Saathee Raleigh August 2024 by Shukla Entertainment

Hello Readers

Read the essay "A Teenage Story: The Power of Feminist Leadership”" on page 26.

The globally renowned Jaipur Literature Festival will hold a satellite festival in North Carolina in September. See story on page 28.

A tribute and remembrance of legendary bhajan singer Juthika Roy begins on page 44.

Read the informative Personal Finances and get the insights into "Now We Can Quit Worrying about Unused 529 Savings Account Funds." It's on page 62.

This month's recipe is "Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels." Easy and yummy. Find it on page 74.

Check out our updated Pops Puzzles and Toons on page 102.

Flip over to our redesigned classiﬁeds section beginning on page 108.

Share Saathee with friends and family. We would be happy to add anyone in the Carolinas to the Saathee subscription base at no charge, simply visit saathee.com/subscription and also sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter: saathee.com/weekly-e-newsletter

“A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.”

- Marshall McLuhan

Cover: India Gate, New Delhi

India Gate is a sandstone arch in New Delhi. It is a monument dedicated to the troops of British India who died in wars fought between 1914 and 1919. India Gate, located at the eastern end of the Rajpath, is about 140 feet tall.

Photo: Adobe Stock

“Bridging America and the Indian Subcontinent.”

August 2024 Issue # 315

Editor Samir Shukla (Samir@Saathee.com)

Publisher & Advertising Divakar Shukla 704-527-7570 or saatheemag@hotmail.com

Digital Media & Marketing

Jennifer W. Allen

Ad Design / Layout DSJ Graphics & Manimaran

Contributors for this issue: Kirit Shukla, Preethi Sriram, Taige Shukla, Dipika Kohli, Sereena Kumar, Shyama Parui, Mo Vidwans, Ahsen Jillani, Girish Modi, Raajeev Aggerwhil, Ketu Desai, and Jalendu Vaidya.

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

Saathee

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

Shukla Entertainment Inc.

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.

Page 26 A Teenage Story: Power of Feminist Leadership

Page 36 Film Clips: Vedaa Starring John Abraham Opens in August

Page 28: Jaipur Literature Festival Comes to North Carolina

Page 74 Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels

The Editor’s Desk pg. 14

Upcoming Events pg. 18

A Teenage Story pg. 26

JLF North Carolina

.pg. 28

Upcoming Movie Releases pg. 34

Film Clips pg. 36

Subcontinental Divide

.pg. 40

Juthika Roy Tribute pg. 44

Eye on the Markets pg. 46

Kismuth and the Way II pg. 50

Namaskar Y’all pg. 54

Spot the Differences pg. 56

Raajeev’s Corner

.pg. 58

Personal Finances pg. 62 News Notes pg. 64 Community Focus

The Editor’s Desk by Samir Shukla

Abandoned

Driving across America, especially on rural or country roads, every so often you’ll pass an abandoned home. Most people give them a quick glance, maybe even think the eyesore needs to be torn down. I have always been intrigued by these sad, deserted homes when I pass them. I want to stop, gaze at them, maybe even walk around the perimeter, and often wonder what happened here that the residents of the home abandoned it and left it in such a sorry state. I want to know the story.

Some of these homes are boarded up, others are slowly rotting away, maybe the roof is about to cave in or already has. They look like they were probably nice houses years ago, but now neglect has led mother nature to slowly overtake these homes, reclaiming them. This is what the earth does when left with land or buildings that humans have stopped fussing over. It blooms around and over it, erasing the despair.

When I drive or walk by one of these homes, I try to set a visual scene. Even a quick glance can give the visual story of a deteriorating home. What may have caused this abandonment? Did the family fall apart? Did the owner become incapable of maintaining it? May be the last person to live there passed away and nobody else wanted it. I can imagine a lonely elderly person living there, trying to maintain the place, hoping friends and relatives would visit more.

The aura surrounding such homes is like a sad song, a melody and words lingering in the air waiting for someone to tell its tale.

There is a bigger picture here. Our rapidly changing, hyper speed technological world has created a throwaway culture, a culture of isolation, neglect or abandonment. A shiny new object appears, and an older one is tossed aside, sometimes abandoned. We are so intricately and continuously connected by technology but at the same time are separated by it. Some folks may self-isolate, while some are neglected or abandoned.

Deteriorating homes, broken families, close-knit communities disappearing, all evoke a sense of isolation, abandonment.

What stories were lost and what history was erased after the last person living in one of these homes left or died. It was likely the home was ﬁlled with laughter, family, kids once may have run around the house playing hide and go seek, climbing trees.

Next time you pass such a home, take a pause. It may look like a derelict home, but for a moment imagine it unabandoned. The air surrounding it is likely to break into song with stories and history set to a melody of longing.

August Ambles

Blind Spots

So many near misses aggregated over a lifetime. Every day, while driving, how many times have you had a near miss bout with a potential accident, even on a short drive on a friendly road in your own town?

These types of “whoa I almost got into a nasty crash” moments happen hundreds of thousands of times around the country, and likely millions of times around the world, on a daily basis. Sadly, a percentage of these near misses become actual hits and the result is something between a minor fender bender to a horrible fatality.

Sometimes it is your own distracted driving, or someone is trying to get somewhere in a hurry, and there are those who are fatigued or nod oﬀ at the wheel.

The real devils are the speedster jerks zig zagging through traﬃc for no reason at all. These idiots are the bane of safe motor travel.

Upcoming Events

Kiran

Bazaar: Morrisville, NC (August 11, 2024)

Kiran presents the organization’s fundraiser bazaar on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at HSNC Main Hall, 309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC. Spend a day shopping with vendors, enjoying food and raﬄe prizes all to beneﬁt Kiran’s work of assisting domestic violence victims in the South Asian communities. For details, visit Kiraninc.org.

Embassy of India Consular Camp: Charlotte, NC (August 10, 2024)

Hindu Center of Charlotte and Embassy of India, Wash DC will host a Consular Camp on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 7400 City View Dr., Charlotte. Services oﬀered: Passport, Visa, OCI new/renewal, PIO to OCI conversion, renunciation. Application must be submitted via VFS website along with appointment and payment. Bring all info and reps will verify and accept applications and answer any questions. For more details, call 704-535-3440.

India Independence Day: Morrisville, NC (August 17, 2024)

Hindi Vikas Mandal and other RTP organizations present a celebration of India’s Independence Day on Saturday, August 17, 2024, beginning at 10:30am with parade and ﬂag hoisting. Enjoy exhibitions, stalls, and cultural programs. HSNC, 309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC. Call 919-656-5224 for details. Visit: Hindivikasmandal.org.

IACA

Festival of India: Atlanta, GA (August 17, 2024)

The India American Cultural Association of Georgia presents the IACA Festival of India on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 8am – 5pm at the Gas South Center, in Duluth, GA. The 28th annual festival will feature cultural programs, ﬂag march, seminars, health fair, competitions, exhibitions and booths, food, and more. Info: Iacaatl.org.

York Summerfest: (August 24, 2024)

The York Summerfest will include 5k/10k road races, golf tournament, classic car show, music, kid’s activities, demonstrations, arts and crafts, entertainment, food trucks and more. The Kid’s area will feature water slides, face painting, balloon artist, petting zoo and lots of fun. The Fest will be held on August 24, 2024, along various streets in downtown York, SC. Details: Yorkscsummerfest.com.

Sri

Krishna Janmashtami: Hillsborough, NC (August 26, 2024)

New Goloka Temple will celebrate Janmashtami on Monday, August 26, 2024 from 4pm to midnight at 1032 Dimmocks Mill Rd., Hillsborough, NC. Enjoy darshan, kirtans, cultural programs, boat festival, a free feast and more. Details: Newgoloka.com.

Falguni

Pathak Garba Night: Greensboro, NC (August 30, 2024)

Asia Events presents Falguni Pathak for a night of garba and dandiya on Friday, August 30, 2024, beginning at 8pm at the Greensboro Coliseum. For more details and tickets, call 310-890-5599 or 336491-3205. Find the online link at Saathee.com/events.

Earl Scruggs Music Festival: Mill Spring, NC (August 30 - September 1, 2024)

Bringing the best of bluegrass, Americana, and roots music together with fans who have a true appreciation for the music, the fest returns for a celebration of Scruggs’ contributions and the rich musical culture of the region. The fest will take place August 30-September 1, 2024, at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC. Details: Earlscruggsmusicfest.com.

John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival: High Point, NC (August 31 - September 1, 2024)

The festival is named after NC born and raised jazz legend John Coltrane and has been held annually since 2011. There will be many regional and international jazz musicians and performers at the two-day event slated for August 31–September 1, 2024, at Oak Hollow in High Point, NC. Info: Coltranejazzfest.com.

Hopscotch Music Festival: Raleigh, NC (September 5 - 7, 2024)

Hopscotch is a three-day music festival featuring diverse genres and artists at City Plaza and Moore Square stages, and participating clubs in downtown Raleigh. Don’t miss St. Vincent, Faye Webster, Waxahatchee, The Jesus Lizard, Joe Pera, and many more! It’s happens September 5 - 7, 2024 in Raleigh, NC. Info: Hopscotchmusicfest.com.

Upcoming Events

North

Atul Purohit Garba Night: Greensboro, NC (September 6, 2024)

Enjoy a night of garba and raas with a live performance by Atul Purohit and band. Bring the whole family! The show will take place on Friday, September 6, 2024, starting at 8:30 pm at the Greensboro Coliseum, 1921 W. Gate City Blvd. For more details, call 336-509-5875 or 732208-3359. Find the online link at Saathee.com/events.

Carolina Folk Festival: Greensboro, NC (September 6 - 8, 2024)

The North Carolina Folk Festival is a free 3-day festival in downtown Greensboro, NC. Open to all and showcasing multiple genres and artists from all over the world, it is a festival of discovery. This year the festival celebrates its 10th year between September 6 & 8, 2024 and will feature headlining performances each day, a North Carolina stage to showcase, a family area, an expanded makers marketplace, food trucks, and a Pre and Post party in downtown Greensboro. Details: Ncfolkfestival.com.

Deva

Shri

Ganesha:

Morrisville, NC (September 8, 2024)

HSNC and Shidoree Production present enchanting tales of Lord Ganesha from diﬀerent parts of India presented with lights, music, dance and street plays. It will take place on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 4pm, Main Hall, HSNC, Morrisville, NC. Info: Hsnctemple.org.

Samskrita Bharati Classes: Waxhaw, NC (September 10, 2024)

The Samskrita Bharati USA Charlotte Kendram presents Sanskrit classes starting on September 10, 2024, on Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm in Waxhaw, NC area. These are in-person classes for children and adults. Connect with your roots, understand sashtras, and enrich your life. For more details, visit Cltsk.sbusa.org.

Umesh Barot Garba Night: Greensboro,

NC (September 13, 2024)

Enjoy a night of garba and dandiya with the renowned singer Umesh Barot and band on Friday, September 13, 2024 beginning at 8pm at the Greensboro Coliseum. Tickets range from $15 to $30 including group rates. For more info, call 336-301-3598 or 336-269-7996. Find the online link at Saathee.com/events.

Charlotte International Arts Festival (September 13 - 29, 2024)

Blumenthal Arts presents the 3rd annual Charlotte International Arts Festival (C.I.A.F.) which will take place from September 13–29, 2024 as a celebration of imaginative visual and performing arts from international and local minds. C.I.A.F. works to expand the artistic identity of Charlotte and surrounding areas by transforming the city

into centers of imagination that celebrate a spirit of playfulness. There will be over 200 attractions, cultural festivals, exhibits and performances. Details: Charlotteartsfest.com.

Festival of India: Charlotte, NC (September 14 - 15, 2024)

The 28th annual Festival of India, presented by the India Association of Charlotte is a vibrant celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage. Over two electrifying days, immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and ﬂavors as they bring a tiny glimpse of Indian art and culture to the Queen City. The festival will be held between September 14-15, 2024, with the ﬁrst day’s performances and cultural immersion at the Belk Theater and the second day at Ballantyne’s Backyard. Details: Indiafestival.net.

UNC Charlotte International Festival (September 21, 2024)

Explore the world at Charlotte’s longest running International Festival, hosted by UNC Charlotte’s Oﬃce of International Programs. Enjoy a day where you are surrounded by arts, crafts, costumes, food, music, and dance in a marketplace style experience. The International Festival will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at the UNC Charlotte campus in and around the Barnhardt Student Activity Center, with booths showcasing food and other cultural items. Details: Ifest.charlotte.edu.

Chanakya Youth Festival: Morrisville, NC (September 21, 2024)

The American Association of Bihar and Jharkhand (AABAJ) present a Chanakya Youth Festival on September 21, 2024, beginning at 9am at HSNC, 309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC. This is a debate and essay contest for youth with the theme, “Your Voice, Your Art, Your Story.” Topics will be provided two weeks before the event. For details, write to president@aabaj.org.

