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Large turnout at India’s Republic Day Celebrations in Houston Rich tributes paid to peace apostle Mahatma Gandhi

by Shobana Muratee HOUSTON – On Sunday, January 26, Indian Americans and friends of India joined the members of the Indian Consulate in celebrating India’s 71st Republic Day. The twopart celebration had flag hoisting ceremony in the morning by the newly ap-

pointed Consul General, Aseem R. Mahajan who welcomed the gathering and delivered President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the people on the eve on the eve of the Republic Day of India.

The evening reception held at Doubletree by Hilton was attended by the

‘Who’s Who’ of the Indian diaspora and elected officials prominent among who were Congressman Al Green, Fort Bend County Judge K P George, Senator John Cornyn’s Representative Jay Guerrero, Congresswoman Shiela Jackson’s Representative Larry Freeman , Sugar Land Mayor

Joe Zimmerman, Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia Houston City Controller Chris Brown, and City of Stafford Councilman Ken Mathew. A host of luminaries including Renu Khator, Chancellor University of Houston System and Continued on Page 8

Consul General of India, Aseem Mahajan welcoming the guests at India’s 71st Republic Day celebratory reception in Houston on Jan. 26, 2020. Photo credit: Bijay Dixit

UH Expands Courses, Degree India House hosts India’s 71st Republic Day offerings in Katy, Sugar Land UH at Katy to Offer Three New Engineering Degrees; Bauer Expands to Sugar Land

by Jeannie Kever

H

OUSTON -January 29, 2020 - In a significant move to expand higher educational offerings across the Houston region, the University of Houston has received approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer three new undergraduate engineering degrees in Katy.

The UH Bauer College of Business also will offer upper division classes at the UH at Sugar Land instructional site.

“The UH at Katy and UH

K AUSHAL P ATEL A SSOCIATES F ORENSIC D ATA C ONSULTANT

at Sugar Land instructional sites offer a University of Houston Tier One education to residents across our region in disciplines that are in great demand,” said Paula Myrick Short, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “These new undergraduate classes and programs are yet another step in making higher education and a UH degree accessible to the greater Houston metropolitan area.”

The UH Cullen College of Engineering this fall will begin offering undergraduate degrees in computer engineering and analytics, construction engineering

and systems engineering at UH at Katy. The coordinating board approved the new degrees Jan. 23.

A collaboration with Houston Community College, the UH/HCC Engineering Academy in Katy, means students will be able to complete all classes for the four-year degree in Katy, said J.R. Rao, associate dean for UH Engineering in Katy.

All engineering courses will be taught by UH faculty, while students will take lower division classes and core requirements, such as Continued on Page 7

Photo by Bijay Dixit.

Congressman Pete Olson, Congressman Al Green, Fort Bend County Judge KP George hoist flags of USA, India and State of Texas at India House on the occasion of India 71st Republic Day. India House flag unflurried by Dr. Manish Rungta, IH President. Report on Page 8

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OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS

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Contributors: OpEd: Dr. Chandra Mittal Legal: Sharlene Sharmila Richards Mala Sharma Health: Sudhir Mathuria Research: Dr. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee

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Editor Online: Shobana Muratee All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the consent of the publisher. Voice of Asia assumes no liability resulting from action taken based on the information included herein. Published weekly by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713774-5140. Fax: 713-774-5143. Email for editorial submissions: voiceasia@aol.com; Email for advertising inquiries and submissions: ads@voiceofasiagroup.com.

It is the policy of Voice of Asia to publish letters to the editor which evidence a variety of viewpoints. The opinions expressed in any particular letter to the editor are not necessarily those of the management. Voice of Asia welcomes letters in reply to issues raised in letters to editor. In as much letters to the editor are not articles written or researched by members of Voice of Asia, it is not the policy of the Voice of Asia to perform any investigation or confirmation of any facts or allegations contained in letters to the editor. Moreover, Voice of Asia reserves the right to edit letters to the editor as necessary to correct errors of fact, punctuation, spelling and to comply with space constraints. Although paid advertisements may appear inVoice of Asia Group Publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, theVoice of Asia Group does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement.

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by Chandra K. Mittal, Ph.D.

A

s the current Senate Impeachment Trial of President Donald Trump is unfolding in the United States Senate, the Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is looking every which way to politically maneuver, manipulate, and rig the parliamentary process with gimmicks to acquit President Donald of wrong doing without a fair trial into the alleged constitutional misconduct in withholding the Congressionally approved Ukraine security assistance in exchange for an investigation of his political rival Joe Biden by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky.

Ironically, though, the increasing public awareness of the Ukraine scandal and the overwhelming supporting and corroborating evidence as publicly laid out by the Democratic House of Representatives in the Impeachment proceedings as well as in the ongoing Senate Impeachment Trial, life for Mitch McConnell’s fellow Republican Senators is becoming hard as they are being caught between the rock and the hard place, where they rather not be.

One hand, they are faced by both direct and indirect evidence against the President that implicates him in alleged constitutional misconduct which morally requires US Senate to convict and remove him from the office. But, on the other hand, they have to save their political future which requires them to stick with Donald Trump and support him because he is too

by Bhamy V. Shenoy

T

he first time Pratham organized a fund raising event in Houston in 1999, it was its goal to provide pre schooling in the Dharavi slums attracted me to Pratham. Pratham’s latest ASER 2019 released on January 15, 2020 in New Delhi has again showed that India has failed its children in giving quality pre schooling, much needed foundation for future studies.

Pratham has been publishing Annual Survey of Education Report (ASER) since 2005 with a break in 2014. ASER makes

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To Remove or Not to Remove President Donald Trump from Office: A Politico-Moral Dilemma for Republican Senators popular in their constituencies to be ignored. It is this the politico-moral dilemma and conflict that is eating the conscience of many Republican Senators who are up for reelection in 2020.

Furthermore, as if the life was not hard enough for many Republican Senators as they are caught in this conflicting situation, President Donald Trump is not letting off the pressure on them. He is trying his best to keep them all in line much like a “monarch” using both carrots and sticks. For now, because President has the controlling grip on the Republic Party and his conservative loyalists, many Republican Senators cannot afford to alienate him. As conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh once said in the beginning of Trump Presidency that Donald Trump will control Republican elected representatives only as long as he is popular with the “base”. And that is exactly what Trump is capitalizing on today, and compelling Republicans to sell their soul to retain their elected office.

Impeachment of a US President is provisioned in Article II, Section 4 of the United States Constitution to remove the President from office on Impeachment for and conviction of Treason, Bribery, or high Crimes and Misdemeanors. And the authority to do so rests with rests with the US Congress. While the exact definitions for the specific impeachable terms are not given in the Constitution, it is meant to be determined by a political process involving both the elected members of House

of Representatives and the US Senate, who are, respectively, empowered to impeach and convict the President for the “impeachable” offenses.

Although US history is witness to many past Presidents being charged with and/or impeached for various “debatable misconducts” depending on the politics of times and whims of the politicians, it is offense of “misuse of the President’s office for personal gain” that has received the universal acceptance, without exception, as the impeachable conduct by a US President. Similar seems to be the case here with Donald Trump where there is allegation and growing proof of attempted “personal political gain” by him as is being debated in the ongoing Senate impeachment trial.

There is an incessant effort by the Republicans in the Senate and House to defend the President of wrong doing in the whole Ukraine affair, but they are falling short on two critical fronts. One, that their defense arguments do not question the “facts” as presented by the prosecution side through witnesses’ testimonies, their text messages, e-mails etc. Their defense is only to either complaint about the impeachment process or the indirectness of the evidence.

Their arguments are generally irrelevant and illogical to defend the President, including by some scholars who are trying to question the morality of the impeachment itself.

And, second, most importantly, Donald Trump does not want

to share the official records or allow his cabinet members to testify and clear his name. Such refusal by the President to share official documents with the Congress and his apparent effort to block the witnesses from testifying does not only have bad optics but it also represents a potential major constitutional crisis. To make it more complicated, his former National Security Advisors John Bolton has reportedly stated of alleged wrong doing by the President and is willing to testify before the Senate.

All these developments are adding more consternation and quandary for the sitting Republican Senators as they are trying to grapple with the situation in the Senate trial. They would like to look fair and for justice before their constituents and the public. But they are being forced to defend the indefensible.

America is the most stable, progressive and oldest democracy in the world only because of its constitution and promise is rooted in the truth, ethic and morality. And, these values are supreme and worth defending no matter who is the Executive, Legislator or the Judge. Hence, it is hoped that US Senate would do what is right for America, and not what is right for a Senator.

Dr. Chandra Mittal is Professor at Houston Community College, Op-Ed Columnist, and Co-Founder of Indo-American Association, Houston. Contact: drckmittal@yahoo.com

Pratham’s ASER 2019 throws light on lack of quality pre schooling an assessment of the learning levels of rural students - both in government and private schools.

Successive reports should have shocked the nation.

are at least six years. Allowing underage children into primary grades put them at a learning disadvantage which is difficult to overcome later.

For example, ASER 2018 revealed that only 27.2% of Standard III can read at Standard II grade level text, and 28.1% can do at least subtraction. The same report showed that 25% of children leaving Standard VIII cannot read second grade level text.

It was much better in 2008 - only 15%. Do we need any proof that we have an education crisis?

On the other hand, 36.4% of age seven and above are still in grade I when they should have been in higher standard. According to the Right to Education Act, compulsory and free education is from age six to 14 years. However the ground reality is different.

Earlier ASERs have also revealed such dismal statistics. But nothing has happened.

ASER 2019 has focussed on “early years” of child development. Globally early years is defined as 0 to 8 years. It is this time period which is most important for cognitive, motor, emotional and social development of a child. Since by age six 90% of child’s brain is fully formed, it is critical that school environment provides for creative learning and other developmental activities.

5-year-olds are exposed to a very wide variety of environments and inputs, depending on where they are enrolled: 26.3% children are in anganwadis, 40.6% children are in private LKG or UKG classes, and 23.9% are in government or private schools attending standard I or above.

ASER 2019 has collected data on the schooling status and analyzed the important development indicators of young children in the age group 4-8. This is not a pretty picture. Study findings strongly support the recommendation of Draft New Education Policy of strengthening Early Childhood Education (ECE) by shifting it to school complex and having trained teachers handling ECE rather than poorly trained and poorly paid Anganwadi teachers who are burdened with many other activities.

ASER surveyors covered a total of 36,930 children in the age group of 4-8 years in 26 rural districts across 24 states, wherein they asked each child to perform a variety of tasks that would test their cognitive skills, literacy as well as numeracy knowledge.

Furthermore, social and emotional development was tracked through activities.

Only 12.7% of children in age group 4 to 5 years are not enrolled in any type of school - Anganwadi, or preschool or school.

While this is a good thing, what is not encouraging is that 21.9% of children age 4 to 5 are in standard I and above. It is presumed that children while entering grade

Children were administered five cognitive tasks - sorting, spatial awareness, seriation, pattern recognition and puzzle. As expected ability to perform tasks improves with age from 4 to 5 irrespective of schooling status.

It came as a surprise that most students were not able to perform these simple tasks even at age 5.

For example for age 5 children, only 44% in anganwadi, 50% in private preschools and 30% who were not enrolled could do simple pattern recognition.

One more example. Of all 4-year-olds enrolled in anganwadis, 63.8% can do a sorting task, 51.7% can do a spatial awareness task, 39.4% can do a seriation task, 38.8% can do pattern recognition and 31% can do puzzle.

Worse has yet to come.

