Saathee Charlotte March 2024

Hello Readers

Find all the springtime events happening in our area in the Events Calendar beginning on page 18.

Trees Can Make Farms More Sustainable. Read the interesting article on page 28 about how trees can nourish the health of the soil, regulate micro-climate and more.

Kuchipudi is a classical Indian dance style bringing divine stories to life. Read about it in the Dances of India column on page 40.

Learn what Intermittent Fasting is all about and how healthy the trend is in our Nutrition for Life column on page 54.

We have a new puzzle section called “Tune Your Brain.” Find it on page 98. Looking for a life partner, a job, or a new business? Check our classifieds section beginning on page 108.

We are thankful to you for being an avid Saathee reader. We ask that you 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. Stay warm.

Don’t forget to visit our website, Saathee.com for the latest in movies, events, classifieds and more. We welcome conversations.

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

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”

- Margaret Atwood

Cover: Koilighugar Waterfall, Odisha

The waterfall is located in Lakhanpur, in the state of Odisha. The waterfall is in a rivulet named Ahiraj which originates from the Chhuikhanch forest. After the waterfall, the rivulet flows westwards to merge into the Mahanadi river.

Photo: Adobe Stock

March

Contributors for this issue: Kirit Shukla, Raajeev Aggerwhil, Dipika Kohli, Taige Shukla, Shyama Parui, Rishi P Oza, Mo Vidwans, Parul Kharod Dr. Maha Gingrich, Ketu Desai, Balaji Prasad, and Jalendu Vaidya.

Mission:

Saathee

(USPS 021-116) (ISSN: 1543-8147) is published monthly by:

Shukla Entertainment Inc.

612 Heather Ln., Charlotte, NC 28209

Periodicals postage paid at Charlotte, NC and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Saathee, P.O. Box 11468, Charlotte, NC 28220-1468

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

In This Issue

Dances

Namaskar

Eye

Kismuth

Page 36 Film Clips: Shaitaan Starring Ajay Devgn and R. Madhavan Opens in

Page

Page

The Editor’s Desk

by Samir Shukla

Good Bones

The summer between the final year of high school and beginning of college flashed by like a speeding 1972 Chevy Nova. A couple of days after I moved into the dorm to embark on college life, in the fall of 1981, music was flowing out of the open door in a room down the hallway.

There was also the pungent aroma of weed flowing into the common area, though most of it wafted out the open windows in that room.

A Bob Marley record was spinning on an old turntable. The sinewy guitars, the warm bass, the unmistakable reggae beat, and Marley’s powerful words hooked me. I had heard his music before, but in this setting, in this new world, a fresh college kid’s musical education and expansion launched further into the stratosphere.

Our house was always filled with music. Dad has played and taught music since very early in his life. Mom was a choreographer for Indian dances. Music lived in our house as much as we lived there.

In high school, music was the all-purpose ointment for awkward teen dilemmas, anxieties, and tribulations. Landing in college further unfurled the restrictions of underage youth and music was the foundation that girded this growth. It was, and still is, always there, lurking in the background and often with full on sound.

High school was largely rock ‘n’ roll, as that was mostly what I gravitated to, and what the radio stations played became the soundtrack to those years. Songs that are decades old remain good songs because they have good bones. A beloved song becomes one because it has good bones, the structure for longevity.

Upcoming Events

Maha Shivaratri Celebrations: Carolinas (March 7 - 9, 2024)

The Hindu Center of Charlotte presents the annual Maha Shivaratri celebrations on Friday, March 8, 2024. There will be activities running through the night. For more details, call 704-535-3440 or visit Hcclt.org. The SV Temple of NC will hold Grand Shivaratri celebration from March 7 – 9, 2024. For more details, visit Svtemplenc.org.

Charleston Wine + Food: (March 6 - 10, 2024)

Charleston Wine + Food infuses homegrown flavor with top chefs, winemakers, authors, storytellers, artisans, experts, and food enthusiasts from around the globe for any event that spans the weekend of March 6 - 10, 2024. For details, visit Charlestonwineandfood.com.

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Carolinas and Atlanta (March 10 - 13, 2024)

Visa Camp: Morrisville, NC (March 16, 2024)

The Embassy of India, Washington DC in association with HSNC will host a consular service camp on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 10am –3pm (Appointments Required) at HSNC, 309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC. Services include passports, OCI, Renunciation, Police Clearance Certificates, GEP and Visas. Notaries will be onsite. For more details, call 919-274-1680 or 919-539-5471. For appointments, visit visa.vfsglobal.com and search for consular camp in Morrisville.

Green River Revival: Charlotte, NC (March 16, 2024)

Kick off springtime festivities with Green River Revival beginning at 9am. Watch as the Whitewater Center’s resident leprechaun transform the river green for St Patrick’s Day. Start the day with the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run before rafting down the river and listening to live music on March 16, 2024. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte. For more details, call 704-3913900 or visit Whitewater.org.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson will guide the audience through cool and occasionally scary things in the universe, such as Black Holes, Dark Matter, Dark Energy, Diamond stars, Gamma Ray bursts, Worm Holes, and Multiverses. The talk takes place on March 11, 2024, 7:30pm at Belk Theater, Charlotte. Info: Blumenthalarts.org. Also: March 10, 2024 in Atlanta; March 12, 2024 in Durham, NC; March 13, 2024 in Greenville, SC. Details: Neildegrassetyson.com.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert: Charlotte, NC (March 15 - 16, 2024)

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will perform a live score of the beloved film Star Wars: The Force Awakens on March 1516, 2024 (7:30pm both nights) at Belk Theater, 103 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. For more details on tickets, visit Blumenthalarts.org.

Heartfulness Institute Event with Uma Mullapudi: Morrisville, NC (March 17, 2024)

An evening of pranayama, meditation, book launch, and cultural program presented by the Triangle Chapter of American Telugu Association & HSNC on Sunday, March 17, 2024, from 4-6:30 pm at the HSNC Cultural Hall in Morrisville, NC. The Keynote speaker will be Uma Mullapudi, renowned speaker and Heartfulness trainer. The topic will be “Understanding Spiritual Journey.” Followed by a meditation session and release of the newly published book, Spiritual Anatomy: Meditation, Chakras, and the Journey to the Center by Kamlesh D. Patel. For details, email: Raleigh.center@gmail.com.

Reedy Reels Film Festival: Greenville, SC (March 22 - 24, 2024)

The festival promotes the appreciation of the art of filmmaking while generating support for independent filmmakers, especially in the Upstate SC. The festival engages the community and creates exposure for local filmmaking while building inspiration and new opportunities for local artists. It will take place from March 22-24, 2024 in and around Greenville County Square. Tickets start at $12 for individual showings and $90 for the full weekend. Info: Reedyreels.com.

Upcoming Events

Catawba Valley Pottery & Antiques Festival: Hickory, NC (March 22 - 23, 2024)

The 27th annual festival takes place on March 22 - 23, 2024 at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory, NC. This acclaimed event brings together potters and vendors from across the southeast to exhibit and sell their unique artistry and craftsmanship. For more details, call 828-465-0383 or visit Catawbavalleypotteryfestival.com.

Nuv Yug India Fest: Raleigh, NC (March 23, 2024)

dinosaurs. On March 29 - 30, 2024, meet a host of impressive creatures, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus. A special meet and greet after the show offer all brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend. This family-friendly event will take place live on stage at Cain Center for the Arts, 21348 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC. For more details, call 980-689-3101 or visit Cainarts.org.

Charlotte Shout!: (March 29 - April 14, 2024)

The 22nd anniversary Nuv Yug India Fest will be held at the Jim Graham Building at the State Fairgrounds, Raleigh on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Registration is free for performers and admission and parking are free. Enjoy myriad dance and cultural performances along with food, vendors, arts, and crafts at this popular festival featuring the cultural experience that is India. Nuv Yug India Fest is an annual event that has become one of the most popular Indiarelated events in North Carolina’s Triangle area. For full details, visit Nuvyug.org.

TGA Holi: Morrisville, NC (March 23, 2024)

Triangle Gujarati Association will celebrate Holi on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at HSNC Main Hall, 309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC. Enjoy the colorful holiday with music, food, and Holi colors. All choreographers interested in TGA Holi 2024, email events@nctga.org for more details. Bring the whole family. More details of the event are available at: Nctga.org.

Russell Peters: Charlotte, NC (March 29 – 31, 2024)

Popular comedian and actor Russell Peters will perform several shows on March 29 – 31, 2024 at the Comedy Zone, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd, B3, Charlotte. All shows are 18+. For full details about tickets and tables, call 980-321-4702 or visit Cltcomedyzone.com.

Savannah Music Festival: (March 28 - April 13, 2024)

The festival presents world-class celebrations of the musical arts by creating timeless productions that stimulate arts education, foster economic growth, and unite artists and audiences in Savannah. See performers ranging from classical to jazz, bluegrass to rock in various venues around Savannah, GA.

Details: Savannahmusicfestival.org.

Dinosaur World Live!:

Cornelius, NC (March 29 – 30, 2024)

Discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and life-like)

Uptown Charlotte will transform into a creative paradise. The festival weaves together the talents of internationally and locally acclaimed artists, dancers, musicians, poets, storytellers, photographers, chefs and thought leaders. It is a feast for all the senses and all ages, serving up soulful music, food, images, playful installations, inspiring performances, and ideas. Info: Charlotteshout.com.

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival: Durham, NC (April 4 – 7, 2024)

The festival, dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of nonfiction cinema, returns on April 4 - 7, 2024 in Durham, NC at several venues. A variety of documentary films will be screened along with appearances by filmmakers and film experts. For a full list of films and other details, visit Fullframefest.org.

RKTNC Sanskriti 2024 Talent Show: Apex, NC (April 5 - 7, 2024)

The Radha Krishna Temple of NC presents Sanskriti 2024, a competition for preserving and promoting Indian culture and heritage. This forum offers an opportunity to cherish the vibrant tapestry of Indian culture, strengthen connection with rich Indian heritage, celebrate the uniqueness of different traditions, and enhance their appreciation for Indian values. It will be held between April 5 & 7, 2024 that provides a platform for all to participate in a wide range of 30+ contests and showcase talent, creativity, and ability in the divine abode of Radha and Krishna. Trophies and medals will be provided for the winners. Learn more at Rktnc.com/sanskriti.

Upcoming Events

Pinky Patel Comedy Show:

Charlotte, NC (April 5 - 6, 2024)

She is a PTA mom turned creator, comedian, and personality with a fan base of over 5 million. She is best known for her commentary and videos from her glam cave. She will perform at the Comedy Zone, Charlotte on April 5 - 6, 2024. For tickets and details visit, Cltcomedyzone.com. Also performing at Raleigh Improv on Wed, April 3, 2024 at 7:30pm. Info: Improv.com/raleigh.

Vaisakhi Mela: Cary, NC (April 6, 2024)

Carolina Indian Arts presents NC Vaisakhi Mela on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 1pm11pm. Enjoy an event filled with cultural performances, delicious food, and festivities. This year the headliner concert is by international artist Miss Pooja. It will all take place at Green Level High School, 7600 Roberts Rd., Cary, NC. For details visit Eventbrite and search for NC Vaisakhi Mela 2024.

Dances of India: Kannapolis, NC (April 6, 2024)

Dr. Maha Gingrich presents the 21st anniversary of Dances of India which will take place on Saturday, April 6, 2024, beginning at 4pm. Each classical and folk-dance performance will be live on stage at the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center at 415 Martin Luther King, Jr Drive. Free parking. Tickets and other info, visit: Mahasdancesofindia.com.

GCAP Holi Festival: Gibsonville, NC (April 13, 2024)

Gujarati Cultural Association of Piedmont presents Holi Festival on Saturday, April 13, 2024 (1 - 5pm) at Grove Winery and Vineyard, 360 Brooks Bridge Rd., Gibsonville, NC. Enjoy music, food, wine, and colors. Admission is $10 per person and one canned item. For details, call 336-4307961 or visit Saathee.com/gcap-holi.

Dhuleti: Charlotte, NC (April 14, 2024)

Hindu Center of Charlotte presents the annual Holi Dhuleti fun, weather permitting, on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 12:30pm. Enjoy lots of music, food and of course plenty of fun with colors. For details,: 704-535-3440 or visit Hcclt.org.

Kiran

Heroes for Hope Walkathon:

Cary, NC (April 21, 2024)

The walkathon, a fundraiser for Kiran, will take place on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 9am – noon at Thomas Brook Park, 9008 Green Level Church Rd., Cary, NC. Kiran’s

mission is to end the cycle of abuse and to serve and empower South Asian victims of domestic violence in NC by providing culturally specific services and comprehensive economic and community resources. Info: Kiraninc.org.

K.S. Vishnudev Carnatic Vocal Concert: Charlotte, NC (April 21, 2024)

Classical Music Association of Charlotte (CMAC) presents a Carnatic Vocal Concert with K.S. Vishnudev on Sunday, April 21, 2024, starting at 4pm at the Hindu Center of Charlotte’s Gandhi Bhavan. The vocalist will be accompanied by V.V.S. Murari (Violin), Patri Satish Kumar (Mridangam) and Vazhapally Krishnakumar (Ghatam). For more details, call 704-339-4126 or 704-840-5949.

MerleFest: Wilkesboro, NC (April 25 - 28, 2024)

MerleFest is held annually on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC. MerleFest is a beloved celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock and many other styles. The festival hosts numerous artists, performing on 12 stages during the four-day event. The annual event has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation. Details: Merlefest.org.

Amjad Ali Khan Concert: Charlotte, NC (April 26, 2024)

Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan will perform live along with his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash and table player on Friday, April 26, 2024 at Knight Theater in Charlotte beginning at 8pm. For more details, visit Blumenthalarts.org.

Upcoming Events

BOOM Charlotte: (April 26 - 28, 2024)

BOOM 2024 will be the 7th time the annual arts festival touches down in Charlotte. The festival will take place at Camp North End (300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206) on April 22 - 28, 2024. Expect a multifaceted and immersive art experience. There will be an eclectic mix of dance, music, theatre, poetry, visual art, film, and more. Enjoy ticketed indoor intimate and edgy performances to free outdoor family-friendly performances. Details: Boomcharlotte.org.

Regional Festival of India @ Matthews: (April 27, 2024)

The third annual regional festival takes place in Matthews, NC on April 27, 2024 from Noon - 6pm, downtown Matthews (Stumptown Park, 120 South Trade St., Matthews, NC 28105). This cultural festival showcases diversity of Indian dance, food, art, music, and Bollywood entertainment. Don’t miss out on fun for all ages including turban tying, henna tattoo, experience the timeless elegance of a Saree. Also let your taste buds savor Indian food at the Food Court and pick up some Indian souvenirs at the Bazaar. This event is organized by the India Association of Charlotte, in active partnership with the Town of Matthews, and is supported by grant assistance from the Arts & Science Council. Details: Indiafestival.net.

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

Trees Can Make Farms More Sustainable

Here’s how to help farmers plant more

Trees could nourish the health of the soil, regulate the micro-climate and support pest-controlling wildlife

By Dhanapal Govindarajulu

Imagine making one change to a farm field so that as well as producing food, it also generated building materials, fuel, and fodder. At the same time, this change would nourish the health of the soil, regulate the microclimate and support pest-controlling wildlife. In fact, it could even produce a whole other crop.

All these things could be possible by simply planting trees amid crops – and not just trees, but also shrubs, palms, and bamboo.

This approach to farming is known as agroforestry, and experts believe it could improve the sustainability of

agriculture worldwide. On a large scale, it could help mitigate climate change by storing more carbon in land that can still serve other purposes. Countries can even count trees planted on farmland towards their reforestation commitments.

There is a lot of scope for planting trees on farms in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. But a lot of these plots are small – on average, less than 2 hectares (or two football fields). Any use of space has to really earn it.

So, how do we ensure trees work for farmers and the planet? India, where the last two decades have seen phenomenal changes in agroforestry, offers some insight.

