Bridging America and the Indian Subcontinent America and the Indian Subcontinent
July 2023
July 2023
Summer Concerts & Events: pg 18
Major League Cricket: pg 28
Upcoming Movie Releases: pg 34
Recipe: Masti Berry Masala Soda: pg 74
There are lots of summertime events and concerts coming up. Go to page 18 for our updated list.
The groundbreaking inaugural season of Major League Cricket begins in July. Morrisville, NC will host 19 matches. Get the details and the schedule on page 28.
This is the International Year of the Millet, an ancient grain that is regaining in popularity due to its hardiness and nutritional profile. Read about it beginning on page 32.
What impact will Florida's new immigrant enforcement law have? Page 50 has the details.
There is nothing better than a cool drink on a hot summer day. Find the recipe for "Masti Berry Masala Soda" on page 74.
Looking for a life partner, a job, or a new business? Check our classifieds section beginng on page 108.
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“Bridging America and the Indian Subcontinent.”
July 2023 Issue # 302
- Saathee.comEditor Samir Shukla
(Samir@Saathee.com)
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Cover: Mountain Train, Himachal Pradesh
View from moving train on arch bridge over mountain slope. Known as “Toy Train” due to its smaller size, this one is going from Shimla to Kalka in Himachal Pradesh, India.
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“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”
- Henry James
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Page 18
Summer Events
Page 28 Major League Cricket Inaugural Season with Matches in North Carolina
Page 36 Film Clips: Ranveer Singh Stars in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Content
Page 66 Recipe: Masti Berry Masala Soda
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I looked around the room in a half-slumber daze, squinted my eyes and made out the time. It was 3:34am. The music from the concert a few hours earlier still playing in my mind. I got up and made the requisite trip to the bathroom. Shuffling in the night, breathing slow, I rolled back into the sheets, a distant streetlight streaming into the room, the band still playing in my head.
I dreamt of timelines along with the music, a slideshow of the journeys of my life squeezed into a long dream.
The guitars were riffing probably just around 105 decibels. The waves of sound lifting the crowd to a higher plane. The music filled the venue – no tribes, political partisans, or genders mattered in those moments. The sound equalized all into rhythmic head swaying and dance. Oneness. Music, of course, comes in myriad styles, fusions, and genres.
This night, though, it was all guitars, bass, drums. Primal rock ‘n’ roll. When the feedback and riffs, controlled just right, converge with the senses, an otherworldly mood opens. The songs eventually end and fade, but the aura lingers in the air, embeds itself, and becomes memory.
Think of a beloved song that over the years, after the initial few listens, has become a part of your life’s soundtrack, rolled into your life’s experiences and memories.
Whitewater Center Fourth of July Celebration: Charlotte, NC (July 3 - 4, 2023)
Celebrate Independence Day outside at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte. The festivities span over two days including live music, races, multiple yoga practices, and more. It will take place between July 3 & 4, 2023 beginning at 9am on Monday and 8am on Tuesday. Admission is free. Info: Center.whitewater.org.
Raleigh July 4 Fireworks: (July 4, 2023)
Join in the patriotic fun and watch the fireworks celebration at Dix Park, Raleigh, NC on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 9:30pm. The fun starts at 5pm with music, games, food, vendors and more. Details on this familyfriendly event at Raleighnc.gov/fireworks.
Hasya Kavisammelan: Morrisville, NC (July 16, 2023)
Hindi Vikas Mandal presents an evening of humor and heart-warming recitals on Sunday, July 16, 2023 beginning at 7:15pm at the Cultural Hall, HSNC, 309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC. Tickets begin at $20. Group discounts available. The evening will feature humorist Gaurav Sharma, Lyricist Dr. Sarita Sharma and satirist Sudeep Bhola. For more information call, 919-656-5224 or 919-363-2759.
Beaufort Water Festival: (July 14 - 23, 2023)
WBT SkyShow: Charlotte, NC (July 4, 2023)
Check out one of Southeast’s biggest fireworks displays following the Charlotte Knights game on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. The game starts at 6:30pm and fireworks start after dark. The fireworks show will take place in Truist Field, after a baseball game pitting the Charlotte Knights against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Tickets for the game are available at CharlotteKnights.com. If you can’t make it to the game or don’t want to go, just hop on over to Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St., and watch the fireworks there.
Love Shine Play Festival: Asheville, NC (July 20 - 23, 2023) Downtown Asheville will be the retrourban backdrop for the Love Shine Play Festival with over 40 presenters & musicians, and 90+ offerings including yoga, music and outdoor activities. Between classes you will have time to stroll through the beautiful outdoor Mountain Air Market, home to variety of unique health & wellness vendors and tasty treats. The festival will be held between July 20 & 23, 2023. Details at: Loveshineplay.com.
Bollywood Mansion: Charlotte, NC (July 21, 2023)
Charlotte Loves Bollywood presents DJ and Producer Tejas in a live performance on Friday, July 21, 2023, beginning at 10pm at Blackbox Theater, 421 E. Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC. For more information, call 424-245-5558. Tickets and info available via Sulekha.com.
This is one of the South’s biggest outdoor events. The festival continues to change around events to keep current with the interests of festival-goers. This year’s Water Festival will be held for 10 days between July 14 & 23, 2023 throughout the town proper with a variety of events for the whole family to enjoy. Info: Bftwaterfestival.com.
Symphony by the Lake: Blowing Rock, NC (July 21, 2023) Experience a moving performance of “From the Alps to the Appalachian” by the Symphony of the Mountains, surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge. Take your seat on the grass by Chetola Lake under the evening sky. Bring a picnic to enjoy with friends and family, or purchase meals from caterers at the event. There will be fireworks after the show. The performance will be held on Friday, July 21, 2022 from 7-10:30pm (gates open at 5:30pm). Info: Symphonybythelake.com.
Russell Peters Live: Charlotte & Durham, NC (July 21 & 22, 2023)
Comedian Russell peters brings his “Act Your Age” world tour to the Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 8pm. He will also perform at the Durham Performing Arts Center on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 8pm. Details and tickets for both shows are via Ticketmaster.com.
Sweetgrass Festival: Mount Pleasant, SC (July 22, 2023)
The 18th annual Sweetgrass Festival in Mount Pleasant will take place on July 22, 2023, from 10am to 3pm at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park. It is designed to bring attention to the contributions of the Gullah Geechee people’s history, culture, traditions and their sweetgrass basket art form that originated in Mount Pleasant and continues to exist in town and surrounding communities today. Offering free admission, entertainment and activities, the Sweetgrass Festival also provides an opportunity for local basket makers to showcase, promote and market their sweetgrass merchandise to locals as well as cultural tourists from around the country. Details are at: Experiencemountpleasant.com.
Kavita Krishnamurti Concert: Charlotte, NC (July 28, 2023)
Probasi presents veteran singer and performer Kavita Krishnamurti live in concert on Friday, July 28, 2023 beginning at 7pm. She has recorded songs in numerous Indian languages and is the recipient of four Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer awards. She also received the Padmashree award in 2005. The venue for the concert is Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. Tickets are available via Carolinatix.org.
Center Anniversary Celebration: Charlotte, NC (July 29, 2023)
The Hindu Center of Charlotte will celebrate its 41st anniversary with general body meeting, a mela, and health fair. There will be vendors and lots of food available. The center invites the entire community for this annual celebration. Details are at Hcclt.org.
OBX Watermelon Festival: Nags Head, NC (August 3, 2023)
Enjoy games, food, face painting, tie-dye shirt making, arts and crafts activities, a climbing wall, watermelon fun and more at Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head on Thursday, August 3, 2023 from 10am – 4pm. The OBX Watermelon Festival is free for guests to attend; however, the purchase of tickets will be required to play and eat. Compete in classic competitions like seed spitting and watermelon eating to win from a selection of prizes! This is a fun-for-all-ages fundraiser benefiting The Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition. Enjoy this summer tradition and help keep OBX bicyclists and pedestrians safe! Details: Kittyhawk.com.
AASOA NC Cstore Trade Expo: Greensboro, NC (August 3, 2023)
Asian American Store Owners Association of NC presents a Convenience Store Expo on Thursday, August 3, 2023 (10am – 4pm). There are over 250 exhibitors registered and attendee registration is free but required. There will also be raffles, prizes and giveaways. The event takes place at the Greensboro Coliseum. For more details, call 732-829-6568, 917-244-9237 or visit Aasoaofnc.com.
AVLFest: Asheville, NC (August 3 - 6, 2023)
This multiday festival will be held in over 20 clubs along with indoor and outdoor venues across Asheville, NC. The fest will feature local, regional and national performers. Vendors will be on hand. Details, visit Avlfest.com.
Mount Mitchell Arts & Crafts Fair: (August 4 - 5, 2023)
This arts-filled community will be featured in this fair that includes crafts, art, music, vendors and food. The fest will take place in Yancey County, Burnsville, NC on August 4 - 5, 2023. For more details, visit Yanceychamber.com/crafts-fair.
Indian Idol – The Intense Tour 2023: Charlotte, NC (August 5, 2023)
Shravanmas Shopping Mela: Morrisville, NC (August 12, 2023)
Threads of colors presents a shopping mela on Saturday, August 12, 2023, from noon - 7pm at HSNC Main Hall, Morrisville, NC. There will be clothing, home decor, pooja items, jewelry, brass items, ethnic wear and more. For more details, visit Facebook.com and search for the event.
North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival: Marion, NC (August 17 - 19, 2023)
The top four of singers from Indian Idol, Season 13 will be performing live at Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC. The show will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2023 beginning at 7:30pm. Rishi Singh is an Indian singer, songwriter, and performer who won Sony TVs singing reality show Indian Idol season 13. Deboshmita Roy is an Indian singer and performer who became the first runner-up. Chirag Kotwal is an Indian playback singer and performer and the second runner-up. Bidipta Chakraborty is an Indian singer and performer best known for participating in Indian Idol 13 as well other music shows. Find tickets and info at Ticketmaster.com.
Cold Mountain Music Festival: Canton, NC (August 12, 2023)
The Cold Mountain Music Festival will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, and feature topnotch musical talent, local food & drink vendors, family-friendly activities, and more all in one of the most pristine settings imaginable. The centerpiece of the almost 300-acre property is a mile-long lake surrounded by the Shining Rock Wilderness Area of Pisgah National Forest. Info: Coldmountainmusic.org.
The annual North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival returns between August 17 & 19, 2023 with some of your favorite bluegrass performers including Rhonda Vincent and the Rage and The Malpass Brothers. Bring your lawn chairs for reserved and general seating. Tickets can be purchased in advance until July 17. For more information about performers, schedule or to purchase tickets, visit Evansmediasource.com and search for the event.
TAGCA Volleyball & Throwball Tournament: Indian Trail, NC (August 19, 2023)
The Telugu Association of Greater Charlotte Area presents a Volleyball and Throwball tournament on Saturday, August 19, 2023. The venue is Carolina Courts, 240 Chestnut Pkwy, Indian Trail, NC. Enjoy sports, music, dance, DJ, kids’ games, food and more. Registration ends on July 28, 2023. For more details, call 904-343-9965 or write to sports@tagca.org. Visit Tagca.org for more details.
Kiran Bazaar: Morrisville, NC (August 20, 2023)
Kiran organization presents their bazaar on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at HSNC Main Hall, 309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC. Many vendors will be on hand. This is a fundraiser for Kiran, whose mission is to end the cycle of abuse and to serve and empower South Asian victims of domestic violence in North Carolina by providing culturally specific services and comprehensive economic, social and community resources. For more details, visit Kiraninc.org.
Teen-Miss-Mrs Bharat NC/SC 2023: Matthews, NC (August 20, 2023)
The Barat NC/SC Teen, Miss and Mrs. Pageant takes place at Matthews Playhouse, 100 McDowell St., Matthews, NC on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Categories include Princess, Pre-Teen, Teen, Miss, Mrs., and Couple. For more details, call 704-909-7585 or visit Missbharatnorthcarolina.com.
Kailash Kher Live: Raleigh, NC (August 25, 2023)
iMAGINE Upstate STEAM Festival: Greenville, SC (August 26, 2023)
The iMAGINE Upstate STEAM Festival benefits the community by strengthening education, workforce development, and the economic vitality of Upstate SC. Students from PreK –12 engage in STEAM activities that directly relate to real-world careers. The festival provides a connection between industry needs and education by offering schools, businesses, and nonprofits a venue to showcase opportunities in STEAM to the next generation workforce and their parents. This year’s festival will be held in downtown Greenville, SC on Saturday, August 26, 2023. Info: Imaginesteamsc.org/upstate.
Shakti 50th Anniversary Tour: Cary, NC (August 27, 2023)
Veteran singer and performer Kailash Kher and his band Kailasa will perform live on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 8:15pm at the HSNC Hall, 309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC. Tickets begin at $49. Kher is on tour raising awareness about water safety (from drowning). For more details call, 571-241-6285 or visit Livespectrum.com.
York Summerfest (August 26, 2023)
The 40th annual York Summerfest will include be 5k/10k road races, golf tournament, classic car show, music, children’s fun games and 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 Saturday, August 26, 2023 in downtown York, SC. Details: Yorkscsummerfest.com.
