Saathee Charlotte January 2017 by Shukla Entertainment

saathee.com

January 2017

In this issue: Kabaddi, Gaining Popularity Afghan Women and US Policy

MARCH 12, 2017 Orchestra seats start at $25

Greenville, SC

January 2017 Issue # 224 Editor

Samir Shukla

(Samir@Saathee.com)

Kabaddi An Ancient Sport page 10

Artist Draws Depictions of Harrassment page 18

Hello ReADeRS!

Kabaddi, the ancient Indian sport that mixes tag, wrestling, rugby and chanting. See story on page 10. This female artist draws the harassment she experiences on Pakistan’s streets. The story is on page 18. For a generation of Afghan women, US foreign policy changed everything. Read the story of a female Afghan writer on page 24. Go to our Personal Finance column on pg 50 to read about some of the things you need to know about Social Security. Catch up on the all the activities of the regional community organizations beginning on pg. 88. The AstroScope, our exclusive monthly horoscope is on pg. 120. Get daily updates about the community, local and international news, latest movie releases, analysis and interesting videos at our website www.Saathee.com We welcome all comments and suggestions.

QUote:

"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” - Buddha

Afghan Women and US Policy page 24

Can you Spot the Diﬀerences in these images? page 88

IN tHIS ISSUe

Kabaddi Growing in Popularity . . . .pg. 10 Teatime in the City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 14 Artist Depicts Harrassment . . . . . . . .pg. 18 Afghan Women and US Policy . . . . .pg. 24 Film Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 26 Upcoming Movie Releases . . . . . . . . .pg. 28 Mirror Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 30 Sangeet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 36 Namaskar Y’all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 40 Youth Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 44 Mastering Meaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 46 Personal Finances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 50 Legal Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 52 Thinking About Thinking . . . . . . . . . .pg. 56 Marketing Turnaround . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 58 Uncertainty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 60 Nutrition for Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 62 Test Your India Knowledge . . . . . . . .pg. 68 Heart to Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 70 News Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 74 Spot the Differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 80 Community Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 82 Community Organizations . . . . . . . . .pg. 88 Pop’s Puzzles and Jokes . . . . . . . . . .pg. 114 Festivals and Holidays . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 118 Puzzle Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 118 AstroScope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 120 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 122 Index of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 124

Cover: Soldiers, New Delhi

The Republic Day Parade in New Delhi is usually held in January. This image shows some of the military diversity of India. Stock Photo: © Jeremy Richards | Dreamstime.com

Publisher & Advertising Divakar Shukla

(rakavid@aol.com)

Ad Design / Layout Nategeshwarji

Digital Media & Marketing Assistant Jennifer W. Allen

Contributors:

Kirit Shukla, Judith L. Bergman, Parul Kharod, Ketan P. Soni, Shyama Parui, Yash Garg, Gail Martin, Mo Vidwans, A. Spaice, Kamesh D. Patel, Balaji Prasad, and Jalendu Vaidya. All contents

Opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and advertisers and not necessarily of the publisher or editor. Please contact us prior to submitting articles or photographs. Saathee is published monthly. Deadlines for advertisement, submissions and events information is 15th of the month. For a free subscription, visit Saathee.com and click the “about” button. Mission: Our goal is to be a valuable source of information for the South Asian community and to be a vital advertising tool for businesses.

- Founded 1998 -

Saathee Magazine

P.O. Box 11468 Charlotte, NC 28220 704.527.7570 Fax: 704.527.7590

saatheemag@hotmail.com Saathee.com

“Bridging the Indian Subcontinent and America.”

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

Shukla Entertainment Inc. 655 Pressley Rd., Ste G, Charlotte, NC 28217 Periodicals postage paid at Charlotte, NC and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

Saathee P.O. Box 11468, Charlotte, NC 28220-1468

tl pi o lo a n ee s a & n ta r bl ng vd el ., es Ar , te si a

Happy New Year!

SPECIAL SALE Up to 70% OFF Diamond Jewelry plus FREE GIFT!

Kabaddi

the ancient sport that mixes tag, wrestling, rugby and chanting

By Chhavi Sachdev, PRI

I used to play kabaddi in gym class, and I have to say, we all hated it. The boys preferred soccer or cricket while the girls wanted volleyball or dodgeball — anything but this low-class street sport. You don’t know kabaddi? It’s kind of a cross between wrestling, rugby and tag. You try to “raid” your opponents’ court, and tag members of the other team while chanting the word “kabaddi” over and over — all in one breath. In competition, it’s played on a mat. But kids often play it in the street because the only equipment you need is a sharp-edged stone or brick to draw court lines in the sand. We’ve been playing kabaddi in India for two millennia. Lately, though, it’s become really popular. In 2014, the Pro Kabaddi league was formed with eight teams.

Now, we’ve begun inviting other countries to the kabaddi mat, including the United States, which sent a team to the Kabaddi World Cup championship in Amdavad in October. “There’s no sport like this where you actually compete and speak at the same time,” says Bismarck Charles, a raider on the US team. “It was a little bit strange, but after practicing, we got on tempo. Now you say it without even thinking about it.” At the World Cup, all of India’s matches sold out immediately, but even the newbie countries drew in Indian fans, waving pennants Saathee.com

and blowing whistles. Some even chanted players’ names. Nipun Parekh thinks this expansion is very cool. “There are sports like cricket, which is so famous, that we got from the British. So if a traditional ancient sport from India is adopted, why not? It’s a good thing.” Teams from 12 countries played numerous matches over the two weeks of the tournament, culminating in a nail-biting final. Some were veterans, like Bangladesh, where kabaddi is the national sport. But some of the national teams had never competed before. The US kabaddi team only got together two months before they headed to India, says team captain Troy Bacon, a musician and audio engineer back in Florida. “India sent us a coach about three weeks beforehand to just go over the basics with us, and we’ve been practicing in Jacksonville. But literally, our match against Iran was our first match on the mat, playing kabaddi.” None of the team members knew anything about kabaddi; they just responded to a friend’s social media post looking for interested athletes. “I looked it up on YouTube, and the first thing I asked was, ‘Where’s the football, where’s the basketball, what type of ball is involved in this sport?’” says the co-captain, Ben Marcelus. Just for the record, there is no ball. Many of them played college football. And they picked up kabaddi pretty quickly. They also got a free trip to India out of it, courtesy of the International Kabaddi Federation. But player and team organizer Kevin Caldwell says there’s something serious for them here, too. Almost all of the US players are African American. “It’s not just coming on this mat and playing a sport and trying to win,” Caldwell says. “This is a leap of faith to show the world that, ‘Hey, there are black men in America, and we have something to say and things to do, and we have value to add.’” And they get to be pioneers of a sport that’s poised to take off, says Bismarck Charles. “We’re going to be the first to start this sport off, pave the way for other Americans. I couldn’t say no to that!” The tournament was broadcast on ESPN. But in case you didn’t catch it, India won the championship — as it has in every previous Kabaddi World Cup. The American players went home without a trophy, but they say they’re not discouraged. They’re planning on coming back next year.

January 2017

www.nabancard.com

HELLO NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA GARBA & DANDIYA LEGEND

SHRI ATUL PUROHIT

Is Coming BACK To Greensboro for Two Nights! SEPTEMBER 15 & 16, 2017 AT THE GREENSBORO COLISEUM NORTH CAROLINA Stay Tuned for Details! Indianac.org

Come to Mount Soma, Mount Kailash of the West! Sri Somesvara Temple Pure Vastu, 46 tons of granite from India

Pilgrimage site, drawing people from all over the world Delicious Indian Food Discount on accommodations Monday – Thursday

Rejuvenate! Soak in the stillness and coherence of Mount Soma. Just hours from Charlotte and Raleigh in the Mountains of NC Srisomesvara.org

Saathee.com

Mountsoma.org

Call 828-627-6200 to make your reservation now 13

January 2017

TEATIME IN THE CITY Notes from the Editor’s Desk

By Samir Shukla

musicians paint their pictures on silence.” Musicians can also goad otherworldly sounds from their instruments or lay down calls of spirituality through musical compositions. The interactions between a sitar player and the tabla player, between the saxophonist and the drummer, between the guitarist and the bass player, are musical conversations spoken without a human word being uttered. But the stories they tell can fill volumes. A piece of chamber music performed by a few people or a complex orchestral composition performed by a symphony can be a short story or a multi-layered novel. Music can evoke the freshness of an early morning or the fading twilight or the still of the night. It can hail the seasons. Spring is song. Summer the symphony. Winter is eternally in search of a warm note. Monsoons are the beats of countless drummers playing in unison. The chill of winter fades to make spring sing. It is a sad person who isn’t moved by music or has lost the ability to appreciate the subtleties of music. There’s music out there for everyone. Music can calm, infuriate, seduce, incite and make the stroll of time slow down, speed up, or bring focus. Ever have a song get stuck in your head? It might be a jingle from a TV commercial, or an old favorite ditty, or a children’s song that suddenly appears in your head and you can’t stop humming it the rest of the day. A full symphonic orchestra can blanket a hall, a saxophonist can undress suppressed desires, a violinist can moisten the toughest eyes, and a tabla player can turn air into stellar dust. There are so many genres of music that one can spend a lifetime studying them, collating them or understanding them. Indian classical music, whether it is Hindustani or Carnatic, can take a lifetime of learning to absorb and master. Indian classical musicians spend their lives in disciplined study and performance to obtain the learned and respected titles of Ustad or Pandit. The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once noted, “Without music life would be a mistake.” Music soothes the senses, it makes humans whole. It creates the mood for an actor to create a cold and rainy mood when it is bright and warm outside. Or it can raise spirits on a cold, dark and dreary day with uplifting and sunny vibrations. Music stirs the senses and awakens spirituality. Let the devils and gods bicker. Let the merchants of soul haggle over its price. Human soul is a lullaby that calms a restless child, it is a poem that binds lovers till death, it is a children’s song sung while running around in circles, and it is an old country song sung during harvest or a sinewy jazz standard that brings back the forgotten feeling of a caress from an old love. There’s an innate feeling of warmth when a few notes of a familiar musical tune fires the senses. Humans are constantly defining soul or searching for soul or trying to snatch someone’s soul. Open your ears to the sounds of the world. You will hear other souls talking to you. Saying, hey, we're not that different from each other. Those are the universal bonds of music, and the essence of the human soul.

the Soul of Music

So what is this elusive soul that devils and gods fight over? Numerous religious myths have evolved around the legend of the invisible, undefinable human soul. Could soul be the percussive beat of the human heart? Is the life-sustaining rhythmic beat of a heart the soul that devils are in the market for? Or is soul simply an abstraction, the unsolvable formula keeping god myths, as well as, arguably, a person’s hopes alive. Most people have an obtuse connection with their souls or at least their perception of their soul. Folks go to all sorts of trouble in order to find, define, save, or perpetuate their souls. I believe the mystery of the human soul is simpler than that. The answer is subtle, and it surrounds us. Soul is the essence of humanity. Soul is basic human goodness, compassion. Soul is joy and colors. The physical and audible manifestation of the human soul may very well reside in the music humans create. Music represents the true soul of humans. Humanity’s capacity to communicate via music, whether through rhythmic percussion or voice, is the external communicative nature of soul. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to call music the collective soul of humanity. Music is the galactic language that transcends barriers, racial and ethnic divisions, breaks down Music can calm, inhibitions and dissolves infuriate, seduce, incite mistrust. It is borderless and and make the stroll of does not promote any specific time slow down, speed ideology (of course the lyrics of songs can promote such, up or bring focus. but those are personal words, and could be spoken without music). Music sings unity. People who don’t speak the same language, or aren’t part of the same culture, can converse through the rhythms, melodies and harmony of music. The conversation need not be complicated. The simple progressions of three-chord punk rock can get heads swaying as much as an elaborate orchestral composition. The timeless drone of a sitar soothes just as much as a somber violin solo does. Let the fear-mongers fight over the elusive human soul. It cannot be judged or tarnished. Music is true spirituality, able to transcend dogma. It cannot be broken. The lilting notes of a piano or the universal language of percussion can help bring solace to a world of chaos. The rhythmic beat of a human heart is the simplest form of percussion. It is the rhythm that the earliest humans imitated through percussive instruments. The tribal drums of distant epochs called all within earshot to gather. A mother’s heartbeat, the rhythm and melody that sustains two beings, surely comforts a child growing restless in the womb. It is the first music that we all hear and feel. Humans have always imitated nature’s music. Simple drums and the human voice are the oldest forms of musical expression. Humans learned to imitate the warbles of songbirds or the roars of predators at the earliest stages of evolution. There are countless sounds in nature that are the rhythms of the earth. A breeze dancing through the leaves, a slow flowing brook or birdsong are among myriad forms of nature’s music. Music has color and texture. The great conductor Leopold Stokowski once mused, “A painter paints pictures on canvas, but Saathee.com

Samir Shukla

is the editor of Saathee magazine. contact - samir@Saathee.com

January 2017

SUP

G AT E

ERB IND IA

ISIN

The Carolinas’ Premier Restaurant & Caterer

INDIAN CUISINE Open 7 Days a week for Buffet Lunch & Dinner A La Carte

Your Catering Specialists

Now offering delivery during dinner! Sunday thru Friday, 5:30pm-9pm, call 704.542.3933 (12 mile radius)

• Full Service Catering in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, & Virginia

• Business / Corporate Functions, Weddings, Birthdays, Holidays, Community Gatherings, etc. • Preferred Caterers for Hyatt, Sheraton, Marriott, Embassy Suites, Westin Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, Columbia Convention Center, Ballantyne Hotel and more.

“Best of the Best”

- News & observer

“Chicken tikka Masala Rated in top 10 Dishes...”

- News & observer

Catering Hotline:

Nishal Sethi: 919.247.8207 | Naval Sethi: 919.260.8588

877.266.2296 or order on-line. Email: catorder@bombaygrille.com

www.bombaygrille.com

Place your Catering Order or make Reservations Online!

Tower Place

8706 Pineville-Matthews Rd Charlotte, NC 28226

Tel: 704.542.3933 Established 1989

Religious Service

Looking for a Multilingual Hindu Priest to Perform Rituals at your home? Contact Sastriji @ 704-231-0751 or 704-625-7578 Email: sastrigal2003@yahoo.com Over 40 years experience

Serving Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and all over (NC & SC) USA

You Can Call Sastriji for Weddings Upanayanams, various types of Havans, Gruhapravesh, Bhoomi Puja & More

I AM DISCOVERING

WHO I WANT TO BE

____________ Ashleigh H., 10th grade ____________ It takes courage to be yourself. Ashleigh took a chance and found a community eager to know her. At Saint Mary’s, we believe in the greatness of girls. That’s why we offer leadership opportunities, AP and honors courses, arts and athletics, community service and real-world experiences — so every girl is empowered to be herself and achieve more than she ever imagined.

WHERE WILL YOU FIND YOUR COURAGE? FFor more information or to schedule a visit, call the Admission Office at 919.424.4100. FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE

Serving girls, grades 9-12, boarding and day in Raleigh, N.C. www.sms.edu | 919.424.4100 | admission@sms.edu

Saathee.com

January 2017

This Artist Draws the Harassment She Experiences On Pakistan’s Streets

By Andrea Crossan, PRI Images courtesy of Shehzil Malik

But even women wearing all of those layers of clothing still get harassed. “In Pakistan public spaces are interesting because they are incredibly gendered. My foreign friends came and they were like ‘Shehzil, there are no women in the street, where are they?’ And I was like, no there actually are a lot of women in the street. For instance, we have Liberty Market, which is very woman-heavy.” “It’s got all the cloth merchants and jewelry and most of the foot-fall is women and we feel very comfortable going there. Yes, the men there may stare at you, but the shopkeepers definitely have a different energy because now you are the one buying. So they react very differently to you as opposed this other road — Brandreth Road,” she says. “I went to buy some hardware with my father. And as I was asking questions, the guy would not answer me. And later my dad was just laughing, saying isn’t it funny how you didn’t get an answer out of that guy,” Malik recalls. “I was like, no — it’s not funny. What was happening is that he basically reduced me to my gender and thought it was respectful to not talk to me. So there are two kinds of reactions you get in market places. Either they are leering at you and make you uncomfortable, or they don’t look at you at all.” “I think men here, what they do is — probably in the States they’d be like, ‘Hey baby, how is it going?’ — over here they start singing under their breath Bollywood songs. Or they start whistling inappropriately and you just wonder, did I incite this?” Malik adds.

Shehzil Malik is a designer and illustrator living in Lahore. Like many women in Pakistan (and elsewhere), each morning she plans what she’s going to wear based on what she thinks will attract the least amount of unwanted male attention — whistles, cat calls, stares. The attention still comes, though. Malik got so fed up with her treatment that she drew an image symbolizing the struggle of Pakistani women who feel harassed in public spaces. The black and white illustration shows a woman walking with her arms crossed over her chest. Her head is down, her face slightly wincing. Larger-than-life faces of men stare at her, make gestures and sounds, leer. Written across her body are questions about her own appearance. “Is my shirt not Malik created a series of images she called long enough? Should I have covered my head?” Her bare #WomenInPublicSpaces. “I often get this — I wear jeans a lot and I also pray so it ankles are labeled “skin.” Even the weeds on the ground have would be like, ‘you don’t look like somebody who prays.’ And that’s ridiculous to me. Is denim un-Islamic? How is that a eyes; they watch her intently. thing?” she says. Malik published the image “I live with my parents and they dictate how many layers on her Tumblr. She describes of clothing I should be wearing and I had this conversation how it reflects her own with my mom where I was like at what age — and I’m really experience. old now, three decades have gone by on this Earth — and I was “I would walk outside every day and go to my park and it like at what [point] would you be OK with me walking out was just getting very uncomfortable to be in that public space. dressed like I want to dress, and she thought about it. And I And this image was basically exactly how I was feeling at the was like, I want a number, what age — and she thought about time. I would worry about what I was looking like, I was it and said never.” worrying about other people and I was like, I don’t know if And that is at the core of Malik’s illustrations. others are realizing the impact they are having on my internal “Seeing a woman outside should be normal, whether you situation, just going for a walk,” she explains. are in jeans or a kurta or whatever should be ﬁne. It shouldn’t In Pakistan women dress modestly — usually with arms matter. But the fact that it does means this conversation needs and legs covered and often with a headscarf as well. to happen,” she says. Saathee.com

January 2017

Sekhar Battineni

Getting

GREAT RESulTS

Broker/Realtor (NC, SC)

for our clients is our priority!

• Buying • Selling • Investment Properties • Commercial • land Deals

Up to 2.2% buyers rebate*

* Lender approval required. Restrictions apply

Dane Warren Real Estate

MLS#3195400 MLS#3195400

MLS#3223865 MLS#3223865

$379,000 $379,000

$274,000 $274,000

D SOL

MLS#3167456

MLS#3036666

MLS#3153612

704-302-1616

battineni9@gmail.com

100% Authentic Pakistani-Indian Cuisine In Pineville

2ND LOCATION COMING SOON! TO HARRISBURG, NC

Delivery by: GrubHub, DoorDash, Postmate & Eat24 Happy New Year!

Top Rated Restaurant on Yelp 2016

Halal Meat / Non-Veg & Vegetarian Dishes

Catering For All occasions Try Zafran for the best Kabab, Naan, and Haleem

Daily Lunch Buffet Only $9.99 11:30 am - 3:15 pm Mon, Wed, Thurs (closed Tues) Special Lunch Buffet Fri, Sat & Sun 11:30 am - 3:15 pm

Daily Dinner 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm (closed Tues)

For Catering call: Riaz Khan (Owner) 704-904-4730 or 704-889-5155 Saathee.com

704-889-5155 212 N. Polk St., Suite 101 Pineville, NC 28134 (Two blocks from India Grocers Half mile from Patel Brothers) 2nd Location COMING SOON! 4250 Main St, Harrisburg, NC

www.zafrankababpalace.com 19

January 2017

Large Selection of Indian Groceries

“Experience the World Taste”

Puja Boutique open Inside

We carry all Major Brands!

Fresh Vegetables Every Day!

Around The World Market 6514 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28213

2 minutes from IKEA, Beside Autobell, Across from Parks Chevrolet

704-494-0044

Other Locations

Raleigh 67514 Hillsborough St. Raleigh, NC 27606 919-859-5403

Durham 1708 E. NC Hwy 54 Durham, NC 27713 919-572-5599

Open 7 Days a Week | 10am-10pm www.aroundtheworldnc.com

Ranked as one of the Top 10 Restaurants in Charlotte!

saffron

Happy New Year !

Indian Cuisine Restaurant & Bar

BUY 1 ENTREE GET 2ND 50% OFF

Not Valid with any other promotion or buffet. One coupon per table per visit. Other restrictions may apply. Expires 2/5/17

Lunch Buffet - 7 Days a Week!

LUNCH: Mon - Fri: 11 - 2:30 pm; Sat-Sun: 11 - 3 pm DINNER : Mon - Thurs: 5 - 9:30 pm; Fri & Sat: 5 - 10:30 pm Sunday Dinner closed but available for Private Parties.

2135-B Ayrsley Town Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28273

Whitehall Park Dr.

(Next to Ayrsley Theatre / YMCA. Exit # 1. I-485 & S. Tryon Rd.)

Phone: 980-297-7722

WWW.SAFFRON-CUISINE.COM

For Catering, call Sunil Handa at 704-889-FOOD (3663)

Arylsey Town Blvd.

Preferred caterer for all hotels in Charlotte.

485

Puja Boutique Dresses Starting from $75

Happy

New Year!

Inside AROUND THE WORLD MARKET

An Exclusive Designer Collection

6514 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28213

facebook.com/pujaboutiquecharlotte

Designer Sarees & Dresses Bridal Collection Kurtis & Leggings BIG Collection of Chaniya Choli Fashion Jewelry Ready-made Blouses Lehenga Choli’s Kids 5-15 collection!!

Purvi Prathmesh Shah

Hours:

Monday: Closed Tues -Thurs: 1pm to 7 pm Fri - Sat: 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 7 pm

Alterations/Stitching Saathee.com

980-430-5859 704-340-4361

January 2017

We still provide rebates on light bulbs

We StIll PRoVIDe ReBAteS oN lIGHt BUlBS

Chess for All Ages Open to all ages and skill levels. Welcome beginners and casual players.

Charlotte Chess Center offers:

Give the gift of membership!

Casual Play Classes Camps Tournaments After School Programs

Saathee Discount: 15% off First Camp or Class Mention this ad. Exp 2.5.17

980-265-1156 www.CharlotteChessCenter.org 1800 Camden Rd. Suite 108 Charlotte, NC 28203 Saathee.com

January 2017

For a Generation of Afghan Women, US Foreign Policy Changed Everything By Sitara Sadaat, PRI

Since 2001, the US has spent an estimated $1.5 billion on improving women’s lives in Afghanistan. What has it been like to be on the receiving end of this attention? More Afghan women are in school and employed in jobs. Maternal mortality has decreased. Yet others say the funds were wasteful and mismanaged, and a patriarchal culture remains. More needs to change. I remember when the Taliban arrived in Kabul. The girls’ schools were closed and women were not allowed to go outside without a man from their family. Home turned into prison for women, and only a bunch of men with black and white turbans could free these imprisoned birds from the cage. We lived in Block, Macroyan, Kabul and were not even allowed to look out of the window. I still remember I was taking my sister to the doctor, and two other girls were walking next to us. They wore burquas and pants, but their ankles and feet were visible. I recall their feet were covered with henna, which are tattoos to celebrate weddings. Sitara Sadaat was 13 when A car appeared and from inside men the US overthrew the shouted — “you girls stop walking.” We Taliban in 2001 and occupied the country. Since thought they might be calling us and walked faster. Suddenly, I heard a shout then, the US has spent about $1.5 billion on efforts and I look around to see men in black turbans jump from the back of the vehicle to improve women. Credit: Sitara Sadaat and beat on the shoulder of the girls with a cable. He kept saying “lower your pants” to cover her ankles. A teenage boy standing nearby took the girls away to protect them. “Cousin,” I overheard him say kindly. “Come here. They are always barking like dog.” Even under the Taliban, people listened to music and watched films secretly. They drew curtains and kept tight the windows and doors. Despite these precautions, many times informants told the Taliban, and they would rush into people’s homes to break the TVs, and detain the men. The most barbaric act I experienced was when they blackened people’s faces with charcoal and cycled them around the city to shame them. One day, I was reading a criminal novel by an Iranian writer when I heard a noise. We all ran and looked out the window. A man’s face was blackened with charcoal and a crowd of folk were after him. The Taliban lashed him and made him say, “whoever does adultery will also be in my situation.” The man kept repeating this, and all the people were laughing. The people got tired of the Taliban brutality and became frustrated with the world’s apathy. We were especially frustrated with the inaction of the US and its allies, so-called saviors of democracy and humanity. Many Afghans didn’t see a future and fled the country. Suddenly 9/11 happened and Afghanistan caught the attention of the world. The attacks of 9/11 were a disaster. Many Americans lost loved ones. But, for Afghans it was an opportunity. It opened a new chapter in history. Since the US invasion and the accompanying surge in US aid, schools have opened and women have had the Saathee.com

chance to participate in society without wearing burqas. They’ve been able to get involved in politics and social activities. I was a young teenager in 2001 and my life has opened up since then. I have achieved so much. I finished school and got my first degree in social science; I’m pursuing a second degree in politics. Many of my dreams have come true — I published my poems and stories and also took painting course. Now I am a poet, a painter, I have a degree and I’m optimistic I will publish my first novel and obtain my masters in the very near future. Other things changed after the US arrived: I am able to walk around the city and travel without a man. I have access to a wide range of communication via internet, and I have friends abroad. I am able to email — use new technology like Facebook and Twitter. Before, I didn’t know any of my relatives lived aboard. Nor did they know me. Now, it looks like we live in the same house, because we are in regular touch via Skype. We celebrate Eid and the New Year together. They even help me with my studies. Many of my friends are active in society. They pursue master’s degrees and socialize freely. They work in media and civil society, and speak different languages. They attend different international conferences and training. Women are able to prove themselves — that they are not lesser then men and are capable of anything. My neighbors throw parties without fear of dancing and singing. It cheers me up when I see they are happy and have a normal life. Some of my neighbors are very conservative and only allow their daughters to go to school until fifth grade. One of my neighbors is a very traditional and conservative Pashtun man. His daughter finished school and she was admitted to medical school. She and her mother have been able to convince her father to let her become a doctor. This is a big step and huge change. Though, these benefits are not distributed evenly throughout Afghanistan. While life in the city is better, for the majority of women in the countryside, life has not changed. And I can become disappointed too, because I am still not always treated fairly. Women have high expectations now, and they are not always met. The US policy on women has provided many opportunities to youth, including projects to empower women like the Fulbright program, which provides education opportunities for thousands of Afghan youth. The US has also increased social and political involvement for women and there’s American University of Afghanistan, which provides quality education and offers scholarships to poor families. One successful woman is 26-year-old mother and feminist Zubaida Akbar. She working to get a law degree while working for Save the Children. She’s also the found of an NGO, Hadia, that promotes women’s issues. “I have a voice; I can partake in the social and political life of my country. I was able to continue my education. I can work. But it is not the same for all Afghan women. Women living in remote areas of the country are not able to enjoy these rights,” she says. “The legal system is still very weak and male dominant. Women are not supported by the legal system. Justice does not prevail when women face violence and abuse. Even the laws are unfair towards women.” For example, she says, women can be married at age 16, which is child marriage. It’s unfortunate that all women do not have the same opportunities as me. Women in remote area still suffer from domestic violence and poverty. Violence against women has escalated. Forced marriage, wide-spread sexual harassment and child abuse are still common. There’s more. Many women who are victims of violence are helpless because of the corrupt judicial and male dominated system. There is no doubt the country is far from being a model of gender equality. continued on page 120

January 2017

Khanna & Sons Wishes You and Your Family a Happy New Year!

WE BUY

GOLD

Khanna & Sons Jewelers “Redefining the Beauty of Diamonds” 800A E. Chatham Street, Cary, NC 27511

Inside Patel Brothers Tuesday - Sunday 12 to 8 (Closed on Monday) B: (919) 388-3838, C: (704) 770-5397, E-mail: khannasonsjewelers@gmail.com

FILM CLIPS Kaabil

gentle fun at these traditions,” writes The Hollywood Reporter. After theatrical runs around the country, the coming-of-age comedy is now streaming on Netﬂix.

xXx: The Return of Xander Cage

Kaabil is a romantic action ﬁlm directed by Sanjay Gupta, written by Vijay Kumar Mishra, and produced by Rakesh Roshan. It features Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam in the lead roles, where both portray blind characters that fall in love. Music is composed by Rajesh Roshan. Kaabil is scheduled for a worldwide release on January 25 in Hindi along with its Telugu dubbed version, Balam.

Split

Director M. Night Shyamalan returns with the thriller Split. The film is about a character with dissociative identity disorder. Though Kevin (James McAvoy) has shown 23 personalities to his psychiatrist Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley), there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all the others. Compelled to abduct three teenage girls led by the feisty and observant Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy), Kevin reaches a war for survival among all of those contained within him—as well as everyone around him—as the walls between his compartments shatter apart. The film also stars Haley Lu Richardson and Brad William Henke. After the girls are abducted, they begin to meet all of his 24 personalities. But can they use them to aid in their escape? The film opens in theaters on January 20.

with his parents as they send him to school with a yellow squash instead of a pumpkin to carve for Halloween. And as Smith falls head over heels in love with Amy, the girl next door, he ﬁnds in Amy’s father, Butch, the allAmerican cowboy he wishes his own father could be. The ﬁlm, directed by Frank Lotito, stars Jason Lee, Anjul Nigam, Poorna Jagannathan and Roni Akurati. It releases on February 3.

Varun Dhawan Signed for Judwaa 2

Extreme athlete turned government operative Xander Cage (Vin Diesel), comes out of self-imposed exile to race villain Xiang (Donnie Yen) to recover a powerful weapon known as “Pandora’s Box.” With a group of thrill-seeking cohorts, Xander finds himself caught up in a deadly conspiracy of corruption among world governments. xXx: Return of Xander Cage is directed by D. J. Caruso. Along with Diesel, the cast includes Deepika Padukone, Samuel L. Jackson, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, Ruby Rose, Rory McCann, and Kris Wu. It is the third film in the xXx franchise. The film opens in theaters on January 20.

Growing up Smith

Miss India America

Varun Dhawan is slated to take over from Salman Khan in the second installment of Judwaa. Dhawan will portray a Londonbased college student in Judwaa 2 and will romance Taapsee Pannu. The ﬁlming begins in February. In order to retain the essence of the late 90s ﬁlm, the makers will recreate the famous track “Tan Tana Tan.” Jacqueline Fernandez is also part of the cast. Khan and Karisma Kapoor, who appeared in the original, are slated to make a cameo in the sequel.

Vidyut Jammwal to will have role in Aankhen 2

The second installment of the Gaurang Doshi ﬁlm Aankhen will again feature the megastar Amitabh Bachchan along with Jammwal, Arshad Warsi, Arjun Rampal and Anil Kapoor. Aankhen 2 will be extensively shot in Europe and is slated to go on a three month schedule beginning in April. .

The Comedian

The brainchild of husband/wife creative team Ravi Kapoor (director/co-writer) and Meera Simhan (actor/co-writer), the cross-cultural comedy Miss India America is set against the backdrop of the Indian beauty pageant world in Los Angeles. The ﬁlm stars Tiya Sircar and Hannah Simone along with Kosha Patel, Satya Bhabha, Cas Anwar, Rizwan Manji, and Anjali Bhimani. The movie “establishes an authentic tone that pays respect to Indian cultural norms, while poking

Saathee.com

Growing Up Smith is a coming-ofage story of Smith, a 10-year-old boy from India growing up in Small Town, America in 1979. As the boy’s family tries to straddle the line between embracing the American Dream and preserving their Indian heritage, Smith sneaks out for a taste of Kentucky Fried Chicken, dons a “Saturday Night Fever” costume, and contends 26

Taylor Hackford directs veteran actors Robert De Niro, Danny Devito, Cloris Leachman, and Harvey Keitel in this comedy that looks at the life of an aging insult comic. Expect plenty of funny and bittersweet moments. The film opens in theaters worldwide on January 13. Director Hackford’s previous films include An Officer and a Gentleman, Against All Odds, Love Ranch, and Parker. January 2017

Integrity • Trust • Excellence • Service www.tuggleduggins.com

Scott C. Gayle • 35+ YEARS OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LEGAL EXPERIENCE • Hotels, C-stores, Restaurants, Apartments • Commercial Loan Closings & Title Searches • Forming a new company, LLC or Sub-S • SBA & Conventional Loans, Reﬁnancing • Purchase Agreements, Negotiations • Buy-Sell and Operating Agreements • Serving ALL North Carolina Counties • Community Service - India Merchant Assoc. and Gujarati Cultural Association of Piedmont • Licensed in North Carolina

100 N. Greene St., Suite 600 Greensboro, NC 27402

(336) 271-5232 sgayle@tuggleduggins.com

“I have worked with Scott Gayle for over 20 years. He is very professional, helpful with courteous service. Awesome experience.” - Sanjay Tarasaria, Greensboro

RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL - LAND FULL SERVICE LICENSED BROKER FOR NC

ATUL PATHAK REALTOR / BROKER

704-649-9095

www.AtulPathakRealty.com

email: atulpathakrealtor@gmail.com

New Homes Sales & Solutions Full Time Real Estate Services WE ARE APPROVED BROKER FOR HUD AND ALL MAJOR REAL ESTATE AUCTION COMPANIES Saathee.com

loopnet.com/Profile/18191522980/ATUL-PATHAK/ 27

January 2017

UPCOMING MOVIE RELEASES January 6

January 26

A Monster Calls (Director: J.A. Bayona) Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Lewis MacDougall, and Liam Neeson

Raees (Director: Rahul Dholakia) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Mahira Khan

Judaiyaan (Director: Harpreet Bhutala) Cast: Harpal Singh and Anita Devgan

Guru (Director: Sudha Kongara) Cast: Mumtaz Sorcar and Venkatesh Daggubati

January 13

February 3

ok Jaanu (Director: Mani Ratnam) Cast: Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur

Bhoomi (Director: Omung Kumar) Cast: Sanjay Dutt

Growing up Smith (Director: Frank Lotito) Cast: Jason Lee, Anjul Nigam, Poorna Jagannathan, and Roni Akurati

Gautamiputra Satakarni (Director: Krish Jagarlamundi) Cast: Kabir Bedi and Shriya Saran

Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (Director: Keshhav Panneriy) Cast: Arbaaz Khan, Manjari Fadnis, Himansh Kohli, and Supriya Pathak

Running Shaadi.com (Director: Amit Roy) Cast: Taapsee Pannu and Amit Sadh

February 10

the Comedian (Director: Taylor Hackford) Casat: Robert De Niro, Leslie Mann, Danny DeVito, and Cloris Leachman

Jolly llB 2 (Director: Subhash Kapoor) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Huma Qureshi, Annu Kapoor, and Saurabh Shukla

January 20

February 17

Saheb (Director: Rahul Thackeray) Cast: Omung Kumar and Smita Thackeray

the Ghazi Attack (Director: Sankalp) Cast: Rana Daggubati and Taapsee Pannu

xXx: Return of Xander Cage (Director: D.J. Caruso) Cast: Deepika Padukone, Nina Dobrev, Vin Diesel, and Samuel L. Jackson

Machine (Director: Mustan Burmawalla) Cast: Mustafa Burmawalla and Kiara Advani

Split (Director: M. Night Shyamalan) Cast: Haley Lu Richardson, Kim Director, James McAvoy, and Anya Taylor-Joy Jan

the Great Wall (Director: Yimou Zhang) Cast: Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, and Tian Jing

January 25

Kaabil (Director: Sanjay Gupta) Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Yami Gautam, Ronit Roy, and Suresh Menon Saathee.com

February 24

Rangoon (Director: Vishal Bhardwaj) Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, and Kangna Ranaut

January 2017

TOP NOTCH SAP TRAINING • SAP FI, CO, MM S4 Hana – Simple Finance Certification training Weekend & Weekday Classes begin soon! (see schedule)

Ballantyne Tech Academy

Make a NEW BEGINNING with a Career in SAP!