India’s agroforestry experiment

India’s first effort to get more trees on farms started in 1999 with the Lok Vaniki scheme in Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India. The state government started the scheme to help farmers with degraded land secure additional income from timber and provided them with saplings of teak.

The scheme had a troubled start. The Indian supreme court had banned all tree felling except that permitted under the forest working plan three years earlier. Before farmers could sell the timber they grew, their request to fell the tree would need to be approved by the government.

Farmers were apprehensive about planting something they may not get permission to harvest, and teak trees take 20 years to yield timber. A cumbersome process for obtaining permits and high transport costs for small and marginal farmers scuppered the scheme.

The state responded by exempting certain trees from felling regulations. By 2014, India had a national agroforestry policy that offered farmers saplings and simpler procedures for harvesting and transporting trees. Still, the tree cover on farms didn’t budge. In fact, the last decade has seen a severe decline in trees on farms in India, according to a study I contributed to.

The decline was pronounced among mature trees. Once these gnarled veterans had shaded open wells on farms and kept water from evaporating in the sun’s glare. Now deeper bore wells could be dug, rendering such trees obsolete.

are all exempt from felling regulations. Enticed by the prospect of generating carbon credits on the international carbon market, and by demand for pulpwood for making paper, farmers with some of the smallest plots in India tried switching their crops to block plantations.

When the price of carbon credits dropped with the collapse of the UN’s clean development mechanism in 2012, these small farmers were left with little to show for it. A study later confirmed that many would have been better off keeping their land for agriculture.

Although there is increasing demand for pulpwood and timber in India, it is likely to favor farmers who can plant in large areas, cover harvest, and transit costs, and wait for returns from plantations – a situation small and marginal farmers can ill afford.

The expansion of mechanized farming put a premium on treeless fields where tractors and farm vehicles could easily maneuver. Attacks by fungal parasites claimed other trees.

Some farmers were unsentimental. In interviews, many said they saw few benefits from trees, which could prevent sunlight from reaching crops.

But the decline of native trees on farms like neem, mahua and jamun, once prized for their medicinal oils and nutritious fruit, threatened rural diets, particularly in the poorest regions.

Trees on farms, not tree farms

While farmland trees dwindled across India, block plantations expanded. These are essentially farms growing nothing but trees.

These plantations largely comprise exotic and fastgrowing trees like eucalyptus, poplar and casuarina, which

These exotic plantations are no boon for the environment either. For instance, eucalyptus consumes a lot of water and soil nutrients, leaving the land less fertile for future cultivation. Its leaves and flowers are less useful to birds than many native trees.

There is a rush globally to plant more trees on farms without considering what farmers will do with the tree in 20 years, or how it may interfere with crop production.

This problem is not unique to India and has been noted elsewhere, including Kenya.

Trees should still be encouraged on farms; preferably native trees that are beneficial for local diets and medicine. So far, though, the trend in India and elsewhere has been towards block plantations of exotic trees – a phenomenon largely driven by the lure of carbon credits.

The focus should be on supporting small and marginal farmers to grow native trees sustainably. Scattered trees of many species on small farms have bigger benefits for farmers and the environment than single-species plantations.

For that to happen, though, there must be some way of financing this process. If carbon credit mechanisms can recognize this model of agroforestry and help small farmers add trees to their cropland, it would be a big shift in the right direction.

Article courtesy of The Conversation. theconversation.com

Dhanapal Govindarajulu is Postgraduate Researcher, Global Development Institute, University of Manchester

Upcoming Movie Releases

March 8

Gangs of Godavari (Director: Krishna Chaitanya)

Cast: Vishwak Sen, Neha Shetty, Anjali, M Nassar, and Sai Kumar

Kung Fu Panda 4 (Director: Mike Mitchell)

Cast: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, and Dustin Hoffman

Damsel (Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo)

Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Angela Bassett, a nd Shohreh Aghdashloo

Double iSmart (Director: Puri Jagannadh)

Cast: Ram Pothineni and Sanjay Dutt

Ricky Stanicky

(Director: Peter Farrelly)

Cast: Zac Efron, John Cena, and William H Macy

Shaitaan (Director: Vikas Bahl)

Cast: Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, and Jyothika

Love Lies Bleeding (Director: Rose Glass)

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Dave Franco, and Ed Harris

Bhimaa (Director: A Harsha)

Cast: Tottempudi Gopichand, and Malvika Sharma

Accidental Texan (Director: Mark Bristol)

Cast: Thomas Haden Church, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Bruce Dern

American Dreamer (Director: Paul Dektor)

Cast: Peter Dinklage, Matt Dillon, Danny Glover, and Shirley MacLaine

March 15

Yodha

(Directors: Sagar Ambre & Pushkar Ojha)

Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Disha Patani, and Raashii Khanna

Irish Wish (Director: Janeen Damian)

Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Ed Speleers, and Jane Seymour

Bastar: The Naxal Story

(Director: Sudipto Sen)

Cast: Adah Sharma, Shilpa Shukla, and Yashpal Sharma

Arthur the King (Director: Simon Cellan Jones)

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Bear Grylls, and Paul Guilfoyle

Knox Goes Away

(Director: Michael Keaton)

Cast: Michael Keaton, James Marsden, and Al Pacino

March 22

Shirley (Director: John Ridley)

Cast: Regina King, Terrence Howard, and Lance Reddick

The Crew (Director: Rajesh Krishnan)

Cast: Tabu, Kareena Kapoor, and Diljit Dosanjh

Ae Watan Mere Watan (Director: Kannan Iyer)

Cast: Sara Ali Khan, Sparsh Srivastava, and Abhay Verma

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Director: Gil Kenan)

Cast: Paul Rudd, Annie Potts, and Bill Murray

Upcoming Movies continued on page 96

F i l m C l i p s

Shaitaan

Director Vikas Bahl brings a timeless tale of battle s that take place between good and evil with a family embodying the forces of righteousness while a man symbolizes malevolence. Shaitaan stars veteran actors Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, along with Jyothika. Look for the film in cinemas beginning on March 8, 2024.

Yodha

After terrorists hijack a passenger plane, an offduty soldier aboard devises a strategy to defeat the hijackers and ensure the passengers’ survival when the engine fails. Yodha is directed by Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha. It features Sidharth Malhotra, Disha Patani, and Raashii Khanna and releases on March 15, 2024.

Do Aur Do Pyaar

A couple on the brink of a breakup are cheating on each other with two sexy outsiders. While waiting to reveal their secret and go their separate ways, life takes a turn. The drama stars Vidya Balan, Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D’Cruz, and Sendhil Ramamurthy. The film, directed by Shirsha Guha Thakurta hits March 29, 2024.

Sarfira

Akshay Kumar announced on social media his latest project, Sarfira, a Hindi remake of the Tamil hit Soorarai Pottru. The film, a social drama directed by Sudha Kongara, also stars Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal, and Seema Biswas, and is set for release on July 12, 2024. In a teaser he wrote “Dream so Big, they call you Crazy! #Sarfira.”

Monkey Man

Dev Patel directs and stars in Monkey Man. A young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to victimize the poor and powerless. The film also stars Pitobash, Sikandar Kher, and Makarand Deshpande. It is slated for release on April 5, 2024.

The Long Game

In 1955, five young Mexican American caddies, out of the love for the game of golf, were determined to learn how to play, so they created their own golf course in the middle of the South Texas desert. The film stars Dennis Quaid and opens on April 12, 2024.

OG

The Pawan Kalyan and Emraan Hashmi starrer OG is now set to release in theaters on September 27, 2024. The gangster action drama, directed by Sujeeth, pits the two protagonists against each other. The movie, filmed in Mumbai and Hyderabad, also features Prakash Raj, Priyanka Mojan, Arjun Das, and Sriya Reddy.

Osho

Osho

Osho Nadbrahma Meditation

Osho

Kuchipudi Bringing Divine Stories to Life

Dances of India

by Dr. Maha Gingrich

As we have been busy with Dances of India rehearsals, it has been fun collecting all the props and masks needed for our Kuchipudi dance drama. I thought I should write about this beautiful classical dance style. It could also be a good article to refer to, if needed, for any senior school projects.

History: Kuchipudi is one of the most popular classical dance traditions of India. It is perhaps the only tradition that takes its name from the village of its origin, Kuchipudi, located in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh.

Originating as a Natyamela (group of dancers) tradition this form was initially practiced exclusively by a group of

Dances of India continued on page 92

The Beauty of Traditions

Namaskar, Y’all

by Shyama Parui

February was special to our family for many reasons, although Valentine’s Day was not one of them. For children it welcomed the occasion to celebrate Saraswati, the goddess of learning. The innocence of our youth nudged us to pray for good grades and request divine intervention when we desperately wanted to improve our rank in class. For foodies, it was the only time of the year that they could eat kul, (one of the many varieties of jujube) and enjoy its sweet and sour flavor.

Another opportunity to feast was the day of gota sheddho. Made with whole vegetables and greens, it is a dish made in slow cooking heaven. This Bengali harvest meal is unique because each family makes it according to their own recipe on the evening before Saraswati Puja and then it is allowed to cool overnight. After the long wait, the preparation is devoured the next day.

Mothers believe that this hearty meal will bring their children a long and healthy life. It has been years since I have tasted gota sheddho, but I remember it as one of the most delicious foods.

My quinoa salad from yesterday may have the same nutritional benefits but it cannot hold a candle to this. Regardless of their origin or significance, these traditions that we followed in the month of February, are etched in my mind. Traditions make events memorable, leaving us with a desire to continue them.

Regrettably, we often fail to carry them forward. For example, I haven’t introduced my children to either kul or gota sheddo. Sadly, the life that my husband and I started in the United States more than two decades ago, has taken us away from many customs that we were used to following particularly if they required foods that were rarely found in American stores.

Namaskar continued on page 110

Normalization - Part 2

Eye on the Markets

by Ketu Desai

Normalization is the key theme for 2024. For much of the past four years we have had a highly uncertain environment. This is the year we get back to a more normal environment. Growth looks to be settling into a steady 2 - 2.5 percent range, after the volatility of the past few years. The important hard data released during the month: non-farm payrolls, initial jobless claims, personal income and spending, and retail sales all came in better than expected.

Dips in tech are likely to get bought with nearly $9 trillion in cash on the sidelines

The Fed’s preferred measure, core PCE, has been at the Fed’s target over the past six months. As inflation is coming down, real rates will start to get onerous. While the Fed is unlikely to cut as much as the market is pricing, it is likely to cut to prevent real rates from becoming onerous. The Fed simply shifting from a hiking bias to an easing bias will go a long way to improve sentiment. The yield-curve (10s/2s) is within basis points of inflecting positive. A positively sloped yield curve signals a positive economic outlook and a more normal economy.

The consumer remains in good shape. With a strong job market and falling inflation, real disposable income will continue to grow across all income segments. It will be difficult to have a recession when the labor market is strong and real incomes are rising. Inflation remains the key for monetary policy. This is a unique cycle, in traditional business cycles the Fed cuts because growth is weakening, and they need to stimulate the economy. In this cycle, the Fed will cut for a good reason, inflation is falling, and they need to get real rates to a neutral stance.

About 79 percent of companies have beat this earnings season by an average of 6 percent. AI as a mega-investing theme has been evident in this earnings cycle. This was most evident in earnings from Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC), which helped drive technology stocks across mega-cap, semis, and software. TSMC raised its revenue growth forecast to 20 - 25 percent, driven by sales related to AI. TSMC is arguably the most important company in the world, essentially driving the entire tech supply chain. When it guides up as much as it did, it can drive the entire sector.

The Scenic Route

Kismuth and the Way II

by Dipika Kohli

It was a weekday. Thursday, I think. Sunny, but not too hot. Just after-lunch rush, so, thinning traffic and a spontaneous idea. This is a good time for a drive. Or, well, a tuk tuk ride because I do not drive in Phnom Penh.

Get out a bit, some fresh air. Sometimes I do that; opting to back out of the everyday routines to go and see something new. This is an old habit, the wanting to go and investigate. But still, there’s a practical reason, too. It’s loud: next door is under construction, and it looks like a new development is set to get refurbished, too, next to that apartment-buildingin-progress. So, maybe let me take a break from all of this and review it after getting a bit of space. Some distance, some time away, to get out from under the alley’s ambient noise. Head off to a place that’s not unfamiliar, but one I rarely visit; it’s a little out of the way, just a bit, from Phnom Penh. Hailing a tuk-tuk now, yes, thank you, and here we go.

On my way.

For… a while

A lot longer than the last time I remembered going to the outpost for people who want to co-work or have lunch meetings or visit someone’s office, a kind of complex or campus, that used to be more interesting before Covid. Still, it’s a place to go. Wasn’t it closer? Maybe there’s road construction to be avoided. Surely that’s it.

Ten minutes passed, maybe more. Less dense now, with few small concrete buildings, and now, only every so often. Then, only fields. I don’t remember this. But okay. That’s nothing new. I’ve done this before; I’ve taken left turns, wound up in places unexpectedly, sheer veers.

I mentioned this last month in my article, but adventuring, for me, has been off the table ever since border closures kept me in Vietnam starting from March 2020. A total of twenty months went by before I left; some part of that was my choice, some of it was lockdown rules in Ho Chi Minh City being what they were, as in, rather harsh, but all in all it was a kind of a foray into the unknown, too. You Kismuth continued on page 84

Attention Hotel / Motel Owners

Attention Hotel / Motel Owners

Charlotte’s Pavement Solutions Company

Intermittent Fasting Intermittent Fasting

Nutrition for Life

by Parul Kharod

In my daily work of nutrition counseling and talking to people about their diets, one of the questions most frequently asked is about fasting. “Can I do fasting?” or “What do you think about intermittent fasting?”

So, let’s tackle that subject here and clear out some basic misconceptions.

Fasting has been done for religious purposes in many communities across the world. It is not a new concept. It is important to understand the purpose and intent of fasting. When done for religious purposes such as in Jain communities or during Ramadan, there are specific methods and rituals that are followed. When to eat, when to fast, how to break the fast, are all done systematically. Plus, the fasting is done for a fixed amount of time.

And that’s the key to everything – consistency and being systematic – having a routine!

What is intermittent fasting?

Basically, it is a way to shorten the timeframe of eating. Intermittent fasting is a strategy that combines periods of eating with periods of fasting into a regular schedule. There are different types of fasting schedules. However, whatever timeframe is selected, you must follow that schedule consistently. So randomly skipping meals is not considered fasting. Our body needs a steady routine for everything, including sleep and meals. We must have a daily routine. So, whether you are doing intermittent fasting or not, we need to eat at regular intervals daily.

Why is fasting thought to be beneficial?

During fasting, the body switches from using the fuel we get from outside through the foods we eat, to burning internal fuel from fat, glycogen and other stored energy. Fasting allows us to use this glycogen and tap into our energetically dense fat reserves to keep us alive until we eat

Nutrition continued on page 96

Spot the Differences

Answers are on page 104.

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis

Raajeev’s Corner

by Raajeev Aggerwhil

A few years back we moved from Boston to the Los Angeles area, because I thought “Hey, I’m tired of jerks insulting me for not being white enough; let’s move somewhere people can insult me for not being pretty enough.”

My middle son, Vicktor, attended Palos Verdes High School - which was amazing! It was the best school I had ever seen. They had a view of the Pacific Ocean from the basketball courts. I liked to point out at the ocean and say to my son “See that spot way out there? That’s where the ball would end up if I ever tried to shoot a ball.”

The Pacific Ocean made for a great view… but not quite as majestic as the one I had in school, looking out over an ocean of cows crapping in the street. One

of the worst fears of my American Born Children is that they will get into drugs, get a divorce, or worst pay full price for anything.

And they say there’s drugs in American schools, and it’s true! I saw it. There was a Starbucks right on the campus. Starbucks is an Indian father’s worst nightmare for his children, because that’s like a drug dealer who pushes two sins: Developing an addiction and paying full price for it!

