. Her Instagram ID is @lifewithhasi.
economy, CapEx will run approximately $9 trillion, roughly a third of GDP.
The rally from the October lows has been driven by technology. These names have driven the rally for a reason. They had superior earnings growth as the early beneficiary of AI. They were growing earnings north of 30%, while the rest of the market had declining earnings. As the CapEx boom widens to other parts of the economy, this gap will narrow. The rest of the market will have faster earnings growth by the fourth quarter. Many technology names will face a difficult setup. Decelerating growth with a high multiple.
This will make technology much more of a stock-pickers market. Names such as Adobe, Palo Alto Networks, ASML, Taiwan Semiconductor, Netflix, Snowflake, Meta, ServiceNow, Atlassian, IBM all reported strong earnings but saw significant declines in their stock. This will likely continue. Other parts of the market will have a very favorable setup, low valuation with accelerating growth, a catalyst for rotation, particularly to large cap cyclical value stocks.
The bond market failed to protect in the latest equity market drawdown. This has been the case post-pandemic. The TLT (long-bond ETF) is down nearly 50% since the pandemic. The bond market has often been the source of volatility in recent years. Many investors invest 40% of their portfolio in bonds as a hedge and for steady yield. While the yield earned is higher, bond investors have had to put up with more volatility and often price losses which negate the yield they are earning. For instance, TLT is down 10% YTD. It will take nearly 3-years to make that up in yield. The fundamentals for bonds remain challenged. The US funding needs are high, which will result in significant supply. Inflation remains above the Fed’s target. Foreign governments are diversifying Treasury holdings. The Fed remains on hold. In recent weeks, we have started to catch a glimpse of investors looking at other asset classes to hedge their portfolio. Bonds had their biggest monthly drop in allocation since July 2003.
The immediate beneficiary has been commodities, most notably, gold. Gold’s correlation to rates has broken down. Other commodities have also experienced significant rallies in recent weeks including copper, silver, cocoa, and oil. The reality is that hedging will not be as simple as it was during the 40-year bull market in bonds. Instead, it will require more thought and customization for your timeframe, pain tolerance, and what specifically you’re trying to hedge against.
The market will focus on earnings, economic data, and geopolitics in the incoming weeks.
Ketu Desai
is the principal of i-squared Wealth Management Inc. (www.isquaredwealth.com), an investment management firm based in New Jersey. ketu@isquaredwealth.com
pasteurization, was adopted in the U.S. prior to World War II, at a time when milk was responsible for 25% of all U.S. outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. In 1973, the federal government required that all milk sold across state lines in the U.S. had to be pasteurized, and in 1987, it banned interstate sales of raw milk.
Pasteurization heats every particle of a food to a specific temperature for a continuous length of time in order to kill the most heat-resistant pathogen associated with that product. Different organisms have different responses to heat, so controlled scientific studies are required to determine what length of time at a given temperature will kill a specific organism.
Since 1924, pasteurization in the U.S. has been guided by the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, a federal guidance document that is updated every two years to reflect current science and has been adopted by all 50 states. Pasteurization equipment in the U.S. must meet stringent requirements that include sanitary design, safety controls and material standards.
Dairy processors can choose among several different types of pasteurization. When executed properly, all of these methods produce the same result: pathogen-free milk. Processors may treat milk beyond minimum times or temperatures to provide an extra margin of safety, or to reduce bacteria that can cause milk to spoil, thus increasing the product’s shelf life.
Vat pasteurizers, also known as batch pasteurizers, often are used by smaller-scale processors who handle limited volumes. The milk is pumped into a temperature-controlled tank with a stirrer, heated to a minimum of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 Celsius) and held there continuously for 30 minutes. Then it is cooled and pumped out of the vat.
The most common method used for commercial milk is high-temperature short-time pasteurization, which can treat large volumes of milk. The milk is pumped through a series of thin plates at high speed to reach a minimum temperature of 161 F (71 C). Then it travels through a holding tube for 15 seconds, and the temperature is checked automatically for safety and cooled.
The most complex and expensive systems are ultrapasteurizers and ultra-high-temperature pasteurizers, which pasteurize milk in just a few seconds at temperatures above 285 F (140 C). This approach destroys many spoilage organisms, giving the milk a significantly longer shelf life than with other methods, although sometimes products made this way have more of a “cooked” flavor.
Ultra-high-temperature products are processed in a sterile environment and packaged in sterile packaging, such as lined cartons and pouches. They can be shelf-stable for up to a year before they are opened. Ultra-high-temperature packaging makes taking milk to school for lunch safe for kids every day.
Down Memory Lane continued from page 40
In my fourth-grade class, I used to have a math teacher who would hum “Ye Zindagi Usiki Hai” while we were working on our math problems. In those days, we had to memorize multiplication tables and recite them whenever he asked us. If you made a mistake, he would put a pencil between your fingers and squeeze. It was painful. This song brought back that memory and then another. Several years later, in a math class in the U.S., the professor was writing out a problem on the board. He was trying to multiply 16 times 8 and started working on the calculation. I suddenly shouted “128” in that quiet class of 30 students. The professor looked up. I didn’t know if he was impressed or annoyed, but I felt proud, and thought of my fourth-grade math teacher and thanked him. People who grew up in the Hyderabad state in the 1950s would know 12-tables and 16tables fluently; there was a good reason for that.
Another song “Zindagi Bhar” brought the memory of my high school classmate. He was a wonderful singer. We used to call him “Zindagi Bhar,” even though he would sing many other songs. I can still vividly recollect his face and his voice. Another song from the movie Dosti, titled “Mere Dosti Mere Pyar” reminded me of my college friend, who too was a wonderful singer. If there was Indian Idol in those days, I’m sure both of my friends would have been selected.