The ability to identify emotions is an important part of social and emotional development. The child is shown four face cards depicting sadness, happiness, anger and fear. At age 4, only 24% could identify all four emotions and it was slightly better for age 5 at the level of 33.6%. Top score was for happiness emotion of 62% for age 4 and 72% for age 5.

Lack of preparedness at pre schooling becomes evident while looking at reading and numeracy

skills of children at grade I. Only 16 % of children in standard I can read at grade I level, while 39% cannot even read a letter, 29% can identify letters, 15% can read a word.

25% in Standard I could not recognize a number while 51% could do one digit addition and 39% could do one digit subtraction. Only 40% could do oral word problem addition.

ASER analysis has showed that early language and numeracy skills improve if a child is able to perform cognitive tasks better.

This suggests that focussing on play-based activities that build memory, reasoning and problem-solving abilities is far more productive than an early focus on content knowledge.

Unfortunately today even at pre schooling level, reciting nursery rhymes or rote learning to demonstrate one’s knowledge of facts is more stressed than encouraging children to indulge in things where they want to discover new things out of inherent curiosity on their own, a methodology stressed in Montessori school.

ASER tried to correlate mother’s education level to the performance of their children in terms of performing three cognitive tasks and reading and numeracy skills. In all categories there was positive correlation which should not come as a surprise. Higher the education level of the mother, children performed better.

However this does not justify teachers blaming parents for the poor performance of their students. While it is certainly advantageous to have educated parents, children can still overcome the handicap if they have dedicated and competent teachers.

Pratham has done a great contribution by highlighting the problem of dysfunctional early childhood education and Houston NRIs who have been contributing to Pratham can justifiably be happy to have played a part in this.

(Bhamy V Shenoy, a long time resident of Houston is associated with Pratham Mysuru).

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IACCGH holds Inaugural Reception at City Hall to welcome its new President and Board

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Taranjit Singh Sandhu appointed India’s Ambassador to US

IACCGH President Tarush Anand addressing the gathering.

by Manu Shah

H

OUSTON - On January 16, a distinguished group of community leaders and members of the Chamber attended the 2020 IACCGH Inaugural Reception at City Hall to welcome Tarush Anand, IACCGH’s new President and his Board. Luminaries like Mayor Turner, ACG Surendra Adhana, Sheriff Ed Gonzales, Former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Rice University President Dr. David Leebron graced the occasion.

Welcoming the gathering, Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia highlighted the main events of the year such as the popular Distinguished Lecture and Women Mean Business Series sponsored by Shell, the NexGen Young Professionals which is the Chamber’s engagement with millennials and the well-received Generational Transition Panel Discussions. The year also saw the Chamber reaching out to a wider audience through various organizations like the Indian Doctors Association, the Jamatkhana and Meenakshi Temple. Jagdip also thanked the Chamber Advisors and Board members and welcomed Malisha Patel SVP and CEO of Memorial Hermann Sugar Land and Southwest Hospitals to the IACCGH Board.

Guest of Honor Mayor Turner who was introduced as “a man who not only gives every Houstonian a seat at the table but also a voice at the table”, in his remarks, alluded to the successful trade delegation to India in 2018 which he led with the Greater Houston Partnership and the Chamber. He cited that since then trade between Houston and India “continues to grow and exports from Houston to India have grown by 50%.”

Thanking the Mayor for his

Taranjit Singh Sandhu

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EW DELHI, Jan 28 (PTI) Seasoned diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu has been appointed as India’’s Ambassador to the US, replacing Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

L-R: Acting Consul General Surendra Adhan, Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia, outgoing president Swapan Dhairyawan, IACCGH President Tarush Anand, Mayor Turner and former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. Photo credit: Bijay Dixit.

“genuine ongoing support to the Chamber,” President Tarush Anand spoke of the Chamber’s constant efforts to innovate with new programs to create value for its members. As President for the next two years, he intends to initiate networking type events for new members and new businesses so they can integrate, meet new people and find new business connections. He is also working on a Business Mentorship Series which will bring together a small group of business owners to meet periodically and a mentor to guide the discussion and help find solutions to problems they may be facing. NexGen Exchange programs which brings young professionals into the fold will also take priority “because ultimately that’s where we grow.”

The 2019 IACCGH Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Former County Judge Ed Emmett for his “contributions to the city, state and country” as Past President Sanjay Ramabhadran put it, as well as for his “steady leadership through the good times and the tough times and for his collaborative style.”

Accepting the award, the former Judge, who was recently in India to work on a joint partnership between Rice University and IIT, Kanpur, reflected on his deep relationship with India and the Chamber. He added that he would continue to look for ways to further his relationship with India.

A plaque of appreciation was presented to Immediate Past President Swapan Dhairyawan

for his “exemplary service to the Chamber.” In his remarks, Swapan spoke of his indebtedness to a unified Board for his success and the rewarding experience of leading the Chamber.

Acting Consul General Surendra Adhana, in a lighter vein, called the Chamber “a part of the Consulate team” for the work it does in strengthening ties between Houston and India and added that the “India-US relationship….is on an unprecedented trajectory.”

Visit www.iaccgh.com to learn more about the Chamber and upcoming events which include a Power Lunch with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Friday, February 21 and the annual IACCGH Tax Seminar on Sunday, February 23.

Shringla is set to take over as the next foreign secretary on Wednesday.

Sandhu, a 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is currently posted as High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka.

His appointment to the high-profile job comes at a critical time when the US-India strategic partnership is deepening and also tensions are simmering in the Gulf region after the US killed top Iranian commander General Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad.

General of India in Frankfurt from September 2011 to July 2013 and worked at the Ministry of External Affairs from March 2009 to August 2011 as Joint Secretary (United Nations) and later as Joint Secretary (Administration) heading the Human Resource Division.

Sandhu was also posted at the Permanent Mission of India to United Nations, New York from July 2005 to February 2009.

He was also a first secretary (Political) at Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. responsible for liaison with the United States Congress from 1997-2000.

In a distinguished career spanning nearly thirty years, Sandhu has worked in the former Soviet Union (Russia) and following the breakup of USSR, he was sent to open a new Embassy in Ukraine.

Also, Indian and US officials are engaged in talks to finalise dates for a possible visit by US President Donald Trump to India.

Earlier this month, Shringla had called on Donald Trump and thanked him for his “steadfast support” for strengthening the strategic bilateral ties.

Prior to his current assignment in Colombo, Sandhu was Deputy Chief of Mission at Embassy of India in Washington D.C. from July 2013 to January 2017.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday thanked outgoing Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale for his contributions to the Indian diplomacy. Shringla has been appointed as the new foreign secretary for a two-year fixed term.

He also served as the Consul

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FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

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India touts traditional remedies Medicare Advantage more cost effective than traditional to combat new virus

Medicare insurance - UHG report

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EW DELHI | AFP | 1/29/2020 - As scientists race to find a vaccine for the deadly Wuhan virus, the Indian government said Wednesday that ancient homeopathy and Ayurveda remedies could hold an answer.

A

recent report from UnitedHealth Group (UHG) states that Medicare Advantage has a significant cost reduction value over traditional, fee-for-service Medicare, commonly known as traditional Medicare.

The ministry that promotes the country’s booming yoga, naturopathy and homeopathy sectors released an advisory listing herbal oils to be rubbed into the scalp to purportedly ease the symptoms.

It also suggested ingesting Arsenicum album-30, a homeopathic treatment.

“The dose should be repeated after one month by following the same schedule in case coronavirus infections prevail,” the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy) said in a statement” The ministry also issued general advice on maintaining personal hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus.

The advisory came as the Dalai Lama, in exile in Dharamsala in India, said on Facebook that followers concerned about the virus should chant a mantra that would be “helpful” in dealing with the situation.

India claims to have natural remedies for everything from cancer to the common cold.

The government in recent years has launched a drive to promote

An Indian ministry says homeopathy and other traditional remedies could help fight the new China virus (AFP Photo/Philippe HUGUEN) traditional remedies as it seeks to cash in on the multi-billion dollar global market for holistic medicine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a yoga practitioner, has said he wants the world to make Ayurveda “a way of life”.

Ayurvedic medicine -- which means the “science of life” in Sanskrit -- treats the physical and mental sources of illness through, for example, prescribing herbs in conjunction with yoga or massage.

The ministry said that homeopathy, the treatment of diseases with alternative medicines prescribed in minute doses, is the main source of healthcare for some 10 percent of India’s 1.3-billion pop-

ulation.

The Unani system is a mix of traditional medicines from Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Persia, India, China and other Middle East countries, according to the ministry.

Apart from the recommended Ayurvedic, homeopathy and Unani treatments, the ministry also advised Indians who fear they have been infected to “wear a mask and contact your nearest hospital immediately”.

New Delhi family physician Sanjiv Zutshi told AFP the recommended course of action for patients suspected of having the virus was for them to be tested and treated in hospital.

No cases of the virus have been reported in India.

China’s coronavirus: rising death toll, global impact

“Medicare Advantage (MA) plans cover the same services as Medicare FFS and typically offer additional protections and services, not covered by Medicare FFS, that support beneficiaries in staying healthy, improving care outcomes, and avoiding unforeseen medical costs,” the report stated. “Compared to Medicare FFS, MA beneficiaries with chronic conditions receive more preventative care and experience fewer emergency department visits and lower rates of avoidable hospitalizations.”

While fee-for-service Medicare covers 83 percent of costs in Part A hospital services and Part B provider services, Medicare Advantage covers 89 percent of these costs along with supplemental benefits ranging from Part D prescription drug coverage to out-of-pocket healthcare spending caps.

Medicare Advantage plans can also have rich supplemental benefits that help trim costs and add value.

The report looked at costs for a typical Medicare Advantage beneficiary: a 72-year-old who lives on a fixed income of less than $27,000. This individual’s healthcare spending amounted to $3,632 per year in 2019.

This was 39 percent less than a beneficiary would pay to receive fee-for-service Medicare plus a prescription drug plan and a Medigap Plan F. It was also less than fee-forservice Medicare with a prescription drug plan and Medigap Plan G ($5,441) or fee-for-service Medicare with just a prescription drug plan ($5,109).

Fee-for-service Medicare plus a prescription drug plan and Medigap Plan F saw $4,668 go toward premiums with an additional $1,292 for out-of-pocket costs. In contrast, Medicare Advantage members saw nearly $2,000 go to premiums and a little over $1,600 go to out-ofpocket costs.

Out-of-pocket costs could be less with fee-for-service than with Medicare Advantage when coupled with a prescription drug plan as well as a supplemental plan. Nevertheless, high deductibles still led to a significant price difference that favored lower Medicare Advantage costs. Medicare Advantage costs were also more stable.

The costs in Medigap plans also varied by gender, health condition, and age whereas for Medicare Advantage the cost was relatively predictable.

To demonstrate the variability of Medigap costs, the study compared the costs for different ages on different Medigap plans in 2019.

Sudhir Mathuria HEALTHLIFE 360 713-771-2900

Beneficiaries on Medigap Plan G who were 65 paid $1,393 in premiums. However, those who were 85 paid $2,720.

A 65-year-old under Medigap Plan F paid $1,920 in premiums in 2019, while those who were 85 paid $3,748 in premiums.

Meanwhile, anyone on Medicare Advantage, whether they were 65, 85, or any other age in the Medicare-eligible spectrum, paid $1,609 for their healthcare coverage, UHG stated.

As the industry shifts toward value-based care, Medicare Advantage plans are proving to be a crucial stepping stone to cutting down costs overall through its flexibility and innovation.