As I tried to protect my son, I asked Viktor to show me his locker. He was hesitant, but I insisted - and when he opened the locker, I saw that somebody had written in big letters “F U Victor”. I was so mad. What’s wrong with these people? …We spell “Vicktor” with a “K’!

If you’re going to insult my son, at least be careful with your spelling.

And really, why couldn’t these little monsters be more thoughtful? I mean, why not go a little further and

Raajeev continued on page 86

•

•

•

•

•

ANISH SHAH

ANISH SHAH

NC & SC REALTOR®

NC & SC REALTOR®

IF YOU ARE THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING, PLEASE CONTACT ME!

CALLOWAY GLEN

RENTED

Lovely end-unit townhome with 2 bedrooms 2.5 baths. Bright open floor plan, Hardwood floors, NEW Carpet, Granite counters, SS appliances, large island, two master suites with high vaulted ceilings, large closets, community pool and sidewalks. Minutes from Shopping, dining, Carowinds Amusement park, Lake Wylie, airport and major highways. Nice backyard and side yard. Storage. Rent: $1695

ROBBINS PARKLAKE NORMAN

SOLD

IN 1

Stately home in LKN boasts amazing outdoor private Living area with prof perennial landscape and lighting. Covered Screen back porch with stone ghout (exbdrms). Gourmet Kit with High-end SS Appliances, Double ovens, and Carrera marble counters. Master Suite on Main. 2 Laundry rooms (or a craft room). Formal LR/Study. Great Room & Dining Room w/ dbl-sided Fireplace and Wine cooler. Pride of ownership shows through-out. Call for pricing.

PIPER GLEN

TOWNHOUSEKINGLEY

SOLD

Completely renovated 3 Story Townhouse in the Heart Of Ballantyne. Close to Publix, New Hospital, etc. 3 Bedrooms, 3 1/2 Baths and a Big Bonus Room. Over 2,200 sq. ft., New Quartz Countertops, New Backsplash, All New flooring incl. LVP, New Paint, New Light Fixtures. Spacious rooms, walk-in closets, lots of storage and a nice Deck on the second floor. This one is a must see. Top rated Schools! $399,000

LOT – LONGBROOKE

Here is your amazing opportunity to become a part of the one-of-a-kind gated Longbrooke community! This premiere address offers elegance, privacy and low SC taxes. Longbrooke features custom Old World style estates, rolling topography, the soft lighting of gas lantern lining each street and a fountain garden which serves as a serene focal point for the wooded neighborhood home. Bring your builder and build the home of your dreams here!! $124,000

WATERSIDE AT CATAWBA

ONLY ONE LOT LEFT RENTED

This home has been meticulously maintained & upgraded! The backyard has an expansive paver patio, stone fireplace, wood pergola w/sunshades, & fenced yard. New LVP throughout. Great room includes stone fireplace wall w/free-floating wood mantle. The kitchen has new high-end appliances, massive island, & more! Split bedroom floor plan w/primary & 2 other bedrooms on the main floor, & generous loft w/secondary bedroom & full bath upstairs. The primary bedroom has a private screen porch, & bath was recently redone w/ frameless shower, floor tile & quartz counters, along with a custom wood closet system. $3,395 / month

For more information visit: RealtorAnish.com

Thank you for trusting me with your real estate needs for last 24 years!

I am here to help and navigate you through these challenging times with any of your real estate needs. Please call anytime to discuss your situation.

AWARDS

Ranked #1 at Ballantyne Office 2008 - 2023

Overall Office Sales Leader

2008 - 2023

Most Units Sold 2008 - 2023

Commendable Customer Service Award

2008 - 2023

President’s Cup: Overall Company Sales Team Leader

2008 - 2019

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“Anish has been our agent for more than a decade and we have done multiple deals with him. He is one of the best agents I have worked with across the nation, and we hope / expect to continue working with him in the future.”

“Anish recently assisted me in selling my home and guiding me through the process of purchasing a new one, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the results. I wholeheartedly recommend Anish to anyone in need of a dedicated, knowledgeable, and reliable real estate agent. His expertise, integrity, and exceptional service truly make them stand out in the industry. I am immensely grateful for his assistance and couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”

704-449-LIST

704-341-0279

ashah@helenadamsrealty.com

RealtorAnish.com

You Are in the Middle of It

Besides Filing Taxes for 2023, Do Some Serious Planning for 2024

Personal Finances

by Mo Vidwans

I am sure, by now you have all the paperwork necessary and needed (like W2s, various 1099s and many other documents) to file your 2023 taxes. Like most of us, you are probably using some software, which is perfectly fine and useful to get your thoughts together but be aware of many shortcomings of these purchased software packages. If you have one of those special and unusual tax situations, then it is best to brush up on what is possible and what you need to do for your best interest.

Most common situations that need to be treated carefully are non-refundable credits, capital gains when selling a home, using form 1116 properly and declaring earnings from countries other than US.

Claiming foreign tax on NC State return is also a bit tricky and some software packages are not in line with the current thinking. Under these circumstances it is best if you take the right action by researching and mailing the return because the software may not allow you to file electronically. Bringing inherited or your own appreciated assets back to the US from a foreign country is also an issue for many.

I had mentioned EV car rule changes last Fall; most changes apply for 2023 and later. This credit is slated to go through until 2032. So, we do have time to think about it and it takes the unnecessary rushing element away; after all, it is a major expenditure for most of us. The details of the factors for figuring out the credit can be new for some and they need to be given careful attention. To be eligible for the full $7,500 credit on your taxes, EVs put in use after 2022 must meet a critical mineral requirement and a battery component rule. If only one factor is met when you purchase a new EV, then the credit is halved to $3,750. Under the critical mineral rule: a percentage of the battery’s minerals must be extracted or processed in the US or in a country with a free trade pact with US.

The battery component rule requires that a percentage of the battery’s components must be manufactured or assembled in North America (Luckily this also means Mexico and Canada).

The manufacturers’ sales threshold limit is going away but two new rules could prevent the taxpayer from claiming the tax breaks. Some high-cost vehicles do not qualify and there is an income limit. It will suffice to say right now that many aspects of the “clean vehicle credit” law are complex, and it will behoove you to understand them well before you embark on such purchase.

Last year, in one of my Fall articles about tax preparation, I had mentioned that the IRS is going to get strict about 1099Ks but it seems like they have changed their mind a bit and they are going through an interim phase for 2023. The IRS has delayed the new 1099K reporting rules. The 2021 law requires the third-party settlement networks such as Venmo, e-bay etc. to send 1099Ks to payees who pay more than $600 a year for goods and services. This new change was to take effect for 2023; now the IRS has delayed the rules for a second time. Presently, the IRS intends to use $5,000 reporting threshold for 2024 forms (1099K); the $600 1099K filing threshold will kick-in for 2025 unless of course Congress acts again and decides otherwise.

I still think that something is going to change in this regard because it was an ignored area for a long time and needed attention.

Home energy projects and eco-saving upgrades: we get credit for installing alternative energy systems that rely on a renewable energy source. Think solar panels, solar-powered water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cells etc. The credit equals 30 percent of the cost of materials and installations for systems that you install in your home through 2032. It falls to 26 percent in 2033, 24 percent in 2034 and then expires. Homeowners get up to 30 percent credit for the cost of certain types of insulation, boilers, central A/C system. Water heaters, exterior doors, windows, and the like that they install in their homes from 2023 through 2032. These items must also meet certain energy efficiency ratings, depending on the product.

I do believe most know that penalties for nonreporting overseas accounts or inaccurate filings are stiff. IRS got serious about this around 2009 (when many warnings and penalties were issued) and they have been at it ever since. The penalty for non-willful violations is $10,000 per nonfiled FBAR form. Recently one of these cases went to the Supreme Court and IRS has revised its internal procedures to account for this high court ruling. At the end of Schedule B, there are a few questions that need to be answered sincerely.

Most of us either ignore those or do not answer correctly. Please answer them honestly and completely; you have heard this from me before: that you are better off making a mistake of admission than omission.

News Notes

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking with President of India, Droupadi Murmu and French President, Emmanuel Macron at Kartavya Path on 75th Republic Day celebrations, in New Delhi on January 26, 2024.

Erasing Borders Dance Festival Call for Submissions

The Indo-American Arts Council has put out a call for submissions for the Erasing Borders Dance Festival 2024. Delve into this year’s theme of “Then and Now” where the past and present, tradition and innovation, nostalgia and future will intertwine. Be part of the extraordinary platform that showcases a seamless blend of classical fusion, folk, and innovative forms influenced by the rich arts of India. Share your dance creations (8-12 minutes in length) resonating with the theme. Accompany your submission with a brief description of 100-150 words, explaining the connection between the theme and your work. Submissions open until March 15, 2024.

Details: Iaac.us/dance

Introduction of new category of Ayush (AY) Visa for foreign nationals

The Government of India in late January 2024 introduced a new category of Ayush (AY) visa for foreign nationals for treatment under Ayush system/Indian system of medicine like therapeutic

care, wellness, Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy etc. Accordingly, Embassy of India, Washington DC has announced that Ayush (AY-1) visa for foreigners visiting India for treatment and their Ayush attendants visa AY2 (co terminus with AY-1 visa holder) can be applied under Regular Paper Visa option as well as through e-Visa portal.

Regular paper visa

Applicants residing under the jurisdiction of Embassy of India, Washington DC visit Visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-visa for more information on eligibility, requirement and procedure to apply for the AYUSH visa.

Swami Vivekananda Comes to American Public Television

PBS stations in the United States is slated to air the documentary America’s First Guru, which chronicles Swami Vivekananda’s profound impact on American culture and religion during his visit.

Written and directed by the Indian-Origin documentary filmmaker Raja Choudhury, the film America’s First Guru is a groundbreaking work produced by A Thousand Suns Academy (USA).

The documentary delves into Vivekananda’s introduction of Yoga and Vedanta during the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religion, held in Chicago, highlighting his influence on interfaith dialogue and gender equality.

The film is presented by WTTW Chicago (PBS) and distributed by NETA (National Educational Telecommunications Association) on Public Television. The film premiers on Public Television in the US in May 2024. It will be later presented on streaming services. For more details, visit Americasfirstguru.com.

Call For Artists:

Asian American and Pacific Islanders

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, The Center for the Arts will be displaying artwork by artists of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage from late April to mid-June 2024. A call has been put out for submissions. Digital images are due April 15, 2024. Email digital images of your artwork to: artscouncil@cityofgreer.org.

The Edward R. Driggers City of Greer Center for the Arts is located at 804 Trade St. Greer, SC 29651.

AAHOA Convention 2024

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association will host its annual convention from April 2 - 5, 2024 at Orange County Convention Center, Orlando. This is one of the biggest events in the hospitality industry. There will be vendors, networking, conferences, entertainment, and more. AAHOA members own about 60 percent of the U.S. hotel market. AAHOA is the largest hotel owners’ association in the country. Its nearly 20,000 members collectively own over half of the hotels in the United States, boasting billions of dollars in property assets and employing hundreds of thousands of individuals. AAHOA Members are economic pillars in virtually every community, embodying the spirit of free enterprise and serving as a prominent modern-day embodiment of achieving the American dream. For more details, visit AAHOA.com.

2025-2026 Fulbright-Nehru and other Fellowships Announced

The United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) has announced the opening of its annual competition for Fulbright-Nehru and other Fulbright fellowships. Funded by the U.S. Department of State and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, such exchanges have helped bring the people of India and the United States closer together through opportunities that enrich fellows’ academic, research, teaching, and professional capacities. Alumni of such exchange and scholarship programs have demonstrated strong leadership in their academic disciplines and professions. Outstanding Indian students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

“The Fulbright-Nehru scholarship has significantly transformed both my personal and professional life. This prestigious opportunity broadened my perspective from a regional focus to an international level, providing ample networking and knowledge-sharing avenues. Today, I

proudly serve as the President of the Asia Pacific Public Health Network at Bloomberg School, a position I attribute to the profound impact Fulbright has had on my life and professional journey.” (Naveen Anaswara, 2023-2024 Fulbright-Nehru Master’s fellow at Johns Hopkins University)

Over past 78 years, the U.S. government’s worldwide Fulbright program has forged lasting connections, countered misunderstandings, and helped people and nations work together toward common goals.

USIEF is now accepting applications from Indian citizens for the 2025-2026 academic year. For more details, visit Usief.org.in. Applicants may also send any queries to ip@usief.org.in.

Blumenthal Announces Rebranding

Blumenthal Performing Arts, the Carolinas’ leading not-for-profit arts organization, is rebranding. Blumenthal Performing Arts is now Blumenthal Arts, a move to describe all the organization offers more accurately as a leader across varied platforms.

“Renowned for presenting the largest Broadway season in the Carolinas, we continue to expand the definition of ‘art’ through innovative producing efforts such as the Charlotte International Arts Festival and cutting-edge immersive projects,” said Danny Knaub, Blumenthal’s Vice President of Marketing. “We wanted a name that was less limiting and more expansive of all our organization does on and off stage, in and for the community.”

Ad agency Wray Ward refreshed the logo for Blumenthal Arts based on its design for Blumenthal’s 25th anniversary in 1997. Insights Strategist Charlie Elberson had this to say about the 25th anniversary design and the new Blumenthal Arts logo:

“The evolution [of the 25th anniversary logo] was sparked by many things, ranging from the architecture of the Belk Theater to the colors you’ll find at any given performance on the stage. The biggest challenge was evoking all that the Blumenthal experience offers and encapsulating that into a singular mark”—the iconic “B.”

For 31 years, Blumenthal Arts has been known primarily for presenting the best of Broadway. Established as a top-ten touring market, the estimated economic impact of Broadway alone was $64 million in 2023.

Blumenthal Arts President and CEO Tom Gabbard said, “The way Blumenthal presents art and consumers enjoy it has changed a lot. It’s becoming a wonderful mashup of different arts styles. This rebrand makes so much sense as we enthusiastically embrace this blending of performing and visual arts as seen in Immersive Van Gogh, the Charlotte International Arts Festival, and more. The public has shown us they not only want high quality arts experiences, but they want it offered in different ways and places.”

Gabbard added, “We are, in many ways, leading nationally in building out a strategy to embrace this new wave of experiential programming. We have a lot of great announcements coming soon as we blaze this new trail as Blumenthal Arts.”

Blumenthal Arts continues to invest in the local creative community and serves as a place maker by using the arts to make a commercial difference in driving economic growth.

The Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF), a Blumenthal Arts original, is another example of genre-fluid programming. The annual festival uniquely brings together Charlotte’s local and international communities with global artists in a 17-day cultural celebration filled with live performances as well as art installations, community gatherings, and food from around the world.

For more details, visit Blumenthalarts.org.

USCIS Reduced Its Backlog for the First Time in Over a Decade

In early February 2024 the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released releasing end of fiscal year (FY) 2023 data that illustrate the agency’s progress in meeting its strategic priorities. The USCIS workforce has worked over the past year to reduce backlogs, improve customer experience, address humanitarian needs, and strengthen employment-based immigration.

“I’m so proud of the USCIS workforce and our dedication to fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “We’ve completed a record number of cases, responded to emerging crises around the globe with essential humanitarian relief, and applied innovative solutions to improve customer experience and reduce backlogs.”

In FY 2023, USCIS received 10.9 million filings and completed more than 10 million pending cases– both recordbreaking numbers in the agency’s history.

In doing so, USCIS reduced overall backlogs by 15 percent. Among USCIS’ record number of case completions in FY 2023, the agency administered the Oath of Allegiance to more than 878,500 new U.S. citizens, including 12,000 members of the military, effectively eliminating the backlog of naturalization applications. The median processing time for naturalization applicants decreased from 10.5 months to

6.1 months by the end of the fiscal year, achieving the agency’s longstanding goal and significantly reducing waiting times for most individuals seeking U.S. citizenship.

For more details, visit Uscis.gov.