The song “Savan Ka Mahina” reminded me of its Telugu version of the movie Mooga Manasulu. This movie and Lava Kusha are the only movies I have ever seen three times in the movie theater. The song “Mere Manki Ganga” from the movie Sangam brought another wonderful memory. This movie was played in Dilshad Talkies in Hyderabad. This was a four-hour movie, with two intermissions. A good friend of mine from childhood took me to this movie, and we saw many others in Hyderabad in the 1960s and 1970s with many top songs played on the Geetmala program. After 60 years of friendship, we have drifted apart. I guess friendships come with an expiration date.
Another song “Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Me” reminds me of one of my cousins. She would sing this song very well. Now she sings lullabies to her grandchildren.
Wonderful songs, great writers, singers, music directors brought back all these memories. I can also recollect some of the actors’ faces like Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, and Shammi Kapoor. They were all different with their distinct mannerisms in their characters.
I cannot recognize any of the actresses, except Nutan, Meenakumari and Vyjaynthimala. All the others look alike to me. Maybe that is what happens when you are 76 (my wife does not mind!).
Putting it all together, all those songs brought back wonderful memories that I can use in my book. On the day I got the WhatsApp message and heard this program, I was kind of sick. I went to bed, but could not sleep, tossing and turning for about four or five hours. Those memories were going through my mind like a movie reel. If there was a probe to connect my brain to a computer, it could have become a 200-page book, possibly a New York Times bestseller.
Maybe when artificial intelligence becomes available to the common man like me, one can put down all their thoughts and publish several books.
My uncle, a retired botany professor, published several books of stories, his travels, and biographies in his retirement. He always says whatever thoughts are in your mind, just put them on paper. Another niece of mine, a prolific writer, says “Mammaya, you don’t have to have a sequence. Put your thoughts as they come. You can edit later.” So, my writer’s block (mountain) slowly moved away with the help of “Binaca Geetmala.”
Over the years, we studied history of kings, queens, presidents, and viceroys. How are they useful to us? Your own story is important for your grandchildren. Even 50 years from now, we are always called Indian Americans –never just American, never just Indian. Our future generations need to know the Indian part of their heritage.
So, friends of my league, listen to “Binaca Geetmala” and bring back all those memories. Put it on paper. Include a family tree with it. Every one of us who came to this country years and years ago has a story to tell. Tell the stories to your grandchildren.
Dr. Lakshman O. Rao. is retired from SC state government and lives in Columbia, SC. He is currently serving as a Secretary of the board of trustees of Sri Dasavathara Venkateswara Temple in Columbia. Conctact: lroddiraju@hotmail.com
Personal Finances continued from page 62
One thing is for sure, as much as we may dislike the thought, our physical capabilities will diminish; we just have to know which ones and what we can do about it. Early planning will help. I was working with a client and things were going well until we met in person for the first time. He did not want to continue with me because I was too old, and he was looking for someone younger than him so that his financial planner could take care of his family after he was gone. Great overall thinking but obviously did not work for me.
About 1/3 of adults older than 75 have children who are living more than 10 miles away; some of these adults have no relationship with children. Some have no living children. About 20% of such adults need help with medication daily. It is estimated that senior communities typically hire 2.5 people for each resident and each resident receives about 3.2 hours of care each day.
So, who is going to be in your entourage? Of course, you must decide that for yourself; everyone’s needs are different. The buckets that are already recognized are: healthcare, homecare, personal care, food, fitness, finance and estate planning, communication, and transportation. Get ready.
Mo Vidwans
is an independent, board certified financial planner. For details visit, VidwansFinancial.com, call 734-476-0579 or write to: mvfinancial@yahoo.com
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price for college education - especially private and out-ofstate can easily drain a household budget. Needless to say, it pays to understand the process of paying for your child’s higher education without sacrificing one’s retirement.
While selecting a college depends on academic, social and financial fit, the financial aspect weighs on the family long after the student has graduated from the program as we’re witnessing with the fixation on student loan forgiveness by the Biden administration.
So, what options do families have when determining financial fit for a college of their choice?
The process for applying for financial aid begins with the FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA application is submitted for each year of enrollment in a higher-education program at an accredited US university.
Typically, the application opens October 1st each year for the following school year, however under FAFSA simplification, the application was delayed until December 31, 2023 and was fully operational only in Mid-Feb 2024. That pushed back the ability of colleges to review aid eligibility and other admission criteria before extending college acceptance letters. Certain elite colleges also receive applications from CSS Profile (College Scholarship applications) to assess eligibility for non-federal aid.
The FAFSA formula (Cost of Attendance (COA) = Student Aid Index (SAI) + Demonstrated Need) has changed the way it looks at overall income and assets for a dependent student and their primary contributors, i.e. parents or those that financially support the student. Income and assets are assessed for the parent and students albeit at different rates to arrive at Demonstrated Need.
As such, Income Tax returns play a direct role in determining the Student Aid Index in the FAFSA simplification process. Under the new FAFSA process, the contributor’s (parents’) tax returns are directly retrieved, and formula uses T-2 tax year to determine financial aid eligibility where T starts for the year the student begins college. For example, a student starting college in Fall 2024, a 2022 tax return is used. Thus, Tax planning plays an important role in securing a higher aid package and lower out-of-pocket college expenses.
The calculation then generates a Student Aid Index (SAI) which prior to 2023 was known as the Effective Family contribution (EFC) after subtracting the Financial Aid package from Cost of Attendance. Cost of Attendance includes Tuition, Transport, Room and Board, Books, and other required on-campus fees. For those considering outof-state colleges, don’t overlook the cost of travel (airfare, rental car) on breaks and holidays.
Financial Aid package can break down into:
Merit Scholarships
Grants
Need based Scholarship (based on Federal Student Aid Estimator from FAFSA Application) Work Study Program Loans - Federal Direct Loans
Don’t be fooled by the Student Aid Index or the notion that college is being generous with their aid package. Scholarships and Grants do not have to be repaid. Loans do and they have to be repaid directly to the primary lenderthe Federal Government.
