News Notes

India’s 15th President Sworn In

Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India on July 25, 2022. She is the first Dalit to serve as president and only the second woman after Pratibha Patil to hold the office. She is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Prior to her presidency she served as the ninth governor of Jharkhand between 2015 and 2021 and held various portfolios in the cabinet of Government of Odisha between 2000 to 2004. She married Shyam Charan Murmu, a banker, in 1980 with whom she had two sons and a daughter. She is a follower of the Brahma Kumaris spiritual movement.

INS Satpura at San Diego Harbor

Indian warship INS Satpura arrived at San Diego Harbor on August 13, 2022, as part of commemorative visits by the Indian Navy ships across six continents, three oceans, and six different time zones. The ship hoisted the Indian Tricolour flag in the presence of the Indian diaspora and distinguished local dignitaries in on the historic 75th Independence Day at about 10,000 nautical miles away from her base port. The ship also conducted a 75-lap Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Run at San Diego US Navy Base on August 15, 2022. Each of the 75 laps were dedicated to 75 stalwarts of India’s Freedom Struggle as a remembrance of their sacrifices for the nation. The visit of INS Satpura to San Diego is also historic as this is the first time an Indian Naval Warship has reached the west coast of North America, thus demonstrating the capability of the Indian Navy to deploy across the globe, when required in support of the National objectives.

ISRO Launches Virtual Space Museum “SPARK”

While India celebrated the country’s 75th year of Independence in August, The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched the idea of showcasing digital content pertaining to various ISRO missions in an interactive manner. The Virtual Space Museum “SPARK” was launched by Secretary, DOS / Chairman, ISRO in midAugust for the public use. The platform hosts several documents, images and videos related to ISRO launch vehicles, satellites and scientific missions. Chairman, ISRO & Directors of the various ISRO centres appreciated the initiative taken and suggested more non-sensitive digital content to be brought on this platform for use by different stakeholders. The beta version of the application can be accessed through ISRO website or at Spacepark.isro.gov.in.

Lollapalooza Expands to India in 2023 Marking the Festival’s Asia Debut

The inaugural edition of the eclectic music festival Lollapalooza will be staged in Mumbai from January 28 – 26, 2023.

BookMyShow, India’s largest ticketing platform, is promoting and co-producing Lollapalooza India, along with global producers Perry Farrell, WME and C3 Presents. India is a price sensitive live music market and the demand for international musical acts has grown in recent years.

According to Billboard, the festival’s Mumbai installment, which will take place at an as-yet unannounced venue “in the center of the city,” will

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feature around 45 acts playing 20 hours of music across four stages to an audience of 60,000 fans each day. The multi-genre festival will feature a line-up that will comprise 60 percent international artists and 40 percent local acts.

India was chosen as the next destination for the multi-genre festival because it was a large potential market which traditionally has been underserved by U.S. and European acts, C3 Presents partner Charlie Walker told Billboard.

“We’re typically looking for places that aren’t already crowded with large scale, multi-day, multi-genre festivals,” he told Billboard. “If you look at the musical appetite in India in [terms of] streaming consumption, you realize quickly that it’s underserved in live.”

The Indian edition of the festival has been in the works for at least four years, says BookMyShow founder and CEO Ashish Hemrajani, but plans were delayed on account of the pandemic.

“Post-pandemic, the spends on live entertainment have gone up dramatically,” he told Billboard, noting that movie ticket sales have more than doubled pre-pandemic numbers. “There is huge pent-up demand.”

Mumbai-based BookMyShow has previously co-promoted India tours by Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber and U2. For more details, visit Lollaindia.com.

India-USA to Hold Military Exercise Near Chinese Border

U.S.-Indian soldiers stand together in snow. U.S. paratroopers with the 25th Infantry Division and Indian Army troops from 7th Battalion, The Madras Regiment, “Shandaar Saath,” pose for a group photo during an opening ceremony for exercise Yudh Abhyas 21 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 15, 2021. Approximately 350 Indian Army troops and 400 U.S. paratroopers participated in the two-week training event. Photo By: Army Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk

In August, the Hindustan Times reported U.S. and Indian forces will hold the Yudh Abhyas or “War Practice” drills in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The drills will take place in midOctober.

Amid rising tensions with China, India and the US will come together for a two-week high altitude military exercise at Auli in Uttarakhand, less than 100 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the central region.