To choose right Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Prescription plan contact Sudhir Mathuria at 713-771-2900.

READ LATEST ON HEALTH INSURANCE by Sudhir Mathuria ONLINE WWW.VOICEOFASIA.NEWS

WHO calls new emergency talks Thursday on China virus

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ENEVA | AFP | Wednesday 1/29/2020 - The World Health Organization on Wednesday called a new emergency meeting on a deadly virus outbreak following cases of onward transmission outside China, warning that all governments should “take action”.

A woman wearing a protective mask prays at the Lungshan temple during the fourth day of the Lunar New year of the Rat in Taipei in January 28, 2020. - Taiwan has uncovered five cases of the deadly coronavirus so far, the latest a Taiwanese woman in her 50s who was working in Wuhan and flew to the island on January 20. The virus, which can cause a pneumonia-like acute respiratory infection, has in a matter of weeks killed more 106 people and infected more than 4,000 in China, while cases have been identified in more than a dozen other countries. (Photo by Sam Yeh / AFP) (Photo by SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images)

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aris | AFP | 1/28/2020 - A new virus that China announced in late December has killed more than 100 people, infected more than 4,000 and spread to around 15 countries.

Here is a timeline.

- New virus On December 31, China alerts the World Health Organization (WHO) to cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, a port city in Hubei province. The virus is unknown.

Several of the infected worked at a seafood market where live animals are also sold. It is shut down on January 1.

As infections rise, Chinese officials on January 5 rule out a return of the SARS virus, which also originated in China and killed more than 770 people worldwide in 2002 and 2003.

On January 7, they say the outbreak involves a new virus from the coronavirus family. It is named 2019-nCoV. - First death China announces its first death on January 11: a man in Wuhan.

Two days later the WHO reports a case in Thailand, the

first outside China, a woman who arrived from the city.

On January 16 Japan reports a case of a man who had visited the city.

The United States, Nepal, France, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan confirm cases over the following days.

The US starts screening flights arriving from Wuhan.

- Human transmission On January 20 China reports a third death in Wuhan and more than 200 infections, with cases also reported outside Hubei including in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Human-to-human transmission is “affirmative”, a Chinese expert on infectious diseases Zhong Nanshan tells state broadcaster CCTV. Asian countries introduce mandatory screenings at airports of arrivals from high-risk areas of China.

- Wuhan quarantined On January 22, the death toll in China hits 17 with more than 550 infections. European airports step up checks on flights from Wuhan.

The city is in effect placed un-

der quarantine on January 23 as air and rail departures are suspended.

Public transport is halted in at least 18 other cities in Hubei, affecting tens of millions of people.

Beijing cancels events for the Lunar New Year starting on January 25, and officials report the first death outside of Hubei.

- Evacuations planned On January 24, Shanghai Disneyland closes along with a section of the Great Wall and other famous landmarks. Hong Kong’s Disneyland follows on January 26.

The United States says it will evacuate its citizens from Wuhan.

On January 27, Mongolia closes its border with China and shuts schools and universities.

The WHO admits making an error in originally assessing the virus’ worldwide threat as “moderate”, saying the risk is “high at the global level.”

Beijing extends the Lunar New Year holiday to limit population flows.

Malaysia bans visitors from Wuhan. Sri Lanka and the Philippines announce tighter visa restrictions for people coming

The meeting of the WHO’s Emergency Committee on Thursday will decide whether to declare an international health emergency -- a designation used for the worst outbreaks that can increase global coordination.

“The whole world needs to be on alert now. The whole world needs to take action,” Michael Ryan, head of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, told reporters in Geneva.

Ryan said the declaration of an international health emergency could help streamline the measures taken, warning that 194 countries implementing unilateral measures was a “potential recipe for disaster”.

Around 6,000 people have been infected with the SARSlike virus in China and 132 have died.

Sixty-eight further cases have been identified in more than a dozen other countries, including Germany, Japan and Vietnam where cases of human-to-human transmission outside of China have been confirmed.

“Although the numbers outside China are still relatively small, they hold the potential for a much larger outbreak,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Asked about countries evacuating their citizens from China, Tedros said the decision was up to them but “they have to prepare themselves if there is an import of cases”.

Tedros, who visited China this week and held talks with President Xi Jinping, said earlier that he was calling an emergency meeting of international experts on Thursday.

Tedros said most people who contract the virus exhibit “milder symptoms” but about one in five have severe illness, including pneumonia and respiratory failure.

The

WHO’s

Committee met for two days last week but stopped short of calling an international health emergency, saying that more information was needed about the virus.

The designation has only been used five times before by the Geneva-based UN health agency, including for Ebola and swine flu.

“The world is pulling together to end the outbreak, building on lessons learned from past outbreaks,” Tedros said.

“China needs the world’s solidarity and support,” he said, adding that he had held “frank talks” with Xi. Tedros also said the WHO “deeply regrets” a mistake in three of its reports last week in which it referred to the global risk of the outbreak as “moderate” instead of “high”.

The virus bears similarity to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which also originated in China and killed more than 770 people worldwide in 2002 and 2003.

Emergency

FOR LATEST HEALTH NEWS from China.

- First non-imported transmissions On January 28, with 56 million people subject to travel curbs in Hubei province, China urges its citizens to delay overseas travel.

Japan sends an aircraft to

Wuhan to repatriate its citizens and France says it will do so on Thursday.

In Germany, a man is infected by a Chinese work colleague in what is believed to be the first human transmission in Europe.

Japan reports a case of a man who had not been to China re-

cently but had apparently driven tourists who had come from Wuhan.

Other countries planning to pull out their nationals from Wuhan include Australia, Germany, India, Morocco, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

VOICE OF ASIA 5

FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

Science & Medicine

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Google aims AI at whales, words and well-being

S

AN FRANCISCO | AFP | Tuesday 1/28/2020 Google on Tuesday provided a look at efforts to put artificial intelligence to use for good, from protecting whales to breaking language barriers.

The internet giant unveiled projects on AI work teams a week after Google chief executive Sundar Pichai urged a “proportional approach” to regulating the technology.

Among demonstrations on Tuesday was a “bioacoustics” project using AI to help scientists, governments and nonprofit groups track endangered species.

Two years ago, Google partnered with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration to track humpback whales by using AI recognize the sound of whales in audio captured by underwater microphones.

Google on Tuesday announced an alliance with environmental groups to track critically endangered killer whales in the Salish Sea using AI. “We trained a deep neural network that automatically and immediately detects orcas and sends alerts to Canadian harbor managers,” Google said.

Another AI team showed how Google translation software that already lets smartphones serve as interpreters is being enhanced to power a new feature to transcribe what is being said

W

The researchers’ findings were published this past week in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

“There’s no doubt that chlorine is beneficial; chlorination has saved millions of lives worldwide from diseases such as typhoid and cholera since its arrival in the early 20th century,” says Prasse, an assistant professor of Environmental Health and Engineering at The Johns Hopkins University and the paper’s lead author.

“But that process of killing potentially fatal bacteria and

A

s we peer out into the universe in search of other worlds, we’ve spotted many gas giants orbiting close to their home stars. These so-called “hot Jupiters” have extreme environments, but the planet KELT-9b is in a class of its own. This is the hottest exoplanet ever discovered, and we’re just now understanding what that means. A new analysis of KELT-9b shows that molecules in its atmosphere are torn apart.

A female resident orca whale breaches while swimming in Puget Sound near Bainbridge Island as seen from a federally permitted research vessel

in real time and provide the results in text.

“With this, your Android mobile phone will effectively turn into an almost real time translator device for long-form speech,” Google said.

Google’s AI endeavors include infusing cords, headphone cables, clothing drawstrings or other textiles with gesture-sensing capabilities that could allow electronic devices to be controlled with squeezes or twists.

Google engineers are also exploring using AI to help with medical diagnostics, such as detecting signs of cancer or eye disease in scans.

Pichai, also boss of Google’s

viruses comes with unintended consequences. The discovery of these previously unknown, highly toxic byproducts, raises the question how much chlorination is really necessary.”

Phenols, which are chemical compounds that occur naturally in the environment and are abundant in personal care products and pharmaceuticals, are commonly found in drinking water. When these phenols mix with chlorine, the process creates a large number of byproducts. Current analytical chemistry methods, however, are unable to detect and identify all of these byproducts, some which may be harmful and can cause long-term health consequences, says Prasse.

In this study, Prasse and colleagues employed a technique commonly used in the field of toxicology to identify compounds based on their reaction with biomolecules like DNA and proteins. They add-

Women grab limelight at India’s Republic Day pageantry...

Continued from page 2

Scaled-down models of the Rafale aircraft were paraded by the air force, following the South Asian nation’s purchase of 36 jets from France in 2016 in a multi-billion-dollar deal.

The mounted camels of the Border Security Force put in an early showing, strutting down the avenue in brightly coloured caparisons.

Traditional dancers representing some of India’s diverse regional cultures performed on elaborately decorated floats showcasing selected states.

The show culminated with a Su-30 MKI fighter jet roaring through the sky in a “Vertical Charlie” aerobatic manoeuvre.

- Pageantry and protests The parade was held against a backdrop of nationwide protests over a new citizenship law that critics say discriminates against minority Muslims, which make

The hottest known planet continuously melts its own atmosphere

by Ryan Whitwam

parent company Alphabet, argued before an audience at a Brussels think tank, Bruegel, that companies like his own -an internet behemoth valued at $1 trillion -- need to be given a say as governments formulate AI regulatory policy.

AI is seen as an area where developments and applications risk outpacing regulatory measures unless authorities act swiftly.

“There is no question in my mind that artificial intelligence needs to be regulated,” Pichai said, while stressing that Google wants “to offer our expertise, experience, and tools as we grapple with the inevitable tensions and trade-offs.”

What’s in your water?

Researchers identify new toxic byproducts of disinfecting drinking water ASHINGTON, Tuesday 1/28/2020 - Mixing drinking water with chlorine, the United States’ most common method of disinfecting drinking water, creates previously unidentified toxic byproducts, says Carsten Prasse from Johns Hopkins University and his collaborators from the University of California, Berkeley and Switzerland.

www.voiceofasia.news

up 200 million people in India’s 1.3 billion-strong population.

And as citizens celebrated in Delhi, in restive Indian Kashmir, all mobile phone services were suspended for several hours.

The cut came just a day after people in the Muslim majority area had internet services partially restored, after the central government cut access in August as it stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status.

And the northeastern state of Assam, where the protests first began, was rocked Sunday by four explosions which the police suspected were carried out by a separatist group. No-one was injured and nothing was damaged, police said.

Also on Sunday, hundreds of women blocked a Delhi highway to protest the Citizenship Amendment Act and a proposed National Register of Citizens.

The new law makes it easier

ed N-α-acetyl-lysine, which is almost identical to the amino acid lysine that makes up many proteins in our bodies, to detect reactive electrophiles. Previous studies show that electrophiles are harmful compounds which have been linked to a variety of diseases.

The researchers first chlorinated water using the same methods used commercially for drinking water; this included adding excess chlorine, which ensures sufficient disinfection but also eliminates harmless smell and taste compounds that consumers often complain about. After that, the team added the aforementioned amino acid, let the water incubate for one day and used mass spectrometry, a method of analyzing chemicals, to detect the electrophiles that reacted with the amino acid.

Their experiment found the compounds 2-butene-1,4-dial (BDA) and chloro-2-butene-

for persecuted religious minorities from three neighbouring countries to obtain citizenship, but not if they are Muslim.