Federal Direct Loans can be subsidized or unsubsidized and are primarily issued to the borrower, i.e. your collegebound student. There’s no credit check when applying for these loans which isn’t the case with home loans or car-loans or other personal loans.
Yes, your 18-year-old may be starting college with debt on their hands, so this is not a light decision when making a college list. There’s a cap on how much a student can borrow each year, and it’s a maximum of $27K over 4 years, with the first-year capping at $5500 in 2023-2024. The interest rates are reset July 1st and effective until June 30th. These are fixed for the life of the loan.
In addition, parents are eligible to borrow - through Parent Plus Loans, for their student child. These loans are not capped and they can borrow up to the cost of attendance. Repayment options are limited for these loans and Parents may be dipping into retirement funds to pay back student loans. This is not a light decision either.
The one thing to keep in mind is for Parent Loans and Unsubsidized Loans is that interest starts accruing even while the student is in school. The interest rate on Parent PLUS loans is 1% higher than for their student child. Payment plan/forgiveness options are limited for Parent PLUS loans.
As a student loan professional, while advising families ridden with student loans, I’ve seen parents who’re retired and on social security but still paying off the loans they took for their children.
The Federal Loans can’t be passed on to the child unless parents leave the federal loan system and refinance with a private lender. Only death or total or permanent disability can lead to discharge of these loans.
Private loans are also available but with more restrictive terms and credit checks where a co-signer may be required alongside the student. Private Loans also have fewer forgiveness and payment options and are less likely to be forgiven in bankruptcy or disability.
In summary, with skyrocketing college costs, student loans may most likely have a place in your child’s education, and that may not necessarily be a bad thing. Parents have their retirement to worry about., while students who borrow for their own education will have skin in the game and motivated to graduate on time, hopefully, with a job offer in hand. Part of graduating in life and being accountable for their own career prospects - perhaps?
Rupa Pereira
is the owner of FWJ Planning, an advice-only RIA, regulated in NC. As an EA, she specializes in tax matters. As CSLP, she advises on student loans and as AIF, she serves as a fiduciary in investment planning. Contact: info@fwjplanning.com.
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As with all immigration benefits, the burden of proof lies with the applicant providing substantial evidence demonstrating their extraordinary ability. This may include awards, publications, media coverage, letters of recommendation from experts in the field, and evidence of significant contributions to the field.
The process is particularly attractive to Indian nationals, who have to wait over a decade for green card eligibility through more traditional EB-2 and EB-3 processes. However, applicants should be cognizant of the high evidentiary bar required of EB-1A filings – simply having a master’s degree or years of work experience is often not sufficient when seeking this high merit option.
The EB-1A visa offers a unique opportunity for individuals with extraordinary abilities to obtain permanent residency in the United States.
By meeting the stringent criteria outlined by USCIS and providing compelling documentation, eligible applicants can navigate the immigration process successfully.
Remember, pursuing the EB1A option requires honesty and a slight amount of wariness – an unscrupulous practitioner will gladly recommend the EB-1A option to Indian professionals knowing that the lure of faster green card process is motivating the applicant’s decision-making and not their credentials.
While calculated risks can certainly play a role in determining each immigration strategy, applicants hire counsel to provide an unvarnished and candid assessment of their eligibility for the EB-1A visa; the speed of getting to a green card should be one of a number of factors of determining whether such a pathway is prudent – it should not be the overriding factor.
Therefore, while the promise of shortened processing times can be enticing, applicants should be honest with themselves in pursuing the EB-1A route. “It’s not what we say, it’s what we can prove” is a common maxim used throughout the offices of immigration attorneys nationwide, so saying that an applicant is extraordinary versus proving it are different challenges.
Guidance from experienced counsel and a genuine collaboration in assessing an individual’s credentials should provide any applicant with a clear understanding of whether the EB-1A pathway is a route to pursue.
Rishi P. Ozais Partner at Brown Immigration Law, a firm that focuses solely on immigration law; he practices in Durham. roza@rbrownllc.com
Adult Dance Student continued from page 70
Pambatti Siddhar, one of eighteen Siddhars, was a wellknown snake catcher when he was young. He would make medicines from the snake venom and sell them. For those who love to learn about science and medicine, these days, anti-venom is made from the venom taken from the snake, which is then injected into a horse. The horse creates antibodies from the anti-venom and then the blood from the horse is extracted and purified and then dried to a powder. This is then shipped to hospital pharmacies and used if patients need it from a snake bite. What may seem even more ironic, is that even the venom of the snake can have medicinal benefits. In small doses, it can be used in helping to prevent blood clots, which can cause strokes and heart attacks.
Pambatti Sidhdar was feeling ambitious and wanted to search for the valuable snake gem. This gem is produced when the snake venom hardens over time due to the snake not using all of its venom, and then deposits this either in the head or tail of the snake. The process for collecting this seems gruesome, in that the snake would have to be caught and the stone would have to be cut out of the snake. On his search, Pambatti encountered a sage named Sattaimuni Siddhar. When inquired, Pambatti told Saithamui that he was searching for this valuable gem from the snake. What Saittaimuni told him in return changed the direction of the life of Pambatti. Saittaimuni said that there was no external valuable snake he needed to look for, but the valuable snake was within himself.
In Indian philosophies and healthcare philosophies, the body is composed of centers of energy known as “chakras” or “wheels.” When these are “blocked”, these can manifest as different health problems. The base chakra is known as the muladhara chakra or root chakra. The location of this is thought to be at the base of the spine. The “root” of this chakra is identified with our primary identity and the question of “Who am I?” The muladhara chakra is envisioned as the cobra. The color identified with this chakra is red, and the mantra used for this chakra is “lam.” The sage Saittamuni, understanding this system deeply, told Pambatti that the person who is able to control the inner snake and thus open the different chakras in their body to the crown chakra, is the one who is truly fortunate. Pambatti, upon hearing this, is enlightened and so tells the wise Siddhar his name is Pambatti, which is suitable for himself as the Snake in him is dancing.