The Indo-US joint exercise is known as ‘Yudh Abhyas’ which is in its 15th edition this year.

A joint exercise is being planned from October 14 to 31, 2022 where both the forces will conduct “maneuvers to exploit the full scope” of the highaltitude warfare. The Hindustan Times reported that the location (at 10,000 feet) where the exercise will take place falls in Phase 1 of adaptation to high altitude.

The joint military exercises are just a few dozen miles from a disputed border region with China.

China and India have a long-running dispute over who controls what territory in the Himalayas. The LAC serves as a notional demarcation line between the areas controlled by China and India. It separates India’s Uttarakhand from Chinese-controlled Tibet.

U.S. and Indian forces trade off roles hosting the Yudh Abhyas drills. In February of 2021, U.S. and Indian forces held the war games in India’s northwestern state of Rajasthan. U.S. forces hosted Yudh Abhyas in October of 2021 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

A U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson told CNN that the Yudh Abhyas drills “one of the most important elements of our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

“One important element of this broader effort includes exercises and training events,” the DoD spokesperson said. “And Yudh Abhyas is one such annual bilateral exercise designed to improve interoperability and improve our respective capacities to address a range of regional security challenges.”

Tata Motors Agrees to Buy Ford’s Gujarat Plant

Tata Motors agreed to acquire Ford Motor Co.’s plant in the Indian state of Gujarat to bolster its manufacturing capacity, according to Bloomberg.

The Indian automaker will pay 7.26 billion rupees ($92 million) for the transaction, which includes land and buildings as well as the vehicle manufacturing plant in Sanand, Gujarat, and its machinery and equipment, according to a statement by Tata Motors.

“With our manufacturing capacity nearing saturation, this acquisition is timely and a winwin for all stakeholders,” Tata Motors said in the statement. “It will unlock a state-of-the-art manufacturing capacity of 300,000 units per annum which is scalable to 420,000 units per annum.”

According to Bloomberg, Ford announced last year it was shuttering its factories in India, retreating from a country that management once saw becoming one of its three biggest markets. Prior to the closures, the US automaker’s India unit had racked up more than $2 billion in losses during the past decade.

Roopali Desai Becomes First South Asian Woman to Serve as Judge on 9th Circuit Court

Roopali H. Desai, Arizonabased lawyer, will be the first Indian American woman to serve as a judge on the 9th circuit court. The Senate voted 67-29 on August 4, 2022 to confirm her to the

U.S. Court of Appeals.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee said, “It comes as no surprise that Ms. Desai’s nomination has received high praise across the political and ideological spectrum, as well as from state judges, law enforcement officials, and three different fire fighters’ organizations. With 16 years of experience as a litigator, she is an outstanding addition to the Ninth Circuit.”

Neil Makhija, Indian American Impact Executive Director pointed out that Desai was, “a fierce defender of democracy, she valiantly represented the Arizona state secretary of state, Katie Hobbs, against a lawsuit by President Donald Trump’s campaign that sought to overturn Biden’s victory in Arizona.”

He added, “It’s no secret that communities of color have been severely underrepresented within our judicial system, but a new wave of tenacious and driven leaders is making remarkable progress in our pursuit of proper representation. While we may not know what the future holds, we can be certain that it will be bright – and it will look like all of us.”

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, the Ninth Circuit is by far the largest of the thirteen courts of appeals, covering a total of nine states, two territories and with 29 active judgeships.

The daughter of immigrants from India, Desai was born in Canada before coming to Phoenix as a child.

Hindu Heritage Month

Dharmic Organizations Invited to Partner in Hindu

Heritage Month Celebrations in October

After the success last year of the Hindu Heritage Month (HMM) and the celebrations surrounding it, Dharma-based organizations across North America, have once again come together to facilitate the showcasing of the diversity and richness of Hindu civilization in October 2022.

The Hindu Heritage Month, just as in 2021, will be celebrated over the entire month of October. Those invited to participate include not just Hindus but all in the Dharmic fold –Buddhist, Jain and Sikh. “The timeless wisdom of Hindu dharma is equality, inclusivity, hope, happiness, and liberation. This is the message of the HHM. This is the inspiration the world needs today to thrive,” said Dr. Ajay Shah, President of the World Hindu Council of America

Organizers said the month-long festivities will be based on the “open source” model, with each participating organization free to do the programming of their choice. The event could be held in-person or online and could be in the form of theater, music, dance, fashion show, webinars, or walkathons.