Protesters say the law is against the secular principles enshrined in the Indian constitution.

There were also protests against Bolsonaro’s visit, with a small rally held in the western city of Mumbai Friday where demonstrators questioned his stand on climate change and sexist comments against a female politician.

On Saturday the two nationalist leaders signed a slew of deals, including for defence and oil and gas, and promised to strengthen bilateral ties.

Last year Brazil complained about India’s subsidies for sugar exports to the World Trade Organisation, saying it would hurt free competition in the global market.

India is the largest cane sugar producer in the world followed

by Brazil, according to the International Sugar Organisation.

Astronomers discovered KELT-9b in 2017 orbiting a star about 670 light-years away.

It has a surface temperature of 7,800 degrees Fahrenheit (4,300 degrees Celsius). That makes it the hottest exoplanet by far, and it’s even warmer than some stars.

The planet might have become a star itself if not for its low mass, which is just shy of three times that of Jupiter.

Naturally, KELT-9b has sparked interest among astronomers. Of course, KELT-9b cannot support life as we know it, but studying an extreme environment like this can help us better understand all planets. Recent observations with the Spitzer infrared space telescope revealed what these extreme temperatures mean for the atmosphere.

Spitzer can measure variations in heat, and it was able to take the temperature of the two halves of KELT-9b as it zipped around the star.

Based on the Spitzer data, astronomers are confident that molecules on the dayside of the planet are continuously ripped to shreds. Not even molecular hydrogen, the smallest and simplest of molecules, has any hope of survival. KELT-9b orbits very close to its star — a year there is just 1.5 Earth days long. Like most exoplanets in such orbits, it’s tidally locked with one side always facing the star. The temperatures there are high enough to disassociate molecules, but the night side is about 50 percent cooler. That’s enough for molecules to reform as they circulate to the opposite side. The result is a cycle of melting and reforming molecules in the clouds of KELT-9b, like some sort of hellish molecular conveyor belt.

The observational data is a good match for computer models developed here on Earth.

Without hydrogen dissociation, models predict unfathomable wind speeds of 37 miles per second. Hydrogen dissociation distributes the heat more evenly, although astronomers are still baffled by the location of the planet’s “hot spot,” which isn’t directly under the star as expected. That’s just one more mystery to investigate.

- ExtremeTech

1,4-dial (or BDA with chlorine attached). BDA is a very toxic compound and a known carcinogen that, until this study, scientists had not detected in chlorinated water before, says Prasse.

While Prasse stresses that this is a lab-based study and the presence of these novel byproducts in real drinking water has not been evaluated, the findings also raise the question about the use of alternative methods to disinfect drinking water, including the use of ozone, UV treatment or simple filtration.

“In other countries, especially in Europe, chlorination is not used as frequently, and the water is still safe from waterborne illnesses. In my opinion, we need to evaluate when chlorination is really necessary for the protection of human health and when alternative approaches might be better,” says Prasse.

“Our study also clearly emphasizes the need for the development of new analytical techniques that allow us to evaluate the formation of toxic disinfection by-products when chlorine or other disinfectants are being used. One reason regulators and utilities are not monitoring these compounds is that they don’t have the tools to find them.”

- John Hopkins University

Tel: 713-774-5140

Public invited to offer input, nominations for next president of UT Medical Branch

H

OUSTON, Tuesday 1/28/2020 - Members of the public may submit nominations for the next president of the University of Texas Medical Branch via a UT System website launched today.

The website also gives the public the opportunity to offer comments about the expectations for the university’s next president. Both nominations and comments can be offered anonymously.

In addition, a position specification and a timeline to keep the community updated on the search process are posted on the website.

The UTMB Presidential Search Advisory Committee,

which held its first meeting Jan. 9, will recommend potential candidates to the Board of Regents in the coming months. The Board of Regents will make the final decision.

Isaacson, Miller, an executive recruitment firm, is assisting the Board of Regents with the search.

The next president of UTMB will succeed David Callender, M.D., who stepped down in August to become president and CEO of the Memorial Hermann Health System. Ben Raimer, M.D., UTMB’s senior vice president for the Office of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs, has been serving as interim president since then.

Eight innovators from seven UT institutions to be inducted as National Academy of Inventors Fellows

Surendra Shah. (Image source: UTA)

T

EXAS (January 13, 2020) - Eight faculty members from seven University of Texas institutions have received the highest professional distinction accorded to academic inventors: election to National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellow status. This brings to 47 the number of NAI Fellows at UT institutions.

The Class of 2019 Fellows from UT institutions are: Surendra Shah, UT Arlington Robert O. (Bill) Williams, UT Austin Lakshman Tamil, UT Dallas Ryan Wicker, UT El Paso Karen Lozano, UT Rio Grande Valley Rena Bizios, UT San Antonio

Michael S. Brown and Joseph L. Goldstein, UT Southwestern Medical Center The NAI Fellows Program highlights academic inventors who have demonstrated a spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society. To date, NAI Fellows hold more than 41,500 issued U.S. patents, which have generated over 11,000 licensed technologies and companies and created more than 36 million jobs.

The UT representatives are among 168 academic innovators who will be inducted as NAI Fellows during a ceremony in Phoenix on April 10.

Johnson & Johnson to create Coronavirus vaccine

A

TLANTA - Pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson is working on a vaccine to counter the deadly coronavirus.

In a recent interview, the chief scientist for Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Paul Stoffels, said he’s confident they can create a vaccine within months. However, it could take up to a year before it becomes available to the public.

This comes after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported more than 100 people across 26 states are currently being screened for the fast spreading illness.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar spoke out on the current state of the epidemic Tuesday.

“The CDC has reported five cases of the novel coronavirus infection here in the United States…China has now reported more than 4,500 cases,” he stated. “American’s should know that this is a potentially very serious public health threat, but at this point American’s should not worry for their own safety.”

According to the CDC, five cases of the coronavirus have been reported in the U.S. and all of those who were affected had previously traveled to Wuhan, China. The capital city of Central China’s Hubei province has been deemed the epicenter of the outbreak.

In the meantime, the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 advisory warning and are urging American’s to hold off on traveling to China.

After multiple false alarms in recent days, Texas health officials confirmed Monday that there are no confirmed cases of the deadly coronavirus in the state.

All four suspected cases of the virus have tested negative, said Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Two Texas schools — Baylor University and Texas A&M University — announced that they had students suspected of being infected with the virus.

- OAN News

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 6

Leela and Nat Krishnamurthy receive Top 20 Power Couple Impact Maker Award 2020

FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

FIS 9th time march at MLK’s Grande Parade, joined by YLDP

FIS parade procession walking in solidarity with the MLK Grande Parade

Leela Krishnamurthy, Philanthropist, Community Leader, and Former Award-Winning Librarian and Nat Krishnamurthy, Philanthropist, CEO Sunitech, and Former Director of Strategic Planning of North American Production Division Texaco Top 20 Power Couple Impact Maker Award.

O

n Sunday, January 19, CKW LUXE honored its Top 20 Impact Makers for 2020 at The St. Regis Houston. Leela Krishnamur-

thy, Philanthropist, Community Leader, and Former Award-Winning Librarian and Nat Krishnamurthy, Philanthropist, CEO Sunitech, and Former Director of Strategic Planning of North American Production Division Texaco were among the recepients of the Top 20 Power Couple Impact Maker Award-2020.

Leela currently serves on the boards of Houston Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF, Save a Mother, and the Youth Leadership Development Program of Houston. She is also a trustee and past president of Sankara Nethralaya Om Trust and a member of Ek Disha. Leela and Natesan were cochairs of the 2012 Houston Habitat for Humanity Gala and honorary cochairs of the 2019 UNICEF Gala.Natesan is a past cochair of United Way Listening Tour. The

initiative develops strategies and processes for optimum fund allocations and identifies performance measures for service providers. He is also a past treasurer and advisory council member of the Sri Meenakshi Temple Society and a past treasurer of Indo-American Charity Foundation. Currently, Natesan is a member of the national board of Save a Mother and the chairman of the board for the Youth Leadership Development Program of Houston.

HOUSTON - On a chilly morning on January 20, 2020, Foundation for India Studies (FIS) marched in solidarity with the greater Houston community in the 26th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Grande Parade.

This year marked FIS’ ninth year of participation in the Parade, which regularly features attendance from storied organizations and VIPs across Texas, who come together to celebrate the legacy of civil rights activist and freedom fighter, Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s Grand Marshals were Congresspeople

ialekhya Vatturi and Nayanthara Thampan, helped plan the event and assisted in organizing the other students to carry a banner honoring Dr. King and his connection to India’s civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi. The YLDP students enthusiastically cheered and waved flags, representing both the United States and India, to honor the leaders, whose philosophies of civil disobedience and non-violence were at the center of their struggle for equality.

Onlookers and spectators of the parade stood alongside and cheered for the students, ex-

world of peace and harmony.

We may ignore him at our own risk.” Dr. King saw through on Gandhi’s legacy of achieving a better world and is today most remembered for his prominence in the American Civil Rights Movement, which eventually brought an end to legalized racial discrimination and segregation in the United States.

Gandhi’s legacy is especially relevant this year, with plans recently revealed for the creation of an Eternal Gandhi Museum in Houston. The idea has garnered support from world leaders, in-

Sri Meenakshi Temple holds celebration of Andal Kalyanam and Pongal festival on Jan 14 and 18

by Bhargavi Golla

Andal Kalyanam: Sri Meenakshi Temple Society celebrated the sacred wedding of Andal/Goda with Lord Sri Krishna in the form of Lord Ranganatha on Tuesday, Jan 14th, 2020.

Aandal is an 8th century Tamil saint and one of the twelve Alwars (saints) and the only woman Alwar of Vaishnavism.

She composed the Thiruppavai, 30 songs in praise of Lord Narayana. Andal, after observing the Paavai Nombu (vows) during the Dhanur month (December 15th to January 15th), merged with Lord Ranganatha in Srirangam. This union is celebrated as Andal kalyanam.

FIS procession with YLDP students pose together for a photo following the Parade’s end

Priests decorated Utsava Murthis of Lord Ranganatha and Andal beautifully and placed in the center of the main temple. Devotees gathered at the main temple to witness the holy occasion of Andal Kalyanam and to receive the celestial blessings.

Priests Pavan Kumar Sri Bhashyam, Sriman Narayana and Sridharan Raghavan performed the authentic divine wedding ceremony after the initial rituals including Sankalpam, Vishwaksena Aradhana (Obstacle removal) and Punyahavachanam (purification).

Priests along with devotees recited Sri Andal’s Thiruppavai and Thiruppaan Alwar’s ten Pasurams. The principal purport in Thiruppaan Alwar’s Pasurams is “Perumal is the principal supreme entity and our aims and aspirations should be to attain Him through total surrender to him signified by our placing all of ourselves at his lotus feet.”

As part of kalyanam, the priests performed homam while devotees recited Varanamayiram, Andal’s narration of her dream and experiences with her friends on the way to getting married to Lord. Then it concluded with exchange of coconuts, Upachara puja, Neeranjanam and prasada distribution.

We thank the event coordinators (Prema Prasad and Dr. Kas Saranathan), many volunteer devotees who brought prasadams, staff, silpis and priests.

Priests offering Pongal and other delicacies to Utsava Murthis Lord Ranganatha and Andal on the occasion.

Pongal Celebration: It was a full house with enthusiastic and energetic devotees participating in outdoor Pongal celebrations at Sri Meenakshi Temple on January 18th, 2020.