Class Start Dates:

• Take advantage of high paying consulting opportunities in SAP.

For future start dates, please call us.

• Our trainers are experienced and work with a variety of corporations and SAP Partners. Training Locations: Charlotte, Raleigh, Greenville (SC), & Columbia (SC) and offices in Bangalore & Chennai

• We assist in resume' preparation & job placement. • Effective knowledge transfer to better prepare you for SAP consulting opportunities.

SAP FI: Jan. 14, 2017 SAP CO: Jan. 15, 2017 SAP MM: Jan. 15, 2017 SAP S4 Hana Simple Finance Certification Jan. 15, 2017

Ballantyne Tech Academy

Due to high demand and extremely limited seats per batch, classes have been getting filled very quickly, especially SAP FI classes. Please register soon to reserve your admission for the course of your choice.

For details, please contact us at

704 962 5159 email: btech.academy@gmail.com 12627 Provincetowne Dr., Charlotte, NC 28277

www.btech.academy A Division of BallantyneTech Consulting

open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner

Lunch Buffet everyday Dinner A La Carte everyday

Let us cater your next function anywhere in NC or SC.

Weddings • Corporate Parties Birthdays • Anniversary Any Special Occasion

901 South Kings Drive, Suite 115 (Kings Court) Charlotte, NC

704.370.2455 or 704.370.2824 Reservations Available

Saathee.com

January 2017

MIRROR, MIRROR A Conversation From the Outside Looking in...

We also lost a lot of influential people this year. People who we grew up hearing about and looked up to. People who helped shape their perspective cultures and mold our world views like fingers digging into wet clay. David Bowie, Muhammed Ali, Elie Weasel, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Harper Lee, Nancy Reagan, Adbul Sattar Edhi, Prince, Mahasweta Devi, Fidel Castro, and John Glenn are just a few of so many who did extraordinary things (whether good or bad) during their lives and now are no longer with us. For certain, the world does feel emptier without them here, but you also can’t deny that they all left an unmistakable mark on our lives. Most importantly, 2016 saw the deaths of so many more people who were victims of various violent acts. Whether the act took place in Brussels, Cairo, Lahore, Paris, Istanbul, Orlando or some small town… each one took the lives of so many who could have potentially become one of those future influential people like those listed above. Whether orchestrated by an organization or a single individual, the outcome is still just as awful. Add on the more recent attacks in the US between some of the black population and police officers, and everything seems to have hit a point of total ruin. As we start 2017, what is truly in store for us? Ultimately more people (famous or not) will pass on. A new name or series of names will hit the news each day, and we will grieve for each one in our own way. No matter what faith you may follow or beliefs about a possible afterlife, we all must accept that death will catch up to us eventually. The true tragedy is those who will become new victims due to future attacks, and there is only so much we can do to prevent these from happening. As the old saying goes, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” Will we learn from what 366 days of 2016 merged into human history? Perhaps… perhaps not. Sometimes all it takes to make a difference is for one little drop to send ripples through the ocean. Perhaps that little drop is a man who wears a cowboy hat, jeans, button-up shirt and long beard that many associate with a stereotypical Texas resident. But what Justin Normand did is anything but typical as he stood in front of a Mosque in a suburb of Dallas with a sign that read:

By Jennifer Allen

May the Road Rise with You, and May the New Year Rise with It I could be wrong, I could be right, I could be black, I could be white, I could be right, I could be wrong, I could be white, I could be black

They put a hotwire to my head ‘cuz of the things I did and said They made these feelings go away, but those feelings get in every way

Your time has come, your second skin You climb so high and gain so low

May the road rise with you… ~ Lyrics from “Rise” by Public Image Ltd

Picture a man with wild red hair in a gray suit standing amongst long white bed sheets as they are being paddled dry by wash women in contrasting black work clothes. The man stares almost manically into the camera amidst these sheets and the occasional leaves blowing past his face. He sings about that he may be black or white, right or wrong, and ultimately he says that “Anger is an energy.” This imagery is from the 80’s song Rise written by John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) with a pretty powerful message. Initially Rise was both a reaction to apartheid in South Africa and the animosity between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland. However, Lydon’s own comments about the meaning are much more universal than that: “…there’s no political cause worthy enough that people should die for it. Once you start murdering your fellow human beings, it’s over.” Quite a potent statement when you correlate it with everything that has happened in the past 12 months. 2016 has come and gone with some folks already saying that it is the worst year in recorded history. Certainly it was a year of drastic social and economic change, but we’ve seen that plenty of times before. From the Black Plague epidemic to the massive colonization/conquering of the world by Europeans to the plethora of wars and other confrontations across human history… I’d say we’ve had plenty of “worst years” depending on your perspective. Regardless, there was a great deal of events which, if you count them all up, would certainly classify the year of 2016 as world-changing. 2016 was a year of great political, economic and religious transition. Iran finally dismantled its nuclear weapons program. The Catholic, Russian Orthodox and Protestant Churches all found a way to finally put aside differences that had been around for almost 1000 years. Three different country leaders were finally convicted of the various crimes they committed. The United Kingdom made the decision to leave the European Union (though it may also finally give Scotland the chance to exit the UK) and caused a major frenzy amongst world economic markets. India’s demonetization of larger Rupee bills has turned the country upside down with panic. Donald Trump’s presidential win has the US (and the world) still looking on with confusion and uncertainty of what he ultimately plans to do in the next four years. Saathee.com

You Belong Stay Strong Be Blessed We are One America

His reasoning is that we are all here to help our fellow man, and if you are not helping your fellow man then you need to evaluate that. Seeing these words together with Lydon’s explanation of Rise, it all comes full circle. We know that humanity has the potential to become something better… but will it? The only way to ﬁnd out is to watch and experience what the next 12 months have to oﬀer us.

Jennifer Allen

works at Saathee and is also a Podcaster, Blogger, Photographer & Graphic Artist .

January 2017

L ALIT

Pac N Fly Travel

ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL OCCASSIONS ANNIVERSARIES, BIRTHDAYS, BRIDAL SHOWERS, BABY SHOWERS, CORPORATE EVENTS, HOUSE PARTIES, WEDDINGS OR RECEPTIONS

Lower Fares Than Internet

WIDE SELECTION of MUSIC

Special Business / Premium Economy Fares

Special Fares to

India, Pakistan, Dhaka, Europe and Middle East

HINDI TAMIL TELUGU BHANGRA HIP HOP DANCE POP 70’S 80’S 90’S

Special Tour Packages

Dubai Package 3 nights / 4 days for $299* * Packages do not include airfare.

Special Discounted Fares To All Destinations

IMMIGRATION

704-550-4817 • Cell: 714-875-2199 Toll Free 866-966-5700 Email: pacnﬂy@gmail.com

Contact:

704-299-3610

LHEMNANI@GMAIL.COM STATE OF THE ART

SOUND SYSTEM AND LED LIGHTING

We speaks English, Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu and Spanish.

HAPPY NeW YeAR!

Lakshmi Challa

Wishing you and your family a propersous New Year!

Perm/Green Cards · Sports Visas · Family Cases · Work Visas · Citizenship USCIS & DOL Audits · Fiancee Visas · Business & Visitor Visas · USCIS representation Family and Individual Petitions

info@challalaw.com

Challa Legal Services (P) Ltd 401, Flora Building, Road No. 3, Banjara Hills Hyderabad, India 500 034 Phone: 91-984 972 9266

Saathee.com

Challa Law Offices, PLC 5040 Sadler Place Ste 200 GLeN ALLeN, VA 23060 804.360.8482 31

www.challalaw.com

Challa Law Offices, PLC 5105 Grace Park Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 919.380.4044 | Fax: 919.380.4474

January 2017

RAJDEEP VIDEO &

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ribald Floral & Events Specializing in South Asian Weddings • Mandaps • Fresh Flowers • Fresh Floral Garlands • Table Decorations • Room Decorations • Receptions • Linens & Dishware • and more!

We do any occasion at very affor dable rates

803.328.2266

We shoot in hi-def & provide your event on blu-ray or dvd. Weddings • Receptions • Birthdays Graduations • Social Gatherings

161 W. Main St Rock Hill, SC 29730

ribaldfarms.net

5 O ve r 2 o f s Year ce! en Experi

Call RAMESH PANJABI

336 847 0254

Email: Rickycrazy@aol.com

Other services available :

Sound System, DJ, Live Band, Karaoke, Tabla, Dhol, Drum Players...

Saathee.com

January 2017

South Charlotte Endocrinology “Remarkable Endocrinology Care”

Board-Certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; Board-Certified in Internal Medicine; Endocrine Certification in Neck Ultrasound. Dr. Narasimhan is committed to offering high-quality, compassionate care to each of his patients.

Thyroid Diseases • Pituitary/Parathyroid Disorders

Osteoporosis • Diabetes •On Site Ultrasound

Kanakasabai Narasimhan, MD, FACP, ECNU, FACE

15825 Ballantyne Medical Place, Suite 220, Charlotte, NC 28277 Call 704-316-2930 to schedule an appointment. 1340 Matthews township Parkway Matthews, NC 28105

Visit us at www.matthewsfamilydentistry.com

We Also Oﬀer Comprehensive Dental Care for the Entire Family!

DO YOu SNORE?

lOOKING FOR AN AlTERNATIVE TO CPAP?

Dental Sleep Medicine

• Snoring/Sleep Apnea is associated with greater risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular diseases. • Our doctors are highly trained members of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). • Oral Appliance Therapy can be an eﬀective solution for snoring/sleep apnea and an alternative to CPAP Therapy. • Contact our oﬃce for a Free Sleep Consultation and start getting the quality sleep you need and deserve.

Call Us today! 704-708-9185

Saathee.com

Tejesh B. Patel, D.D.S.

Vivek Kashyap, D.D.S.

Family Dental Care

• State of the art technology in a relaxed, friendly environment. • Expertise in many aspects of dentistry, including Single-visit crowns, Invisalign and Dental Implants • Most insurance plans accepted. • Interest-free ﬁnancing available.

Call us today! 704-708-9185

January 2017

Decorate Your Home Like a Palace with Furniture You Have Never Seen Before! • One of a Kind Designer Furniture • Custom Indian Furniture • Chandeliers - Free Installation • Custom Draperies • Indian all Wool & Cashmere Silk Rugs • Free Delivery • Anywhere in the U.S. • No Installation Fees • No Designer Fees - Free Quotes • Room by Room Layouts

12 Months Same as Cash!

Call Shyam Garg 478-361-5558 or Lynn Gunter 770-584-9094 (Inside Global Mall) 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Ste 102 & 103, Norcross, GA 30071 Show Room Hours: Open 7 Days -12:00 pm to 8:00 pm • Tel: 770-209-8999 • Tollfree: 1800-567-5686 e-mail: shyamgarg@sonalimports.com • www.thesonalfurniture.com • www.sonalimports.com

SANGEET Popular Music of India

Tan Maya jo Brahma kahāvat, Sur ko milan dharo Kainako niradhara kijiye, Ko pran jat dharo Prabhu ji more avagun chit nā dharo - 2 Samadarshi hai nām tihāro, Chaho to pāra karo; Prabhu ji more avagun chit nā dharo - 3

By Kirit Shukla

tribute to living legends of Bollywood

Kavitā Krishnamurthy (1959– Present) Krishnamurthy, an iconic classical playback singer with many hit recordings was born on January 25, 1958 in New Delhi. I heard her soulful singing and live performance on stage in Atlanta about 25 years ago, where she performed along with legendary music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal. The duo originally gave her an opportunity to sing in ﬁlms years earlier. I also heard her enthralling voice on TV, in Shri Morari Bapu’s annual program called “Asmitā Parva.” She was trained in Rabindra Sangeet and Hindustani classical music at a young age. Her husband Dr. Subramaniam is a violinist and they have started a music institute in Bangalore. She sang thousands of songs in many languages with four generations of musicians along with Bollywood singers ranging from Kishore Kumar to Sonu Nigam. She has given numerous live programs in India and foreign countries and has produced devotional and pop albums. Her discography is too large to print here, but it can be found online on her website and other reputable sites. The motivation for music comes from within and she has that. She is still active in singing.

Meaning (Summary): O God, do not look upon my bad qualities! You are known as one who sees all as equal, if you wish you can take me across into the ocean of existence. A piece of iron (As an idol) is used in worship, another is a butcher's knife; the touch-stone does not know but it can test both iron that is real gold. One is called river, another a stream of muddy water; when they merge they become one color and are known as "Sursari"(Ganges: river of Gods!). One is called soul (Body) and the other God, (Supreme soul) are just given different names, but all are one per Lord Krishna of “Surdās”. You can make one a supportless or may give life. O God, do not look upon my bad qualities! You are known as one who sees all as equal, if you wish you can take me across into the ocean of existence. lyrics in Hindi:

Awards as a Best Female Playback Singer 2005 – Padma Shri – India’s civilian honor Filmfare Awards: 1995 – Pyār huā chupake se (1942: A Love Story) 1996 – Merā piyā ghar āyā (Yārānā) 1997 – āja main upar (Khāmoshi) 2003 – (shared with Shreya) – Dolā re dolā (Devdās)

Her classical Hindi song lyrics “Prabhu ji mere …” are given on this page. (Note: Some words are changed from the original lyrics, which were written by Saint Kavi Surdās)

evergreen and Classic lyrics Prabhu ji mere avagun...

Song: Prabhu ji mere avagun … Film: The Light: Swami Vivekananda Year: 2013 Music: Nachiketā Chakraborty Singer: Kavitā Krishnamurthy Lyricist: : Saint Kavi Surdās [15th century] Based on Indian Classical Rāgā: Bhairavi Tāl/Rhythm: Kaharavā Starring: Deep Bhattacharya, Sayak Chakraborty, Bishwajit

lyrics in english: Prabhu ji more avagun chit nā dharo -2Samadarshi hai nām tihāro, Chaho to pāra karo; Prabhu ji more ...Eka lohā puja men rākhat, Eka ghar badhika paro –2So duvidhā pāras nahi jānat, Kanchan karat kharo; Prabhu ji more avagun chit na dharo –2Eka nadiyā eka nāra kahāvat, Mailo hi nira bharo; Jab mili dono eka barana bhaye, Surasari nāma paro Saathee.com

Note: The contents of this article are compiled from the news, books, internet and my knowledge and love for Indian music.

Kirit Shukla

Contact him at kiritsshukla@hotmail.com

January 2017

Modern Indian Cuisine

311 East Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28203 704.333.0063 www.CopperRestaurant.com Now open everyday for lunch & dinner

Rated in Top 21 Restaurants in Charlotte - Charlotte Magazine

Best Indian Restaurant in Charlotte 2007-2015 - BOB Awards

open everyday for lunch & dinner Lunch Buffet EVERY SUNDAY

Award Winning Caterer Private Parties

Ballantyne Village 14815 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite 170 Charlotte, NC 28277

"Cuisine of India"

Best New Restaurant in Charlotte 2010 - Creative Loafing Best Caterer - BOB Awards 2012

Saathee.com

704.369.5777 www.TheBlueTaj.com

January 2017

T H R E E

L O C A T I O N S

All Of Us at Aroma want to Wish You All A Very Happy New Year!

Three Convenient Locations Opposite of Concord Mills Mall 8455 Pit Stop Court Suite 150 Concord, NC 28027 704-979-8533 www.aromainconcord.com

Transamerica Building Uptown Charlotte 401 N Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28202 704-919-0502

Three Wells Fargo Center Uptown Charlotte 401 S Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28202 704-919-0502

FINANCIAL PLANNING Full Service Financial Broker Dealer • Life Insurance-Temporary/Permanent • Estate planning / Will / Trust • SEP IRA for Business Owners • Kids College Education Plan • Tax Advantage Investments • Mortgage Protection Plan • Indexed Investments • Roll Over 401K/IRA • Annuities

KIRAN PATEL

704-293-1105

Give me an hour of your time and let me show you how money works

www.KiranBroker.com / Info@KiranBroker.com

PAYAL

Fresh vegetables at the lowest prices! Full Line Of Indian Groceries & Spices

Shyama B E A U T Y PA R L O R (Inside Payal Grocery)

Call Shyama Patel for appointment

704-553-6863

DVD with $50 Grocery Eye Brow with $100 Grocery Eye Brow & Upper Lips with $150 Grocery

FREE FREE FREE

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 11 AM TO 8 PM

We accept EBT

Call Harish Patel

704-553-6863

• Eye Brow Threading • Facial

• Waxing

• Bleaching

6233 South Blvd • Charlotte, NC 28217

Saathee.com

Visit our website! payalindiangroceries.com 39

January 2017

NAMASKAR Y’ALL Reﬂections and a few confessions as an Indian American in the Carolinas By Shyama Parui

Paradise lost

their habitat and were now charging a pretty penny to take visitors for a ride in ugly vehicles calling it “wild horse tours.” Driven by greed, shortsightedness or willful selfdestruction, it appears like we are slowly and painfully eroding our resources. Sadly, this is not limited to any one part of the world. In India, too, some of the most amazing places have been impoverished by people’s wanton disregard for the responsibility we have to preserve the gifts we have inherited. When it comes to our precious planet the consequences of our actions are not visible immediately. What seems harmless in the moment may morph into a disaster a decade from now and perhaps the solutions we have created today will become tomorrow’s problems. Paradise can be symbolic too – a haven from the drudgery of work, a sanctuary of memories, a shrine of the past era. The loss of a symbolic paradise can be just as hard to swallow as it hurts to give up your idealism or the familiarity of the place where you grew up. It has been years since I have visited the neighborhood I grew up in. I am almost afraid that if I go back the changes will seem overwhelming and while it may not erase them, it may ruin the rosy images of a time and place we cherished. Your heroes whether they are your mentors, celebrities or even your parents can fall, too. When we put them on a pedestal and hope for too much, we can be disappointed. It is worth reflecting and asking ourselves – when our idols don’t live up to our expectations, is it their fault or ours? In general, we all want to resist change and hold on to what is most familiar even if change is for a good reason. A case in point is the demonetization process in India that we have all probably heard of by now. Introduced as a drastic measure to reduce cash that is either undeclared or illegal, its short-term consequences have been hard on the common and the honest citizens and it will take some time before the benefits become apparent. Nevertheless, it has become the target of hilarious jokes, posts and videos circulating via social media highlighting the humorous side of all the inconveniences people are facing. Not everyone is laughing, of that I am certain. Preserving what’s truly valuable takes a lot of care and, not to mention, effort. But it is definitely rewarding. The analogy that comes to mind is that of the long, strenuous hike at South Mountain State Park. Often, you start with great enthusiasm but half way through fatigue takes over and you may want to give up. But if you persevere and reach the end, you are finally rewarded with a gorgeous view of the promised waterfall. As you stare in awe, the light mist cools you, rebuilds your excitement and you regain your energy. You realize that in the end, it was worth every drop of sweat. So, my hope for 2017 is this, when we pass the baton to the next generation, let’s hand them a paradise that holds even more treasures than ours did.

“Smoldering ruins.” “Driving through hell.” “Tunnel of fire.” Can these words truly describe one of my favorite places in the whole world? And yet, a few weeks ago, wildfires engulfed the Smoky Mountains destroying acres and acres of forests bringing majestic trees down to their knees, filling soot into the crisp air, chasing out inhabitants and forcing its admirers to flee in panic. As I heard the headlines, it pained me and I cannot even begin to imagine what it must have been like to actually be in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or the Lake Lure area when the blazes were spreading rapidly. Denial took over and at first I refused to see pictures in a naïve attempt at avoiding reality. A piece of nature’s paradise was lost. All I want to keep with me are fond memories of places and experiences in the Smokies. My first weekend getaway in the United States was in The healing power of a romantic Yonahlossee with walk in the woods is breathtaking views that something I have enticed us back to the mountains of North Carolina experienced without a over and over again. Hiking doubt even though... and walking across the milehigh bridge at Grandfather Mountain is always a hit with out of town guests. My children often mention their memorable field trip to Tweetsie Railroad, a vintage amusement park. That is not all; the bright colors of fall foliage inspire me along with millions of other visitors to become amateur artists and photographers. The healing power of a walk in the woods is something I have experienced without a doubt even though I cannot explain it. And in past years, when we drove through Gatlinburg glittering with Christmas lights, it kindled a truly merry, festive spirit around us. So, I am shocked and cannot even begin to fathom why some miscreants would deliberately start some of these forest fires. We don’t have the power to retain everything that is dear to us or to keep them in a perfect state. Regardless of what we want, we are compelled against our wishes to surrender to nature’s forces as any one of its calamities can cruelly obliterate one of its own gifts. Take the Outer Banks as an example, its unique beauty is frequently stripped away by hurricanes. But as human beings we too have become reckless with the earth that is in our care. Years ago, in 2008 to be precise we could see the beautiful wild horses of Corolla come close to the dunes with young foals grazing at a leisurely pace. Unhurried, I had watched these creatures in fascination, feeling like that very moment on the beach exemplified harmony between the ocean, humans and wildlife. Fast forward to the summer 2015. The same stretch of Corolla was lined with endless rows of homes, the beach was overcrowded with lovers of loud music and the horses were nowhere to be seen. My suspicion was that they were repulsed by our kind of two-legged folks who drove them away from Saathee.com

Shyama Parui

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

January 2017

Carolina Horse & Carriage

Selling or buying? Call me to get the best service and value and please ask me about new incentives!

"Adding Great Memories to Your Special Occassion." WEDDINGS • SPECIAL EvENTS • TOURS

Let’s make it happen!!

I will work for you and with you so call me today to discuss how I can help you and your family to get the ultimate Real Estate value in today's market with my knowledge, skills and experience.

I pride myself in educating my customers on the market so that they can make the best decisions.

I Appreciate your past, present and future business!

Professional drivers and beautifully decorated horse and carriage for your BARAAT CEREMONY OR OTHER OCCASSIONS.

2015 Master Circle Award Recipient Rated ««««« Agent By Clients

www.chcadventures.com eholzs75@gmail.com

Specializing in market analyzing and pricing. Call to find out more about the buyers options. Email me to get free market report for any area.

803-209-1099 or 864-457-4093

704-264-7280

KOKILA KUMAR

www.realtorincarolina.com Kokila.Kumar@allentate.com

Realtor®, Broker NC & SC

Fresh Halal Meat & Mediterranean Groceries Cheese, Yogurt, Breads, Spices, Hookahs & Hookah accessories Lamb

Chicken Kima

Chicken

Goat

Fresh Halal Meat: Chicken, Lamb, Goat, Lamb Kima kima & Goat Kima Cut To Order & Small Cuts Available

10703-C Park Road Charlotte, NC 28210 Saathee.com

Across from CMC Hospital in Pineville 41

open Seven Days a Week!

Mon - Sat: 10-9 & Sun: 10-7

704.544.5393

January 2017

SJ Iyer Realty Closer to Home

Sridhar Janakiraman Broker in NC/SC

sjiyer.nc@gmail.com

704.839.1265 (Cell) / 704.771.1811 (Fax) 3202 Hartford Way • Matthews, NC 28104

CarolinaAreaHomeFinder.com *REBATE* up to

Rajarshi Desai

• Audit Representation and Tax Resolution to 100% clients satisfaction before federal, state and local tax authorities, including filing past year returns. • Review for possible Federal or State income tax exposure. • Monthly Bookkeeping Services.

704.541.9966 or 917.612.1489 (cell)

• Payroll and Sales Tax preparation and Compliance.

I Believe in the Value of Relationships.

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

CPA, PLLC

11111 Carmel Commons Blvd. Carmel Park 1 Building Suite #155 Charlotte, NC 28226 Fax: 704.541.9816

E-mail: rd@rajdesaicpa.com

Member: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and NYSSCPA

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

Towards closing or price reduction. Buyers responsibility to get lender permission.

• Financial reviews and compilation including compliance testing. • Corporate, partnership, individual, trust and estate tax consulting, planning and compliance. • Mergers and acquisition reviews including business valuations. • Comprehensive business services in accounting and auditing. • Management information systems consulting and technology implementation services. January 2017

YOUTH CORNER Word World By Kirit Shukla

3. A “misanthrope” hates (a) Music (c) People

Make words using 4 or more letters. The central letter must be used in each word. Letters cannot be used more than once per word. Use all letters for the subject word (underlined in solutions below) 10+ words = Excellent; 7 to 9 words = Good; 6 or less = keep looking. Words we found are in solutions below.

4. The cricket player known as "Tiger": (a) Kapildev (b) Pataudi (c) Sachin (d) Ganguly 5. A dendrologist specializes in study of (a) Hair (b) Teeth (c) Explosives (d) Trees

Brain train

Hi Kids. Here is a simple quiz. See if you can solve it. Rearrange all the letters of the words listed below and make a new word in your spare time. For example: ROSE — SORE. 1. PEST 2. STAR 3. READ 4. PHASE 5. SPARE 6. DESIGN 7. FORMER 8. ASLEEP 9. CREATION 10. RESONATE

6. The capitol of Kerala State, India is (a) Thiruvananthapuram (b) Kozhikode (c) Kottayam (d) Ernakulum

7. The symbol of the chemical element Tin is (a) Ti (b) Te (c) Sn (d) Tn

The answer given on the bottom of this page (no peeking).

8. The deepest point in the ocean is in the (a) Atlantic ocean (b) Pacific ocean (c) Indian ocean (d) Arctic ocean

Dadaji’s moral short stories

Saathee.com

10. CPU means ___ Processing Unit. (a) Community (b) Central (c) Complete (d) Common

Answers are below. No Peeking.

Scholar: All correct; 1st Class: 9 Correct; 2nd Class: 8 Correct 3rd Class: 7 Correct; Need to improve: 6 or less

Answer for brain train: 1. STEP 2. ARTS 3. DEAR 4. SHAPE 5. SPEAR 6. SIGNED 7. REFORM 8. PLEASE 9. REACTION 10. EARSTONE

Moral: Tit for tat. Sometimes, smart people are outsmarted.

9. This was the first Sanskrit movie in India. (a) Har Har Mahadev (b) Ramayana (c) Adi Shankaracharya (d) Bhagvat

4.b

There lived a street vendor in a small town that was surrounded by farms. He love to outsmart people. He thought he was very clever and could get away cheating people. It was something that he enjoyed doing, without thinking about the consequences. It was a warm summer afternoon and he set up his cart on a side street to sell freshly picked berries from the nearby farm. A boy, who had been sent to buy vegetables and fruits by his mother, approached the vendor carrying a small bag and bought some berries. The vendor gave him berries that were less in weight than what he was charging. The boy looked inside the bag, shook it a little and asked: “Why are you giving me less berries?” The vendor said: “Look kid, the lesser the berries, the easier will it be for you to carry them home to your mother. Now give me my money and run along.” The boy gave some coins to the vendor and walked away. The vendor counted the money and found the money to be less than what he asked for. The vendor shouted: “Hey boy, you have given me less money.” The boy replied: “Lesser the money, the easier to count, isn’t that right!”

(b) Books (d) Good food

Word World (Solution): ETHYL, HATE, HEAL, HEALTH, HEALTHY, HEAT, HEATH, HEATHY, LATE, LATHE, TALE, TEAL, THEY, YEAH

2. Who was the music director of 2013 Hindi film “The Light: Swami Vivekananda ”? (a) Nachiketā Chakraborty (b) Pritam (c) A. R. Rahman (d) Anu Malik

3.c 10.b

2.a 9.c

1. Arrange these U S States from Largest to the Smallest Areas. (a) North Carolina (b) Virginia (c) South Carolina (d) Georgia

Scholar Answers: 1.d, a, b, c. 5.d 6.a 7.c 8.b

Who wants to be a Scholar?! Answer the ones you know and research to answer the rest. There is only one correct answer.

January 2017

DJ Hangama Presents

Kirti Shah CPA PLLC Kirti Shah, CPA, FCA (India)

704-497-3898 Fax: 704-612-9628 or 704-765-0303 Email: Kirti.shah@trishacpa.com Website: trishacpa.com • Accounting and Bookkeeping University Executive Park • Project Financing 301 McCullough Dr. • Payroll and Sales Tax 4th floor, Office # 443 • Individual and Business Taxes Charlotte, NC 28262 • New Business Set-Up • Audit Representation before Gov. Agencies • Notary Public

Best possible photo booth rental service with professional quality HD images and high-quality prints.

Photo Booths have become one of the hottest party rentals out there! Bollywood Photo Booth will bring the perfect amount of fun and excitement to your event.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING EXPERIENCE OF 27 YEARS

Ttravel Guru Shakoon Panjwani

Welcome To The Wonderful World Of Travel At

Bollywood Photo Booth rental comes with tons of free bonuses – Unlimited prints, Props, Premium photo album guest book and online photo hosting.

704-542-5315

Call to reserve your Bollywood Photo Booth!

Fax: 704-841-0748

919-792-8112

E-mail: ttravelguru@hotmail.com

Consolidated Fares On Major Airlines Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe and more. Tour Packages and Cruises • Taj Tours Within Europe Visa and Passport services

www.bollywoodphotobooth.com info@bollywoodphotobooth.com

We also offer DJ Services • PA System • Lighting

8714 Darcy Hopkins Dr. Charlotte, NC 28277

• Fixed rates for loans < $417k are at all time lows

• Jumbo ARMs (> $417k) APR’s in the mid 3% range

• Competitive and transparent pricing (Loan Officer NMLS # 69811)

Maneesh Pathak

Work: 704-644-3697 Mobile: 704-661-4904 maneesh@goFHM.com

Saathee.com

www.FairviewHomeMortgage.com

6827 Fairview Rd., Ste.B, Charlotte, NC 28210 (Fairview Home Mortgage NMLS # 40551) 45

January 2017

MASTERING MEANING

Harnessing the Power of American English By Judith L. Bergman

I. The following sentences include words that begin with “pro.” In which words should “pro” be pronounced ... a. with a stressed “prah” b. with an unstressed (quiet and quick) “pruh” c. “pro” rhyming with “oh” 1. He completed the project. ____ 2. Can you project our costs for this quarter? _____ 3. That market has excellent, fresh produce. _____ 4. The attorney has to produce the evidence.____ 5. That program is very popular. ___ 6. Will they keep their promise? ____ 7. That word is hard to pronounce. ___ II. Which of these words end in a buzzing /z/ sound, not the letter “z” but the sound of “zzzzzzz” ? a. The last three words b. All of the words eyes, is, was, these, nose, buzz, fuzz, sneeze Saathee.com

A suggested strategy to increase your mastery of meaning this month is to determine the relationship of sound to meaning. First, take oFF the captions when you view television and just listen. Use these resources and listen to how a word should be pronounced to express its meaning: • The Free Dictionary.com (You can type in any word and hear it pronounced.) • Longman’s Dictionary of American English, available as an app for your smart phone. • www.talkpathnews.com is free to download and use. Select short paragraphs with news from eight major categories, highlight each sentence and hear it spoken as you read. You can pause, replay and/or repeat sentence by sentence. Answers: I. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-b, 5-c, 6-a, 7-b. II – b: ALL end in the /z/ sound. III. 1-b, 2-a, 3-a, 4-b, 5-a, 6-b, 7-a, 8-b. (Verbs end in “ate” and nouns and adjectives end in the “it” sound)

It’s the beginning of another year and a perfect time to review some of the basics of spoken English, just as we did a year ago. In addition we have added talkpathnews.com as an excellent “read” and “listen” resource to help you “hear” correct pronunciation and match sound patterns with meanings. All languages are first expressed through speech and gestures. Babies “absorb” their “mother tongue” by attaching meanings to the sounds and gestures made by their caregivers. This is how you learned your native language and we all learned our native language several years before we learned to understand printed symbols and to read words. • When we read words in our native language we “hear” them spoken. When we think of what we want to say, we “hear” entire phrases, we “think” in internalized speech. • Understanding the spoken language of someone else requires acoustic pattern recognition. The acoustic patterns of spoken English require much more than clear pronunciation of the sounds of English. Individual words need to be pronounced with correct intonation i.e. correct syllable stress patterns. Connected speech needs to have words that are linked and emphasis placed on the “focus word” or important thought • Another way to think of this is that the sound carries the meaning. If you are not a native speaker of English you may think you are fluent, you may “see” the spelled words that you are saying but your listeners can’t “read your mind.” You don’t have captions running across your forehead! • If sound patterns or acoustic patterns of the English words coming out of your mouth deviate from the correct sound patterns internalized by native speakers of English, you will not be readily understood. Your listeners will try to figure out what you are saying, BUT, if you are speaking too quickly, even at a speed considered “normal” for a native speaker of English, your listeners may “give up” and stop listening!! Here are three short quizzes to demonstrate that spelling doesn’t equal pronunciation in the English language. If your English as a Second Language classes stressed reading comprehension, rather than conversation, you may discover that you don’t know the correct sound or acoustic patterns for many words whose meanings are very clear to you.