In Bharatanatyam, I have been to performances where the snake dance is performed. The music lyrics are from the poetry of Pambatti Siddhar. The language of the poem is Tamil. The raga that the music is usually set to is the Punnagavarli Raga and is associated with compassion and interestingly as well with snake charmers playing in this scale.
The snake dance is one of my favorite dances to watch as it shows the technical expertise of the dancer as well as the expression and flexibility of the dancer who transforms into the Snake before the audience.
Adult Dance Student continued on page 98
Adult Dance Student
continued from page 96
The Snake starts dancing. It is sinuous and its forms is wavy and curly. The Snake resides on the Locks of Lord Shiva. (Nadar Mudi Mel Irrukum). Within the snake, it carries a bag of poison/venom. (Naccup-paiyai Vaittirukkukum). It is graceful and winding as it twists and revolves. The snake comes out from the ground where it lives within the underworlds. It turns in the shape of a circle and is Curvy. (Mandala-Mittudal valai vanap-pambe). It is awe inspiring and invokes fear. When it gets angry it hisses. The sight of the Snake can make an army of men shake with fright. (Kanda Padai nadungidak-katsiym petrai). Though there may be fear, it beseeches to not hurt it, or there will be consequences. The Snake is to be revered. It the adornment of Lord Shiva.
As the Snake remains dancing, those who are blessed through enlightenment, can become transformed from a Moorka, to a Siddha in society by understanding the Snake. Those Siddhas will advocate for the Snake and the balance of nature.
Dance Oh Snake. Continue to play in your Dance. This is your nature. Ada Pambay. Villaiyadu Pambay.
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
College Admissions
continued from page 86
estimated fees, tuition, and other associated costs, whereas similarly ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill costs just $27,036 for in-state students and $60,040 for outof-state students.
It likely goes without saying, but each Ivy League school will have its own individual strengths and weaknesses. While many Ivy Leagues have small class sizes, some of the big Ivy Leagues, like Cornell, might have a higher proportion of classes taught by Teaching Assistants (TAs).
Additionally, major selections will vary from school to school. According to U.S. News & World Report, the business program at UPenn is ranked number one, with only Cornell University breaking into the top ten. Other non-Ivy League schools in the top ten included Indiana University-Bloomington, UT Austin, and University of Michigan.
Students and their families should consider the major selection, individual opportunities, and academic opportunities at each Ivy League before they decide if an Ivy League is right for them.
Brandie Erickson
For more details, contact Brandie@moonprep.com
News Notes continued from page 66
“The CITA grant provides increased capacity-building and additional citizenship instruction resources for organizations that otherwise may not qualify for a grant,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Through this program, we can help build organizations’ capacity to help immigrants improve their English language skills, increase their knowledge of U.S. history and government, and gain the tools to become successful and responsible United States citizens.”
Through the CITA grant, USCIS continues to fulfill President Biden’s charge in Executive Order 14012 (Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans) to “eliminate barriers in the naturalization process” and “make it more accessible to all eligible individuals.” USCIS also continues to pursue its goals under the Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization to address the needs of remote, isolated, and/or vulnerable populations by equipping more organizations to serve these communities.
USCIS expects to award up to seven organizations with a grant up to $400,000 for a period of three years. The recipients will be announced in September 2024, and the three-year performance period for this funding opportunity will begin Oct. 1, 2024, and end Sept. 30, 2027.
To apply for this funding opportunity, USCIS encourages applicants to obtain registration information needed to complete the application process at grants.gov/register.
For additional information on the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, visit uscis.gov/grants or email the USCIS Office of Citizenship at citizenshipgrantprogram@uscis.dhs.gov.
Pasteurization continued from page 90
Avian flu in milk
The detection of avian flu virus fragments in milk is a new challenge for the dairy industry. Scientists do not have a full picture of the risks to humans but are learning.
Research so far has shown that virus particles end up in the milk of infected cows, but that pasteurization will inactivate the virus. However, the FDA is advising consumers not to drink raw milk because there is limited information about whether it may transmit avian flu.
The agency also is urging producers not to manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk products, including cheese, made with milk from cows showing symptoms of illness.
It’s never a good time to get a foodborne illness, and this is the beginning of ice cream season. At a time when avian flu is showing up in new species and scientists are still learning about how it is transmitted, I agree with the FDA that raw milk poses risks not worth taking.
Article courtesy of Theconversation.com
Kerry E. Kaylegian is Associate Research Professor of Food Science, Penn State
Solve these brain teasers - Solutions on Page 110
(solution on page 104)
Fill in blanks of these clues, then take the first letter of each word and unscramble them to find this month’s Key Word.
Kamala ___, US Vice president ___, west, north, south ___, subtraction, multiplication, division. ___ and Jerry, cat and mouse cartoon characters. ___ of the Lost Ark, Harrison Ford movie.
You need postage ___ to mail a letter. ___ Gump, popular Tom Hanks movie.
Answers on page 104
We are adding new puzzles and cartoons to these pages over the next few issues. We welcome comments and suggestions. Send your thoughts to Samir@Saathee.com
Jun. 5 - World Environment Day
Jun. 6 - Darsh Amas (No Moon)
Jun. 6 - Savitri Puja
Jun. 9 - International Children’s Day
Jun. 12 - Loving Day
Jun. 13 - Shavuot
Jun. 14 - Flag Day
Jun. 16 - Father’s Day
Jun. 16 - Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib
Jun. 17 - Bakrid / Eid al-Adha
Jun. 19 - Emancipation Day
Jun. 20 - Litha / Summer Solstice
Jun. 20 - World Refugee Day
Jun. 21 - International Yoga Day
Jun. 21 - Jyestha Purnima (Full Moon)
Jun. 22 - Kabir Jayanti
Word Search Answers from page
(March 21 – April 20)
If you can control your expenses and maintain good health, things should remain positive. Avoid legal disputes and curb your expenses. A rise in income and savings are both clearly indicated. Long distance travel should prove very fruitful. Quick decisions and exposure to a select group of people could help in making new business friends.