More than 120 families, some from out of town, came to prepare pongal in the Raja veedhi, in front of the main temple.

Pongal is a popular harvest festival of south India that marks the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere. It’s celebrated to reaffirm and appreciate the many significant sacrifices of our ancestors, quite like Thanksgiving in America. Pongal is the only festival of Hindus that follows a solar calendar.

Though the day started out with rain, Sri Meenakshi graced us with clear skies for the entire event from 10am till 12:30pm in spite of all the ominous forecasts. All the devotees had the most enjoyable and great Pongal festival. Pongal was cooked by each family in beautifully decorated brass pots on

stove made with clay and wood used as fuel. Rice and milk are boiled in a pot till the pot starts overflowing. The overflowing pot symbolizes fulfillment.

When milk started to boil over, everyone shouted out “pongalo pongal”.

With Surya namaskaram on one side of the Raja Veedhi and folk dance on the other side and the smoke from wood burning stoves created an ambience like a village in south India.

Priests collected a spoon of Pongal from every pot and offered the delicious Pongal prasadam to all the deities inside the main Temple: Siva, Meenakshi, Venkateswara and Padmavathi with a special aarathi. Bhargavi Golla, Vinod Reddy Kaila and M.K. Sriram were the coordinators of the Pongal celebration.

We thank silpis for the hard work in setting up the stoves and beautiful decorations, which was a visual treat.

Thanks to our priests, staff, board members & volunteers without whose help this would have not been possible.

Sylvia Garcia and Dan Crenshaw, former state representative Ron Wilson, and Houston Fire Department Senior Captain Gregory Politte. This year, the theme for the parade was “the Color of Unity,” a fitting message for an event that brings together thousands of Houstonians of different creed, color, religion and race.

In this spirit of unity, FIS was joined by students from the Youth Leadership Development Program of Houston (YLDP), a Houston based community outreach organization aimed at developing leadership in young Indo-Americans. Event chairman Nish Bhan was supported in the event by board members Krishna Vavilala and Raghu Nednur.

The co-event chairs, YLDP students Aadhithya Nayarajan, Sa-

claiming phrases such as, “Represent!” or “Freedom fighters!”

It was a wonderful experience as all the teenagers and adults had the chance to revive the legacy of two great leaders who influenced radical differences that shaped society for the better today. Mahatma Gandhi Ji was an Indian lawyer and nationalist who practiced nonviolent resistance to achieve independence for India from British colonial rule and his actions inspired many movements across the globe. Dr. King was one of the earliest adopters of Gandhi’s non-violent civil disobedience philosophy. Dr. King is famously quoted as stating that: “If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He lived, thought, and acted, inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a

cluding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Dalai Lama. FIS remains committed to commemorating Gandhi and Dr. King’s legacy and to celebrating their legacy of peaceful resistance and non-violent struggle for being.

FIS would like to specifically thank high-school volunteers from YLDP for providing help at the event, and for their instrumental role in pre-event organizing.

(Contributors to this report are: Nischay Bhan, FIS, and YLDP students Aadhithya Nayarajan and Saialekhya Vatturi.

Air Force Has DoD’s First Female Muslim Chaplain

A

ir Force 2nd Lt. Saleha Jabeen became the service’s – and the Defense Department’s – first female Muslim chaplain during a Dec. 18 ceremony in Chicago. To Jabeen, who emigrated to the U.S. with her family 14 years ago, her path to history was somewhat incongruous.

She told Armed Forces News Service that as a child, she believed her professional life would be centered somewhere in industry or business.

Her career path changed when she joined the Army and served in the medical corps. She befriended an officer, 1st Lt. Jamal Bey, who helped her make the change.

Jabeen has received endorsement from the Islamic Society of North America, and will complete her training soon. At that point, she will be assigned to her first duty station.

Second Lt. Saleha Jabeen, chaplain candidate, and Master Sgt. Alexander James, recruiter, sign recruitment paperwork after Jabeen’s commissioning ceremony Dec. 18, 2019, at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales) “Don’t let anyone or anything stop you and when they try – be generous, be resilient, and don’t quit,” Jabeen said, in remarks

during the ceremony.

Courtesy: Fed Week January 17, 2020

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 7

Pratham Recognizes Houston Readathon Team 2019

FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

Indian Consulate hosts World Hindi Day at DAV Sanskriti School

by Vaani Gupta

I

t is well recognized that education has the power of pulling millions of people out of the darkness and poverty.

It empowers people to overcome adversity. Yet, today, 35% of the Indian population is unable to read and write. 75% of this population earns no more than $78 per month. With little or no opportunities how are the future generations expected to break the never-ending cycle they live in and create a new life? That is where Pratham steps in.

Pratham is a non-profit organization that works to educate children in India. It began with a small preschool located in the depths of

Charming Avya Nadkarni with Pratham USA CFO and National Board member, Swatantra Jain. Avya set up a hot chocolate stand to raise funds for the Readathon.

This year the event was organized on Sunday, 19th January at ASGH DAV Sanskriti Sunday School and celebrated in presence of Shri Ajay Ajmani, Consul, CGI Houston

T

he tradition of World Hindi Divas commemorates the first World Hindi Conference held at Nagpur on 10th January 1975. All Indian Missions abroad conduct programs to bring together Hindi loving people. The Office of the Consulate General of India in Houston had organized Vishwa Hindi Diwas last year and Acharya (Dr.) Kavita Vachaknavee (director of the DAV Sanskriti School) coordinated the event.

This year the event was organized on Sunday, 19th January.

DAV Sanskriti School, the Sunday School of Arya Samaj Houston celebrated in the presence of Shri Ajay Ajmani, Consul and Mothers who inspired and motivated the kids to read and raise more funds. Photo credit: Mumbai and through their efforts has now expanded to have schools and learning centers in 20 Indian states, touching the lives of thousands of kids across the country.

One part of this organization that makes a significant contribution to this goal is the Pratham Readathon. In the this program, kids in USA read books , and in return, have their family and friends donate money based on the number of books they read.

This way not only kids in India are helped, but kids in USA are also enhancing their knowledge and reading skills.

Recently, on January 12, Manjit Soni, the Houston coordinator of the Pratham Readathon, concluded the 2019 Houston Readathon with a dazzling event to congratulate and celebrate efforts of the readers who were recognized with medals and trophies. The participants had a wonderful time, as they met other book-lovers in the room and had the opportunity to engage with two children’s book authors: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and Bhupinder Singh. Ms. Divakaruni is an award-winning author, poet, professor, and activist. She writes about contemporary life, women’s experiences, immigration, and Indian mythology. Mr. Singh writes about issues in today’s society, such as bully-

National Board Member and CFO of Pratham USA, Swatantra Jain, they nearly doubled the total to $11,000. Given that it only takes $25 to educate one kid in India, the Houston chapter alone has touched the lives of hundreds of kids.

Some ambitious readers went above and beyond to raise additional funds for Readathon. These were 9 year old Ayan, 6 year old Avya Nadkarani, and 8 year old Yash Katarya. Ayan and Avya organized a hot chocolate stand in the LOP neighborhood raising additional $150. Despite the wintry chill of the season they stood for hours handing warm cups of hot chocolate with smiles on their faces. Yash Katarya wrote letters to families in India and raised additional $175.

As Ben Franklin once said: “If man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

All in all, 2019 Houston Readathon raised $6,000 and with a matching donation from Pratham

ble world economy, inviting increasingly more interest from the world. Bollywood is the second biggest film maker following Hollywood. Indian music becomes influential, not only audiences in the United States but also with the rest of the world. Poetic words used in the classic Hindi songs are helpful to learn Hindi.

Another aspect that struck everyone was flawless discipline and the efficient manner of the outgoing group being replaced by the incoming group without loss of time. Noteworthy was the make shift use of the Sanskriti School lobby providing the stage and sitting space for 130 children, 100

Hardeep Thind

ing and how to handle it as well as reflections on Sikh scriptures.

Young readers and their parents had a Q& A session with the authors. Ms. Divakaruni shared valuable tips on writing and emphasized that reading is essential to writing.

Pratham’s Readathon awareness is expanding in Greater Houston area. Volunteers Isha Taneja and Janavi Sheshadri of Elkins High School in Sugarland have created a Pratham club at the school.

This is first of its kind at a public school in the USA. Their goal is to expand the awareness of this club in their community by holding book drives and walkathon.

with their own profession and yet they function as teachers with dedication. Sanskriti School believes in equal opportunity to its ALL 130 children age 4 to 13; every child must appear on stage.

Some of the songs and poems were old classic such as: Bachche mun ke sachche , Chanda mama door ke, Choon Choon Karti Aayi Chidiya, etc. Some were rather unheard of: Ek Bandar ne Kholi Dukaan, Mera Tesu yahin khada.

There were five solo items: the poem ‘Pushp Ki Abhilasha’ by Laasya Sharma, ‘Personal Progress in Hindi’ by Kashish Kalita, ‘Vijayi Vishva Tiranga Pyara’

by Dhruv Thacker, ‘Jeevan ki Paribhasha’ by Aarna Kapil and

Credit for success of the 2019 Houston Readathon also goes to mothers who got their kids involved and motivated them to keep reading and raising money.

This team has been together for the last 4 years and is still growing. Special thanks to event managing volunteers---Charu Gupta, Sunita Khatri, Sumedha Katarya, and Pooja Malik.

Please join the Houston Readathon Team or start your own team in your area and brighten the lives of underprivileged kids in India.

For more information, please contact: houstonreadathon2019@ prathamusa.org msurkari@prathamusa.org www.prathamusa.org

DAV Sanskriti School Children Song presentation with Classic Hindi Song presentation - Choon Choon Karti Aayi Chidiya Shri Amit Khanna, Teacher of Indian Culture from the Indian Consulate. The Consul read out the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message who is known among Indian diaspora as a champion of Hindi.

‘Why Do We Celebrate World Hindi Day’ by Shrey Mukharji.

There was a significant level of maturity in the conduct and presentation by the children of this age. They received applause and appreciation they truly deserved.

To begin with, Dr. Vachaknavee presented a glimpse of the Sanskriti School. One period a week is devoted to Hindi conversation and the children, age 4-14 have practiced in the last few weeks, mere 2-3 hours. Our teachers are mostly the parents of the children

As emcee, Dr. Vachaknavee mentioned that Indian songs and hymns have been adapted and used by various popular rap and pop music artists. From science to commerce and business to various multimedia as shown India is on its way to becoming a via-

volunteers, teachers and parents and a number of special guests.

It was a remarkably successful exercise in space management! In his closing remarks, the Consul expressed satisfaction seeing the Sanskriti School children learn Indian heritage and values. He distributed certificate of participation to all children.

For school inquires Dr. Vachaknavee can be reached at davss@ aryaamajhouston.org and https:// www.facebook.com/SanskritiUSA/

UH Expands Courses, Degree offerings in Katy, Sugar Land Continued from Page 1 math and English, through HCC, he said.

Enrollment for the new degree programs will begin with the freshman class in fall 2020. Rao said enrollment is expected to grow to about 750 students when classes are fully enrolled, with about 180 graduates anticipated annually.

UH currently offers a master’s degree and a certificate in subsea engineering at UH at Katy. More information on UH engineering programs in Katy can be found on the college’s website.

The new business classes at the Sugar Land location mean that for the first time, students could complete the first three years of a bachelor’s degree in business administration at an instructional site closer to their homes or offic-

es.