Pioneering musical ensemble Shakti will perform at Koka Booth in Cary, NC on Sunday, August 27, 2023, with the show starting at 7:30pm. Shakti consists of legendary musicians Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, Selvaganesh Vinayakram, and John McLaughlin. Special guest Béla Fleck will open. Details: Boothamphitheatre.com.
Dallas, TX. The home state Texas Super Kings will face off against the Los Angeles Knight Riders, with both teams set to bring superstar players who have featured for the Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Major League Cricket (MLC) announced in early June the full schedule for America’s first-ever professional franchise cricket league, set to launch on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Two cricket-specific venues in North Texas (Grand Prairie Stadium, 1600 Lone Star Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX) and Greater Raleigh (Church Street Park, 5800 Cricket Pitch Wy, Morrisville, NC) will host 19 matches. Many of the world’s top cricketers will represent six MLC teams competing to be crowned as the inaugural season champion on Sunday, July 30, 2023. Tickets start at $24 for the matches in Grand Prairie and $12 for games in Morrisville, NC. For details: tickets.majorleaguecricket.com.
The first-ever MLC match will start at 7:30 p.m. CST on Thursday, July 13, under the lights at America’s new premier cricket venue, the 7,200 capacity Grand Prairie Stadium, near
The following day on Friday, July 14, fans will have the chance to see a doubleheader of action, starting at 3:30 p.m. with MI New York facing the San Francisco Unicorns. The Unicorns have signed former Australia one-day international captain Aaron Finch, fellow Australian allrounder Marcus Stoinis, South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi, England’s World Cup winning fast bowler Liam Plunkett and New Zealand star Corey Anderson.
The Friday evening matchup features the Seattle Orcas and the Washington Freedom. The Pacific Northwest team have announced the signings of South African internationals Quinton de Kock and Wayne Parnell, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and Sri Lankan Dasun Shanaka. The Freedom’s announced stars include South Africans Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen alongside Sri Lankan spin bowler Wanindu Hasaranga and New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips and Adam Milne, along with Australians Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques.
The Saturday evening matchup sees the Unicorns take on the Orcas, while Sunday’s double header features the
According to the FAO, #IYM2023 will be an opportunity to raise awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of millets and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions. This year, FAO is celebrating the International Year of Millets to help everyone rediscover the many reasons millets should be grown and eaten more.
What are Millets?
Millets can grow on poor soils with little effort, are resistant or tolerant to many crop diseases and pests and can survive adverse climatic conditions. The genetic diversity of millets offers opportunities for economic development through income generating activities in the food sector or in niche markets for specific professional applications (therapeutics, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemistry).
Nutrition continued on page 110
July 7__________________________________
Oppenheimer
(Director: Christopher Nolan)
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., and Matthew Modine
They Cloned Tyrone
(Director: Juel Taylor)
Cast: John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jamie Foxx
July 28_________________________________
Neeyat (Director: Anu Menon)
Cast: Vidya Balan, Ram Kapoor, Rahul Bose, Shahana Goswami, and Shashank Arora
The Out-Laws
(Director: Tyler Spindel)
Cast: Adam DeVine, Pierce Brosnan, and Poorna Jagannathan
Joy Ride (Director: Adele Lim)
Cast: Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu
Earth Mama (Director: Savanna Leaf)
Cast: Tia Nomore, Erika Alexander, and Bokeem Woodbine
July 12________________________________
Mission Impossible –Dead Reckoning (Part One)
(Director: Christopher McQuarrie)
Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Indira Varma
July 14________________________________
The Miracle Club
(Director: Thaddeus O’Sullivan)
Cast: Laura Linney, Kathy Bates, and Maggie Smith
July 21__________________________________
Barbie (Director: Greta Gerwig)
Cast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, and Helen Mirren
The Beanie Bubble
Directors: Kristin Gore & Damian Kulash)
Cast: Zach Galifinakis, Elizabeth Banks, and Geraldine Viswanathan
Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani
(Director: Karan Johar)
Cast: Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Ranveer Singh, and Alia Bhatt
Bro (Director: Samuthirakani)
Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Sai Dharam Tej, Ketika Sharma, and Tanikella Bharani
Haunted Mansion (Director: Justin Simien)
Cast: LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito & Jamie Lee Curtis
Sympathy for the Devil (Director: Yuval Adler)
Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Kaiwi Lyman-Mersereau, and Nicolas Cage
August 2________________________________
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
(Director: Jeff Rowe)
Cast: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and Maya Rudolph
August 4________________________________
Dreamin’ Wild (Director: Bill Pohlad)
Cast: Casey Affleck, Walton Goggins, Zooey Deschanel, and Beau Bridges
Saathee.com/film-guide has the latest info on where the movies are showing or streaming. All dates subject to change.
Directed by Tyler Spindel, The Out-Laws features Adam DeVine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, and Poorna Jagannathan. A strait-laced bank manager is about to marry the love of his life. When his bank is held up by infamous Ghost Bandits during his wedding week, he believes his future in-laws who just arrived in town, are the Out-Laws. Look for it in cinemas on July 7, 2023.
A series of eerie events thrusts an unlikely trio onto the trail of a nefarious government conspiracy in this mystery caper. The film, directed by Juel Taylor, stars John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jamie Foxx. It begins streaming on July 21, 2023.
Bro is a Telugu fantasy comedy
film written and directed by Samuthirakani. It stars Pawan Kalyan, Sai Dharam Tej, Priya Prakash Varrier, Ketika Sharma, Brahmanandam and Subbaraju. The music is composed by Thaman S. It is the remake of the 2021 Tamil film, Vinodhaya Sitham, directed by Samuthirakani. Look for it on July 28, 2023.
From Karan Johar, the director of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, comes Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani - a rollercoaster journey taking you through an epic old-age love story in a new-age era, posing questions about love, family and more. The film stars Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Ranveer Singh, and Alia Bhatt. It hits theaters on July 28, 2023.
In ancient China, dragons were once friends of humans, but our greed ended their alliance, and these magical creatures were hunted down. Years later, in a remote fortress, a young slave girl, Ping, strikes up an unlikely friendship. Directed by Salvador Simó, the animated film stars Bill Nighy, Anthony Howell, and Brendan Coyle. Releases on August 10, 2023.
According to Bollywood Hungama, Kiara Advani has joined the cast of Aditya Chopra’s spy thriller War 2 which also stars Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr. The film is being directed by Ayan Mukerji. The original War was released in 2019. War 2 is a part of the YRF Spy Universe films that also includes Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, and Pathaan. The release date for War 2 has not yet been announced.
The Great Indian Rescue is based on the reallife heroics of the late Jaswant Singh Gill, the former additional chief mining officer. The Akshay Kumar starrer now has a release date, October 5, 2023. The movie, which was earlier titled Capsule Gill and directed by Tinu Suresh Desai, is based on the real incident surrounding Gill, who saved the lives of 65 people trapped in a flooded coal mine in Raniganj in West Bengal in 1989. The movie also stars Parineeti Chopra in a pivotal role.
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn remains very busy with highly anticipated franchises and a supernatural thriller. According to Bollywood Hungama, Jio Cinema has secured the rights to stream three of Ajay Devgn’s films including Black Magic, Raid 2, and Drishyam 3, post their theatrical releases. While the two sequels await scripts, Black Magic will begin filming soon helmed by Vikas Bahl.
My birthday in November 2004 was memorable. That’s when I came out of the closet. Sort of. I had been delving into stand-up comedy for a year but didn’t have an opportunity to perform in front of my family. Luckily, I had discovered a club in Arlington, Virginia that hosted familyfriendly comedy shows on the weekend. So, you can imagine my excitement when they booked me for one of their shows, which coincidentally happened to be on my birthday.
When we arrived there, I saw the line-up. There were 10 comics but no audience members — except for my wife and three kids. The club had seats for a hundred people, so it seemed empty.
The MC bravely kicked off the show and, to make the show a bit more intimate, asked us all to huddle up at the front. He then made an announcement that at the end of the comedy show, there would be a contest called “Everybody is a comic” where individuals would have the opportunity to tell a joke on stage. People would vote for their favorite contestant by clapping. Whoever got the loudest applause would win $25 and some gift coupons.
The catch? The invitation was only extended to noncomics, so regular comics were ineligible to participate. That
meant it would be a guaranteed win for our family if they were willing to participate.
It was in my early days of comedy, so I don’t remember how I did. After my set, I came back in the audience area and sat next to my wife. I asked her if she knew any jokes that she wanted to tell. She said she didn’t want to go up on stage. Maybe she had stage fright – she wouldn’t start doing stand-up many years later. Maybe she felt awkward telling a joke in front of a roomful of comics.
Whatever her reason was, I realized that she was not a true Bania or a Baniayen, a term I coined which also means an undershirt in Hindi!
I asked my teenage son if he would be willing to go up on stage and claim the prize that was destined for us. He agreed, but with one condition - he needed a joke suggestion. Luckily, I had stumbled upon a gem in a joke book recently, so I whispered it in his ear.
It was something like this: Once there was a big guy and little guy seated next to each other in a plane. The little guy at the window seat and the big guy was at the aisle seat. Halfway into the journey, the little guy started feeling queasy and wanted to go to the bathroom. The problem was that the big guy was sound asleep. The little guy was afraid to disturb him, so he didn’t dare get up. A few minutes later, the plane went through a turbulence and the little guy threw up all over the big guy’s stomach. The big guy was still sound asleep. Later when the big guy woke up, the little guy asked him, “So, are you feeling better now?”
Raajeev’s Corner continued on page 70
“To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.”
- SocratesAt the end of the day, you call the shots, whether it appears that way or not. And you live through the consequences of the decisions you make.
Other people may play a part in your decision-making. Circumstances may also influence what you decide and do. But it should be crystal clear that “the last mile” of the circuit that rings your bell is owned and operated by you!
The gift of “the last mile”
Ownership is both a blessing and a curse.
On the one hand, it endows you, the captain, with a unique power that only you can ever have, and which allows you to steer your ship even as the whimsical winds gust around you and the waves buffet furiously against your vessel’s hull.
The flip side of this is that you cannot plead your case in the court of the universe, saying that it was “them!” You can attempt that line of logic, but it won’t matter. The universe will still dispassionately render its sentence upon you – a sentence that you, and you alone, will need to serve out.
And so, as the owner of both a key input to and as the recipient of the key output from this cryptic machine, you have a grave responsibility. To yourself. Your life is a gift that must be unwrapped and unraveled with care and attention; but you have been given an additional gift too: the tool with which to do that too, so long as you can discover this inside you. That tool is your mind.
Your mind is powerful – far more powerful than you may be able to completely grasp.
It is a shame to waste the precious gift that is the mind, and to largely outsource its capabilities, especially to those who have little to no stake to protect and further the ultimate gift that is your life. This is not to say that one should not make use of other minds that may generate things of value. The point is to realize that to do that in a value-oriented manner, your mind needs to be the one to sift and calibrate – and ultimately, own – the raw, unfinished products of those external minds. The buck stops here!
Thinking continued on page 96
by Jennifer Allen
As of June 2023, Netflix’s Never Have I Ever series has given both its audience and beloved characters some much needed closure. By the time the 4th Season begins, most of the teen cast are now seniors and looking toward new horizons for college and beyond. Some issues had already been dealt with in previous seasons while others still lingered for the final 10 episodes of the series to address.
Still at the show’s core is Devi Vishwakumar, played brilliantly by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. “She’s embracing her emotions, and she’s learned how to control them in a way that empowers herself and empowers others. It makes her a better friend, a better family member, a better romantic partner and a better version of herself,” she said about the character during an interview. “I love how she has navigated her worth when it comes to romantic relationships, especially as a young woman. Often, young women lose themselves in relationships because they want to please someone else. You don’t want to seem odd. You don’t want to seem difficult. You want to be worthy of love.”
Devi is loosely based on show creator Mindy Kaling’s own experiences as a teen, though over the course of the series it becomes abundantly clear where their stories split off. Known by her peers as “Crazy Devi”, the teen is infamous around Sherman Oaks High School for her emotional and erratic behavior. She’s a star student who dreams of attending Princeton and often competes with a fellow student named Ben Gross for top marks.
What’s captivating is the show’s unique perspective to center around Devi’s relationships with others… especially her two best friends Ramona (Eleanor Wong) and Fabiola (Lee Rodriguez); all of whom happen to be young women of color. We watch their various experiences with school, sexuality, social cliques, and slowly discovering who each of them truly wants to be.
While Never exhibits a multitude of scenes involving side-splitting comedy, there are also a great deal of heartwarming ones as well. The series begins with a bit of backstory involving the Vishwakumar’s patriarch Mohan (portrayed in flashbacks by Sendhil Ramamuthy) suddenly passing away due to a heart attack during Devi’s freshman music recital.
It’s clear from the very start that Devi adored her father, and this sudden loss has long-lasting effects on her as a person. Occasionally she still envisions her father’s spirit-like form asking for advice, which persist for quite a while until she’s finally ready to cope with the fact he’s truly gone.
Having lost my own mother during the summer before I started high school, I could relate to the character’s toil with grief. It’s never easy to lose a family member and by the time I was 15, I had already lost three. By 24, I would lose two more. Having someone so close to you suddenly not there anymore can rattle even the most steadfast of people. To see Devi going through something similar to myself, this extra layer makes her all the more real for me.