(April 21 – May 20)
Love is in the air, so be sure to have fun with it but also be prepared for commitment. Try to avoid confusion and work to boost your self-confidence. As that confidence grows, so will your income due to a spruce of good luck. This is a good time to spend for the future. Don’t forget to ask for advice from a more experienced person, just before making a firm decision.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Hard work as part of a team will reward you with multiple benefits and potential. Both long and short-distance journeys are possible this month. A wrong decision in the third week of the month could damage your reputation. Control the pace of your activities during the last week and wait until the middle of next month.
(June 21 – July 22)
Avoid potential new ventures during the middle of the month. You will be of amiable disposition to avoid friction. You may be inclined towards religious and social activities. You could also develop a taste for high philosophy or literature. Your trade or business will survive due to prompt action. A pleasant journey is also possible.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Unexpected responsibilities could consume you this month. Maintain cordial relations with family, else you may shatter any and all comradery with them. Opportunities could come your way, but you may not be able to utilize them. Financial losses are also possible, if involved in a business partnership. A serious legal problem could financially hurt you.
(August 23 – September 21)
After a very positive start, the middle of the month may create a vacuum with negative results. Unexpected expenses will badly affect your budget. Don’t offer any sort of charity as business partners will take advantage of your good heart. However, this is a favorable time to invest in real estate. Some minor health relief could be there. Avoid disputes with your partner at any cost.
(September 22 – October 20)
This month your confidence will be par excellence as your fearless attitude seeks out struggle and strife. With the help of your polished language skills, business and trade prospects should produce positive outcomes. However, beware of your superiors. An unexpected business-related journey could prove very fruitful. You will be able to overcome competition and prevail over any and all opponents.
(October 21 – November 20)
Everything should fall into place this month. Family happiness will be there. An unexpected gain of income and status are also possible. You should come in contact with higher officials and authorities. You may be inclined towards religion and to visit sacred places. A balanced state of mind is indicated, and overall happiness will be there.
(November 21 – December 21)
This will be a very comfortable and relaxing month as a pleasant environment sprouts all around you. You could also be favorably inclined towards someone of another gender. If you put a little more effort and hard work, you can increase your income above expectations. You could even throw a big party to enjoy a bit of music and poetry. Practice meditation during the middle of the month.
(December 22 – January 21)
Avoid any sort of impulsiveness and over decisions this month, particularly with potential addictions. Maintain good relations with associates and friends, as you could need their help to solve your problems. A stubborn attitude may help in making the right choice. This is a good time for travel and visiting friends and family.
(January 22 – February 18)
Due to your impeccable capabilities, you should see excellent results in your business and/or trade. If you involve highly educated associates in this project, the results will be even better. You will make strenuous efforts to satisfy your aspirations, and that aggression could pay dividends. Some kind of family-related problem will need attention this month as well, however. The state of your health will be satisfactory.
(February 19 – March 20)
You shouldn’t be upset, but an overcast of guilt will linger in your mind. Income, job, and health should all be in order, but general happiness won’t be there. Try to be noble and help those in need to feel satisfied. A long distance journey during the third week of the month could prove rewarding. Keep working hard.
C-Stores for Sale
C-Store Distributor: Charlotte, $59,900, Annual Sales $813,000. Contact: County South: 704-440-4433 or Countysouth.biz.
Dry Cleaners for Sale
Prime Locations in Charlotte. One Plant and One Drop off. Nice equipment & plenty of space to grow. Call Alka 704-942-7965.
Saathee Classified ads: Sell your business, or property. Find the perfect job, hire the perfect employee. Get great adversting results with Saathee Call 704527-7570 or email saathee@saathee.com.
Cashier Wanted for Convenience Store near Kannapolis, NC. Very attractive salary! Accommodations provided. Text or Call 704-701-9482.
Immediate Live-in / Live-out Nanny needed to take care of 6 year-old along with cooking & light housework in South Charlotte/Fort Mill area. Please call 704460-0108.
Gas Station Seeking Help in Rock Hill, SC. Single or couple. Good pay for an experienced person! No accommodations. Call 803-659-3330.
Seeking Live-in Single/Couple with good communication skills to manage 64-room branded hotel near Florence, SC. Prior hotel experience preferred. Competitive pay and 3BD/2BR apartment provided. Contact 865-566-1559.
Now Hiring Housekeeping & Laundry Couple for Motel in Greenville / Simpsonville, SC. Accommodations provided. Call or text 828-386-5184.
Looking for Passionate Salesperson for Men’s Clothing Store in Spartanburg, SC. Must be fluent in English. Call David at 704-267-6272.
Customer Service Associate Wanted
Looking for responsible, full-time candidate for Postal Annex franchise store in Concord, NC. Duties include shipping, printing & more. Fluent English a must. Submit your Resume to pa18019@postalannex.com or text 647822-2536. www.postalannex.com.
Manager / Front Desk needed for Franchise Hotel in Rock Hill, SC. Accommodations Provided. Call 803-517-4662.
Hotel Help Wanted
Front Desk / Manager, Night Auditor & Housekeeper (Single/Couple) for franchise hotels in Charlotte (Airport Area) & Winston-Salem (Near Hanes Mall). Accommodations provided. Call 704-626-4849 between 4-8pm.
Elderly Help Needed
for 72 year-old paralyzed male in Apex, NC. Experienced couple preferred, livein or full-time. Must be Legal. Pay negotiable. Call Dina 919-924-8658.