Seeing the educational potential of the HMM initiative, Arnav Kejriwal, President of the Hindu Student Council noted, “We are delighted to watch students grow this educational and celebratory effort by the entire Hindu community on campus and in schools.”

Hindus represent one of the newest and the fastestgrowing immigrant communities in the US and Canada.

Any organization that wishes to participate in the HHM celebration must register as a partner on the website: Hindumonth.org.

Penn Masala Release 12th Studio Album

Long running A capella group Penn Masala have released their 12th studio recording titled Midnight Oil. The work on the album began in February 2020 but became a challenge as the world plunged into a global pandemic. Midnight Oil is the group’s journey through trying times. Visit: Pennmasala.com.

Support Hindu Center Expansion

Leave a Lasting Memory on HC Wall. Sponsor a BRICK $1001 $5,001 for 5 X 7 Marble Plaque $10,001 for 8 X 11 Marble Plaque Expansion project update:

Grading, Parking Lot and foundation completed. Building work in progress, stone work 90% complete and outside stonework started!!

2022 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Annual Membership: $101, Students & Seniors $31 Donate Brick and Become life member for $1001! Upcoming Hindu Center Events & Activities:

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations: August 30th, Tuesday thru September 5th, Monday Mahavir Das Lakshan Parv: August 31st, Wednesday thru September 9th, Friday Ganesh Visarjan: September 5th, Monday Anant Chaturdashi: September 9th, Friday NAVRATRI: Garba - September 26th thru October 4th in temple; September 30th & October 1st at Park Expo; Ashtami Havan: Oct 3rd; Dashera: Oct 5th; Sharad Purnima: October 9th; Children’s Garba: October 16th Karva Chauth: October 13th, Thursday Dhan Teras: October 22nd, Saturday Kali Chaudas: October 23rd, Sunday Diwali / Mahavir Nirvana Day: October 24th, Monday Annakut/Govardhan Pooja/New Year: October 26th, Wednesday Diwali Cultural Show: October 29th, Saturday (Diwali Dinner Cancelled) Tulsi Vivah: November 5th, Saturday Karthik Poornima Deepotsavam: November 8th, Tuesday

HINDU CENTER OF CHARLOTTE

40th Anniversary Navratri Celebrations – 2022

Navratri: Sept 26th to Oct. 4th (Temple), Sept 30th & Oct 1st (Park Expo - Freedom Hall) Dashera: Oct 5th; Lord Sri Ram Abhisekham 6 PM, Ravan Dahan 7:30 PM Sharad Purnima: Oct. 9th (Vihar Hall) Children’s Garba: Oct. 16th (Vihar Hall)

Date / Day SPECIAL EVENT AARTI Garba Location & Artists

Sept 26th, Mon Seeding of Jawara: Puja 11 am to Noon Noon Sept 26th, Mon Sthapna: Puja 6 to 7, Stuti 7 to 7:30 7:30 pm 8 - 9 pm (Temple) Sept 27th, Tues - 29th, Thur Stuti: 6:30 to 7 Puja: 7 to 7:30 7:30 pm 8 - 9 pm (Temple) Sept 30th, Fri – Oct 1st, Sat Stuti: 6:30 to 7 Puja: 7 to 7:30 7:30 pm 8 - 8:30 pm (Temple) 9:30 pm - 1:30 am (Park Expo on Independence) (Indian Group) Oct 2nd, Sun Stuti: 6:30 to 7 Puja: 7 to 7:30 7:30 pm 8 - 9 pm (Temple) Oct 3rd, Mon Asthami Havan: 5:30 to 7 7:30 pm 8 - 9 pm (Temple) Oct 4th, Tues Stuti: 6:30 to 7, Puja: 7 to 7:30 7:30 pm 8 - 9 pm (Temple) followed by Visarjan Oct 5th, Wed Dashera / Vijyadasmi 7:00 pm Ravan Dahan 7.30 pm Lord Sri Ram Abhisekham 6 to 7 pm Lord Sri Ram Darshan: 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm Oct 9th, Sun Sharad Purnima 7:30 pm 8 - 10 pm (Vihar Hall) (Kirit Shukla & Group) Oct 16th, Sun Children’s Garba 6:00 pm 4 - 7 pm (Vihar Hall) (Kirit Shukla & Group)