She also sees a therapist on a regular basis to deal with this loss along with other personal difficulties
Mirror Mirror continued on page 96
Recent changes in state-level immigration regulations have begun to move the immigration debate from federal level talking point to a state-level policy matter. Recently, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1718 (FL 1718), which takes effect on July 1, 2023, and is aimed at restricting the ability of undocumented individuals to work in state, while also creating employment verification requirements for Florida employers, data reporting requirements for hospitals about patients’ immigration status and quantifying the costs of uncompensated care. The law provides for criminal and civil penalties for violations of its provisions. Major sections of FL 1718 and its implications and potential impact on Florida residents and the state’s economy are being explored with a summary of those impacts below:
Employment Verification and E-Verify:
Senate Bill FL 1718 imposes employment verification requirements on Florida employers, mandating the use of E-Verify for private employers with 25 or more employees. Employers must verify the employment eligibility of new hires starting on July 1, 2023, within three business days and must maintain documents used for employment verification, including the verification issued by E-Verify for a 3-year period.
The legislation also requires employers to fire existing employees if they become aware of their ineligibility to legally work.
Immigration continued on page 98
Florida Enacts
Florida Enacts
Senate Bill 1718
Senate Bill 1718
The Impact of New Immigrant Enforcement Law
The Impact of New Immigrant Enforcement Law
Kirti
Kalgi
The ninetieth anniversary of American Dance Festival is well underway. As of this writing I have been able to see two performances – but many are left.
I was there on opening night to see Los Angeles-based BODYTRAFFIC. It was a full- or nearly full-house and included the Durham mayor welcoming the audience and congratulating ADF on 90 years. Bodytraffic performed several pieces of which the last two were most exciting. If you know funk then you know the “godfather of funk”, James Brown. Bodytraffic’s SNAP was performed to starts and stops of Brown’s music and is described in the program as being “inspired by the ethnically diverse, yet isolating crowds of Los Angeles”, encouraging us to “snap out” and connect. The way that the dancers interacted and responded to the lyrics lent themselves to a narrative that was fun to follow though, at least for me, not particularly expressing any snapping out.
I don’t often listen to the music of Dean Martin but who doesn’t love his crooning? Having his music as the backdrop for the last piece, Pacopepepluto, inspired me to play some of
his songs for my teenage daughter who, somehow, had never heard of him! The dancers had minimal costumes exposing impressive muscles and featured several solos. It was an enjoyable piece that, like all the ones this evening, had a joyous undertone with a bit of humor; the dancers clearly were having fun.
As they always do, Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater gave a rousing performance. I’ve enjoyed Rennie Harris’ performances in the past and was delighted that the show started with their being awarded the Samuel H. Scripps / ADF Award for Lifetime Achievement with gracious words by Robert Battle, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
So many arts come from Philadelphia; I fondly remember the 1970s “Philly Soul” of artists like the Spinners, Harold Melvin, Stylistics, Delfonics, O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Gamble and Huff’s work, Billy Paul, Eddie Holman, and others. Harris also comes from Philadelphia with this kind of influence as well as Africana, but in particular has been well recognized with numerous awards as a long-time exponent of hip-hop.
What struck me by the 65-minute performance was the expected vigor and rhythm, but also the gorgeous and
See if you can spot the 15 differences between the original photo and modified photo on the right.
Answers are on page 104.
It’s no secret that college applications have gotten more competitive. As summer approaches, rising seniors should use it wisely to start to prepare for their applications, including going on college visits, beginning to write the college applications, and continuing to build their resume. Here are a few things students preparing for the application season should keep in mind as they begin making their college lists.
In March 2023, Columbia University was the first Ivy League school to announce that they are going permanently test-optional. The university, along with 1800 other universities and colleges across the nation, have made submitting SAT or ACT scores optional.
Some schools, like the University of California System, California Institute of Technology, and Reed College, have gone to the extreme and are test-blind, meaning that even if students wish to submit their scores with their application, the schools will not consider them in the review process.
Luckily, students not submitting test scores don’t seem to be at a disadvantage. Colgate University released that for its 2027 Class, 56 percent of admitted students included test scores. For Emory College’s 2027 class, 36 percent of admitted students included test scores.
As students solidify their college, they should look at the test-optional policies and how long they have been extended. Johns Hopkins University will stay testoptional until the 2025-26 application cycle, whereas the University of Michigan has only announced that its testoptional policies will remain in place for the 2023-24 admissions cycle. On the other hand, Massachusetts Institute of Technology has reinstated the SAT/ACT requirement for all its applicants.
Decision and Early Action remains popular with students. These various early application deadlines tend to give students a boost in acceptance rates, with Early Decision usually providing the biggest advantage.
However, this year, early applications tended to skyrocket in popularity. New York University received 22,000 Early Decision applicants, an increase of 14 percent from the previous cycle. University of North Carolina’s Early Action applications increased by 10 percent to nearly 38,650.
While students will usually have a higher acceptance rate when applying early, that advantage is starting to dwindle because of the increasing interest in early applications. In addition, students should ensure they have realistic expectations; just because the acceptance rates might be higher for Early Decision, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have a better chance of getting accepted. If a student isn’t a competitive applicant, they likely won’t see a significant bump in their odds of acceptance.
Not only are early applications becoming more popular, but application volume in general to universities also continues to increase. According to the Common Application, the total application volume increased by 30 percent from 2019-20 to 2022-23. More students are applying, and they are applying to more schools on average.
For example, NYU had more than 120,000 applications for its first-year admissions, a 13 percent increase from the previous cycle. The University of Georgia had more than 43,700 applicants, signifying a 10 percent increase from its last cycle.
Traditionally, in college admissions, a “legacy” student was someone whose parents attended the university. According to an article from the Guardian, these policies tend to favor white, affluent students, with 56 percent of the nation’s top 250 institutions considering legacy in their admission process in 2020.
However, legacy policies have become less of a factor in the admissions decision after the Varsity Blues Scandal in 2019 and litigation brought against top universities like Harvard University and the University of North
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Just like getting a very coveted but unexpected award (the Nobel prize comes to mind), when we learn that we are awarded a large sum of money, with no strings attached, the first reaction is always not believing it or thinking that it is a prank. Most of the Nobel prize winners don’t believe the news when they get a call from the selection committee. Such windfalls are nice, but we have to be careful, if nothing else because we were not ready for it. It is usually clear that given these unusual circumstances we must create a very different strategy – a financial and an emotional plan that we never had to deal with before.
There definitely are some rules that we can follow.
• First three to six months do nothing; let the dust and emotional upheaval (or should I say euphoria) settle down and let our excited brain settle to some normalcy.
• How to emotionally accept that we are now much richer.
• How to deal with the sudden onslaught of requests for help and donations from friends, maybe family and other organizations.
• How to responsibly manage the wealth; an experienced fiduciary person comes to mind.
• How to avoid being taken advantage of.
It really takes a while to get over the emotional shock and the surprise part of it, if nothing else, because such things are generally unexpected. If it was inheritance then there is, at least, some inclination but it is still a shock because it really happened. Given these circumstances, it is best to do nothing for some time and let the dust and the emotions settle. It takes anywhere from three to six months for this to happen depending upon emotional make-up of the family. Transitions are stressful, even the good ones!
It is also difficult, if not outright impossible, to make any meaningful decisions in this period because of the unsettled nature of the award and it is best to leave the whole thing alone for a while. What that means is let the money sit somewhere like a checking account, perhaps a short-term CD, until we decide what direction we need to take.
It does take some time to accept the fact that we are richer now but more so because it was unexpected. I honestly believe that such awards should not change any of our behavior because that kind of behavior cannot continue forever. I remember reading about a family in Ohio who thought they won some form of lottery award; they went out on a buying spree and spent that money on things they normally would not be able to afford and, lo and behold, they realized afterwards that they really had not won that money after all. Such a shock.
After the dust settles down, accepting the fact that we have much more now than we ever expected is easier. Much planning is required to decide what needs to be done with such money. We need to review our immediate needs first;
we all have such a list even though most of the time it is in our minds and not put down on a piece of paper. Education, other household needs that were put aside including car needs and then of course long-term investments which include retirement, come to mind. In the middle of all this the complaints I hear are about the constant barrage of requests for donations from institutions as well as friends and relatives.
Someone once said he never thought he had so many relatives before they found out about his good fortune. Jokes aside, once your own short-term and long-term needs are established and you have decided how the allocations are to be made then it becomes a little easier. Keep in mind that there will always be an onslaught of requests of donations, of one kind or other, but you must learn to ignore them unless they fall into your scheme of planning that you have already established. I know of a case where the single gentleman was diabetic, and he had decided to donate the entire amount of almost a million dollars to that cause. However, upon the suggestion from his financial planner he decided to do that only after his death, which left him enough money to take care of his own medical issues while he was alive.
Most of the rewards are usually not high amounts; usually between $10,000 to $1M. Such awards are much more palatable to handle because they are just enough to
Ambassador Eric Garcetti and Consuls General throughout India congratulated visa recipients as they prepared to join the growing ranks of Indian students who have chosen to study in the United States – the world’s leading destination for international students.
“I first came to India as a young student, and I’ve seen in my own life how transformative these experiences can be,” said Ambassador Eric Garcetti. “Student exchange is at the heart of U.S.India relations, and with good reason. A U.S. education provides students a world-class education and access to a global network of knowledge, laying the foundation for a lifetime of understanding. That’s why we are here today, to encourage these opportunities for as many Indian students as possible.”
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled its plan to launch Chandrayaan-3, the third edition of its lunar mission in the target launch window spanning from July 12 to 19, 2023.
The unmanned lunar exploration project follows Chandrayaan-2, which was unable to put a rover on the moon. The upcoming launch intends to demonstrate end-to-end competence in safe lunar landing and exploration, according to ISRO.
The launch is aimed at demonstrating critical technology to land the Spacecraft on the South Pole of the Moon. ISRO says there are three mission objectives of the Chandrayaan-3: To demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface; To demonstrate Rover roving on the moon; Conduct in-situ scientific experiments.
Chandrayaan-2 encountered a setback during its landing attempt on September 7, 2019. During the descent phase, the Vikram lander carrying the Pragyan rover strayed from its original course, and the connection with the lander was lost. Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter component, which is still functioning, continues to circle the moon and collect crucial scientific data.
Student Visa Day celebrates the long-standing higher education ties between the United States and India. This year, more than 200,000 Indian students are studying at U.S. academic institutions, representing more than 20 percent of international students currently in the US.
“Last year, a record-breaking 125,000 Indians were issued student visas, which is more than were issued to any other nationality. In fact, one out of every five student visas were issued in India last year. This year, we will interview more students than ever before.” remarked Brendan Mullarkey, the acting Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs in India.
The U.S. Mission encourages all students interested in studying in the United States to contact EducationUSA, the free U.S. governmentsponsored advising service that offers credible and comprehensive information to help navigate the admission and visa processes. EducationUSA represents accredited U.S. colleges and universities with eight advising centers across India. Detail: Educationusa.state.gov.
“Synergy 2023, ITServe Alliance’s Flagship Annual Conference will be held in Atlantic City in New Jersey from October 26-27, 2023,”
The U.S. Mission in India held its seventh annual Student Visa Day countrywide on June 7, 2023, in New Delhi with Consular Officers from New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai interviewing almost 3,500 Indian student visa applicants.
Vinay K. Mahajan, national President of ITServe Alliance announced. “ITServe Alliance’s Synergy is the only one-of-a-kind conference delivering innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals.”
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“It brings me great pleasure to announce the muchawaited launch of our flagship event, the Annual ITserve Synergy Conference 2023,” Venu Sangani, Director of Synergy 2023 announced recently. “I am excited to share with you the theme for this year’s mega-conference: “Come, Learn, and Grow.”
At Synergy 2023, the aim is to provide a platform for 2,500+ CXOs to congregate and deliberate on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the world of IT Staffing and technology.
Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services Organizations functioning across the United States. Established to be the voice of all prestigious Information Technology companies functioning with similar interests across the United States.
Every year CX0s from hundreds of multi-national companies come together to hear industry leaders speak, engage in discussions with lawmakers, and participate in interactive breakout sessions. The conference will also provide opportunities for networking and collaboration.
Details: Events.itserve.org/synergy/about.
India Visit
reconnaissance; munitions; and the undersea domain. This initiative aims to change the paradigm for cooperation between U.S. and Indian defense sectors, including a set of specific proposals that could provide India access to cutting-edge technologies and support India’s defense modernization plans. The Secretary and his counterparts also discussed the growing importance of defense innovation and cooperation in emerging domains such as space, cyberspace, and artificial intelligence.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is welcomed to the Indian Ministry of Defense in New Delhi by Minister Rajnath Singh, June 5, 2023. Austin visited India to continue to modernize the U.S.India Major Defense Partnership.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III traveled to India, June 4-5, 2023 to reinforce the major defense partnership, and advance cooperation in critical domains ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s official state visit to Washington. The Secretary met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh. During his meetings, the Secretary and his counterparts exchanged perspectives on a range of regional security issues and committed to collaborating closely with India in support of our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The Secretary and Minister Singh welcomed the conclusion of a new Roadmap for U.S.-India Defense Industrial Cooperation, which will fast-track technology cooperation and co-production in areas such as air combat and land mobility systems; intelligence, surveillance, and
Bollywood actress Neelam Kothari Soni found herself in the starring role this past month – albeit quite different from any she’s played over her 40-film career, or her recent comeback thanks to Netflix’ Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives reality series.