Upcoming Events

TGA Garba Ni Ramzat: Raleigh, NC (September 21, 2024)

The Triangle Gujarati Association presents a Pre-Navratri Garba Ni Ramzat on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the NC Expo Center in Raleigh, NC. This celebration will feature singers Santvani Trivedi, Ramiz Mir, and Bahadur Gadhavi. Doors open at 6:30pm. Food will be available for purchase. Info: Nctga.org.

J B Keerthana Carnatic Vocal Concert:

Charlotte, NC (September 22, 2024)

The Classical Music Association of Charlotte (CMAC) presents a Carnatic Vocal Concert with J B Keerthana & Accompaniment on Sunday, September 22, 2024, starting at 4pm at the Hindu Center of Charlotte’s Gandhi Bhavan. For more details, call 704339-4126 or 704-840-5949 or visit Onlinecmac.org.

Rangtaali

Aishwarya Majmudar:

Concord, NC (September 28, 2024)

Friends of Charlotte presents Rangtaali with singer Aishwarya Majmudar and band on Saturday, September 28, 2024 beginning at 7pm at the Cabarrus Arena in Concord, NC. For more details, call 704915-2938 or 803-412-1805. Part of the proﬁts will go to charity. Find the online link at Saathee.com/events.

Keep up with all the events happening in our region with Saathee Magazine. Upcoming events include Festival of India, many garba and navaratri events, music festivals, Diwali celebrations and much more. The best way to find them is in these pages or online at our regularly updated events section:

Saathee.com/events

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Next to Sangam Mart

Garba All 9 Days Oct 3rd (Thursday) to Oct 11th (Friday)

Live

Band & Singers

on Oct 4-5 & Oct 11

DOORS OPEN @ 7 PM

FREE admission for GCAP Members Guest & Non-Members: $10 per person EVERYONE IS INVITED

Visit our food court which features Gujarati, North & South Indian Cuisine.

The Power of Feminist Leadership

A Teenage Story by Sereena Kumar

Ripples of change start with a singular pebble. That pebble might not have a clear-cut path or any idea of where it is going, but it still creates movement in the quiet stillness.

I walked into Barnard’s Pre-College Summer Program feeling like a tiny pebble amongst big boulders with booming voices. With 200 people packed into the Athena Center of Leadership for the ﬁrst feminist leadership session, I didn’t know what to expect. So many empowering female leaders walked the halls that I took hesitant steps in. These leaders include Zora Neale Hurston, Greta Gerwig, and Anna Quindlen.

I wanted to stand tall in the face of patriarchy as they have and are continuing to do but it was hard to imagine with my crumbling posture and indecisive nature. Stepping

into the session, I held on to the preconceived notion that leaders are born, and their distinct traits make them pop out in a crowd. Stepping out of the session, my mind was blown as I ventured into the possibility of there being more than one way to be a leader.

Despite the textbook deﬁnition of what a leader is, a leader is not an individual who dominates and leads at the top of the pyramid. Rather than a pyramid, it is better to think of society as an ecosystem where everyone contributes according to their speciﬁc niche or specialty.

This can all be modeled using a “Social Change Ecosystem Map”. My professor handed me one of these maps with colorful bubbles labeled with roles such as “weavers” and “visionaries”. She posed the question, “Where do you fall on this chart? What is your speciﬁc role as a leader?” The label that called out to me the most was “Storyteller.”

A Teenage Story continued on page 90

Jaipur Literature Festival North Carolina Jaipur Literature Festival North Carolina

The Jaipur Literature Festival, held annually in the “Pink City” of Rajasthan, will hold a satellite festival in NC Triangle area. The JLF North Carolina is set to debut on September 27 - 28, 2024. This edition marks the expansion of the acclaimed festival, renowned globally for its celebration of words and ideas.

Earlier this year, the 17th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival was held in Jaipur in February. According to JLF, “Founded in 2006 in Jaipur, India, the festival has transformed into a cultural phenomenon, with satellite festivals across the globe. Every year, JLF brings together a diverse mix of the world’s leading writers, thinkers, humanitarians, politicians, business, sports and entertainment moguls on one stage “to champion the freedom to express and engage in thoughtful debate and dialogue.” Its digital version during the pandemic reached over 4.8 million views in the ﬁrst season and grew to more than 25 million views in 2021. The US satellite cities currently include Boulder, CO, New York, NY, Houston, TX and in 2024 JLF USA will add Seattle, WA and North Carolina.”

Sejal Mehta, a Raleigh-based attorney and one of the organizers, said, “I’m very excited about bringing the Jaipur Literature Festival to North Carolina because it will change the cultural landscape of the Triangle and the state by bringing world-class writers, artists, painters, culinary experts, and thought leaders. As someone who is passionate about the arts and sits on a number of regional, state, and local arts boards, I’ve always thought the Triangle would be a great place to host JLF. As it turns out, Sanjoy Roy (one of the founders of JLF) had also approached UNC-Chapel Hill about it. I’m familiar with JLF because my brother Suketu Mehta has participated in JLF for a number of years.”

•

Leading annual medical missions to remote areas of Kenya and India.

We Welcome You to Become a Part of This Loving Spiritual Family

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (The Holy Bible)

Regular Activities

Sunday Worship Service: 9 AM (Dynamic Praise Time)

Children’s Sunday School & Adult Bible Study: Sundays at Noon

Sunday Love Meal: 11 AM

Wednesday Intercessory Prayer Fellowship: 7 PM

Zakar Bible Club: Character development of children through memorization of God’s powerful and redemptive word. Please send your child and receive guaranteed life lasting blessing.

We welcome you to our new facility come and receive a blessing through this evangelical, Christ-centered, Bible-based, non-denominational, loving, caring, mission-minded spiritual family church.

Church: 1402 E. Williams St., Apex, NC 27539 Pastor’s Cell: 919-233-2900

•

Upcoming Movie Releases

August 9

It Ends with Us (Director: Justin Baldoni)

Cast: Blake Lively, Hasan Minhaj, Amy Morton, and Brandon Sklenar

Trap (Director: M. Night Shyamalan)

Cast: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, and Hayley Mills

Borderlands (Director: Eli Roth)

Cast: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis

August 15-16

Khel Khel Mein

(Director: Mudassar Azi)

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, Ammy Virk, Taapsee Pannu, and Fardeen Khan

My Penguin Friend (Director: David Schurmann)

Cast: Jean Reno, Adriana Barraza, and Rochi Hernandez

Stree 2 (Director: Amar Kaushik)

Cast: Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar

Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, Varun Dhawan, and Pankaj Tripathi

Jackpot (Director: Paul Feig)

Cast: John Cena, Awkwaﬁna, and Seann William Scott

Double iSmart (Director: Puri Jagannadh)

Cast: Ram Pothineni and Sanjay Dutt

Alien: Romulus (Director: Fede Álvarez)

Cast: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Archie Renaux

35 (Director: Nanda Kishore Emani)

Cast: Priyadarshi, Nivetha Thomas, Gautami, and Vishwadev

Skincare (Director: Austin Peters)

Cast: Elizabeth Banks, Lewis Pullman, and Nathan Fillion

Saathee.com/movies

The Deliverance (Director: Lee Daniels)

Cast: Andra Day, Mo’Nique, Rob Morgan, and Glenn Close

Vedaa (Director: Nikkhil Advani)

Cast: John Abraham, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Abhishek Banerjee

The Union (Director: Julian Farino)

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry, JK Simmons, and Jackie Earle Haley

August 23

The Crow (Director: Rupert Sanders)

Cast: Bill Skarsgård, FKA

Twigs, and Danny Huston

Blink Twice (Director: Zoë Kravitz)

Cast: Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, and Geena Davis

Between the Temples (Director: Nathan Silver)

Cast: Jason Schwartzman, Lindsay Burdge, John Magary, and Carol Kane

Strange Darling (Director: JT Mollner)

Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Barbara Hershey, and Ed Begley, Jr.

Stream (Director: Michael Leavy)

Cast: Charles Edwin Powell, Danielle Harris, and Damian Maﬀei

August 30

They Listen (Director: Chris Weitz)

Cast: John Cho, Katherine Waterston, and Riki Lindhome

Saripodhaa Sanivaaram (Director: Vivek Athreya)

Cast: Nani, S J Suryah, and Priyanka Mohan

1992 (Director: Ariel Vromen)

Cast: Tyrese Gibson, Scott Eastwood, and Ray Liotta

Slingshot

(Director: Mikael Håfström)

Cast: Casey Aﬄeck, Laurence Fishburne, and David Morrissey

Reagan (Director: Sean McNamara)

Cast: Dennis Quaid, Penelope Ann Miller, Robert Davi, and Jon Voight

You Gotta Believe (Director: Ty Roberts)

Cast: Luke Wilson, Greg Kinnear, and Molly Parker

Trap

Director M. Night Shyamalan returns with his new thriller Trap. The ﬁlm, starring Josh Hartnett, Hayley Mills, and Saleka Shyamalan, and Hayley Mills, is about a father and his teen daughter who attend a pop concert only to realize they’ve entered the center of a dark and sinister event. The ﬁlm opens on August 9, 2024.

Borderlands

Based on the best-selling videogame, this all-star action-adventure follows a ragtag team of misﬁts on a mission to save a missing girl who holds the key to unimaginable power. Eli Roth directs the all-star cast inclding Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Look for it on August 9, 2024.

Vedaa

The journey of a young woman, who faces and resists a repressive system against portrayal of an antagonist. Vedaa stars John Abraham, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Abhishek Banerjee. The ﬁlm, opening on August 15, 2024, is directed by Nikkhil Advani.

Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba

The saga of love, deceit and crime returns in this journey of ill-fated lovers Rani and Rishu. Picking up where the first film Haseen Dillruba left off, the couple seek a fresh start in Agra. Directed by Jayprad Desai, the film stars Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, and Jimmy Shergill. It premieres on Netflix on August 9, 2024.

The Union

A down-to earth construction worker is thrust into the world of super spies and secret agents when his high school sweetheart recruits him on a high-stakes US intelligence mission. Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry, and JK Simmons star in the Julian Farino directed ﬁlm. It opens on August 16, 2024.

Superboys of Malegaon

Reema Kagti’s new film Superboys of Malegaon will be screened in Setember 2024 at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film stars Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Shashank Arora. It’s based on the life of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker from the town of Malegaon. No public release date yet.

Son of Sardar 2

According to industry reports, actress Kubbra Sait has been signed, along with Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, and Mrunal Thakur for the film sequel Son of Sardar 2. The first movie was released in 2012. The film, slated to be directed by Vijay Arora, will begin filming soon. No release date has been announced.

12/31/24

In Praise of What Really Matters

Ahsen Jillani

Okay, I know what you are thinking. “This dude will blast technology in the next sentence.”

If I’ve learned anything in the course of my long, illustrious, and industrious career, it is this transformational concept that many a sage has taught me sitting by campﬁres with dust settling in your mystery stew: you see, you always say the sunset is beautiful; and also, you always have the right to change your mind.

I always fancied myself an expert outdoorsman, swinging from trees and climbing vast amounts of rocks. The problem is that the trees and the rocks were only two feet from the ground, but the ladies gushed at the photos of the desi hero who could conquer the world –and the tofu biryani.

Now, I’ve met people along the way that seemed like they were either deranged or delusional. I stared in awe at these specimens of raw cluelessness. As an astute student of human and animal behavior, I would be drying my damp socks and watching these folks fall down in the damp leaves, cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other.

Subcontinental Divide continued on page 92

Subcontinental Divide

Voice by

Girish Modi

Juthika Roy

An Embodiment of Meera

When we think of 15th century saint-poetess Meerabai and her couplets and devotional songs (bhajans) in the praise and worship of Lord Krishna, the ﬁrst person that comes to mind is Juthika Roy who was called “Adhunik Meera” by many who have known her and/or heard her famous bhajans.

Just like Meerabai who at age of seven had become deeply enamored by a statue of Lord Krishna and kept it all her life, Juthiuka Roy too was deeply interested in singing bhajans from age six. She followed Meerabai’s message that Krishna bhakti is the best way to live life as it helps us forget our desires and this in turn helps us attain moksha (liberation).

Since Radio was the only media in 1930s to express one’s musical talent, Juthika’s father used to take young Juthika to Kolkata Radio many times for audition and was repeatedly told that she was too young and was not ready for prime time. Without getting discouraged Juthika continued practicing singing. Her ﬁrst record

Roy continued on page 96

Juthika

Narrow Rally

CTOs are investigating how AI can be integrated into their businesses

Eye on the Markets

by Ketu Desai

We are getting closer to Fed rate cuts. The inflation numbers finally started to show a disinflationary trend. Headline CPI was flat on the month. Core CPI ex-shelter, a measure that the Fed pays close attention to, was actually negative. The Fed’s preferred inflation measure (PCE) is running at 2.6%. The Fed is forecasting just one cut this year while the market is expecting two. Either way, the next move will be a cut in a gradual and shallow cycle.