The idea, in what is known as a 2+1+1 arrangement, would allow students to complete the first two years of their degree at a community college, including Wharton Junior College, which shares the Sugar Land instructional site with UH. Third-year classes will be offered in Sugar Land, and students would take the final year of classes on the UH campus.

“Our mission at the Bauer College is to offer leading-edge, student-centered education that is both accessible and affordable,” Bauer Dean Paul A. Pavlou said.

“Bringing Bauer courses to Sugar Land and giving students the option to earn their degrees closer to home is part of our mission to make our offerings flexible and convenient for students.”

For more information, email bba@uh.edu, or visit the website.

Jay Neal, associate vice president for academic affairs and chief operating officer at UH at Sugar Land and UH at Katy, said the expansion of programs at the two instructional sites has been an intentional process.

“We want to provide our students with courses and degree plans that have relevance to the industry around us,” he said. “As leaders and good neighbors, we want to be part of what strengthens the community.”

The UH College of Nursing offers both undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees at UH at Sugar Land, as well as a bachelor’s degree and some graduate classes at UH at Katy.

The UH College of Technology also offers a number of classes in Sugar Land, including for its degree programs in biotechnology and digital media.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has granted UH approval to offer three new undergraduate engineering degrees at UH at Katy.

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FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

Large turnout at India’s Republic Day Celebrations in Houston

Rich tributes paid to peace apostle Mahatma Gandhi Continued from Page 1

President UH, and prominent businesspersons from Houston graced the occasion.

After a formal rendition of American National Anthem Ishya Kachru, a rising teen singer and Indian National Anthem by the disciples of Rajarajeshwary Bhat, Consul General Mahajan welcomed the gather of over 300 guests. In his address Mahajan said, “India is aspiring to become five billion-dollar economy,” and highlighted India’s immense potential and opportunities in the energy, technology education, medical sectors. He also spoke of India

-US strategy partnership which is a “multifaceted is one of those key bilateral relationships that has potential to be the defining one for the century in all aspects.”

Congressman Al Green spoke of Mahatma Gandhi contribution to the world and stressed on peace relations between India and the US that would promote world peace in the future.

He presented a Congressional Certificate commemorating the occasion.

Fort Bend County Judge George, an India American also conveyed his message of peace and progress on the occasion.

Other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion were Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman also spoke, Commissioner Adrian Garcia, and Representatives of Senator John Cornyn and Congresswoman Shiela Jackson .

Earlier, Deputy Consul General Surender Adhana introduced the newly appointed consul general.

At the conclusion, a good spread of India food catered

by Dawat was enjoyed by the guest.

India’s 71st Republic Day celebrations are held by the India diaspora.

Consul General, Mahajan hoisting the Indian flag at the Indian Consulate.

Consul General, Mahajan greets Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman and his wife as Deputy Consul General Surender Adhana looks on.

Consul General, Aseem R. Mahajan reading President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the people on the eve on the eve of the Republic Day of India.

More pics on India’s 71st Republic Day visit VOICEOFASIA.NEWS

India House hosts India’s 71st Republic Day

Congressman Pete Olson delivering his massage at the India House during India’s 71st Republic Day celebrations.

India House Trustees Dr. Mathur and Dr. Agrawal receiving proclamation from Congressman Al Green as Fort Bend County Judge and India House Executive Director Col. (retd) Vipin Kumar look on. Photos by Bijay Dixit.

Odissi dancers Renisha Loonker and Siya Tamboli performing at India House on Jan 26, 2020

I

ndia House hosted the ceremonial celebrations of Indian’s 71st Republic Day on Sunday January 26, 2020 following a formal

celebration at the Indian Consulate. Flags of the United States of America, India, State of Texas and India House were hoisted by Congressman

Pete Olson, Congressman Al Green and Fort Bend County Judge K P George.

Dr. Manish Rungta, India House President hoisted the India House flag

India House Trustees Dr. Virender Mathur and Dr. Durga Agrawal delivered India’s President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the people on the eve on the eve of the Republic Day of India on the occasion.

in Kumar welcomed the entertaiment was part of gathering following which the program.

Congressman Pete Olson, Congressman Al Green More at and Fort Bend County Judge K P George gave VOICE messages on the occasion.

OF Congressman Al Green presented a Proclamation ASIA.NEWS India House Executive to India house Trustees.

Director Col. (retd) VipLight refreahments and

VOICE OF ASIA 9

Fort Bend View

FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

Section 2

Sugar Land, Katy, Stafford, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg and Meadows Place

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The State of Healthcare: Trends, Challenges, and the Future

Grief Support Group series offered by Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

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he Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce’s Healthcare Division is hosting The State of Healthcare with a panel of hospital CEO’s on Thursday, March 05, 2020, from 11:30AM1:00PM at Safari Texas Ranch, 11627 FM 1464, Richmond, TX.

Our special guests include Joe Freudenberger, OakBend Medical Center, Dr. Victor Hassid, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Malisha Patel, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land & Southwest Hospital, Chris Siebenaler, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, and Mike Dotson, AccessHealth. The prestigious panel will discuss the various trends and challenges that are to come in 2020 and their direct impact on the community of Fort Bend County.

Event Sponsor - $1,000, includes seating for ten (10), company logo on marketing materials, and recognition at the event.

Corporate Table - $500, includes seating for eight (8). Member Reservation - $35. Prospective Member Reservation and At the Door - $45. Details of upcoming events can be found at www.

FortBendChamber.com, or contact Gabie Forames at 281-5662158 or gabie@fortbendcc.org The Healthcare Division of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce is under the leadership of Chair Michael Dotson, AccessHealth. The mission of the Healthcare Division is to attract and develop the highest quality healthcare services for the Greater Fort Bend Area.

The division will develop a network of healthcare providers businesses, providing them with information and education to enhance their professional and business development. The division helps identify and promote economic initiatives and innovations in healthcare which will benefit the membership and the community at large.

About the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce As the only 5-star accredited and single-county chamber in the nine-county area surrounding the Houston Metroplex, membership provides both immediate and long-term benefits for your business and helps build momentum for our community’s future.

FBISD announces new hiring event “We’re Hiring! Come Fall in love with Fort Bend ISD, February 1”

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ORT BEND ISD (January 22, 2020) – FBISD has exciting opportunities for the 2020–21 school year. If you have a passion for students and are interested in serving in the areas below, make plans to attend.

This event is being held at the (FBISD Administration Annex Main Auditorium, 3119 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, TX) on Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. To attend this event visit fortbendisd.com/ fallinlove. Registration ends January 31.

The distrct is looking for looking specifically for: Career and Technical Education: The state-of-the-art James Reese Career and Technical Center opened in 2019 and serves approximately 2,000 students daily from all 11 of the District’s high schools. Business partnerships allow students to benefit from real-world experiences, and students have the opportunity to earn dual credit and industry certifications.

Teaching opportunities include: Health Science, Automotive Technology, Diesel Mechanics, Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism, Cyber Security, Firefighting, Welding, HVAC and many more!

Special Education: FBISD is committed to meeting the needs of all its students and has identified the need for additional staff to serve its special education population. Open positions

Those with a passion for students are asked to attend.

include, but are not limited to, Licensed Specialists in School Psychology (LSSPs), Diagnosticians, Special Education Teachers, and Special Education Paraprofessionals. The FBISD Special Education department offers unique training and support to its staff members.

Staff will be on site to answer questions regarding specialized assignments, certification requirements, and share why we love FBISD! Pre-K Expansion: Fort Bend ISD offers a full-day Pre-Kindergarten program that establishes a strong academic foundation while setting the stage for life-long learning. Teachers are provided with opportunities for ongoing professional growth and one-on-one mentoring.

FBISD believes in a collaborative environment centered around respect that fosters creativity in a safe and supportive learning/working environment.

To ensure all students are provided with the attention and support needed, Pre-kindergarten classes have an 11 to 1 student to teacher ratio.

EDGE: The Fort Bend ISD EDGE — Educators Dedicated to Growing Excellence — is an innovative instructional model designed to create unique learning opportunities for both students and staff. The model offers teachers the opportunity to grow professionally and develop as leaders while positively impacting the lives of students. Teachers designated as Master Teachers receive a stipend of $15,000.

Mentor teachers receive a stipend of $9,000. EDGE campuses include: Briargate ES, Ridgemont ES, Blueridge ES, Hunters Glen ES, EA Jones ES, Rosa Parks ES, Ridgegate ES, McAuliffe MS, Missouri City MS, Marshall HS, and Willowridge HS. - FBISD News

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Tel: 713-774-5140

Republican Gary Gates wins Texas House District 28 seat in Fort Bend County

The series is for those dealing with grief, with support and sharing of experiences

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UGAR LAND—(Jan. 28, 2020) — Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is offering a four-part series for Fort Bend and surrounding area residents who are coping with the loss of a loved one.

The series titled “What is Grief, Really? The Nuts and Bolts of Grieving” is designed to help participants learn about grief and understand the impact that grief has on survivors. Facilitated by the Department of Spiritual Care and Values Integration, these sessions are open to people of all faiths and provide a safe, welcoming environment where individuals can find support and share experiences.

The sessions are scheduled on four consecutive Tuesdays in April, beginning April 7, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the hospital’s Brazos Pavilion Conference Room A. Dinner will be provided.

“Learning about grief – and hearing from others’ experiences – can be a valuable part of healing for many people,” said Tim Madison, director of spiritual care and values integration at Houston Methodist Sugar Land.

“Too often, people try to get past the loss of a loved one without fully exploring their feelings or understanding how grief can affect them both emotionally and even physically.

These sessions give participants the opportunity to interact with others who have been through similar experiences and who share many of the same emotions.”

The hospital’s Grief Support Group occurs twice a year, offering participants a safe space to tell their stories, interact with each other or just sit and listen.

“Our goal is to provide an avenue for comfort and healing, recognizing that each person is different and has different needs,” said Madison. “The Grief Support Group series can be beneficial to anyone who has lost a loved one – whether it was a recent loss or even one many years ago.”

To register for the spring series, or to learn more about the Grief Support Group series, contact the hospital’s Department of Spiritual Care and Values Integration at 281.274.7164.

To learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit houstonmethodist.org/ sugarland or our Facebook page at fb.com/methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information.

Republican Gary Gates . Image:Gary Gates campaigns

F

ORT BEND, Wednesday, January 29, 2020 - Republican Gary Gates has won the Texas House District 28 runoff in Fort Bend County.

He defeated Democratic candidate Dr. Eliz Markowitz, securing 58% of the votes.

Here are the unofficial results.

State Rep District 28 Runoff: Votes Cast: 30,074 Gary Gates (R): 17,457 (58.08%) Elizabeth Markowitz (D:) 12,617 (41.95%)

voiceofasia.news is your Fort Bend news source

Katy ISD Virtual School registration opens this Saturday

K

ATY [January 29, 2020] – For students, virtual classes are an excellent way to acquire required credits and/or expand their learning opportunities. Each year, thousands of students utilize the Katy Independent School District Virtual School (KVS) program. KVS launched in 2013 with a primary goal of expanding the learning opportunities for students by offering choice and flexibility for rigorous online courses developed by Katy ISD. On February 1 at 7 a.m., KVS will begin online registration for the Summer 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters.

Online learning offers a flexible and unique experience of self-directed learning that helps students achieve their educational goals.

The virtual model of e-learning is in increasingly high demand and is a cost-effective way to deliver

instruction to Katy ISD students, outside of normal school hours.

These courses allow high school students to attend specialized programs, fulfill requirements for graduation when moving into the district from outside the State of Texas, and make courses accessible that are not available on campus due to low enrollment.