III. These pairs of identical words all end with the syllable “ate.” In which words should the letters “ate”... a. sound like “it” b. sound like “ate” 1. He will graduate next June. ___ 2. She is a graduate of UNC. ____ 3. The contractor will send us an estimate next week. ___ 4. We will need to estimate the time this project will take. ___ 5. You need to make a duplicate. ___ 6. They will duplicate the results of that study in their research. ___ 7. It’s best to eat a moderate amount. ___ 8. He will moderate the meeting. ___

Judith L. Bergman M.A CCC

is the director of Triangle Speech Services specializing in foreign accent modification. Contact: jlbergman@mindspring.com or 919-489-5464. www.trianglespeech.com

SEPA Consulting Kirti H. Shah, CPA Certified Public Accountant

Offering premier accounting, tax, and consulting services in Charlotte, North Carolina since 2001

• Year-round accounting and bookkeeping services • Quarterly and yearly payroll and tax services • Tax preparation / planning for individuals & businesses • Compilation, review, and audit of financial statements • Assistance in new business setup 46

704.588.0011 Fax: 704.588.0022 kirtihshahcpa@bellsouth.net www.sepaconsultings.com 10960 Winds Crossing Drive Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28273 January 2017

PH: 980.938.9893 • Audits, review and compilation of financial statements • Business and personal tax preparation, consulting and planning • Estate, trust and gift taxation • IRS and State/ local tax authority representation • FBAR and FACTA reporting • Business valuations • Review of Business acquisitions, mergers and buy-sell agreements • Litigation support

Raj’s

With over 35 years of excellence, trust and dedicated service, we are excited to announce the opening of our Charlotte, NC office. We have the resources, experience, and depth of knowledge to offer the following services and more to both individuals and business. We deliver the services you need in a professional, fast and cost-efficient manner.

THE ART OF lIFE

Photography ALSO WE DO DRONE vIDEO SHOOTING

Call lata Agarwal, CPA at 802-495-0137 to schedule a meeting to discuss how we can help you.

& FILM PHOTOGRAPHY

14013 Eldon Drive • Charlotte, NC 28277 3 Baldwin Ave. • South Burlington, VT 05403

P: 802-846-2000, F: 802-846-2001 www.gdp-cpa.com

mailto:gdp@gdp-cpa.com

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS & PERSONAL SERVICE

www.icapturememory.com

TonyPatelRealty YoUR reputable realtor!

Best Buyers Reba te In Town! (must be appr

Tony Patel Broker/Realtor NC/SC

704-661-9524

tonypatelrealtor@gmail.com

oved by lende r & be on the HU D)

I have helped a lot of satisﬁed customers. I will work diligently with you through all the steps of the home buying process and all you have to do is choose the house!

Best Listing Rate, in Town! 1% (restriction s may call for details.apply,

Buying or Selling a business? Call me for the best representation! Call me for short sale and foreclosure listings.

Saathee.com

Call me if you need to know what your home is worth, or a comparative market analysis of your neighborhood. 47

Call me for any real estate related services.

Experienced in Foreclosures, Short sales, HUD, and Fannie Mae homes. January 2017

ALL CAR CARE is Now Selling

PRE-OWNED CARS

ALL CAR CARE

We can answer your questions in Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish & English.

Your TOTAL Car Care Specialist!

Tune-ups • Oil Change • Brake Service Inspection • Transmission Engine Service & Repair • Tires Air Condition & Cooling System Service & More! Authorized Dealer for Most Extended Warranties Domestic, Foreign Trucks,Vans, RV’s, and 4x4’s Free Shuttle Service (up to 10 miles) • ASE Certified Technicians Financing Available • Free Estimates • Appointments Available The Enquirer-Journal READERS CHOICE AWARD for past 5 years in Union co. (Monroe, Indian Trail, & Waxhaw)

Great Service! Great Prices! 610-B W. Roosevelt Blvd (Hwy 74) Monroe, NC 28110

(704) 283-8687 / 24 hours (704) 254-2573

P.K. Patel Owner

Engine Tune-Up $30 • 4 Cylinder $40 • 6 Cylinder $50 • 8 Cylinder (Hard to tune - Extra) Call For Services Provided. With coupon only. Expires 2.5.17

Front or Rear Brake Service $59.99

Includes: • Install new disc brake pads only • Inspect master cyl & brake hoses • Inspect rotors (turning additional) • Add fluid as needed • Test drive vehicle • Semi-metallic pads only • Some foreign cars/trucks add’l.

With coupon only. Expires 2.5.17

Quality Oil Change & Lube $19.99

Includes: • Change Oil (10W30 Multi-Grade) • Up to 5 Quarts of Oil • Replace oil filter & Lubricate chassis Most cars. With coupon only. Exp 2.5.17

Transmission Tune-up $54.99

Includes: • Free road Test • Adjust Linkage • Clean Screen (includes filter, fluids & labor!) With coupon only. Expires 2.5.17

Music Lessons for ages 3 and Up!

Charlotte Music School

The Only Exclusive Music School in the Area!

Piano, Guitar, Trumpet, Violin, Viola, Horn, Drums, Voice, Ukulele, Harp, Accordion, Woodwinds, Brass, Jam Sessions, Performances, Recitals, Master Classes & more

Only $99 for the 1st Month (4 lessons) Enroll by Jan 31, 2017 Sign-up today! Space is limited!

Why Charlotte Music School: • Expert Instruction

Want your little one to get a head start in music? Ages 3 - 5 We have established a fun music curriculum that will allow your child to learn about instruments and music theory while preparing them for private lessons. Call for details.

• Student Recitals each semester in true Concert Hall!

(704) 295-7676

• Discounts on sheet music and accessories • We are a true music school that is student-centered

(Pinnacle Place Shopping Center, next to Holy Joe’s!)

www.charlottemusicschool.com

FEATURED LISTING 5216 Harri Ann Dr, Charlotte, NC-28227 (MLS# 3222261)

10210 Berkeley Place Dr., Suite 150 Charlotte, NC 28262

• 2498 sq ft, well maintained • 2008 built house • 2- story with basement. • 5 bed, 3.5 bath • Beautiful deck in the backyard. • Home warranty offered • Listing price: $229,000

Helping you find the property of your dreams.

Reasons to hire me as your buyers agent

1. I provide up to 2% rebate 2. I work within your price range. 3. I will help you with CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) to get better idea of pricing in an area. 4. I can help you select the right school district. 5. I provide full service needed for your chosen house.

Saathee.com

Hire me as your Listing/ Sellers Agent

My premium marketing expertise helps you the seller obtain highest price** through maximum exposure to the marketplace. *Buyer must take lender approval to use rebate on HUDI ** Home Listings for 2% Call for details.

January 2017

PERSONAL FINANCES Social Security: Some of Your Questions Answered

taxed is based on combined income for the year. The social security administration defines combined income as: AGI+ taxexempt interest + one half of your social security benefits. The amount of benefits subject to taxation for 2016 tax year is determined by your 2016 combined income. Your benefits are not taxed, if you are single and your combined income is below $25,000 or below $32,000 for married filing jointly. If single and you have an income between $25,000 and $34,000, up to 50% of your benefits get taxed; same for married filing jointly if combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000. Above $34,000 for single and above $44,000 for married filing jointly, up to 85% of your benefits will be taxed.

By Mo Vidwans

Believe it or not, today the monthly payment of Social Security is the only income many millions of Americans have and they manage to survive on it. Happily, too. It is the only pension plan, financial insurance or annuity offered by the US Govt. to every American worker who has satisfied the requirements of the law. Yet, there are many things we may not know about it. If you have worked in the American system, have contributed to the system and met the requirements, then you are in. At your Full Retirement Age (FRA is 67 for those born after 1960), depending on your contributions and your earned income over the years, you will get a certain payment from the government every month; you have to apply for it though. Unfortunately, you cannot get a paper check because it has to be deposited electronically into your account and you can get it no matter where you reside on this planet. Now, let us look at some of the common questions that I get asked about social security:

Can you start benefits if you are over 67 and working and still contributing to HSA through your employer? If you are over 67 and still working, then you can start your benefits but cannot continue to contribute to HSA. When you are 65 or older you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A for hospitalization. There is no opting out and once on Medicare you can no longer pay into HSA. However, you can keep the funds you have accumulated, over the years, into HSA and use them to pay qualified medical bills.

Do I have to wait till my age of 67 to get my benefits? No, you don’t have to. You can start withdrawing as early as age 62 but then you would not get the full benefit. It gets reduced by roughly 5% of your FRA for every year you start early. For example, if you start at the age of 64, instead of 67, it will be reduced by 15%. This reduction is permanent and it gets difficult to correct that situation later. Much serious thought has to be given as to when you would wish to start your benefit.

If you are full retirement age and still working, as well as collecting social security and your employer is withholding social security and Medicare taxes from your paycheck, then what? Such deductions might appear “excessive” but that is how the rules are. This questions pops up frequently at tax time. Regardless of your age, employers are required to deduct these taxes from your paycheck as long as you continue to work. And the fact that you are collecting social security or receiving Medicare benefits makes no difference. There is, however, some good news. Social security checks annually whether your additional earnings will increase your monthly benefits. If there is an increase, the agency will gladly send you a letter informing about it. All such changes happen only annually.

Can I delay receiving my benefits? Of course you can; you can delay taking benefits till the age of 70 and actually you get your benefit increased by 8% every year you delay withdrawing. There is no advantage delaying beyond 70.

I am a widow; can I take advantage of my husband’s benefits? Yes, you can but probably not the way you are thinking. If both spouses were taking benefits because of their own individual work history then you have a choice to make. When one spouse passes on, then the survivor spouse has an option of taking the higher of the two benefits, her own or that of the spouse, but not both. If only one spouse worked, for example, then the survivor spouse can continue with his/her benefits after the age of 60 (but preferred that you wait till your FRA).

How have our ideas changed about social security? President Roosevelt signed the law on August 14, 1935. Eighty-one years after its birth in the depths of great depression, today social security is deeply woven into the American fabric. But initially there were many skeptics and doubts were cast (do you see any parallel today) because of Americans’ deep-rooted faith in rugged individualism. It was also a radical departure (not only because of just this law but because of many other laws, such as FDIC and more, passed at the time) from the traditional ideas of the role of the Government in American life. Today, social security is the only lifeline for many millions and over 45 million people take advantage of this safety net on a monthly basis. This number increases by about 10,000 every day because of retiring baby boomers.

Benefits for children when one parent passes on? If the children are minor, under the age of 18 (or 19 if still in high school), they can take benefits from social security. You have to show that the benefits are used for the welfare and needs of the child.

What about the disability beneﬁts? Yes, they are available but the requirements are complicated and you have to qualify. It takes quite some time to get approved.

Mo Vidwans

Vidwans is an independent, board certified financial planner. For details visit www.vidwansfinancial.com, call 984-888-0355 or write to mpvidwans@yahoo.com.

Do I have to pay taxes on the benefits? It depends on the rest of the income you may have when you file for taxes. The calculation for how much of your benefit is Saathee.com

December 2016

Buyer Rebate up to 2%

Tax preparation Made Easy & Aﬀordable:

For All Your Real-Estate Needs

Ram Kalagara Realtor® NC/SC kalagara@gmail.com

RamRealtync.com

704-620-8208 Hindu Religious Ceremonies

Yogiraj Swami

P P Tax & Accounting Services Tax prep starts from $150 with Federal & state Included

Contact for: Havan, Grihapravesh, Weddings, Namakarn, Mundan, Satyanarayan Katha, Yoga etc.

Please contact P P tax & Accounting services for all your tax preparation needs

We travel to NC, SC & the Southeast USA

704-451-1680

Office: 704-447-7407 Cell: 443-500-7436

yogirajswami@yahoo.com

PPCg36@gmail.com

Jyotish and Mahamrityunjay JAP for Rahu, Ketu and Shani

Designer Boutique of India - An Ethnic Edge

Designer… Sarees • Lehengas • Anarkalis Chaniya Cholis • Suits Jewelry and much more

NOW OPEN Boutique Hours: Tue-Thur: 11am-6pm Fri-Sat: 11am-7pm Sunday: 12pm-6pm Monday Closed

Stop In or call to book your appointment

980-265-0239

www.facebook.com /panachebyjia Saathee.com

2030-A Ayrsley Town Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28273

(Next to Ayrsley Cinema on South Tryon) 51

January 2017

LEGAL MATTERS

expanding Your Family Considerations prior to ﬁnalizing a marriage

By Ketan P. Soni

As the ﬁrst generation of Indians now experiences their children growing up, succeeding in life and thinking about the future, new challenges have come to light that any parent and family should take into account. Any Indian marriage, large or small, requires months of planning festivities, invitations, various ceremonies and ensuring all event locations are reserved. Parents are appropriately meticulous in these details to ensure friends and family experience a joyous occasion. My suggestion is that families also consider Unfortunately for some how to best protect both spouses and families, sides of the new family from unpleasant consequences everything comes down that may occur, such as the to money. ones outlined below. As a family lawyer for 16 years, I have witnessed an increasing number of hiccups early on in some family-planned marriages. These hiccups have sometimes been resolved by parents and elders stepping in to smooth over the situation, which is the traditional way of doing things. Other times, however, there may have been misconceptions or ulterior motives by one of the spouses that have led to disastrous and costly altercations with long-lasting monetary implications for both sides. The most common problems or motives revolve around these basic issues: • Immigration Status; • Money in the form of jewelry given during the marriage ceremony; • Discontent by one or both of the spouses, resulting in legal action; • Threats of actions in India.

being aware. In extreme examples I have seen, the spouse with a Green Card has been locked up in jail for false allegations, which allowed the foreign spouse to return to the residence, take the majority of items of property, including gold, and flee to a different state. Once in a different state, the foreign spouse files another action for Domestic Violence in the new state. The results are the U.S. spouse now has to fight a Domestic Violence action, a criminal action in North Carolina, and another domestic violence action in a different state. Even if the foreign spouse’s allegations are false, the time (possibly one year to go to court), the cost (tens of thousands of dollars), and damage to reputation (immeasurable) are done. As further insult to injury, the foreign spouse will apply for a U Visa and may be able to retain status in the United States under these provisions. The best defense is to thoroughly understand both spouses’ intentions and perhaps examine their past and their family prior to entering a relationship. If problems arise quickly after a spouse comes to the United States, seek to properly document any suspicious behavior in order to protect your family.

Money/Jewelry given during the marriage ceremony Unfortunately for some spouses and families, everything comes down to money. Another common scenario in North Carolina is for a spouse to come to the United States. Again, after a short marriage (three or less years), someone decides things are not working. At that point, however, gold becomes a major issue. One spouse has either a) taken the gifted gold, never to be seen again; b) overvalued the gold by tens of thousands of dollars; or c) claimed that the other spouse has kept the gold with parents to the exclusion of all others, even when such gold never existed. In one matter, a spouse claimed the jewelry was worth $5,000, while the other claimed an exorbitant $70,000. North Carolina does not necessarily view gold and dowry the same way as India. In fact, gold received from the other spouse’s family may not “separate” property, depending on the judge and circumstances. When gold has disappeared or been overvalued, the spouse claiming such allegations will often “fight to the finish” unless some monetary concessions are made. Immigration Status A simple contract or document which acknowledges the There is no denying the implications of immigration on a marriage. The majority of Indian marriages are conducted for quantity, value, classification and disposition of all jewelry the proper purpose in advancing both families to a better state items after a ceremony can avoid these substantial problems. for their children. However, with the increasing difficulty to Discontent by one or both of the spouses, resulting in legal immigrate to the United States, some spouses see and have action. researched opportunities for entering the United States for the Parents and elders have often been called on to fix marital sole purpose of Visa status, and not for a long-term marriage. issues. As younger spouses or families across the world no While these sinister intentions have existed in the past to longer have the same respect for parents and elders, these some degree, immigration laws have prompted spouses to take problems escalate beyond reason. Attorneys involved have no more drastic measures. continued on page 112 The examples I have seen are efforts to obtain a U Visa: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-humantrafficking-other-crimes/victims-criminal-activity-uKetan Soni nonimmigrant-status. In our North Carolina community, is a Divorce and Estate Planning lawyer with Hull & Chandler, P.A., who often also mediates spouses who have lived in the United States as little as three disputes in the Charlotte area. He can be reached weeks have somehow (allegedly) fabricated situations that result at ksoni@lawyercarolina.com or 704-375-8488. in a Domestic Violence hearing. These Domestic Violence petitions are heard ex parte, meaning without the other spouse Saathee.com

January 2017

DESI

CAROLINAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PREMIER DJ

Raising Your Soul

Sara Cartee, ABI

Licensed Broker NC/SC/GA

DJ For All Occasions LIGHTS, SOUND & STYLE

Intelligent Lighting, Uplighting, Complete Sound System, Monograms, Dhol Players, & Emcee.

DJ DESI (Amit)

704-737-0930 s1357@msn.com

The Name to Remember for the celebration you will never forget!

Saathee.com

January 2017

B I P I N PA R E K H R E A LT Y, L L C LICENSED IN NC/SC/GA

Bipin Parekh

Smita Parekh

Owner / Broker / Realtor. Licensed in NC / SC / Georgia 704.841.9318(H) 704.608.8469 (cell) E-Mail: Bipinparekh45@gmail.com

Broker / Realtor; Licensed in NC/SC

704.608.2191 (cell) smt_parekh@yahoo.com Closing Coordinator

Realtor with 26+ years of experience

FULL SERVICE REALTORS

*BUYER REBATE* up to

PRICE > 1%, 1.5%, 2% *

Rebate for Closing Costs Only

*buyer must take lenders approval to use â&#x20AC;&#x153;rebateâ&#x20AC;? (in HUD1)

We Attend your Contract / Orientation(walk) / Closing

tirlok Gupta 704.608.5473

Shalini Sounderrajan 704.232.2887 sshalini.realestate@gmail.com

tirlokgupta1@gmail.com

Balaji tatineni 803.280.4809 tatinenib@yahoo.com

Divakar Ganni 715.505.5139 divakarganni@gmail.com

Gopal Kasarla 980.297.9827 grkasarla@gmail.com

Sreedhar Perla 516-448-6231

sreedharperla@gmail.com

Veena Kumar 704.241.2533 vnkumar31@gmail.com

Satish Maroju 706.627.7412 Smaroju@Gmail.com

Aparna P. Shukla 601.291.4278 apashukla@gmail.com

856.266.7664 (cell) / 980.333.4829

Ravi Vasireddy 704.577.4138 mjorsinc@gmail.com

Abhishek Gupta 980-213-5440 realtor.abhishek@gmail.com

Ripal Patel 510.364.8043 Ripal.realtor@gmail.com

Mohan Guttula 980-298-0747 mohan.guttula.realtor@gmail.com

Radha Krishna Gajjala 704-257-6666 rkgajjala@outlook.com

Chandra Mavuluri 336.262.9290

Ritu Bhandari 980-319-9895 Ritumeharb@gmail.com

Venkat Pinnamaraju 704-248-0359 Venkatp.realtor@gmail.com

Amith Satheesh 704-763-0088 amithkidu@gmail.com

Anitha Ravella 817-606-7712 anitha.virgo@gmail.com

Gasper Sahava Raj 336-848-2620 gasper.raj@gmail.com

Shailesh H Chhatrala 980.253.3504 realtor.sam@outlook.com

Anupam Patel

anupamjpatel@gmail.com

chandram.realestate@gmail.com

Here are some of our listings! Call us for more listings! Subdivision: Stonecreek Ranch 5 bedrooms, 3/0 bath Shalini Sounderrajan 704-232-2887

McCarley 3 br, 2 ba Balaji Tatineni 803-280-4809

Southampton 4 br, 2 ba Gopal Kasarla 980-297-9827

Christenbury 5 br, 3 ba Srini/ Bipin Sesham 704-608-8469

Stone Creek Ranch Providence Point Audubon Lake

Indian Land 6 br, 3 ba Shalini Sounderrajan 704-232-2887

Subdivision: Bryant Park 4 bedrooms, 2/1 bath Gopal Kasarla 980-297-9827

Subdivision: Stonecreek Ranch 5 bedrooms, 3/0 bath Shalini Sounderrajan 704-232-2887

w w w . R e b a t e F o r H o m e B u y e r. c o m

Home Buyer Rebate up to 2% with Lender Approval* Home Listings for 1.5%*

• Purchase/Refinance

* Call Agent for Details

• Fixed rates from loans < $417k are at all time lows

Realtor Who Works Hard for You

• Jumbo ARMs (>$417k) APR’s in the mid 3% range

Buying or selling your next home or real estate property can be the single most important transaction in your life, therefore it is important you work with someone who has the experience, professional expertise and integrity to make your next real estate transaction pleasurable and stress-free. We stay with you through out the Home Buying Or Home Selling Process.

• Mortgage services to fit your borrowing needs • Competitive and transparent pricing www.FairviewHomeMortgage.com 6827 Fairview Rd., Ste.B, Charlotte, NC 28210 (Fairview Home Mortgage NMLS #40551)

Gopal Kasarla

Veena Kasarla

Broker / Realtor; Licensed in NC/SC Bipin Parekh Realty, LLC

(Loan Oﬃcer NMLS ID 1093062)

Phone 704-608-6959

980.297.9827

Fax 866-313-3444 veena@goFHM.com

grkasarla@gmail.com

Smita Parekh has formed a professional alliance with the New York life Insurance Company. As a result of this alliance, Smita Parikh will now be able to provide value added services to her clients through a unique referral program, helping to position them for a secure ﬁnancial future through the products and services that New York Life and its subsidiaries are able to oﬀer. She will be working with Jay Shah and Timir Patel from the New York Life Insurance Company. For more information call 704-608-2191

Jay A. Shah*, MBA, lUtCF, CltC Financial Adviser** 407-999-0366 www.JayAShah.com jashah@ft.newyorklife.com

timir C. Patel, lUtCF Financial Services Professional* 713-898-8262 tpatel@ft.newyorklife.com

Jay A.Shah and Timir C.Patel are agents with New York Life Insurance Company. *Jay A. Shah is a Registered Representative oﬀering services through NYLIFE Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC),a Licensed Insurance Agency. 495 North Keller Road, Suite 150, Maitland, FL 32751. *Timir C. Patel is a Registered Representative oﬀering services through NYLIFE Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC),a Licensed Insurance Agency. 3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 1900, Houston, TX 77027. **Jay A.Shah is a Financial Adviser for Eagle Strategies LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Timir C. Patel, LUTCF Financial Services Professional* 713-898-8262 tpatel@ft.newyorklife.com

Saathee.com

January 2017

THINKING ABOUT THINKING By Balaji Prasad

the SAt’s Problems Are easier than life’s Problems “It is hard to convince a high-school student that he will encounter a lot of problems more diﬃcult than those of algebra and geometry.” ― E.W. Howe

I wish you a wonderful and Happy New Year ﬁlled with problems that yield gracefully to you! Life is full of problems. My SAT students have to deal with about 155 problems during the test. Outside the test, they and the rest of us have way more than 155 problems to deal with, many of which are likely to be vexing and perplexing. Tests like the SAT have problems similar to the day-to-day problems of life we all face. Except, the SAT problems are simpler. I think a lot about problems and about solving them, especially the ones that my students care about. It helps me demonstrate that the SAT test can be easier than some students think.

the nature of problems One way to understand the nature of problems is to reflect on an interesting subset of problems: primal instinct problems. We would get little argument that problems that help us survive are valuable. They fill some need. When we are hungry, we seek to satisfy the hunger. That search results in We don't have the time to foraging and finding food. address every problem that The hunger is satisfied. The we can dream up. problem is “solved”. This example suggests that a problem is, quite simply, just a gap between what there is, and what we would like something to be. The realization that there is a gap provides a stimulus to close the gap, through action. So maybe feeling that something is a problem is not so bad after all? It seems to get things done. You feel hunger, and you address the hunger. In this particular example of survival, our involuntary functions kick in, realize the existence of a gap, marshal the resources available, and “solve” an important problem. But not everything is as simple. In fact, for some people, fixing hunger itself is a difficult problem. There are people in this world who can’t get enough to eat! Some of us may not face food shortages, but we do deal with many problems that don’t seem to have solutions, or at least easy solutions. It seems fair to say that there are problems that yield, and those that don’t. But even this may be too simple a view. Problems are probabilistic The problem with most problems is that they are not tagged as being solvable or unsolvable. Also, “solvability” needs to be defined in a very personal way. You don’t want to just know if a problem is solvable in general. You want to know if you can solve the problem, given your capabilities and constraints. Problems are definitely not tagged with any such indicator. So what we are left with are problems that may be solvable, but then again may not be. This is a real problem! How can we be Saathee.com

motivated to put in the eﬀort to solve something, if we don’t know that it can be solved? If we don’t put in the eﬀort to solve a problem, that problem is, for all practical purposes, unsolvable. If we do, it may be solvable. So what we have is a set of problems, some of which are solvable, some that may be solvable, and some that are unsolvable. The last category includes those problems that are actually solvable, but seem unsolvable.

there are too many problems! Time and resources are always limited. We don’t have the time to address every problem that we can dream up. So we have to find some way to be efficient about all this. Somehow, we have to be able to focus attention on those problems that are worth solving. And, they should be ones that have a good chance of being solved with a reasonable amount of effort. Here is a practical exercise. Just pick up a pen and a sheet of paper, and start writing out your problems – where you are relative to something of interest, and where you would like to be. One item per line. This is the start of your personal “problem solver’s portfolio”. Now, go over every line item, and make a notation about the importance to you of solving the problem – whether it is a “High”, “Medium” or “Low”. The list now distinguishes between the problems that must be solved, the problems that should be solved, and those that are a less critical to your life. Step 2. Go over the list once again. This time, put an assessment of the probability that a given problem can be solved, using your capabilities and a reasonable amount of resources. It is quite possible that this exercise revealed some things that you may not have realized. You may discover that there are problems that are both important and solvable, that you are not doing anything about. You may also find that the problems that you thought were important are not that important when you look at them in the broader context of all your problems. And, you may find some problems that are just not worth going after, because solving such problems may be Pyrrhic victories – you lose more by solving them, than by letting them be.

Problems may be poorly defined Some of the more important problems can be difficult to solve. But this may have less to do with the actual problem itself, and more do with how the problem is framed. Intuitively, we often define problems in ways that can be addressed with the resources we know we have. For example, if you have a calculator, you may think of certain ways of solving the problem, but you may not think of other ways of solving the problem that may actually be more elegant and faster. We could go back over the list we created to check if we are letting “solutions” creep into how we framed our problems. Our problems may not be quite what we thought they might be. continued on page 116

Balaji Prasad

is an IIT/IIM graduate, a published author, SAT/ACT Online and Offline Coach, interview, resume, and career coach at NewCranium. Contact: 704.746.9779 balaji.prasad@newcranium.com

January 2017

MARKETING TURNAROUND By Gail Z. Martin

Structure Matters

When you leave corporate life and strike out as an entrepreneur, you quickly notice that you miss the lovely support that was always just a few steps away. Computer problems? There’s no IT department, so you either fix it yourself or find someone who can. Ditto accounting, marketing, sales—you get the picture. As a business owner, you’re the CEO—and the one who empties the garbage cans. It’s a real adjustment to make. Setting up systems is crucial to your Fresh Start Success. Your systems need to be suited to your personality so that you use them without constant friction. Creating systems isn’t always intuitive, but having them is essential. As you consider your reinvention, think about how you want to structure your new business, as well as the impact you want to have in the world. If systems and structure aren’t your strong point, find a mentor who can help you avoid pitfalls. Getting the structure and systems in place at the beginning can be a real factor in creating your Fresh Start Success!

Building Systems Lisa knows entrepreneurship firsthand. She studied business in college and went on to earn a master’s of science in administration. She If systems and structure became a vice president of aren't your strong points, human resources for a large find a mentor who can healthcare system early in her career and enjoyed a lot help you avoid pitfalls. of success. A number of mergers and acquisitions gave her the opportunity to gain plenty of experience in organizational change. While she was the catalyst for successful union negotiations, had high employee engagement scores, and was good at turning chaos into order, when the decision was made to dismantle the division she was working in, she laid everyone off, including herself. Lisa wanted to find a similar position, but in 2001, she was in her mid-30s and there were few vice president of human resources positions open. People said she looked “too young” for the job. Then one day, Lisa was driving down the highway, and something popped up from the freeway. She covered her face with her hands, and a tire iron flew into the front seat, shattering the windshield. Lisa shook off the glass and realized she had no injuries, but the tire iron had only missed her by four inches, and it left a six-inch gash in her hood. When the cops came to the scene of the accident, all three of them said, “Geez, you’re on this Earth for a reason,” because she survived without injury. “All I had known my entire career was working for someone else,” Lisa said. “I had been asking God whether I should start a business and write a book, and then the accident happened, and I knew I was here to do something important.” Saathee.com

The first two years striking out on her own were hard. Thanks to her background in quality improvement, Lisa was very good at streamlining and found that coaching was intuitive for her. She was good at helping people control costs and save money. Her mentor asked her what her conversion rate was and she reported eighty percent, thinking that wasn’t very good, but that success rate stunned her mentor. That’s when Lisa realized her system was working well. She intuitively assessed how people wanted to receive their information, and then validated those prospects through her pre-qualification systems, and that led to them becoming very successful clients. At that point, Lisa decided she was onto something. She created her own signature program and started attracting people who wanted to know how to build systems to show their uniqueness and work in alignment with who they were. Lisa created Excellerate Associates, an entrepreneurial and leadership institute, to share her vision. After Lisa began coaching, she realized she needed to make a mental shift to focus on what she wanted to contribute to the world, instead of what she wanted out of coaching. “I wanted to make an impact. I didn’t want someone who was making the transformation from corporate employee to success to struggle as long as I did. Gradually, I developed systems to make that transformation easier. If I’d had my own system right from the start, I believe I could have cut two years off my three-year learning curve,” she says. Lisa also wanted to make a contribution based on her unique self and to work in alignment with who she was, rather than trying to fit someone else’s mold. “Being in alignment makes it much easier to triage priorities,” she says. “And I needed to figure it out quickly because I did not want to keep working a ninety-hour week.” So she worked with a coach for over a year to shift from a self-serving point of view to a vision of contributing to the world. “I learned that it’s not all about me, me, me,” she said. “People are put in your path for a reason,” Lisa says. “That proved itself again and again as I was networking while I developed my program. You just don’t know who you’re going to meet.” With her hardwiring, she empowered business owners to transform their contribution in the world. Lisa discovered that she had always connected disparate ideas, and her skills were honed by working in chaotic organizations without good infrastructure. “In successful businesses, you create accountabilities and strong systems. When that is missing, there is chaos. Now, I’ve married both hardwiring and systems to create a powerful shift, and it is something we teach through my business.” The third year of business was the tipping point for Lisa,

continued on page 116

Gail Z. Martin

owns DreamSpinner Communications. Contact her at Gail@GailMartinMarketing.com

January 2017

Blooming Buds

Meet the benefits of the world's best travel provider.

18 Exclusive Mandaps to offer!!

Decorations and Flowers for All Occasions

Special Promotional Fares available now. Call for Details! 1-888-811-6173 David Simmon 202-380-1999

CAll US FoR tHe BeSt DeAlS oN AIRlINe tICKetS, CRUISeS AND toUR PACKAGeS All oVeR tHe WoRlD.

CALL FO DISC R OUN TS

Extravagant Mandap Decorator WE PROVIDE • Mandaps, domes, backdrops, torans & entrance gates • Ganesh murtis & elaborate hand-carved furniture • Bridal chairs & chair covers • Decorations for stages, garbas, weddings and all other occasions! • Masala DJs Entertainment professional sound & LED lighting

919.465.7265

Best Service with Competitive Prices! Call Manju Nigam

www.bloomingbudsnc.com

Quality Through Perfection 12 + Years Of Accounting & Tax Experience.

Muhammad Kamran Awan

336-763-4428

Accounting & Tax Services:

Cell: 336-314-8075

4-C Oak Branch Drive Greensboro, NC 27407

• Financial Statement Preparation • Payroll & Sales Tax • Tax Preparation & Planning • New Business Set Up And Incorporation • Audit Representation, Back Taxes Owed, Tax Problems, IRS Issues

kamran@accountingsolutionsnc.com

www.accountingsolutionsnc.com

Serving North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia Saathee.com

January 2017

UNCERTAINTY Conversations in Science & Math By A. Spaice

A walk in Regent’s Park

“Fought.” “Yes.” My shadow hesitated. “Do you still think that reason and logic… do you… well, let me try to understand you... Do you remember what I told you? Before?” “Of course.” Crisp London light, which, in that instance, felt like a dream, perhaps a dream shared with many others, of some vital order that, until now, I had not noticed before, lit me and darkened him. Now we could really see each other. “This is nice,” my shadow said, at last. It was new, our quiet coexisting. Sometimes it’s like that, isn’t it? You just let things flow as they will, without over articulating them. Maybe this was what he had meant, when he had said those things. I was young, I see that now, but I was also listening. He told me not to overvalue external validation and that, ultimately, self-validation is far more meaningful. (Which, of course, only someone like your shadow would tell you.) We rounded a fountain, passed some joggers, a few tourists, and then, coming close to the gate for the road where both of us knew we’d shortly part, we stopped. It was as though we were at the start of a new twenty-year trip, and knew that this one, too, would be a work-in-progress. Trying, at times, but certainly vital. There and then, we had a silent conversation about art, about poetry, about making, and not getting caught up in the things that would keep us from doing the work that was most important to us, from becoming the persons that we knew we ourselves would have liked to know. The world? The world was everywhere, sheltering us in a canopy of drying leaves, listening and not interfering with our intimate, quiet space, at least for that instance. “Excuse me, is this the way to the tube station?” It was a young woman, wearing a sky blue jumpsuit, with a cloudlike, braided band of off-white yarn in her light hair. “I’m a bit lost.” Her eyes pierced mine with a bright blue-greenness. I saw my shadow urging me to say something regular, and not weird. I picked up a few leaves to stall a reply, pushed them deep into my coat pockets. “I’m, um. I’m sure it is, though I can’t tell you one-hundred percent. I’m just visiting.” “Me, too,” she said. With, I noticed, the same grace as the magpie that had scuttled in front of me and my shadow, not more than an hour ago deeper inside the park. The young woman reminded me of someone… a friend from the past? Someone earnest, looking for things, wandering, curious, ready to discover the world… but who? “Let’s go that way, together, and find out?” I suggested. It takes time, sometimes, to be able to pick out the things that are there, right in front of you, and learn what they are trying to say. Learning and practice help you discern that which is remarkable, that which will change you, that which will, when you let it, show you who you really are. My shadow isn’t there when I look for him, for guidance. It’s the sun. The sun’s gone in, as it does, from time to time. Light. Shadow. A chess of space and distance.