The neutral rate is higher than it was after the Great Financial Crisis. Monetary policy is not the driver of the economy or the market. This is a cycle driven by fiscal spending and a CapEx cycle led by AI. Less than 20% of the $2.4 trillion from the Infrastructure Bill, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS Act has been spent. We are also in a significant corporate CapEx cycle driven by AI, which is also just getting started. Large cap tech alone will increase CapEx 35% this year. This is an arms race. This spending is what is driving the market, especially market-cap weighted indices. The market is far more sensitive to any changes in this spending than it is to monetary policy. Following fiscal policy and AI will be far more profitable this cycle.

The deﬁning feature of the rally has been its narrowness. The top seven tech stocks have outperformed the remaining 493 by over 70% since the start of 2023. The market-cap weighted S&P has more than doubled the performance of the equal-weighted S&P since the start of 2023. Over the past year, just 7% of the stocks in the S&P 500 are actually outperforming the index. Nvidia accounts for over a third of the entire YTD gain. The top ten stocks are 35% of the index, greater than the previous peak of 30% in 1963. The extreme outperformance is justiﬁed by earnings growth.

Over the past year, large cap tech grew sales 15% with margins up 6.1% leading to 60% earnings growth. Compared to the remaining 493, which grew sales only by 3% with margins contracting and earnings falling 2%. While the earnings gap will narrow, it will be hard to fade these names until the AI story changes. Not to mention, they have the best balance sheets, highest cash flow generation, the best margins, are not sensitive to rates, are the most levered to AI, and have the largest buybacks. They will benefit the most from the trillions that will come into the market as FOMO starts to hit those sitting in cash. With significant geopolitical and election uncertainty around the globe, money will flow for the best. Simply put, they are both on offense and defense right now. The pain trade might be even more concentration.

Pockets of Quiet Pockets of Quiet

Making my way to the turning of a page, on to a new chapter.

It takes years to ﬁgure out what you really love, what you’re good at, and what you can do to make a mark. If making a mark is important, that is. Some days I have little attention to give to such a question, but this month, evaluating options for next steps as I am at a set of various sorts of overlapping crossroads, it’s meaningful to ask, What’s next?

To gain some perspective, I’ve been talking to some of the people I used to know who were acquainted with past chapters of my life, in Seattle, in Durham, and in online spaces that I wrote into often in the 2010s. This was good, in those days. So, even if I haven’t met some of these mentors in person, we’ve connected at diﬀerent points over a decade now, and I feel lucky. These are folks who have been there, done that. Career successes, hard workers, selfstarters, and bold innovators. Some are older, by say ten, or even twenty years, and some are younger, like just as many years out in the other direction. A range helps me clarify. I get to hear about what’s what, from their points of view. I set up calls, make time, and ask for advice. Then I listen.

After these conversations, I’m less worried about arriving at any so-called answers. We change so much in our lifetime, adjusting, and adapting. Some of us are accepting. This is the work. And it’s personal.

Most of the time when people ask you why you do what you do, I ﬁnd that it’s a bit uncomfortable because you have to evaluate a mix of factors simultaneously as you decide how to approach answering them. Examples being, say, Who are you to me, Do you really want to know, Why are you asking me this, Is this something I want to share with you, and, Am I ready to explain it in words that I haven’t put together on paper, yet, for myself? Quite a few layers of ﬁlters, for me.

I think about twenty years ago I stopped answering personal questions from strangers or near-strangers. I didn’t care what someone else thought about what I had to say, or the choices I was looking at during those instances, and in those places. Trying to talk people out of following their dreams is something I’ve come to see more than I might’ve expected. But now I know it’s not about me. It’s sometimes about them. I hear some telling me this, directly, too. I wish I had the courage to do what I really want to do. Okay. I can see that. Here’s the thing, though. If you never do the thing you always wanted to try, I mean, if you don’t even make a start at aiming that way, how will you feel about it, later? Just asking.

So many of us, I’ve learned, by observing, listening, and talking to people around the world for three decades, will stop themselves from starting new things out of fear of things going badly. A theory: we don’t want to stick our necks out because we don’t want to fail

But what does that mean? What is failure? If we don’t try, we won’t know how to try again, in a better, more prepared way, right? Some people might stop reading, here. I understand.

I took three online career tests, today. They all told me the same thing, and nothing was news. The reports simply underscored what I already knew about myself. Guess I needed to verify. I took the path less traveled, for sure, and I sometimes wonder about the other stuﬀ. I’m not sure. I still can’t know for sure, and I know my feelings will change, but that’s okay, too. Nothing is ﬁxed. Change is the only constant. We don’t know what we don’t know. Et cetera.

Kismuth waits for moments of quiet. In them, clarity can come at particular points, along the way. In these instances, you can intuit the things that you need to know, right then. Times like this, and you’ll know them when you meet them, feel still, to me, always. They show up in pockets, in which time stops. Perhaps it is in these moments that we can see ourselves, fully and truly, for who we really are. Of course, it’s up to us to decide what to do with this gift, of insight.

Dipika Kohli

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

Kismuth and the Way II by Dipika Kohli

Dodging Toxins Dodging Toxins

Y’all by Shyama Parui

It’s the summer before my first born goes off to college. Our version of spending quality time together is shopping for dorm essentials and debating the definition of “essential.”

My husband and I wanted to give choices to our children from a young age so they could eventually take charge of their own lives, but there was no room for negotiation around health and safety. They understood that their wellbeing should never be compromised. That has not changed but I wonder if we have been willingly, albeit unknowingly, exposing ourselves to dangerous objects daily.

Let’s take vacuum cleaners as an example. I was horriﬁed to see that every handheld vacuum cleaner stocked at a local big box store was stamped with a warning that said the product contained something that could cause cancer or reproductive harm. What’s worse, having a dirty dorm room or a visibly clean room with invisible carcinogens lurking somewhere?

Like most moms, I am the designated problem solver of the family but one who has failed to resolve this dilemma. The ﬁrst challenge is the prevalence of toxic materials laced in items we use or consume. It could be water, food storage containers, packaging, or even shower drains as we discovered in the process of a recent bathroom remodel. The second obstacle is the lack of information beyond the warning label.

How is the consumer expected to determine the extent of the risk or how the material can cause harm? Is it by touching, inhaling, or something else? With some help from Namaskar continued on page 94

Namaskar,

Spot the Differences

See if you can spot the 15 diﬀerences between the original photo on top and modiﬁed one below Answers are on page 104

Raajeev’s Corner by

Raajeev Aggerwhil

Calling Family Calling Family

I told him what he was doing was illegal and I would report him to the FBI! The NSC! Heck, I’ll even call the CDC, UPS, and KFC!

Whenever I call Apple support, I always get someone from India. It’s like being part of a family and friends’ program. Almost every call is answered by my family members. I’m pretty sure the “i” in “iPhone” secretly stands for “India”.

My relatives complain “You never call!” But it’s not true; I speak to my family all the time! Just last week I called my nephew Mohan about my email client, and then last Friday I spoke with my cousin Shanti about how to get into my iTunes account - and don’t worry Sushil; I’m pretty sure I feel a virus coming on soon!

If I don’t call my family enough, it’s really their fault; it just means they’re too good at ﬁxing my tech support problems!

I got a call from an Indian Telemarketer Agent. His accent was so thick, even I couldn’t understand him. I have been in America for so long that even I can’t understand all these foreigners. Heck, I can’t even understand my own relatives. “I am sorry, no comprendo. You have a horrible accent. Why can’t you speak like an American?”

He said, “This is American Bob, calling from the IRS. You owe, 10,000 Rupees, Oops, sorry dollars.” I think if you fall for a cheap scam like this, you should be kicked out of the country. It’s about time to Make America Smart Again.

The call didn’t turn out well for him, because I didn’t have any money to give him… and worse, I had a lot of free time. I decided to mess with him. I asked him, “Bob, what does IRS stand for?” He couldn’t answer. I said, I’ll give you a hint; it’s not “Indian Robo Scam”.

He told me he couldn’t answer all three letters… but he was pretty sure the “R” stood for “Rupees”.

At this point he was getting pretty scared, so naturally I did the honorable thing… and kept grilling him. “Tell me where you are calling from?”

“Noida, Sir. Near Delhi.”

I said, “Look, I won’t report you, but you have to do me a favor. I have this niece in Delhi. Can you go out with her? You aren’t married, are you?”

“No, Sir. I am not married.”

“So, you’ll go out with her?”

“Yes, Sir, I’ll go out with her. As long as you don’t report me to ESPN and CVS!”

I told him that I’ll introduce them over WhatsApp. They went out and agreed to get married a week later. As a wedding gift, I gave him the original 10,000 he had asked for on that fateful telemarking call… in rupees, not dollars. So, it only cost me about $125. It was deﬁnitely worth it. I don’t say it to my family, but my niece is not the prettiest ﬂower in the family. In fact, many people stay away from her because of her looks, which I think is a terrible reason to judge someone. If you’re going to judge someone, judge them for who they are on the inside… and then avoid her for that, because her personality is pretty awful too.

The telemarketer tried to scam me for 10,000 rupees and I was able to unload my niece on him. My family has grown, and everyone is happy. And that’s the most important thing in the world - family. Because you never know… when you’re going to forget your iPhone password.

Raajeev Aggerwhil

is a Los Angeles-based comedian. Follow him on Instagram @raajeevcomedy or on his YouTube channel at youtube.com/c/raajeevcomedy

Now We Can Quit Worrying About Unused 529 Savings Account Funds!

Personal Finances by Mo

Vidwans

Funding for higher and post-secondary education of our children is one of the important goals for many parents, and rightfully so. The concern usually comes when we start thinking about how much to put into a 529 account. Even though ‘not having enough money in that account’ can be handled by substituting with other ways like savings accounts. If there is too much put into a 529 account, then using it properly was always a concern since there were restrictions on such accounts primarily on how the money can be used.

If we do some long-term planning and start an account for our children right at the time when they are born then the puzzling questions always are how much money to put in and for what kind of college, public or private. All of that can be mitigated and calculated but still those are projections which will be expected to come true after eighteen or so years; and that is if your child decides to go for higher studies and not follow other alternatives.

Now, America’s most attractive retirement plan (ROTH) has found another avenue for boosting it. A new law lets owners of 529 college savings plans redirect unused dollars into a tax-free ROTH account. By allowing such a move, it has made ROTH, a high standard retirement strategy, even more available to a new generation of savers.

Because of a new legislation that was signed into law last December, investors can roll-up to $35,000 from a 529 into a ROTH individual retirement account starting in 2024. Such a move takes leftover or unused money originally intended for a child’s college education (or for that matter kindergarten through 12th grade) into a retirement account. This is a smart move without imposing the saver or the beneﬁciary with a tax bill.

As we all know by now, ROTH, with tax-free growth and withdrawal has become an engine of great savings, and a popular favorite of most savers.

As I had mentioned earlier, previously we had only a few options of recovering the 529 money if not used for what was initially intended. The new law expands options. But I am afraid the new law does put some restrictions on transfer. It stipulates that the 529 account must be in existence for at least 15 years before any of it can be rolled into a ROTH IRA. Also, contributions and growth from the previous ﬁve years cannot be shifted over. I must admit that Government’s thinking is right in this regard; the ﬁve-year limitation exists because no one should be able to put money into a 529 with full intention of transferring it into a ROTH and those things can happen only when you know that the child is not going to use the money for higher education.

There are roughly 16 million 529 accounts with a total of about $458 billion invested in them. It is estimated that roughly 10% of such accounts end up with unused money in. And as you may have guessed, all that money is a candidate for transferring to a ROTH.

There were some options available on what to do with 529 money if the child decides to forego college, or if too much money was placed there. The worst one of course would be to just pay a penalty (10%) and withdraw the money into regular account after paying income tax. You could always transfer the funds for another child’s education like your own younger children. In fact, it does not even have to be your child. You can be the generous donor who wants to do good for the beneﬁt of a deserving child.

Here are some other limitations these new rules have imposed. As we all know well, especially those who have investigated investing in IRAs, there are limits on how much we can invest in these accounts and even more important beyond what income levels we cannot invest in these accounts. When it all started, IRAs were meant for low- and middle-income families to give them an avenue to be able to invest for self-retirement. It was a small step at the time and was not meant for taking care of your full needs.

The new law lets savers sidestep those income and contribution limits but as you might have guessed, only for the rolled-over amounts. When it comes to putting future money into a 529 turned ROTH, savers are still subject to the income and contributions limits.

A US Congressional Delegation Calls on PM Modi

A seven-member US Congressional delegation led by Rep. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Aﬀairs Committee, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 20, 2024. Other members of the delegation included Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Rep. Amerish “Ami Bera” Babulal and Rep. Jim McGovern. The delegation members congratulated Prime Minister on his election for the historic third consecutive term. They expressed appreciation for the scale, fairness and transparency of the recently concluded world’s largest democratic electoral exercise in India.