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 the competition. Contact 704-649-6833 or abcone@abcinns.com.
Manager Wanted (single or couple) for 30-room Motel in Dobson, NC. Good computer skills & fluent English preferred. Living accommodations provided. Call 336-244-4199.
Help Needed
at Perfume Stores in Charlotte & Pineville. For details, please call Veer Singh at 415-265-8686.
Seeking Help
with vegetarian Gujarati cooking 1-2 times/week for elderly couple in Concord, NC. Must have own transportation. Call/text 248-515-2732.
Front Desk & Laundry Help needed for Franchise Hotel in Concord, NC. Accommodations provided. Call 704772-5554.
Hotel Help Wanted: Looking for Manager & Front Desk for properties in Charlotte, NC. Contact Nita Shah at 704-502-2630 or gm.nita.shah@gmail.com
Looking for Live-in Gujarati speaking Caregiver for elderly mother in Charlotte, NC (near Concord Mills Mall). Duties involve cooking for 2 people and light household work. Female preferred. Please contact Manoj 704-222-8998.
Front Desk Manager & Housekeeping Couple Wanted for franchise hotel in Columbia, SC. Accommodations provided. Fluent English required. Text / call 704-701-9975.
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.
Hiring Eyebrow Threader & Esthetician in Kannapolis, NC. Please text 704-4502900 with your information.
Looking for Live-in Caregiver in Richmond, VA. Duties involve helping an elderly woman who as Alzheimer's with daily task and activities and light household work. Female preferred. Please contact 980-348-2798.
Sales & Marketing Person Wanted with college degree in related field for manufacturing company. Must be fluent in communication , familiar with MS office & computers, possess great personality & be able to work in team environment. Willing to sponsor if candidate is suitable to requirements. Contact Raj 336-558-3410 or rajm@amerifabintl.com.
Gas Station / C-store Help Needed at stores near Huntersville & Northlake areas. Must speak English. Family friendly oriented people. Call 704-402-4661.
Furniture from India for Sale. Must sell now. Call or text for details: 336-207-0678.
Sell Your Property Fast!
Place a classified ad here and on Saathee.com for $25. visit: saathee.com/classifieds or email saathee@saathee.com or call and ask for Jennifer: 704-527-7570.
Townhome for Rent:
3 bedroom, 3 bath with washer/dryer in Monroe, NC near 485 towards Charlotte uptown. Call 248-766-2216.
Home for Sale
in active adult community (55 and older). Sunroom, deck, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths in Indian Land, SC (minutes from Charlotte). Community offers swimming pool, tennis, pickle ball, shuffleboard & many community activities. New asking price: $690,000. Call Rhonda for details: 980-226-7665.
Seeking Bride
US citizen, Hindu, business graduate, 33 currently working in Raleigh, NC looking for educated bride. Contact 336683-7631 or cstore1947@yahoo.com.
Well-educated MD Internist / Hospitalist (Non-Interventional Cardio Fellowship) Man. 35 year-old, never married, wellsettled, and good-looking. Vegetarian, Spiritual, Gujarati, only child, US Citizen. Looking for Girl, preferably Medical professional but will accept any higher education. Text Shailesh with details 260-602-3354.
Affordable Wedding Photography
20 years of experience in Indian wedding photography. Specializing in film & digital photos. Engagement, Wedding, and Receptions. Contact Vivek: email: vivekweddingmemories@gmail.com or call 347-321-4746.
Neeta's Beauty Parlor
Open 7 days a week. Full service. Located near the Hindu Center of Charlotte. Call 704-968-0270 for an appointment.
Vedic & KP Astrologer, Tarot Card Reader and Pranic Healer in Charlotte. We do Horoscope Analysis, Birth Chart analysis, Match Making. Having problems with your Health, Relationship, Finance or Career? We can guide you with the help of Astrology. 20+ years of experience. Contact 704-6662482 or astrologer.luv.patel@gmail.com.
Priest:
Ganesh, Shiv, Lakshmi, Randal, Paduka Pujans; Wedding, Baby Shower, Housewarming, Satyanaryan Katha, Mundan & Yagnopavit; Funeral, Navchandi, Tarpan, Havans, etc. Online puja also available. Call Rajendra Bhatt 732-841-7832.
Travel Passion
International & Domestic Air tickets. We process India Visa, OCI, Indian Passport Renewal, Hotel bookings & Tour packages. Call 509-550-9076 or 509-550-9034 or Email: travelpassion24@gmail.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.
Financial Professional:
Plan for tax-free retirement. Protect your wealth from taxes, inflation, market risks, and the unexpected. Build a lasting legacy. Call Vijay Machiraju at 984-664-1864 for a free 1hour discovery call.
Pari Beauty in Matthews
Threading, Waxing, Facials, Massage for newborn and mom & other services. 35 years of experience. Special Deals & Great Service. Call: 704-846-7912.
Tabla Lessons
for all age groups. In person or online from professional tabla player, Ryan Shah. Call 803-348-7294.
Gujarati Priest
Devendra Dave Independent priest. Ganesh, Randal, Navratri, Diwali's Laxmi & Sharda Pujas, Satyanarayan Katha, Weddings, Vastu, Baby Shower, Funeral Seva. Call Daveji 704-780-3563. God Blessings to All.
Submit a
visit: saathee.com/classifieds email: saathee@saathee.com call 704-527-7570 or
Raajeev continued from page 58
the announcer completely mangling its pronunciation… usually by adding a few extra syllables, then giving up and just calling it “the secret Indian stuff.”
Unlike turmeric, Ashwagandha has not become mainstream in the US yet. Even though no company or entity has a patent on turmeric or Ashwagandha, American companies profit more from their sale. It is comforting to see India at least getting some benefits out of its inventions. They are still waiting for some residuals from that whole “Kama Sutra” thing.