“Took you long enough,” my shadow bristled. Was he mad? He sounded like it. I hadn’t seen him like this, that is, in speaking mode, for twenty years. Right here in this very same place, Regent’s Park. That was the last time I’d come to London. So when I heard my shadow pipe up, I was startled. “Hello there, you,” was all I could muster in reply to the somewhat hurt inflection. My shadow did a small turnabout and stood still for a second, watching me watching him. Then the tension broke. As we turned up a footpath, strewn with almost-winter leaves, I let myself reflect. Yes, he was mad. We had gotten into a right row, the two of us. Usually my shadow is quiet and reserved, just observing and taking things in, and like I said, it’s been nearly two decades since I last heard him speak. He was right, of course. I know that now. About insisting that my clinging to the idea that logic and reason Learning and practice help are what Wins in Life is folly. My shadow, perhaps wanting you discern that which is me to preserve something he remarkable, that which will had seen in me then, popped change you... into the space of color and life to press with equal and opposite force the idea that the programming I’d been conditioned to believe, a hard-wiring that says what counts in life is what can be counted, was wrongheaded. I believed him, now. “Are you still angry?” I asked. Soft-toned. This posture was new for both of us. As my shadow took it in, he straightened to our full height, and said, “No.” “Let’s resume, shall we? A new direction, this time?” “Let’s.” There was a good light, the paths ahead were multiple, quiet, and spare. Things felt nice, this way. “I didn’t know you would still be here,” I said. “Of course I’m here. I’m always here. Thing is, this is the thing, if you want to know? You haven’t even noticed me. I’ve been here all along, and you just go on, carry on with your day as though, as though there wasn’t even another aspect of you, watching you, from this vantage.” “Horizontal?” “Ninety degrees perpendicular to you, thank you very much. It’s relative, and from where I’m standing, you’re the one who’s horizontal. Flatlands and spacelands, well, let me see, all of this is a bit of a long-winded story, one that I’m not sure I’m going to be able to go into right now, not just yet, as the sun’s going in. But Edwin Abbott would. Look him up? Yes, well, we are at right angles at least for the next twenty minutes or so, anyways. But I hope this time, you’ll be less square.” “Twenty years is a long time.” “Angles. Relative, all of it.” A magpie skipped in front of us, and an array of orange flower petals set against a bed of golden-brown leaves seemed Find A. Spaice’s pictures from London on instagram.com/dkompany. to reflect her good-naturedness. “Back in Regent’s Park. Where Contact A. Spaice at: info@designkompany.com we first…” Saathee.com

January 2017

Sweta Bhardwaj 8 Spa Keep Calm and Love Your Style!

Exclusively for Ladies Sweta Bhardwaj - Fully Licensed Esthetician, Makeup Artist, Threading Specialist, Facial, Waxing & Eyelash Extension Specialist Inside Salons by JC - Studio 17

11121 Carmel Commons Blvd. Ste 100, Studio 17, Charlotte, NC 28226

704-995-4109 swbarty@gmail.com By appointment only

MEAT HALAL LE B AVAILA

Happy New Ye ar !

Indo-Chinese Cuisine Catering Menu Available at our Website

www.asianafusionsushi.com Open for Lunch & Dinner Tuesday to Sunday (Closed Mondays)

704.896.8827

Shops at Fresh Market 20601 Torrence Chapel Road, Ste 107 Cornelius, NC 28031 Saathee.com

January 2017

NUTRITION FOR LIFE lose Weight Quickly!

Life is already complicated enough. Limiting food choices or following rigid meal plans can add extra stress. With any new diet, always ask yourself: “Can I eat this way for the rest of my By Parul Kharod life?” If the answer is no, the plan is not right. Never think of That’s what everybody wants, right? It’s the number one yourself as going on a “weight loss diet”. Instead, think longterm. Your diet should address any medical issues you may goal on most New Year’s Resolution lists. And it’s a good goal to have. Managing our weight is a have and help improve your overall health. matter of urgency. After smoking, obesity is now the leading lifestyle risk factor for eleven cancers, including colorectal, losing Weight the Healthy Way: Calorie Density Calorie density is the simplest approach to healthful eating pancreatic and postmenopausal breast cancer. In our South Asian population, extra weight is also a high risk factor for and lifelong weight management. This common sense approach makes it possible for you to lose weight without feeling diabetes and heart disease. So we know that we need to lose weight if our BMI is greater deprived. It allows more food for fewer calories, and is easy and practical. By following the principles of calorie density, you will than 24. But how do we do it? What is the best strategy? Blogs, websites, chat rooms, facebook groups, and also increase the overall nutrient density of your diet, which magazines are filled with all sorts of tricks and tips imaginable. helps in reducing risks for chronic diseases. Research has shown that we tend to eat about the same Everyone has an opinion about the fastest method to melt away the pounds. Every week some new diet claims to make weight weight of food every day. Try these small, simple techniques to loss faster and easier than ever before! Some of these might lower the calorie density of your meals, and you’ll wind up result in short-term weight loss, but many are difficult to follow eating the same amount of food that satisfies you – with far long-term, have arbitrary rules, and may actually do more harm fewer calories: than good. 1. enjoy Soup and Salad First Start your meal with a broth-based vegetable soup or salad with Here is a list of fad diets to avoid: • The Alkaline Diet: The recommendations for this diet are vinaigrette dressing to fill you up so you have less room for good but for all the wrong reasons. There is no research high-calorie foods. proving that pH affects our weight. Our body is incredibly 2. Cut the Fat efficient at keeping our pH levels stabilized. • The Blood Type Diet: There is no relationship of blood group Fat is calorie-dense. Fat has 9 calories per gram versus 4 calories for protein and carbohydrates. Adding fat and oil will always to diet, and may cause unnecessary restrictions. raise the overall calorie density of a meal. Use low fat dairy and • The Five Bite Diet: Eat whatever you want—but only five lean meats. Limit the amount of oil used in cooking. Avoid fried bites of it. This is a very low calorie restrictive diet and will foods and packaged snacks made with hydrogenated fats. Use cause your body to go into a starvation mode and slow down reduced-fat cooking methods, such as microwaving, steaming, your metabolism rather than help you lose weight. Plus it is stewing, baking and roasting. not sustainable for long term. You can gain back all the weight you lose, once you start eating more than five bites. 3. Pile on the Vegetables and Fruits • Master Cleanse/ 10 Day Green Smoothie Cleanse/Juice Vegetables are the lowest in calorie density. Therefore the Plans/Liquid Diets: Overly restrictive, impractical and not surest, quickest way to lower the calorie density of your meals sustainable. You will gain back all the weight once you eat is to add vegetables. Make half of your plate vegetables. This solid food. An extreme low calorie diet can cause muscle loss can be soup, salad, cooked vegetables or a combination. Eat which is not what you want your body to lose. veggies with hummus as a snack. Add vegetables to whatever • One Ingredient Diet, for example, Cabbage Soup Diet or you are cooking to make the dish lighter. Grapefruit Diet: Same reason as above. • The HCG Diet: This diet limits you to about 500 calories a day 4. Rethink Your Drink while taking human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a • Don’t drink your calories. Avoid soda and sugary beverages. hormone that is marketed as an appetite suppressant. • Make sure you are drinking enough water. However, there’s no evidence that HCG does more than act • Diet drinks with artificial sweeteners may not have any as a placebo. The weight loss happens only due to the extreme calories, but research shows that these beverages increase calorie restriction. Though a health care provider may legally belly fat and cause insulin resistance. give you HCG injections, they’re typically used to treat continued on page 116 fertility issues in women and the FDA has not approved them for weight loss. Keep in mind that over-the-counter products Parul Kharod, MS, RD, LDN with HCG are illegal. is a registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist and works as a Clinical Dietitian with Outpatient Nutrition Services at WakeMed Hospital in Cary and Raleigh. She can be reached at parulkharod@gmail.com

• Other diet plans that continue to be popular include the Military Diet, The HMR Diet, Bulletproof Diet, Whole30, Paleo Diet, High Protein Low Carb Diet, No Grains Diet, and a variety of fasting regimens. Saathee.com

January 2017

CAROLINAS' LARGEST INDIAN APPAREL STORE Now Open at new location, next to Chaupaati

9101 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Ste M, Pineville, NC 28134 NeW AlS ARRIV Wo t e V e RY K S e e W

704-910-6940

www.rituselects.com Facebook.com/rituselects

Saathee.com

January 2017

HINDU CENTER Support Hindu Center Expansion

Leave a Lasting Memory on HC Wall.

Sponsor a BRICK $1001 $5,001 for 5 X 7 Marble Plaque $10,001 for 8 X 11 Marble plaque Expansion project update:

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

2017 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Annual Membership: $101, Students & Seniors $31 Donate Brick and Become life member for $1001!

Upcoming Hindu Center Events & Activities: Makar Sankranti / Pongal Celebrations: Jan 14 (Sat) Republic Day Celebrations: Jan 28 (Sat at Noon) Maha Shivrati Celebrations: Feb 24 (Fri) Holika Dahan: Mar 12, (Sun); Dhuleti: Mar 19 (Sun) Chaitra Navratri: Mar 28 thru April 4 Ugadi/Gudi Padava/ Baisakhi in Temple: Mar 28 (Tues) Swaminarayan Jayanti: April 1 (Sat) Ram Navami: April 4 ( Tues) Mahavir Jayanti: April 2 (Sun) & Hanuman Jayanti: April 11 (Tues) HINDU CENTER OF CHARLOTTE

7400 City View Drive, Charlotte, NC 28212 Ph. 704.535.3440 Fax. 704.535.6923 email: administrator@hcclt.org

OF CHARLOTTE

Sankranti/ Lohri/ Pongal "Day of Goodwill and friendship event"

Kite flying - Sat, Jan 14, Noon to 5 pm Weather permitting call Nirav Pandya 570-205-2636 for details.

Bring your kites and thread and join or Kites and threads will be available at the minimal donations. Food Options will be available at the minimal donations.

Puja: Sat Jan 14, 2017 (5 PM) Abhishek/ Pooja with Bhajan/Shlokas. Followed by Kari/Bhogi Pallu & Mahaprasad

Kari/Bhogi Pallu: Parents/ Grandparents will Bless & Shower their kids with fruits, candies, coins, Cranberries etc., supplied by Hindu Center. Please bring kids and don't miss this unique event. Dress up in Indian tradition outfits if possible.

REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS: Saturday, January 28th

Noon Gandhi Bhavan @ Hindu Center Flag hoisting, National Anthem, Cultural Show & Lunch

For more information contact: Anu Shenoy, Rituben Mukherjee, Anitha Gautam, Nimish Bhatt, Hemant Amin, Reena Roy 607-607-8412 or temple 704-535-3440.

HINDU CENTER New Vedanta Bhavan

OF CHARLOTTE Sunday, Jan 8th, 2017

Hindu Center Celebrating Vaikunta Eka Dasi on Temple will be opened in the morning at 6am

Morning start 6am Suprabatham, Nitya puja Followed by opening of Vaikunta Dwaram Evening 8:45pm Vishnu Sahastranama Parayanam, Followed by Sayanotsavam and Lalli songs to Lord. (Local devotees will sing songs for Lord)

MAHA-SHIVRATRI February 24, 2017 (Friday)

Lord Shiva Abhishekham all day This year Maha Shivaratri will be celebrated by performing Pooja all night long including Rudhrabhishekham.

Evening Puja Abhishek, Bhajans, Aarti and Prasad

Holika Dahan

March 12 (Sunday, 7:30 pm) Puja & Aarti 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Dhuleti:

March 19th (Sunday) at 12:30 pm COLOR, MUSIC & FOOD

test Your

Knowledge Cities of India

The largest city in the state of Assam and India’s Northeast.

The city of Guwahati is situated on the banks of this river.

What major lake lies near Guwahati?

What ancient Shakti temple is located in Guwahati?

What is the prime language spoken in Guwahati?

What is the major sports stadium in Guwahati?

What is Guwahati’s city animal?

Guwahati is the largest city in Assam but what is the state’s capital?

Guwahati is in Assam, which is part of what group of states of Northeast India?

Answers: 1. Guwahati 2. Brahmaputra River 3. Kamakhya Temple 4. Dipor Bil 5. Assamese 6. Nehru Stadium 7. Gangetic River Dolphin 8. Dispur 9. Seven Sister states

SPICES OF INDIA & INTERNATIONAL GROCERIES

544 Saint Andrews Rd Columbia SC 29210 803-772-1880 Next To Delhi Palace. We accept EBT.

Special Discount: 10% OFF on Groceries with purchase of $50 or more.

Excluding: Atta, Rice & Oil 35lbs. Not valid with any other offers. Restrictions may apply. Exp 2.5.17

Open 7 Days A Week Lunch Buffet 7 Days A Week Dinner A La Carte

Special Weekend Dinner Buffet Includes South Indian Cuisine

Delhi Palace Discount: $5 OFF with purchase of $20 or more.

One coupon per customer per table & per ticket. Not valid with any other offers. Restrictions may apply. Exp 2.5.17

803.750.7760 www.DelhiPalaceSC.net 542 Saint Andrew Rd. Columbia, SC 29210

Specializing in Catering Large Parties! Serving: SC, NC, GA & Surrounding Areas

Saathee.com

January 2017

HEART TO HEART Heartfulness: Purity weaves destiny

the evolution of Consciousness Part 7 - Space, time & the creation of the universe

or base. Now the brief pause intervening the original thought and subsequent being, or in other words between cause and effect, was already there. This can appropriately be interpreted as ‘duration’ or ‘time’, and it served for the field of its action. Thus time, having merged into the power, got itself transformed into power, for further actions towards creation. As a general rule a thought when it becomes deep brings into effect something like a pause, which has a tremendous force. In the case of the Centre, the question of depth does not arise at all, because of perfect uniformity there. The idea of velocity of force, the direct action of the mind, was also absent there, since the Centre or the Ultimate Brahman, though Absolute, did not possess mind. Thus, whatever existed between thought and action was power, which is termed as ‘time’. The same power we too got into our share but in accordance with our limited capacity. Now, in order to utilize this power, we have to merge it in the greater power of the Centre, which is all and absolute. … To my view, the science of physics cannot be taken as complete without a full knowledge of this great power which is in fact the root of all powers. This description was written in the 1940s, based on Ram Chandra’s direct experience of the relationship between space and time and the creation of the universe. His ability to perceive such knowledge directly was because of his highly-evolved consciousness. He could just as easily penetrate matter and describe in detail the internal structure of an atom without any study of physics. Likewise, the great mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan was able to perceive pure mathematical functions in nature through direct perception, which were later proved by western empirical methods. This capacity for direct perception can be developed by the three main yogic practices which were covered in Parts 2, 3 and 4 of this series. The first is the removal of all of the complexities or impressions that we have accumulated by Yogic Cleaning, which is supported by Yogic Transmission. As a result, perception is purified. It is like looking through a still, clear pond to the substratum below instead of trying to see through murky turbulent water. There is clarity and discernment as a result of purifying the subtle body of all its complexities. The second process is the refinement of the functions of the subtle body – intellect, thinking and ego – so that consciousness can expand and evolve. Intellect matures to wisdom, thinking deepens to feeling and beyond, and ego lets go of its focus on ‘I’ to exist for the good of all. These changes happen through meditation with Yogic Transmission. Mathematically: Expansion of consciousness is directly proportional to the refinement of ego, intellect and mind. The heavier the burden of ego, the lesser the chance for consciousness to expand. The third process is the connection of consciousness with the

By Kamlesh D. Patel

Last month, in Part 6, Kamlesh D. Patel explored the question, “Why should we want to expand our consciousness towards a higher destiny?” both from the individual perspective as well as for humanity as a whole. In this issue, he shares with us some of the outcomes of an expanded consciousness. The purpose of life is to facilitate expansion of available consciousness to its fullest potential. This expansion eventually takes us to a state of lightness and joy, where the subtle body is pure, simple and refined, where there is no longer any separation between the heart and the mind – they are one, with the heart as the field of action for the mind and vice versa. This integrated, holistic state of being is known as Yoga. All the practices of Yoga are designed to bring about this state of oneness, or unity with the Source of all existence. In mystical or religious terms, this Source of all existence is given the name God or divinity. In science, it is called the absolute, ultimate reality or original state of existence. It is the Base on which everything exists, the substratum of the existence of the universe. Yoga unites the two fields of human thought, as Yoga deals with pure knowledge. Yogis of high caliber are able to do this based on their direct experience, and have described God in a scientific way. This direct perception is possible because of the expansion of consciousness that comes from yogic practice. For example, in physics, scientists speak of the space-time continuum, and yogis describe the same – the interplay of akasha and avakasha, the Sanskrit words meaning space and time. Here is a brief description by the great yogi of the 20th century1, Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur: Before creation there was only ‘space’ all over. Thus, the being of God (Isha) was a later development, and it took some time for its appearance. We see space as endless and eternal, so we conclude God as well to be eternal. Time followed after God had come into being. Thus, space served as the mother of creation of God, and time was the negative state of it. Everything must have its end in Endlessness. Motion was also there in everything, however fine or invisible it might be. One might also ask, who created space, then? The only possible answer can be that the need for creation of God and of the universe led to be the cause of the existence of space. It is and shall ever be, and is therefore eternal. … If one develops within him the state of akasha, he has then reached the highest point ... Akasha, or space, is the Absolute. It is not composed of particles, nor is there any action in it. It is perfectly pure and unalloyed. … Akasha is space, while avakasha is time – both widely different from each other. Time – the creation of space – may be taken as the grosser state of akasha. As a matter of fact, the universe is the manifestation of time or avakasha, while God is that of akasha or space. … At the time when there was only the Absolute, and no creation, the question of time did not arise at all. When the thought of creation got enlivened in the Base, it was perfectly free from everything. It proceeded on and, due to the effect of motion, got transformed into power, with its tendency directed towards action. But for the action it must naturally stand in need of a field Saathee.com

continued on page 116

Kamlesh D. Patel

Kamlesh D. Patel is the fourth spiritual guide in the Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga meditation, teaching Heartfulness meditation free of charge. contact carolinas@heartfulness.org for more information or visit www.Heartfulness.org

January 2017

Anil Bedi & Associates, PC CPAs and Business Consultants

STREAMLINE FILING, FBAR & FATCA SPECIALISTS We Specialize in: Individual & Business taxes • Accounting & Payroll • FBAR &

FATCA Filing • New company incorporations • Internal audit & SOX Compliance

• Tax filing for all - including H-1 & L-1 Visa holders W-7's and Tax ID's for IT consultants • Business set-up and support in India • Filing available for All 50 States • Free e-Filing • Financial Projections • SBA Loans • Tax Planning

free, no obligation consultation!

25% OFF

(for new clients, mention this ad. Exp: 2.5.17)

Serving Gas-Stations, Motels, Medical offices, Restaurants and all other businesses.

Member: AICPA, IIA & ICAI

678.779.3475 e-mail: anil@abacconsulting.com

C-Corp., S-Corp. & LLCs

www.abacconsulting.com

Anil Bedi (FCA, CPA, CGMA)

FRIENDS gÜtäxÄ

28 Years of Experience. Serving the entire Southeast, including North Carolina & South Carolina

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS OUR PROFIT

Consolidated Fares to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Asia, Africa, Europe & the Middle East on All Major Airlines

We provide Visa, Passport, Cruise & Tour Package Services.

For Friendly & Reliable Service Call Your Travel Agent Friend

Manish Hingoo: 919-467-5084 Fax: 919-467-5823 E-Mail: FriendsTravelNC@yahoo.com Emergency Service: 919-455-5213

www.friendstravelnc.com

1200 S.E. Maynard Rd. Suite 204 Cary, NC 27511

Hingoo & Party Music for All Occasions!

Raas Garba, Bhajans, Bollywood Songs for Mehndi, Weddings, Birthday Party, Corporate Event, Anniversary and all your musical needs.

Phone: 919-455-5213

Saathee.com

Email: HingooAndParty@gmail.com 71

January 2017

ANIS H S H A H www.RealtorAnish.com www.RealtorAnish.com

Broker

Licensed in NC & SC

I have SOLD most of my listings and am in need of new listings. If you are thinking of selling, please contact me! New Listing - BASEMENT - Piper Glen

FOUR LEVELS OF LUXURY LIVING!! Beautifully remodeled golf course home on the 11th green. New granite counters in kitchen and bathrooms, brand new floors, and more! Dual staircase, heavy mouldings, wine cellar, huge wraparound screened porch. Amazing kitchen and luxurious master with sitting area. Fantastic golf course views!! $824,900

New Listing - Sardis Ridge North

SOLD

Amazing Location. Close to Southpark and Uptown. Elegant home with updated systems! New HVAC and 2yr old HWH. New Paint/Carpet/Kit appliances. Gorgeous wood floors on main level. Formal living areas, spacious family room with fireplace. Kitchen features, 42" cabinets, granite counters and tile backsplash. Large master suite with dual vanities, roomy separate shower and jetted soaking tub. Huge unfinished Basement. Oversized side load garage and enormous deck overlooking a beautiful backyard. $299,900

New Listing - Wyndham Hall

SOLD

Gorgeous estate home located in the heart of Marvin. Grand Kitchen with large island and a commercial gas stove. Luxurious main level Master Bedroom. Extra spacious Bonus Room with full bath on upper level. Screened Porch and adjacent Patio with flagstone flooring. Beautiful circular driveway, 3-car backload garage and large level lot. Brand new landscaping. Freshly painted inside and out. Exquisite details throughout! $849,900

Rental - Maplecrest

Huge Fantastic end-unit Townhome with Finished Basement! Laminate HW floors on main level. Spacious Great Rm w/ FP. 2 MBRs with cathedral ceilings and bathrooms on second level. Walk-out basement with Bedroom, Bathroom, and Bonus room. Deck and fencedin patio, perfect for entertaining. Wooded backyard. Great Ballantyne location. Convenient to shopping, great schools, and easy access to I-485.NEW Paint and NEW carpet, Lots of room and lots of storage. Move in ready! Lots of storage. A Must See! $1,495 / month

New Price! - Sun City

Beautiful 3 bedroom home with spacious finished basement! Well appointed kitchen with gas stove, granite counters, stainless steel appliances. Spacious Sunroom, Master Bedroom with trey ceiling and luxury bath. Tons of curb appeal in wonderful community featuring pool, tennis, walking trails, recreation and lake. $449,900

New Listing - Providence Rd. - 2 Acres

Amazing country home on nearly 2 acres of private land. The main house features a wraparound porch, screened porch, gorgeous HW floors, ultra-gourmet kitchen w/ SS commercial gas stove and new granite countertops, Master suite with new remodeled luxury bath. A cozy guest house offers a kit, breakfast area, den, bedroom and bath. Enjoy spacious additional living over the garage and a huge deck overlooking a scenic yard. **NOTE: Guest = 517sqft, Above garage = 741sqft Total 4006 sq. ft. in 3 Buildings. $599,900

New Listing - BASEMENT - Firethorne

Stunning Custom Built Renaissance Villa with 3 levels of indoor/outdoor living. Totally updated. Grand central hall staircase with flanking balconies overlooking the foyer. Formal living areas, open Family Room, and fantastic views from all three Terraces. Magnificent Kitchen is with custom finishes, prep sink, oversized Island, and much more. Luxurious Master Suite, finished basement with Wet Bar, and spectacular tee-to-green view of 12th hole. A wonderful opportunity. $1,099,000

New Price! - Riverpointe $349,900

Bright, beautiful cul-de-sac home with a huge deck and private backyard. UShaped Kitchen open to family room. Spacious bedrooms with great closet space. Fresh paint and new carpet throughout. In Riverpointe Community. Playground, pool, walking trails, tennis courts and lake access for your enjoyment. *** Brand new granite counters and SS appliances for the kitchen coming soon! *** $349,900

Happy New Year!

Wishing you and your family all the happiness during this festive holiday season and throughout the coming New Year!!!

This year, again due to your support, I have maintained my #1 rank at the Helen Adams Realty - Ballantyne Office! I am grateful for the business and the referrals from the following families in 2016: Raj & Jagruti Desai Corne van Dongen Timothy & Paula Reilly Silvana da Silva van Dongen Jay & Bhavna Kalaria Drs. Varsha Pherwani & Lokesh Tejwani Vijay & Vibha Patel Dr. J.K. & Leena Shah Kiran Reddy Niall Paule & Heather Hovde Vinay & Rashmi Purohit Anand & Kshama Jobanputra Vani & Praveen Gopalareddy Uma & Krishna Bojja Jaymin & Hetal Patel Ravi Ramaraj Rashmi Kanjia Marisa Spicer Rickpal & Karuna Singh Wendy & Mike Spicer Dr. Amit & Shilpa Shah Yash Shah Satish Goli

Tanu Sisodia Lakshmi Swetha Vangara Alok Ahlawat & Ankita Singh Sander Van Cleff Shoobha Daftari Satish & Soumya Sundersan Zeal & Sonali Shah Karan Shah Nitin & Alpana Goswamy Anita Chhabra Robert & Lorette Young Sameer & Sejal Shah Rejeev & Divya Sisodia Naga & Janani Bhimavarapu Amit & Falguni Desai Abhijeet Nadkarni Niyati Nathwani Kevin & Tripti Simback Lindsay Hall & Adam Jett Thiru & Suganya Govender Connie Russo Dr. Ravindra Gogineni Joe & Amber Guardino Tim & Dottie Fowler

Venkat Padmanabhan Srinath & Charu Nagarajan Praful & Daxa Gondha Ajal & Jaydeep Patel Sid & Sona Kashyap Amit & Shweta Goyal Vikram Tuli & Deepa Bajaj Shirish & Sonal Shah Pragnesh & Bhumika Mistry Govind & Aneesha Arora Vimal & Jagruti Amin Neel Gopalani Jim & Meg Soloman Vikram & Neha Punjabi Shilpoo & Bharti Agrawal Nirav Desai & Khyati Shah Shahin & Ayaz Shariff Vikram & Samridhi Sarin Terri Harrah Balvant & Maya Jariwala Shahid & Naila Talpur Srikanth Kuchimanchi Swapnika Palakode

î&#x20AC;&#x201A;ank you for making 2016 a successful year for me. If I can ever help you in any way, please do not hesitate to call. Warm Regards, Anish

In Real Estate, Experience Counts! Serving the Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Real Estate needs since 2000.

Anish Shah, B.S.E.E Broker NC & SC

Cell: 704-449-LIST (5478)

Nandi Daniels Executive Assistant Cell: 704-737-2384

FAX: 704-749-9558 ashah@helenadamsrealty.com www.RealtorAnish.com

15235 John J. Delaney Dr. Charlotte, NC 28277

NEWS NOTES U.S. Secretary of Defense and Indian Counterpart Champion Growing Trade, Technology, Security By Amaani Lyle, DoD News, Defense Media Activity

Defense Secretary Ash Carter meets with Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi, Dec. 8, 2016. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley

development through DTTI as a “sign that the relationship has matured to a level of strategic importance.” The U.S. strategic rebalance to the region and Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi’s “Act East” policy launched in November 2014 “meet as an Asia-Paciﬁc focus” for both nations, Carter said, as the policy is said to have reinvigorated India’s economic, political and counterterrorism ties with Association of Southeast Asian Nation states. “There is a lot going on in this relationship — you couldn’t have imagined what we’re doing now in 2008, and you couldn’t imagine that in 2000,” Carter said.

Partnership through Vigilance The two defense leaders also exchanged views on regional security issues, including the specter of terrorism. They agreed to continue further strengthening the bilateral counterterrorism cooperation and underscored the need to ensure no states aﬀord patronage to terror groups. As India-U.S. defense relations have been on the upswing in recent years, Carter recounted marked progress on agreements, including his signing of a defense framework agreement in 2015, which he said “laid a blueprint for collaboration between our defense establishments and enabled deeper cooperation.” Bilateral cooperation, the statement said, has expanded through joint exchange opportunities – in both personnel and training exercises, with the recent signing of the logistics exchange memorandum of agreement, which has created new opportunities for practical engagement and exchange. In addition, Carter and Parrikar ﬁnalized India’s designation as a major defense partner of the United States, signifying enhanced defense trade and technology sharing to a level at par with that of the United States’ closest allies and partners.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi on December 8 as part of a worldwide trip to thank service members and discuss growing accord and priorities with allies. Carter’s third oﬃcial visit to India marks the two leaders’ seventh interaction, which the secretary said represents a strategic partnership with the vast nation, its rising military power, and a democracy that shares with the United States many common values and approaches. “We’re both multicultural societies, but nevertheless, hold together extremely well,” Carter said, adding that the defense relationship, in particular, has “grown by leaps and bounds” in the last few years. That growth, he said, is measured by the pace Article and image courtesy of Dept of Defense, defense.gov of joint activities between the two militaries, including participation in two trilateral exercises as well as bilateral NASA Announces First Geostationary Vegetation, exercises, which he said indicates “immense promise” for the Carbon Mission future of India-U.S. security cooperation.

technological, Strategic Handshakes In matters of technology, both sides praised progress under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, a ﬂexible mechanism used to reduce bureaucracy and expand collaboration and business ties between the United States and India. According to a statement released by the Pentagon, under DTTI, the United States and India have launched seven joint working groups to explore collaborative projects and programs and signed two science and technology government-togovernment project agreements – the Next Generation Protective Ensembles and Mobile Hybrid Power Sources – worth roughly $2 million. And since 2008, U.S.-India defense trade has risen from roughly $1 billion to more than $14 billion, including Indian procurement of 13 Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft, 10 C-17 Globemaster III transports and 12 P-8 Poseidon aircraft, as well as 22 AH-64 Apache and 15 CH-47 Chinook helicopters. This month, the United States and India signed a deal worth about $732 million to provide the Indian army with 145 M777 Howitzer guns. Carter described the commitment to explore new proposals and other innovative opportunities for co-production and coSaathee.com

From an orbit 22,000 miles above the Americas, the Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory will monitor plant health and vegetation stress and probe the natural sources, sinks and exchange processes of key greenhouse gases.Credit: NASA NASA has selected a ﬁrst-of-its-kind Earth science mission that will extend the nation’s lead in measuring key greenhouse gases and vegetation health from space to advance our understanding of Earth’s natural exchanges of carbon between the land, atmosphere and ocean. 74

January 2017

Gandhi

International Market

Indo-Pak, Middle-Eastern & Caribbean

Groceries, Produce & DVDs

Fresh Vegetables 7 days a week • • • •

Weekly Specials on Vegetables Monthly Specials on Groceries Cash Back Rewards Promotional E-Mail Offers Open Seven Days A Week (11 am - 9 pm) We accept EBT

Phone: 704.548.1973 Fax: 704.548.1975 gimnc@carolina.rr.com www.gandhigrocery.com

9630-G University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28213-3614 (University Area)

manages the ESSP program for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate. NASA collects data from space, air, land and sea to increase our understanding of our home planet, improve lives and safeguard our future. The agency develops new ways to observe and study Earth’s interconnected natural systems with long-term data records. The agency freely shares this unique knowledge and works with institutions around the world to gain new insights into how our planet is changing.

The primary goals of the Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory (GeoCARB), led by Berrien Moore of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, are to monitor plant health and vegetation stress throughout the Americas, and to probe, in unprecedented detail, the natural sources, sinks and exchange processes that control carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane in the atmosphere. The investigator-led mission will launch on a commercial communications satellite to make observations over the Americas from an orbit of approximately 22,000 miles (35,400 kilometers) above the equator. The mission was competitively selected from 15 proposals submitted to the agency’s second Earth Venture - Mission announcement of opportunity for small orbital investigations of the Earth system. “The GeoCARB mission breaks new ground for NASA’s Earth science and applications programs,” said Michael Freilich, director of the Earth Science Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. “GeoCARB will provide important new measurements related to Earth’s global natural carbon cycle, and will allow monitoring of vegetation health throughout North, Central and South America.” GeoCARB will measure daily the total concentration of carbon dioxide, methane and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere with a horizontal ground resolution of 3 to 6 miles (5 to 10 kilometers). GeoCARB also will measure solar-induced fluorescence, a signal related directly to changes in vegetation photosynthesis and plant stress. Total NASA funding for the mission over the next five years will be $166 million, which includes initial development, launch of the mission as a hosted payload on a commercial communications satellite, and data analysis. The University of Oklahoma-led GeoCARB team will build an advanced payload that will be launched on a commercial communications satellite, employing otherwise unused launch and spacecraft capacity to advance science and provide societal benefit. By demonstrating GeoCARB can be flown as a hosted payload on a commercial satellite, the mission will strengthen NASA’s partnerships with the commercial satellite industry and provide a model that can be adopted by NASA’s international partners to expand these observations to other parts of the world. Mission partners include the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center in Palo Alto, California; SES Government Solutions Company in Reston, Virginia; the Colorado State University in Fort Collins; and NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. GeoCARB is the second space-based investigation in the Earth Venture - Mission series of rapidly developed, costconstrained projects for NASA’s Earth Science Division. The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS), selected in 2012, is the first mission in the series and is scheduled to launch from Florida on Monday, Dec. 12. The Earth Venture missions are part of NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) program. The Venture Class small, targeted science investigations complement NASA’s larger research missions. A National Academies 2007 report, Earth Science and Applications from Space Decadal Survey, recommended NASA undertake these regularly solicited, quick-turnaround projects. The Earth Venture program selects new investigations, at regular intervals, to accommodate new scientific priorities using cutting-edge instrumentation carried on airborne platforms, small space missions, or as secondary instruments or hosted payloads on larger platforms. NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, Saathee.com

For information about NASA’s Earth science programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/earth

The Hair Trade is a Billion-Dollar Global Industry By Joyce Hackel, PRI

You’ve probably heard of a hair shirt — it’s rough, woven out of goats’ hair and worn as penance. Now imagine a wedding garment fashioned from human hair. Kishore Kumar donned one to make his nuptial vows. The third generation Indian hair trader is just one of the eccentric characters profiled in anthropologist Emma Tarlo’s new book: “Entanglement: The Secret Lives of Human Hair.” Kumar “proudly showed me his wedding outfit and I have a photograph of him sitting in a gold throne wearing it,” Tarlo says. The hair “fabric” had been dyed blonde and decorated with tiny red and gold sequins. “He also had this idea that he was going to start manufacturing hair for all sorts of different uses, such as fertilizer for food, for skin products, and cloth,” she adds. Indeed, human hair has been put to all sorts of uses. In Korea and Japan, hair has been used for the lining of men’s suits. In south Indian Hindu temples, devotees have their heads shaved, and the shorn hair is carefully reclaimed. “It’s immediately put in these safes, locked safes and then it’s all transported up to the sorting workshops where it’s sorted into very precise lengths,” Tarlo explains. “Then about three times a year it’s auctioned off by e-auction to prevent hair cartels and fixing of prices.” Yes — hair cartels. Much of the global hair trade involves the creation of custom-made hair pieces. At the very bottom of the supply chain is the recuperation of “comb waste,” hair left in combs after brushing or in drains after washing. “Throughout Asia you’ve got peddlers going door-to-door, collecting what are really globs of hairballs. And these all have to be untangled. And the untangling of this hair takes place in workshops and in people’s homes in very poor places where the labor is cheapest — so in parts of Bangladesh, parts of India and increasingly in Mynamar,” Tarlo adds. “When I was visiting a village in Myanmar, I could see people sorting out these hair balls just with a needle in their village homes.” Tarlo describes the work of India’s Benjamin Cherian, who specializes in reclaiming temple hair for the top end of the hair market. He’s working to make the hair trade more respectable and to raise standards. “He has very good labor rights in his factories,” Tarlo notes. “He’s gotten all sorts of certification, proving that his factory has met international standards of trade, but that is quite rare.” A final use of human hair might have you rethinking your lunch: amino acids derived from hair can be used as a flour enhancer for the dough of pizza crusts and bagels. Those amino acids are also sometimes found in soy sauce. “It’s a flavor enhancer, but it also gives elasticity to foods. So it was commonly used in bagels and pizza base and probably still is to some extent,” Tarlo says. “Whether the bagel that you ate for breakfast actually contains it, that I don’t know.” 76

January 2017

Happy New Year!