The delegation described India-US relations as the most consequential one and expressed their strong support for further deepening Comprehensive Strategic Global Partnership in all areas, including trade, new and emerging technology, defense, people to people exchanges.

The Prime Minister highlighted the signiﬁcant role played by the consistent and bipartisan support of the US Congress in advancing India-US ties, which are based on shared democratic values, respect for rule of law and strong people-to-people ties. He reiterated commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations for the global good.

Modi recalled his State Visit to the US in June last year during which he had an opportunity to address a Joint Session of the US Congress for a historic second time.

Vinay Mohan Kwatra appointed as the Ambassador of India to the United States

Vinay Mohan Kwatra has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the United States of America.

The ministry of external aﬀairs made the announcement of appointment on July 19, 2024. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

Kwatra retired as India’s foreign secretary earlier in July. He has previously served in China, the US, in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s oﬃce and as India’s envoy to France from August 2017 to February 2020. He has also served at the Indian consulates in Durban, China, and Russia.

Brahma Kumari Sister Shivani Visits Carolinas

Brahma Kumar Shivani is touring the United States and the Caribbean in September.

BK Shivani has been a practitioner and a teacher of Rajyoga Meditation that is at the heart of the teachings of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization, since 1996. She holds an Electronics Engineering degree from Pune University, India.

First telecast in 2007, her widely popular television show aimed at self-transformation, Awakening With Brahma Kumaris has completed 2,000 episodes. For over a decade, the show has empowered individuals from all walks of life in India, USA and Canada, UK, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and South-East Asia. Viewers have overcome mental stress, depression, addictions, low self-esteem and unhappy relationships, by taking personal responsibility of their emotions.

In March 2019, BK Shivani was awarded the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskaar, the highest civilian honor for women in India, for her role in transforming human behaviors. In 2023, she was presented the Sustainable Goals Award by UNESCO in Hong Kong. She was the recipient of the Happiness Ambassador Award at the British Parliament in London in 2019, in presence of the Queen’s representatives. Since 2017 she has been appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador by the World Psychiatric Association.

BK Shivani’s book The Power of One Thought was released to the international market in July 2023 by Harper Collins.

Her mobile app for emotional ﬁtness, ThinkRight.Me launched in December 2018 has seen over 3.25 million downloads, making it India’s leading meditation and mindfulness app.

Having traveled to over 35 countries, she has delivered over 4,500 talks overseas and in India. She shares simple, practical wisdom through diverse platforms like public programs, television shows, discussion panels, interactive workshops, retreats, seminars, corporate events, social and community development initiatives, radio shows and social media outlets.

Her 2024 schedule for the Carolinas and Georgia is as follows:

September 10: Charlotte

September 11: Raleigh

September 13: Columbus, GA

September 14: Atlanta, GA

September 15: Greenville, NC

September 16: Asheville, NC

More details at: Brahmakumaris.us.

Chandnis Chandnis

Prime Minister Modi Will Attend UN General Assembly in September

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly’s high-level meeting in New York in September, according to the preliminary program released by the United Nations.

Modi’s speech is scheduled for the afternoon session on September 26, 2024.

Later in the same session, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Prime Minister of Nepal have been annouced.

This will be Prime Minister Modi’s ﬁfth address to the Assembly.

The United Nations General Assembly convenes annually around September.

TGA Gujarati Classes

Triangle Gujarati Association is set to begin offering Gujarati classes. Enrollment is currently open and the last date to register is August 18, 2024, and classes begin on September 8, 2024. The classes will be held at HSNC Learning Center, Morrisville, NC. The age limit is 1st grader and higher (6 years & up). Young adults or adults of any age interested in learning to read and write Gujarati are welcome. Acceptance will be based on a first come basis and will be confirmed as per time of application and payment received. The cost for TGA members $100, nonmembers $125. For more details, write to learning@nctga.org or visit Nctga.org.

USA and India to Establish the U.S.-India Gandhi King Development Foundation

On June 17, 2024, senior oﬃcials from the United States Government and the Government of India signed a Statement of Intent to formally establish the Gandhi-King Development Foundation (GKDF) by October 2024. This signiﬁcant step, occurring during White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to India, builds on the U.S. Congress’s passage of the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act in December 2020. The initiative was sponsored by Representative Gregory W. Meeks, which authorized USAID to create the Gandhi-King Development Foundation.

U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, said, “The Gandhi-King Development Foundation represents a

transformative partnership between the United States and India, rooted in the visionary ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. The foundation underscores our shared commitment to forging global progress by leveraging our collective strengths.”

USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Änjali Kaur, who signed the Statement of Intent on behalf of USAID in New Delhi, said, “USAID is proud to support the Gandhi-King Development Foundation, which will promote inclusive and sustainable development, symbolizing the friendship and common values of the United States and India.”

Ranking Member of the House Foreign Aﬀairs Committee, Gregory W. Meeks, said, “I was glad to witness this important progress towards establishing the Gandhi-King Development Foundation, which will further strengthen the bonds between the United States and India. The Foundation will honor two visionary leaders and leverage the strength of our private sectors to address important issues such as public health, climate change and air pollution, and the empowerment of women.”

The Gandhi-King Development Foundation signiﬁes a partnership between the United States and India to address global development challenges. It will operate locally in India, utilizing both public and private resources to advance India’s national and global development objectives. These include addressing climate change, reducing tuberculosis, improving water and sanitation, minimizing the health impacts of air pollution, enhancing education outcomes, and promoting economic empowerment for women.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams Inaugurates AAPI’s 1st Ever World Health Congress

New York City Mayor Eric Adams inaugurated the ﬁrst World Health Congress of Physicians, a convention of physicians of Indian origin with the cutting of the ribbon and an inaugural address at the Marriott Marquis on Times Square in New York City on July 18, 2024.

In his address, Adams lauded the contributions of Indian American physicians across the United States, especially during the Covid pandemic. “When you look at the 1000s of physicians across the country, you walk into any hospital, the emergency rooms, especially during COVID, you were present. You were there, and you sacriﬁced your own health to make sure of the health of this entire country. Your contributions are so rare.”

Recalling his past visit to India, Mayor Adams said, “When I was in India, the home of Gandhi and I saw the steps, his last few steps that he took, before the assassin took his life. It is our obligation and responsibility, no matter what ﬁeld we are in, to ensure that we live out the dreams of Gandhi and we live out the dreams of those steps,” Adams said. “As we mark, the image of unity here, throughout the United States of America, we

believe in the fundamentals and the foundation for the family. You believe in public service, and you believe in our children, and you are a real partner in doing so,” Mayor Adam told Indian American physicians.

“I want to extend a very warm welcome to AAPI delegates from around the world to ﬁrst ever World Congress of Physicians, being held here from July 18-22, 2024 in New York City, organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI),” Dr. Anjana Samadder, President of AAPI said in her welcome address.

Sri Brahmrishi SiddhGuru Gurudev, embodying compassion, love, humility, and simplicity, adhering to ancient Indian spiritual practices, while bestowing his blessings on the organizers and the AAPI delegates called the Indian American Physicians “the best” in the world, because “they give their best to the world.” He lauded them for their virtues of “learning, earning and returning” that makes them stand out across the globe.

According to the organizers, some of the major themes at the convention include: Yoga and Meditation practices, a Welcome kit with books & self-care supplies, A Personal Reﬂexology Session, Take home wellness routine, yoga therapy sessions, a workshop on Spiritual well-being, Book talk with Yoga Gurus, including on the science of Yoga & Lifestyle medicine, and several wellness sessions.

Amit Chakrabarty, Vice President of AAPI said, “AAPI’s mission has evolved in the past 42 years. “Today, AAPI is strong representing over 120,000 Indian American physicians, 130 local Chapters, who make up 10% of total physicians in the US and nearly 50% of International Medical Graduates, rooted in every corner of the nation, who serve every 7th patient in the US. We are proud of our achievements and our contributions to the healthcare industry and the millions of people we serve.”

For more details on AAPI and the 1st World Congress, visit: Aapiusa.org.

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group Conducts Joint Maritime Activity with Indian Forces

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) operated alongside forces from the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean, July 12, 2024.

This joint maritime activity advanced interoperability between the two major defense partners and underscores their shared commitment to upholding a free and open

Indo-Paciﬁc. U.S. and Indian military forces focused on improving shared maritime domain awareness and information sharing; enhancing replenishment and logistics interoperability; and improving combined air-to-air capabilities.

Participating units include the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Carrier Air Wing 11, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118). Indian Forces include the guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam (D66) and replenishment ship INS Aditya (A59).

destroyer INS Visakhapatnam

joint maritime activity, July 12, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forwarddeployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Benvie)

The Indian Navy routinely participates alongside U.S. Navy units in multilateral exercises across the Paciﬁc, including Southwest Asia and littoral Africa. In addition to the group sail, the Indian Navy is also operating in leadership roles with the U.S. Navy and other allies and partners in the ongoing Rim of the Paciﬁc (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise in Hawaii.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is currently operating with Carrier Strike Group Nine after conducting this joint maritime activity in the 7th Fleet area of operations.

7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered ﬂeet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open IndoPaciﬁc region.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Inaugurates AAPI World Health Congress

INDIAN OCEAN (July 12, 2024) An Indian Navy flight instructor pilot, center, meets with a U.S. Navy pilot, left, assigned to the “Easyriders” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37, after landing an MH-60R Sea Hawk aboard the Indian Navy guided-missile

(D66) during a

Community Focus Sat Kaival Youth Shibir 2024

On the occasion of Gurugadi Sarsapuri Kaival Gnana Pithadhishwar Pujya Jagatguru Sri Avichaldevacharya Maharaj Shri’s 75th Amrit Janmotsav, the event “Sat Kaival Youth Shibir” was organized between June 26 – 30, 2024 in Greensboro, NC.

The ﬁrst two days, children and youth participated in upasana of Divine Paramguru Shrimat Karunasagar and Kaival Gyan satsang in the presence of Jagatguruji. A food packing outreach initiative was organized to provide food to those in need.

An “Amrit Janmotsav Youth Competition” was organized with competitions in which youth participated enthusiastically. After this the children played various games in the park with Jagatguruji. The idea was that sports is not only a matter of entertainment, but it also brings motivation, courage, discipline and concentration.

A workshop was then organized where everyone learned creative and social skills. The third day was

dedicated to recreation and adventure. Young children connected with nature via the zoo as young adults connected with nature via kayaking and hiking.

On the last day, youth and young adults showcased what they learned at this year’s shibir by sharing speeches and singing a kirtan. Pujya Jagatguruji also blessed all attendees with an inspirational discourse focused on the Indian American community’s contributions and future in the USA.

The objective of this youth camp is to develop the youth holistically, which includes their physical, mental and spiritual development. This 5-day camp helps infuse new energy in youth and gives them concentration towards their life goals with sports.

For more details, contact skys@kaival.org or youth@kaival.org.

by Taige Shukla Instagram: @whatsthe_chai

Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels

Hot and humid Carolina Summer is in full swing Saathee fam! We are once again taking it easy on the cooking / baking because let’s be honest, no one wants to spend their summer in front of a hot stove. Pinwheels, or “roll-ups”, are a classic light bite that I’m sure many of us have enjoyed at least once in our lives. There are so many flavor combinations that can be incorporated into these, ranging from favorite dips like buffalo or spinach artichoke, to favorite sandwich or taco toppings. So long as the ingredients are easily spreadable and small enough to be rolled tightly into a tortilla, the possibilities are endless! Last month my aunt thought it would be a fun idea to make pinwheels for an upcoming family gathering, and of course they were an instant hit! I chose to go with spinach artichoke for the filling because I know it’s a dip our family always loves and it’s super easy to whip up. Our family also tends to like things on the spicier side, so adding in some extra red pepper flakes gave it the perfect kick. These pinwheels take less than an hour to prepare and are a great addition to any summer potluck, picnic, or day on the water! Follow us at @saatheemagazine and @whatsthe_chai on Instagram and let us know if you give these a try! Happy August!

Ingredients Directions

4 large ﬂour tortillas, I went with spinach

16oz cream cheese (2 packages)

2 cups frozen chopped spinach

1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped

½ cup plain Greek yogurt

¾-1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1-2 tsp red pepper ﬂakes

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp salt

Dash of black pepper

Servings: About 48

Prep Time: 45 minues

Start by prepping the ingredients. Let the cream cheese sit out at room temperature until softened, thaw and drain the spinach, and grate the parmesan cheese. Once the cream cheese is softened, combine all ingredients in a large bowl, aside from the tortillas. Note: try the ﬁlling and feel free to adjust the spices. If you prefer spicy, add more red pepper ﬂakes.