Visa Restriction Policy to Promote Accountability for the Misuse of Commercial Spyware

The U. S. State Department recently implemented a new policy that will allow the imposition of visa restrictions on individuals involved in the misuse of commercial spyware. This new policy is the most recent action in the United States’ comprehensive approach to countering the misuse of commercial spyware. Previous actions have included the issuance of an Executive Order prohibiting the U.S. government’s use of commercial spyware that poses risks to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, Department of Commerce entity listings of commercial spyware companies that enabled the abuse of sophisticated surveillance tools, and diplomacy to boost international cooperation, including through the U.S.-led Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware.

According to the State Dept, “The United States remains concerned with the growing misuse of commercial spyware around the world to facilitate repression, restrict the free flow of information, and enable human rights abuses. The misuse of commercial spyware threatens privacy and freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Such targeting has been linked to arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings in the most egregious of cases. Additionally, the misuse of these tools presents a security and counterintelligence threat to U.S. personnel. The United States stands on the side of human rights and fundamental freedoms and will continue to promote accountability for individuals involved in commercial spyware misuse.”

India to Fence Entire Border with Myanmar

India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently announced plans to fence the entire 1,643 Kilometers (1,020 miles) stretch of its border with Myanmar, potentially signaling an end to the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that currently allows border residents to travel 16 Km (about 10 miles) into each other’s territory without formal documentation.

In a social media post, Shah said that out of the total border length, a 10 km stretch in Moreh, Manipur, had already been fenced.

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

LAW OFFICES OF DAVID A. CONCHA

725 East Trade St., Suite 105 (Court Arcade Building)

Charlotte, NC 28202

Tel: 704-525-8824

Fax: 704-525-8820

IMMIGRATION SERVICES:

-Residency (green cards) -Citizenship

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

- Removal & Deportation Defense

-General Immigration Matters

We can also serve your needs in the following areas:

Auto Accidents

Workman’s Compensation DWI, Speeding Revoked License and Similiar Traffic Infractions and Simple Divorce

SERVING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

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

Member American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

“The Modi government is committed to building impenetrable borders. It has decided to construct a fence along the entire 1643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border. To facilitate better surveillance, a patrol track along the border will also be paved, has already been fenced,” Shah wrote on X.

“Furthermore, two pilot projects of fencing through a Hybrid Surveillance System (HSS) are under execution. They will fence a stretch of 1 km each in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Additionally, fence works covering approx 20 km in Manipur have also been approved, and the work will start soon,” he added.

The FMR, which was introduced in 2018 as a part of India’s Act East policy, has been operational along the border regions of its eastern states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Historic Inauguration of BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi

The iconic new BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi was inaugurated on February 14, 2024 by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj in the presence of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the eminent Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence for the UAE, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan.

The new Mandir, constructed on land gifted by the UAE president and ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was guided and inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a global Hindu fellowship.

The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East and stands as a testament to the friendship between India and the UAE, embodying the spirit of cultural inclusivity, interfaith harmony, and community collaboration.

During an extensive interactive tour of the temple campus, Modi learned about some of the features of the Mandir that promote universal compassion, respect, charity, and learning.

Inside the Mandir, Modi participated in a short Vedic ceremony paying homage to the seven Hindu deities enshrined under the seven spires of the Mandir, themselves reflecting the unity of the seven emirates of the UAE.

After meeting volunteers, children, artisans, and others from all over the world who have supported the construction of this temple, Modi carved ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ into a piece of stone. The message of ‘the world is one family’ has been the foundational principle of the Mandir.

In his keynote address, Modi said: “Today, the UAE has written a golden chapter in the history of humanity through this Mandir. The BAPS Hindu Mandir is for all of humanity. So I have every faith that the Mandir will usher in a new age of faith and hope, bringing the whole world together in harmony and collaboration.”

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan thanked Modi for visiting the UAE. “We are proud to welcome a great friend from a great and friendly country.”

The Tolerance and Coexistence Minister also thanked His Holiness for building the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. He said, “Today marks the beginning of something special. The new Mandir will be a place of worship and also a community centre.” He concluded, “I share in your optimism. I share in your pride.”

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is an international community-based Hindu fellowship affiliated to the United Nations, caring for individuals, families and societies through its more than one million members, 80,000 volunteers and 5,025 centers.

For further details, visit Baps.org.

The Present is a Present The Present is a Present

Thinking About Thinking

by Balaji Prasad

“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”

~ Mark Twain

The future can look dark and mysterious. That should not be surprising, because it is a place you have never been to, and a place that you are not currently at.

But the future is not a place that you are able to put out of your mind: It keeps cropping up dimly and amorphously, in incoherent bits and pieces that don’t fit together neatly. Nor do these will-o’-the-wisps stay stable, appearing as shiny teasers sometimes and, at times, like an abysmal abyss that threatens to inhale you whole.

And, of course, you wouldn’t want to put the future out of your mind too! For you will live there, for sure. For that is the way of the living: to never think of not living to see another day.

If you are both doomed and driven to think about the future, would you rather not ponder it in the most productive and useful way? But before having a chance of doing that effectively, you would want to reflect on the present, for that is where the future branches out from. And, even before that, the past, which has left its indelible imprints on the present.

The past has passed

Like the future, the past doesn’t really exist, except in the interstices of your infinite mind. And because the human mind doesn’t necessarily draw unduly sharp distinctions between real things that do exist and the shadows of things that existed once, we may feel the past much more than we might want to.

Is it unhelpful to think of the past as real? No, because something like the past can exist again today. You ate your dinner yesterday, and you are eating your dinner today: the two events are not radically different. As you do simple things such as this repeatedly, your past often serves as a great mentor for your present.

Thinking continued on page 90

by Taige Shukla

Instagram: @whatsthe_chai

Sev Upma

Hi Saathee family! It feels like Spring is here. This month I’m bringing you a super easy recipe that will always hit the spot, whether it’s for a meal or a quick snack, sev upma is a great go-to, even for the pickiest of eaters. A light and mild dish perfect for the warmer months ahead that you can easily make your own with your choice of veggies. I tried sev upma for the very first time a few months ago while in India staying with our masi (Ila Masi)! I’ve had upma (typically made with rava) plenty of times, but I found that I enjoyed the sev upma so much more, so naturally I had to ask Ila Masi for her recipe. She sent her usual ingredients list and even a video of her making it! With that and what I’ve typically put in upma in the past, we were able to create this quick and easy recipe. Check out the “How-To” video on Instagram @whatsthe_chai. Special thanks to: Ila Joshi (Ila Masi)

Ingredients Directions

1 Cup Sev (wheat vermicelli) (prefer roasted)

1 ½ cups water

1 small onion (finely chopped)

1 tbsp Urad dal (split black gram)

1 small green chili (finely chopped) or 1 tsp

1 inch piece of ginger (minced) or 1 tsp

10-12 curry leaves (1 sprig)

1 tsp mustard seeds

½ tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp hing (Asafoetida)

½ tsp sugar

2 tbsp ghee or oil

Juice of 1-2 lemons

Salt to taste

½- 1 cup of frozen or mixed veggies

10-12 cashews (halved)

Cilantro (1/2- 1 cup finely chopped)

Servings: About 2 -4

Prep & Cook Time: 10 - 20 minutes

Prep your ingredients. If the sev (vermicelli) is not roasted, roast it until it becomes lightly brown and crisp, do not let it burn. Set aside. Chop and mince the onion, green chili, ginger & cilantro and set aside until ready to use. If including frozen vegetables, defrost about a cup-full before use. If including fresh vegetables, ensure all are chopped and prepped; some of our favorites to include are corn, bell pepper, carrot, green beans, and/or peas.

Start by heating ghee or vegetable oil in a pan on medium heat, add in the mustard seeds and cook until crackling. Add cumin seeds, urad dal and hing, sauté until dal is golden, then stir in the cashews and let fry until lightly browned.

Now add in onions and sauté. Once translucent stir in green chili, ginger, mixed vegetables, and curry leaves. Sauté for a few more seconds, or until veggies are slightly softened, then stir in 1 ½ cups water, sugar, and salt.

Once the water comes to a boil, place heat on low and add in the sev (vermicelli). Stir until well combined and cover for about 2 mins or until the water has completely soaked into the sev, the texture should be similar to al dente noodles.

Finally, turn off the heat, stir in lemon juice and top with cilantro. Feel free to add extra salt, chilli or lemon to taste. Personally I love extra lemon. Now your Sev Upma is ready to serve!

Annual

Hindu Center Events & Activities:

Maha-Shivratri: March 8th, Friday

Gudi Padava / Vaishakhi / Vishu/ Cheti Chand / Spring Festival / Basant Mela: March 23rd & 24th (Sat / Sun)

Holika Dahan: March 24th, Sunday

Ugadi/Gudi Padava/Vaishakhi/ Vishu/ Cheti Chand in Temple: April 9th, Tuesday

Cheti Chand in Vihar Hall: April 13th, Saturday

Dhuleti Color Playing: April 14th, Sunday

Chaitra Navratri: April 9th, Tuesday thru April 17th, Wednesday

Ram Sita Kalyanam: April 13th, Saturday; Ram Navami: April 17th, Wednesday; (Ramayan Reading starts April 19th, Friday and ends on April 20th, Saturday

Mahavir Jayanti: April 21st, Sunday & Hanuman Jayanti: April 23rd, Tuesday

MahaPrabhuji Patotsav: May 4th, Saturday

Vasavi Matha Jayanthi: May 18th, Saturday

Balaji’s Brahmotatsavam: May 24th, Friday thru May 26th, Sunday

O F C HARLOTTE

MAHA-SHIVRATRI

March 8, 2024 (Friday)

Lord Shiva Abhishekham all day

Maha Shivaratri will be celebrated by performing Pooja all night long including Rudhrabhishekham.

Evening Puja Abhishek, Bhajans, Aarti and Prasad

Spring Festival / Basant Mela encompassing Gudi Padava / Vaishakhi

Vishu / Cheti Chand

Mela & Cultural Program with music, dance, and flavors from all over India !

Cultural Program Contacts:

Email: hc_cultural@yahoo.com

Anitha Gowtam: 704-206-9348

Sarika Milhoutra: 201-696-1877

Amulya Deepak: 704-589-4033

Riya Annesha: 980-349-9476

Rashmika Patel: 980-322-3505

Cutural Chair: Niketa Mittal: 732-586-6075

Sponsorships:

Anju Jain: 704-620-4503

Nirav Pandya: 570-205-2636

HC Contacts:

Reena Roy: 704-607-8412

Hemant Amin: 704-258-3588

Hindu Center: 704-535-3440

Community Entertainment

March 23 (Sat) 11am – 7pm AND March 24 (Sun) 1pm - 6 pm

Vihar Hall

Hindu Center

Dance

H INDU C ENTER

Holika Dahan

March 24, 2024 (Sunday)

Puja & Aarti 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Holika Dahan: 7:45 pm Dhuleti

COLOR, MUSIC & FOOD

April 14, 2024 (Sunday at 12:30 pm)

Weather Permitting

Ugadi / Gudi Padva / Baisakhi

Vishu / Cheti Chand:

In Temple on April 9, 2024 (Tuesday)

Lord Balaji Archnas all day every hour

Chaitra Navratri

April 9 (Tuesday) thru April 17 (Wednesday)

O F C HARLOTTE

Cheti Chand

Sindhi New Year

April 13, 2024 (Saturday) in Vihar Hall

Presented by Sindhi Association Of The Carolinas

Sri Ram Navami

April 17, 2024 (Wednesday)

Ram Sita Kalyanam: April 13 (Saturday)

Ramayan Reading: Starts - April 19 (Friday) & Ends - April 20 (Saturday)

Lord Mahavir Jayanti Celebration

April 21, 2024 (Sunday)

Hanuman Jayanti Celebrations

April 23, 2024 (Tuesday)

108 times Chanting Hanuman Chalisa from 10 am to 6 pm followed by bhajans, aarti and Prasad

USCIS Adusts to Challenges Fees Changes and H-1B Amendments

Immigration Matters

by Rishi P. Oza

On January 30, 2024, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) issued a Final Public Notice raising filing fees for many applications and petitions submitted requesting immigration benefits in the United States. The fee increase reflects a multi-year effort by USCIS to address cost increases that the agency has faced over the years.

As a fee-driven agency, USCIS is almost entirely reliant upon filing fees to cover costs associated with document processing and adjudications. USCIS last changed filing fees in 2016 and as such, the new fee schedule has been expected for years.

The new fee schedule will be active as of April 1, 2024, and reflect an approximate 26 percent increase for most submissions. Most fees do not increase too dramatically (i.e. the cost of naturalization filings increases from $725 to $760), although green card submissions now require additional fees for employment authorization and travel document filings, which were previously included in the adjustment of status filing fee. Fee discounts will also be available for nonprofits and small employers, as well as reductions for certain filings for individuals under the age of 14.

The most significant change will likely be felt by employers seeking nonimmigrant visas for their workers, with H-1B, L-1 and O-1 filings each seeing a dramatic increase in base fees for the application and

the addition of new costs. The base fee for all three filings is currently $460, but after April 1, fees for these filings will rise depending upon the number of fulltime employees an employer has.

Employers with 25 or fewer will have lower costs, whereas employers with 26 or more employees will have higher fees. For example, H-1Bs will rise to $460 for small employers – $780 for large employers; L-1s will increase to either $695 or $1385; O-1s will jump to from $530 to $1055, again depending on the size of the employer.

Employers will also be required to submit an additional $600 as an Asylum Program Fee (only $300 for small employers and nonprofits), which is designed to help the agency displace the costs associated with asylum filings, as USCIS is prohibited by statute for charging for asylum filings. H-1B registration, which opens in mid-March will continue to have a $10 registration fee, although that will rise to $215 in 2025. By separate notice, USCIS has also raised the cost of Premium Processing (15 business day adjudications) from $2500 to $2805.

Part of the fee increases also focused on moving USCIS towards a paperless adjudications process, with the agency lowering the cost of naturalization, certain visa petitions and work permit applications submitted through its ELIS online portal. ELIS filings do not extend to all immigration applications and the system has been mired with technical glitches, security issues and outages during its existence, but USCIS’ willingness to incentivize online filings through Immigration continued on page 95

College Admissions Insider

College Admissions Insider

by Brandie Erickson

What Makes Ivy League Degrees So Valuable?

For the class of 2026, the University of Pennsylvania had an acceptance rate of 6.5 percent. Yale University accepted 4.6 percent of its applicants. The Ivy Leagues are incredibly challenging to get into each year, with many acceptance rates lowering each year due to the increase of applicants. With so many students fighting over a few coveted seats, what makes Ivy League degrees so much more valuable?

Networking

It’s no secret that Ivy League schools take great pride in their alumni network. This can be extremely helpful to a new graduate who can tap into that network for a job or interview. Even before graduating, students can use that network to find an internship or gain other valuable skills.

Money Spent on Students

Unless you get a full ride of an Ivy League school due to financial need, you are likely paying more for your education than students at non-Ivy schools. Even though students pay more, it does seem like they get more out of it as well, and the elite school pays 7.75 times more on each student than at second-tier schools. That means an Ivy League school pays $92,000 per student compared to just $12,000 at other schools.

Resources

When attending an Ivy League school, students have access to some of the best professors and researchers in the world. Most of these professors are actively engaged in various research projects. At these schools, new theories are constantly being explored, helping students to expand their studies further.

Earning Ability

According to a survey by Payscale that ranked the earning potential of alumni ten years after graduating,

Princeton is at the top of the list. However, Dartmouth College (8), University of Pennsylvania (10), Harvard University (11), Yale University (16), Columbia (38), Cornell (40), Brown (41) were close behind.

Career Paths

Some people might take a second look at your resume when they see that you graduated from an Ivy League school. Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Morgan Stanley recruit heavily from UPenn to help fill their entry-level positions.

Does having an Ivy League degree mean that you will automatically be successful? Of course not, no. But it can help you get a leg up and make great connections.

How Important Are Senior Year Grades?

As the end of the school year is in sight, seniors might start to feel the itch of senioritis. After working hard on their college applications for months, they might feel they deserve a small break. After all, they have already sent their mid-year report and transcripts from the first three years of high school to the schools. Some students might be feeling secure because some universities might have already sent out an acceptance letter to them! So, how important are senior year grades?