Overall, we have not done a very good job in monetizing our inventions. Our ancestors came up with all the postures of Yoga. Our ancestors knew how to bend their ankles and arms. With Yoga, we helped improve the health of millions of people. But we made no money on it.
We could have, but we wrapped our legs around our necks, and our wallet was in our back pocket... which would be completely out of reach.
On the other hand, Americans have a great job in profiting from our inventions. While we were focused on perfecting the postures, Americans looked at yoga and asked, what’s missing? Yoga pants. They came up with $100 Lulu Lemon mats. They turned yoga into a billion-dollar industry. They put yoga on Vogue’s cover. Indians’ perspective was, look what amazing things we can do. Americans’ perspective was, pay me $5 for a magazine to see what the hot models can do … which, to be fair, is also the American perspective for hamburgers, politics, and basically everything.
Like yoga, we invented the game of chess. The game originated in ancient India as Chaturanga before spreading to other parts of the world. It is one of the oldest and most popular board games in existence. It is played and enjoyed by millions of people worldwide; mostly by nerds who don’t like sports — but it still counts!
Yoga, like chess, has something else in common. Zero. India made zero dollars on yoga or chess, two of its biggest inventions. Heck, India made zero dollars on Zero itself which was invented by Indian mathematicians like Brahmagupta and Aryabhata around the 5th to 7th centuries AD.
We came up with Kama Sutra. We literally created a guide to sexual positions. You know what Americans call it? Porn. They took the concept to a whole new level and made billions out of porn industry. And you know what we did? Nothing. We made no money. We were still not satisfied so we went one step further. We banned it everywhere and wiped the evidence out of history.
India is now poised to be ranked third largest economy by 2027 after the US and China. US firms have 1.5 million staff in India, more than any other foreign country in the world. As India’s economic clout continues to grow, I am confident that its contribution to the world over the millenniums in science, arts, medicine, and other fields will get the recognition it has long deserved … and once it does, that’s when India will let the world see the uncensored version of the Kama Sutra with all the good stuff!
Raajeev Aggerwhil is a Los Angeles-based comedian. Follow him on Instagram @raajeevcomedy or on his YouTube channel at youtube.com/c/raajeevcomedy
Index for Charlotte, South Carolina & Atlanta Region
A2Z Cash & Carry Wholesale..............................49
Aishwarya Majumdar (Live in Charlotte).............10
AmeriFab International.....................................30
Anand, Versha (Real Estate) ...............................83
Apex Financial (Investment Hub)........................45
Bala Sure (Broker / Realtor, NC & SC)................91
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Charlotte).....16
Bashyam Global LLP - Immigration Law Group..38
Bhindi Jewelers .................................................2
Blooming Buds.................................................51
Blooming Smiles Pediatric Dentistry...................88
Blumenthal Performing Arts (Events)..................99
Brahma Kumaris...............................................13
Brijal Shah (Keller Williams - Real Estate)...........73
British International School of Charlotte..............9
Brown Immigration Law (Rishi Oza, Partner)....113
Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center.......................85
Carolina Law Group .........................................82
Carolina Medical Associates................................59
Carolina Medical Partners..................................67
Carolinas Pediatrics (Uma Periyanayagam, MD, FAAP).87
CaroMont Medical Group (Bankim Patel MD)....81
Charlotte Chess Center ......................................25
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat .......................32
Chess Klub (Klub Ventures)................................31
Chiro-Carolina .............................................83
CliqStudios (Custom Cabinets).............................4
Concha, David (Immigration Attorney)...............85
Concord Children's Clinic .................................73
Copper Restaurant (Charlotte)...........................65
Countywide Commercial (Pavement Solutions)...111
Dada Bhagwan Foundation.................................5
Desai & Mehta CPAs PLLC ...............................93
DJ Lalit (Lalit Hemnani)...................................41
Dosa n' More (Fort Mill, SC)..............................69
Eesha Realty, LLC.............................................43
Experior Financial Services (Bhavesh Patel).......101
Four Points by Sheraton (Myrtle Beach)..............42
Geological Resources, Inc...................................39
Global Mall / Legacy Jewels .............................115
H2 Laser & Skin................................................89
Health Markets (Medicare, Health, Life, Supplemental)..55
Hindu Center of Charlotte (Events)................76-79
Hitch Hiker's Guide to College............................73
Hitesh Rathod (Real Estate)...............................85
Home Decorators Of America (Atlanta).............114
HX Imports (Smoke Shops, C-Store, Vape Shops).37
Insurance - Tushar Barot, Supreme Insurance Serv.45
Insurance Shopping (Sonal Patel - IndependentAgent).53
JVC Realty (Balaji Tatineni Realtor / Broker).......33
Kamini Wood - Human Potential Coach..............17
Kaur, Karamjit (New York Life Insurance)...........26
KB Zaveree (Atlanta).........................................21
Khanna & Sons Jewelers.....................................15
Kumar Sanu Live in Raleigh.................................3
Lead Designs LLC.............................................30
Life Mission USA (Summer Youth Camp)..............6
Maadhurya Photography...................................47
Maharani Indian Cuisine (Charlotte)...................75
Makeup Artist (Mithi Arts).................................17
Malak Jewelers..................................................35
Malani Jewelers...............................................116
Malaya Kitchen.................................................81
Malleswar Varikuti Realtor (Realty One Group)...89
Mango Chaska....................................................7
Mathur, Gitanjali (Allen Tate Realtors)................59
Maxim Tours.....................................................39
Meenakshi Creations LLC..................................81
Meghana (The Vedic Power Astrologer)..............107
Mehta & McConnell, PLLC (Injury Lawyers).......97
Mint MedSpa & Laser Studio..............................67