As the guest of honor for Child Rights and You (CRY) America’s 2023 Gala series, she led the charge toward a “box-office blockbuster” of a fundraiser series that netted over $1 million toward life-changing support for underprivileged children in India and the U.S. CRY America is a U.S. nonprofit that supports projects in India and the U.S. that ensure access to education and healthcare for underprivileged children, as well as protection from child labor, early marriage and trafficking.
CRY America Gala events ran from April 28 through May 21, 2023 in Seattle, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City and Houston. The series raised a total of $1.08 million toward 40 projects in India and the U.S. currently supported by the nonprofit. Titled “YOU are the ‘Y’ in CRY”, the galas trained the spotlight on the donors, project partners and media supporters who have been integral to establishing CRY America as a leading child-rights organization.
The second annual Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF), a Blumenthal Performing Arts Original, will return to Charlotte September 15 – October 1, 2023. The festival, which brings international arts and entertainment from all over the world, is also a celebration of the rich international cultures and local
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arts that are thriving in Charlotte. Applications are now open for four other programs that will showcase local talent across genres in various locations during the festival.
Applications are now open for the following programs:
100 TINY THINGS: Part surprise, part treasure hunt, 100 TINY THINGS are playful, curious, and disruptive installations that act as creative urban repair, a way to manipulate the mundane and to interpret serious architecture with a personified flair.
CULTURAL STAGES: Cultural Stages grants will be awarded to performing artists (bands, dancers, magicians, storytellers, etc.) to present work that is representative of their culture.
HOMETOWN SOUNDS: Each selected artist will receive a 60-minute time slot for performing outdoors in either Uptown Charlotte or Ballantyne.
INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR: Members of Charlotte’s international cultural groups will be invited to represent their communities with a table at the CIAF International Bazaar on September 30 in Founder’s Hall.
To apply, visit Charlotteartsfest.com/get-involved-2023.
The Miss World Organization announced in early June
that India was chosen as the host country for the 71st Miss World 2023 pageant. India’s vibrant traditions, culture, and history make it a global beauty and fashion powerhouse, with captivating landscapes, iconic landmarks, and warm hospitality, said the pageant organizers. The 71st Miss World 2023 in India will promote charitable causes through philanthropic activities, inspiring contestants to make a positive impact in communities and contribute to society.
Chairperson and CEO, Miss World Organization, Julia Morley said, “I am delighted to announce India as the new home of the 71st Miss World Final! I have had a great affection for India from the first moment I visited this incredible country more than 30 years ago!”
Contestants from over 130 countries will gather in India to showcase their talents, intelligence, and compassion. They will participate in a series of competitions, including talent, sports challenges, and charitable initiatives, all aimed at highlighting the qualities that make them exceptional ambassadors of change. There will be several rounds to shortlist participants taking over a period of one month before the grand finale scheduled in Nov. / Dec. 2023.
For more details, visit Missworld.com.
The last remains of one of America’s most decorated officers, Major General Harry Kleinbeck Pickett, who fought in both World Wars I and II, is being returned home to the United States for re-burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Major General Pickett died in 1965 visiting Darjeeling in West Bengal, India and was buried in a cemetery in Darjeeling. Pickett’s family and the U.S. Government have been closely coordinating with Indian counterparts to return his remains to the United States.
“Our first priority as U.S. government public servants is protecting and supporting American citizens,” said Melinda Pavek, U.S. Consul General in Kolkata. “Helping reunite Major General Pickett with his beloved family in the United States, the country he defended in both World War I and II, is a privilege and honor for us. My team and I are grateful for the support we received from the Government of India and state of West Bengal which made his return possible.”
The American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata worked closely with S. Ponnambalam, the District Magistrate of Darjeeling, and John Pinto International, funeral services, to locate Pickett’s grave site in Darjeeling. B.P. Gopalika, the Under Secretary, Govt of West Bengal, gave the approval, allowing Major General Pickett’s remains to be sent to the U.S. this month.
In 2022 the United States became India’s largest trading partner with bilateral goods and services trade exceeding $191 billion, double what it was in 2014.
The recently launched U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), elevates and expands the strategic technology partnership between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of the two countries.
Over 160 Indian companies are present throughout all 50 US states and have collectively generated over $40 billion in tangible investments in the US. Together, they have created or saved over 425,000 jobs in the US. Their financing of USbased Research and Development (R&D) projects with nearly $1 billion invested, as well as corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts with nearly $195 million invested, is also on the rise.
The nearly 200,000 Indian students in the United States contributed approximately $7.7 billion annually to the U.S. economy last year. Source: US Dept of State
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Raajeev continued from page 40
It was a solid joke, with just the right narrative flair for the contest. My son liked it, so I was relieved. After all the comics had their turn, the MC started scanning the room for volunteers. Since we were still the only non-comics around, I had a big grin on my face. My son bravely rose from his seat and delivered the joke flawlessly - he got a decent applause.
Then, the MC asked for another volunteer. I wasn’t sure if there was a requirement to have at least two non-comics participate in the contest. My wife was still adamant. My second-born son, Vicktor, had a cold so he didn’t want to go on the stage and do it.
The fate of our comedy dynasty now rested on the shoulders of my youngest son Neil, who was only three years old at that time. Thankfully, he agreed.
I was delighted but a bit nervous. I had not anticipated that the MC would call for another non-comic, so I didn’t get a chance to suggest something for him.
Neil marched up confidently to the stage, his little hand barely reaching the microphone. All the comics cheered and clapped. The MC pulled the mike out of the tall stand and handed it to him.
Neil proceeded to tell his joke in broken English. “Once there was a big guy. Then there was a little guy. They were on the plane. Big guy was asleep. Then the little guy threw up on the big guy. The end.” All the comics went wild. They roared in laughter and gave a thunderous applause. There was no question who the winner would be.
Neil had plagiarized his older brother’s joke and still won! My oldest son complained, “Dad, he stole my joke.” I smiled and said, “I’m sure we can make an exception for a 3-year-old!” Neil was promptly awarded a gift bag with several coupons, and an envelope enclosed with $25 cash money.
At the time, that was the most money anyone in our family had made doing comedy!
After the show, my wife decided to celebrate my birthday by taking us to a pizza place in the same mall where the comedy club was located. We were all laughing and having a good time.
When the server brought her check, Neil reached out in the gift bag and put the envelope on the table and said, “It’s on me, Dad.”
We all laughed again.
It was a special birthday for me because on that day I performed for the first time on stage in front of my family. But as I mentioned, I don’t even remember how I did, nor did I care.
Simply getting treated for pizza by my 3-year-old son out of his earnings made it the most memorable gift I received on my birthday!
Raajeev Aggerwhil
is a Los Angeles-based comedian. Follow him on Instagram @raajeevcomedy
To see his videos on YouTube, search for his name.
Maybe you first heard that song on the radio, or a friend singing it, in a concert, on TV, or maybe even in a dream. Songs and music are the stuff that become parts of people’s lives, awakening intense memories and moods, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, at the most unexpected moments. How many times have you driven down the road, stuck in traffic, and a song pops up on the radio and your mood instantly changes. It is simply the stuff of life. Imagine most movies without the music, they seem incomplete.
Of course, music doesn’t have to come at you at 105 or more decibels. There is a range, and it can be a whispered lyric or just the right amount of power, all the way to, well, painfully loud. One of the first pieces of music you hear as you enter this world are the voices in the proximity of your birth into the world. The human voices. The chatter segues into the whisper of the mother, so right and soothing at around 30 decibels. The sound of typical human conversations clock in at around 60 decibels.
The first bits of sound are felt, maybe even heard, in the comforts of the womb. The muffled sounds of the mother’s heart surely imbued the cadence of rhythm in many during the time spent in the womb. Maybe those kicks felt by the mother are due to her child dancing in that enclosure while hearing music in the head.
The sounds of the universe come to us at varying decibels, varying loudness. They range from the barely audible whispers of lovers to the songs of birds, the pleasant spectrum, all the way to the roar of jet engines, fireworks, gun shots, the uncomfortable spectrum of sound.
Now the night is fading and the music playing in my mind has finished and I wake to a loud truck driving past on the street. The sound dream from the concert faded as sunlight smacked me to the reality of a new day.
On this day this year, in mid-July, if assigning a decibel for each year of my life was some sort of measurement parameter, then I have arrived at 60 decibels. The level of sound at which a normal human conversation is measured, comfortable and filling that most basic human need, hearing another voice in proximity.
This morning I am conversing with myself, at this comfortable volume, and there are no loud voices buzzing in my ears about regrets or missed opportunities, or of any stumbles, setbacks, or misgivings. The voice is mine and saying it’s all good. It’s the end of another decade, but also just another day. Carry on.
I chat with myself for a few more seconds, standing in front of the mirror, listening to my voice, and now I take a long and deep breath, massage my stiff left shoulder, and get ready to step out into the world.
There are times a whisper is what’s needed, then another time nothing less than the power of a rock concert fits the bill. This morning, 60 decibels sound just right.
Samir Shukla is the Editor of Saathee MagazineContact: Samir@Saathee.com
Twitter: @ShuklaWrites
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Now that summer is finally in full swing, what better recipe than a refreshing glass of fruity masala soda! This drink is a more traditional non-alcoholic North Indian summer drink. Some of the ingredients like cumin, black pepper, fennel, and ginger actually have a cooling effect on the body and can help aid in digestion. Not only is this drink delicious and refreshing, but also great for you, so that you can stay outside longer to enjoy some of your favorite summer activities. This masala soda is a quick and easy recipe that takes less than 10 mins to make.
½ cup mint leaves (not stems)
½ inch ginger
2 ½ tablespoon lime or lemon juice
2 cups fresh strawberries
½ cup raspberries
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
½ tablespoon black salt
½ teaspoon regular salt
½ teaspoon black peppercorn
½ teaspoon fennel seeds
1 ½ tablespoon sugar (or per taste)
½ tablespoon aamchur powder or dried mango powder
½ tablespoon tamarind paste
1 - 1.25 liters water, club soda or sparkling water
Servings: About 7 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes
1. On a slow flame, dry roast cumin seeds, fennel seeds and peppercorn in a pan for 2-3 mins or until they become fragrant. Once it’s ready take it off the flame and let it cool down.
2. Now, put the mint leaves, ginger, aamchur powder, black salt, regular salt, sugar, lime/lemon juice, roasted spices, tamarind paste, strawberries, and raspberries into a blender.
3. Blend until a smooth paste forms.
4. Once the paste is ready, strain it out with a fine mesh strainer into a cup to separate the pulp from the juice. This will allow for a much smoother drink.
5. In the same cup with the strained juice, add in your chilled water of choice - regular water, club soda or sparkling water! In my case, I added in a guava La Croix for a little extra tropical flavor. Stir everything to incorporate all the fruity, spicy flavors.
6. Garnish with a mint leaf, or your fruit of choice (I used a few blueberries) and enjoy!
Tip: If you have extra paste that you don’t want to use yet, you can freeze the paste for up to a month. If you don’t want to freeze it, the paste/drink is best after 3-4 hours of making it.
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Imagine an ordinary day in prehistoric times where human cave dwellers wake up and consider themselves lucky that they are still alive. Their daily quest is finding food and feeding their family without becoming a meal. Back then their full-time job was living, and surviving was the most ambitious career goal. Ironically, the focus has shifted to the world of work where we live sparingly and eat less even though we are surrounded by abundant gastronomic temptations. Every decision appears to be dependent on our work. It’s hard to determine the exact time or place when the switch from living to working for a living happened but we can be certain that there is no turning back.
The caste system prevalent in ancient India assigned professions by birth and its effects linger to this day. In other parts of the world, like Europe, class, and aristocracy, which are also linked to birth, continue to define one’s privileges in life. 2022 was not the only “Year of the Nepo Baby”. Nepotism has ruled for centuries quite literally in monarchy, as it was the norm rather than the exception.
The stereotypical Indian parent is believed to pick their child’s career at the time of his birth. I say “his” because until a few decades ago, a baby girl was not considered as
an individual who would grow up to seize the reins of a family business or become an engineer developing an innovative design. Many of these factors lowered the chances of upward mobility. The average Joe or Jai was not expected to rise more than one level above his parent’s socio-economic strata. It’s heartening to see that there are some that defy these expectations. For example, in Mumbai, certain vada pav & bhelpuri wallahs earn enough to buy expensive flats.
The most popular sandwich seller who parked his pushcart outside my husband’s engineering college often bragged to the students that his monthly income was higher than the salaries of the newly minted engineers. Scrap metal dealers around India can potentially rake up more cash than dentists practicing in the same area.