For some students, the importance of senior year grades will vary on a couple of factors, including the competitiveness of the college or program you are applying to, the specific university’s policies, and any conditional offers of admission or scholarships you have received.

College Acceptances. Many early action and early decision schools have sent out their acceptance letters already, which might make you think that they won’t be considering your senior year grades. However, many universities use the phrasing “all offers of admission are conditional” or “provisional admission,” meaning that the universities can rescind their offer of acceptance because of poor grades or discipline

•

•

•

•

•

Kismuth continued from page 50

turned left, and then left again, and maybe wandered some, and then before you knew it you were way far from the familiar, quite apart, and moving right along down what seemed dark-at-first and maybe scary, but, also, at other times, soothingly quiet corridors of solitude.

This Phnom Penh excursion was not dissimilar. An old feeling of wonder at the wander twinged, for the first time in many months. I’d mentioned India, last time I wrote here, and an inkling I might try that next. But this ‘trip’ was me just going outside my neighborhood. It’s not that often I leave the city center, and now we were on a national road. Very straight with increasing velocity. It sure felt familiar, kind of reminiscent, in feeling, of how it was to buckle in for the long haul to Bangkok on a bus or Siem Reap in a minivan. So many tours were taken, through these regions, before Covid.

On this day, before making the very important motion to signal to the tuk-tuk driver that I think we should look at a map, I tried to enjoy the reflection. Travel. I remember now.

But also, for some reason, this jaunt felt like I was in... North Carolina.

Details popped up from reserves of memories. Another place, another time, another highway: Highway 70. Bebopping along, passing cotton fields, putting in your favorite... cassette. So many trips, so much crisscrossing on those roads, too. But in North Carolina, it was not a tuk-tuk: it was me, in a car. Me, driving. To and from.

I used to drive up so many times, into Raleigh’s outer perimeter, and see that city’s skyline, from a distance. This is fun, anywhere. Arterial corridors delivering traffic from the outskirts of cities right into their hearts.

Denser now, as you get closer in. Like coming into Delhi, on the trains from Rajasthan. Like coming up to Ho Chi Minh City on the bus. I remember in HCMC how people I’d met would talk about that; they were from the countryside, they’d say, but even with all the traffic in the city, they kind of liked the energy. The ‘bustle.’ It was the word that got translated for me, on their phones. In this, we had something in common. In the center of the city, you can reinvent yourself. Some people say that’s what moving to a foreign country can do; give you an opportunity to start all over.

Driving into, or away from, a place that’s not a giant megalopolis like Tokyo, but is not-too-small, either, for me creates this particular click. A comfortable coziness at the recognition of a familiar skyline, to remind you where you are. Before it might have been a night bus into Kyoto. A plane touching down at Sea-Tac. Other places, other arrivals... Raleigh. That was one of them, too.

Here I am in Phnom Penh. Recalling all of this, right up until the moment my tuk tuk turns right, onto my alley, and pulls up to the gate of where I live.

Finding my way back, too, is as big a part of any trip.

Dipika Kohli

is an author who is based in Phnom Penh. Discover her books at kismuth.com and other projects at dipikakohli.com.

In college, the musical doors flew wide open. Driving around town in the 1972 Chevy Nova I had bought for $200 during my first year of college, the music helped drown out the multiple mysterious and creaky noises the car made. It broke down every few weeks, but hey, what do you expect for 200 bucks? The car at least had good speakers and the cassette deck was the friend that played mix tapes upon demand. It was an overused, beat-up car when I bought it in 1982, but it had good bones.

I often think about that car and the early days of musical education as I push further into my sixth decade surfing life on our blue, watery world.

On this February night, I’m thinking of that car and some of the tapes I used to play at maximum volume. It’s very cold. I hate the cold. I can’t stand winter. My, ahem, good bones like to be toasty warm all the time and those cold days and stark nights of winter are their biggest enemy.

Even worse than winter cold is the indoor cold of summertime, courtesy of fully blasting air conditioners. Yeah, you know it, like when you go to a restaurant or movie theater, or a friend’s house, and the AC is set at blizzard level temperatures or lower. I’ve walked out of freezing restaurants and sneakily turned up the temperature settings of air conditioners at family or friends’ homes during the summer. Toasty works for me; a little too cold and my good bones start to shrivel.

Speaking of that old car that kept me mobile in college, let’s fast forward to today. We bought a sizeable piece of land a couple of years ago that had an old house tucked between a grove of Oaks. The house was built in the early 1950s. It was abandoned for several years and was in sad shape with a leaky roof, rotting floors, and myriad other issues and problems.

We were interested in the land, and the house just happened to be there. A little bonus, if you will.

After much family discussion, instead of tearing it down, we renovated it, because, according to several contractors we interviewed, they said the house had good bones and that we should fix it up. So, we did.

People fix up old houses because the house may look decrepit, but it has good bones. I tried to keep the cranky 72 Chevy Nova fixed and running with what little money I had in college, because, well, that roadster had good bones. “Man, that thing looks rough, but it’s got them good bones.” A mechanic told me once.

I miss that old muscle car, but I still have many of the mixed tapes I used to play in the car’s tape deck. Music was my oxygen back then and remains so today. It helps keep my good bones healthy and toasty, functional. Good bones are foundational requirements for pretty much everything.

Anything in life can work, function, be productive, stand tall and upright, if it has them good bones.

Samir Shukla

is the Editor of Saathee Magazine

Contact: Samir@Saathee.com

Twitter: @ShuklaWrites

Newsletter: ShuklaWrites.Substack.com

Raajeev continued from page 58

write something horrible like “F U Brownie” or “F U Raghead” or “F U Turban Dweller” - at least then I could sue the school and make some money! What happened to the good old racists from the ‘60s that we keep reading about?

It was truly horrible, and I could tell that my son was hurt. I asked him who did it and he said he knew. I was furious. I wanted to say “Who was it? Point him out to me! …And if he’s tall, then point out his smaller, weaker friend instead!” Hey, I already told you this place had basketball courts; some of these kids were huge. I’m more of a lover than a fighter. And I’m not even that good of a lover.

I did the proper adult thing though and took this problem to the authorities. I went straight to the principal’s offi

ce and started yelling at him. …Okay, first I made sure that he was shorter than me; then I started yelling.

My heart was broken because bullying ran in our family. I was bullied in high school myself; kids in India used to call me a horse. I don’t know exactly how it started - maybe because of the way I walked or the way I ran? But I can still hear them now, all those girls yelling at me “Raajeev is hung like a horse!” I don’t know what it means but it was very hurtful.

No, kids really did bully me in school; my selfconfidence was sapped, and it took me years to recover. It was weird; bullying really did run in my family. I was bullied, and my father later told me how he was bullied in school too! And of course, before him I had generations of ancestors who were bullied as well - but the British just called it “colonization”.

It was sad because we’d seen the signs… He was a shy and awkward kid who couldn’t make eye contact with adults while speaking. However, it had never occurred to us that the primary reason for it was bullying; we just assumed it was something more reasonable, like a drug problem. I’m kidding! That would never happen. I’m a good parent; I always checked his room for Starbucks cups.

We wanted to help our son, so we came up with an idea. My youngest son, Neil, was interested in taking acting classes, so we thought we’d also have Vicktor try it. Because if there’s anyone in this world that’s secure and emotionally stable, it’s actors.

The person organizing the acting classes had also set up a comedy troupe for teenagers to perform stand-up comedy as well. I thought this was a terrific idea and immediately signed them up for it; that way, Vicktor could find some selfconfidence… and I could steal his jokes. Hey, if I’m paying for the classes, I get to keep the punchlines. That’s the law.

I was very proud of them; they learned to write wellstructured jokes and perform in front of people. They learned how to turn bad situations into good jokes. Instead of doing what I do on nights like this - creating bad situations by not having good jokes.

One of the jokes my son Vicktor wrote was a comeback against a bully in school. It went something like this: At school, this kid kept bothering me. He would say, “Hey Vicktor, you smell like curry. You smell like damn curry.” So, he said, “I don’t smell like curry. I smell like Tikka

Masala. Similar but different.” “I’m assuming you eat cow. Because you smell like bull crap.” Funny, right? Not only did this joke always get a good laugh, but he even used it against the bully at his school. That bully was laughing so hard between the punches.

We were so proud of our son. Learning to take his pain and create something from it had boosted Vicktor’s confidence. It really made a change in him. He was more content with himself. He was able to carry on conversations now with family and friends. He could even talk to strangers now! On playgrounds. Who offered him candy. In an unmarked van… I said he was “confident” not “smart”.

I know he’ll be OK now. The ability to laugh at oneself is one of life’s greatest gifts. And if his classmates ever start comparing him to a horse, he’ll be able to do what I never could: Look them straight in the eye and tell them “I am nothing like a horse! Everything on my body is perfectly normal human-sized… or maybe even smaller!”

Raajeev Aggerwhil

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

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

College Admissions continued from page 82

reasons. High school counselors will send final transcripts, and if they are littered with low grades, it might mean the colleges no longer see you as a candidate who shares their core values and standards.

Scholarships. Many scholarships granted are based on merit, and you are expected to maintain a strong academic record to retain the scholarship. Therefore, if your grades slip below the minimum requirements, you might be jeopardizing the scholarship.

Competitive programs like BS/MD or BS/DMD programs. BS/MD, also known as direct medical programs, and BS/DMD, or direct dental programs, are highly competitive and often accept 10-20 students in their application class. For example, Case Western Reserve University’s PreProfessional Scholars Program accepts less than 1% of its applicants. Due to the competitive nature of these programs, the admission committees will likely have higher standards and will rescind admissions offers if they believe your grades don’t reflect your readiness for the rigorous program.

As you consider your college admission offers, it is always a good idea to check each school’s policies and criteria. If there is a dip in grades due to personal challenges, it is always a good idea to contact the admissions office to communicate the situation. And while you aren’t necessarily expected to get straight “A’s” in your senior year, you should maintain the standards you have held yourself to over your entire high school career.

Brandie Erickson

For more details, contact Brandie@moonprep.com

J.

The R ad t 2024 Electi ns

Your Guide to Election News and Upcoming Dates

Super Tuesday

March 5, 2024 is Super Tuesday, when over a dozen states will hold their primaries.

What Is a Primary Election?

In a primary election, voters select which candidates will appear on the ballot for a given political party in the general election in November. Voters registered with one of the recognized political parties (Democratic, Green, Libertarian, No Labels, or Republican) may only cast a ballot in that party’s primary election. The Green Party and No Labels Party do not have North Carolina primaries in 2024.

For the 2024 primary, unaffiliated voters may request a Democratic, Libertarian, or Republican ballot, or a nonpartisan ballot, if available.

North Carolina now requires voters to show IDs.

Sample Ballot Lookup

Ballotpedia is a non-partisan site that offers lots of information for voters. A new feature is their Sample Ballot Lookup Tool. It is an easy way to look at your ballot before heading out to vote. You can find it at this link: Ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup.

Upcoming Dates:

Presidential Primary Election Dates 2024:

March 5, 2025: Super Tuesday (includes NC, TN, VA)

May 21, 2024: Georgia presidential primary

National Conventions:

May 24 - 26, 2024: Libertarian National Convention (Washington D.C.)

July 15 - 18, 2024: Republican National Convention (Milwaukee)

August 19 - 22, 2024: Democratic National Convention (Chicago)

State Election Board Websites: North Carolina: Ncsbe.gov

South Carolina: Scvotes.gov

Georgia: Sos.ga.gov/state-election-board Virginia: Elections.virginia.gov

Eye

Super Micro Computer’s (SMCI) shares were up nearly 35 percent after it reported numbers. SMCI guided up its revenue and profit expectations, driven by “strong market and end customer demand for its artificial intelligence servers.” ASML (makes advanced semiconductor equipment) reported revenue growth of 30 percent, saying orders more than tripled. Meta announced during the month that they plan to buy 350 thousand GPU chips from Nvidia and almost 600 thousand equivalent chips for its AI ambitions. Many view semiconductors as the new transports, an industry that is often a leading economic indicator.

Both Microsoft and Google reported growth north of 25 percent in their cloud business. On the enterprise software side, ServiceNow reported growth of 26 percent, driven by AI, which even helped IBM report strong growth. These types of orders and corporate commentary indicate that we are in a new capex cycle for technology driven by AI that will lead to earnings growth for the coming quarters. Earnings revisions for tech for are up 7 percent, compared to down 7 percent for the S&P. Dips in tech are likely to get bought with nearly $9 trillion in cash on the sidelines and under-positioning from hedge funds.

One of the major benefits of GAI is productivity that drives margin expansion. Goldman estimates GAI will lift productivity by 1.5 percent and driving margins by 4 percent. Healthcare stands to be a major beneficiary of margin expansion. McKinsey estimates that just elimination of waste and fraud within healthcare could save the industry 5-10 percent annually. Harvard estimates that GAI could save the industry $360bn annually. Drug discovery is often trial and error. Citi estimates that 92 percent of candidate drugs fail. AI will help increase the hit rate.

More near-term, healthcare is expected to have the highest earnings growth in the S&P at 18.1 percent. Pharma’s price-to-forward-earnings ratio of 16.7 is about a 15 percent discount to the S&P. The industry looks to recover from a multi-year COVID hangover. We are starting to see the recovery as many insurers reported high medical loss ratios indicating an increased demand for healthcare. There is a ton of disruption in the industry from policy changes, regulation, patent cliffs, to innovation in weight loss, cancer, and Alzheimer’s that has led to M&A.

Healthcare M&A was up over 20 percent last year, while overall deal volume was down. Just in recent weeks we have seen significant deals from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers, and Sanofi. The industry is a blend of growth, value, and defense. Finally, positioning, which is only in the 20th percentile, has plenty of room to grow. The combination of low positioning, high earnings growth, cheap valuation, and disruption could make healthcare an attractive place to be.

In the coming weeks, the market will continue to focus on the Fed, earnings, geopolitics, and the election.

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

However, the past can be a great source of dogma and indoctrination as well, intruding actively into your ability to deal effectively with the present, especially where the present has made a break with the past in some significant manner. For example, you may be required to do some things in the present that you may not have needed to do in the past. You may be driven by circumstances and objectives today that are very different from those of the past. If you are not aligned to the current pressures but are instead a slave to the habits and behaviors that served you well in a different time, you will be operating in a world that no longer exists and be left wondering why you always go offkey when you try to sing the song of your life.

The present is the only thing present

Today is the day! There is this, and nothing more.

Today is unlike the past, except for the things and people that have traveled the arc of time along with you from the past. They may be similar in some ways but may also vary somewhat. Just as you are not exactly the same today, as you were yesterday, or the day before. So today may not repeat yesterday: it may rhyme with it, or it may simply be its own brand-new thing.

Regardless of today’s similarity or divergence from the past, there is one thing that is undeniable: you can hold it in your hand, touch it, feel it, interact with it, shape it and take it where you have the opportunity to take it.

Opportunity! That’s the key. Some say that the opportunities are unlimited. While that is technically untrue – the universe doesn’t make everything possible – it is notionally in the right direction. For, you are more likely to see incorrect limits on what you can do than you are to engage with fictitious infinities. The limits you see may be because of the persistence of the past, and the assumptions, patterns and habits therefrom.

The ball and chain from the past must be cut loose, if you are to realize the opportunities that are present in the present. But it is not just you that may need to free yourself from the past. If there are others around you, as there always are in our human lives, they too may need to let go of things from the past, especially as it relates to their view of you.

Letting go of the past is not as difficult as it may seem because the present is undiscounted unlike the past. It is present in its full glory, intoxicating the senses far more than the past is ever capable of doing. So, as long as you intoxicate the people from your past with your reborn presence in the present, they will move with you to where you are. With things, there is no such issue. Things don’t think and they don’t carry past baggage. And, as you flex and mold and shape them to your will, they will bend.

That’s all fine, but what about the future!? That will wait for another day. In the meantime, the present beckons; we need to answer its call.