KVS will offer a wide range of courses from Creative Writing, AP Art History, English III, World Geography, Economics, Psychology and more. There are more than 30 courses available to students with additional opportunities being added each year. The cost per course is $200 per semester. KVS is an approved College Board online provider for Advanced Placement (AP) courses and by NCAA for student initial eligibility.

For more information, visit the Katy ISD Virtual School website.

VOICE OF ASIA 10

HOLLYWOOD - BOLLYWOOD

Section 2

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www.voiceofasia.news

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Email: voiceasia@aol.com

FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

Disha, Aditya rock the casual look

SHOCK! TV actress Sejal Sharma commits suicide in Mumbai apartment Azad Parindey and Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji actress Sejal Sharma committed suicide by hanging at her Mira Road flat on Friday morning. Her mother has claimed that she was not depressed.

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UMBAI, January 24, 2020 - TV actress Sejal Sharma, known for her role of Simmy Khosla in the show “Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji”, allegedly committed suicide on Friday.

Officials had recovered a suicide note which has been deciphered as “I can’t take the pressure of this hard life.”

However, her mother has claimed that the actress was not depressed and had even got a leading role in a show.

“She had got a lead role. I don’t know what happened afterwards that she chose to kill herself,” she told Amar Ujala Her Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji co-star Donal Bisht had also clarified that she was auditioning for a leading role in a show and was also shortlisted.

“Yes, this is true. I am shocked to hear the news. It’s very difficult for me to believe since I met her just 10 days ago and we even chatted on WhatsApp on Sunday. I am unable to come to terms with the news. When I met her 10 days back, she was absolutely fine,” Aru K Verma, Sejal Sharma’s co-star in “Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji”, told timesofIndia.com.

Mr Verma, who played Sejal Sharma’s brother in the show, also told the portal: “Her family discovered the news today morning, but I think she committed suicide yesterday night. Her family has taken the body to Udaipur for her last rites.”

Her co-star Jasmin Bhasin had recently told Pinkvilla that her parent’s

Disha Patani and Aditya Roy Kapur during the promotions of their upcoming film “Malang”, at JW Marriott in Mumbai. (Image Credit: IANS)

File photo

ill-health was a reason for Sejal’s stress, “Her mother and father were not in the best of health, she had the responsibility of doing something for them, make money and be something.

She was a very talented and ambitious girl. I always told her that she will get a show based on her talent anytime. She was disciplined and focused. She was auditioning. I have spoken to a couple of her co-stars too and they are equally shocked.”

In another report by SpotBoye, her co-star Nirbhay Shukla said that the actress’ father had recently suffered a heart attack. “Sejal was mentally stressed due to her father’s health. I had texted her on November 15 to meet and she replied to me saying that she was travelling to Udaipur for a medical emergency. I asked her what had happened and she replied to me saying that

White-hot looks, strapless gowns and crazy nails at the Grammys

her father had got a heart attack,” said Nirbhay.

“Sejal’s father was unwell since quite some time, he was suffering from cancer. The heart attack must have shaken her up. I kept following with her and she said he’s recovering -- but all is not well. And, then I got busy with my work,” he added.

Sejal Sharma, who is from Udaipur, came to Mumbai in 2017 to pursue a career in acting. Before her debut on the Star Plus show “Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji”, she appeared in a few commercials.

She had also featured in a web series titled “Azad Parindey”.

(If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.)

- Indo-Asian News Service

For India review: Vir Das’ latest Netflix special is smart, timely and decodes what it means to be desi

by Karishma Upadhyay

F

or India is a good title for Vir Das’ latest Netflix stand-up special. The show that clocks in at just a little over 75 mins is his ‘love letter’ to the country. It’s the final joke of the set, where Vir talks about how much he misses home when he travels and random things that he associates with home, that sums it all up. He says, ‘We get told every day what India is by people who have power. And, yet these people come and go like the wind. These little things that make us smile, they stay,” he says as he reaches into a steel dabba for a Parle G biscuit. “That’s India. Well, at least, it’s mine.”

It’s not just that final joke, though.

Through the special, Vir uses food, customs, pop culture and historic events to decode what it means to be desi. He makes the unlikeliest segues — from Jallianwala Bagh to Old Monk, Jungle Book’s Sher Khan to Narendra Modi and Chudails to the Olympics — that are peppered with sharp takes and throwaway lines that make the special soar. He both starts and ends the show with the disclaimer that it’s possible that his idea of India is not at all or maybe a little similar to everyone else’s idea.

For India is a departure from the contemporary stand-up tropes of a comic talking (and complaining) about his/ her life.

Except for stray references to his grandfather’s home in Patna or sharing a breakfast table with his wife, Vir barely talks about himself. This is also his most political special yet. If you are at all familiar with Vir’s work in the last decade or so, you’d know that he’s not exactly a ‘political comedian’. His approach to the divisive subject isn’t overtly edgy and neither does he deliver any scorching takes. Instead he just tries to make you laugh at the absurdity of having to stand for the National Anthem as a ‘safety issue’ because ‘there are other dudes multitasking in the room singing while whooping ass’.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Image Credit: Twitter)

Vir Das in his latest stand-up special ‘Losing It’ on Netflix. (Official Trailer) His take on the Kashmir lockdown is delivered with an outrageous analogy. “Do you ever walk into your own kitchen like, “This is my spoon. I will lock this spoon in a drawer and cut off access to this spoon to prove my kitchen is functional”.

While it’s a highly polished hour of comedy delivered in front of an obviously rehearsed audience that even completes his sentences, what makes the special work is it also feels spontaneous and intimate. Co-directed by Vir and Ajay Bhuyan, the special does away with the traditional stage, a rousing rock star-esque entry, and an unlit audience. Instead, Vir sits with chai in a kulhar next to him, on a set of stairs that lead to an open door to nowhere. His comfort in front of an audience is based on a decade plus performing around the world but it takes a special kind of courage for a performer to completely do away with a stage. The audience in

front of him is brightly lit, enough to see the jokes that land and the ones that make them uncomfortable.

A pioneer of the Indian comedy scene, Vir has often talked about wanting ‘to be an authentic Indian voice on the mainstream world circuit’ and one can see his progression towards achieving that through his three stand-up specials for genre-dominator, Netflix.

His first special Abroad Understanding was filmed between New York and New Delhi, and introduced him to an all-new audience for the first time. A year later came Losing It, which was filmed in San Francisco, signaling that he had crossed over to the world stage. For India might have been shot in Mumbai but in the audience, there’s a section of non-Indians because even when Vir is talking about his ‘home’ he still wants to be relatable to Netflix’s audiences in 190 countries. - FirstPost

www. voiceofasia.news Read the latest articles and news on BOLLYWOOD /HOLLYWOOD & ENTERTAINMENT Visit : www. voiceofasia.news

Ariana Grande (AFP Photo)

by with Susan Stumme in Washington / Valerie Macon

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OS ANGELES | AFP | 1/27/2020 -Twenty years ago, Jennifer Lopez shut down the Grammys red carpet with her now legendary barely-there Versace green dress, open to her navel, that sent the internet into a full meltdown. How can anyone beat that?

Well, the music industry’s brightest stars certainly gave it a go, strutting their stuff Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

White was a big trend, along with strapless gowns -- and super-long glittering nails.

Here are some takeaways from the red carpet on Grammys night: - White-hot Breakout star Lizzo arrived early and ready for her close-up -- and with reason. She won three Grammys on the night.

The 31-year-old singer and flautist stunned in a strapless white Versace corset gown with Swarovski crystals sewn in by hand, according to the Italian fashion house.

Her hair was slicked back in old Hollywood waves and she was dripping in diamonds, right down to her fingernails.

She opened the night with a tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash earlier in the day, and then a stirring medley of her hits.

One of her main rivals, country-rap sensation Lil Nas X, was a vision in white at the pre-gala award ceremony

as he won his first-ever Grammy for best music video for his viral smash hit, “Old Town Road.”

Gwen Stefani -- who will perform with real-life partner Blake Shelton -rocked in a strapless, shell-encrusted off-white Dolce and Gabbana minidress with thigh-high boots.

Indian actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas, accompanying her nominee husband Nick Jonas, went for the shock factor with a JLo-esque down-to-there neckline on her caftan-like dress with silver accents and lots of fringe.

And pop singer Demi Lovato, making a major comeback after a near-fatal drug overdose in 2018, brought the audience to their feet with her raw performance of “Anyone.”

She did so in a voluminous white long-sleeved gown made for her by designer Christian Siriano, who wrote on Twitter: “I love you and love creating for you!!!”

- High style Pop princess Ariana Grande arrived in an absolute cloud of a ruffled bluegray tulle ball gown from designer Giambattista Valli and elbow-length gloves, her signature ponytail bobbing atop her head.

Strapless was a big trend on Sunday, and she joined the bandwagon.

Baroque pop singer Lana Del Rey looked elegant in a sparkling silver gown with a keyhole neckline and lots of dangling crystals.

And let’s give another style shoutout to Lizzo for the glittering off-the-shoulder black Christian Siriano gown she wore on stage.

LEGAL

VOICE OF ASIA 11

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

www.voiceofasia.news

GRANDPARENTS LEGAL RIGHTS TO GRANDCHILDREN IN TEXAS

We all hope children grow up in the best environment possible. Often, difficult situations arise within the family, which create grandparents’ concern for the children’s best interest. When a child does not have access to one parent or a grandparent, lack of these critical relationships can cause the child to suffer. In Texas, there are many different circumstances where grandparents may have certain rights of possession and access to the grandchild(ren). Each state’s rules on grandparents’ rights vary as family law is dependent on state laws.

In Texas, the state law strongly supports maintaining the rights of the biological parents and keeping the families together. When parents are supporting their children properly and no major concerns develop within the family relationship which would hurt the children’s well-being, then nothing in the law generally supports legal intervention between the parent-child relationship. Texas has specific laws pertaining to parents alone and others specifically, and other laws that apply to adults in general including grandparents.

In the event that a negative circumstance arises which affects the nuclear family and which hurts the child, then grandparents may have legal rights to intervene the weakened relationship of the family. Situations that could develop allowing grandparents

such rights include: death of a parent, termination of legal parental rights, incarceration of a parent, domestic violence, incompetent parent, substance abuse by one parent, etc. Although, the grandparents’ right in these situations are not presumed to be an automatic right to access to the grandchildren under Texas laws impacting the grandparents’ rights. There must be other factors present for a court to order enforcement of grandparents’ rights. Such regulations pertain to biological or adoptive grandparents, not step grandparents.

Specifically, there are certain situations supporting grandparents’ rights in Texas: (1) Authorized agreement: Where the parent(s) voluntarily agree with the grandparent to transfer most or all parental responsibilities and legal rights to the grandparent.

(2) Termination of parental rights: although parents’ legal rights may be terminated, that parent’s parents’ rights are not terminated.

(3) Grandparent adoption: When legal parental rights are terminated, grandparent may petition to adopt the grandchild and the grandparent must meet certain deadlines and other requirements for adoption.

(4) Appointment as managing conservator: Managing conservator has custody of a child and when a parent dies or has their parental rights terminated, a court has discretion over whom to appoint and may appoint the grandparent as managing conservator.

(5) Parent not available to

child: When parent is incompetent, becomes incarcerated, dies, loses parental rights, the grandparent of this unavailable parent may request rights to possession and access of the child so no harm may result to the child in the child’s best interest.