Divide the mixture evenly among the four tortillas and spread. Leave about an inch around the edges clear, this way the mixture does not leak out when rolling them up. Option: top with a bit more parmesan or red pepper ﬂakes before rolling.

Roll up each tortilla fairly tight, making sure the ﬁlling does not fall out. Place the rolls in the freezer for 1015 mins, to let the ﬁlling solidify a bit before slicing.

Finally, cut the rolled tortillas into about ½ inch thick slices. Each piece should have a slight spiral in the middle, hence the name “pinwheels”. Serve immediately or place in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Board Certified Dermatologists

Vikas Patel, MD

Elizabeth Ju, MD

Katharine Hodinka, MD

Five BS/MD Program Changes Seen in the 2023/2024 Admissions Cycle Five BS/MD Program Changes Seen in the 2023/2024 Admissions Cycle

College Admissions Insider by

Brandie Erickson

Now that the 2023/2024 admissions cycle has wrapped up for direct medical programs, students gearing up for the next admissions cycle will see signiﬁcant changes. BS/MD programs, also known as direct medical programs, are a popular option for students interested in pursuing a medical career. These programs oﬀer conditional medical school acceptance to students and are highly competitive. Here are seven trends the BS/MD counselors at Moon Prep noticed this cycle.

1. In-Person Interviews

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many BS/MD programs switched to online only for interviews. In the application cycles since then, more programs have begun to revert to their pre-COVID standards, with many requiring students to attend in-person interviews if they want to be considered for the program. Nova Southeastern University and New Jersey Institute of Technology are two programs requiring in-person interviews. In the future, we can likely expect this trend to continue, with more programs requiring students to come to their campus to interview.

2. Changes In Interview Styles

For BS/MD programs, there are typically two interview types that students will encounter: a traditional format and the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). The MMI is an interview format that requires students to display their problem-solving skills as they respond to ethical dilemmas and scenarios. The MMI isn’t a particularly common interview format, with a few programs like the ones at Drexel University, Union College and Virginia Commonwealth University currently utilizing the MMI. However, this past cycle, Hofstra University’s 4+4 Program: BS-BA/MD joined their ranks and began to use the MMI format this year.

3. Cancellation Of Programs

Unfortunately, the last few years have seen the cancellation of programs, including Rice University and Boston University’s BS/MD programs. This year is no diﬀerent, with more programs closing their doors. Most notably, Suny Upstate ended all of its partnerships with several universities. Additionally, the University of

Central Florida and Albion College decided to end their BS/MD programs.

4. New Programs Accepting Applications

Luckily, it wasn’t all bad news for BS/MD programs, as a few new programs opened their doors this past application cycle. Nova Southeastern University, which had already had a BS/DO program, accepted applicants for its new BS/MD program this past cycle. This program only accepts ﬁve students; to qualify, students must have a 35 on the ACT or 1540 on the SAT.

Indiana University-Indianapolis also began accepting students this year. Students accepted into the program who maintain a 3.5 GPA in college and earn an MCAT score equal to the average of that year’s entering medical school class will matriculate into Indiana University School of Medicine.

Lastly, Elmira College, partnered with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, also began accepting applications this year. This accelerated program allows students to graduate from medical school after just six years and is one of the few programs oﬀering this fast of a pathway to a medical career.

Increased Number of Applications

Every year, BS/MD programs continue to get more competitive. Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education had 4,192 applications in the 2022-23 application cycle compared to 2,432 in 2019/20. As programs become more competitive, students are trying to increase their chances of getting accepted to a direct medical program by applying to more programs and adding BS/DO programs and even BS/DMD (direct dental) programs to their list. This past cycle, it wasn’t uncommon to see students with college lists exceeding 25 schools, with 15 or more direct medical programs in addition to traditional schools.

Conclusion

The direct medical program landscape changes every year, with new programs opening and some beloved programs closing their doors. Requirements and deadlines might change, so it is important to keep upto-date information. However, paying attention to the trends allows you to fully prepare yourself for a successful BS/MD application cycle.

Brandie Erickson

For more details, contact Brandie@moonprep.com

Fewer Bees and Other Pollinating Insects Lead to Shrinking Crops

By Rachel Mallinger

Many plants, from crops to carnations, cannot bear fruit or reproduce without bees, beetles, butterﬂies and other insects to pollinate them. But the population of insect pollinators is dropping in the U.S., due in part to pesticides, climate change, invasive plants and diminished habitats. Rachel Mallinger, assistant professor of entomology at the University of Florida, explains why these insects are in decline and how homeowners can create yards and gardens that are good for pollinators.

What kind of insects pollinate?

Rachel Mallinger: A lot of different insects pollinate. Insects visit flowers for many purposes, often for food, to get nectar or to get pollen. Sometimes they’ll visit flowers to mate or to lay eggs or as refuge. Bees are the primary pollinators for a lot of plants, but flies, wasps, beetles and butterflies also play an important role.

Fewer Bees continued on pagee 86

Panchabhoota Panchabhoota

Adult Dance Student

by Preethi Sriram

Summer: the season of life. The season for dreaming. The season of cold refreshing drinks. The season for cookouts. Family reunions to see relatives we did not know we had. The season for adventures to far-oﬀ lands. Time for exploration. Discover new lost ruins. The season for endless poetry by the poet giving thanks to the season of light and fantasy.

But can we catch a break from the extreme heat?

Every year, it seems we are experiencing more extreme temperatures. There have been heat alert notiﬁcations. In July, the Raleigh Durham area saw temperatures reach 106°F.

Is there something that can be done about this extreme heat?

One experiment for the bold and daring is to set up a hammock between two trees. There are various styles and types, but once a pick is chosen, then the most intensive part is setting it up. Once the set up is completed, step 2 of the experiment is to now sit in the hammock.

Imagine being between two large and proud trees. Watch and observe in this science experiment how the leaves gently ﬂutter in the wind. That ﬂuttery dance is welcoming to cool the sweaty brow. Between these two trees, another observation is made; it is cooler under the trees than it is where there are no trees. The trees provide a natural coverage to the merciless heat of the sun. A feeling of relaxation and calm takes over as the hammock gently sways between the coverage.

Imagine swaying in the tranced reverie, when next a bulldozer rings a rude alarm. Those in the bulldozer want to remove the two trees.

This dream experiment is taking an unexpected turn. It now feels extremely hot. The sun is beating down with no mercy. The lush landscape is now a heat island. There is no reprieve.

Is this real? How can they have taken those two trees? Those two trees kept the air fresh. Breathing will become more difficult. Those trees naturally decreased runoff; now there will be more intense flooding without them. The trees helped to reduce the Ultraviolet rays of the sun; now more exposure to the sun could mean more risk for certain types of cancer.

I’m thinking about this after a recent dance drama I saw connected art with nature.

Evam Arts presented a dance drama in Cary, NC, on May 04, 2024, to share the importance of awareness and treating the environment well. The show was called “Panchabhoota- An Ode to the elements.” The format of the show was a dance to raise awareness of the impacts of exploitation of the environment and the outcome to society. The show demonstrated how at earlier times, society had lived simpler lives of sustenance and need, that changed later to constant greed. The main character in the dance drama, Mahabhali, is the witness to the change in how humanity treats the environment.

The concept of the Panchabhoota translates roughly to Five Elements. Remember the hero Captain Planet, with the chant “Earth /Fire /Wind /Water /Heart” - put together was a way to summon him when needed. The ﬁve elements in this system of thinking are Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Space/sky. For the last one, when looking up Akasha for more detail, one explanation in Sadhuguru.org notes that Akasha should not be

Adult Dance Student continued on page 110

How ecologically critical are insect pollinators?

Mallinger: A small percentage of ﬂowering plants are pollinated primarily by wind, but new research suggests that as much as 90% require animal pollinators. Although birds, bats and other mammals also pollinate, insects are the main pollinators for the vast majority of those plants. Without insects and their pollination, these plants would not be able to reproduce, and we would see a dramatic decline in plant diversity and abundance. Without insect pollinators, these plants wouldn’t produce the seeds and the fruit that feed many animals – including people.

Have insect pollinator populations declined?

Mallinger: Recent studies have shown pretty dramatic declines in insects generally, and this has been shown even in conservation lands. So, we think that in highly developed areas, insect declines are probably even more dramatic.

I study primarily native wild bees. Here in North America, we have between 4,000 and 5,000 species. For many species, we don’t know if they’re declining. Of the ones that we do have some information on, it’s estimated that about half are declining and about a quarter are imperiled and potentially on the road to going extinct.

The insect pollinators that tend to be most at risk are ones that are specialists – those that require really unique, specialized food or nesting resources. Also, ones that already have a limited range. For example, maybe they are found only on islands or in a small area.

What about the economic importance of insect pollinators?

Mallinger: Crops pollinated by animals, primarily insects, make up about one-third of our agricultural production in terms of acreage. A study in the state of Georgia found over US$360 million per year in crop pollination services provided by insects in that state alone.

Additionally, pollinators need environments that are free from toxins. So, they need environments that are not regularly sprayed with pesticides, including insecticides. What stressors are leading to declines in insect pollinator populations?

Mallinger: I would say there are ﬁve main stressors.

Land use change is one. This can be the conversion of wild lands to agriculture or to development.

Climate change is another stressor. It changes the average temperature that these pollinators are experiencing and increases the chance of extreme temperatures and weather events. Hurricanes and ﬂooding can be really detrimental and destroy the habitat for pollinators.

Third, pesticides and other chemicals in our environment are toxic.

Invasive plants can be really detrimental for pollinators. They can take over an area and replace the native plants that pollinators depend on. That’s four.

What do insect pollinators need to be healthy?

Mallinger: Aside from pollen and nectar, some insect pollinators require additional food sources. For example, butterﬂies in the caterpillar stage need foliage from their host plants.

Other insect pollinators, like wasps and ﬂies, are carnivores in the larval stage, so during that time they need to eat small arthropods – like spiders and centipedes – and insects.

Beyond that, they need nesting habitat. The majority of our insect pollinators nest below ground, and so they need ground that is relatively undisturbed, bare and accessible. Other pollinators nest in woody debris, stems and reeds. And some pollinators, like butterﬂies, just lay their eggs on host plants.

And ﬁnally, pathogens and parasites.

All ﬁve of these stressors can interact. For example, climate change may increase the likelihood of invasive plant species, pathogens and parasites thriving. Land use change can also increase the likelihood of invasive species.

What can homeowners do to help pollinators?

Mallinger: Planting a diversity of flowering plants for pollinators is one of the best things you can do. Aim to have at least three plants flowering at any given time and look for a diversity of flower colors and shapes. Different pollinators have different preferences. You can have flowers that are yellow, blue, purple, pink, red and white.

In terms of floral shapes, plant some flowers that are flat and are accessible for pollinators with small mouthparts. And also plant some flowers with medium-length tubes, and some with long tubes.

Focus on native plants and try to seek out plants that might not just be the common types that you ﬁnd in the big box stores. Go to native plant nurseries and seek out resources online.

Additionally, try to have nesting habitat in your garden. If the space allows, have some woody debris around for the pollinators that nest above ground. This can include things like logs, stems and reeds. Also manage your area to be as chemical-free as possible. This includes reducing pesticide use.

Keep in mind that many pollinators that nest below ground are not aggressive and are solitary. It’s just one individual pollinator and her nest.

Rachel Mallinger is Professor of Entomology, University of Florida

Article courtesy of The Conversation: theconversation.com

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Suketu Mehta is the author of the book Maximum City, Bombay Lost and Found, and will be among the speakers at JLF North Carolina.

“While Indian writers and artists make up part of the JLF agenda, the festival ultimately is a world-class festival because it attracts non-Indian writers and artists. The NC festival starts on Friday night with keynote from Pulitzer Prize winner writer Jhumpa Lahiri, then moves to unveiling the artwork of Natwar Bhavsar, a contemporary Indian American artist who lives in Soho and has been painting since the 1960s and whose art has displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and concludes with a reception at the North Carolina Art Museum. On Saturday, there will be ﬁve panels including a panel by Shashi Tharoor and a panel with Suketu Mehta,” Sejal Mehta further explained.

The festival will take place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, located in the Research Triangle, which consists of Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham.

According to the organizers, “We will bring JLF to our community here in The Triangle with the goal of building a new annual tradition both for JLF USA and for our local community. The pilot festival is coorganized by Carolina Performing Arts, the UNC Modern Indian Studies Initiative, and the UNC Carolina Asia Center, with associate partners including the UNC Institute for Arts and Humanities, the UNC Creative Writing program, UNC Press, and additional partners in Raleigh, including North Carolina Museum of Art. Events will be ticketed and take place primarily on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus, with an opening event at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, as well as outreach creative writing workshops at public high schools and middle schools in The Triangle that we will identify in partnership with Carolina K-12.”

“We’re already seeing a broad amount of support for the festival, including South Arts, North Carolina Arts Council, Wake County United Arts, a law ﬁrm, investment managers, and many Indian American community leaders,” Sejal Mehta added.