Catering Available Call for details.

Pure Vegetarian Indian Cuisine

A wide range of South Indian, North Indian, Indo Chinese, Chaats, Jain, and more

Tel: 704-569-9193 · Fax: 704-569-9188 7128-A Albemarle Rd. Charlotte, NC 28227

Organic, Gluten Free & Vegan Menu available

Never frozen • No preservatives No artificial additives • Zero Transfat

www.woodlandsusa.com

Visit our website for the menu, coupons, directions etc.

Open 6 Days A Week: Lunch: 11:30 am to 3 pm (Closed on Tuesday) Dinner: 5 pm to 10 pm

Creative Loafing 2016 Reader's Choice - Best Indian

Talk of the Town 2012 “Excellence in Customer Satisfaction”

Taste Of Charlotte 2013 Winner “Most Unique Taste”

Citysearch.com 2009 Winner Best Indian Restaurant

Taste Of Charlotte 2012 Winner “Best Appetizer” ZAGAT RATED

Woodlands Specials

Weekday Special Lunch Menu Monday to Friday Wine & Beer (Including Indian Beer)

Unmoving Darkness By Indrani Nayar-Gall

Unmoving Darkness looks into the oppressive tradition of the Devadasi system, the illegal practice of female religious servitude that uses religion, class-caste, and poverty as weapons of discrimination, to throw little girls of poor, untouchable communities into prostitution, in remote villages of Karnataka, India. Although this story was inspired by the study of history, myth, and biographical accounts of devadasis, this is a work of ﬁction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

The shrill sound of a rooster crowing startled Durgamma out of her sleep. Sun is beginning to light up the sky. Durgamma’s tired body still wants some rest but she must get up. Her eyes follow the ray of light coming through the little hole in the ceiling. The little money she saved for it has to go toward Ajina’s bead tying. She hopes the roof can take another monsoon season. The old mat has too many holes. She can feel the sharpness of the broken ends against her skin but her body still feels cool against the dampness of the earthen ﬂoor. Durgamma’s eyes follow the light coming “Rukmini, this one through the crack in the is a real beauty. She ceiling. Her half-asleep body and mind drifts to a time long will fetch you lots of ago, so long ago … the wild good fortune.” sound of the drum. Durgamma’s head burns again …wants to devour everything but her worn body cannot move. Her mind searches for an old faded memory - of a day - too long ago - but hard to erase. It has gouged a deep hole within her mind and body … a bottomless hollow pit with an incomprehensible cry.

taking her to the temple. Tayi wraps a jasmine garland in her open wet hair – just like the other brides she has seen. Her saree is such a pretty green. Suddenly Durgamma feels like a grown young woman. She becomes conscious of her body. The changes. What does her husband look like? Is he handsome and young? Her mind wonders. Parvati’s husband was young, they looked so happy but she never saw Rajamma’s husband and nobody ever spoke of her much after. Durgamma’s mind ﬂoats in happiness, the sound of drums at the temple. The priest sprinkles holy water and turmeric paste all over her head and smears it on her forehead. The cold water trickling down her back feels good on this already hot morning. She tries to ﬁnd the groom but she is not to look up. The priest ties a glittering necklace of shiny silver with red and white beads around her neck. Durgamma touches the worn out necklace around her neck.

The picture is still vivid in her mind - the festivity! She felt so special that morning! Nobody ever fussed around her that much! Her mother had called the women of the village. They put sandalwood paste all over her body. She never smelled anything so beautiful. They bathed her and wrapped her in a beautiful new green sari and a blouse. First time she gets to wear a blouse and a sari. So pretty! Tayi (mother) said, “Durgamma, you are a lucky girl! Today is your wedding day! Yellamma gudda will bless you today and make you her own!” Durgamma didn’t quite understand all this but she was happy that she is getting married today! Parvati got married last year – dressed in a saree and a gold chain! She looked so pretty, the groom was from the next village and two musicians played. Durgamma never ate so much good food! Parvati is now back in the village with her tayi, she will have a baby. Durgamma is happy. She too will have a handsome husband and a baby of her own! But what happened to Rajamma? She heard Rajamma got married two/three years ago. Durgamma was really small then. Did not remember everything but her wedding was diﬀerent from Parvati’s… Rajamma never came back to her tayi to have a baby! And, who was her husband?

Where is the groom? The priest put her in front of a colorful pitcher with flowers and other things. Panic strikes in Durgamma’s eyes – is this part of being a Devadasi? Why is this different from Parvati’s wedding? She sits surrounded by gifts given to her and her family. She hears the voice of the priest. “You are now married to Yellamma gudda. From now on she will protect you and your family. You will never become a widow. In return you must please Yellamma of all her desires, dance, sing and refuse no man.” There is Rajamma! Durgamma has not seen her in two years! How beautiful she looks and she dances! Men are throwing money at her! All the relatives and people of the village complemented Durgamma’s parent on Durgamma’s good looks and what a good Devadasi she would make. Everyone is leaving now. The dogs are at the scraps of food on the thrown leaf plates. The priest comes to take Durgamma away from her mother. Panic enters her body. There was no groom! Where does he want to take her? She begins to cry and holds on to her mother. The priest pulls her away. She can no longer find her mother in the crowd of villagers. The little group is moved away from her. Suddenly everything changes. Durgamma had only seen glimpses of the landlord’s house from the big entrance door when her mother brought her to beg for alms. The lady who brought the alms always commented on Durgamma’s beauty. “Rukmini, this one is a real beauty. She will fetch you lots of good fortune.” She has never seen such a big soft bed. The woman who brought her in the room gave her something to drink before she left. Everything is a bit blurry. Her little numb body sinks into the soft bed. The figure of a big tall man is suddenly too close to her. Too close.

The shrill sound of the rooster’s crowing startles Durgamma and brings her back to reality – “What could anyone do?” Durgamma sighs. She gathers herself. “Lots have to be done today!” This old body can no longer do anything in a hurry. She rolls up the old mat and the little old pillow and puts them in the corner. Lot to be done today, for tomorrow Ajina’s beads will be tied! She looks at the peaceful face of Ajina. Her little chest rises up and down in even rhythm. Ah, let her sleep a bit longer. She sits next to the little ﬁgure. Her rough callused hands from years of Durgamma slowly turned to her side and adjusted her body hard work touch Ajina’s head. She strokes her hair and forehead. against the prickly mat. Her eyes traveled from the hole in the Tears roll down her cheeks. “How can I throw this beautiful innocent little thing in the ceiling to the corner of the room. The memory of that day still gives her a chill. Everything is so continued on page 86 vivid in her mind … Her mother and the village women are Saathee.com

January 2017

Where Quality Meets Value. Low Prices every Day! Wishing You A Happy New Year!

WE CARRY ASLI, Deep, LAXMI & NIRAV PRODUCTS Full Line Of Groceries, Fresh Vegetables, Snacks, Frozen Fish, Indian Jewelry, Music & Movies

TWO CONVeNIeNT LOCATIONS! Original Location

509 North Polk St. (South Blvd) Pineville, NC 28134

Directions: 2 Miles from Carolina Place Mall and I-485 (exit 65-B- towards Pineville). Same Shopping Center as Subway & Sherwin Williams. Across the street from Performance Honda / Suzuki

704.889.2210 Fax:704.889.2211 Contact Pritesh Patel

Open Seven Days a Week: 9:30 am to 8:30 pm

2nd Location 8215 - F University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28213

704.597.9933 Open Seven Days A Week: 10:30 am to 8:30 pm

We Accept eBT Cards & All Major Credit Cards (Including American express)

Visit us online at INDIAGROCeRSNC.COM

SPOT THE DIFFERENCES

See if you can spot the 10 diﬀerences between the original photo on top and modiﬁed one on bottom. Answers are on pg 118.

Saathee.com

January 2017

Laser & Skin

20% OFF

Threading Prices Eyebrows $10 Forehead $8 Upper Lip $6 Neck $10 Threading Lower Lip $4 on Full Face $30

Our goal is to provide you with the best laser hair removal experience... that’s the H2 difference. • Call or email us for a FREE CONSULTATION • Faster treatments for men and women hair removal for all areas.

• Effective for all skin types - performed by a Registered Nurse (RN) / Advanced Laser Specialist

(Neck not included)

Chin $6 Unibrow $4 Sideburns $10 Cheek $8

• Virtually Pain Free – latest industry leading FDA approved system with minimal discomfort

Monday & Tuesday

Cannot be combined with any other offer

Henna Art Starting at $10 and up!

• Convenience – we also offer evening and weekend appointments.

980.213.6996

hetal.h2laser@gmail.com

www.h2laserandskin.com NEW LOCATION 8440 Rea Road, Suite N Charlotte, NC 28277

Allure Brow www.allurebrow.com Call for appointment

704-975-4331

9606 Sherill Estates Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078

Best u The ! o Y g in ar Wish ew Ye

in the

CATERING FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Open seven days a week!

704.688.5972 Saathee.com

CALL FOR WEDDING CAKE DETAILS

● North and South Indian dishes, Tandoori Kababs, Dosa, Indo-Chinese and Biryani (Serving Halal Meat) ● Veg and Non-veg lunch special ● Casual Dining ● Eggless and Sugar-free cakes and Variety of Desserts ● Wedding Cakes, Custom Cakes for Birthdays & Special Occasions ● Ice cream cakes and cake slices

curryncake@gmail.com

www.curryncake.com

2015 E. Arbors Drive, Suite 270, Charlotte, NC 28262 81

January 2017

COMMUNITY FOCUS Events of Note

North Carolina Jazz Festival One of the largest traditional jazz festivals in the Southeast and a STS Top 20 Event, this musical weekend will feature Kevin Bales, Rossano Sportiello, Nate Najar, Chuck Redd, Jim Fryer, Dion Tucker, Herman Burney, Randy Reinhart, Jonathan Russell with Music Director Adrian Cunningham. This 37th Annual event will take place from Thursday, February 2 thru Saturday, February 4 at the Wilmington Hilton Riverside on Water Street. Patron Packages include a delightful musical brunch on Saturday. Single Night Tickets: Thur.: $40, Fri & Sat: $60, Active Military: $25 & Students: $15 each night. Patron Packets: $200 Per Person for Friday & Saturday and Patron Brunch, $225 for Thursday-Saturday and Patron Brunch. For more info visit ncjazzfestival.com

A Yagna to Make America Healthy The fast paced life style is having a toll on quality of life world over. As per American Medical Association, stress is a factor in more than 75% of sickness in USA. We know the importance of physical activity along with deep breathing techniques but ﬁnding time for it is biggest constraint for most of us. Ancient Hindu system of Yoga provides simple solution: “Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation). Often referred as essence of the Yoga, it is an ancient innovation for stretching and oxygenating almost all organs of the body for deep relaxation with minimum eﬀort and time. One Surya Namaskar consists a set of 10 simple Yoga Asanas. Performing 12 Surya Namaskars takes just 10 to 12 minutes and that is all you need to stay active and peaceful throughout the day. While many resources are available on the web for Surya Namaskar practice, one of the US based organization Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA has been organizing campaign for 15 days in January “Surya Namaskar Yagna (SNY)” since 2007. Their website www.hssus.org/sny has all resources to practice SN. SNY attracted more than 10,000 participants and more than one million Surya Namaskars in 2015 US wide. Local chapters at Charlotte, Raleigh of NC & Columbia of SC conducts sessions starting from Jan 14th to Jan 29th. No donations or fee charged for these sessions: Dasharath Lohar (dplohar@yahoo.com)

Nuv Yug India Fest The Nuv Yug Cultural Association presents the Nuv Yug India Fest on Sat-Sun, March 18 - 19 at the NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC and on Sat-Sun, March 25 - 26 at the Park Expo Center in Charlotte. The events feature performances, arts, fashion, exhibitions, crafts, food, vendors, and more. The audition deadlines for performers at Sat, February 25 for the Raleigh fest and Sat, March 4 for the Charlotte fest. For more details call 919-228-9867, write to team@nuvyug.net or visit www.nuvyug.net. Sankranti, lohri, Pongal The Hindu Center of Charlotte presents a day of goodwill and friendship with kite ﬂying on Sat, January 14 from noon - 5pm (weather permitting) and puja beginning at 5pm. Followed by kari/Bhogi pallu and mahaprasad. For more details call 704-5353440 or visit www.hcclt.org.

Beyond Bollywood exhibit The City of Raleigh Museum is hosting its first Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit “Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation.” The exhibit is the first national exhibit to celebrate the history and achievements of IndianAmericans in the United States. Beyond Bollywood was created in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Center with the goal of going beyond the stereotypes of Southeast Asian Indians by exploring their daily lives, to struggles in a new country and contributions to food, culture, and politics. “We were excited to open this exhibit in Raleigh” said Ernest Dollar, Director of the COR Museum, “It is a great opportunity to tell the story our rapidly growing Indian community through exploring Indian American’s impact on American history.” In addition, the museum is partnering with local groups to present a series of public programs and events to highlight Wake County’s connection to the exhibit. “Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation” is a creation of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. The exhibit will run through April 9. For more details, call 919-996-2220 or visit www.cityofraleighmuseum.org.

India Republic Day Celebration The Hindu Center of Charlotte presents the annual India Republic Day Celebrations on Saturday, January 28 at Gandhi Bhavan. There will be ﬂag hoisting, singing of national anthems, a cultural show and lunch. For more details call 704535-3440 or visit www.hcclt.org. Saathee.com

Community News

Healthcare Warrior Raj Panjabi Awarded 2017 teD Prize Raj Panjabi was born in Liberia, but his family ﬂed civil war when he was nine. He returned as a medical student — and went on to found the nonproﬁt organization Last Mile Health. In Liberia, people in remote communities hike for hours or even days to get medical care. Many will go their entire lives without visiting a doctor. Last Mile Health has created a model for expanding healthcare access Photo: Courtesy of Last Mile Health to remote regions by training, employing and equipping community health workers. The organization’s work has shown impressive results in Liberia, and could be replicated elsewhere. Panjabi is a North Carolina resident and was awarded the prestigious TED prize for 2017 for his work. According to TED website: On April 25, 2017, at the annual TED Conference, Panjabi will reveal a $1 million wish for the world, related to this work. “I’m shocked and humbled, because I feel in many ways our work is only just beginning,” he said. “But it feels very right to me that this cause is worthy 82

January 2017

Serving North, South Indian and Indo-Chinese Dishes (Veg & Non-Veg)

For catering contact: Andy @ 704-512-9177 or Passagetoindiaclt@gmail.com We now cater Gujarati food for all occasions We carry fresh Flowers and Flower Garlands for all Events.

PLACE YOUR ORDER ON-LINE AT

www.PassageToIndiaNC.com

Lunch Buffet: Mon to Fri (11 - 3) & Sat & Sun (11:30 - 3:30) Dinner: Sun - Thurs: (5 - 10) & Fri - Sat (5 - 11)

Special LuNCH BOxES $4.99 & up Lunch Buffet: $8.99 Weekend Brunch Buffet: $10.99

Over 30 items including Pani Poori, Bhel,Chat Papdi, Pav Bhaji, Idli,Medu Wada, Sambar,Vegetable Chowmein, Chilli Chicken, Tandoori Mix Grill,Goat Curry & more

We Serve Fresh Dosa on Table - Please Ask Your Server

WE SERVE HALAL MEAT

704-549-1886 OR 704-512-9177

9510 University City Blvd. Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28213 TAKEOUT SPECIAL

15% OFF

Take Out Only. Cannot be combined with any other coupons. Other restrictions may apply. Must present coupon. Exp: 2/5/17

WE DELIVER

(INCLUDES LUNCH BOXES) Minimum order $20. Within 5 mile Radius only. No Coupons or Discounts. Restrictions Apply.

Get $5 Off DINE IN SPECIAL

When second entrée of equal or greater value is purchased.

Cannot be combined any other offer. One coupon per table. Must present coupon. Excludes buffet, Indo-Chinese & South Indian. Exp 2/5/17

COMMUNITY FOCUS

of the TED community’s eﬀorts. Illness has been universal for the entire length of human history — but universal access to care has not been. Now, because of the advances in modern medical science and technology over the past 50 to 100 years, we have the chance to end that inequality.” According to TED website: During the Ebola outbreak, Last Mile Health assisted the government of Liberia in its response, helping to train 1,300 health workers and community members to prevent the spread of the disease in the southeastern region of the country. This year, Panjabi, who’s also a physician in the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School, was named to TIME’s list of the “100 Most Inﬂuential People in the World” for Last Mile Health’s part in helping contain the Ebola epidemic. Learn more about the TED Prize, a $1 million grant given annually to a leader with a wish to solve a pressing global problem. For more details visit www.TED.com.

November 14 at the Matthews Town Hall meeting, BAPS Charities presented a check of $6,100 collected from the May 1 walk to Matthews Free Medical Clinic in the presence of Mayor Jim Taylor, Matthews Town Council Members and Directors of Matthews Free Medical Clinic.

Armaan Malik live in Charlotte

Photos credit: S. Ali

Armaan Malik performed in Charlotte on Saturday, November 19 as part of his short 2016 US tour. The Charlotte performance was his last one of the tour. The stage and lighting were top notch and he kept the crowd of over 800 people rocking all night long.

BAPS Charity Work BAPS Charities harnesses the efforts and collective spirit of volunteers around the world to serve individuals, families and communities in five key areas: Community Empowerment, Educational Services, Environmental Protection & Preservation, Health & Wellness, and Humanitarian Relief. Taken together, these initiatives empower individuals to volunteer their time and resources to create a better community, nation and world. Last year, over 16,000 walkers across North America supported BAPS Charities and a wide range of local community, health, educational and humanitarian activities. These Walkathons, organized by BAPS Charities, provided inspiration for individuals to come together and build a better community, one step at a time. On May 1 the BAPS Charities Walk Green in Charlotte, NC walked in support of the event which benefited Matthews Free Medical Clinic. There over 950 walkers who walked nearly 2,853 miles. On Saathee.com

2016 Children’s Day Celebration: A Review By Yash Garg, Photos by Palani Mohan The Heritage India Association of North Carolina celebrated Children’s Day on November 12, at HSNC Cultural Hall. Govind Chandak, Chief Guest, along with Saroj Sharma, Steve Rao, and Ron Sanyal performed the lamp-lighting ceremony. Morrisville Mayor Mark Stohlman read out the Proclamation declaring November 12, 2016, as Children’s Day in the town of Morrisville. Children’s Day is a day of joy and fun for children, to celebrate their artistic talents, leadership and organizational qualities. This annual celebration of Children’s Day oﬀers an opportunity to children to work as organizers, managers, volunteers and performers, as well as develops in them leadership skills and team spirit. This year’s celebration presented a variety of dances from folk to Bollywood and from modern to classical dances performed by teams of highly skilled youngsters, as well as musical performances by Somya Kochar and Shreyas Raychaudhuri and an Indian fashions show by children who were dressed in stunning regional costumes of India. Three teens— Amith Jagannath, Charvi Pande, and Mehak Aggarwal were the Emcees. While Sangeeta Naik supervised and planned the overall program and Dance Competition presentation, Yash Garg coordinated the General program items in collaboration with youth members Naina Acharya and Divya Bhatnagar and choreographers — Richa Gupta, Sridevi Jagannath, Sangeeta Nayak, Aruna Bhatnagar, Padma Rao, Veena Birajdar, Vinita Kochar, Vandana Ranjan, and Smirithi Selvraj. January 2017

• Finest Indian & Pakistani Groceries • Fresh Vegetables • Frozen Foods & Ice Cream • Fresh Sweets & Snacks • Stainless Steel Utensils • Clean & Organized

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 10 AM - 8:30 PM

704.540.2013 www.patelbros.com Accepting eBT Cards

10701 CENTRUM PARKWAY, PINEVILLE, NC 28134 ACROSS FROM CAROLINA PLACE MALL (Next to Wells Fargo Bank, Across From Best Buy)

“Celebrating Our Food... Our Culture”

danced their way to school. Except for some of the children who always teased her, time at school was Ajina’s favorite time of the day. She loved the teachers and learning about diﬀerent things. The teachers loved her too. They always told ajji how quickly she learns everything. The bell rang for lunch break. Ajina and Kiran quickly picked up their books and joined others for lunch. She knows quicker she can ﬁnish eating there will be more play time!

Unmoving Darkness continued from page 78

mouth of these animals? But what else can I do? Who will look after her after I close my eyes?” She sighs again, wipes her tears and gets up slowly moving toward the half decayed door. Not much of a door for not much of a house. What is there to take! Her thoughts travel back to the past again. What once was, but was it worth it! At what price! She sighed. But still - when this body was young and beautiful… After the landlord there were others who gave her clothes and jewelry and a roof over her head… Durgamma wonders while doing her daily morning chores… Her own daughter Roopa. Tears roll down her cheeks again… Things are so different now from before. She wipes her tears with the corner of the saree. What else could she have done? This world has become so cruel. They said, “Roopa will have a good future.” She will make so much money if Durgamma only lets them take her to the city. The man who paid for Roopa’s first night was very cruel. After a year he sold her to a brothel in Mumbai for five thousand rupees. He gave Durgamma two thousand rupees and said, “Your money problem is solved Durgamma! Roopa will send you money every month! You will be a rich woman.” She trusted that man! Her neighbor Santhi said, “Do not worry Durgamma, they will take good care of her. She will make lots of money, have lots of jewelry and send you money every month. Didn’t you see Janki’s daughter?” Little bit of money came at the beginning, but hardly much after that. Before the year was out Janki told her she heard that Roopa is pregnant. In a few months the brothel sent her home. Roopa looked tired and thin but she will not say anything. She gave birth to Ajina at fourteen. Roopa went back to the brothel within two months promising to send money for Ajina. Since then Ajina is with Durgamma. The little bit of money, which Roopa left with her lasted only for a few months. Every morning after that Durgamma had to go down to the temple with Ajina to beg. Next year Roopa got pregnant again but the brothel madam got rid of it at an early stage. Roopa looking even thinner came home for a week to recover. Soon after that the news came that Roopa is often getting sick with chills and fever. The villagers started to talk. The hospital said she has HIV/AIDS. After the signs became too obvious the brothel sent her back to the village. It was not long after that … Durgamma wiped her eyes and started to sweep the small front part of the house even more vigorously raising a small dust storm of dry earth in front of her. The choking dust brought her back to present time. The ground is cracking again in the terrible heat. Only last week she mended the earthen floor.

As usual, some children started to tease her, but it was different from other days! Today they didn’t tease her about her father’s name. Today is different. ‘Ajina will be a Devadasi … Ajina will be a Devadasi, Ajina will be a Devadasi,’ they begin circling around her and singing in unison. Ajina suddenly finds herself in the middle of a big group of children. Where is Kiran? She cannot see Kiran’s face anywhere among the faces around her. The children surround her completely and begin shouting even louder. Some started touching, pushing and tapping her head. Nooooh…! I am not a devdasi. I am Ajinaaaaaah! Ajina tries to fight back, loses her balance and falls. The children laugh even harder and throw dust at her. Ajina’s knees hit the dry coarse ground and start to bleed. The dust goes all over her hair, nose and eyes. She begins to cry. The crowd of children suddenly stops and run away from her. Kiran found Shankar-sir! He picked up a shaking and crying Ajina and brought her inside the school. She continues to sob. Her little mind does not understand why they kept teasing her and calling her a devadasi.

As Durgamma begins to pick the dirt, bit by bit from Ajina’s hair, tears cloud her eyes. A still sobbing Ajina asks her grandmother, “What is a devadasi ajji? Why were they laughing at me?” What can she tell her granddaughter? After what happened to Roopa, can she any longer tell her granddaughter that Yellamma will protect her? The goddess couldn’t even save herself how will she save her worshippers? Lying on her torn mat Durgamma begins contemplating on the big day ahead of her. The scheduled festivity – the arrangements – Ajina’s initiation into the Devadasi system … Can she still go through with it? She touches Ajina’s quiet little body, the rhythmic up and down of her chest with each breadth. Surrounded by darkness Durgamma turns on her back and looks up. She searches for the little hole in the ceiling. There is no ray of light. Only constricted darkness. Still. Unmoving night.

Indrani Nayar-Gall, Indian by birth, is a multidisciplinary artistactivist expanding her artistic vocabulary and practice to include ﬁlm and media arts. Her work is committed to social justice and aligns with broader social movements aimed at overcoming all social and religious barriers to equality and empowerment of women, using narratives of young girls and women of marginalized communities. She lives and works in Charlotte.

Ajina opened her eyes and lay motionless. But not for long. A sharp pang of hunger struck her little body. But this is nothing new. Ajina has learned to sleep with an empty stomach. She slowly says, “Ajji (grandmother), I am hungry.” Hard morning light is pouring through the only window in the room and the hole in the ceiling. Ajina gets up, comes outside with a little aluminum mug of water to wash her face and clean her mouth, just as ajji taught her. Durgamma brings a piece of roti with a small piece of jaggery (raw cane sugar) and little bit of goat milk in a cup. Ajina bathes and puts on her school uniform with ajji’s help. This is the happiest time of the day for her. She waited for her friend Kiran. As she heard Kiran’s voice she dashed out of the room to join her. She took Kiran’s hand with a big smile and both Saathee.com

The devadasi system is an illegal practice of religious servitude that persists in northern Karnataka and around the MaharastraKarnataka borders. Young girls of poor Dalit communities are still being sold into prostitution in the name of religion. NayarGall has launched a project creating opportunity for individuals to learn about this issue and be part of a positive change. To learn more go to https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/ﬁscal/proﬁle?id=14312

January 2017

Give the gift of ﬁnancial protection. We can help you develop a ﬁnancial protection strategy that helps you protect what matter most to you.

Karamjit Kaur Financial Services Professional Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC,Member FINRA/SIPC, a licensed Insurance Company.

Licensed Insurance Agent Charlotte General Ofﬁce kkaur03@ft.newyorklife.com Cell : 704-451-5605 Work : 704-371-8500 716-381-0003

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Charlotte

Carolina Khadayata Samaj All Khadayata families of NC and SC are welcome to be part of the Carolina Khadayata Samaj. For Further Details: carolinakhadayatasamaj@yahoo.com Jaswant Mehta - 704.839.1965 Rita Shah - 704.321.0740

Agaram tamil Palli Agaram Tamil Palli serves the Tamil speaking community in Greater Charlotte area by conducting Tamil language classes at CPCC, central campus. For Further Details: Megalai Ezhilarasan agaramtp.coord@gmail.com 704.456.9881 http://agaramtamilpalli.wordpress.com

Carolinas Christian Assembly CCA is located on 12601 Idlewild Road in the city of Matthews, oﬀers worship, fellowship and community assistance to all South Asians living in the Charlotte area. Pastor, Dr. Shibu Cherian, oﬀers counseling services to married couples and is a licensed premarital counselor. For Further Details: 404-840-6745 (Mobile) www.carolinaschristianassembly.org

Art of living (Charlotte) Art of Living is dedicated to serving society by strengthening the individual. This is done through self-development programs that recharge the body, mind and spirit and allow people to function at their optimum potential. People from all backgrounds, religions and cultural traditions come together in service and celebration. For Further Details: 980.216.8732 charlotte@us.artoﬂiving.org www.artoﬂiving.org/charlotte

Charlotte Gita Study Group Beginners and advanced students of the Gita are welcome. The group meets the second and fourth Sunday of each month from 3 - 5pm. This course is based on the Home Study Course of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Saylorsburg, PA. Each session starts with meditation followed by a recorded lecture in English and discussion among the group. For Further Details: Rishi and Shikha Bhatnagar - rishi@solveron.com - 513.518.5300 Shridhar and Kruti Dave - skdave@hotmail.com - 704.844.9567 www.freewebs.com/gitastudy

Association for India’s Development (Charlotte) A volunteer movement committed to promoting sustainable, equitable and just development. AID Charlotte supports grassroots organizations in India and initiates eﬀorts in various interconnected spheres such as education, livelihoods, natural resources, health, women’s empowerment and social justice. For Further Details: Kiran Uppalapati - 704.307.6450 Venkata Ramana Duddu - 662.231.2350

Charlotte Malayalee Association The association promotes and facilitates the cultural, educational, social and economic welfare of the Charlotte Malayalee community. For Further Details: cltma@cltma.org 704.517.5850 / www.cltma.org

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Charlotte) A spiritual, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selﬂess service. Activities include: Daily Arti - 6:30 am & 6:30 pm; Weekly Satsang Sabha held every Sunday which includes Bhajans and spiritual discourses: Adults: 4pm, Young Men (Ages 23-36) - 3pm, Young Women (Ages 23-36) - 4pm, Teens - 4:30pm, and Children - 5pm. The Temple is located at 4100 Margaret Wallace Rd, Matthews, NC, 28105. For Further Details: 704.573.0805 www.baps.org

Charlotte Marathi Mandal The Charlotte Marathi Mandal adds to the vibrancy of Charlotte with various events including the Ganapati Festival which are designed to keep the cultural values and traditions alive. The community is encouraged to participate, socialize and have fun. For Further Details: www.saathee.com/charlotte-marathi-mandal

Bethel Christian Fellowship BCF was founded with a singular vision / mission to “Raise Up The Next Generation For Jesus Christ”. The Fellowship oﬀers services in various Indian languages (i.e. Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, etc.) with a Sunday School from 9 - 9:55 am and Sunday Worship from 10 - 11:45 am. The Fellowship is located at 7604 New Town Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173 For Further Details: 803.792.7223 Pastor Rajan Samuel - pastorofbcf@gmail.com www.bethelchristianfellowship.org Saathee.com

Charlotte Sahaj Marg Center Sahaj Marg which means Simple or Natural path, is a Raja Yoga system of spiritual training based on the heart centered meditation. The features of this meditation include transmission of divine energy into the heart of the practitioner and cleaning of deep impressions, thereby regulating the mind. Regular practice of this system of meditation integrates the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of human being, while still encouraging people to maintain a normal family and working life. A group meditation is held at the Unity of Charlotte on Wednesdays and also the group meets for breakfast at Panera Bread near Whitehall most Sundays. For Further Details: Srikanth Katakam - 704.496.4411 www.sahajmarg.org www.meetup.com/Balanced-Life-Meditation/ January 2017

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Charlotte telangana Association This association was formed to promote Telangana cultural activities within greater Charlotte area. It brings together all the Telangana people living in the area to discuss, plan, and take action around the development of Telangana focusing both on rural and urban areas. For Further Details: President: Devender Reddy Gudepu - 702.510.8355 charlottetelanganaassociation@gmail.com www.charlottetelangana.com

admin@hcclt.org www.hcclt.org

India Association of Charlotte The organization works to foster better understanding of the rich diversity of Indian culture by the larger community in and around Charlotte. The annual Festival of India is held every September in downtown Charlotte. For Further Details: Toni Sawhney - 704.604.2133 Lal Vishin - 704.545.3727 www.indiafestival.net

Charlotte Vipassana Meditation Group Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation. It was taught in India more than 2500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills. The Charlotte Vipassana Meditation Group holds weekly group sits and monthly all day sits for established students (those who have taken at least one ten-day course from S. N. Goenka or one of his assistant teachers). Ten-day courses are also available for all students. Never a charge for a course. For Further Details: 704.277.5013 - rbddesai@gmail.com 704.807.3933 - madhaviparikh@yahoo.com www.dhamma.org

Indian American Muslim Council (IMAC) of Charlotte IAMC is committed to promoting peace, pluralism and social justice for all through advocacy. The organization is also committed to promote and protect human rights and human dignity in India as they are the foundation of freedom and justice. IAMC-Charlotte seeks to reach out to Indian Muslims living in and around Charlotte to strive for Inter-Faith, InterCommunity understanding with particular focus on Indian Diaspora. For Further Details: Ashfaq Mehdi - 704.904.5778 Afzal Syed - 704.770.1103 iamc-charlotte@yahoogroups.com

Classical Music Association of Charlotte (CMAC) CMAC sponsors many classical concerts during the year in Charlotte. Membership forms are available at shows. For Further Details: Lakshmi & Muthukrishnan - 704.814.9355 Jayashree & Panduranga - 704.442.1186 memberservices@onlinecmac.org www.onlinecmac.org

Indian Performing Arts Association of Charlotte (IPAAC) IPAAC promotes classical Hindustani music by inviting wellknown artists from India and oﬀers music classes at various locations in Charlotte. For Further Details: Jyoti Kulkarni: 704-804-1275 Chaula Jain: 704-248-1515 contact@ipaac.org www.ipaac.org

Gurdwara Sahib (Charlotte) The Gurdwara works to enrich the lives of the Sikh & Punjabi communities of Charlotte and surrounding areas. Regular Program: Every Sunday: 10 - 11am, Asa Di War by Bhai Satnam Singh Jee, 11am - 12pm, Keertan by Children, 12 - 1:15pm, Keertan by Bhai Satnam Singh Jee, 1:15 - 1:30pm, Ardaas, followed by Guru Ka Langar. Located at 1760 Stoney Creek Lane, Charlotte, NC 28262. For Further Details: www.charlottegurdwara.org

Jain Center of Greater Charlotte (JCGC) The JCGC serves the spiritual, cultural, social, and community needs of Jain families in and around metropolitan Charlotte area. JCGC is a non-proﬁt organization dedicated to the practice, understanding, promotion, and preservation of the Jain faith. The members of JCGC meet regularly for worship, ceremonies, and festivals throughout the year. Upcoming events: -Jan 8, 2017 (Agiyaras): Paathshala for children @ 10:30 AM -Jan 11, 2017 (Chaudash): Pakkhi Pratikraman @ 6:30 PM -Jan 22, 2017 (Dasam): Meeting & Paathshala @ 2 PM -Jan 26, 2017 (Chaudash): Pakkhi Pratikraman @ 6:30 PM -Jan 28, 2017 (Ekam): Snatra Puja @ 10 AM All Other Weekdays: 9:30am Prakshal and Puja and 7:30pm Aarti and Mangal Divo; Weekends: 10:30am - Prakshal and Puja and 7:30pm - Aarti and Mangal Divo For Further Details: JJCGC President – Vipul Shah: 704.705.0314 or info@jaincetnerus.org; www.jaincenterus.org 7631 Mallard Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28262