In an ideal world all jobs would be important, and every human’s contribution would be considered equally valuable. Unfortunately, that is as far from the truth as possible. Professions vary in status and an individual’s worth is calculated using more yardsticks than I can count. Let’s take marriages as an example. Traditional matchmaking in patriarchal societies almost always placed the current and future income of the groom as the top criterion. Money and its source have influenced the person’s place of residence as well
Namaskar continued on page 92
Bharatha Natyam, when presented in its purity, is one of the most subtle, sophisticated, and graceful dance forms in the world. This South Indian dance style is immensely popular in India and in many parts of the world including USA. Many parents want their children to learn this dance form either to fulfill their own childhood dreams or because they hope their children will learn about the epics and the rich Indian culture through dance. I thought if I write about this dance form, I can also share it with my students who can read this article and learn the history of this amazing dance form.
Source:
Let us start with the source of this name. The word “Bharatha” is believed to be composed of the first syllable of its three main elements:
BHA for Bhava - meaning mood/expressions.
RA for Raga - meaning melody/tune/song.
THA for Thala - meaning rhythmic timing/beat.
NATYAM - meaning the combination of both dancing and acting.
It is also known that Sage Bharatha has written the great book Natya Sastra, describing all aspects of dance. This book includes the basic techniques called Adavus; position of the feet and body; single and double hand gestures called Asamyuktha and Samyuktha hasthas; Shiro Bhedas-or head movements; Drishti Bhedas or eye movements; Bhru Bhedas or eyebow movements; Griva Bhedas or neck movements; Nava rasaa or nine emotions and so on. I wrote dedicated articles on these subjects.
Temples:
Great temple builders, the Cholas, who ruled India between the 9th and 13th centuries, left a wealth of material on dance carved as inscriptions and sculpture on temples. Dance poses abound in the grand temples like the Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjavur, the cluster of temples at Kanchipuram and Kumbhakonam, Meenakshi temple at Madurai are some of the examples. The grand master of all temple architectures for this dance style is my favorite Nataraja temple at Chidambaram, in Tamil Nadu. All 108
Dances of India continued on page 90
Work Completed: Grading, Parking Lot , foundation, stone work inside and outside.
Work Continues: Main Shikhar and electrical.
Gauri Vrat: June 29th,Thursday to July 3rd, Monday
Jaya Parvati Vrat: July 1st, Saturday to July 5th, Wednesday
Guru Purnima: July 3rd, Monday
Hindu Hriday Milan: July 9th, Sunday
Hindu Center’s 41st Anniversary: General Body Meeting / Mela / Health Fair - July 29th, Saturday
Independence Day: August 19th, Saturday
Janmastami: September 7th, Thursday
Mahavir Das Lakshan Parv: September 12th, Tuesday Thru September 19th, Tuesday
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations: September 19th, Tuesday Thru September 24th, Sunday
Ganesh Visarjan: September 24th, Sunday
Anant Chaturdashi: September 28th, Thursday
Navratri –Sthapana: Garba - October 15th, Sunday Thru October 23rd, Monday; (Kids Garba: Nov 4th)
Garba in temple and at Park Expo on October 20th, Friday & October 21st, Saturday
Durga Ashtami Havan: October 22nd, Sunday
Navratri Visarjan: October 23rd, Monday
Vijaya Dashmi: October 24th, Tuesday; Sharad Purnima: October 28th, Saturday (Garba in Vihar Hall)
The few versus the many and income versus credit are important considerations in the current economic cycle. We have had a historic tightening cycle in which the Fed has raised rates just over 5 percent in a little more than a year, while running a $95 billion per month quantitative tightening program. The result thus far has been a lower unemployment rate than when they started. This is an unusual cycle. The cycle leading up to the Great Financial Crisis was driven by debt, in particular mortgage related debt. Household debt to GDP was over 100 percent coming into the Great Financial Crisis, so raising rates could slow things down very quickly. Now we are at 76 percent and a great percentage of that is termed-out at low rates. Rising rates have less of an impact.
This cycle is far more driven by income, rather than debt. Household income is up over 80 percent since the Great Financial Crisis, and savings have nearly quadrupled. The economic pain so far has been felt by the higher income and asset owners in technology, finance, and real estate. Unemployment claims by those earning over $200k are up more than 5x, while most industries are hiring. The most recent job openings data showed an increase to over 10 million openings. The overall economy has been generating over 200k/month in new jobs. Perhaps the bigger picture is that a top-heavy economy is now transitioning to benefiting the many rather than the few. An economy driven by the income of many means that the Fed will be higher for longer.
Not only has the unemployment rate declined, but we are also starting to see revisions higher in GDP. The Atlanta Fed GDPNow is running just under 2 percent for the quarter. Bloomberg consensus GDP estimates have steadily risen throughout the year. Housing and PMIs look like they are bottoming. It is not just domestic estimates that are increasing, it is global GDP estimates. Earnings estimates for the full year are now turning up. Nearly 77 percent of companies beat first quarter earnings estimates by an average of 6.6 percent. Cyclicals had a higher beat rate at 79 percent by a higher amount at 8.3 percent. The market will soon focus on 2024 earnings when they are expected to grow 11.6 percent.
The bull case for the market centers around that the Fed is just about done, inflation continues to fall, so far there has not been a recession, GDP estimates are turning up, earnings are turning up, a weak dollar helps loosen financial conditions, and positioning and sentiment are poor. The key to the case is employment, especially in an economy that is transitioning to the income growth of the many.
The market has been driven by the few at the expense of the many. The rally this year is almost all driven by large cap technology. Early in the year it had to do with positioning, during the height on the regional banking crisis it had to do with safety, and in recent weeks it has been about excitement over AI. Goldman Sachs estimates that generative AI could potentially lift US productivity by roughly 1.5 percent per year over the next 10 years. This jolt could lift S&P 500 net profit margins by 4 percent over that decade. That would be a meaningful lift to earnings and valuation.
The market thus far has rewarded the producers of the technology, notably the large cap technology names. We are starting to enter the next phase where the market rewards the next level winners, which includes semiconductor and software names. Over time, the market will start to focus on the producers of AI spending on capital expenditures, while the margin improvement is accruing to the consumers of the technology. For instance, Microsoft has invested more than $10bn in OpenAI, while AI is expected to add incremental revenue of just $150 million. The ROI will surely improve over time.
The more immediate impact and margin improvement will go to the consumers of the technology. We are seeing early use cases in healthcare, advertising, journalism, education, and certain service businesses. Small caps will be able to leverage the technology and punch above their weight. They will be more efficient and productive leading to margin improvement. Just like the economy, the market will eventually reward the many over few.
Looking forward the market will focus on the Fed, the latest on AI, and the economic data.
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
NASA and Boeing have announced that the aircraft produced through the agency’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project has been designated by the U.S. Air Force as the X-66A.
The new X-plane seeks to inform a potential new generation of more sustainable single-aisle aircraft – the workhorse of passenger airlines around the world. Working with NASA, Boeing will build, test, and fly a full-scale demonstrator aircraft with extra-long, thin wings stabilized by diagonal struts, known as a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept.
“At NASA, our eyes are not just focused on stars but also fixated on the sky. The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator builds on NASA’s world-leading efforts in aeronautics as well climate,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “The X-66A will help shape the future of aviation, a new era where aircraft are greener, cleaner, and quieter, and create new possibilities for the flying public and American industry alike.”
The X-66A is the first X-plane specifically focused on helping the United States achieve the goal of net-zero aviation greenhouse gas emissions, which was articulated in the White House’s U.S. Aviation Climate Action Plan.
“To reach our goal of net zero aviation emissions by 2050, we need transformative aircraft concepts like the ones we’re flying on the X-66A,” said Bob Pearce, associate administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, who announced the designation at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Aviation Forum in San Diego. “With this experimental aircraft, we’re aiming high to demonstrate the kinds of energy-saving, emissions-reducing technologies the aviation industry needs.”
NASA and Boeing sought the X-plane designation shortly after the agency announced the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project award earlier this year. The Air Force confers X-plane status for development programs that set out to create revolutionary experimental aircraft configurations. The designation is for research aircraft. With few exceptions, X-planes are intended to test designs and technologies that can be adopted into other aircraft designs, not serve as prototypes for full production.
“We’re incredibly proud of this designation, because it means that the X-66A will be the next in a long line of experimental aircraft used to validate breakthrough designs that have transformed aviation,” said Todd Citron, Boeing chief technology officer. “With the learnings gained from design, construction, and flight-testing, we’ll have an opportunity to shape the future of flight and contribute to the decarbonization of aerospace.”
For the X-66A, the Air Force provided the designation for an aircraft that validates technologies for a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing configuration that, when combined with other advancements in propulsion systems, materials, and systems architecture, could result in up to 30% less fuel consumption and reduced emissions when compared with today’s best-in-class aircraft.
NASA continued on page 92
Dances of India
continued from page 82
dance Karanas or poses are engraved in the temple’s grand entrance doors. These carvings have been preserving the history of dances for ages.
Guru Shishya Parampara:
Even in the age of technology, a complicated dance form like this cannot be learned without the careful guidance of a guru. The interaction between guru and student remains essential. All established dancers themselves will say it starts with the great Gurus being treasure troves of knowledge. They had the heritage of a practical methodology and wisdom.
They had the ability to be intuitive in their teachings. They were deeply connected with the inner beings of their disciples. They taught more than dancing. They helped us to recognize our inner and outer selves. They taught their students as much by what they said as by what they did not say. They allowed us to nurture and develop our own epistemologies. It is this harmonious blend of relationship between guru and the disciple that renders the transcendent experience in dancing.
Major styles within Bharatha Natyam: Due to the historic time periods and its backgrounds, many major styles were developed within this dance form. Some of them are:
Melattur Style - This style is based on expressive acting and spontaneous movements.
Pandanallur Style - This style stresses on deep sitting positions and quite difficult to perform.
Vazhuvoor Style - This style the movements flow smoothly with rare leaps.
Kalakshetra Style - This style has hints of Devadasi style and is the most popular of all styles.
Margam:
A general format was established using a sequence of progressively hard dances to complete an Arangetram or Ranga Pravesham, or as we call it here a “Dance Graduation”. This repertoire starts with Kauthvam or Alarippu and continues with Jathiswaram, Shabdam, Padam, Keerthanam, Varnam and ends with Thillana.
Music:
The harmonious blend of Carnatic vocal music (South Indian music style) and Bharatha Natyam has occurred as early as 1572 AD. Instruments such as flute, violin, Mridangam (South Indian Drum), Ghatam (clay pot) etc. are used as accompaniments.
Costumes:
Many styles of dance costumes are being introduced through times, such as Padam style or Sari style; pant styles with 2 or three fans; round fans; V-shape fans; side fans etc. The beauty of the costumes is the fan that emphasizes the main aspect of this dance form “squatting”.
Exponents:
There are so many exponents of this dance form, I am afraid I will not have space to mention them all. However, if you are doing a research paper for your high school project or a thesis, you must include these renowned dancers. Balasaraswati, Rukmini Devi, Kalanidhi Narayanan, Ram Gopal, Pillai family, Kamala Lakshman, Vyjayathimala, Padma Subrahmanyam, Dhananjayan, C.V. Chandrasekhar and many more. These gurus have propagated this dance form to thousands of disciples across the world.
I hope this comprehensive view of Bharatha Natyam dance style will help you cherish, appreciate and treasure this three thousand years old tradition. Many years of practice, grace, speed, versatility, and complete mastery of the art are necessary to do full justice to a dance form such as this.
For questions or comments, contact via email at GingrichMaha@gmail.com
American Dance Festival continued from page 52
subtle lighting design. One set with lavender and purple was reminiscent of sunset, another had beautiful reds harmoniously backing the dancers. The choreography had interesting asymmetric dynamics often with groupings like 1+4 or 7 dancers changing from a group to smaller combinations. The music generally had an infectious hiphop beat with one piece having music that reminded me of James Brown’s funk. Ghazal-like music (I believe it was Tunisian Dhafar Youseff’s Sacré The Wine Ode Suite) encompassed the first half of a somber and haunting piece about street violence. The music also included bright saxophones in Cinematic Orchestra’s Man with a Movie Camera
Upcoming shows later in June include Pilobolus, the company I particularly recommend to people who are new to watching dance because of their accessible theatrics, remarkable creativity, and pure fun. Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company will be presenting Curriculum II about what it means to be human.
Many great shows are scheduled through July with a final show in late August. Paul Taylor Dance Company is a regular at ADF. As one of the founders of modern dance, I am drawn to their beautifully ballet-grounded pieces and try to always see them when they are in town.
The ADF website americandancefestival.org has the details on all the events, including ticketing. It offers something for varied tastes and ages, including children. If you are on twitter, I tweet about the shows @dbarman.
Dilip Barman
is a lover of culture and teacher of math and vegan food/nutrition. Check out his monthly show somanycooks.com.
Contact: dilip@trianglemathinstitute.com
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as their access to desirable opportunities in society including the unspoken ones. I recently met a young college dropout who introduced himself as “just a YouTuber” perhaps because a career based on social media may be viewed as a hobby. On the contrary, I find it heartening to see the younger generation explore unconventional occupations even though old-fashioned curmudgeons may dismiss them as distractions. If rumors are to be believed, a couple of the lavish homes in our neighborhood are owned by 30 something YouTubers.