For full details, schedules, speakers and panels, visit Jlﬂitfest.org/north-carolina.

Thanks to Alison M. Friedman, The James and Susan Moeser Executive and Artistic Director of Carolina Performing Arts, UNC Chapel Hill for connecting with Saathee and providing information.

A Teenage Story

continued from page 26

I enjoy weaving words together that will make people laugh, cry, and feel in the busy world that sometimes makes us numb to what our heart is trying to tell us.

Although I am a silent pebble that skips across a pond’s surface with a soft plop, I have something to say, and my written words speak volumes. The fallacious, stereotyped image of a masculine, unemotional leader shattered in my mind, along with the original belief that my actions did not have any eﬀect on the world.

“I want to change the world” is many people’s thoughts. How though? The world is vast and one person’s actions seem miniscule in comparison. Looking at the world from above on an airplane, we are reminded that we are tiny ants. Yet, we forget that we are tiny ants working together. While lying on a picnic blanket on a sunny day, I have never seen a sole ant carrying a piece of bread, no matter how small the crumb. They lift the heavy load in colonies and scuttle away as a team.

This power of collaborative synergy is exhibited in a ﬁlm titled Periodical, an empowering true story that I viewed in my second leadership session.

In the ﬁlm, a group of strong women fought against period poverty and the stigmatization of periods. What really struck me was that the group was not divided up into a select few individual leaders and a throng of followers. Rather, the group was full of feminist visionaries, inventors, teachers, writers, and athletes.

All of them were leaders in their own way and their actions, starting out small, led to inﬂuential movements that will break down societal norms for years to come.

Anusha Singh, activist and founder of a student-led chapter in the period movement, set out to abolish the tampon tax in all states. Making a simple phone call to Michigan’s governor ultimately resulted in Michigan successfully repealing its tampon tax, a win for women everywhere.

It can be frustrating living in a world where leaders aim to silence women instead of creating a platform for women to be heard. That is why it is crucial to take up space when we are told to shrink, and to be leaders of our own when we don’t have the ones that we need.

Anusha Singh writes in an Instagram post, “You don’t need a fancy law degree or a PhD in menstruation studies to advocate and make your voice heard. You’re already an activist. Be brave enough to pick up the phone & call your state reps about the issues you care about.”

Singh is 100 percent correct. If Barnard’s leadership sessions have taught me one thing, it’s that you don’t need power to be a leader; if you are passionate about a cause, you are already one.

You are already a leader in school, at work, with your family, and with your friends. You are already creating ripples of change, which, combined with the actions of other women, will lead to waves of transformation.

Sereena Kumar is a senior at Enloe High School and has a passion for writing. Contact: slkumar@mycomedical.com

Subcontinental

And while I was tucked into a sub-zero sleeping bag zipped up in every direction and then glued with superglue, I would hear gems come of their mouths at 2am. “Dang, lizard trying to crawl into my nose. I hate lizards.” People would laugh curled around the ﬁre and remind each other about the mystery animal they hunted and roasted. “It was yeti.” “It wasn’t no yeti; it was a possum.”

I met this kind of crowd in several countries, the ones who could say, ”Watch this,“ jump oﬀ an actually tall tree and break their leg. Every day they would laugh about that too, and how they got lost in the woods heading to the hospital 30 miles away.

I’m no psychologist, an orthopedic surgeon, or even a coroner but I had the mental capacity to realize that these folks were dancing to a diﬀerent banjo while rowing upriver using only a broken leg as a paddle.

I was essentially a city person, and the most adventure I experienced was usually a street fight while heading home late at night. At my present age, and level of heavy thinking, I finally reached the final frontier: When you can’t do something, pretend.

The Hubble Telescope’s latest iteration, The BubbaX, has now looked in the past many billions of light years to ﬁnd a clue as to why mosquitoes were invented. Earlier in the year, I stuck an eye out the door to check the temperature, and a mosquito landed on my cornea, or at least on my spleen.

While I’m no wimpy toddler, I immediately resolved to never leave the house until the ﬁrst snowfall—and we know when that is going to happen (it’s 115 degrees in Las Vegas right now). But machismo is like a locomotive with a blown engine. When I saw Mary, the old neighbor cleaning gutters next door, I sprung into action.

My rubber boots go up to my thighs like the Chaps cowboy’s wear. It was 91 degrees out, but I opted to put on my Brawny paper towel guy checkered shirt, sprayed everything top to bottom with citronella spitzer, dipped my head in a bucket of pine sol and opened the front door with a step stool and a cat litter scoop in hand as if I was entering a salon.

True, there can be only one sheriﬀ in town, and seems Mary thought she was it. As the mosquitoes entered my nose and exited through my ears, I felt the ﬁrst relief from persistent tinnitus in 20 years.

But that didn’t stop me from running around the yard like a little girl chasing a butterﬂy.

Mary’s grandkids came out to see what was happening, but I distinctly remembered from my vast CPR and ﬁreﬁghter and ironing my socks training that I must drop and roll.

I think that’s when nature really called, as I was ﬂat on my back with the step stool on my face trying to pest control my sinuses. That’s when I thought I saw a lizard in the grass and thought, “Hmm, they eat mosquitoes,” The resident hawk was up the front yard oak staring at me, and as I turned my head slowly, there was William the Coyote. I knew a mommy deer was grazing in the back yard with her fawns.

It was time to be a man’s man and take control. I got up and kicked the water sprinkler as if it had tripped me. Mary was halfway up her ladder with her hands crossed and smiling, a real leaf scoop in her hand. This incident did convince her grandkids that it was just a fall due to the sprinkler. They went in.

When life hands you lemons, well, you limp. Waving my hands above my head to keep the swarm from totally eating my brain, I headed indoors. I lay down on the couch but all I saw were spiders all over the couch trying to devour me.

“Winning is overrated,” as the famous basketball coach Al McGuire once said. It was time to put the six frozen samosas I had in the freezer in the oven and get in the shower to wash oﬀ all the chemicals. Hey, I said to myself, you made it out. The gutters can wait. I was feeling pretty good while I sprayed vintage 1980s cologne Menon Millionaire all over myself and made it down. No need to prove anything to anyone. I’m the real deal and need to be proud. All was good, until the phone rang.

“Hey Baby Boy. Just making sure all is okay.” It was Mary. She could ruin a perfectly good act of self deception in a Mint Hill minute.

Ahsen Jillani

a former editor and publisher, is originally from Islamabad, Pakistan, and now lives in a forest called Mint Hill. He owns Must Media, a PR firm focused on political and corporate clients. Contact: aj@must-media.com

Personal Finances continued from page 62

Let us face it. These laws are nice and helpful; but they are designed to give us a way out of an unexpected situation and that was very nice of Congress to think that way. Converting $35,000 of unused 529 dollars to a ROTH is not likely to get us suddenly or instantly to the wealth mountain. It is a unique opportunity for conscientious investors in 529 to correct their thinking if they ﬁnd out that their planning, done years earlier, did not quite work out as intended. It just points to a strong need for planning the deposits in the 529 accounts so that we do not even arrive at this crossroad where we must make sudden decisions like transferring a 529 to a ROTH.

Let us just understand one thing about 529 accounts. They are a good investment, but the benefits are very limited. We do not get any tax benefit from the federal government and only limited benefit from the state. Many states do not give you any tax advantage (North Carolina is one of them) and even if they do, they generally limit it to around $10,000 maximum as far as the reduction of taxable income is concerned. You can only invest in what the state makes available to you as an investment vehicle, which is very restricted. Like everything else in life, many pros and cons are to be considered before any major steps are taken.

Mo Vidwans

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

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my kids, we were able to identify a brand of vacuum cleaners that does not have toxic materials, but I still haven’t found a replacement for the shower drain.

Frustrated by the situation I had added a few choice expletives, but I decided to ﬁlter them out to keep this article clean.

It is appalling that materials known to be harmful to humans are permitted to be used in manufacturing products. It would be naïve to think companies and government agencies have the people’s best interests in mind, but if we demand a world with less poison, is it too much to ask?

Naturally occurring toxins such as arsenic in rice, have always been around, but over decades humans have introduced an increasing number of artificially created chemicals that have made their way into everyday products and slowly into water bodies and even human blood streams. Its advantages are highlighted, and hazardous effects are frequently ignored until fatalities occur. Companies profiting from such substances have monetary reasons to stifle inquiries about potential risks to the public and even the most effective and ethical regulators may not know what they are dealing with.

Manufacturers are not required to disclose information that may reveal trade secrets but that also allows them to conceal data affecting the public. ProPublica’s investigative report about 3M is a case in point. Known for its innovative and wildly successful products, I admired the company until I learned about the extensive damage caused by 3M produced PFOS—short for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid also known as a type of forever chemical. Sadly, denial of problems and burying evidence about dangers is not new. Radium was at one time believed to be harmless and even beneficial to humans.

Several individuals died slow and painful deaths before the risk of radium poisoning was brought to light and its use was controlled. What is mindboggling is that some dangers have been unearthed but there may be others that are yet to be discovered.

We continue to swim in lakes dumped with sewage or coal ash, breathe in air with VOCs, eat ﬁsh that swallowed plastic, quench our thirst with energy drinks concocted with unknown ingredients, and then wonder why the incidences of cancer are on the rise. I grew up watching my mother wrap naphthalene balls in sarees without realizing that those vapors are harmful.

Often, the average person is unaware and at times uncaring of health risks. The list of potential dangers is greater than that of suitable alternatives exacerbating the perilous situation. Additionally, exposure to contaminants injurious to life on this planet is growing worldwide. My mind is overwhelmed at the thought, mimicking the fear I had developed during the COVID pandemic when I was afraid that the virus could be anywhere waiting to infect me and my family.

It would be futile to simply point out problems without considering solutions. As a consumer I believe I must be more conscious of my purchases by reading labels carefully

and opting for a less, preferably nontoxic version of the same product. While it may be more expensive, I am willing to sacriﬁce other things on my shopping list that may be frivolous.

Let’s be real, who needs a new purse for every occasion? It is easier to become complacent by accepting the status quo and hoping for the best. Nevertheless, the optimist in me would like to encourage future generations to identify or create nontoxic alternatives, build apps that list ingredients used in everyday products with their levels of toxicity and become citizens who demand greater accountability from companies.

Society can make greater eﬀort to raise good humans, ones that take ethics seriously, before they are expected to be successful scientists, athletes or entrepreneurs. Until the world has been puriﬁed, each one of us must attempt to skillfully dodge these toxins.

Shyama Parui

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

Editor’s Desk continued from page 14

There are also the near misses you are unaware of, as someone else may have missed hitting or swiping you.

Some of these are due to blind spots. You click your turn signal, look through the side mirror, maybe even swivel your neck back and forth quickly to get a better view, but still may just miss hitting or swiping another car due to a blind spot. A loud horn accompanied by an angry, raised arm usually gets you back in your lane.

You catch your breath, resolve to drive safer, and then it’s oﬀ to further navigating the madness on our roads.

Blind spots also lurk in almost all human endeavors, our everyday actions and behaviors, conversations, political ideologies, encounters, relationships, and in the most human thing of all, our emotions.

Our missteps and foibles, achievements and setbacks, joys and despair, can come from the beneﬁt of clarity and preparation or clashes due to our own blind spots. Some people are also unwilling or fail to see what is directly in front of them. How are they going to spot the blind spots?

Belief systems are tightly held frameworks and foundations for most people, and they are littered with blind spots, leading to self-delusions, untruths, stubbornness, and the spread of misinformation and disinformation. The inability to change one’s mind or thinking or evolve emotionally because they are not willing to admit their own blind spots have ruined relations, started wars.

Among the work we do for our betterment and society’s just and equitable evolution is the need to be vigilant for our own blind spots, lest they trip you up and cause that near miss into a crash.

Samir Shukla

is the Editor of Saathee Magazine Contact: Samir@Saathee.com Twitter: @ShuklaWrites Newsletter: ShuklaWrites.Substack.com

Namaskar continued from page 54

Eye on Markets continued from page 46

For the past ﬁfteen years, software companies have been some of the biggest winners in the market. Investors were willing to pay high multiples for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Investors loved their high growth rates, high margins, and reliable subscription revenue. They were not subject to the boom-and-bust cycles of hardware companies. Companies such as Adobe, Salesforce, ServiceNow were some of the biggest winners in the market.

In recent weeks, investors for the ﬁrst time in a while have started to question their investments in SaaS companies. We have been receiving warning shots all year that growth was slowing there. Salesforce missed both top and bottom lines as it saw its stock fall nearly 20% and glide to just 8-9% growth with lower margins.

We have witnessed similar slowing across many names in enterprise software with near-term risks is that the sales cycle is longer and tech budgets getting tighter. CTOs are investigating how AI can be integrated into their business. The longer-term risk is that AI could make certain software commoditized. The IGV (software ETF) trades at a 50% premium to the S&P. With that kind of premium, slowing growth, high positioning, we may be in the early innings of the SaaS unwind.