Balaji Prasad

is an IIT/IIM graduate, a published author, SAT/ACT Online and in-person Coach, and K-12 Math Tutor at NewCranium. balaji.prasad@newcranium.com.

Dances of India

continued from page 40

Vaidiki Brahmin men. They belonged to specific families and only those families were trained to perform, like Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.

To depict a dance-drama, several dancers were needed for different roles. As only men practiced and performed this dance form, men dressed up as females for female characters. This practice was to primarily avoid exploitation of females by kings and other rulers during those times.

Transition: These performances were dedicated to temple dancing and seldom left the state of Andhra Pradesh. The idea of men dressed up as females did not attract the general audiences.

Any art will have to adapt itself to the aesthetic sensibilities of changing times. It was with this idea in view the pioneer Vedantam Lakshminarayana Sastry initiated women into this discipline. Despite the resistance from the traditional groups, formal training was imparted to women, and this gave the dance style the much-needed momentum to increase its popularity.

Slowly, people and families from other areas have also started to learn this dance style. The repertoire also underwent a change. Solo items were choreographed along with dance-dramas. This marked the beginning of the solo dancers who would perform at theaters outside the state. Today we see women playing even men’s roles.

Classical Tradition: Kuchipudi is a dance style which has all the salient features of classical dance system. It strictly follows Bharatha’s Natyashastra and Nandikeswara’s Abhinaya Darpanam, the authorities and ancient treatise on dance, which are the main sources for all the Indian classical dance traditions. In every classical dance style, Nritta, Nritya and Natya are three common components. Mainly the Nritta (rhythmic) aspect is a differential factor.

We may describe Kuchipudi dance as a tri-fold culture:

Pagativeshams or Daytime entertainment: This includes some of the most popular dances such as “Golla Kalapam”a story of Milkmaid and Brahmin, “Singi-Singadu”- the fortune teller and so on. Dancers will have to dress in the costume of the milkmaid or the fortune tellers to depict these items.

Dance Dramas: The Bhagavatha Mela Natakam, popularly known as Kuchipudi Bhagavatham is a dance drama in which the actors themselves dance and sing. Those artists were known a Bhagavathulu. Some of the most popular dance dramas are Bhama Kalapam, Kumara Sambhavam, Ramayanam, Javali-Madhura Nagarilo, and Shiva Leela (we will be performing this dance drama on April 6, 2024, during Dances of India show in Charlotte). In dance dramas specific facial masks are also used to represent characters such as Ganesh, Narasimha, Ardha Nareeshwara, Ravana etc. Due to the glamorous nature of its costumes and style, most of the movies try to imitate this dance form.

Solo dances: Solo dancers have emerged because of migration to other areas outside the vicinity of their dance

troops. Some of the most popular solo dances are Krishna Shabdam, Mandooka Shabdam, and Taranga Nrityam, where the dancer is challenged with the balancing act of pot on the head while standing and dancing on a brass plate.

Kuchipudi may use similar hand gestures as Bharatha Natyam, but there are many significant differences in its implementation. The technique of Kuchipudi makes use of sculpturesque body movements, structured swinging, quicker eye movements and uninterrupted foot work. The design of the costumes differs to complement the dance style and its posture. Stylized mime, using hand gestures and subtle facial expression, is combined with more realistic acting, occasionally including dialogues spoken by the dancers.

Kuchipudi is accompanied by Carnatic music. A typical orchestra for a Kuchipudi recital includes the Mridangam drum, flute, violin, vocal, and the nattuvangam. The languages used are primarily Telugu, Sanskrit, and sometimes pure Hindi.

Even today over 400 families of this glorious art are living in the village of Kuchipudi to elevate this cosmic dance form.

All over ancient India, it would seem dance and music are seen not merely as an entertainment, but as an offering and worship of the Divine. Dance, like music, has no geographical boundaries, no linguistic barriers and no racial divisions. This is apparent as Kuchipudi dance style has become one of the most respectable and known classical dances of India.

Dr. Maha Gingrich

For questions or comments, contact via email at GingrichMaha@gmail.com

Personal Finances

continued from page 62

Most young families have dual income and hence they fall into the class of upper income taxpayers, generally between the $200K to $400K range. Many have stock ownership arrangements with the Corporation they work for. An ESOP is a type of retirement plan that allows employees to own the company stock indirectly through ESOP. There are significant tax benefits because ESOPs are generally exempt from income tax. The following are common ESOP compliance issues flagged by the IRS: prohibited allocation of shares to disqualified employees, stock valuation issues and not following rules for loans amongst many others.

While not much can be done for 2023 now, except for starting an IRA for 2023 (you have time till middle of April 2024). But all this impetus should be used for planning properly for 2024. Your success will depend on how seriously you look at that task.

Mo Vidwans

is an independent, board certified financial planner. For details visit, VidwansFinancial.com, call 734-476-0579 or write to: mvfinancial@yahoo.com

Love Songs in Hindu Devotion

Love Songs in Hindu Devotion

The Tamil poets who took on the female voice to express their intense longing for the divine

The Tamil poets who took on the female voice to express their intense longing for the divine

By Archana Venkatesan

Valentine’s Day often revives attention on romantic themes in literature. Stories are cited in media with the aim of helping people navigate the demands of the human heart on a day that has become intimately associated with romantic love.

One literary tradition rarely highlighted is that of Hindu “bhakti” or ecstatic devotion, which birthed some of the most stirring mystical poetry composed in the world. The earliest bhakti poems were composed in Tamil, a classical Indian language, in praise of the two great gods of Hinduism — Shiva and Vishnu.

While the poet-devotee adopts many attitudes in relation to their chosen deity, one of the most common is the relationship between a human lover and divine beloved. This is especially true in the poems to Vishnu, which I study, where many male poets assume the female voice to express their longing for union with the divine beloved, conceived as male.

Poetics of longing

The Tamil poet-devotees to Vishnu lived between the sixth and ninth centuries in the Tamil-speaking regions of peninsular India. Because they are in eternal contemplation of Vishnu, they are called the “alvar” or the “Immersed Ones.”

There are 12 alvar poets, all from different social backgrounds, including one woman, named Kodhai. Much of the alvars’ poetry reveals an intense longing for a silent and absent god, so much so that it has been called “viraha bhakti,” or devotion in separation.

The love appears, at least as presented by the poet, as completely one-sided – sparked by a chance encounter with a mysterious and inscrutable deity. It is an unshakable and transformative love that roots itself deep in the poet.

Some male alvar poets adopt the female voice to give full-throated expression to their love for the beautiful male deity Vishnu in all his many forms. The use of a female voice by a male poet is not unusual in the Tamil or Sanskrit literature. But what distinguishes the male bhakti poets’ female voice is the structure of bhakti poetry itself, where the poet and the voice in the poem are read as identical.

Thus, what is in the poem is received by the bhakti traditions as autobiographical accounts of the ups and downs of their desire for a permanent union with the divine beloved. Then, from this perspective, the male poet uses the gender switch to explore bhakti’s emotional terrain, particularly as an embodied and physical love for god. In

the words of a 13th century commentator, the poet chooses his own voice in the fleeting moments of union, but the female voice in the endless time in separation.

These male poets deploy the full range of archetypal female characters that populate Tamil classical love poetry – the heroine, her mother, her friend and the fortuneteller from the hills – to describe their love for Vishnu.

To this cast of characters, the poets also occasionally use, as Kodhai herself does, mythological female figures. The cowherd women of the wondrous town of Vrindavan, where the youthful divine Krishna is eternally at play, is a particular favorite for the alvar poets.

Male poets and female voice of longing

Two ninth century alvar poets, Nammalvar and Tirumankai, are particularly deft in their use of these female voices of longing. Their heroine dominates their poems; her tone in turns demanding, insistent and despairing as she seeks through language to call the absent divine beloved back to her.

To do this, she vividly describes the mesmerizing beauty of the god, manifesting him before her in words, when she can’t have him in an embodied form. Simultaneously, she describes the agonizing effects of her love, hoping the god will show compassion toward her.

In one such verse, Nammalvar, in the voice of a lovelorn heroine, says:

Worse than the fiercest fire is the fine powdered darkness of night the tall chariot of the beautiful sun doesn’t appear, my beloved, his eyes bright as lotus-blooms, does not come Who can end my heart’s grief?

I dissolve to nothing. (Tiruvaymoli, V.4.9.)

If the heroine provides a catalog of her lovesickness, the additional voices of mothers, friends and fortunetellers comment on it. They are the outside

observers of the external manifestation of the heroine’s and the poet’s own inner turmoil and desperate desire for union with the divine.

Love in many shades

Not all the male alvar poets use one of these archetypal female voices, and a female voice does not always have to speak about romantic love. Some poets such as the late eighth-to-ninth century Kulasekhara Alvar adopt the persona of the doting mother of the Hindu Gods Krishna or Rama, who is also considered an avatara of Vishnu.

In these guises, they sing lullabies to him, adorn him and imagine, like mothers do, a magnificent future for their child. These poems are not composed from the vantage of separation; rather, they are poems of intimacy and joy, celebrating maternal love.

There is, however, one exception to these joyful maternal poems. In a wrenching set of 10 verses in his poem “Perumal Tirumoli,” Kulashekara Alvar speaks in the voice of Devaki, Krishna’s birth mother, who is forced to give him up to protect his life.

In these 10 verses, the poet as Devaki laments the misfortune that prevented her from raising her son, juxtaposing her inconsolable grief with the immeasurable joy of Krishna’s foster mother, Yashoda.

In the poems of the alvar, love, directed toward Vishnu, takes many forms: humble service; unconditional, protective maternal adoration; and the intense intimacy of lovers. Composed from the vantage of separation and rendered in the female voices of women – mothers and abandoned lovers – these poems offer a unique understanding of the mysterious bond that exists between god and his dearest devotees.

Article courtesy of The Conversation (theconversation.com)

Archana Venkatesan is Professor of Religious Studies and Comparative Literature, University of California, Davis lowered filing fees focuses the agency’s intention of reducing the environmental impact of paper filings, while simultaneously seeking to expedite adjudications.

Immigration continued from page 80

Changes to H-1B Registration Process

The fee increases were not the only changes felt in the immigration field, as USCIS announced changes to the H1B registration process aimed at reducing fraud and gamesmanship in the H-1B selection process. Because the number of new H-1B visas are capped annually (65,000 regular cap with an additional 20,000 Masters cap applicants), USCIS has utilized a lottery process for determining who would be selected to submit an application.

Prior to 2021, USCIS required that applicants construct an entire H-1B filing (usually 100+ pages of documentation) to register for the cap lottery, but in 2021, USCIS changed the system to an online registration, thus reducing the amount of documentation received by the agency and also

the cost on employers (alas, lawyers were the big losers with the change).

The result was a system that was much more streamlined and efficient and permitted a single individual to be entered into the lottery as many times as they wanted, provided that a single employer did not register the same individual more than once. What resulted was a bonanza of registrations with reports showing a single individual being registered by multiple employers that magnified over time.

As shown below, in 2021 the total number of registrations was 274,424 with only about 10 percent of applicants being registered by multiple employers; by 2024, that number of registrations had almost tripled with the number of multiple registrations now constituting over 50 percent of all registrations.

See Chart Below:

USCIS’ new rule, which is effective immediately changes the registration from an employer-based selection process to an employee-based selection process, meaning that a single individual may have as many employers register him/her for the H-1B lottery as they want, but that registrations will be selected by unique beneficiary rather than by registration.

This new selection method aims to reduce gamesmanship and fraud in the registration process and caused concerns that applicants and employers were unfairly using the selection process to increase their overall chances of selection.

The new methodology reduces any incentive to have an employee submit multiple registrations from faux employers, as doing so will have no discernable impact on their individual likelihood of selection. The new rule will also codify USCIS’ ability to “deny or revoke H-1B petitions where the underlying registration contained a false attestation or was otherwise invalid.”

The H-1B registration fee will remain $10 and the registration period will open at 12pm EST on March 6, 2024 and run through 12pmM EST on March 22, 2024.

Rishi P. Oza

is Partner at Brown Immigration Law, a firm that focuses solely on immigration law; he practices in Durham. roza@rbrownllc.com

Nutrition for Life continued from page 54

again. This switch from external to internal fuel reserves has many other benefits beyond simply survival. Different types of fasting can activate these benefits to varying degrees.

The most common benefits of fasting include weight loss and fat reduction, and the ability to maintain healthy levels of metabolic markers such as blood glucose, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, and cholesterol. There is also improvement in the gut microbiome.

Several studies have shown that fasting during chemotherapy can significantly reduce adverse side effects, especially nausea/vomiting and fatigue. These fasts during cancer treatment should only be done under medical supervision.

Important considerations:

It is important to remember that intermittent fasting only determines when you will eat. It does not guide you about what to eat. Therefore, if you are not mindful about including a healthy nutrient rich diet for the meals you are eating, you will not see any benefits from fasting. You should not try fasting if you do not already have a set routine. If you tend to skip meals, first establish a daily routine before trying any time-restricted eating.

Who should not fast?

• People with history of seizures or fainting

• Anyone who has a fever, cough, diarrhea, or infections

• Anyone who is underweight, pregnant, or breastfeeding

• Anyone under 18 years of age or over the age of 70, unless they have approval and are under the supervision of a healthcare provider

• Anyone with significant dietary restrictions or history of eating disorder

Types of fasting:

There are different types of fasts. Finding the right one for you depends on your specific goals, lifestyle, level of health, body chemistry and any special physical needs. When it comes to fasting or any other diet regimen, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Do not blindly follow other people and learn to listen to your own body. Do what fits your lifestyle and daily routine, and what you can do on the most consistent basis.

12:12: If you want to get into a routine, this is the easiest to follow, and should be followed by everyone. Keep a gap of 12 hours between your dinner and the next day’s breakfast. For example, finish dinner before 8 pm, and eat breakfast the next day after 8 am. Again, make sure that when you eat from 8 am to 8 pm, consume small balanced meals with a gap of 3-4 hours.

16:8: This is the most common form of fasting practice being done these days. This involves stretching the fasting window to 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour timeframe.

Your 8-hour window for eating may be 10 am to 6 pm or 11 am to 7 pm. But again, remember that within these eight hours, eat three small meals spaced apart evenly.

Other types of fasts

The 5:2 Diet: This type of intermittent fast that focuses on fasting during specific days of the week. You eliminate or severely restrict your calorie intake for two (nonconsecutive) days of the week and then resume a normal diet for the other five days.

Alternate Day Fast: The basic premise here is to fast on one day and eat what you want the next day, repeating the cycle throughout the week. Some modified ADF approaches allow you to consume up to restricted calories on fasting days.

Other severe fasting regimens include eating only one meal a day or doing a water fast (drinking only water for 48 hours).

Summary

As with any diet, one size does not fit all. Intermittent fasting has shown to have benefits, but it may not be suitable for all. It is also not supposed to be done for prolonged periods of time. Be mindful of what you eat and try to have a consistent routine whether you do intermittent fasting or not.

Parul Kharod

is a registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist and works as a Clinical Dietitian. She can be reached at parulkharod@gmail.com

Upcoming Movies continued from page 34

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (Director: Randeep Hooda)

Cast: Randeep Hooda, Ankita Lokhande, and Amit Sial

Sleeping Dogs (Director: Adam Cooper)

Cast: Russell Crowe, Karen Gillan, and Tommy Flanagan

March 29

Do Aur Do Pyaar (Director: Shirsha Guha Thakurta)

Cast: Vidya Balan, Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D’Cruz, and Sendhil Ramamurthy

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (Director: Adam Wingard)

Cast: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Fala Chen

Munjhya (Director: Aditya Sarpotdar)

Cast: Abhay Verma, Sharvari Wagh, and Mona Singh

Asphalt City (Director: Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire)

Cast: Tye Sheridan, Kali Reis, and Sean Penn

Tillu Square (Director: Mallik Ram)

Cast: Siddhu Jonnalagadda and Anupama Parameswaran

Read More - Watch More - Find More on Saathee.com

Watch the Video Here: India’s Pursuit of Green Hydrogen Faces Cost and Safety Challenges

Editor’s Desk: Read about Frequent Frequencies here.