Most economies are guilty of favoring and rewarding specific fields. STEM related professionals generally earn decent income whereas individuals considered “blue collar workers” are barely making ends meet at their hourly pay rate. Graduating with a college degree does not place students on an equal footing either. An engineer can probably afford a home as soon as he or she gets a job but no such luck for a teacher who has just completed a degree in Special Education.
My master’s degree in counseling from the University of Mumbai enabled me to work as a school counselor and the low pay never bothered me as I did not have a family that depended on my income. At that time, my peers who had completed management programs had enviable salaries. However, when I moved to the United States, it was fulfilling to see that students like me, who had worked toward a master’s degree in industrial and organizational Psychology could potentially earn the same amount as engineers and marketing managers.
What’s common in both countries is that the arts brutally punish anyone who is not exceptional while rewarding gifted artists disproportionately.
My parents’ generation believed that the sole criterion for career selection was its practical value, in other words, will you make enough money? Individuals of my age tend to prefer passion. Dual income families provide the financial cushion to allow one partner to pursue passion and, in many cases, wealth follows. Others have found a way to integrate both as they engage in activities that they are passionate about outside the office. One could think of it as an investment in mental health as it could help people relax, trigger their creativity and they could potentially return to work with newfound energy. These privileges, however, may not be available to all or at the right times in one’s life.
The fluidity of the world of work keeps everyone on their toes by challenging long held beliefs and knowledge. With the emergence or perhaps more accurately, the increasing sophistication of artificial intelligence, many jobs may become obsolete. We may not even be equipped to guide our children on how to succeed in their vocations. Future professionals must aim to develop skills that can’t be imitated or replaced and then be ready for another disruption. As we all know, change is the only constant.
is a long time North Carolina resident and an ardent writer. You can reach her at: shyamashree_parui@hotmail.com
Personal Finances continued from page 62
satisfy your own immediate needs like car and house repairs and medical bills and education and retirement. The donation part is noble but should only come after your own, urgent or otherwise, needs are satisfied.
One thing is for sure. There is a strong need to seek proper help. Cool minds prevail. Most of such unexpected rewards are difficult to handle and it is almost a must to seek help from trusted friends and colleagues who have no vested interest in your sudden wealth. Hugh windfalls need to be handled with a real fiduciary on your side. Compared to what you had before, a very different and complicated financial plan is needed to accommodate the newly acquired wealth. Until well thought-out plans are made, one should avoid handing out checks or making big changes. Greater wealth always comes with greater responsibility. You are essentially doing the high-wire act of not upsetting anyone and at the same time managing your newly acquired wealth properly.
Mo Vidwans
is an independent, board certified financial planner. For details visit, VidwansFinancial.com, call 734-476-0579 or write to: mvfinancial@yahoo.com
NASA
continued from page 88
Due to their heavy usage, single-aisle aircraft today account for nearly half of worldwide aviation emissions. Creating designs and technologies for a more sustainable version of this type of aircraft has the potential for profound impact on emissions.
NASA’s history with the X-plane designation dates to the 1940s, when its predecessor agency, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) jointly created an experimental aircraft program with the Air Force and the U.S. Navy.
The X-66A is the latest in a long line of NASA X-planes. Additionally, NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, has provided technical expertise and support for several additional X-planes.
For the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator, NASA has a Funded Space Act Agreement with Boeing through which the agency will invest $425 million over seven years, while the company and its partners will contribute the remainder of the funding, estimated at about $725 million. NASA also will contribute technical expertise and facilities.
The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project is an activity under NASA’s Integrated Aviation Systems Program and a key element of the agency’s Sustainable Flight National Partnership, which focuses on developing new sustainable aviation technologies.
Learn more about the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator at: Go.nasa.gov/3X4t9MD.
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Thinking continued from page 44 Mirror Mirror continued from page 46
Those that see that their mind is their gateway to their life may live very different lives from those that don’t. For one, they may focus acutely on the architecture of their mind and be critical of its contents and capabilities. And look to rearchitect aspects that are detrimental to their lives. They may, through this process, create, over time, protective layers that inspect everything that attempts entry into the inner layers of the mind all the way up to the sanctum sanctorum of the mind: the things that underpin everything else, and kick in sharply, swiftly and decisively, with or without your conscious awareness.
They may be aware of these sharp kick-ins which have an “emotional” quality to them rather than a slow, thoughtful, analytical character that accompanies “conscious” thinking. And realize that going against the emotional forces arising there may be hard, since it will pretty much overrule everything else that sits on the surface layers above it, unbeknownst to those layers.
You can’t go against the King, try as hard as you might, however stupid or corrupt the King might be. Because that is how the King has grown up over time, for better or for worse. The superficial layers of your mind may attempt to devise ways to justify decisions through accepted standards of “logic” and process-discipline, but the reach of the King at the core into these layers is strong. These reasoning layers will merely produce a “logic” that aligns with what the King had decided much earlier, and will serve, at best, as a rubber stamp that provides an illusion of reason and diligence having been done.
There is only one way out of this tangle where you suspect that the King may be corrupt and will dominate this time too, because you have had such experiences in the past, where the King has been wrong. Very wrong. And all your “logic” layers have been mere toadies to the King, fearful and desperate to please, while going through a charade of exercising an independent process, logic and diligence in decision-making.
The way out is to realize that the King too is a bit player when it comes to the power of the universe: the reality. You cannot “reason” your way out of what the King wants you to do, while you are so intoxicated with the King. Your reasoning layers must ignore the King, effectively ignore the emotions that arise there, and pay homage to the greater God: The Universe.
You accept with grace what the universe offers. But you also pay close attention as the universe reveals itself, look for opportunities where you can play in the cosmic dance, and maybe shift things a bit here and a bit there. And never turn back and look at the King who may be frothing at the mouth. Just do it! And the rest will follow.
Balaji Prasad
is an IIT/IIM graduate, a published author, SAT/ACT Online and in-person Coach, and K-12 Math Tutor at NewCranium. balaji.prasad@newcranium.com.
which develop over the course of the series. She has friction with her mother who appears much more rigid than her late husband. She displays wild outbursts, often in front of other students, which causes both strife and embarrassment for everyone involved.
Yet the one thing which makes Devi so much more interesting as a character is that she is not perfect. In truth she can be quite self-centered, condescending, and hateful as a means to conceal her own flaws. We’ve all had moments of speaking without thinking; moments where emotions fuel our actions no matter how terrible the outcome could potentially be. Watching this young woman gradually mature and escape that deep pit of low self-esteem until finally by the series finale, she’s finally come to terms with who she truly is.
One of the very first scenes in the series shows her praying to a small shrine with various Hindu Gods asking for hot boyfriend, no arm hair, smaller pores, and invitations to parties with drugs and alcohol.
Typical teenager stuff, right? At the end, Devi instead offers thanks to those same Gods to show how grateful she is for those who love her and for finding the strength to love herself.
Never Have I Ever reminds us that the teenage experience does have its fair share of incredibly awkward and emotionally complicated moments. Between school expectations, managing extracurricular activities, various social anxieties, and all the complications of puberty? Well… it’s a lot. While the show does offer up a few glimpses of what many of the other characters are going through, it’s ultimately Devi’s journey.
And we need more characters like Devi out there. We crave characters who portray all the usual hangups, anxieties, and flaws that come with growing up. It’s all about the ‘hero’s journey’.
If that journey happens to involve a physical trip or simply an emotional one, it has the potential to be endearing if handled properly.
While there have been plenty of other TV shows and films which tackle the fertile battleground of teenagedom that is high school, Never Have I Ever has a special zeal all its own due to its exceptional writing, acting, and even the occasional fourth-wall breaking character narration by stars such as Gigi Hadid, Andy Samberg, and John McEnroe.
Take notes, Disney.
Devi Vishwakumar is a perfect example of an empowering, brave, and satisfying strong female character. Let her make mistakes and stumble a few times for her to discover her true self and become a better person. We experience this excellent journey with her, and in turn mature as well by proxy.
Is that too much to ask?
Jennifer Allen
works at Saathee and is also a Podcaster, Blogger, Photographer, Graphic Artist, Gamer, Martial Arts Practitioner, and an all around Pop Culture Geek. You can reach her at Saathee@Saathee.com
Immigration
continued from page 50
Beginning on July 1, 2024, state law enforcement agencies will be authorized to conduct random audits of businesses and request documentation used by employers for employment verification. Employers found to have three violations of employment verification requirements in a two-year period will be fined $1,000 a day until an employer can show compliance. Noncompliance may result in the suspension of state business licenses.
It provides criminal penalties to those who knowingly use false identification for work purposes including five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Criminalizing Transportation of Undocumented Individuals into the State of Florida:
FL 1718 introduces stringent penalties for individuals involved in knowingly and willfully transporting undocumented individuals into Florida. It classifies this act as “human smuggling” and makes any violation a felony offense with a possible term of imprisonment of 15 years. This section conceivably impacts immediate family members such as spouses and parents of minor children transporting loved ones across the state’s border. Similarly, agricultural workers and truck drivers who travel from state-to-state together or with family may also be charged.
Notably, FL 1718 does not criminalize transporting or being in a vehicle with undocumented individuals within the state, living-with, or renting to an undocumented individual.
Appropriates $12M from Florida’s General Revenue Fund to Migrant Transportation Program:
The legislation appropriates $12 million in funding from the General Revenue Fund, funded by taxpayers, for the Governor’s “unauthorized alien transport program” that allows state law enforcement agents to transport undocumented individuals to other states.
Hospital Reporting Requirements:
Under FL 1718, hospitals accepting Medicaid are required to collect information about patients’ immigration status. While patients have the option to decline answering questions about their immigration status on patient intake forms, hospitals must submit quarterly reports to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which will then compile an annual report for the Governor and Legislature. The reports will include data on uncompensated care costs and the impact on hospital funding needs.
Notably, this information will not be used to decline care or report patients’ immigration status to immigration officials.
DNA Databases:
The legislation will require adults and juveniles arrested with immigration holds to provide DNA samples.
Restrictions on Driver’s and Professional Licenses: FL 1718 prohibits government funding for issuing identification documents to undocumented individuals,
invalidates out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants, and repeals provisions allowing certain undocumented individuals, including DACA recipients, to be admitted to the Florida Bar starting on November 1, 2028.
Undoubtedly, this new Florida law represents a comprehensive effort by the state to curtail undocumented immigration. The legislation is expected to have significant consequences for the state’s economy and extensive legal challenges. With a substantial number of undocumented individuals currently in the Florida workforce, as well as the state’s long and storied history as a vacation destination, the implementation of FL 1718 is likely to affect various sectors, such as tourism, construction, agriculture, and food services businesses, as highlighted by recent studies. DeSantis’ prospects on the presidential trail notwithstanding, Florida’s push into impacting immigration policy through restrictive state measures may be a trend that will be seen more commonly across the United States.
is Partner at Brown Immigration Law, a firm that focuses solely on immigration law; he practices in Durham. roza@rbrownllc.com
Carolina. Schools like Cornell University and Amherst College are examples of schools where legacy students won’t get a preference over non-legacy students when applying.
Direct medical programs, also known as BS/MD programs, allow students interested in medicine to apply to undergraduate and medical school simultaneously. Once accepted to the program, they will have a guaranteed spot at the partnered medical school. These programs have always been competitive but have gotten even more so in the last few years.
Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education had 4,192 this admissions cycle, compared to 3,827 in 2021-22. Drexel University’s Early Assurance Program saw a similar increase, going from 2298 applications in 2020-21 to 2,705 for the 2021-22 application cycle.
College admissions are more competitive than ever, and rising seniors should spend their summer wisely researching to ensure they find colleges that are a good fit for them. By looking at the trends from previous cycles, they can be armed with information to help them enter the application cycle prepared.
Violet Wei
is a College Counselor and Outreach Coordinator. Website: MoonPrep.com Contact: Violet@moonprep.com.
Make words using 5 or more letters. The central letter must be used in each word. Plural words are not allowed. Use all letters for the subject word (underlined in solutions below)
7+ words = Excellent; 4 to 6 words = Good; 3 or less = keep looking. Words we found are in solutions below.
Here is a fun quiz. See if you can solve it. No peeking! Match the number in column 1 with letter in column 2
US
Answer the ones you know and research the rest. There is only one correct answer!
1. Arrange the discovery of the metals from oldest to newest (a) Steel (b) Copper
(c) Lead (d) Gold
2. In which year did the Filmfare Awards begin?
(a) 1952(b) 1953
(c) 1954(d) 1955
3. This underground pipe line has Green Caution flag on the ground: (a) Electric(b) Phone
(c) Water(d) Sewage
4. A Western instrument also used in Carnatic music of India. (a) Guitar(b) Oboe
(c) Bagpipes(d) Violin
G5. ‘Amulet’ means
(a) Cut(b) Exact
(c) Charm(d) Turban
6. The total length of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel is... (a) 15.6 Miles(b) 16.6 Miles
(c) 17.6 Miles(d) 18.6 Miles
7. What is the average annual salary of the Secretary of North Carolina State?
(a) $30,000 (b) $33,000
(c) $34,700 (d) $36,000
8. The winner of 2023 Men’s French Open.
(a) Djokovic (b) Sampras
(c) Nadal(d) Ruud
9. Who discovered radioactivity?
(a) Curie (b) Edison
(c) Becquerel(d) Rutherford
10. The state flower of Virginia is (a) Red Clover(b) Black-eyed Susan
(c) Mayflower(d) American Dogwood
State Capital A.