Looking forward, the market will focus on the election, second quarter earnings, and a Fed meeting.

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

Juthika Roy continued from page 44 was released soon after and she was on her way to becoming a great singer. She was groomed by Kazi Nazrul as well as Kamal Das Gupta, who was a very famous music director/composer at that time.

Juthika Roy was perhaps the only singer who dominated airwaves for over 25 years not by singing ﬁlmy songs but by singing bhajans and geets in Hindi and Bengali languages. She has sung no more than 200 songs/bhajans in her lifetime, but almost all of have become popular and are evergreen even today.

It has been reported that Juthika Roy had inspired Lata Mangeshkar, Anuradha Paudwal, Anup Jalota and others to sing Meerabai’s bhajans and released their own albums. The secret to Roy’s success was her soft, melodious and silken voice that stir up one’s emotions and spiritual side. Also, her bhajans had become popular because they were composed by Kamal Das Gupta using very simple classical instruments.

Juthika Roy had the honor of singing bhajans on the 15th of August 1947 on the Read Fort at the request of late Jawaharlal Nehru. Later that day she attended a function at the prime minister’s residence and entertained the guests. Juthika Roy had also met Gandhiji when he had visited Kolkata in 1946 and had sung a couple of his favorite bhajans at his request. Indira Gandhi was also very fond of

Juthika’s bhajans and had beﬁttingly awarded her Padma Shri title in 1972. Even after she retired, she was facilitated for her contribution throughout India.

I can vouch for the divinity of Juthika Roy’s bhajans. We had a gramophone in our house and my father used to play Juthika Roy’s bhajan records “ghoonghat ka pat khol...”, “Nainan mere tumari aur.. etc. every morning that would wake us up slowly and gently. I remember these bhajans by heart today even after 75 years and hum them every now and then. My favorite though is her geet “meri bina ro rahi hai..” which brings tears in my eyes.

When I was living in Montgomery, Alabama, I contacted Juthika Roy ﬁrst by letters and then by phone calls. We used to talk twice a week. I used to call her didi and she used to call me bhai. In my ﬁrst letter I had sent her a check for Rs. 25,000 for celebration of her birthday. In a second letter she had written to me about her career.

Juthika Roy had sent me lyrics of “Meri Bina ro rahi hai” in her own words, because I had a hard time understanding some of the words. Find this song on YouTube. Roy had also sent me her autographed photo on which she had written “To Girish Modi, who loves my bhajans so much”, which I treasure most.

Girish Modi

is 85-year old retired engineer who is passionate about Indian music and classical dances. He donates money to various Indian organizations and provides free photo service.

Find the latest Job Openings, Matrimonials, Business Opportunities and more Classiﬁeds here.

Go to our regularly updated Events page here

Editor’s Desk: Read the essay “Hold the Old” here.

Watch a selection carefully curated videos here:

Go to our Movies Page Here: Find all the latest releases coming up as well as ﬁlms opening this week.

Go to our Recipes Page Here: Lots of delicious recipes found in Saathee are gathered here.

Tune Your Brain

Solve these brain teasers - Solutions on Page 110

PUZZLES & TOONS

Answers on page 104

Puzzles 4 Kids Answers on page 110

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.

Yesterday, Today, ___.

Classic ﬁlm ___ with the Wind

Unites States Largest State ___.

A horse with a horn ___.

One in Spanish ___.

United States Postal ___.

Answers on page 104

Hello Readers

We are adding new puzzles and cartoons to these pages over the next few issues. We welcome comments and suggestions. Send your thoughts to Samir@Saathee.com

Magic Maze Answers on page 110

Go Figure! Answers on page 104

Festivals & Holidays Puzzle Solutions

AUGUST 2024

Aug 4 - Friendship Day

Aug 4 - Darsh Amas (No Moon)

Aug 9 - Nag Panchami

Aug 9 - National Book Lovers Day

Aug 11 - Tulsidas Jayanti

Aug 13 - Tisha B'Av

Aug 14 - Independence Day (Pakistan)

Aug 15 - Independence Day (India)

Aug 16 - Varalakshmi Vrat

Aug 19 - World Humanitarian Day

Aug 19 - Raksha Bandhan

Aug 19 - Shravana Purnima (Full Moon)

Aug 21 - Senior Citizens Day

Aug 26 - Janmashtami

Aug 26 - Women's Equality Day

Aug 30 - National Beach Day

Key Word Search Answers from page 103

2. Added water puddle

3. Removed word from sign

4. Removed window

5. Added monkey on roof

6. Removed people

7. Added a lizard

8. Rickshaw color changed

10. Removed AC unit

11. Added people

12. Added man

13. Removed man

14. Added plant divider

15. Added crows on roof

Puzzle Solutions from page 102

Key Word of the Month: AUGUST

Go Figure! answers from page 103

1. Removed rickshaw

9. Removed blocker stand

Astroscope AUGUST 2024

Aries

(March 21 – April 20)

This will be an action-oriented month with your imagination and creativity absolutely on par. Even though unexpected expenses and family issues could be there, you can’t help but feel relaxed. Your friends should even provide protection for both problems. Avoid potential disputes with your partner. If hoping for a promotion, it’s not in the cards at this time.

Taurus

(April 21 – May 20)

Unexpectedly favorable events are likely to materialize within both your family life and ﬁnancial progress. Don’t overanalyze these situations; just enjoy them as longcherished desires emerge. You may spend money on home renovations. Avoid aggressive comments and instead listen to your partner. The last few of days of the month may take a turn for the worst. Focus on your health and drive carefully.

Gemini

(May 21 – June 20)

Due to an expensive start, this month will end with substantial ﬁnancial loss. Despite such inevitable debt, your family will be there to support you and next month you should see some savings back in your account. Other misguided decisions at the beginning of the month could also shatter your conﬁdence. Just slow down, relax and avoid travel for now.

Cancer

(June 21 – July 22)

You should feel quite comfortable this month. This is a favorable time to make important decisions such as seeking promotion or career change. In fact, mature decisions will lead you to many forms of success. Financial gain is also clearly indicated, though some of that money could go to replacing important household items. Back pain may give you a hard time this month. Traveling can be fun.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Try to concentrate on your job / business to increase your income despite potential mental anxiety. The increased workload should prove rewarding. Risk taking tendencies should be curbed and speculation avoided. Don’t sign any legal documents and stay away from real estate. By the end of the month, you will experience a shift in your think patterns and attitude towards others.

Virgo

(August 23 – September 21)

You could lose an important opportunity during the ﬁrst half of the month. Love and affection from others may unfortunately lead to mistakes. Avoid cheating on your partner. Financially things should turn very positive during the last week through unexpected gains. Involvement in religious activities should provide peace of mind. Your hobbies will be rewarding. Don’t waste such joy of creativity.

Libra

(September 22 – October 20)

For now, prospects don’t look too bright, but a new partnership can offer success in the long run. Business-related travel might prove exhausting and unrewarding. Avoid family disputes, as they may lead to long-term problems. This is an excellent time to meet new people as love and romance are in the air. You will enjoy ﬁnancial gains but then spend it unexpectedly.

Scorpio

(October 21 – November 20)

You will be bold and courageous but violent in temper. A family member’s ill health may cause mental anxiety during the last week of the month. Your devotion to religion could bring peace of mind. You should do well ﬁnancially, but stress may lead you to make unwise decisions. A fruitless long-distance journey is also possible. Surrender to circumstances and slow down.

Sagittarius

(November 21 – December 21)

You will be busy with work and yet also enjoy a happy social life. Some unexpected expenses could be there, but overall happiness is clearly indicated as income will ﬂow in from multiple directions. Your partner should be very supportive. Any long distance journeys may prove successful. Aggressive comments can produce hostility from your loved ones, so avoid any disputes during the last week of the month.

Capricorn

(December 22 – January 21)

Misinterpretations of intent involving your public persona could damage your reputation. Instead of wasting time and energy on non-rewarding pursuits, enjoy activities with your family. Support and encourage your partner to achieve their own goals. You may gain a sudden lucky deal with unexpected travel attached to it. Try to slow down and spend time on routine activities, as your health could become a major issue otherwise.

Aquarius

(January 22 – February 18)

You may face trouble in maintaining income this month as expenses related to family and health problems could force some expenditures from your savings account. You could also make mistakes at work, so avoid taking on additional responsibilities for now. Precious life energy may feel like it’s slipping away, so take up a new hobby to try and keep yourself active. Make use of family contacts this month.

Pisces

(February 19 – March 20)

During the month, strong self-conﬁdence can gain you considerable respect. A substantial increase in income is also assured. Minor family problems and a misunderstanding with your partner could cause disagreements. Your child may achieve remarkable success. Avoid voluntary services this month as this could create more harm than good. Travel activities are also possible.

CLASSIFIEDS

Business Opportunities

C-store w/ Property for Sale / Lease in Denmark, SC along with displays for fresh produce & frozen items. Gross income $55K / Lotto $25K per month. Daily income not included. Call 904-307-4770.

16-Room Motel for Sale

with 2 bed/2 bath mobile home on 1.6Ac lot in McCormick, SC. Great location! Continuously updated. Increasing revenues $170k. Owner financing. Potential for expansion. Check out barmel-inn.com. Call 240-357-7023.

Find your Dream Business

Call for Commercial Lots and Businesses for Sale in the Carolinas. 704-649-9095.

Retail Space for Sale

1800 sqft space including Indoor area with glass walls and outdoor patio located in Chapel Hill, NC. Contact Jessica Patel, Cell: 215-301-5601, Email: jessicapatel13@gmail.com.

Properties for Sale

Commercial & Investment Property: Claremont, NC, $96000, Convenience Store: Hickory, NC $625000. Contact: County South: 704-440-4433 or Countysouth.biz.

Employment Opportunities

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.

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

Gas Station/Liquor Store Seeks Help near Columbia, SC. Need 2 person fulltime, single or couple. Legal status required. Accommodations can be provided. Call / text 803-900-5357.

House Help Needed

Gujarati cook in Charlotte, NC. Other duties include laundry and light housekeeping. Part-time: 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Driver’s license preferred. Call 330-858-4324.

Hotel Help Wanted

Front Desk + Laundry and Housekeeping for Motel in Greenville / Simpsonville, SC. Couple preferred. Accommodations provided. Call or text 828-386-5184.

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

Home Help Needed in Mooresville, NC. Flexible hours. 5 days per week. Duties include taking elderly parent out for activities, basic household cleaning and cooking. Call Binit 704-650-5834.

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.

Sell Your Property Fast!

Place a classified ad here and on Saathee.com for $25. visit: saathee.com/classifieds or email saathee@saathee.com or call and ask for Jennifer: 704-527-7570.

Cooking / Housekeeping Needed for home in Durham, NC. Must have own transportation and state issued valid ID. Four hours/day, 3 days/ week. Call 919-300-5154.

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.

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

Store Help Needed

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

Hotel/Motel Help Needed

Housekeeping Couple, Front Desk Couple and Laundry Attendant for multiple locations near Raleigh, NC. Accommodations included. Call 434446-9250.

Gas Station Seeking Help in Rock Hill, SC. Single or couple. Good pay for an experienced person! No accommodations. Call 803-659-3330.

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

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.

Hotel Help Wanted

Front Desk, Laundry & Maintenance for franchise motel near Charlotte. Fluent English required. Experienced preferred. Couples welcome. Accommodations provided. Please call 919-659-8897.

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 great adversting results with Saathee Call 704-527-7570 or email saathee@saathee.com.

Seeking Bride

US citizen, Hindu, business graduate, 33 currently working in Raleigh, NC looking for educated bride. Contact 336683-7631 or cstore1947@yahoo.com.

Well-educated MD Internist / Hospitalist (Non-Interventional Cardio Fellowship) Man. 35 year-old, never married, wellsettled, and good-looking. Vegetarian, Spiritual, Gujarati, only child, US Citizen. Looking for Girl, preferably Medical professional but will accept any higher education. Text Shailesh with details 260-602-3354.

Looking for a life partner? Saathee can help you reach hundreds of potential matches. Cost is only $15 per month. Call 704-527-7570.

Call Bob! Atkinson Properties Group 919-362-6999

Selling Everything at a lower price in Cary, NC. Buy in bulk or separate! Clothes, jewelry, facial machines, cash register, TV stands, fridge. Please text Shabana at 919-601-7147.

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.

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.

Neeta's Beauty Parlor

Open 7 days a week. Full service. Located near the Hindu Center of Charlotte. For more details on our services and to make and appointment please call 704-968-0270.

Financial Professional: Plan for tax-free retirement. Protect your wealth from taxes, inflation, market risks, and the unexpected. Build a lasting legacy. Call Vijay Machiraju at 984-664-1864 for a free 1hour discovery call.

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.