I Believe in the Value of Relationships.

I view every client relationship like a partnership and truly believe that my success is a result of your success.

Rajarshi Desai CPA, PLLC

7301 Carmel Executive Park Dr. Suite #320 Charlotte, NC 28226

704.541.9966 or 917.612.1489 (cell)

Fax: 877.294.7979

E-mail: rd@rajdesaicpa.com

Member: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and NYSSCPA

Desai & Mehta CPAs, PLLC

I am committed to providing close, personal attention to my clients. I take pride in giving you the assurance that the personal assistance you receive comes from 15 years of my public accounting experience including several years of Big 4 accounting firm’s advanced training, technical experience and financial acumen. My continual investment of time and resources in professional continuing education and extensive business relationships is indicative of my commitment to excellence.

• Audit Representation and Tax Resolution to 100% clients satisfaction before federal, state and local tax authorities, including filing past year returns.

• Review for possible Federal or State income tax exposure.

• Monthly Bookkeeping Services.

• Payroll and Sales Tax preparation and Compliance.

• Financial reviews and compilation including compliance testing.

• Corporate, partnership, individual, trust and estate tax consulting, planning and compliance.

• Mergers and acquisition reviews including business valuations.

• Comprehensive business services in accounting and auditing.

• Management information systems consulting and technology implementation services.

Quiz Corner

Word World By

Kirit Shukla

LM I G N

AOA

Make words using 5 or more letters. The central letter must be used in each word. Plural words are not allowed.

Use all letters for the subject word (underlined in solutions below)

8+ words = Excellent; 6 to 7 words = Good; 5 or less = keep looking. Some words we found are in solutions below.

Brain-Train

Here is a fun quiz. See if you can solve it. No peeking!

Match the number in column 1 with letter in column 2

Birthstone

1. Amethyst

2. Aquamarine

3. Diamond

4. Emerald

5. Ruby

6. Peridot

7. Sapphire

8. Garnet

9. Citrine

10. Blue Topaz

11. Opal

12. Pearl

Month

A. September

B. August

C. November

D. March

E. February

F. April

G. June

H. May

I. December

J. July

K. October

L. January

Brain Train: 1-E, 2-D, 3-F, 4-H, 5-J, 6-B, 7-A, 8-L, 9-C, 10-I,

5.b 6.c 7.d 8.c 9.a 10.c

Scholar: 1.a, c, b, d 2.b 3.a 4.d

again, align, among, analog, animal, malign, magnolia

Word World (Solution) amigo, gloam, manga, mania, along,

Who wants to be a Scholar?!

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

1. Arrange these chemical substances from low to high boiling points.

(a) Chloroform(b) Glycerol

(c) Water(d) Sulfuric Acid

2. Amitabh Bachchan sang a Holi song in the film

(a) Don (b) Silsila

(c) Hum(d) Sholay

3. How many US states start with the letter M?

(a) 8 (b) 7

(c) 6 (d) 5

4. “Equal volumes of all gases, at the same temperature & pressure, have the same number of molecules.” is the law of (a) Ohm(b) Pythagoras (c) Periodic(d) Avogadro

5. The planet Uranus has ___ known moons.

(a) 14(b) 27 (c) 53(d) 79

6. The area of an eclipse with minor axis = 4ft. and major axis = 7 ft. is approximately

(a) 18 Sq. feet (b) 20 Sq. feet

(c) 22 Sq. feet (d) 24 Sq. feet

7. Use of math and computers to understand chemical behavior is this branch of chemistry.

(a) Inorganic (b) Analytical (c) Quantum(d) Theoretical

8. Super Bowl 2020 winner (a) Panthers(b) Forty Niners (c) Chiefs(d) Patriots

9. The birth stone for March is (a) Aquamarine(b) Amethyst (c) Emerald(d) Diamond

10. Indian Rs. 2 paper note (removed from circulation) was introduced in (a) 1935(b) 1939

(c) 1943(d) 1947

Answers are on bottom left. No Peeking.

Scholar: All correct; 1st Class: 8 Correct; 2nd Class: 7 Correct; 3rd Class: 6 Correct; Need to improve: 5 or less

Key Word Search

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

Opposite of out ___.

A bad smell ___.

Something you fly tied to a string ___.

Detroit is in the state of ___. ___ South, East, West.

Poodle is a type of ___.

The main activity in a casino ___.

Answers on page 104

11-K, 12-G

By Kirit Shukla

Clues Down:

PUZZLES & TOONS

Note: * denotes abbreviation of the word or phrase

Clues Across:

1. The basic monetary unit of Switzerland.

6. A person who writes a new law.

11. A one story rectangular house found in the wilderness.

12. A bed or vein of ore; lode. (Mining)

13. To run away secretly with the intention to get married.

14. Thought of as perfect model; of a perfect kind.

16. The basic monetary unit of Japan.

17. Of the oldest known Predynastic culture of Egypt.

20. Used as a cry of encouragement to foxhounds.

22. A small demon.

24. Of a kind of liquid crystal in which molecules form layers, with the molecules ordered within each layer.

25. To doze or sleep lightly for a short time.

26. Compact disc. (*)

27. New Hampshire. (*)

28. National Heritage Iron Group. (*)

30. A gas produced by destructive distillation of coal.

32. Virgin Islands. (*)

33. A woman who is a graduate of a particular school/college.

35. The state bird of Connecticut state.

37. Fatigued, worn-out.

38. Feeling great horror; terrified.

39. Wicked.

40. Something given or gotten free of charge. (Slang)

41. Rare earth element. (*) (Geochemistry)

42. A decimal point. (Math)

43. Timing imposed due to tardiness.

1. The Goddess of love and fertility. (Norse Myth)

2. Abnormal respiratory sound characterized by crackles.

3. A pseudonym.

4. National consumer panel. (*)

5. A New Year’s Day festival celebrated by Sindhi people.

6. The act of searching someone for concealed contraband.

7. Region; a level surface of ground.

8. Something one intends to convey through language.

9. A bony fish with a long, slippery, snakelike body.

10. Radio frequency. (*)

15. To lose or give off a stored electrical charge.

18. Division of a theater performance.

19. One who is appointed to a job or position.

21. Beverage of wine & honey, favored by ancient Greeks.

23. Massachusetts. (*)

24. South Dakota. (*)

26. A bowl-shaped depression caused by an explosion.

29. A line drawn on a map connecting points that receive equal amounts of sunlight.

30. Marie _____. Early 20th century physicist and chemist.

31. Los Angeles. (*)

32. To stay as a guest for a time.

34. To exist.

36. “Sai ___”; British Artist Blacksmiths Association. (*)

38. Skill; craftsmanship.

40. Foreign Office. (*)

(solution on page 104)

WordFind

Find & circle the words in the puzzle.

Subject: Holi

ASHES BARSANA BONFIRE

BRINDAVAN CATCH COCONUT COLORS DANCE

DHULETI DIP DRUMS FESTIVAL GULAL

HOLIKADAHAN HUMANPYRAMID

KRISHNA LIT MUSIC NARASIMHA PHAGWAH

PRAHLADA

PRAYERS PYRE

SOCIALEVENT WATERGUNS

(answer on page 104)

Math Magic

Fill in the empty squares to get = the final given answers. Use any number from 1 to 8 only once:

Note: Follow the order of operation per basic math rule: ×,÷, +,The multiplication or division is done before addition and subtraction. (solution on page 104)

EZ-BZ

TEST YOUR IQ

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

1. Astrological sign between Virgo & Scorpio. _ IB _ _

2. Immunoglobulin. _ _ _ IB _ _ _

3. Ancient region in the S Caucasus, now Georgia . IB _ _ _ _

4. An excuse to avert punishment. [Latin] _ _ IB _

5. Madam; a title used in India by a servant. _ _ _ _ _ _ IB

6. That can be seen. _ _ _ IB _ _

7. Vibraphone; vibrations. _ IB _ _

8. Something given that shows respect & honor. _ _ IB _ _ _

9. A member of a people of SE Nigeria. IB _

10. A small bed with high sides, for a baby. _ _ IB

11. To refuse to permit; forbid by law. _ _ _ _ IB _ _

12. A threadlike structure made for weaving. _ IB _ _

13. The Niger-Congo language of SE Nigeria. IBIB _ _

14. A short, sharp, witty attack in words. _ _ _ IB

15. Unintelligible chatter. _ IB _ _ _

16. The NSAID drug: [C14H18O2] IB _ _ _ _ _ _ _

17. Group of people sharing ancestry, culture. _ _ IB _

18. To give an account in speech or writing. _ _ _ _ _ IB _

19. The projecting arm of a crane. _ IB

20. A large volume containing a collection of previously published works by a single author. _ _ _ IB _ _

21. In the same place. (Latin) IB _ _

22. One of many kids born of the same parents. _ IB _ _ _ _

23. Anything fit to be eaten; food. _ _ IB _ _

24. Steel beam with a cross section shaped like an I. I-B _ _ _

25. The sacred book of Christianity. _ IB _ _ (Puzzle solutions are on page 104. NO peeking!)

kiritsshukla@gmail.com

The unused 6 letters spell is ”Holi is the — festival in India.”

Saathee Puzzle Master Kirit Shukla

Festivals & Holidays - Puzzle Solutions

MARCH 2024

Mar. 3 – World Wildlife Day

Mar. 8 – Maha Shivaratri

Mar. 8 – International Women’s Day

Mar. 10 – Darsh Amas (No Moon)

Mar. 10 – Ramadan Begins

Mar. 10 – Daylight Saving Time Begins

Mar. 14 – Pi Day

Mar. 17 – St. Patrick’s Day

Mar. 19 – Spring Equinox / Ostara

Mar. 20 – Parsi New Year

Mar. 23 – Purim

Mar. 24 – Holika Dahan

Mar. 24 – Palm Sunday

Mar. 24 – Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon)

Mar. 24 – Lunar Eclipse

Mar. 25 – Holi

Mar. 29 – Good Friday

Mar. 31 – Easter Sunday

Key Word Search Answers from page 100

Puzzle Solutions from page 102-103

Key Word of the Month: Kingdom

Math Magic from page 103

Astroscope

MARCH 2024

Aries (March 21 – April 20)

This will be one of the most eventful months of the year for you. A rise in income and status are both clearly indicated. A minor dispute with friends could tear down your mood during the second week of the month, however. This is a good time to make positive decisions and start a new business. Celebrate religious or social events to enjoy love and happiness all around.

Taurus (April 21 – May 20)

A sudden change in your life could be possible this month. You may have an opportunity to achieve your dream, but due to a reckless choice, you could instead experience serious health issues. Your father’s health may also deteriorate. Try to control your ego and stubbornness as your associates grant full support for any investment endeavors.  You should be able to maintain normal income flow for now.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

A particular decision may lead to a mistake during the first half of the month. Wait until the last week of the month to publish any creative writing. Support from your partner and children will be there. Bad news regarding your sibling may disturb you. Avoid using logic to solve any problems, but instead follow your instincts.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

It is time to begin a journey to fulfill your dreams as a sudden benefit will delight you this month. Quick decisions will become extremely important so be sure to follow any advice from your siblings. The third week of the month should be more positive. Keep your chin up and enjoy all the blessings you’ve been given.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

It’s time to slow down and focus on your own wellbeing. Try to focus on earning extra money as unexpected expenses could be on the way. Enjoy time with old friends and avoid any major changes in life. The second half of the month is more critical as your health may deteriorate. Your child or sibling could also provide good support this month. Don’t dispute with your partner.

Virgo (August 23 – September 21)

You could experience many positive changes this month. Don’t wait until the last week of the month for any major decisions as they could help elevate your income. The only possible enemy is your own ego, so instead try to be nice to everyone. You may need to spend some money on your children. This is also a good time to buy a house. Don’t invest in the stock market. If single, avoid romance for now.

Libra (September 22 – October 20)

Try to control your feelings and listen to your elder siblings. This is not a good period if you’re an artist or celebrity, but medical professionals may achieve excellent goals at this time. This month will breeze by and be full of new events, so be sure to enjoy, party, & travel. To avoid problems, however, control your spending else expenses may exceed your limits.

Scorpio (October 21 – November 20)

Expenses could be out of control due to overspending on sentimental items.  Unexpected travel is also possible this month. Don’t follow advice from either your friends or partner; instead listen to your parents. If possible, postpone any major decisions until next month. Try to avoid speculation in the stock market. Minor health ailments could also be there.

Sagittarius (November 21 – December 21)

Be prepared to enjoy some good news involving family. A small shift in your ideology can bring excellent results. Long distance travel can also be fruitful. If involved in a family business, avoid any potential misunderstandings, and embrace compromise. Your partner will also benefit from your good luck. Move fast and make positive decisions to fully enjoy this period while you can.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 21)

Avoid any major changes this month and focus on current activities in order for your flow of money to increase. By the last week of the month, you should experience mental relief as your workload lessens and helps you feel relaxed. This is a good time to spend on social gatherings. A minor dispute with your partner is also possible.

Aquarius (January 22 – February 18)

A major financial loss is possible this month; related to your partner or health. Try to focus on your career and if you maintain your self-confidence, your work performance will be excellent. Your income may increase but savings will not. You could enjoy unexpected favors from your mother or daughter. Travel should prove relaxing but expensive. Slow down this month and don’t compromise.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

A long cherished wish may be fulfilled this month. Your enemy could take revenge and attain considerable success. A sibling may offer good news at the beginning of the month. Also listen to your mother or another maternal figure, as she could provide some extra good luck. However, another family member’s negative attitude may cause disruption, so don’t travel with family at this time. Jalendu

Call today to get your kundali chart reading and numerological consultation and find way to happier self.

Business Opportunities

C-Stores for Sale

Gastonia, NC $45,000, Annual Sales $500,000, no gas; Charlotte, NC $1,000,000, Annual Sales $7,000,000; Granite Falls, NC $250,000, Currently Closed; C-Store Distributor: Charlotte, NC $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.

Employment Opportunities

Night Auditor & Housekeeping Couple Needed

for franchise hotel in Florence SC. Accommodations provided. Must have legal status. Call 843-409-3119.

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.

Eyebrow Threader/Esthetician Wanted for La Petit Spa in Ballantyne area of Charlotte. Great pay and flexible hours. Experience and communication skills a must. Call 864-694-6299.

Help Needed

for Front Desk & Laundry at Economy Franchise Hotel in NC. Accommodations provided. Contact 704-465-8129.

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

Looking for Couple

to manage Dry Cleaner in Charlotte area. Competitive pay and a good opportunity for starters. Will provide training. Saturday half day & Sunday off. Contact Dipesh Patel 980-226-3095.

Live-in Caregiver Needed

for older lady in Tampa, FL. Please call Kim at 949-235-0310.

Help Needed

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

Now Hiring

Full-time Cashier Wanted for Convenience Store in Charlotte area. Legal status required. Please call 704-241-4499.

Autobody Shop Hiring Now!

Auto Body technician needed in Charlotte / Mooresville, NC. Great pay! Willing to sponsor a Visa for well qualified applicant. Call 704-663-0032 or email: VS@ColorMasterPremium.com.

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.

Need live-in or full-time Hindi / Punjabi Speaking Companion in Fort Lauderdale, FL for 77 year-old lady with slight memory loss, help with household chores. Female preferred. Decent compensation. Call or text 919-448-5433.

Manager / Front Desk needed

for Franchise Hotel in Rock Hill, SC. Accommodations Provided. Call 803517-4662.

Cashier and Manager Wanted for Convenience Store near WinstonSalem, NC. Must have prior C-store experience. Competitive pay. Email or call Raj for more details: tquickmart@gmail.com or 336-754-9720.

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.

Looking for Cook

to prepare vegetarian food at home in Apex, NC. Contact Astha Thakkar at 347-583-0550.