J. Raleigh
Word World INVAR,(Solution): RAVING, RIVING, SAVING, VIGAS, VIGIA, VIGIAS, VINAS, VINING, VIRGA, VIRGIN, VIRGINIA, VIRGINIAN,
Answers are on bottom left. No Peeking.
Scholar: All correct; 1st Class: 9 Correct; 2nd Class: 8 Correct; 3rd Class: 7 Correct; Need to improve: 6 or less
Fill in blanks of these clues, then take the first letter of each word and unscramble them to find this month’s Key Word.
Basmati, is a type of ___.
The opposite of difficult. ___
The Rose is a type of ___.
PM of India, Narendra ___.
The capital of Delaware is ___.
The fifth letter of the Greek Alphabet. ___
The Buckeye State. ___
Answers on page 104
Note: * denotes abbreviation of the word or phrase Clues Across:
1. The “Old Dominion” State.
8. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. (*)
10. International Masonry Institute. (*)
11. To shrink back in fear; cower.
13. An expression of inquiry or slight surprise.
14. Chemical compound formula for salt.
16. A noisy quarrel or disturbance.
18. A mountain 24,406 feet high in eastern Kyrgyzstan.
20. An oval cooking-pot, traditionally used in Provence.
22. A language spoken in the Madang province of Papua New Guinea.
23. Of, relating to, or originating in the umbilical cord.
24. A Tivoid language of Nigeria.
26. To begin to occur or to exist.
28. To go faster than a walk.
29. A proposition used as a function word to indicate the source, cause, agent or basis.
30. One who betrays friends or associates.
32. Grandpa (Gujarati)
34. Physical Therapy. (*)
35. A town in the district of Diepholz, Saxony, Germany.
36. Funny meme picture including a cat.
39. Each. (*)
41. Northern Community College in 1 Across.
42. The newest of the 4 major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
44. A town in Page County of 1 Across.
47. Blows or strokes from something thrown.
48. A female horse.
1. A farm containing grapevines.
2. Desktop computer designed & distributed by Apple, Inc.
3. The capital city of 1 Across.
4. Intelligence Quotient. (*)
5. A power station that generates electricity by the heat from fission in a nuclear reactor.
6. Iowa. (*)
7. Atmosphere.
9. An eastern oyster typically from the Chesapeake Bay.
12. A water lily including several represented in ancient Egyptian and Hindu art and religious symbolism.
15. Containing little or no fat.
17. A wine-making establishment.
19. Long Island. (*)
21. Artificial Intelligence. (*)
23. Functional Independence Measure . (*)
25. A betelnut.
27. Reserve Officer Training Corps. (*)
31. A Loloish language of the Far East.
33. Solitary.
35. The vapor phase of water.
37. Elliptical.
38. Gone by, past.
40. Universal Serial Bus (*)
41. National Educational Policy. (*) (India)
43. (computing) A particular data compression format.
45. Male whom is neither speaker nor hearer.
46. Document Signed. (*)
(solution on page 104)
Girl: “Did you ever try to tickle a donkey?”
Boy: “No. Why? Do I get something?”
Girl: “Yes, you will get a big kick out of it.”
Patient: “Doctor, I have pain in my left leg.”
Doctor: “Don’t worry, it is just because of old age.”
Patient: “That is strange. So far as I know, both my legs are of the same age.”
Booddhoo: “I’ll bet you $100 that I can lift a big, sturdy horse with one hand.”
Mafatlal: “Wow! You’re on.”
Boddhoo: “Good. Now go find me a horse with one hand.”
Find & circle the words in the puzzle.
Subject: Virginia
ARLINGTON CALEDON CARDINAL CAVALIERS CHESAPEAKE CIA DOGWOOD GREEN HAMPTON HOOKIES INGLESIDE JAMES
The unused 17
MARSH NORFOLK NORTHANNA PENTAGON QUAIL ROANOKED ROGERS ROTC SEA SWAMP VA WINE
tters spell “Virginia state’s official motto.”
(answer on page 104)
Fill in the empty squares to get = the final given answers. Use any number from 1 to 9, except 6, only once: Note: Follow the order of operation per basic math rule: ×,÷, +,The multiplication or division is done before addition and subtraction. (solution on page 104
TEST YOUR IQ
The common letters are “ULY” - Fill in the blanks)
1. A language primarily spoken by the people in Azerbaijan and Russian Dagestan. _ _ ULY
2. Seventh month of the Gregorian calendar year. _ ULY
3. A rope for hoisting something (as sails). _ _ ULY _ _ _
4. Covered with an armorial ensign. _ _ _ _ ULY
5. Composed of successive short curves made to resemble a cloud, used of a heraldic line. _ _ _ ULY
6. A heavy perfume made from the fragrant essential oil of a southeast Asian mint. _ _ _ _ _ _ ULY
7. An edge with regular oblique notches. _ _ _ ULY
8. The feature of having a hard, dry stem. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ULY
9. In a proper or suitable manner. _ _ ULY
10. A city on the Volga River in SE Russia. ULY _ _ _ _ _ _
11. Scotch forms of oil. ULY _ _
12. A quarrel, a fray, a disturbance; turmoil. _ _ULY _ _ _
13. A king of Ithaca, Greece in the Trojan War. ULY _ _ _ _
14. A rich meat stew seasoned with paprika. _ ULY_ _
15. A Pamir language of Tajikistan. _ _ _ _ ULY _ _
16. In accordance with what is appropriate or required. _ ULY
17. Disorderly and disruptive. _ _ _ ULY
(Puzzle solutions are on page 104. NO peeking!)
July 2023
Jul. 1 - Canada Day
Jul. 3 - Gauri Vrat Ends
Jul. 3 - Asalha Puja Day (Dhamma Day)
Jul. 3 - Guru Purnima (Full Moon)
Jul. 4 - Independence Day (USA)
Jul. 11 - World Population Day
Jul. 17 - Darsh Amas (No Moon)
Jul. 19 - Muhrarram
Jul. 23 - Kamika Ekadashi
Jul. 24 - Parents' Day
Jul. 27 - Tisha B'av
Jul. 28 - Ashura
Jul. 30 - International Day of Friendship
Key Word Search Answers from page 100 R
Spot the Differences Solutions from page 56
1. Removed one slipper
2. Changed color of clothes
3. Removed LML from scooter
4. Added a turtle on the ground
5. Added a snake on the ground
6. Added some words to guy with red shirt
7. Added a name on the snacks thali
8. Changed color of yellow band
9. Removed the shadow
10. Changed the cap color
11. Removed the bag
12. Removed the indicator
13. Added the crow
14. Removed the onion
15. Changed the cycle color
Puzzle Solutions from page 102-103
Key Word of the Month: FREEDOM
Math Magic from page 103
Aries
(March 21 – April 20)
Even with problems at work and changes in responsibility, you should be able to maintain a steady flow of income. If involved in a business partnership, luck will surprisingly favor you. This is also a good time to participate in social and cultural activities in order to gain more contacts. Listen and follow advice from your friends or associates. Enjoy the fruits of your labor drawn from past projects.
Taurus
(April 21 – May 20)
Despite some minor gains at the beginning of the month, you will face a major setback in revenue after the second week. You may have no choice but to engage in some rigorous work to restore this deficit. Unexpected legal issues may spoil the satisfaction of a past achievement. Avoid disputes with your mother-in-law or sister-in-law. You should enjoy good health this month as long as you take it easy during your downtime.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
After a negative beginning, things should improve unexpectedly during the second week of the month. Remain mindful of any public comments. You should enjoy good luck financially, though things could take a turn in terms of you and your partner’s relationship. A sense of relief will give you peace of mind during the latter half of the month. Avoid speculation by delaying any major decisions for now. Be cautious while driving.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
You should enjoy positive financial results this month as money will flow in from more than one direction. Avoid any potential family disputes, focus on your career and income. Intelligent planning by your partner will delight you. An innovative idea may also click in your mind; be brave, follow your instincts, and start implementing it now to enjoy success. Don’t wait until the end of the month to make a decision.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
After a very lucky beginning, your situation could deteriorate during the second half of the month. An egoistical comment may cost you greatly, so it’s advised to listen to your partner. Unexpected family issues will also hit hard. Better times are on the way; be patient and avoid making any major decisions on your own. A major health problem may also bother you.
Virgo (August 23 – September 21)
An unexpected rise in income will delight you. While this will cover your expenses in the short term, they will become an issue all over again by the last week. Enjoy speculation and relaxation during the middle of the month. As health-related problems could take a serious turn, be sure to stay on top of things or else it could disrupt your peace of mind. You may receive good news regarding your child.
Libra (September 22 – October 20)
Relax and enjoy life, though you may also neglect morality and traditions in the process. Extra income should appear during the last week of the month, though this could cause setbacks in education. Ignore it and focus on enjoying the materialistic world. You could potentially suffer due to false allegations at work so remain watchful. You may also lose the financial support of your partner. If so, your kids could prove to be of great help.
Scorpio (October 21 – November 20)
Bask in the power of artistic expression and interpretation. Traveling with friends and siblings will bring happiness. You should also achieve commendable status and respect in society. You could become enemies with someone of a different gender. Avoid taking any business-related risks such as getting involved in partnership deals. You may also experience bad luck in the money market.
Sagittarius (November 21 – December 21)
A lack of confidence could potentially cause personal problems. Try to remain self-assured and open-minded. Avoid any immoral temptations such as under-the-table dealings. Try to instead go on a trip with friends. A reunion with old friends or past love is also possible. You should curb any expenses on luxury items. Don’t get involved in any minor disputes with family.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 21)
Substantial progress is clearly indicated this month. Act cautiously during this transitory period by not taking on any long term commitments. If possible, try to go on a trip in connection with your career as it may prove quite fruitful. Alternatively, this is not a good time for religious and social ceremonies. Remain confident, persistent, and continue working vigilantly as things steadily improve in the long run.
Aquarius (January 22 – February 18)
After a positive start, your life may spiral out of control. A sudden lifestyle change could put you in a precarious situation. Try to avoid conflict with your partner. However, this is a good time to make new friends or start a love affair. A family problem will force you to spend a substantial amount of income. Avoid taking on any excess stress or else be prepared for depression. Spend some money fixing up or decorating your house.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
You’re entering a period of confusion and self-distraction. You may have to slog through even as potential work burdens could feel overwhelming. Put your nose to the grindstone and keep your head down. Any changes that may feel positive will unfortunately be nothing more than an illusion. Your family should be able to assist with any adverse situations. Don’t take on any new debt during the last week of the month.
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C-Store w/ Grill for Sale in Franklinton, NC (30 min from Raleigh and Durham). Inside sales $500k/yr, Lottery comm $50k/yr, ATM comm $5k/yr. Fully equipped kitchen. Potential to grow business by adding Money Order, Check Cashing, Money Transfer, or U-Haul. Sub Lease (Rental income $12k/yr). For details, call 919699-3293.
16-Room Motel for Sale with 2 bed/2 bath mobile home on 1.6Ac lot in McCormick, SC. Great location. Recently updated. Increasing revenues $140k. Owner financing. Potential for expansion. Call 240-357-7023.
C-Stores for Sale: Forest City, NC $179,000 + Inv, Annual $641,906, no gas; Jonesville, NC $850,000, Leased, Reduced!; Winston Salem, NC $229,000 + Inv, Annual $1,500,000 Fuel Gals 374k; Contact: County South: 704-4404433 or Countysouth.biz.
20-Room Motel for Sale for 3 times gross revenue in Beckley, WV. Owner financing possible. Call 470-866-1882. For Sale: High Volume Liquor Store/Party Shop in South Carolina. $1.5 million + inventory. Email york8445@yahoo.com.
Gas Station in Rock Hill, SC seeking help. Good pay, depending on experience. Call 803-659-3330.
Front Desk Manager Wanted for franchise hotel in Columbia, SC. Accommodations provided. Fluent English required. Text or Call 704701-9975.
Need Live-In / Live-Out Babysitter (Gujarati speaker) in Cary, NC with light housework. Call 919-656-2729.
Now Hiring Part Time & FullTime Sales Associates for Men's Retail Clothing Store in Pineville, NC, Attractive salary! Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including weekends & speak fluent English. Contact Nick: 276618-1166 or suitcityusa@gmail.com.
Experienced Threading Practitioners or Licensed Estheticians Needed in Charlotte & Raleigh. Full or parttime. Great pay & flexibility. $250 signing bonus and/or referral bonus. Call 980-225-4575 or email mariag@idolizespa.com
Front Desk Opening at Hotel on W Sugar Creek Road in Charlotte. Fluent English, legal status and computer skills a must. Leave message at 704-541-1765.
Help Needed at Perfume Stores in Charlotte & Pineville, NC. For details, please call Veer Singh at 415265-8686.
Live-in/Live-out Nanny needed for 11 month-old baby in Apex, NC. Vegetarian Hindi speaking family. Duties include some light chores. Comfortable living arrangements & competitive pay. Call 612-222-4378.