Make-Up Artist

Weddings, anniversaries, special occasions, editorial makeup. For rates, availability, or to make an appointment Email mithi.shukla99@gmail.com or yeshajani@yahoo.com.

Priest: Ganesh, Shiv, Lakshmi, Randal, Paduka Pujans; Wedding, Baby Shower, Housewarming, Satyanaryan Katha, Mundan & Yagnopavit; Funeral, Navchandi, Tarpan, Havans, etc. Online puja also available. Call Rajendra Bhatt 732-841-7832.

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.

Spiritual Guidance

Facing hardships in life? We will help you out. Nominal fees for valuable work. Please call 205-240-6676.

Adult Dance Student continued from page 84

mistaken for empty space and states Akasha is “that which is.” I would like to think of Akasha more towards space of consciousness/awareness.

Within this framework of philosophy, our surroundings are composed of the Five Elements. If these are out of balance, there can be consequences. For instance, if we indiscriminately cut down trees to make room for strip malls, there can be many impacts to the environment. In some parts of Raleigh, NC, we hear a howl. That howl is coming from coyotes. Due to people moving into what was once wooded areas and expansion of the city into forested areas, people around Raleigh may be more likely to come across coyotes.

There have been studies that have shown that there are warmer and cooler areas in the city. This is due to how parts of the city are designed. There is a concept of the “Heat Island” where it may be a particular neighborhood or location where there is less shade or more pavement. Imagine the diﬀerence between standing in a parking lot with minimal shade, versus standing in a forest with plenty of tree coverage. Neighborhoods built in such a way may experience this phenomenon of the “Heat Island” and there can be a diﬀerence of up to 20 degrees where communities are shadier. People most impacted by these “Heat Islands” are those from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds.

External and internal are interlinked. If our external environments are hot, we are also individually impacted. If there are less trees/vegetation in general, the air can become more polluted for instance, and thus more people having breathing diﬃculties/allergies, etc.

As we are reaching records in temperatures, and extreme weather conditions, it has become essential that we become aware of ourselves and our impacts and our surroundings. New neighborhoods and urban areas that are being designed should take into consideration how to build in an eco-friendly way. Going to town meetings to share and discuss thoughts on the beneﬁts of eco-awareness and implementation may be a way to advocate for the local communities. Other ways to raise awareness are to fundraise for environmental causes that have been researched and raise awareness in neighborhoods, churches/temples, etc. Also, the arts are a wonderful way to reach people, just like the dance drama I witnessed. Going back to the imagery of the two trees, imagine having advocated for your two trees. Imagine going back to your hammock and laying between the two trees and taking a deep breath of gratitude and relief. It may not seem much, but those two trees and the fresh air in your lungs, and the cool breeze makes you feel rich. Mother Nature nurtures us and gives so much; so much bounty and beauty that can ﬁll us with good health and happiness.

It is our responsibility to treat our surroundings well and to be good keepers of the Earth.

Preethi Sriram

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

Magic Maze & Puzzles4Kids answers pgs 102 -103

• Individual & Business Taxes

• Retirement Planning

• Foreign Income Tax/FBAR/FATCA

• Investment linked Insurance Plans Life, Health, Etc.

• Representations with Govt. Authorities

• Business Buy‐Sell Intermediatory YOUR FINANCIAL SUCCESS IS OUR BUSINESS

Shah, CPA, Chartered Accountant (India)

Trivedi EA (IRS), MBA, CCA

Kalgi Trivedi, CPA

Two Locations to serve you: Charlotte: 3230 Prosperity Church Rd., Ste. 202

Research Triangle Park: 3528 Davis Drive, Morrisville 980 290 3600 | Fax: 980‐500‐8874 contactus@shahandtrivedicpa.com www.shahandtrivedicpa.com

Hardik

Advertisers

Index for Charlotte,

South Carolina & Atlanta Region

A2Z Cash & Carry Wholesale................................57

Aishwarya Majumdar (Live in Charlotte)...............10

Anand, Versha (Real Estate) .................................81

Atul Purohit (Garba Event)...................................6

Bala Sure (Broker / Realtor, NC & SC)..................65

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Charlotte)..16-17

Bashyam Global LLP - Immigration Law..............48

Beyond Open (Small Business Grants)...................32

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

Blooming Buds...................................................87

Blooming Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.....................89

Blumenthal Performing Arts (CIAF).....................24

Blumenthal Performing Arts (Events)....................97

Brahma Kumaris.................................................15

Brijal Shah (Keller Williams - Real Estate).............91

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

Brown Immigration Law (Rishi Oza, Partner)......105

Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center.........................86

Carolina Law Group ...........................................95

Carolina Medical Associates..................................75

Carolina Medical Partners...................................71

Carolinas Pediatrics ............................................69

CaroMont Medical Group (Bankim Patel MD)......68

Charlotte Chess Center ........................................27

Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat .........................82

Chess Klub (Klub Ventures)..................................33

Chiro-Carolina ...............................................80

Cliq Studios (Custom Cabinets)............................39

Color Master Collision Center..............................88

Concha, David (Immigration Attorney).................31

Concord Children's Clinic ..................................31

Copper Restaurant (Charlotte).............................85

Countywide Commercial (Pavement Solutions)......55

Desai & Mehta CPAs PLLC .................................88

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

Dosa n' More (Fort Mill, SC)................................61

Eesha Realty, LLC...............................................41

Embassy National Bank (Raj Rengarajan Loan Officer)114

Experior Financial Services .................................55

Falguni Pathak (Garba Event)...............................5

Festival Of India (Charlotte)................................25

Founders Insurance Agency - Anjana Patel.............93

Geological Resources, Inc.....................................45

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

H2 Laser & Skin..................................................89

Harish Bhasin (Independent Insurance Agent)........22

Health Markets (Medicare, Health, Life, Supplemental)..53

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

Hitch Hiker's Guide to College.............................63

Hitesh Rathod (Real Estate).................................75

HX Imports (Smoke Shops, C-Store, Vape Shops)...37

Insurance - Tushar Barot, Supreme Insurance Serv...49

Insurance Shopping (Sonal Patel - IndependentAgent).111

JVC Realty (Balaji Tatineni Realtor / Broker).........52

Kamini Wood - Human Potential Coach................47

Kaur, Karamjit (New York Life Insurance).............60

KB Zaveree (Atlanta)...........................................21

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

Kumar, Kokila (Real Estate - Allen Tate)................63

LearnBhangra.com.............................................51

Maadhurya Photography.....................................49

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

Makeup Artist (Mithi Arts)...................................23

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

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

Malaya Kitchen...................................................75

Malleswar Varikuti Realtor (Realty One Group).....69

Mathur, Gitanjali (Allen Tate Realtors)..................31

Maxim Tours.......................................................47

Meenakshi Creations LLC....................................81

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

Mehta & McConnell, PLLC (Injury Lawyers).........99

Mint MedSpa & Laser Studio...............................71

Neeta's Beauty Parlor..........................................69

New Goloka Temple ISKCON (Janmastami)........113

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

NRS PAY Credit Card Processing...........................4

NSD Tax & Accounting Services..........................101

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

One 2 Entertainment...........................................91

Patel & Samatova, Law........................................43

Patel, Mrugesh (Law Offices)..............................111

Patel, Tony (Real Estate)......................................87

Pathak, Atul (Real Estate)....................................51

Persis Indian Grill (Fort Mill, SC)........................61

Pramukh Mandapam...........................................43

Queen City Smiles (Dr. Kanupriya Tewari).............86

Ram Mortgage (Mayank Patel)............................45

Ruby Realty LLC (Neil Pathak)............................59

Rug & Home.........................................................3

Saffron Restaurant and Catering...........................63

Samskrita Bharati ..............................................23

Shah & Associates, CPA, PLLC.............................45

Shah & Trivedi CPA, PLLC.................................111

Shah, Anish (Real Estate)................................72-73

Sheraton Chapel Hill (ATMA Hotel Group)..........38

Shisha Café - Hookah Lounge - Charlotte..............30

Singas Famous Pizza...........................................29

Sona Realty (Venkat Suryadevara)........................42

SP Orthodontics (Matthews)................................80

Technone LLC (Securtiy Systems).........................91

The Blue Taj........................................................85 Travel Passion.....................................................45

Umesh Barot (Garba Event).................................13

Union Family Eye Associates (Dr. Keshav Bhat)......87

Uniworld Travel..................................................51

VAS Realty LLC (Ashwani Dalal).........................57

Vema Mortgage LLC (Chirag Rachhadia)......22 & 68

Venu Parepalli (Insurance & Real Estate) .............83

Vimal Realty (Vimal Patel - Realtor)....................67

Windsor Run (Erickson Senior Living)..................19

Worldwide Travels...............................................49

Yoga Six (Asha Rajagopal - Owner).......................23

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

A2Z Cash & Carry Wholesale................................57

AABAJ (Assoc Bihar & Jharkhand).......................19

Aishwarya Majumdar (Live in Charlotte)...............10

Allstate (Krish Parlikad)......................................77

Apna Bazar (Morrisville).....................................30

Apna RTP Realty (Ananth Chivukula)..................31

Atul Purohit (Garba Event)...................................6

Aura Skin & Laser (Dipan Patel)..........................63

Bashyam Global LLP - Immigration Law..............48

Bharath Bazar and Café (Cary).............................76

Bhat & Associates (General Dentistry)...................25

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

Blooming Buds...................................................87

Blumenthal Performing Arts (CIAF).....................88

Blumenthal Performing Arts (Events)....................97

Bombay Central (Grocery & Take Out Food)..........71

Brijal Shah (Keller Williams - Real Estate).............91

Brown Immigration Law (Rishi Oza, Partner)......105

Carolina Law Group ...........................................95

Cary Internal Medicine & Diabetes Center, PA........81

Cary Medical Clinic.............................................61

Chandni's Beauty Salon .......................................65

Cliq Studios (Custom Cabinets)............................39

Concha, David (Immigration Attorney).................87

Corner Stone Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.......83

Countywide Commercial (Pavement Solutions)......55

Crescent Dental (Dr. Kavita Ghai)........................87

Darji, Iyer, Joshi & Patel (Accounting & Tax Services)69

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

Eesha Realty, LLC...............................................41

Embassy National Bank (Raj Rengarajan Loan Officer)114

Experior Financial Services .................................55

Falguni Pathak (Garba Event)...............................5

Festival Of India (Charlotte)................................89

FF Chicken (Raleigh)..........................................27

Founders Insurance Agency - Anjana Patel.............93

GCAP (Events)...................................................25

Geological Resources, Inc.....................................45

Global Bazaar (Dhaba & Grocery)........................15

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

Health Markets (Medicare, Health, Life, Supplemental)53

Hindi Vikas Mandal (Independence Day Celebration).16

Hitch Hiker's Guide to College.............................85

HX Imports (Smoke Shops, C-Store, Vape Shops)...37

Inchin's Bamboo Garden......................................23

Insurance - Tushar Barot, Supreme Insurance Serv...49

Insurance Shopping (Sonal Patel - Independent Agent)111 International Community Church.........................33

JVC Realty (Balaji Tatineni Realtor / Broker).........52

Kamini Wood - Human Potential Coach................47 KB Zaveree (Atlanta)...........................................21 KDP CPA..........................................................79 Khanna

PreJuve Medspa & Wellness (Neelu Agarwal MD)...61

Prism Lending (Madan Khatri)............................63

Rajeev Devgon, CPA ...........................................31

Ram Mortgage (Mayank Patel)............................45

RB Realty Group (Ravi Bheemarao).....................73

Real Triangle Properties (Joe Mathews).................83

Rug & Home.........................................................3

Saathee.com........................................................60

Shah & Associates, CPA, PLLC.............................45

Shah & Trivedi CPA, PLLC.................................111

Sheraton Chapel Hill (ATMA Hotel Group)..........38

Shidoree - Deva Shri Ganesha Event at HSNC........17

Singh, Manny (Real Estate)..................................65

Smile Forever Family Dentistry (Dr. Narender Dudee)33

Sona Realty (Venkat Suryadevara)........................42

Spectrum Family Medicine (Sujatha Sajeevan, MD)31

Spices Hut .........................................................67

Stylish Me..........................................................27

Subscription Form..............................................77

Taaza Fresh Indian Bistro.....................................81

Technone LLC (Securtiy Systems).........................91

Travel Passion.....................................................45

Triangle Gujarati Association (Garba Ni Ramzat)....9

Tutoring (Nirmala Koripella - A+ Tutoring)..........72

Umesh Barot (Garba Event).................................13

Uniworld Travel..................................................51

VAS Realty LLC (Ashwani Dalal).......................57

Vema Mortgage LLC (Vipul Hapani).............22/85

Vimal Realty (Vimal Patel - Realtor)..................29

Wake Spine & Pain............................................79

West Cary Medicine (Dr. Kareem M.D.)...............22

Worldwide Travels..............................................49

Monday August 26th, 2024

4 pm to Midnight