Cashier Wanted for Convenience Store in Belmont, NC. Fluent English required. Family friendly establishment. Text / call 980-225-3341 or 704-807-6519 between 7am & 9pm.

Looking for GM & Housekeeping Couple for franchise motel in Rock Hill, SC. Legal status & fluent English required. Can provide accommodations. Call 864694-6299 and leave message.

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.

Household Help Needed

2 hours a day, 3 times a week in Apex, NC. Call 609-319-1097.

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

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

Now Hiring

Housekeeping & Laundry Couple for Motel in Greenville / Simpsonville, SC. Accommodations provided. Call or text 828-386-5184.

Manager / Cashier Needed for Convenience Store in South Carolina. Please call 856-275-8966 / 803-574-3939.

Front Desk & Laundry Help needed for Franchise Hotel in Concord, NC. Accommodations provided. Call 704772-5554.

Saathee Classified ads Sell your business, or property. Find the perfect job, hire the perfect employee. Get more customers. Get great adversting results with Saathee Magazine, weekly email newsletter and Saathee.com. Call 704-527-7570.

Seeking Groom

Seeking affectionate, vegetarian man for a 37-year-old, 5'3" Gujarati physical therapist in NC. Divorced with no kids and on H1B visa. Language no bar. Refer VP. Text only: 470-684-0830.

Seeking US-raised, well-educated groom for 28-year-old girl from Hindu Punjabi family, 5'3" tall. Born & raised in the US, MS, lives in TX. Text 678-3048184 (Refer AS)

Seeking well-educated, family-oriented groom for 42-year-old woman, 5'1", Lead Solution Architect in FL. Raised in India, divorced without kids. Caste no bar. Contact 678-304-8184 (refer RK)

Seeking well-educated, never married, well-settled, and good-looking groom for 34-year-old girl from an affluent North Indian/Parsi family. 5'4". Born and raised in the US, never married, Senior Human Resources Business Partner in TX. Text 678-304-8184 (Refer KG)

Seeking Bride

Seeking vegetarian, spiritual woman for 46-year-old, good-looking, 5'7", divorced Gujarati with no kids. Head of UX at reputable company in San Francisco. Language no bar. Refer HG. Text only: 470-684-0830.

Seeking athletic, well-educated and open to relocation bride for 60-year-old goodlooking, well-built gentleman, 5'6"tall. Gujarati Physician, divorced with 1 adult son from DC area. Please text 470-2390059 with code SD.

Seeking educated US-raised Gujarati bride for 28-year-old, 5’8” tall, born & raised in the US. PharmD Pharmacist at Virginia hospital. Refer TP. Text: 470684-0830.

Looking for Life Partner

for US Citizen, retired businessman (Jat Niyat Koi Bathnathi) Indian born Gujarati Patel. Call 304-800-3262.

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.

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.

Tabla Lessons

Sell Your Property Fast!

Place a classified ad here and on Saathee.com for $25. visit: saathee.com/classifieds or email saathee@saathee.com

Weekly Homemade Food Supply

in and around the 100 mile radius of Winston Salem. Idly chutney, veg or non-veg curries, all types of vada mixed rice, etc. Call 910- 894-3861.

for all age groups. In person or online from professional tabla player, Ryan Shah. Call 803-348-7294.

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.

Priest

Ganesh, Shiv, Lakshmi, Randal, Paduka Pujans; Wedding, Baby shower, Housewarming, Satyanaryan Katha, Mundan & Yagnopavit; Navchandi, Tarpan, Garud Puran, 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

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.

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.

Namaskar

continued from page 44

It had snowed on my very first weekend in Charlotte. So, instead of flying kites in mid-January as we did in Mumbai, my husband and I enjoyed walking in the temporary winter wonderland. What a novel and magical experience! It was one that paved the way to a brand-new tradition for us. To this day, the rare snowfall in our area evokes the same attraction and we rush out with the kids in tow, to feel the snowflakes on our faces, form snow girls and angels.

This was followed by hot chocolate topped with marshmallow once we get indoors to rejoice the day off.

We have however, managed to salvage the long held Bengali tradition of making pithe – a sweet dumpling made with rice flour and filled with coconut thanks to our friend who hosts an annual get together to mark the occasion of Sankranti observed around the same time of year. Without her initiative, another custom would have fallen by the wayside.

For many, work schedules, competing household responsibilities, unsupportive spouses, or family members, can deter the continuation of some traditions. Not every convention must be retained, in fact, I am in favor of discarding those that are sexist or were historically based on prejudice or unfair beliefs.

The melting pot called America, is exemplary in the adoption of multicultural practices and giving it an American flavor. The Indian diaspora in this country has done a remarkable job of embracing new rituals while preserving key rituals from our heritage.

This speaks not only of the open mindedness and adaptability of this demographic but also of the strength of American marketing skills.

While some of the over commercialization of holiday products is grating, the excitement generated by shamrock merchandise, Valentine’s Day gift ideas and Diwali crafts is notable.

Christmas has evolved from a religious holiday to a social one. It is not uncommon to see grand Christmas trees in Hindu homes and desi delicacies being served alongside cookies and cakes at holiday soirees. And who can resist the myth of Santa and his elves that is fervently passed on from one’s kids to the grandkids.

Tradition is believed to be the antonym of innovation but that is not entirely true. Tradition and innovation are not mutually exclusive. For instance, cultural traditions are ever evolving, and we innovate to keep them alive.

The sordid past tied to the quintessentially American holiday of Thanksgiving may be enough reason to banish it but for immigrants whose families live oceans apart, an opportunity for friendsgiving – a gathering of friends who bond by sharing an autumn feast, is precious.

And, in a society where we are slowly learning that a woman’s worth is not defined by her marital status or ability to secure a romantic partner, Galentine’s Day recognizes the value of girlfriends in your life. Ones that offer you a shoulder to cry on and refrain from judgment at your worst moments.

In the face of a dramatically different world, the staunchest of ancient customs have become malleable. After

initial efforts in India, and now rapidly around the world, women are emerging as official pujaris (priests) conducting Hindu rituals. The beauty of traditions is that they thrive through transmission from generation to generation, as well as the positive changes that occur in the process.

Shyama Parui

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

Advertisers

Index for Charlotte, South Carolina & Atlanta Region

360insureall.com (Maqsood Khan)...................113

AmeriFab International.....................................53

Anand, Versha (Real Estate) ...............................85

Apex Financial (Investment Hub)........................37

Bala Sure (Broker / Realtor, NC & SC)................73

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Charlotte)16-17

Bashyam Global LLP - Immigration Law Group114

Bhindi Jewelers .................................................2

Bhuvana Handcrafted Luxury.............................13

Blooming Buds.................................................41

Blooming Smiles Pediatric Dentistry...................71

Blumenthal Performing Arts (Events)...............3/81

Botiwalla by Chai Pani (Charlotte - Optimist Hall)27

Brijal Shah (Keller Williams - Real Estate)...........63

British International School of Charlotte..............9

Brown Immigration Law (Rishi Oza, Partner)......38

Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center.....................111

Carolina Law Group .........................................87

Carolina Medical Partners..................................89

Carolinas Pediatrics (Uma Periyanayagam, MD, FAAP)75

CaroMont Medical Group (Bankim Patel MD)....67

Charlotte Chess Center ......................................26

Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat .......................32

Chess Klub (Klub Ventures)..................................4

Chiro-Carolina .............................................59

Comedy Zone Charlotte - Russell Peters Live........10

Concha, David (Immigration Attorney)...............69

Concord Children's Clinic .................................71

Copper Restaurant (Charlotte)...........................65

County South Realty & Business Brokers............111

Countywide Commercial (Pavement Solutions)....53

Dances of India (Dr. Maha Gingrich)....................6

Desai & Mehta CPAs PLLC ...............................97

DJ Lalit (Lalit Hemnani)..................................101

Dosa n' More (Fort Mill, SC)..............................33

Eesha Realty, LLC........................................48-49

Four Points by Sheraton (Myrtle Beach)..............51

Geological Resources, Inc.................................113

Global Mall / Legacy Jewels .............................115

H2 Laser & Skin................................................75

Harish Bhasin (Independent Insurance Agent)......21

Health Markets (Medicare, Health, Life, Supplemental)99

Hindu Center of Charlotte (Events)................76-79

Hitch Hiker's Guide to College............................67

Hitesh Rathod (Real Estate)...............................69

HX Imports (Smoke Shops, C-Store, Vape Shops).39

IndusTreks .......................................................23

Insurance - Tushar Barot, Supreme Insurance Serv.91

Insurance Shopping (Sonal Patel - IndependentAgent)105

JVC Realty (Balaji Tatineni Realtor / Broker).......29

Kaur, Karamjit (New York Life Insurance)...........15

KB Zaveree (Atlanta).........................................19

Khanna & Sons Jewelers.......................................7

Kumar, Kokila (Real Estate - Allen Tate)...............59

Lead Designs LLC.............................................53

Maadhurya Photography.................................105

Maharani Indian Cuisine (Charlotte)...................69

Malak Jewelers..................................................35

Malani Jewelers...............................................116

Malaya Kitchen.................................................83

Malleswar Varikuti Realtor (Realty One Group)...37

Mathur, Gitanjali (Allen Tate Realtors)................21

Maxim Tours.....................................................55

Meenakshi Creations LLC..................................63

Meghana (The Vedic Power Astrologer)..............107

Mehta & McConnell, PLLC (Injury Lawyers).......93

Mint MedSpa & Laser Studio..............................89

Must Media (Printing & Mailing Specialists)........25

Neeta's Beauty Parlor........................................71

North American Bancard ..................................11

NRS PAY Credit Card Processing..........................5

NSD Tax & Accounting Services..........................45

Om Tours & Travel............................................101

One 2 Entertainment.........................................55

Osho Meera Mediation Center............................37

Patel & Samatova, Law......................................45

Patel, Mrugesh (Law Offices)..............................91

Patel, Tony (Real Estate).....................................25

Pathak, Atul (Real Estate)..................................47

Persis Indian Grill (Fort Mill, SC).......................33

Pramukh Mandapam.........................................47

Queen City Smiles (Dr. Kanupriya Tewari)...........67

Ram Mortgage (Mayank Patel)...........................71

Ruby Realty LLC (Neil Pathak)..........................43

Ryan Shah (Tabla Lessons)..................................21

Saffron Restaurant and Catering.........................85

Shah & Associates, CPA, PLLC...........................91

Shah & Trivedi CPA, PLLC.................................41

Shah, Anish (Real Estate)..............................60-61

Sheraton Chapel Hill (ATMA Hotel Group).........42

Sona Realty (Venkat Suryadevara).......................52

SP Orthodontics (Matthews)..............................83

Technone LLC (Securtiy Systems)......................101

The Blue Taj......................................................65

Travel Passion...................................................37

Umrao Jaan ADA (Musical)................................24

Union Family Eye Associates (Dr. Keshav Bhat)....75

Uniworld Travel.................................................45

VAS Realty LLC (Ashwani Dalal).................55/105

Vema Mortgage LLC (Chirag Rachhadia).......59/83

Vimal Realty (Vimal Patel - Realtor)..................31

Worldwide Travels..............................................41

Index for Raleigh (Triangle), Greensboro (Triad) & Virginia

Allstate (Krish Parlikad)....................................25

AmeriFab International.....................................53

Apex Financial (Investment Hub)........................37

Apna Bazar (Morrisville)....................................81

Aura Skin & Laser (Dipan Patel).........................59

Bashyam Global LLP - Immigration Law Group114

Bharath Bazar and Café (Cary)...........................32

Bhat & Associates (General Dentistry)..................17

Bhuvana Handcrafted Luxury.............................13

Bhindi Jewelers .................................................2

Blooming Buds.................................................41

Bombay Central (Grocery & Take Out Food)........63

Brown Immigration Law (Rishi Oza, Partner)......38

Carolina Indian Arts (Vaishaki Festival)...............10

Cary Internal Medicine & Diabetes Center, PA......85

Cary Medical Clinic...........................................73

Chandni's Beauty Salon .....................................85

Classifieds..............................................108 & 109

Corner Stone Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.....71

County South Realty & Business Brokers............111

Countywide Commercial (Pavement Solutions)....53

Crescent Dental (Dr. Kavita Ghai).......................27

Dances of India (Dr. Maha Gingrich)..................87

Darji, Iyer, Joshi & Patel (Accounting & Tax Services).29

Desai & Mehta CPAs PLLC ...............................97

DJ Lalit (Lalit Hemnani)..................................101

Eesha Realty, LLC........................................48-49

Four Points by Sheraton (Myrtle Beach)..............51

GCAP (Holi Event)...........................................15

Geological Resources, Inc.................................113

Global Mall / Legacy Jewels .............................115

Harish Bhasin (Insurance)..................................89

Health Markets (Medicare, Health, Life, Supplemental)99

Heartfulness (Advancing in Love)........................21

HSNC (Expansion)..............................................4

HX Imports (Smoke Shops, C-Store, Vape Shops).39

Inchin's Bamboo Garden....................................75

IndusTreks .......................................................23

Insurance - Tushar Barot, Supreme Insurance Serv.91

Insurance Shopping (Sonal Patel - IndependentAgent)105

International Community Church.......................61

KB Zaveree (Atlanta).........................................19

KDP CPA.........................................................33

Khanna & Sons Jewelers.......................................7

Lead Designs LLC.............................................53

Leela School of Dance.......................................21

Maadhurya Photography.................................105

Malak Jewelers..................................................35

Malani Jewelers...............................................116

Malleswar Varikuti Realtor (Realty One Group)...37

Marriott Raleigh Crabtree Valley........................65

Maxim Tours.....................................................55

Meghana (The Vedic Power Astrologer)..............107

Mehta & McConnell, PLLC (Injury Lawyers).......93

Must Media (Printing & Mailing Specialists)........75

NC Dermatology Associates................................60

North American Bancard ..................................11

NRS PAY Credit Card Processing..........................9

NSD Tax & Accounting Services..........................45

Nunna Realty (Shiva Nunna)..............................29

Nuv Yug (India Fest - Raleigh)..............................5

Oh' Calcutta (Restaurant Winston Salem)............67

Om Tours & Travel............................................101

One 2 Entertainment.........................................55

Osho Meera Mediation Center............................37

Patel & Samatova, Law......................................45

Patel Brothers (Cary).........................................76

Patel, Mrugesh (Law Offices)..............................91

Pathak, Atul (Real Estate)..................................47

Pramukh Mandapam.........................................47

PreJuve Medspa & Wellness (Neelu Agarwal MD)..73

Prism Lending (Madan Khatri)..........................17

Radha Krishna Temple NC...................................6

Rajeev Devgon, CPA .........................................61

RB Realty Group (Ravi Bheemarao)....................16

Real Triangle Properties (Joe Mathews)................77

Ruby Realty LLC (Neil Pathak)..........................43

Rupa's Spa & Threading.....................................69

Satyam Primary Care (Amit Sharma, MD)..........77

Shah & Associates, CPA, PLLC...........................91

Shah & Trivedi CPA, PLLC.................................41

Sheraton Chapel Hill (ATMA Hotel Group).........42

Singh, Manny (Real Estate)................................25

Smile Forever Family Dentistry (Dr. Narender Dudee)59

Sona Realty (Venkat Suryadevara).......................52

Spectrum Family Medicine (Sujatha Sajeevan, MD)17

Spices Hut ........................................................24

Stylish Me.........................................................33

Taaza Fresh Indian Bistro...................................69

Technone LLC (Securtiy Systems)......................101

360insureall.com (Maqsood Khan)...................113

Travel Passion...................................................37

Tutoring (Nirmala Koripella - A+ Tutoring)........26

Umrao Jaan ADA (Musical)..................................3

Uniworld Travel.................................................45

VAS Realty LLC (Ashwani Dalal).................55/105

Vema Mortgage LLC (Vipul Hapani).............27/71

Vimal Realty (Vimal Patel - Realtor)..................31

Wake Spine & Pain............................................75

West Cary Medicine (Dr. Kareem M.D.)...............27

Worldwide Travels..............................................41