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.
Hotel Help Wanted: Looking for Manager & Front Desk for properties in Charlotte. Contact Nita Shah at 704502-2630 or gm.nita.shah@gmail.com
Gas Station / C-Store Help needed in Greensboro, NC & surrounding areas. Multiple positions available from cashiers to managers. Must have prior experience & speak English. Great pay! Call 336-509-4054.
Help Wanted at Convenience Store in Concord, NC. Full or Part-time. Good Pay! Experience and legal status required. Call Sam: 704-787-1567.
Front Desk Help & Housekeeping / Laundry needed for Franchise Hotel in Concord, NC. Accommodations provided. Call Rick 704-772-5554.
Looking for GMs to operate franchise motels in Richburg, SC. Legal status & fluent English required. Accommodations provided. Call 864-694-6299 and leave message.
Cashier Wanted for Convenience Store near Kannapolis, NC. Very attractive salary! Accommodations provided. Text or Call 704-701-9482.
Now Hiring Housekeeping Couple, Laundry & Front Desk for Motel in Greenville / Simpsonville, SC. Accommodations provided. Call or text 828-386-5184.
Hiring Threading Specialists at Jill's iBrow Threading Salon in Fayetteville, NC. Call 336-686-7007.
Gas Station / C-store Help Needed at stores near Huntersville & Northlake areas. Must speak English. Family friendly oriented people. Call 704-402-4661.
Front Desk Clerk wanted at franchise hotel in Fort Mill, SC (near Carowinds). Previous hotel experience preferred. Must have legal status, fluent English, and basic computer skills. Call 704-302-3318.
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Manager / Front Desk needed for Franchise Hotel in Rock Hill, SC. Accommodations Provided. Call 803-517-4662.
Front Desk/Housekeeping Couple Needed in SC. Good English & computer skills. Accommodation can be provided. Email employment9210@gmail.com or call 803-934-6840 & leave msg.
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
Looking for live-out Nanny to take care of 1 year-old & help with basic housework in Concord, NC. Text/call 804-501-9629.
Looking for Bride, age 28 – 34 from Southeast USA for US born Rajput Physician son. 43, 6’1”, settled and practicing in NC. Never married. Father, sister, and brother-in-law are also physicians. Contact 304-575-1251 or sinra193@gmail.com.
US born Physician seeks Bride. 39 years-old, 5'6", Sikh (clean shaven). Never married, from a well-educated and settled family. Contact 410-6520286 or gbmatt135@yahoo.com.
Smart and beautiful 5’6“ 40 yearold girl (divorced, no kids) looking for groom from an educated and open-minded family. Canadian citizen living in Charlotte. Call or email: manujasweta@gmail.com or 812-236-1913
Gujarati Priest in NC & SC for Ganesh, Randal, Laxmi, Sharda Pujan, Satyanarayan Katha, Wedding, Vastu, Baby Shower, Hawan, Grah Shanti. Kishor Trivedi: 336-774-0597 Cell: 336-486-7925 EMail: kishor7@juno.com.
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In-Person Math & Science Tutor available in Rock Hill, SC for 4th-8th grade students. Flexible schedule. Call 803-659-3330.
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Help Available for household work and cooking, babysitting, etc in Harrisburg & Charlotte area. Please call 336-848-3654.
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Here are some key messages from the FAO-UN and the International Year of Millets:
The sustainable cultivation of millets can support climateresilient agriculture, fight hunger and contribute to food security and nutrition.
Millets are often referred to as climate-resilient crops because they can grow on arid lands with minimal resources. With the growing global population, there is increased need for sufficient and healthy food amidst climate emergencies and depleting natural resources. Millets can be part of the solution. These grains can survive harsh climate conditions, offering solutions to food scarcity. Because they are often the only crops that can be harvested in dry seasons, millets can be a vital food source for populations vulnerable to food insecurity. By providing land cover in arid areas, they reduce further soil degradation and help support biodiversity and sustainable land restoration.
Millets can be an important part of a healthy diet.
Millets are good sources of minerals, dietary fiber, antioxidants and protein. With a low glycemic index, they are a good option for people with high-blood sugar. Millets are also gluten-free and an excellent and cost-effective source of iron for iron-deficient diets. Each variety of millets provides different amounts and types of fiber. Dietary fiber is important for regulating bowel function, blood sugar and lipids, for satiety and preventing acid reflux.
Millets offer promising livelihood opportunities for smallscale farmers.
The production of millets and the demand for them has declined as other cereals such as wheat, maize or rice became a dietary preference. By encouraging the consumption and production of these underutilized crops, we can help millets regain market share and create additional opportunities for small-scale farmers, thus boosting economic growth. Since millets are deeply rooted in many cultures and traditions, they are a strategic crop to guarantee food security in areas where they are culturally relevant.
Greater trade in millets can improve the diversity of the global food system.
Millets, including sorghum, account for less than 3 percent of the global grains trade. Millets can provide a valuable alternative to typically traded grains. This added diversity can improve the resilience of the global trade markets and mitigate our reliance on other grains.
Millets can be used in many innovative ways.
The genetic diversity of millets lends itself to many diverse and innovate applications of millets in areas such as therapeutics and pharmaceuticals. Used innovatively, millets offer even greater market opportunities for regional and international trade.
We all need to learn about millets, including their nutritional benefits and create a growing demand for them by including them in our diets. Together, we can contribute to the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems. Influencers and chefs should use millets in their recipes and menus and advocate for their consumption, while educating the public on new and appealing ways to prepare them.
Governments and policy makers need to prioritize the production and trade of millets as a way to fight hunger, build resilience to climate change. Governments and policy makers should also put millets on the menu in public places such as schools and hospitals.
Interested in recipes? Check out this Instagram page for #IYM2023 Global Chefs Challenge, where Chefs around the world are sharing videos where they show off recipes on how they love to prepare and eat millets.
Instagram.com/fao/guide/iym2023-global-chefschallenge/17945831225395468/
Parul Kharod
is a registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist and works as a Clinical Dietitian. She can be reached at parulkharod@gmail.com
home state Texas Super Kings against the Freedom in the afternoon and an evening match between the LA Knight Riders and MI New York. Monday (Super Kings vs. MI New York) and Tuesday (Unicorns vs. Knight Riders) evening matches will follow to complete the first set of games in Grand Prairie.
MLC then moves to North Carolina for its second week of competition at Church Street Park in Morrisville. On Thursday, July 20, a 5:30 p.m. EST start will see the Freedom against the Knight Riders at the scenic venue currently undergoing upgrades to expand and enhance the facility. A further six matches will follow from Friday through Tuesday (listed below) to determine which four teams advance to finals weekend, with two teams set to be eliminated.
The first-ever MLC Championship Finals will bring a set of thrilling playoff encounters to Grand Prairie Stadium. The “Eliminator” match will see the third and fourth seeds face off on Thursday, July 27 starting at 3:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to the “Challenger” match and the loser eliminated. In the evening, the top two seeds will compete with the winner of this “Qualifier” match advancing directly to the championship final.
Friday evening on July 28 sees the “Challenger” match take place, with the winner of the “Eliminator” game taking on the loser of the “Qualifier” match to determine who will move on to the Championship Final on Sunday, July 30. The final match, crowning the inaugural Major League Cricket champion, is set to start at 7:30 p.m. CST at Grand Prairie Stadium.
International and domestic broadcast details for the historic competition will be announced soon.
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360insureall.com (Maqsood Khan)................................45
AASOA C-Store Trade Expo...............................................7
Aishwarya Majumdar (Live in Charlotte Sept 30)...........114
Allstate (Krish Parlikad)....................................................29
Apna Bazar (Morrisville)...................................................78
Atul Purohit - Navratri Greensboro...................................25
Aura Skin & Laser (Dipan Patel).........................................9
Bashyam Global LLP - Immigration Law Group...............48
Bhindi Jewelers ..............................................................2
Blooming Buds................................................................47
Bombay Central (Grocery & Take Out Food)....................30
Brown Immigration Law (Rishi Oza, Partner)....................42
Carolina Softech..............................................................41
CaroMont Medical Group (Bankim Patel MD)..................91
Cary Internal Medicine & Diabetes Center, PA.................61
Cary Medical Clinic..........................................................67
Chandni's Beauty Salon .................................................85
Classifieds.............................................................108-109
Club-Z! (In-Home Tutoring)..............................................73
Color Master Collision Center..........................................91
Corner Stone Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine...............79
County South Realty & Business Brokers........................93
Crescent Dental (Dr. Kavita Ghai).....................................83
Cypress Spinal Intervention, Headache and Pelvic Pain...29
Darji, Iyer, Joshi & Patel (Accounting & Tax Services).......65
Desai & Desai LLP (CPA & Financial Services)................24
Desai, Rajarshi (CPA, PLLC)...........................................111
DJ Lalit (Lalit Hemnani)..................................................107
Eesha Realty, LLC......................................................38-39
Elite Motors ....................................................................10
Ensure Home Loans (Ramesh Nallavolu).......................105
Fairview Home Mortgage................................................41
Four Points by Sheraton (Myrtle Beach)........................101
Geological Resources, Inc................................................49
Global Mall / Legacy Jewels .........................................115
Grand India Mart (Groceries)............................................75
Greater Triangle Realty (Thomas John)............................85
Hasya Kavi Sammelan (Hindi Vikas Mandal)....................26
Health Markets (Medicare, Health, Life, Supplemental)....55
Hindu Center Charlotte ...................................................84
Hitch Hiker's Guide to College.........................................47
Home Decorators Of America (Atlanta)............................99
Idolize Brows & Beauty ..................................................43
Inchin's Bamboo Garden.................................................69
Indian Astrologer (Pandit Pratap Raj)................................45
Insurance - Tushar Barot, Supreme Insurance Serv.........53
Insurance Shopping (Sonal Patel - Independent Agent)...43
International Community Church.....................................61
Kailash Kher - Raleigh (Live Spectrum Presents)...............5
Kavita Krishnamurthy in Charlotte (Probasi of Clt)..............6
KB Zaveree (Atlanta)........................................................23
KDP CPA.........................................................................71
Khanna & Sons Jewelers................................................15
Kinjal Dave - Navratri Greensboro....................................19
Maadhurya Photography.................................................53
Malak Jewelers...............................................................35
Malani Jewelers............................................................116
Marriott Raleigh Crabtree Valley.......................................60
Maxim Tours....................................................................51
Mehta & McConnell, PLLC (Injury Lawyers).....................54
MyShaadi Bridal Expo (Raleigh).......................................37
NC Dermatology Associates............................................72
North American Bancard ...............................................11
NSD Tax & Accounting Services......................................49
Nunna Realty (Shiva Nunna)............................................79
One 2 Entertainment.......................................................45
PandyaNad Indian Restaurant (Raleigh)...........................63
Patel & Samatova, Law...................................................47
Patel Brothers (Cary)........................................................81
Patel, Mrugesh (Law Offices).........................................113
Patel, Tony (Real Estate).................................................105
Pathak, Atul (Real Estate)...............................................107
Pramukh Mandapam......................................................93
PreJuve Medspa & Wellness (Neelu Agarwal MD)..........27
Prism Lending (Madan Khatri).........................................13
Proficient Accounting & Tax Services, Inc. ......................67
Rajdeep Video & Photography (Ramesh Panjabi).............41
Rajeev Devgon, CPA .......................................................83
Ram Mortgage & Realty (Mayank Patel)..........................53
RB Realty Group (Ravi Bheemarao).................................76
Real Triangle Properties (Joe Mathews)...........................31
Rug & Home......................................................................3
Rupa's Spa & Threading.................................................31
Russell Peters Live (Charlotte & Durham)........................21
Sapna Hemnani (Real Estate)..........................................33
Satyam Primary Care (Amit Sharma, MD).......................65
Shah & Associates, CPA, PLLC.....................................105
Shah & Trivedi CPA, PLLC...............................................51
Shah, Anish (Real Estate)..........................................94-95
Sheraton Chapel Hill (ATMA Hotel Group)..........................4
Singh, Manjeet (Real Estate)............................................27
Sizzlin Stirfry Asian Bistro (Raleigh)..................................63
Sona Realty (Venkat Suryadevara)...................................97
Spectrum Family Medicine (Sujatha Sajeevan, MD)........13
Spices Hut ......................................................................87
Stylish Me........................................................................13
Taaza Fresh Indian Bistro.................................................33
Technone LLC (Securtiy Systems).................................113
Threads of Colors (Shravanmas Shopping Mela)...............9
Travel Passion...............................................................105
Triangle Gujarati Association (Raas Garba Dhamal)...16-17
Tutoring (Nirmala Koripella - A+ Tutoring)........................77
Tutoring Business Development....................................107
Uniworld Travel................................................................91
VAS Realty LLC (Ashwani Dalal)...........................49 & 113
Vema Mortgage LLC (Vipul Hapani)........................29 & 71
Vimal Realty (Vimal Patel - Realtor).................................59
VP Insurance Consultant.................................................51
Wake Spine & Pain..........................................................69
West Cary Medicine (Dr. Kareem M.D.)...........................71
Worldwide Travels............................................................43