Navratri Sponsorships:

Mukhya Yajman: Navratri – 9 Days - $2001, Daily Yajman $251 ASTHAMI & Navchandi HAVAN: Mukhya Yajman $1001 (1 couple), Yajman $251 / couple (11 couples only) Daily Aarti Sponsors at the Temple $101, Prasad Sponsors $101 Dashera: Lord Sri Ram AbhiseKham $31, Lord Sri Ram Archna $11

Venue: Park Expo – Freedom Hall, 800 Briar Creek Rd (Next to Bojangles Arena)

Park Expo on Independence Entrance: Members $10 each / couple (2 tickets) $15, Membership is $101/year (Seniors - $31) for Calendar Year 2022 Non-members 18 yrs and above: $20/person. Student with ID & Seniors $10. $10 Parking charge/charged by Bojangles. carpooling encouraged Non-Food stalls: $301 per day / $501 per weekend (2 days), $151 Children's Garba, $101 Sharad Purnima Donate Food for Booth: Deepak Desai 704-201-5672, Surendra Patel 704-564-9436 Jatin Patel 678-602-0935

Decorations: Rashmika Patel – 980-322-3505, Prerna Amin – 704-258-1696, Ameeta Patel 203-434-4004 Fundraising: Ravi Patel 704-201-7358, Ball Gupta 704-996-1418, Vivek Vemunoori 704-699-9912 Religious, Aarti, Garba, Prasad & Havan : Deepakben Jadeja 704-819-9814, Bharti Patel 704-678-9991, Hemant Amin 704-258-3588 Dashera / Vijayadashami Sponsor & Support: Jagdish Patel 704-287-4754, Mittal Patel 704-965-1210, Harshal Jambusaria 704-281-7054 Hall Garba, Sound & Food: Subodh Patel 980-365-1550, Nayan Patel -704-201-7010, Anil Patel – 336-262-3814, Rajni Patel, Nirav Pandya, Jatin Patel-678-602-0935 Sponsor Kid’s Garba: Rajni Patel – 704-488-8145, Hemant Amin – 704-258-3588 Sponsorship Levels: Sapphire $2001 (Title Sponsor), Diamond $1001, Platinum $501, Gold $251, Silver $151 Advertising / Marketing / Banners / Sponsors: Nirav Pandya 570-205-2636 Vendors: Reena Roy, Nirav Pandya, Ameeta Patel For all other info call Temple: 704-535-3440

New Vedanta Bhavan

40th Anniversary Diwali Celebration

October 22nd (Saturday) to November 8th (Tuesday)

DATE EVENT TIME AARTI October 22nd (Sat) Dhanteras Laxmi Puja 6:30 pm - 8 pm 8 pm

October 23rd (Sun) Kali Chaudas Lord Hanumanji’s Abhisekham 6:30 pm – 8 pm 8 pm

October 24th (Mon) Diwali Puja 7 pm - 7:30 pm Bhajans 7:30 pm - 8 pm 8 pm

October 26th (Wed) Annakut All Day Morning Aarti 8 am New Year’s Day, Temple opens 6 am Noon Aarti 12 Noon Evening Bhajans 7 pm - 8 pm Evening Aarti 8 pm

October 29th (Sat) Lord Ram Sita Kalyanam 11 am to noon

October 29th (Sat) Diwali Cultural Program 11 am to 5 pm

November 5th (Sat) Tulsi Vivah 6 to 8 pm Aarti 8 pm

November 8th (Tues) Karthik Poornima After Aarti Aarti 8 pm Deepotsavam Lord Satyanarayan Katha 6 to 8 pm November 5th (Sat) Diwali Dinner and Entertainment Cancelled

Volunteer Contacts:

• Decoration & Annakut – Rashmika Patel 980.322.3505, Prerna Amin 704.548.8454, Bharti Patel 704.678.9991, Varsha and Subodh Patel – 704.264.5949.

Please bring Prasad for the Annakut by Monday, Oct 24th

• Sparklers only Celebration – Note: NO FIREWORKS ALLOWED. STRICKLY ENFORCED BY POLICE. Hemant Amin, Jagdish Patel, Mittal Patel & Harshal Jambusaria • Volunteer for Traffic control – Nirav Pandya – 570.205.2636 • Sounds and Lights – Subodh Patel 980.365.1550 • For more information or to participate in the Puja – Call Temple 704.535.3440