Must Media (Printing & Mailing Specialists)........84
Neeta's Beauty Parlor........................................89
North American Bancard ..................................11
NRS PAY Credit Card Processing........................19
NSD Tax & Accounting Services..........................51
Om Tours & Travel..............................................41
One 2 Entertainment........................................105
Patel & Samatova, Law......................................53
Patel, Mrugesh (Law Offices)............................111
Patel, Tony (Real Estate).....................................93
Pathak, Atul (Real Estate)..................................51
Persis Indian Grill (Fort Mill, SC).......................69
Pramukh Mandapam.........................................49
Queen City Smiles (Dr. Kanupriya Tewari)...........75
Ram Mortgage (Mayank Patel)...........................47
Ruby Realty LLC (Neil Pathak)..........................29
Ryan Shah (Tabla Lessons)..................................22
Saffron Restaurant and Catering.........................87
Shah & Associates, CPA, PLLC...........................47
Shah & Trivedi CPA, PLLC.................................41
Shah, Anish (Real Estate)..............................60-61
Sheraton Chapel Hill (ATMA Hotel Group).........52
Sona Realty (Venkat Suryadevara).......................48
Sri DasavatharaVenkateswara SwamyTemple (Columbia)27 Technone LLC (Securtiy Systems)......................105
The Blue Taj......................................................65
Travel Passion...................................................47
Union Family Eye Associates (Dr. Keshav Bhat)....89
Uniworld Travel.................................................45
VAS Realty LLC (Ashwani Dalal).....................105
Vema Mortgage LLC (Chirag Rachhadia)....22 & 87
Venu Parepalli (Insurance & Real Estate) ...........71
Vimal Realty (Vimal Patel - Realtor)..................63
Windsor Run (Erickson Senior Living)................23
Worldwide Travels..............................................53
Yoga Six (Asha Rajagopal - Owner).....................17
Index for Raleigh (Triangle), Greensboro (Triad) & Virginia
A2Z Cash & Carry Wholesale..............................49
Aishwarya Majumdar (Live in Charlotte).............10
Allstate (Krish Parlikad)....................................23
AmeriFab International.....................................30
Apex Financial (Investment Hub)........................45
Apna Bazar (Morrisville)....................................32
Apna RTP Realty (Ananth Chivukula)................29
Aura Skin & Laser (Dipan Patel).........................59
Bala Sure (Broker / Realtor, NC & SC)................91
Bashyam Global LLP - Immigration Law Group..38
Bharath Bazar and Café (Cary)...........................71
Bhat & Associates (General Dentistry)..................61
Bhindi Jewelers .................................................2
Blooming Buds.................................................51
Blumenthal Performing Arts (Events)..................99
Bombay Central (Grocery & Take Out Food)........67
Brown Immigration Law (Rishi Oza, Partner)....113
Cary Internal Medicine & Diabetes Center, PA......79
Cary Medical Clinic...........................................27
Chandni's Beauty Salon .....................................33
CliqStudios (Custom Cabinets).............................4
Corner Stone Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.....69
Countywide Commercial (Pavement Solutions)...111
Crescent Dental (Dr. Kavita Ghai).......................59
Dada Bhagwan Foundation.................................5
Darji, Iyer, Joshi & Patel (Accounting & Tax Services)..29
Desai & Mehta CPAs PLLC ...............................93
DJ Lalit (Lalit Hemnani)...................................41
Eesha Realty, LLC.............................................43
Experior Financial Services (Bhavesh Patel).......101
Four Points by Sheraton (Myrtle Beach)..............42
Geological Resources, Inc...................................39
Global Bazaar (Dhaba & Grocery)......................13
Global Mall / Legacy Jewels .............................115
Health Markets (Medicare, Health, Life, Supplemental)..55
Home Decorators Of America (Atlanta).............114
HSNC ...............................................................9
HX Imports (Smoke Shops, C-Store, Vape Shops).37
Inchin's Bamboo Garden....................................17
Insurance - Tushar Barot, Supreme Insurance Serv.45
Insurance Shopping (Sonal Patel - IndependentAgent).53
International Community Church.......................61
International Community Church (Bible School)..60
Kamini Wood - Human Potential Coach..............17 KB Zaveree (Atlanta).........................................21
CPA.........................................................69 Khanna & Sons Jewelers.....................................15 Kumar Sanu Live in Raleigh.................................3
PreJuve Medspa & Wellness (Neelu Agarwal MD)..27
Prism Lending (Madan Khatri)..........................81
PSR CPA PLLC................................................65
Rajeev Devgon, CPA .........................................31
Ram Mortgage (Mayank Patel)...........................47
RB Realty Group (Ravi Bheemarao)....................77
Real Triangle Properties (Joe Mathews)................79
Rupa's Spa & Threading.....................................85
Ryan Shah (Tabla Lessons)..................................22
Satyam Primary Care (Amit Sharma, MD)..........81
Shah & Associates, CPA, PLLC...........................47
Shah & Trivedi CPA, PLLC.................................41
Sheraton Chapel Hill (ATMA Hotel Group).........52
Singh, Manny (Real Estate)................................33
Smile Forever Family Dentistry (Dr. Narender Dudee)85
Sona Realty (Venkat Suryadevara).......................48
Spectrum Family Medicine (Sujatha Sajeevan, MD)...29
Spices Hut ........................................................75
Stylish Me.........................................................25
Sur Sumiran School of Music.............................23
Taaza Fresh Indian Bistro...................................25
Technone LLC (Securtiy Systems)......................105
Travel Passion...................................................47
Tutoring (Nirmala Koripella - A+ Tutoring)........76
Uniworld Travel.................................................45
VAS Realty LLC (Ashwani Dalal).....................105
Vema Mortgage LLC (Vipul Hapani).............23/73
Vimal Realty (Vimal Patel - Realtor)..................63
Wake Spine & Pain............................................73
West Cary Medicine (Dr. Kareem M.D.)...............73
Worldwide Travels..............................................53
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