Hindu Center of Charlotte The Hindu Center of Charlotte holds many regular events and religious ceremonies. The temple library is stocked with books, CDs, DVDs and other materials on varied genres such as religion, culture, history, philosophy, yoga and health. The temple is located at 7400 City View Dr, Charlotte, NC 28212. Upcoming Events: Sat, Jan 14: Makar Sankranti / Pongal Sat, Jan 28: India Republic Day Celebrations Fri, Feb 24: Maha Shivratri Sun, Mar 12: Holika Dahan Sun, Mar 19: Dhuleti Mar 28 - Apr 4: Chaitra Navratri Tues, Mar 28: Ugadi/Gudi Padava/Baisakhi For Further Details: 704.535.3440 / 704.607.8412 (facility manager) Saathee.com

Jet USA (Charlotte) Jeeyar Educational Trust (JET) Charlotte chapter is a non-proﬁt 90

January 2017

IMMIGRATION ATTORNeY LAW OFFICeS OF DAVID A. CONCHA

725 East Trade St., Suite 215 (Court Arcade Building)

Charlotte, NC 28202 Tel: 704-525-8824 Fax: 704-525-8820

IMMIGRATION SeRVICeS: -Residency (green cards) -Citizenship

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

- Removal & Deportation Defense

-General Immigration Matters

We can also serve your needs in the following areas:

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

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

Member American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Complete Dental Care

in a caring and comfortable setting

Dr. Lina V. Mistry, DDS

Since graduating from New York University Dental School in 1999, Dr. Mistry has been providing comprehensive general family and cosmetic dental care to greater Charlotte and the Carolinas. Saathee.com

Consultations provided in English, Gujarati or Hindi. FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTAL SERVICES

10410 Park Rd. Ste 500, Charlotte, NC, 28210

704.543.4200 | 704.543.4205 www.pinevilledentistry.com

January 2017

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

running under the guidance of Sri Jeeyar Swamiji. For Further Details: chinnajeeyar.org/jet_usa/localchapters/charlotte/ jetnc@jetusa.org 704.847.1574 / 248.495.4590 www.Facebook.com/JETUSA.Charlotte

oneself to remain in present. Currently meditation session is conducted weekly or biweekly at 5935 Hickory Grove Rd, Charlotte, NC. Timings ﬂuctuate. For Further Details: www.meetup.com/SYCharoletteNC/

Sangamithra Foundation Sangamithra Foundation is a Charlotte based charity organization formed by a group of people who strive to make a diﬀerence in society. The team has taken the path of identifying the needs of underprivileged communities in India and provides support to meet those needs. Sangamithra is reaching out on a global scale and working collectively towards realizing its vision. For Further Details: info@sangamithra.org www.sangamithra.org www.facebook.com/SangamithraFoundation

Kriya Yoga (Charlotte) The group promotes Kriya Yoga Meditation as taught by the lineage of realized masters such as Mahaavatar Baba Ji, Lahri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteshwar Giri, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Hariharananda, and Prajanananada. A sincere seeker who follows the path of Kriya Yoga with love and devotion and a desire for spiritual growth can attain Self-realization. The center hosts two annual initiation programs and a weekly Sunday meditation for initiates. For Further Details: Adesh Gupta - info@charlotte.kriya.org - 704.814.7476 www.kriya.org

Shanti Niketan Senior Center of Carolinas The Shanti Niketan Senior Center of Carolinas, also known as the Universal Institute for Successful Aging in the Carolinas (UISAC) is a nonproﬁt organization that values diversity, holistic health, peaceful living, equal opportunity, civic and community engagement, especially for under-served populations including Refugees, Immigrants, and Minorities (RIM). We developed around 2006 out of the growing needs within the Charlotte Metro area to support a rapidly diversifying population. They understand that a vibrant diverse population adds to the overall strength and wellbeing of the whole community. It is located at the Midwood International & Cultural Center, 1817 Central Ave., Room 208, Charlotte, NC 28205 For More Details: http://uisac.org/

Net IP Charlotte NetIP Charlotte is the only oﬃcial Carolinas chapter of North America’s Largest Network of Indian Professionals. NetIP Charlotte provides a forum for on-going Career Developmental and Professional Networking activities. It also arranges various events and maintains deeper ties with Businesses & the Community. For Further Details: www.netIPnc.org

Pratham - Charlotte Pratham organizes grassroots programs in the area of primary education. Pratham has made an impact on the learning levels of several million children through its Read India campaign. It has developed an accelerated learning technique which helps children to read and write in two months. With nearly half the children in India who attend schools are not learning to read and write at the required level, Pratham is trying to ﬁll an important gap in the area of primary education. For Further Details: Anju Desai - ajdesai66@gmail.com - 980.622.0125 Shubhra Chakraborty - shubhra.chakraborty1@gmail.com 704.942.4798 www.prathamusa.org

Shri Rang Avadhut Parivar (Parspar Devo Bhav) Devotees of Guru Dattatraya Rang Avadhut and Shri Prem Avadhut meet on Thursdays from 6-8pm in Charlotte for recital of “Datta-Bavani”, singing devotional Dattatraya Bhajans and reading “Guru-Lilamrut”. Detailed information about Charlotte meetings, Literature, Videos, as well as biographies of Nareshwar Ashram and Shri Avadhut’s lives are available. For Further Details: Bharat Shah - 704.724.6247 Nagesh Patel - 704.399.7805

Probasi of Charlotte Probasi’s goal is to organize cultural and educational program related to Bengal in the Charlotte area, to increase Bengali cultural awareness, and to provide community service in the metro area. For Further Details: Swapan Nandi - 704.708.5993 Anindita Paul Bhunia - 704.360.2326 welcome@probasi.org www.probasi.org

Shri Swaminarayan Satsang Mandal Vadtal On the 1st Saturday of every month, Shri Swaminarayan Satsang Mandal Vadtal has kirtans and bhajans at the Hindu Center of Charlotte at 5pm. After the bhajans, there is Aarti and Mahaprasad. In addition, on the 3rd Sunday of every month, an additional Satsang Sabha is held at a diﬀerent sponsor’s house from 3 - 5pm. For Further Details: Ramesh Dhanani - 704.392.4488 admin@issvcharlotte.org issvcharlotte.org

Sahaja Yoga Meditation Sahaja Yoga Meditation classes are free to attend and meant for all age groups who desire to ﬁnd his or her true self, which is full of peace, joy of life and love for others. Sahaja Yoga was founded and developed by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi since 1970 and teaches very simple techniques of meditation which helps Saathee.com

Sindhi Association of the Carolinas The Sindhi Association of the Carolinas (SAC) organizes religious, cultural, community, and social events in Charlotte. 92

January 2017

Neeta’s Beauty Parlor

Second Location Now Open in North Charlotte / University area

Accounting, Payroll & Taxes

Call For Appointment

• Federal, State Income Taxes

Open 7 Days A Week By Appointment

• IRS back taxes

• ITIN Applications

704.968.0270

• IRS Audit Representation

Near Hindu Center (Charlotte, NC) • Bleaching • Threading • Waxing • Massage • Facials

• Business Accounting and Book Keeping

• Mehndi • Hot Oil treatment for Hair • Hair coloring • Manicure & Pedicure • Hair Cuts

• Paroll Services

• New Business Set-Up

We can come to your location Call for details.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Certified Commercial Institute Member - CCIM • Hotel / Motel / Gas Station • Lease Negotiation • Retail Space Leasing • Ofﬁce Space Leasing • Shopping Center Investment • Brand new Gas Station Consulting • Long term Real Estate Investment • Residential Real Estate Investment • Fuel supply agreement negotiations • EB5 Consulting / Invest & get Green Card

KIRAN PATEL

704-293-1105

www.KiranBroker.com / Info@KiranBroker.com

Saathee.com

January 2017

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

SAC also sends donations for the needy to the schools in India for Scholarships and for camp refugees in India. For Further Details: sindhiassociationcarolinas@gmail.com 704.779.2396

2nd Sunday of each month from 4 - 6pm. A VYO Youth (ages 6-14) educational Meet is also scheduled on the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month. The Shrinath Dham Haveli is located at 1006 Vickie Lane, Matthews, NC 28104. For Further Details: Bhupinbhai Shah - 704.224.6500 Prathmesh Shah - 704.763.3059 Mitesh Gandhi - 704.236.4004 vsccarolinas@gmail.com

South Park Cricket Club (SPCC) The South Park Cricket Club is a group of gentlemen who play competitive cricket for fun. SPCC is based in Charlotte and has been a part of the Carolina Cricket League since 2010. The Club practices every Wednesday at 5:30pm at Kilborne District Park in Charlotte. For Further Details: anishtr@hotmail.com www.southparkcc.org

Vibha Charlotte Vibha Charlotte is volunteer driven organization dedicated to create a brighter future for underprivileged children. Charlotte Action Center has a group of energetic and enthusiastic volunteers from varied backgrounds. This group came together through a strong belief in Vibha’s mission and resolved to create a positive societal impact in India. The group works to organize social events that spread awareness and raise funds to further the organization’s mission. For Further Details: Volunteers@charlotte.vibha.org sites.vibha.org/Charlotte

Srishti of Charlotte Srishti works to fulﬁll the NC community’s need for togetherness and the desire to showcase Bengali culture, heritage, literature, theatre, music and popular arts. Literally, the word Srishti means an act of creation. Though established and coordinated by a group of Bengali families, Srishti welcomes and brings together people of varied cultures, ethnicity, languages, backgrounds and nationalities who are interested in East Indian traditions. For Further Details: Santanu & Bhabani Sarkar - santanu_kumar@yahoo.com committee@srishticharlotte.org www.srishticharlotte.org

Greensboro

Art of living (Greensboro) The Art of Living Foundation offers programs to uncover the strength, peace, and joy that lie at the core of every human being. Part I courses are offered regularly in Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Greensboro which cover breathing techniques to eliminate stress & tension; skills for improving relationships at home and at work; practical wisdom to get the most out of life; insight into the laws that govern the mind & emotions; lowimpact yoga and the breathing-based technique called Sudarshan Kriya, or the healing breath. For Further Details: Sonal Chhawchharia - sonal.chhawchharia@gmail.com Puja Verma - puja_usa@yahoo.com http://us.artofliving.org/greensboro

telugu Association of Greater Charlotte Area (tAGCA) The Telugu Association of Greater Charlotte Area (TAGCA) was formed in 2006 with an intention of preserving and promoting the Telugu cultural heritage and traditions among the Telugu speaking people residing in Greater Charlotte area of the United States. The association organizes social and cultural events and festivals that reﬂect the Telugu people culture from India. For Further Details: pr@tagca.org www.tagca.org

BAPS Greensboro BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir of Greensboro features activities which include Sunday Sabhas: Shishu (Toddlers) sabha: 4 - 5pm; Bal/Balika sabha: 4:15 - 5:30pm; Kishore sabha: 2 - 3:30pm; Main sabha: 4 - 6pm; Gujarati classes: 2:30 - 3:45pm and Arti at 6pm followed by Mahaprasad. Fresh Shayona snacks available on Sundays. Located at 922 Gallimore Dairy Road, High Point, NC. For Further Details: bapsgreensboro@gmail.com

trimurti temple Devasthanam Trimurti Temple Devasthanam’s mission is to build a temple in traditional Indian architectural style according to the Agama Sasthrasis. The temple grounds oﬀer many areas to explore including 14 sanathis with traditional Mandabams for various Hindu deities. Open daily with a Morning Puja at 10am and Evening Puja at 7pm. Sunday Abhisekhams at 11am as well as other special pujas. The temple is located at 6519 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC, 28216. For Further Details: 980.219.7556 contact@trimurtitemple.org www.trimurtitemple.org

Greensboro Cricket Club (GCC) There are several teams that play cricket in Greensboro, NC. The goals of GCC are fun, ﬁtness, and friendship. For Further Details: Venky - venkyhot@hotmail.com

Vallabh Pushti Samaj of Carolinas (VPSC) VPSC’s objective is to ﬁll devotional need for hundreds of Vaishnavs in Carolinas to worship and pray together, perform seva and rituals, to observe and celebrate festivals, and to perform and engage in humanitarian and educational activities. Regular Paath and Bhajan recitations are held on the Saathee.com

Gujarati Cultural Association of Piedmont (GCAP) The Gujarati Cultural Association of Piedmont serves the Asian Indian community through sponsored events, cultural, educational and social programs. Located at 127 Landmark Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410 January 2017

Special Offer for New Patients

$ $ $ $

Call For Details

45 99

mo.

704-536-0269

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

For Further Details on GCAP contact the following: Jack Dhekar - 336.254.1727 Manubhai Patel - 336.253.7182 www.gcap.us

Prabhupada Village Prabhupada Village is a rural Hare Krishna community situated in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Puja/Worship of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai/Sri Pancha Tattva starts at 5:00am every day. Every Sunday at 3pm there is chanting, dancing, feasting and philosophy. The temple is located at 1283 Prabhupada Rd, Sandy Ridge, NC 27046. For Further Details: 336.593.2322 / 336.793.7138 prabhupadavillage@gmail.com / sarvadrik@gmail.com www.prabhupadavillage.com

India Association of the triad (IAtNC) The objective of the Association is to promote social, cultural and educational interests of its members, develop understanding between members of the Indian community and other residents of the Triad area, and make the latter aware of issues of concern to the Indian community. For Further Details: committee@iatnc.org www.iatnc.org

Quan Am Buddhist temple All interested in Buddhism are welcome. The temple is located at 1410 Glendale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27407 For Further Details: www.ChuaQuanAm.com

Indian Association of the Carolinas (IAC) The mission of the IAC is to promote the Indian culture by hosting community events such local picnics, Diwali and Garba and similar celebration and sports events. Their Center is located in Winston-Salem. For Further Details: Gopal - 336-509-5943 Hasmukh - 336-971-5594 (Membership Help) indianac14@gmail.com www.indianac.org

Sri Mata Shakthipeetham of NC The mission of Sri Mata Shakthipeetham is to provide a place of worship for Hindus in Triad Area according to Agama Sastras (in a traditional way) in all religious, charitable and educational dimensions and perform and uphold Hindu religious activities as deﬁned in Vedas. The Temple is located near Winston-Salem, NC. For Further Details: smsofnc@gmail.com www.aumsrimata.org

Indo-American Society of NC (IASNC) The objectives of IASNC are to support the Indian, South Asian and American community residing in Greensboro, NC and vicinity and other individuals interested in learning the culture, traditions, and arts of India. Speciﬁcally, IASNC promotes Indo-American cultural, arts and sports events and also school based volunteering activities. For Further Details: Krishna Balu - 336.292.9462 - balu4428@inﬁonline.net www.iasofnc.org

Sri Sathya Sai Baba Center (Greensboro) The Sri Sathya Sai Baba Center regularly conducts Sai Bhajans, Study Circles, various service activities and SSE classes (for students) every Sunday from 9:45am - 12:15pm. For Further Details: Swami Rajendran - 908.875.6964 Dr. Varatharajah - 336.851.9150 www.sathyasaicentergso.org

Indo-US Cultural Association of Winston-Salem The Indo-US Cultural Association’s primary mission is to increase awareness of the cultural heritage of India which is tremendously rich in its diversity and history. The Association seeks to reach out to the thriving Indian-American community within the Piedmont and Triad areas to share the vibrant Indian culture and promote cross-cultural understanding. For Further Details: Manish Kumar, 336.565.6427 kumar.manish1983@gmail.com www.indouswinston.org

Winston-Greensboro Cricket Club (WGCC) Everyone from Triad Area in North Carolina, from the cities of Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem and all nearby locations are welcome to come and join the club. The goals of the WGCC are fun, ﬁtness, and friendship. WGCC is also a member of the Carolina Cricket League. Practice Sessions during the regular season are held every Wednesday at 5:30pm in Weston Park, Winston-Salem. For Further Details: www.wgcricketclub.com

Raleigh

life Mission, USA This ashram has been established to provide helpful beneﬁts for all - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. All these beneﬁts can be achieved through the natural remedies of yoga therapy, Ayurveda, naturopathy and diet. The ashram is located at 8136 NC Highway 119, South Mebane, NC 27302. For Further Details: 336.421.0690 Dr. Manoj - 848.459.7401 lifemissionusa@gmail.com www.lifemissionusa.org Saathee.com

Art of living (Raleigh) Art of Living gives practical knowledge and techniques to unlock deepest potential and bring fullness to life. The techniques are eﬀective in reducing stress levels and increase health, physical energy, enthusiasm, self-esteem, awareness, and clarity of mind. Advance courses are also available once every few months. Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravishankar’s mission is to create a violence free, stress free society and One World Family. The Center is located at 4000 Bear Cat Way, Suite 102, Morrisville, NC 27560. January 2017

Anklets

*Expires: 2.02.2017

Necklaces

Bangles

Bracelets

Earrings

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

For Further Details on Art of Living Raleigh: 919.659.5939 rdu@us.artoﬂiving.org takeabreathraleigh.org www.artoﬂiving.org/us-en/raleigh

(Yuvakendra) and children (Bala Vihar). For Further Details: www.chinmaya-RDU.org

Dada Bhagwan Foundation (Raleigh) The Dada Bhagwan Foundation was formed with the goal of spreading peace and harmony to the world through the science of Akram Vignan - the science of Self Realization as expounded by the Shree A.M. Patel, known as Dadashri or Dada Bhagwan. DBF organizes Spiritual Satsangs /Gnanvidhi (2-hour scientiﬁc process of self-realization) of Pujya Deepakbhai around the world. There are no formal lectures, but instead in the format of questions and answers on various topics. Local Satsangs are held Every Sunday 5-7 pm followed by Prasad at Country Inn & Suites, 201 Airgate Dr, Morrisville, NC. For Further Details: 877.505.3232 x 1003 Mayank Trivedi - 919.740.6198 - trivedimp@gmail.com Babubhai Patel - 919.521.3105 Rahul Bhatt - Rahul.bhatt@us.dadabhagwan.org raleigh@us.dadabhagwan.org www.dadabhagwan.org

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Raleigh) BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir of Raleigh invites everyone to the regularly scheduled events: Ravi sabha - every Sunday at 4 - 6pm followed by Aarti and Maha Prasad. Mahapuja conducted every Purnima at 7pm. Many classes are conducted. Fresh Indian snacks and sweets available at Shayona. Located at 1020 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560. For Further Details: 919.469.6605 www.swaminarayan.org http://www.baps.org/Global-Network/North-America/Raleigh

Bengali Association of North Carolina (BANC) The Bengali Association of North Carolina (BANC) seeks to promote Bengali culture, language, music, arts and social activities by oﬀering varieties of programs for members of INDO-American community within North Carolina and adjacent states. The association is organized exclusively for charitable, cultural, social and educational purposes. For Further Details: exec@banc-online.org www.banc-online.org

Datta Yoga Center (Raleigh) Mission: Spread the teachings of Sadguru Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji of Mysore. Activities: Namasankeertana - Bhajans written, composed and sung by Pujya Sri Swamiji. Kriya yoga classes conducted by Pujya Sri Swamiji-trained teachers from India. The group meets on the ﬁrst Saturday of every month and every major festival day for Satsang and Namasankeertana (divine singing). For Further Details: Srinivas & Anita Chittineni - srinivasrc@yahoo.com 919.484.1993 Suresh Kota - info@dycusa.org - 919.461.0843 www.dycusa.org

Bhartiya Senior Citizens of NC (BSCNC) BSCNC is an organization for senior citizen of Indian origin that are age 60 years and over. BSCNC members meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month at the Cary senior center in Bond park in Cary, NC from 10 am to 3 pm. The next meeting will be on January 14, 2017. Where the members will listen Satya Narayan Katha and renew membership. For Further Details: Bharati Patel (President) - 252.236.4391 Yogeshbhai Gandhi (Vice-President) - 910.391.1809

Duke Diya Diya is a Duke University student organization that committed to providing a forum for interaction through events relating to South Asian Americans and anyone interested in South Asian culture, politics or economics. Duke Diya represents the six major nations of South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Social events like club mixers and semiformals, especially with other Duke cultural groups and South Asian organizations at UNC and NC State, are also an extremely enjoyable aspect of life with Diya. For Further Details: diya.duke@gmail.com www.dukediya.com

Carolina Rajasthani Association (CRA) The Carolina Rajasthani Association’s mission is to preserve and promote Rajasthani culture, values, heritage and traditions. CRA’s purpose is to preserve and promote the Rajasthani culture and heritage and promote their rich culture by celebrating traditional festivals. For Further Details: carolinarajasthanis@gmail.com carolinarajasthanis.org

eKtAA Student organization (NCSU) EKTAA (meaning unity) is the South Asian Student Organization at North Carolina State University (NCSU). The organization was founded in 1970. The motto is “unity within diversity.” EKTAA strives to spread culture and heritage of South Asia all over the campus as well as the local community and the organization works hand-in-hand with many organizations on and oﬀ the NCSU campus, as well as South Asian organizations from area universities. For Further Details: ektaaexec@ektaa.org / www.ektaa.org

Chinmaya Mission Raleigh-Durham (CM RDU) Chinmaya Mission was founded by Swami Chinmayananda. Not satisﬁed with degrees in literature and law or with other worldly aspirations, he pursued the spiritual path in the Himalayas under the guidance of Swami Shivananda and Swami Tapovanam. The mission is dedicated to spreading the knowledge of Vedanta and other Hindu scriptures and to provide to individuals, from any background, the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness. CM RDU conducts weekly discourses (Satsanga-s) and study groups for adults, and classes for youth Saathee.com

January 2017

CARolINA WeDDING Belle PREMIER EVENT DESIGN & DÃ©COR

MANDAPS & STAGING. AISLE DESIGN. FLOWERS. SPECIALTY LINENS & DRAPING. DOLIS. LIGHTING & MORE!

Photo By All Bliss Photography

Free Reception Package with Ceremony Booking! Rahma Zaghari 704.941.9467 Humam Bianouni 704.807.4638

Valid until Dec 31, 2016. Call for details.

2310 South Miami Blvd., Ste 236 Durham, NC 27703 919.225.3963 | www.rbrownllc.com

info@CarolinaWeddingBelle.com

www.CarolinaWeddingBelle.com Specializing in South Asian Weddings! We Travel Nationwide!

North Carolina

New York

Charlotte Morrisville

Jackson Heights, Hicksville, Flushing

New Jersey

Georgia

Jersey City, Iselin, Cherryhill

Atlanta

Open 7 Days a Week! Rajbhog Cafe of Morrisville

Rajbhog of Charlotte, NC

3607 Davis Drive, Suite 111 Morrisville, NC 27560 Tel: 919.585.5333 Fax: 866.509.1536 morrisville@rajbhog.com

Pinnacle Point 9539 Pinnacle Drive #100 Charlotte, NC 28262 (3 Miles from Ikea) Tel: 704.909.7783 Fax: 704.248.7705 charlotte@rajbhog.com

GIFT IDEAS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE WEB: WWW.RAJBHOG.COM

Saathee.com

January 2017

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Geet Bazaar Radio (NCSU) Every Sunday morning from 10am - 12pm on WKNC 88.1 FM, join hosts Afroz Taj and John Caldwell, for a wide variety of music from South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and beyond. They specialize in the music of the Indian ﬁlm industry, with lots of ghazals, qawwalis, bhajans, and Indi-Pop to round out the mix. Geet Bazaar will also publicize community events free of charge. For Further Details: Dr. Afroz Taj & John Caldwell - 919.851.1119 geetbazaar@wknc.org

GeM Raleigh Church of God Come and join in every Sunday from 10:45am to 1pm. They have worship services, prayer meetings, Sunday school, and much more. The church is located at 3331 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27612 For Further Details: Pastor Thankachan Mathai - 919.395.6208 globalem@gmail.com

Gokul Bhajan & Vedic Studies (Raleigh) Weekly satsang of parents and children singing bhajans and glorifying past times of Lord Krishna. Satsang every Friday 7pm - 9pm at the HSNC in Morrisville, NC with a dinner afterwards. Gokulam Learning Center in Durham every 1st & 3rd Saturday from 5pm - 9pm with a dinner afterwards. Children learn slokas, learn presentation skills, manage and lead various projects such as book distribution, charity for cow protection, food for poor, and prison seva. For Further Details: bkdasa@gmail.com 919.491.9536 www.gokulbhajan.com

Gurdwara Atlantic Coast Sikh Association One of the oldest Sikh associations in the Southeastern US. The association meets every Sunday for Diwans along with Akhand Paths celebrated on appropriate dates. Classes for Punjabi and religious studies are held for children at the same time. Gurdwara located at 3108 Sparger Road, Durham, NC 27705. For Further Details: Bhai Dyal Singh Rangila - 919.309.1045 acsagurdwara.tripod.com

Heritage India Association of NC (HIANC) Heritage India Association of NC aims at providing Indian cultural experience through performing arts, cultural arts, ﬁne arts & crafts of India. Its mission is “to preserve and promote Indian heritage and culture.” During the year, the association presents several events and also coordinates Indian dances for the main stage performances for the annual Raleigh International Festival. For Further Details: yashcgarg@gmail.com

Hindi Naatak Group The Hindi Naatak group is based in Raleigh-Triangle area. Its motto is to promote Indian culture and heritage by utilizing local talent to stage Hindi Plays. So if you have an Actor hidden in you, contact the group. Come explore your dream to act on stage in a professional 2/3 act Hindi play. You must meet following criteria: You are male or female of 20 to 50 years of age. You can read and speak Hindi ﬂuently. You have some experience in working on or oﬀ stage. You can make 3-4 Saathee.com

months of weekend commitment for the project. You live in RTP or surrounding area. We also need a team who can work behind the scenes to manage rehearsals, publicity, sales of tickets, booking venue, and other arrangements. For further details: HindiNaatakNC@gmail.com.

Hindi Vikas Mandal of NC Hindi Vikas Mandal (HVM) based in the Raleigh-Triangle area, promotes study and appreciation of Hindi Language, and strives to foster Indian culture and traditions through Hindi. HVM has special focus on the youth for the preservation of Indian heritage. Every year HVM has been organizing KaviSammelan (Poetry Reading); Independence Day Function with over a dozen other Indian organizations of the RTP area participate in this function where HVM takes the lead; celebrates Dushera Festival and a members’ picnic. HVM also conducts weekly Hindi classes (10:30 - 11:30am on Sundays) at HSNC for children. For Further Details: facebook.com/hindivikasmandal/

Hindu Society of North Carolina The Hindu Society of NC temple is open daily from 7am - 9pm. Morning Aarti: Mon-Fri 10.30am, Sat-Sun 10am. Evening Aarti: Mon-Fri 8pm, Sat-Sun 6pm. There are many other regular events taking place at the temple. All major religious celebrations are observed. Facility rentals are also available. Activities: Yoga, Hinduism and Meditation classes; Weekend Community Classes: Jain pathshala, Hindi classes, Sanskar Gurkul Classes, Tamil classes, Balmukund classes; Youth Aﬀairs: Ohm Squad is the youth wing of HSNC involved in the youth activities like camp, games, craft and arts. Located at 309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC and serves the greater Triangle area. For Further Details: 919.481.2674 (Temple Oﬃce) President: Neeraj Agarwal - 919.484.0489 hsnc@hsnc.org or visitwww.hsnconline.org

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) The HSS conducts activities to develop character and leadership skills in participants, emphasizing values such as self-discipline, self-conﬁdence and a spirit of selﬂess service (seva) for humanity while maintaining Hindu cultural identity in harmony with the larger society. HSS is inspired by the idea that the whole world is one family. HSS has over 100 chapters (shakhas) across the country. Activities are tailored to include yoga, games, songs, lectures and discussions on Hindu dharma and culture. The HSS also has a Balagokulam forum for children (4-15 years age) to discover and manifest the divinity of Lord Krishna’s magical childhood in Gokulam. They will be conducting a Youth Camp for 4 Sundays in July. There are Chapters in Cary, Morrisville & Chapel Hill. One Surya Namaskar consists a set of 10 simple Yoga Asanas. HSS has been organizing campaign in January called “Surya Namaskar Yagna (SNY)” since 2007. Their website www.hssus.org/sny has all resources to practice SN. Local chapters at Charlotte, Raleigh, & Columbia will conduct sessions from Jan 14th to Jan 29th. No donations or fee charged for these sessions: Dasharath Lohar (dplohar@yahoo.com) For Further Details: www.hssus.org or www.balagokulam.org 100

January 2017

CHAMPA PATEL REALTY Helping our community is my

COMMITMENT Let me guide you with NEW and RESALE Homes.

Champa Patel Broker/Realtor

704-562-7710 ohm7710@gmail.com

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Growing!

Dr. William R. Mitchell welcomes Dr. Swetha Gujja to our practice. Board certified in medical oncology, Dr. Swetha offers personalized and comprehensive cancer care, up to date with modern and novel chemotherapy and immunotherapy options . She specializes in treating blood disorders including anemia, disorders of white blood cells, platelets, clotting and bleeding problems.

University Area 10320 Mallard Creek Rd. Ste. 100 Charlotte, NC 28262 704.945.6843

Lake Norman Area 10030 Gilead Road Ste. 290 Huntersville, NC 28078 704.947.5005

Fluent in Hindi and Telugu

Saathee.com

101

www.southernoncologync.com

January 2017

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

HumSub HumSub is dedicated to sharing the social and cultural traditions of India with the residents of the Research Triangle Park and North Carolina. For Further Details: www.humsub.net

Immanuel Assembly of God A full Gospel Christian church serving the Indian / South Asian community in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. Regular service is oﬀered Sundays at 10:30am & Bible Study is Wednesdays at 7pm. The Church is located at 5419 S. Alston Ave, Durham, NC 27713. For Further Details: Pastor Sam Daniel 919.442.8537 thechurch@immanuelassembly.org www.immanuelassembly.org

India Development & Relief Fund (IDRF) The Triangle chapter of IDRF supports volunteer-based, honest and highly experienced non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in India in serving their populations’ critical needs around education, childcare, healthcare, women empowerment and tribal welfare, as well as relief and rehabilitation in times of natural disasters. For Further Details: info@idrf.org www.idrf.org

Indian Christian Prayer Fellowship An Indian Christian Prayer Fellowship based in the RTP area that meets every Friday from 7:30 - 9pm. This group is part of the Carolina Christian Fellowship, so you get to be part of a bigger church community while you also have fellowship with likeminded people with similar culture in a smaller group. Located at the Cary Church of God, 107 Quade Dr., Cary, NC. For Further Details: 919.451.9662 919.929.0706 www.carolinachristian.net

Indian Classical Music & Dance Society (ICMDS) ICMDS is dedicated to promoting Indian classical music and dance in the Triangle area by inviting top artists from all over the world to perform. For Further Details: questions@icmds.org www.icmds.org

Indian talent Discovery Foundation ITDF was established to promote any form of art that has originated in India. The primary objective of the foundation is to encourage local talent to excel in the chosen art to become professionals. The art can be in any form such as Indian Classical and Bollywood dance, Indian music, Astrology, Numerology, Palmistry, traditional medicine, Vaasthu Shasra, and so on. For Further Details: contactus@itdfoundation.org www.itdfoundation.org Saathee.com

Indo-American Friendship Foundation The foundation works to improve Friendship between the People of India and USA through Cultural and Technological Exchanges. The Center is located at 1413 Boxwood Lane, Apex, NC 27502 For Further Details: Dr. Subhas C. Mohapatra - President 919.362.7653 www.iaﬀ1.org

InStepp InStepp’s mission is to create a vibrant community by empowering women who’ve come up against some challenges in their lives to rise above those challenges and succeed personally and professionally through innovative, genderresponsive training, educational and prevention services. InStepp welcomes all women from South Asian cultures and can provide services in many South Asian Languages. For Further Details: 919.680.8000 info@instepp.org www.instepp.org

International Community Church ICC is a worship center for people from India and neighboring countries. Church services at Reedy Creek Baptist Church 1524 N. Harrison Avenue Cary, NC 27513 For Further Details: 919.233.2900 Pastor: Joseph B. Jesudason http://www.icc-nc.org/

International Hindi Association IHA promotes Hindi language and literature and has chapters all over the United States. The Raleigh Chapter periodically organizes Kavi Sammelans with local and indigenous talents. Open to those interested in listening to poetry or in reciting poetry. For Further Details: Saroj Sharma - 919.460.7830 / 919-851-0225 www.hindi.org

ISKCoN New Goloka temple of NC New Goloka temple is a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Visitors are welcome any day of the week to come have darshan of Sri Sri Radha Golokananda. Every Sunday at 4pm, there is a special program consisting of arati, kirtan, Bhagavad-gita discourse, and a prasadam feast. From 4:30 - 5:30pm, there is a Sunday School program for children ages 3-7 and 8-12. Children take part in learning Bhagavad-gita slokas and bhajans, understanding the basic philosophy, reciting and hearing stories from the Vedas. New Goloka also provides educational classes and programs for adults. New Goloka Daily Darshan Times 4:30 - 5am, 7:15am 1pm, 4:15 - 5:45pm, 7 - 8pm. Saturday and Sunday Darshan open from 7:15am - 8pm. The Radha-Krishna temple is in a rural setting at 1032 Dimmocks Mill Rd. Hillsborough, NC. For Further Details: 919.732.6492 newgoloka108@gmail.com www.newgoloka.com 102

January 2017

Saathee M A G A Z I N E

Free Subscription (NC & SC)

Our Services

Name: ______________________

Comprehensive Exams Gentle, Thorough Hygiene Visits Periodontal Therapy Restorative and Cosmetic Treatment Dental Implant Restorations Root Canal Therapy Tooth Extractions

______________________________

Free

Consultations

Address: _____________________

______________________________

______________________________ Phone: ______________________ Date: _________________________ E-mail: _______________________

Mail to: Saathee Magazine Subscriptions PO Box 11468 Charlotte, NC 28220

OR Subscribe on line at www.saathee.com E-mail to: Saatheemag@hotmail.com Fax: (704) 527-7590 Call: (704) 527-7570

MOST LOCAL INSURANCES ACCEPTED

704-542-9923

NOTE: The mailing list information is kept strictly confidential. We DO NOT sell our mailing list to outside agencies and the phone number is used to verify your address. Shukla Entertainment does use the mailing list to mail Saathee Magazine advertising supplemental fliers, mailers, etc. Moving? Please drop us a line so we can update your mailing address.

16615 Riverstone Way, Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28277 Our office is located in South Charlotte off Highway 521, at the intersection of Ardrey Kell Rd. & Marvin Rd., in the new Cedar Walk development.

Serving the Carolinas for over 10 Years.

Our mutual goals in buying / selling are getting the best price on most favorable terms & a smooth transaction.

Together we can achieve it!

Mobile: 704-236-7610 • Office: 704-814-6208 Fax: 704-845-1708 • rita.tyagi@allentate.com

Allen Tate Company • 101 E. Matthews St. • Suite 100 • Matthews, NC 28105

Rita Tyagi Broker / Realtor LICENSED IN NC & SC

Saathee.com

103

January 2017

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

ISSo Shree Swaminarayan Hindu temple ISSO is a socio-religious organization and its primary objective is to advance the Sanatan Dharma in accordance with the principles and teachings of the Original Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya, founded and ordained by Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan Himself. A new Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir will be opening soon at 500 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511. Bhoomidaan and Murtipratishtha yajman opportunities are available for a limited time. They organize a weekly “Satsang Sabha,” every Saturday, which includes Kirtan bhakti, Katha, Aarti and Mahaprasad. Pujya Santo visit often to impart the divine knowledge of Swaminarayan Bhagwan. For Further Details: 919.964.1008 issonc@issousa.org www.issonc.org

Jain Study Center of North Carolina (JSCNC) The JSCNC was organized to study and understand Jain religion, philosophy, rituals, and literature and to educate the children. Over the years the Center has participated in many activities for youths and adults, where an environment is created making members feel like a part of the family. Jain pathshala and swadhyay are held routinely for children and adults respectively. For Further Details: jscnc101@gmail.com jscnc.org

Kiran, Inc. Kiran, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that serves and empowers South Asian victims of domestic violence in North Carolina by helping them rebuild their lives and ending the cycle of violence. Although domestic violence is rarely talked about in South Asian communities, it is a rampant and preventable public health problem. Operating in Raleigh since 2008, Kiran is passionate about promoting healthy family relationships in South Asian communities and raising awareness on the prevalence of domestic violence in South Asian homes through outreach and advocacy. Kiran’s core services comprise of a 24 hour free and confidential hotline, crisis counselling, legal advocacy, translation assistance, resource referrals, skills development and other culturally sensitive support services needed to meet the unique challenges of South Asian victims. For Further Details: 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 877.625.4726 Office: 919.831.4203 kiran@kiraninc.org www.kiraninc.org

Krishnadham USA Krishnadham USA’s mission is to foster the richness of Hindu cultural heritage by imparting the values of love, wisdom and devotion in future generations. They provide a platform for learning and for sharing our experiences and values with the society at large. The time is coming when a new Vedanta inspired sanctuary will manifest. This inspirational experience will be expressed in buildings, pathways, water ﬂows, and connections with the surrounding natural setting at a location not far from Lake Jordan in Chatham County of North Carolina Saathee.com

and will be recognized as Krishnadham USA. Their current address is at 795 Beaver Creek Road, Apex, NC 27502 Upcoming bakulparikh11@gmail.com www.krishnadhamusa.org

Maitri (NCSU) A student organization at NC State that aims at unifying various cultures at university. The organization works to help and support Indian students at NC State, but also creates opportunities for them to immerse in the global culture while retaining their rich Indian identity. For Further Details: maitri.ncsu@gmail.com www.maitrincsu.org

Nuv Yug Nuv Yug is a cultural organization with a mission to promote awareness of Indian cultural arts and heritage. Striving to create synergy among various cultural groups from the South Asian region. For Further Details: www.nuvyug.net

Pakistani American Anjuman The North Carolina Pakistani-American Anjuman (NCPAA) is a non-political, cultural and social organization that strives to promote the presence of the people from Pakistan living in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Their mission is to provide cultural and social interaction for the families and individuals of the Pakistani community and to oﬀer a variety of programs and services to its members Several events are presented during the year including a family dinner on the second Friday of every month. For Further Details: www.ncpaa.org

Pratham - triangle Area Pratham is a grass-roots organization that works towards universalizing primary education in India. It is one of the largest NGOs in ﬁeld of literacy movement in India. Pratham continues to evolve, grow and works to meet the continually changing needs of the children it educates. The NC chapter actively aims to collaborate with individuals, local organizations and community associations and seeks ideas, volunteers and resources to deliver the vision of “Every Child in School and Learning Well.” For Further Details: Rajeev Thalla - rajeev.thalla@gmail.com Monica Awasthi - awasthimonica@yahoo.com www.prathamusa.org

Professional Indians’ Association PIA is a meetup group is made of Indian professionals and grad students interested in cultural events, socializing and meeting/making friends with like-minded people around the Triangle. Monthly events include meeting at bars / restaurants, Bollywood movie nights, potlucks, Indian concerts/ performances, outdoor activities, community service and volunteering. It is an opportunity for professionals to share their thoughts on respective industries, social causes, the economy and politics. For Further Details: http://www.meetup.com/PIATriangle/ 104

January 2017

Helping children develop to their fullest potential through a secure, nurturing, loving and stimulating environment.

Testimonial: Our kids enjoy and feel the daycare as home. Friendly staff, great curriculum, cleanliness.The exceptional TK, Pre-K and KG programs helped earn our son admission to the prestigious Metrolina regional scholars academy. Thank You, Mr & Mrs Ramesh

5 STAR rated center

Now enrolling & accepting applications! • P.T. & F.T. Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten • Full Day Kindergarten

Private school recognized and in compliance with the NC Public School system

Privately owned and operated Low staff : child ratios Offering programs for infant – 5 years After school programs for 5 – 10 years Intimate, home-like environment Bi-lingual learning opportunities for all ages, every day Hindu Vegetarian Meals

14115 Lancaster Highway Charlotte, NC 28277

704.540.2250 www.ShiningStarsAcademy.com ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR RENT ON WEEKENDS TO INSTRUCTORS for Indian Dance, Language teachers (Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati) or SAT prep classes. Also looking for instructors for the above. Call Mayra 704.540.2250

www.ShiningStarsAcademy.com www.ShiningStarsAcademy.com www.ShiningStarsAcademy.com

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Raleigh Sai Center Parthi Sai devotees of Triangle area meet every Sunday from 4 - 6:15pm in the Mini-Hall of Hindu Bhavan in Morrisville. There is also a study circle, Bhajan Practice, Veda Chanting etc. between 4 - 5pm depending on the week, followed by bhajans from 5 - 6:15pm. The center carries out several service activities as well, including Human Values Education (SSE) classes for the children of diﬀerent age groups. For Further Details: rsc.president@yahoo.com raleighsaicenter.org

Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of NC The Ramakrishna Vedanta Society draws inspiration from the timeless, philosophical wisdom of the Vedanta as practiced and preached in the modern day by Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. Practical Vedanta and the message of the harmony of religions and the spiritual oneness are studied. Regardless of background and/or knowledge the organization welcomes participants. For Further Details: 919.806.5928 vedantanc@gmail.com www.vedantanc.org

RtP Maharashtra Mandal The Mandal is a home away from home for Marathi-speaking people. The goal of the Mandal is to advocate the vibrant culture, the rich heritage and the language of Maharashtra. The Mandal is dedicated to showcase the cultural, social and traditional attributes of Maharashtra to the local community through variety of entertaining programs, and events. For Further Details: mail@rtpmm.org www.rtpmm.org

Sahaj Marg Meditation (triangle) Sahaj Marg translates to “The Natural Path.” It is a simple system of Raja Yoga meditation and spiritual practice that helps one realize the ultimate potential within oneself. Regular spiritual practice under capable guidance enables aspirants to progressively experience the sublime presence of the divine in their daily lives. Sahaj Marg system of meditation is freely oﬀered to seekers worldwide through Shri Ram Chandra Mission. In the Triangle area, group meditations are held on Sunday & Wednesday evenings. For Further Details: Raj Solanki - raj_solanki@yahoo.com www.srcm.org www.sahajmarg.org

Sahaja Meditation Ongoing meetings, seminars and workshops are available in Raleigh. There is never any charge for Sahaja Meditation instruction. RSVP in meetup: Sahaja-Meditation-TriangleGroup Thursdays at 7:30pm. Located at 9308 Fairbanks Dr, Raleigh, NC. For Further Details: balaram.krishna@gmail.com 919.757.3135 www.sahajamediation.com Saathee.com

Sewa RtP Sewa RTP - a chapter of Sewa International - is a team of volunteers who organize various activities - ranging from local community service to fundraisers for developmental projects in India. Currently Sewa RTP has following activities on monthly basis: Sewa Day, Workshops / Seminars, Assisting Community in Emergency situations, Chapter Meetings - 3rd Thursday of every month. Sewa means Service - a unique concept of Selfless Efforts for Welfare of All. Sewa International USA is a Hindu faith-based humanitarian non-profit service organization. The vision is to increase civic engagement of the communities in the United States to volunteer and promote volunteering. For Further Details: www.sewausa.org/rtp

Sky Meditation and Kaya Kalpa Yoga Beneﬁts include longevity, wellness and stress management. Triangle Sky Meditation group holds weekly group meditation and simpliﬁed physical exercises every Friday in Cary for those who have attended Shri Vethathiri Maharishi’s Kaya Kalpa Yoga course. Kaya Kalpa Yoga Courses are held several times a year for anyone 14 years and above. For Further Details: Rajendran Kailasam - 919.824.8429 sky.cary@yahoo.com www.vethathiri.edu.in

South Indian Fine Arts Academy (SIFAA) SIFAA is a non-proﬁt organization that works to arrange and promote concerts and performances in the Triangle and Triad areas, concentrating on Carnatic music. For Further Details: 919.773.1580 www.sifaa.org

SV temple of North Carolina The temple is built on over nine acres of centrally connected triangle area. This grand tribute to Lord Venkateswara and his consorts is designed to exacting standards of shilpa shasthra and features the only shrine in North America to incorporate abodes to Lord Viswaksena and Lord Sudarshana/Lord Narasimha as part of Srinivasa Parivaram. The temple rituals are performed in accordance with Pancharathra Agama Shastra. For Further Details: 919.468.0040 comm@svtemplenc.org www.svtemplenc.org

tamil Cultural Association of North Carolina (tCA NC) TCA NC was formed for the purpose of providing youths with exposure to Tamil culture. Everyone is invited to join TCA and become part of the organization promoting Tamil culture in the Triangle area. For Further Details: tca_nc@yahoo.com www.tcanc.org

triangle Area telugu Association (tAtA) TATA is committed to building a vibrant Telugu Community and promoting Telugu culture and language in the Triangle 106

January 2017

Vyas Travels

Vivek Trivedi, MD

Deal With Someone You Trust!

Board Certified Gastroenterologist

or pF Re RS s a OU lin aro S T l C ING a i K fic Of OX & C

Dr. Trivedi’s focus is on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases, using the latest medical knowledge and state-of-the-art techniques.

• Tours, Cruises & More • Rates from India Available • Great Service and Rates • ARC & IATAN approved agency • Tours to Europe, India, Asia, & United States.

3322 Daniel Place Dr., Charlotte NC 28213 e-mail: vyastrav@gmail.com

704.569.8220 or 704.724.5981 Ahmadabad Office: Vyas Travels Devashish, Near Klassic Gold Hotel Navrangpura, Ahmadabad Phone: 26561422, 26444422

Now seeing patients in 2 convenient locations! Piedmont HealthCare Gastroenterology & Hepatology 633 Brookdale Drive, Suite 100 Statesville, NC 28625

MISHRA ARCHITECTURE PLLC

Piedmont HealthCare Specialty Care 359 Williamson Road Mooresville, NC 28117

ASHISH MISHRA NCARB, AIA, LEED AP LICENSED IN SEVERAL STATES

6800 South Creek Rd. CHARLOTTE, NC 28277

Call for an appointment today!

704-978-1144

704.625.6554 • emishra@gmail.com MishraArch.com

www.piedmonthealthcare.com

The Chiropractic Doctors at ChiroCarolina have a combined experience of over 50 years. During that time we've helped thousands of patients find relief from debilitating pain. The secret to our success? Compassion • Attention • Professionalism

Dr. Ferzaan A. Ali

TREATING CONDITIONS SUCH AS: Low back/Leg pain Neck/Arm pain Headaches Sports Injuries Auto Accident Injuries Arthritis/Fibromyalgia Neck/Low back disc injuries Work Related Injuries

Accepting major insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Health Care, Med Cost, Cigna, Medicare and others. Dr. Henry E. Rice

Our doctors are fluent in English, Hindi, urdu and Spanish 537 W. Sugar Creek Rd. • Charlotte, North Carolina 28213 Phone: 704-598-8040 • Fax: 704-509-0915

Saathee.com

www.CharlotteChiropracticClinic.com 107

January 2017

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

area of North Carolina and the surrounding region. For Further Details: committee@tataonline.org www.tataonline.org

triangle Bangladesh Society (tBSNC) TBSNC strives to arrange musical programs by artists who have captured the hearts and minds of millions of Bengali, Urdu and Hindi-speaking music fans all around the globe. For Further Details: Ishtiaquem@gmail.com www.tbsnc.org

triangle Gujarati Association (tGA) TGA’s mission is to promote and serve Gujarati culture in the Triangle area by organizing various events and programs throughout the year and impart Gujarati culture and language on the youth. For Further Details: nctga00@gmail.com www.nctga.org

triangle Rang Mandal Devotees of Pujya Sri Rang Avdhoot Maharaj meet every Saturday in Cary or Raleigh from 8:30 - 10:30pm to sing devotional Dattatreya Bhajans and Datta-Bavani in a spiritual atmosphere. Special programs are organized on Guru Purnima and Rang Jayanti and on the occasion of Pujya Sri Prem Avdhoot Bapji’s annual visit to the US. For Further Details: rangmandal@gmail.com

triangle Vegetarian Society (tVS) The mission of TVS is to build a sense of community between current vegetarians and people who are interested in vegetarianism and have a forum for a discussion of issues. For Further Details: barman@cs.unc.edu www.trianglevegsociety.org

triangle Vipassana Meditation Vipassana, which means to see things as they are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques and was taught 2500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills. The Triangle Vipassana Meditation group holds weekly group sittings in Cary and Raleigh on Thursday, Saturday, and Monday, a 3-hour sitting on the 3rd Sunday each month, and one full-day sitting once every few months for established students (those who have taken at least one ten-day course). For Further Details: Hitesh & Vaibhavi Parekh - 732.213.9660 / 919.601.3555 carync.sittings@gmail.com www.dhamma.org

Urdu Majlis Urdu Majlis, the Triangle’s Urdu Literary Society, meets monthly in the FedEx Global Education Center on the campus of UNC: Chapel Hill. Meetings include discussions of the life and works of major South Asian poets as well as opportunities to share original poetry and other writing. Urdu Majlis is cosponsored by the Carolina Asia Center and the South Asia Section of the UNC Department of Asian Studies. It is an Saathee.com

intellectual endeavor with no political or religious aﬃliations. For Further Details: Afroz Taj - taj@unc.edu - 919.851.1119 Seema & Ashraf Faruqi - pasbaan@hotmail.com - 919.596.4792

Vaishnav Samaj of triangle Area A group of like-minded devotees who meet for religious worship and understand Pushti Marg Principles at large. Regular Bhajan recitations are held 2nd Sunday of the month from 4-6pm and Seniors are requested to encourage youngsters to participate in the activities. For Further Details: Arvindbhai Shah - 919.233.7677 Vithalbhai Shah - 919.803.9027

Vibha Raleigh Vibha is dedicated to creating a brighter future for underprivileged children. The Raleigh Action Center has a group of energetic and enthusiastic volunteers from varied backgrounds, including working professionals and students. This group came together through a strong belief in Vibha’s mission and resolved to create a positive societal impact in India. The group works to organize social events that spread awareness and raise funds to further the organization’s mission. For Further Details: volunteer@raleigh.vibha.org sites.vibha.org/nc

Vraj education Raleigh Kendra The Vraj Education Raleigh Kendra is conducting comprehensive weekly teaching of Hinduism and Pushtibhakti Marg backed by Vraj Temple Pennsylvania. Raleigh Vaishnav children will get an opportunity to recognize, learn, and exercise Pushtimarg guidelines and leverage rich Shri Vallabh Mahaprabhuji heritage to improve individual life style. For Further Details: vraj.raleigh@gmail.com for timing and location information. www.facebook.com/VrajEducationCenter/

Regional

Dada Bhagwan Foundation What is Gnan Vidhi? It is the scientiﬁc process of attaining Self Realization in the presence of Atmagnani. It is the gracing of real knowledge that separates the real Self from the non-self. The beneﬁts of Gnan Vidhi are many: attaining awareness of the soul, getting solution through right understanding, removing wrong beliefs and destroying past sins. For Further Details: 877.505.DADA (3232) info@ca.dadabhagwan.org www.dadabhagwan.org

ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India (EVFI) was established to help in the overall development of the remote tribal and rural villages in India. Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA along with EVFI is committed to the cause of eradicating illiteracy from tribal areas. Education is the key to self-esteem, self-sustenance, and economic freedom. The Carolinas Region of the EVFI USA conducts fundraising

108

January 2017

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

and awareness programs in Raleigh & Columbia. For Further Details: Southeast Regional President: Chander M. Aggarwal - cmaggarwal44@gmail.com - 407.454.3739 Carolinas Regional President: Janak Dalal - jaydalalcolumbia@gmail.com - 803.665.4050

Grihastha Family Institute The Grihastha Family Institute has a mission of preparing everyone with the basics and nuances of marriage and family management, and to compensate for the loss of traditional structures, norms and methods that used to support the family structure. 3 Day workshop camps and private consultations are available. For Further Details: krishna@grihastha.org www.grihastha.org

Hindu Society of eastern NC (Greenville, NC) The temple celebrates major festivals and holds regular bhajan seesions and Geeta study. For Further Details: Temple - 252.752.2670 B.S. Srivatsa - 508.654.0360 Hindutemplenc@gmail.com

ISKCoN of Sandy Ridge - temple of the Holy Name in Prabhupada Village The Temple of the Holy Name, situated in Prabhupada Village, a rural community, is a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Prabhupada Village is also home to the Bhaktivedanta Archives and the Festival of India. Everyone is welcome to take darshan of Sri Sri Parama Karuna Nitai Gaurasundara from 5am-7:30pm, 7 days a week. Special program every Sunday at 3pm with arati and kirtan, bhajans, discourse on the Bhagavad-gita As It Is and a pure, vegetarian feast. Festivals are celebrated year round. For Further Details: 336.593.2322 tothn@iskconpv.org www.iskconpv.org

Nithyananda Sangha North Carolina (Inner Awakening) Inner Awakening works to spread the knowledge of Yoga and meditation by letting people experience the teachings of Vedic Science in its purest form delivered by the enlightened master Paramahamsa Sri Nithyananda. Nithyananda Sangha North Carolina is part of a worldwide movement for meditation and healing. Paramahamsa Nithyananda is a global leader in the science of enlightenment and the author of more than 300 books published in 27 languages. For Further Details: 704.766.1420 / 704.992.6114 innerawakening.org nithyananda.org

Sri Somesvara temple (Asheville) The Sri Somesvara Temple is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. It is a Vedic Shiva temple at the center of Mount Soma, a community commonly referred to as “Mount Kailash of the West.” People travel great distances to experience Sri Somesvara’s powerful Linga, profound silence, and timeless vibrations. The temple is open Saathee.com

every day from 9:30am to 6:30pm. Aarthi is at 6pm. For Further Details: 828.476.4073 www.srisomesvara.org

South Carolina

American South Asian Cultural Association of Columbia, SC The American South Asian Cultural association of Columbia’s fundamental goal is to increase cultural awareness and develop cultural understanding among American South Asian Community in Columbia, SC area. A lunch meeting will be held on the second Sunday every month between 12:30 2:30pm at Persis Biryani & Indian Grill, 1728 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. Cost is $11 per person. For Further Details: Contact in the evenings: 803.233.7042 or 512.547.7077

Carolina Buddhist Vihara (Greenville, SC) Carolina Buddhist Vihara is a temple and monastery in South Carolina, USA. It is a non-proﬁt organization dedicated to oﬀering teachings of the Buddha, primarily by bringing Theravada Buddhist nuns and monks to Greenville. “Theravada” refers to the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism, the highly traditional school found in countries such as Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, and Thailand. Activities are held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings: 6:30pm (puja), 7 pm (meditation), and 8 pm (“Dhamma” talk or discussion). A youth program is also held once a month. The Temple is located at 113 Woodridge Circle, Greenville, SC 29607 For Further Details: 864.329.9961 greenvillebv@gmail.com www.carolinabuddhist.net

Hanahan table-tennis training Center The primary focus & mission of the HTTTC is creating a professional image for the “sport” of “table-tennis” in the United States. The center is open on Wednesdays & Thursdays from 7 - 10pm and Saturdays & Sundays from 2 - 6pm. No partner needed but athletic attire is required. The center is located at City of Hanahan Gym on 1253 Yeamans Hall Road., Hanahan, SC 29410. For Further Details: 843.256.3949 tthanahan@hotmail.com www.tthanahan.com

Hindu Society of Greater Spartanburg A daily Aarti is conducted at 7:00pm, Balvihar classes are from 10:00 - 11:45am on scheduled Sundays, and Satsang is on second Sunday of every month from 5:00 - 7:00pm. Temple is located on 1130 Fairview Church Road in Boiling Springs, SC 29303. For Further Details: 864.599.7048

Hindu temple and Center (Columbia, SC) The temple is open on weekdays between 8:30am to 12:00 noon and between 5pm and 8:30pm. On weekends, the temple is

110

January 2017

AAAVtÑàâÜ|Çz à{x `ÉÅxÇà

Photos & Videos for all Occasions at reasonable rates by professional photographers

MAADHURYA PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

• Engagement, Wedding & Reception • Cultural Events & Parties • Corporate Events

We Provide Live Streaming Video Service Member of professional photographers of America (PPA) Wedding & Portrait photographers International (WPPI) and Wedding photographic society (WPS) in good standing Nikon Professional Service

• Arangetrams & Ballerina • Portraits and Graduation • Baby Showers • Baby Pictures

For further information on booking and rates contact

Ravinder at 919-523-4254

Email: maadhuryaphotography@gmail.com

www.MaadhuryaPhotography.com

Facebook.com/MaadhuryaPhotography

Serving Buyers and Sellers Since 1989 Our experienced and talented agents can speak English, Hindi & Gujarati Offering Motels, Restaurants, Dry Cleaners, Laundromats, Convenience Stores, Land and more

Let Us Help You Buy or Sell A Business

County South Realty & Business Brokers 303 Indian Trail Road South Indian Trail, NC 28079

704-821-8888 www.countysouth.biz

CONVENIENCE-STORES:

C-Store: Chester, SC $50K + Inv, Inside sales $300K C-Store: Matthews, NC $219K + Inv, GR $1.7M C-Store: Elkin, NC $775K (property Included) + INV , GR $2.3M+ C-Store: Conover, NC $125K+ INV, Gas Gallons 260K C-Store: York, SC $98K + Inv, GR $870K C-Store: Kernersville, NC $99K + Inv. GR $700K C-Store: Chatham County, NC $140K + Inv, GR $1.07M

FOOD:

Homestyle Restaurant: Charlotte, NC $1.2M property included Pizza: Burke County, NC $129K, GR $456K

OTHER SERVICES

Used Auto Dealership: Albemarle, NC $875K, property included Dry Cleaning Route Service: Metro Area, NC $140K, GR $211K Resale Clothing Shop: Catawba, NC $259K, GR $660K Land/Possible C-store Location: Charlotte, NC $599K

Saathee.com

More listings available at our website: www.CountySouth.biz 111

January 2017

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

open between 8:30am to 1:00pm and 5:00pm to 8:30pm. Bal Gokulam (Sunday School) classes are held every Sunday from 10:30am to 12:00 noon. Classes are designed to help children build physical, mental, cultural, social & spiritual lives. It is located at 5704 Kiawah Road, Columbia, SC 29212. For Further Details: 803.772.6940 / www.hindutemplesc.org

Vedic Center of Greenville Daily Aarti is conducted Monday - Friday at 8pm. Bal Vihar classes are conducted Sundays from 11:15am - 12:30pm. Sri Venkateshwara Suprabhatam is held on 2nd Saturday of each month at 9am. The Center is located at 520 Bethel Road, Mauldin, SC 29662. For Further Details: President: Geera Desai - 864.451.4305 864.967.2852 www.vediccenterofgreenville.org

India Assoc. of Greater Charleston (IAGC) The India Association of Greater Charleston (IAGC) was incorporated when the residents of Indian origin in Charleston felt the need to organize a community of people who were interested in the culture and heritage of India and share the profound beauty of this culture with others. They celebrate various events throughout the year including Diwali & various Picnic gatherings. For Further Details: Omi Hasija (Chairperson) - 843.766.4661 iagcchs@gmail.com www.indiaassociationofgreatercharleston.com

Send your organization's updates and events to us by the 15th of the month for inclusion: info@Saathee.com

Legal Matters

continued from page 52

Indian Upstate Fellowship Service The Indian Upstate Fellowship holds weekly service on Sundays, 5:30 - 7:30pm, followed by dinner, in Greenville, SC. For Further Details: Pastor Suresh Jonnalagadda - 864.561.1016 www.indainupstatefellowship.org

Kannada Association of Greater Greenville (KAGG) An organization devoted to the awareness and promotion of Kannada culture in the Greater Greenville area of SC. KAGG is a primarily run by volunteers and invites Kannadigas living in and around Greenville area to participate in the organization. Kannada classes for children are also conducted. For Further Details: 864.430.4973 kaggculturalcommittee@gmail.com www.kagg-sc.org

Spartanburg Buddhist Center of SC The Center’s resident monks seek to preserve Theravada Buddhist traditions and welcomes all who are interested in Buddhism, Southeast Asian culture, or meditation. Since the center opened in 2010, a regular English-speaking group meets at 6pm on Thursdays for meditation, a brief Dhamma talk, and short discussions. The Center is located at 770 Bryant Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303. For Further Details: 864.327.8726 https://www.facebook.com/spartanburgbuddhist2012

telugu Association of Greater Greenville Telugu Association of Greater Greenville (TAGG) is a nonproﬁt organization devoted to the awareness and promotion of Telugu Culture in the Greater Greenville Area. The association caters to the cultural and social needs of the Telugu people living in and around Greater Greenville Area. TAGG organizes events to celebrate major festivals and organizes a picnic during the summer as scheduled activities. In addition, TAGG screens choice Telugu Movies mostly throughout the year and organizes special cultural events from time to time, usually performed by artists from USA and visiting from India. For Further Details: www.taggsc.org Saathee.com

incentive to preserve family integrity or reputation. Also, any battle in the court system is public record and is a public hearing. Whether because of the myth of what one spouse is “entitled” to by Facebook and the media, or through the brash statements of a lawyer, or by actual verbal or physical abuse by one of the spouses, I have witnessed an increase in the number of court filings for Indian marriages. Sometimes, the court system is necessary in order to prevail against an unreasonable spouse. Other times, however, the cost of paying for attorneys and the “time” cost of filing lawsuits is not understood at the beginning of any case. The court system allows for up to one year in trying cases dealing with property. Short-term support issues such as temporary alimony may be dealt with in 30-45 days. Custody can take up to 18 months. The cost of these avenues may range from $6,000 to the many tens of thousands of dollars, depending on what approach a family takes to these issues. Prior to engaging in the litigiousness of the court system, and if elders cannot help, a family can seek private mediation or arbitration in order to preserve the reputation of all involved, as well as significantly reduce the cost.

threats of actions in India. The ﬁnal common occurrence in these hiccups to marriage is the threat of concurrent legal action in India, especially by the family that still remains in India. Every family knows their own region of India and what authorities will do in that region. However, money can inﬂuence authorities in ways that do not exist as much in the United States. Threats have ranged from physical harm to family members, to legal action that will prevent one spouse from ever traveling in India, to straight bribery. Be cautious of the threats and consequences in India if you are in the unfortunate situation of dealing with a separation here.

Closing Remarks Most of the challenges listed above can be addressed and planned proactively, just as any wedding. Take detailed care in considering these issues as carefully as you would select your priest at a ceremony. 112

January 2017

FOR COURTEOUS, RELIABLE AND PERSONAL SERVICE

For Luxurious, Memorable Vacations And Business Trip Ticketing

The Carolinas’ Link To Wholesale Airline Tickets Serving the Carolinas for 26 years

Your most Trusted & Reliable Travel Source in the Carolinas.

Your Cruise & Worldwide Tour Center!

Tour Packages to India, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia including New Zealand & Fiji, Hawaii, Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica and many more places. Mon - Fri: 10am - 6 pm ● Sat: 11am - 2 pm. ● Sun: By Appointment

919. 380.9191

Fax: 919.460.9292 E-mail: travelinks@gmail.com

Consolidator for all MAJOR AIRLINES to India, Europe, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji & any World Wide destination.

For Emergency & After Hour Service 919.868.9000 Cell

Near RTP, Durham, Cary & Morrisville. 1073 Upchurch Farm Ln, Cary, NC 27519

Passport, Visa and other consular services.

(Exit 278 off I-40 for Hwy 55)

International Community Church A WORSHIP CENTER FOR PEOPLE FROM INDIA AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

We Welcome You to Become a Part of this loving Spiritual Family “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (The Holy Bible)

Pastor: Joseph B. Jesudason

Regular Activities

Worship Service - Sundays at 8:30 AM Child Care Available 1524, North Harrison Avenue, Cary (Next to SAS Campus)

Children’s Sunday School & Adult Bible Study - Sundays at 11 AM 1215 Jones Franklin Rd Suite 204 Prayer Fellowship - Wednesdays at 7:00 PM Meet at Four Zones at host families Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Cary, Morrisville, Holly Springs & Chapel Hill

SeRVING GoD AND tHe CoMMUNItY SINCe JUNe 1984

Zakar Bible Club: Character development of children through memorization of God’s powerful & redemptive word.

Please send your child and receive guaranteed life lasting blessing.

Church oﬃce: 1215 Jones Franklin Road, Suite 204 Raleigh, NC 27606 (919) 233-2900 or (919) 467-4435 (Residence) www.icc-nc.org

Saathee.com

We welcome you to come and receive a blessing through this evangelical, Christ-centered, Bible-based, non-denominational, loving, caring, mission-minded spiritual family church. 113

January 2017

POP’S PUZZLES & JOKES By Kirit Shukla

Note: * denotes abbreviation of the word or phrase Clues Across:

1. The basic monetary unit of India, Nepal, Pakistan etc. 8. In the center; halfway between two points. 11. Huge; immense. 13. Atmosphere. 14. A cap like head-dress with a long, hanging pinned flap. 15. After sometime. 17. To speak audibly. 18. To look after something or someone. 19. Near in space; beside. 20. A highly spiced, Italian salted sausage. 22. Doctor. (*) 23. A book of world maps. 24. To watch closely and secretly. 26. Sick. 28. Any of various plovers, esp. Eurasian bird species. 31. A young cow or bull.33. Mars Exploration Rover. (*) 34. Uniform Resource Identifier. (*) 35. A device used to scoop up sand/mud to clear harbors. 37. Assistance or financial help. 38. Mahatma __, a leader for India’s freedom from British. 40. To put (food) into mouth, chew and swallow. 42. Young Reporters for the Environment. (*) 44. The dawn; daybreak. 45. A mountain in NW Turkey. (Turkish name: Kazdagi) 46. Network Security Services. (*) (Computers) 47. A unit of weight = 2000 pounds. (U.S.) Saathee.com

Clues Down:

1. January 26, is the “ ___ Day”, in India. 2. Oneness; singleness. 3. A ﬂat-bottomed ferryboat, guided by a cable. (S. Africa). 4. ‘___ Hemingway’, The American novelist & journalist; Nobel prize winner in literature in 1954. (1899-1961) 5. A transparent, bright-green precious gem stone. 6. The twelfth letter of Greek alphabet. (μ) 7. The Muslim religion. 8. The day of the month. 9. A false statement, esp. one made with intent to deceive. 10. Mistake. 12. Oregon. (*) 16. To get up, as from sleeping or sitting. 18. Any of the distinct, hereditary Hindu social classes. 21. Father of Priam and founder of Troy. (Greek Myth.) 22. A person whose occupation id dyeing. 23. So declared, but without proof or legal conviction. 25. Wise; discrete in conduct. 27. Load Access Rights. (*). 29. Prepares or makes ﬁt for an athletic contest. 30. The waste cotton remaining after ginning. 32. Food and Drug Administration. (*) 36. General Nursing and Midwifery. (*) 39. Health and Retirement Study. (*) 41. Gone by; past; before now. 43. Rhode Island. (*) (Puzzle solutions are on page 118. NO peeking!)

Hee Hee

Youth:: “You have not said a word for twenty ﬁve minutes!” Girl: “Well, I didn’t have anything to say.” Youth: “Wow! Don’t you ever say anything when you have nothing to say?” Girl: “No.” Youth: “Then will you marry me?” •••••••••••••• He: “Your meals are not like my mother used to make.” She: ”Well, your salary is not like my father used to make.”

•••••••••••••• Booddhoo: “Guru, what is the most common cause of hearing loss amongst men?” Guru: “His wife saying that she wants to talk to him.”

•••••••••••••• Prospective employer: “Can you multitask?” Chakram: “I am an expert in multitasking. I can digest food, breath, blink, walk, talk, circulate blood, grow hair... all at the same time!” •••••••••••••• 114

January 2017

Word Find (Created By Kirit Shukla)

Find & circle the words in the puzzle. (Subject: “Constellations”)

Math Magic Use these numbers only once: [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] in empty squares, to get = the final given answers. Note: Follow the order of operation per basic math rule: ×,÷, +, The multiplication or division is done before addition and subtraction.

ANDROMEDA APUS AQUARIUS CANCER CAPRICORN CORONA DELPHINUS DORADO FORNAX GEMINI GRUS HERCULES

INDUS LEO MICROSCOPIUM PISCES RAM SAGITTARIUS SCORPIO SCULPTOR SWAN TAURUS TUCANA URSAMAJOR

The unused 9 letters spell is ”The science of the universe in which the stars, planets etc. are studied.”

(solution on page 118)

eZ-BZ

TEST YOUR IQ

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

1. Arab prophet; founder of Islam. _ OH _ _ _ _ _ 2. A motor fuel mix of 90% petrol+10% C₂H₅. _ _ _ OH _ _ 3. Chicago’s airport code. O’H _ _ _ 4. Pull Out Of Hole. (*) (Acronym: Oil drilling) _ _ OH 5. One thousandth of an ohm. _ _ _ _ _ OH _ 6. Standard gold coin of British India. _ OH _ _ 7. Forbid by law or by order. _ _ OH _ _ _ _ 8. A Midwestern state of U.S. Cap: Columbus OH _ _ 9. A zither for playing chordal accompaniments by means of series of dampers worked by keys. _ _ _ OH _ _ _ 10. Island in SE Philippines between Cebu & Leyte. _ OH _ _ 11. To weep noisily. (Informal) _ _ OH _ _ 12. A person who inherits jointly with others. _ OH _ _ _ 13. A tool for measuring electrical resistance. OH _ _ _ _ _ _ 14. A disease of chronic inflammation of colon. _ _ OH _ 15. A river in central N.Y. flowing into Hudson. _ OH _ _ _ 16. A title of the kings of ancient Egypt. _ _ _ _ _ OH 17. A line of equal hours of sunshine on a map. _ _ OH _ _ 18. The expression used to surprise or taunt a person. OH _ 19. Sticking together; logically connected. _ OH _ _ _ _ _ 20. A colorless, pungent liquid. (C₂H₅OH) _ _ _ OH _ _ 21. Official Hotel Guide. (*) OH _ 22. Largest region in the Czech Republic. _ OH _ _ _ _ 23. A joint host as of a social event. _ OH _ _ _ 24. The expression used for delight or displeasure. _ OH 25. Hello or Goodbye. (in Hawaii). _ _ OH _ (Puzzle solutions are on page 118. NO peeking!) Kirit Shukla Contact him at kiritsshukla@hotmail.com

Saathee.com

115

January 2017

Thinking About Thinking

Marketing Turnaround

continued from page 56

continued from page 58

Some may be easier than we thought. And, some of them may when she hit “critical mass” and revenue went way up. Now, be actually quite different from the ones that we should actually Lisa and her team of Profitability Lab Leaders educate small be looking to solve. business owners, entrepreneurs, and business leaders on biological hardwiring. Mental “wiring” is biological and life is hard, but the SAt is easy dictates the type of environment in which a person is best The SAT problems my students face pale in comparison to equipped to thrive and succeed, and the kind of environment life’s problems. They come neatly tagged as “solvable”; in which people prefer to live and work. She is also the bestotherwise, the examiners would not have put them on the test. selling author of “Me, Myself, and Why? Get More Clients They also come framed in a reasonable way – you are given Now!” and the co-author of “Leading Women.” some things, a starting point, and a target to get to. You don’t have to worry about whether the problem is important, whether the take-Away it is solvable, and whether it is defined properly. That’s half the What kind of environment makes you the happiest and battle won even before you start, unlike life’s problems. The SAT most productive? Don’t automatically replicate the standard is easier! office or repeat what you’re used to if that was part of what

Heart to Heart

continued from page 70

Source through the heart. This is a sign of expanding wisdom and is activated like a switch through the practice of prayer. Over time, by doing these three simple daily practices of meditation in the morning, cleaning in the evening, and prayer at bedtime, our inner capacities are awakened, including intuition from the subconscious and inspiration from the superconscious. We realize our true potential. Mainstream science today recognizes how little of our human potential we utilize, but has not been able to give us the tools for increasing that capacity. It is the scientists of the inner universe, the great saints, yogis and mystics of the world, who have shown us how to do this. Isn’t it interesting that these great beings have often described as unscientific! Actually, the same has also been true in the world of the science of matter. Galileo Galilei is today considered to be the father of observational astronomy, the father of modern physics, the father of the scientific method, and even the father of science. Yet when he was alive he was put under house arrest for the last thirty years of his life for stating that the earth was not the center of the universe. It is hard to believe today, but in the early 17th century he was proclaimed a heretic for his astronomical discoveries! Those who have been at the forefront of knowledge have often challenged the status quo. Thankfully, science is now starting to validate what yogis of caliber have long known as a result of expanded consciousness. When we ponder over the great scientific discoveries and yogic findings, the source of such research is always found in the overall relaxed state of the individuals. Let us recall the great discoveries of the Archimedes Principle, the fundamental principle of gravitation by Sir Isaac Newton, radioactivity by Madame Curie, the discovery of the structure of the benzene molecule and the double helix structure of DNA. Spiritual findings and scientific findings share the same source. They are not at all opposed or different in their approach. When we really go into them, so many spiritual practices will reveal their true scientific basis. It is only when we do not understand their significance that we become sceptics, which is unfortunate. It would be wonderful to peep into the scientific basis behind so many religious rituals which have found their place in the daily routines of many cultures. In earlier times, such expanded consciousness was only the domain of those yogis and mystics who renounced everyday life, but today it is available to all through the practice of Heartfulness. And it brings qualitative changes to our lives.

made you unhappy or less fulfilled in prior jobs. Start with understanding your natural wiring. Think outside the cubicle! When you work in alignment with who you are innately, it’s not work. Maybe you thrive working around other people. Consider planning to spend some of your day working from a coffee shop, library, or fast food venue, rent a keyman office in a shared office building, and do a lot of networking events. If solitude helps you focus, find a quiet place where you can gather your thoughts. Reinvent your approach to filing, document storage, and other key aspects. As long as you meet legal requirements, create systems that work well for the way you think and work. Make creating the right environment part of your Fresh Start Success! Excerpted from Fresh Start Success: Reinvent Your Work, Reimagine Your Life and Re-ignite Your Passion

Nutrition for Life continued from page 62

• Avoid shakes and smoothies for all your meals and make sure to eat and chew your food well. The process of chewing our food is important for our health. When we chew, the mouth releases saliva which contains many enzymes. These enzymes work with food in producing certain chemicals such as nitric oxide, sulforaphane, etc, that have been proven to prevent cancer, heart disease, brain disease and obesity.

5. Practice Mindful eating Eat small balanced meals at regular intervals.

Don’t starve yourself

Don’t have long gaps between meals. Don’t stuﬀ yourself.

Avoid mindless snacking. There are a variety of foods that create a negative-calorie effect, which improves your metabolism and helps you lose weight effectively. These foods are usually high in water content and rich in fiber. Include a variety of whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits.

Since your body takes a longer time to burn oﬀ ﬁbrous foods, your metabolism continues to stay revved up, giving you a 1 Ram Chandra, Complete Works of Ram Chandra, Vol. 1, 2015, Shri Ram jumpstart to your weight loss. Wishing you all a Happy Healthy New Year! Chandra Mission, India Saathee.com

116

January 2017

MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF COMBINED LEGAL EXPERIENCE

FREE CONSULTATION ▪ Accidents in the Workplace ▪ DUI ▪ Car Accidents

▪ Criminal Defense ▪ Immigration

▪ Traffic Violations

▪ Wrongful Deaths

Kenia Fuentes

*Principal Offices of the Carolina Law Group

Spot the Diﬀerences Solutions from page 80

FESTIVALS & HOLIDAYS

1. Bird added 2. Building removed 3. Equestrian added 4. Colors changed 5. Top removed

January 2017 Jan. 1 - New Year 2017 begins Jan. 5 - Guru Govind Singh Jayanti Jan. 9 - Putradā Ekādashi Jan. 12 - Poshi Jan. 12 - Shakambhari Purnima (Full Moon) Jan. 12 - Swami Vivekananda Jayanti Jan. 14 - Makar Sankranti / Uttarayan Jan. 16 - Martin Luther King Day Jan. 23 - Shatatilā Ekādashi / Netaji Jayanti Jan. 26 - Republic Day (India) Jan. 27 - Darsha Amās (No Moon) Jan. 28 - Chinese New Year (Year Of The Rooster) Jan. 30 - Mahatma Gandhi Nirvana Day

6. Woman removed 7. Dish added 8. Man removed 9. Color changed 10. Sign removed 7

1 2

10 3

February 2017 Feb. 1 - Imbolc / Vāsānt Pānchāmi Feb. 2 - Groundhog Day / Kumbhā Sankranti Feb. 4 - Bhishmā Ashtāmi Feb. 7 - Jayā Ekādashi Feb. 9 - Vishwakarmā Jayanti Feb. 10 - Māghi Purnima (Full Moon) (Moon Eclipse) Feb. 11 - Tu Bishvat Feb. 12 - Lincoln’s Birthday Feb. 14 - St. Valentine’s Day Feb. 15 - Paranirvana Day Feb. 18 - Shrināthaji Pātotsava Feb. 20 - Presidents Day Feb. 21 - Swami Dayānand Sarasvati Jayanti Feb. 22 - Vijayā Ekādashi Feb. 24 - Mahā Shivarātri Feb. 26 - Darsha Amās (No Moon) (Solar Eclipse) Feb. 28 - Ramakrishna Jayanti Feb. 28 - Mardi Gras

Puzzle Solutions

from page 114

Math Magic

from page 114

Saathee.com

118

January 2017

ASTROSCOPE

ARIeS (Mar 20 - Apr 20) - After a good start, your ﬁnancial picture will become ugly by the end of the month. Aggressively try to curb your expenses and avoid any risktaking tendencies. By mid-month, however, you may come across good moneymaking opportunities. Grab them cautiously. Do not overact to any issues. Take advantage of your reputation and protect yourself against any awkward situations. Avoid travel.

tAURUS (Apr 20 - May 21) - Compromise is better than stubbornness. You will ﬁnd better prospects for a rise in income at your present job or business. The time is not favorable for making any sudden changes. You may gain beneﬁts due to change in government policy or political actions. A misunderstanding may spoil your family environment. Aggressive and quick actions will help you more than prayers. Postpone any long distance journey.

GeMINI (May 21 - Jun 21) - Politics will help you more than moral or religious activities this month. You may achieve great status and become famous amongst people. Don’t start disputes with your spouse and/or family. Selfconﬁdence and boldness are very important during this period. A change in strategy will help you in achieving success. A businessrelated short distance trip might prove very fruitful.

CANCeR (Jun 21 - Jul 22) - An unexpected rise in income will delight you and cover your expenses. You will feel relaxed in the middle of the month. If you ignore your health, then problems may take a serious turn. Don’t ignore these issues. Avoid any kind of speculation during middle of the month. You may get good news regarding family matters. Keep away from court or legal matters.

leo (Jul 22 - Aug 23) - Don’t try to act on your instincts during this month otherwise you may be in dire trouble. There are chances of indulging in sinful acts. Health problems may disturb your peace of mind. You may also indulge in some type or form of the occult. A memorable journey is possible. Your family and associates can help you in making a favorable ﬁnancial deal.

VIRGo (Aug 23 - Sep 23) - You may have to change your ideology twice during this month, so it is advisable not to take quick action. You may recoup a lost opportunity. Don’t lose hope. The period is good for financial gains, although your job or business condition will deteriorate with some long-term effects. A fast and busy journey will prove beneficial. A minor health ailment is also possible.

lIBRA (Sep 23 - oct 23) - Ventures that you may undertake during this month could be fruitful, if linked with governmental agencies. There may be a rise in status and position. Avoid any type of travel during the month. Your enemy will try to tarnish your image, but will fail. You might get very good piece of news. A minor accident is also possible.

SCoRPIo (oct 23 - Nov 22) - You may be attracted to and fascinated by a member of the opposite sex. Unexpectedly favorable events are likely to take place. A family member’s attitude will bring uncertainty. You will develop an interest in the occult or parapsychology and a positive experience is possible from this. A monetary gain could be there. Your friends may not keep their promises.

Saathee.com

General Predictions for JANuARY 2017

SAGIttARIUS (Nov 22 - Dec 21) - Even though the time is improving, it will take a while to get back on track. The period is very good for ﬁnancial gains. Your expenses will be under control and bank balance will go up, but a sense of insecurity won’t let you enjoy it. A long distance journey may prove tiring. Speculation is also good. Watch your health.

CAPRICoRN (Dec 21 - Jan 20) - A lack of self-conﬁdence may create some problems for you, so try to remain ﬂexible. Do not indulge in immoral deeds. Do not cheat with your partner and any under the table dealing must be avoided. It is better to go on business trips. Meeting with old friends or love is quite possible. Curb expenses on luxury items. Don’t get involved in disputes with your family.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 - Feb 19) - This month will relieve some of your tensions and anxiety. On the domestic front you will feel happy. Don’t plan any travel during this month. If employed, there are chances of getting a promotion. Your mind will bend toward a romantic or a higher philosophy. There is a possibility of prolonged illness, so keep an eye on your health. Don’t work long hours.

PISCeS (Feb 19 - Mar 20) - Wait and watch. This is your slogan for the month. A very good period is on the way, but don’t make any forward steps this month. An illusion may create problems for you, so try to control your imagination and dreams. Keep yourself active and busy, but don’t strive for any drastic change. Traveling must be avoided. You may have to depend upon undesirable people. Otherwise, just take it easy. •By Jalendu Vaidya • Contact: 973-223-5047 / www.jmvaidya.com

Afghan Women

continued from page 24

Afghanistan missed many opportunities because of unqualiﬁed leadership and mismanagement by both Afghans and their international allies. None of them were truly committed to what they promised. A bunch of corrupt and incapable warlords and those who have lived abroad seized power and have only thought to line their pockets. The international community hasn’t done its duty. Millions of dollars were spent on short-term projects, ostensibly to change women’s lives. But, much of the money went to NGOs, powerful people in the government and even back to donor countries. No one is accountable for where all the money went. President Bush promised to help Afghanistan, but after invading Iraq in 2003, Afghanistan was forgotten. Since 2010, we’ve seen some of our gains deteriorate. A rising number of suicide attacks and unemployed leave me disappointed. People, especially youth, have left the country. But, when I see women in parliament and the workplace, girls going to school and Afghan athletes bringing honor to the country, it makes me extremely optimistic about the future. Afghanistan is in a transition period. Many countries across the world have experienced the same situation, but now they are peaceful and stable. I hope to see Afghanistan among the peaceful and advanced countries one day. Afghan journalist Sitara Sadaat is a member of The Fuller Project for International Reporting and Sahar Speaks.

120

January 2017

Buying or Selling a Business?

ÂTá|tÇ W|ätÊ BE AN

Let our experts assist you!

ON YOUR BIG DAY

Tá|tÇ W|ätá

OVER 50 LISTINGS FOR SALE • Convenience Stores • Gas Stations • Motels • Dry Cleaners

• Investment Properties • Land • Restaurants • Automotive

Exclusive Makeup, Hair Style and Dressing Services offered for Weddings, Sweet Sixteens, Engagements, Showers, Proms, Parties, Fashion Shows & Special Events.

Call for a Quote and Appointment.

If you are considering buying or selling a business or real estate, please contact us.

We Travel to Your Location

336-491-3205

Prashant Parmar 704.517.6698

SANAM MAHTANI

COSMETOLOGIST, MAKEUP ARTIST, BRIDAL SPECIALIST

prashant@aspectbrokers.biz www.aspectbrokers.biz 1923 J N Pease Place, Suite 101 Charlotte, NC 28262

Saathee.com

Our team Can Accommodate Group Bookings

3008 COVEWOOD STREET, HIGH POINT, NC 27265

email: asiandivas@gmail.com www.asndivas.blogspot.com

facebook.com/sanamasiandivas

121

January 2017

CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES:

C-store for Sale near Columbia, SC along with displays for fresh produce & frozen items. Call 904-307-4770. Indian Restaurant for Sale in Cary, NC. Currently running. Inventory included. Contact 706-399-3275. Grocery Store & Halal Meat Shop for Sale in Morrisville, NC. Good sales. Owner financing available / partnership for meat shop. Contact 336-613-5521. Motel for Sale: Recently renovated 20-room all brick Motel in Trion, GA. Ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apartment w/ 3 bedrooms &full kitchen included. Owner financing available. Call 770-309-8156 or 813-484-0238. C-Stores with Gas Available: Multiple locations in NC and SC with an average investment of $160k. Call Brian at 864-300-4889. Indian Grocery store for sale in Raleigh Durham area. Motivated Seller! 99k + inventory. Call Joseph 407-787-8230. C-Store/Gas/land for Sale in Statesville, NC next to I-40. Includes inventory, land (1.41 acres) & store (2560 sqft). Greyhound / U-Haul contracts. Newly installed slot machines. $350k or best offer. Please Call 424-750-6500 or email rshah7844@gmail.com. one Stop Shop: Hotel for Sale in Florence, SC. C-store for Sale in Lincolnton, NC. Call Lena: 336-684-1152. Highly profitable C-Store with Gas for sale in Charlotte area 680K inside, 420K gas, 600K lotto. Major throughway. Asking 219K plus inventory. Make offer. 704-604-4506.

Saathee.com

Retail / Convenience Stores: Neighborhood Store: Lincoln County, NC $2,499,000 + Inv, GR $3.5M; CStore: Landrum, SC $55K + Inv, Owner Financing Available; C-Store: Charlotte, NC $150K + Inv, GR $2.8M; Call 704-821-8888 or visit www.Countysouth.biz. C-Store/Gas Station for lease/Sale in Gastonia, NC. Great Opportunity with high potential. Only serious inquiries; must have capital for goodwill/ inventory. Please call 980250-4995.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

Motel Resident Manager needed in Eastern, NC. Accommodations provided. Must have motel experience. Contact 757-576-3822 or aakashspatel@gmail.com. Domestic Help needed for aging parents of well-settled US couple in Greenville, SC. Food & living space will be provided. Punjabi speaker preferred. Contact 864-708-0737. Nanny needed to help take care of 5month old and some small household chores (cooking, cleaning, etc.) for home in Cary, NC. Call 508-471-0872. Convenience store help wanted in Kannapolis, NC. Part-time or Fulltime. Call 704-787-1567. Housekeeping couple needed for Hotel in Cleveland / Akron, Ohio. Accommodations provided. No English necessary. Call 919-673-7623 or ram@omdevelopmentcorp.com. Gas Station / C-store Help Wanted: Couple or Single for full-time. Exciting package w/ gas, accommodations and great pay in Gaston County, NC. Call 973-2076798 or 704-408-4920. Motel Help Wanted: Housekeeping couples for Franchise Motels in Florence, SC. Accommodations provided. Call Sunny 973-807-2191 between 9:00am to 6:00pm. Nanny needed for Gujarati speaking family in Charlotte, NC. Call Ketal Patel 843-540-3733. House Remodeling Manager needed. Call Lena 336-684-1152 for details. 122

Housekeeping Couple needed for Motel in Charleston, SC. Legal status required. Accommodations provided. Call 843-475-4500. Retail Sales Associate needed for Clothing & Sports Store in Columbia, SC. Must have legal status and speak fluent English. Opportunity to advance quickly to management. Contact 706-877-0315 or 803-387-6715. Front Desk Clerk needed (single or couple) for franchise motel in Fort Mill, SC. Legal status, fluent English, franchise motel experience & computer skills required. Accommodations provided. Send resume to bwhospitality78@gmail.com. experienced threading Practitioners or licensed esthetician in Charlotte & Raleigh. New locations now open. Full or part-time. Great pay and flexibility. Experience required. Good English skills. Please call 980-3221110 (M-F 9-5). Help Wanted: Franchise Motel in Spring Lake/Fort Bragg, NC for Front Desk and Housekeeping. Ac commodations Possible. Good salary. Fluent English a must. Contact Dev 630-253-8860 or simtsuper8@gmail.com. Night Audit/ Front desk help wanted for Franchise motel in Charlotte, NC. Full-time / Part-time. Must have experience, honest, reliable, & fluent in English. Call Nina 704-299-3364. Housekeeping couple needed for Hotel in Raleigh, NC. Accommodations provided. Good salary. No English necessary. Call Kevin 646-353-3461 / 919-721-5798 (9am-10pm). Front Desk Clerk needed (single or couple) for 40-unit hotel in North Charlotte. Legal status, fluent English, motel experience & some computer skills required. Accommodations provided. Send resume to mars803@gmail.com. Hotel Help Wanted in Charlotte. Competitive salary & accommodations provided. Front desk - all shifts (experience a plus) & housekeeper. Must be fluent in English. Call 704-4644427 or e-mail 123nash@gmail.com.

January 2017

Motel Help Wanted: Housekeeping, Managers & Night Auditors for Independent & Franchise Motels in South Carolina. Accommodations provided. Call 803-387-6715. Hotel Management Firm Now Hiring: Housekeepers, front desk (must speak fluent English), and General Manager of franchise hotels. Experience required. E-mail resumes to abcone@abcinns.com or call 704649-6833 (M-F, 9AM-5PM). Front Desk Clerk needed for Motel in Durham, NC. Must have front desk experience, computer literate, fluent in English, and legal status. Email kenco00@hotmail.com or call 919-452-3131. Nanny needed to look after expected 2nd child from January onwards near Concord Mills in Charlotte. Also help with cooking. Live-in or Live-out. Call/text 347-726-1602. Hotel Help Needed: Looking for couples for Housekeeping, Manager or Front Desk at motels in South Carolina. Call Umesh: 803-361-1013. Front Desk help wanted at Charlotte Hotel. 9am-9pm. Accommodations provided. Monthly salary. Come by Lamplighter Inn or call 803-554-6377 10am-2pm for an appointment.

Nanny Needed for 3 year-old baby girl and newborn in Car, NC area. Gujarati speaking and live-in preferred. Also some light household work. Contact 919-656-2729.

PROPERTY FOR SALE OR LEASE

Villa for Sale in Kerala, India. 3 bedrooms, 1559 sqft. Located in upscale Ernakulam district near Toch Engineering College. Owner asking for 49 Lacs INR. Good opportunity for investment by NRI. Contact santoshx@gmail.com for photos & details.

leARN ABoUt lAND

We Help High Networth Cash Buyers in the Raleigh Metro Area. Contact Bob Atkinson “the land Man” 919-362-6999 or visit www.learnaboutland.com Saathee.com

MATRIMONIAL

looking for match for 34 year-old Gujarati Vaishnav woman (divorcee, has 6 year-old daughter, Australian Citizen.) Willing to move to USA or stay in Australia. Please contact 919667-6500 or cpdiwan59@yahoo.com. looking for match for 50 year old but looks younger Gujarati Vishnav Male divorcee. Well qualified & settled in North Carolina. Must be permanent resident or Citizen. Call 203-350-9636.

SERVICES

Beauty Parlor in Columbia and Charlotte area: Waxing, Threading, Bridal Henna & Makeup, Facials. Call for appointment: 704-526-8707. looking for a multilingual Priest to perform Hindu Rituals at your home? Contact Sastriji 704-231-0751 or 704-625-7578; Email: sastrigal2007@gmail.com

Certified Henna/Mehndi Artist available in North Carolina and other states. For all occasions (corporate, birthday parties, weddings, etc). Call for free consultation: 832-290-0059 or email: arpna001@gmail.com; Facebook.com/Nikki-AggarwalHenna-Artist-1673373292919497/. Will work closely with you to meet your needs. Gujarati Priest: Devendra Dave Independent priest. Ganesh, Randal, Navratri, Diwali’s Laxmi & Sharda Pujas, Satyanarayan Katha, Weddings, Vastu, Baby Shower, Funeral Seva. Call Daveji 704-7803563. God Blessings to All. Affordable transportation (Sedan & SUV) in Charlotte region for airport, corporate events, sightseeing, special events. Ride the Maharaja (King) style. For rates & availability call / text 980-888-5298 or visit: SinghKingTransportation.com

Gujarati Priest in NC & SC for Ganesh, Randal, Laxmi, Sharda Pujan, Satyanarayan Katha, Wedding, Vastu, Baby Shower, Hawan, Grah Shanti. Kishor Trivedi Home: 336-774-0597 Cell: 336-4867925 E-Mail: kishor7@juno.com 123

Pretty Face - Indian beauty parlour. Threading, facials, waxing, etc conveniently located in the Ballantyne /South Charlotte area. Call for appointment 704-726-8928. Priest Available for the following services: Shree Satya narayan katha, Shanti hawan, Vastu shanty, Weddings, Baby shower, Bhumi pujan, Mata ki chowki pujan, Funeral, all types of karmakand. Please call Viral Bhatt 704-438-6334.

Gujarati Families: I am interested in learning everything Gujarati, culture, food, language, etc .If willing to help, please call Nik 803-579-1405.

Dholi For Hire: Plays the Dhol (drum) for any occasion! Barat, Doli, Graduation, Birthdays, Baby Showers & any other festivity. Affordable rates! Call Arpan Bhandari 704-6414761 or email: arpandholi@yahoo.com

Garland Design Studio By: GP. Flower shop for all occasions. E-mail Ghanshyam.patel53@gmail.com or call 704-548-2852 / 704-779-0277. F a c e b o o k . c o m / GarlandDesignStudioByGp/

Neeta’s Beauty Parlor: Charlotte area open 7 days a week. Full service. Call for appointment. 704-968-0270. Pari Beauty In Matthews: Threading, Waxing, Facials, Massage for newborn and mom & other services. 27 years of experience. Special Deals & Great Service. Call: 704-846-7912.

Saathee Classifieds Business ads are $25 Personal ads are $15 Upgrade to color or add a box for additional $10 Saathee.com ads posted daily (call for rates) We accept all credit cards and checks. Ads up to 25 words. Deadline for print is the 20th. Web ads daily.

How do I Submit classifieds? 1. on-line: saathee.com (classified section) 2. e-mail: info@saathee.com 3. Fax: 704.527.7590 4. For more info call 704.527.7570 Saathee Magazine PO Box 11468 Charlotte, NC 28220 January 2017

Advertisers Index Accounting Solutions (Muhammad Kamran Awan)...59

DJ Desi (Amit Vasi) ..............................................53

Patel, Mrugesh (Law Offices) .............................125

Agarwal, Lata, CPA (Grippin Donlan Pinkham) ......47

DJ Lalit (Lalit Hemnani) ........................................31

Patel, Tony (Real Estate) .......................................47

Ali & Sons Car Care ...........................................97

Embassy National Bank .........................................5

Pathak, Atul (Real Estate) .....................................27

All Car Care.........................................................48

Eye Level ............................................................15

Payal Groceries ...................................................39

Allure Brow..........................................................81

Fairview Home Mortgage.....................................45

Peace Center Greenville, SC (Taj Express Musical) ..3

Anand, Versha (Real Estate) ................................49

Fashion and Jewelery..........................................97

Piedmont Health Care (Gastroenterologist V. Trivedi,) .....107

Anil Bedi & Associates PC (CPA & Consultants) ....71

Friends Travel ......................................................71

PP Tax & Accounting Services..............................51

Aroma Indian Cuisine (Charlotte) ..........................38

Gandhi International Market.................................75

Puja Boutique (Charlotte) .....................................21

Around The World Market (Charlotte)....................20

Geological Resources, Inc..................................121

Rajbhog Foods ....................................................99

Ashwini Kathak Dance Academy..........................69

Global Mall / Legacy Jewels ..............................127

Rajdeep Video & Photography (Ramesh Panjabi)...33

Asian Divas (Makeup Artist/ Beauty Salon) .........121

H2 Laser & Skin ..................................................81

Raj's Photography ...............................................47

Asiana Fusion.Sushi ............................................61

Hindu Center of Charlotte (Events) ..................64-67

Ram Realty (Ram Kalagara)..................................51

Aspect Commerical Realty (Prashant Parmar).....121

India Grocers (Charlotte) ......................................79

Regal Oaks Dental ..............................................95

Austin Village Eye Care (Dr. Keshav Bhat)..............91

Indian Association of Carolinas (Atul Purohit Show) ..13

Religious Ceremonies (Swminath Sastrigal) ..........17

Ballantyne Tech Academy ....................................29

International Community Church .......................113

Ribald Floral and Events.......................................33

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Charlotte)........57

K & M Accounting................................................93

Ritu Selects - India Inspired Couture.....................63

Barot, Tushar (State Farm)..................................125

Kabab-Je ..........................................................101

Robert Brown LLC (Oza, Rishi: Immigration Law) ..99

Bashyam, Spiro & Coats, LLP (Immigration Law) 119

Kasarla, Gopal & Veena (Real Estate & Mortgage).55

Roop Beauty (Pooja Patel) ....................................43

Battineni, Sekhar (Real Estate)..............................19

Kaur, Karamjit (New York Life Insurance)...............87

S S Event Services (Event planning, Photo, Video).17

Beyond Bollywood (City Of Raleigh Museum)........12

KB Zaveree............................................................4

Saffron Restaurant and Catering ..........................21

Bhindi Jewellers ................................................2

Khanna & Sons Jewelers.....................................25

Saint Mary's School.............................................17

Bipin Parekh Realty, LLC ......................................54

Kirti Shah CPA .....................................................45

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

Blooming Buds....................................................59

Krut Systems (LED, Signs, Solar) ..........................22

Shah, Kirti (CPA - Sepa Consulting) ....................46

Bollywood Photo Booth / DJ Hangama .................45

Kumar, Kokila (Real Estate - Allen Tate).................41

Shining Star Academy .......................................105

Bombay Grille (Charlotte) .....................................16

LED Lights (Smart Energy Solutions) ..................126

Shri Somesvara Temple (Mt. Soma, NC) ...............13

British International School of Charlotte ................42

Maadhurya Photography....................................111

Shyama Beauty Parlour .......................................39

Carolina Horse & Carriage....................................41

Maharani Indian Cuisine (Charlotte)......................29

SJ Iyer Realty.......................................................43

Carolina Law Group (Monty Desai) .....................117

Malani Jewelers ................................................128

Sonal Furniture (Atlanta).......................................35

Carolina Wedding Belle (Event Design & DĂŠcor) ....99

Mathur, Gitanjali (Allen Tate Realtors)....................23

South Charlotte Endocrinology (K. Narasimhan, MD)..34

CaroMont Medical Group (Dr. Manu Patel)..........101

Matthews Family Dentistry ..................................34

Southern Oncology Specialists (Dr. Swetha Gujja)101

Challa Law Offices, PLC (Immigration)..................31

Meena Jewelers (Zaveri Bazaar).............................9

Subscription Form .............................................103

Charlotte Chess Club .........................................23

Meritage Homes..................................................89

Sweta Bhardwaj 8 Spa ........................................61

Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat .......................109

Mishra Architecture PLLC ..................................107

The Blue Taj.........................................................37

Charlotte Music School........................................49

MyTripFare (Travel agent).....................................59

Travel Universe ....................................................32

Chaupatti (Casual Indina Kitchen - Charlotte)........63

Nationwide Ins. (Maqsood Khan) ..........................33

Travelinks..........................................................113

Chiro-Carolina

.............................................107

Neeta's Beauty Parlor ..........................................93

Ttravel Guru ........................................................45

Concha, David (Immigration Attorney)...................91

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

Tuggle Duggins, PA (Scott C. Gayle - Attorney at Law)27

Copper Restaurant (Charlotte) ..............................37

Nuv Yug India Fest .................................................8

Tyagi, Rita (Real Estate)......................................103

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

OM Tech Training ................................................61

Uni World Travel.................................................125

Crossroads Brokers (Sara Cartee - County South).53

Pac N Fly (Travel Agency) .....................................31

Vyas Travels ......................................................107

Curry n' Cakes (Charlotte)....................................81

Panache by Jia....................................................51

Woodlands Vegetarian Cuisine (Charlotte).............77

Delhi Palace / Spices of India (Columbia)..............69

Parekh, Smita (NY Life) ........................................55

Worldwide Travels ...............................................53

Dentist (Dr. Prashant Rao-Cedar Walk Dentistry).103

Passage To India - Fine Indian Cuisine..................83

Yafa Halal Market & CafĂŠ .....................................41

Dentist (Pineville Dentistry - Lina V. Mistry, DDS) ...91

Patel Brothers (Charlotte) .....................................85

Yogiraj Swami (Hindu Religious Ceremonies) ........51

Desai, Rajarshi (CPA, PLLC) .................................43

Patel, Champa (Real Estate)...............................101

Zafran Kabab Palace (Charlotte / Pineville) ...........19

Devam Jewelers....................................................7

Patel, Kiran (Real Estate)..............................39 & 93

Saathee.com

124

January 2017

Uniworld Travel, your Trusted Partner

UNI W

Tushar Barot, Agent 110 Osterville Drive Holly Springs, NC 27540

RLD

Travel Agency, Inc Toll Free: 844.400.2310 202.400.2310 website: www.uniworldinc.com email: rommel@uniworldinc.com

919-629-6199 704-302-1215

airfare.cruise.visa.tours

tushar@tusharbarot.com www.tusharbarot.com

● Best Fares and Reliable Service ● Global Travel Experts ● Tickets from India to US for Parents ● We speak Hindi, Gujarati & English ● Discounted Fares to INDIA, PAKISTAN, NEPAL, BANGLADESH, EUROPE & AFRICA

Law Offices of

MRUGES H S . PAT EL

Member of American Immigration Lawyers Association

888-549-0030

Serving your immigration needs in

North & South Carolina. Call for consultation!

Family Petition Fiance Visa H-1, L-1, & Student Visa Visitor Visa Labor Certification

Citizenship Removal/Deportation Re-entry Permit Adoption Consular Processing

Practice in NC & SC limited to immigration only. Licensed in New Jersey. Saathee.com

125

January 2017

SMART ENERGY SOLUTIONS SAVE

60% to 75% on energy Authorized trade ally for Duke Energy and Duke Progress (NC, SC, IN, OH, KY, FL) SC E&G, GA Power

Financing & Installation Available

www.smartlednc.com

Serving all of North Carolina & South Carolina REBATES LBS N BU AVAILABLE O DU K E ENE RG

Y REBATE

5% UP TO 7 LED Panel

2/2-40W-4000lm 2/4-72W-6900lm

ENERGY EFFICIENT LED LIGHTING (LED Bulbs, Tubes, Sport, Flood Lights, etc.) LED Area Light

Retrofit Kit

LED CANOPY LIGHTS

Duke Energy Rebate available 130W 13,000LM

PAR Bulbs

PAR 20 - 8W PAR 30 - 11W PAR 38 - 20W & 26W BR 30 - 11W

180W, 240W, 320W UL, cUL, DLC

35W, 60W, 150W, 320W

Wall Packs

LSI Canopy Light

13W, 60W, 100W

Duke Energy Rebate available

9W 12W

50w 150w

100w 200w

LED FLOOD LIGHT

Downlights ENEGRY STAR

DOUBLE SIDED COOLER LIGHT

$50.00 Duke Energy Rebate available

5ft

6ft

4ft

LED TUBE LIGHT 22W UL

Duke Energy Rebate available

LED FIXTURES STARTING AT $29.99

8ft

DIMMABLE BULBS AVAILABLE ENERGY STAR

LED LIGHT BULB

704.835.1054 Mr. Amit Patel: 980.254.4200 Mr. Rupal Patel: 704.287.3426

527 N. Polk St. • Pineville, NC

Serving all of NC & SC

Open: M-F 9am to 6pm, Sat 10 to 5 (1/2 Mile from Patel Brothers & same shopping center as India Grocers) Rebates Available with Duke Energy and other small utility companies in small towns. Call for details