In Texas, often to assert grandparents’ rights, a lawsuit must be filed, are very difficult to go through, involve many steps and procedures, and must be proven. A qualified attorney will help you through the process and suggest your best options.

About the Author: Mala Sharma has been practicing family law and personal injury with her family at the Law Offices of Sharma & Associates, founded in 1997 with over 42 years of combined experience.

Mala is a Board of Advocates for the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association GP Solo YLD, member of the Houston Bar Association, President Emeritus of the Houston Northwest Bar Association, and prior board member of the South Asian Bar Association.

Disclaimer: This material is available for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. If you require advice on any particular legal question, you may contact Sharma & Associates at 281-893-8644 or by email at mala@sharmalaws.net to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

New rules are gutting consumer watchdog group from the inside: experts

T

he agency created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis to protect consumers from abuse is being gutted from the inside, according to some consumer advocates and legal experts.

A new enforcement policy at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is the most recent example of an agency drifting away from its mission to police Wall Street’s bad actors, these advocates say.

The CFPB announced Jan. 24 that it is changing the way it oversees and punishes abusive practices by financial firms.

Perhaps most significantly, the watchdog will impose financial penalties, such as fines, in more limited circumstances and will

require a cost-benefit analysis before investigating wrongdoing.

The agency claims its new rules will benefit both consumers and the financial services industry, yet some believe its actions amount to a handout that will allow banks, loan issuers and other financial institutions to prey on the public more easily.

“They make it more likely financial services firms will escape enforcement for wrongdoing,” said Patricia McCoy, a law professor at Boston College Law School. “It’s more likely [firms] will get a free pass.”

Congress created the CFPB a decade ago when it passed the

Dodd-Frank financial reform law, giving it broad powers to issue and enforce consumer protection rules.

At that time, the country was beginning to emerge from the 2008 financial crisis, which was perpetuated by irresponsible lending practices that reverberated across the U.S. and global economies.

The agency has recovered more than $12 billion for consumers to date.

Enforcement activity at the watchdog has lagged under the Trump administration.

The number of public enforcement cases announced in 2018 was down 80% from the bureau’s peak in 2015.

Tel: 713-774-5140

YOUR IMMIGRATION LAWYER

Personal Injury:

Mala Sharma

FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

by Sharlene Sharmila Richards, Immigration Lawyer Email at srichardslaw@aol.com

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP’S PUBLIC CHARGE RULE Sharlene Sharmila Richards

Q: What is the public charge rule?

A: This rule essentially gives immigration officer more powers to deny permanent residence to green card applicants if they are deemed a public charge. The rule expands the types of benefits used to include using food stamps (SNAP), certain federally funded Medicaid benefits, and quite a number of forms of government subsidized housing, including Section 8 Housing vouchers, nonemergency Medical benefits (with the exceptions for children under 21, people with disabilities, pregnant women and mothers within 60 days after giving birth). A public charge denial would occur if the applicant received one or more of these designated benefits for more than 12 months in aggregate within any 36-month period. Receipt of three different qualifying benefits in one month will count as three months’ worth of benefits.

In addition, and more troubling is the immigration officer also needs to determine if the prospective immigrant is more likely than not in the future to use benefits taking into account their financial status, age, educational level and skills, their health, how many dependents they have, what kind of debts they have and their English Language proficiency. Also, there is a requirement that the adjustment applicant must be able to show his or her household income (or asset equivalent) is at least 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

This could be a problem for many intending applicants especially those from the lower income brackets.

Q: When will this rule actually take effect? Who does it affect?

There is currently no announcements from USCIS regarding exactly when this rule will come into effect or when it will be implemented. The rule will affect those who are applying for permanent residence or green cards in the United States through a process known as adjustment of status. This applies to both family-based and employment-based immigrants.

Some individuals are exempt from the public charge test: asylees, refugees, applicants adjusting status as battered

The United States Supreme Court on Monday January 27th, 2020 ruled 5-4 in favor of lifting the federal judge’s injunction on the Trump administration’s policy to restrict legal immigration by allowing the enforcement and implementation of the ‘public charge’ rule. US immigration officers will now be able to implement the new restrictions in every state apart from Illinois, where the rule is still blocked under a statewide injunction. spouse, for example. For those applying for immigrant visas from abroad, it is pertinent to note that there is certainly an increase in visa denials based on public charge ground of inadmissibility based on some of the criteria espoused under this public charge rule.

Q: I am a US Citizen and I am petitioning for my spouse.

We have three children and I am disabled and do not earn an income. I receive Disability Benefits and I intend to use a Joint Sponsor. I am very stressed out because I am reading about this rule and I am wondering if I need to give up my Disability Benefits because I cannot survive without it.

A: This rule is only applicable to those who are applying for permanent residence and not US Citizens. There is no need to consider giving up your Disability Benefits.

Q: I am a Permanent Resident for the past 20 years and I have just been approved for Section 8 Housing. I also intend to apply for Citizenship. Does this rule affect me? Do I have to turn down the Section 8 Housing benefit?

A: This rule does not affect those who are already permanent residents who have become eligible for public benefits. Neither does it affect those applying for Naturalization.

Q: I am a mother of three US Citizen children. I came here illegally more than 10 years ago. I do not take any benefits but my children are receiving Medicaid which is their right as US Citizens. Do I need to take my children off Medicaid. I have two autistic children and I cannot let them be without the therapies that they need and which Medicaid is assisting. Will immigration locate me because my children are using these benefits? Please can you advise?

A: Your children are entitled to received Medicaid as they are US Citizens. There is no need to take your children off Medicaid as the rule does

not apply to them. Further, the rule is also not designed to track or locate individuals like you who have children using Medicaid and who are eligible to receive it.

Q: My spouse already filed her application for adjustment of status prior to October 15th, 2019. How will this rule affect her adjustment of status?

A: It is clear that the rule will not affect adjustment of status applications filed prior to the effective date of implementation of the rule which was October 15th, 2019. In light of the Supreme Court decision it is still unclear when the rule will be implemented and which adjustment of status applications will be affected. The USCIS website on the day of publication of this article has yet to publish any further information about the effective date of implementation of this rule or if any further Forms are needed as part of the adjustment of status filing.

Disclaimer Any advice provided in this article is general in nature and not intended to constitute legal advice for any specific case. Please consult with an immigration lawyer about the specific circumstances of your case.

My Bio Sharlene Sharmila Richards is a licensed Immigration Lawyer practicing in Houston, Texas. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2000 and is a member of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and a member of the US Supreme Court. If you require advice or assistance, you may contact her at telephone number 713-623-8088 or by email at srichardslaw@aol.com to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Super Bowl to attract $400 Million in legal sports betting

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egal online and retail sportsbooks across the country will take in $400 million in total bets for Super Bowl LIV, analysts for PlayUSA. com project. Even if less money comes in, the matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, set for Sunday, Feb. 2, will almost certainly bring in more money via legal sportsbooks than ever before.

“With the proliferation of legal sports betting across the U.S., there is no doubt that this will be a record year for legal bets on the Super Bowl,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayUSA.com. “An interesting matchup that is nearly a pick ’em will help spur action, too.

As a result, records in states such as Nevada and New Jersey, where both online and retail sports betting were legal for last year’s game, are also in jeopardy.

The Super Bowl is easily the most bet-on sporting event in the U.S., drawing an estimated

$6 billion in legal and illegal bets in 2019, according to estimates from the American Gaming Association. That number will reach almost $7 billion in 2020, the AGA estimates.

For this year’s game, consider: Thirteen states — Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Iowa, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Oregon, Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, New Mexico, and New York — representing a combined population of 70 million, will offer a means to place a legal bet on this year’s Super Bowl.

Eight of those states — Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Iowa, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Oregon — offer both online and retail sports betting.

Seven states, representing a combined population of 30 million, accepted legal bets for last year’s game between the New England Patriots and the

Los Angeles Rams. In addition, some states had yet to launch online sportsbooks, leaving retail sportsbooks as the only vehicle to place a bet in states such as Pennsylvania.

The country’s two largest sports betting markets, Nevada and New Jersey, combined to generate more than $180 million in bets for the 2019 game.

New Jersey sportsbooks, which offered legal wagering on the Super Bowl for the first time in 2019, attracted $34.9 million in bets but lost $4.6 million.

Nevada’s $145.9 million handle was the state’s second-best all-time, but down from the record $158.6 million in 2018.

“Not only has the number of legal sports jurisdictions doubled from last year’s game, states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania have boomed,” Gouker said. “That all adds up to a historic weekend ahead for sports betting.”

Kansas City is currently a consensus 1.5-point favorite over the 49ers. And with the Chiefs’ top-ranked passing attack matched up against the 49ers’ second-ranked pass defense, the over/under is now set at 54 points.

Prop bets should once again bring added attention from bet-

tors to the game. Books will offer odds on aspects of the game that range from what player will score the first touchdown to the color of the Gatorade dumped on the winning coach.

“Online and mobile sportsbooks are a key tool in driving in-game and prop betting, giving states with a robust digital

presence a significant advantage,” Gouker said. “In New Jersey, nearly 88% of all bets were made online in December. And that allows operators to attract bettors with prop bets and keep them engaged with ingame betting.”

- WBIW News

Young Life

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FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

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“Aadhaar, Dabba, Shaadi”: Oxford Teens, parents among victims dictionary gets 26 new Indian English words of crash that killed Kobe Bryant The tenth edition of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, which was launched on Friday, has 384 Indian English words.

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EW DELHI - Aadhaar, chawl, dabba, hartal and shaadi are among the 26 new Indian English words that have entered the latest edition of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.

The tenth edition of the dictionary, which was launched on Friday, has 384 Indian English words and over 1,000 new words like chatbot, fake news and microplastic.

“This edition has 26 new Indian English words of which 22 figure in the printed dictionary. The other four are in the digital version,” Fathima Dada, Managing Director (Education Division) at Oxford University Press was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The new edition of the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary comes with interactive online support through the website and an app. The website has advanced features like audio-video tutorials, video walkthroughs, self-study activ-

Authorities have not yet officially identified all the victims but family and friends have shared their grief in public announcements or postings on social media.

File photo

ities and enhanced iWriter and iSpeaker tools.

The four new Indian English words in the online version of the dictionary are current (for electricity), looter, looting and upazila (one of the areas that a district is divided into for administration purposes).

“As Oxford University Press is the custodian of English language globally, these words have to go through its process-

es,” Ms Dada said.

The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, she said, has been reinventing itself for nearly eight decades, anticipating the growing learning requirements of learners.

The Oxford dictionary, which spans 77 years, was originally published in Japan in 1942 and was first brought out by Oxford University Press in 1948.

- NDTV, inputs from PTI

Parkinson’s discovery could yield new treatment strategy for young onset patients

by Arlene Weintraub

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OUSTON, Jan 27, 2020 - The protein alpha-synuclein is a major culprit in Parkinson’s disease because it misfolds and clumps up in the brain, causing cells that produce needed dopamine to die. In up to 10% of Parkinson’s patients, the symptoms strike before age 50, and researchers at Cedars-Sinai now believe they’ve found a key mechanism behind this young onset form of the disease.

Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with young onset Parkinson’s, the team discovered that dopamine-producing neurons mishandle alpha-synuclein for decades before symptoms appear, possibly starting before birth.

They even found a drug that reduced levels of alpha-synuclein in dopamine neurons, both in lab dishes and in mouse models.

They reported the discovery in the journal Nature Medicine.

The researchers took blood cells from Parkinson’s patients and reprogrammed them into iPSCs, essentially setting them back to their embryonic state.

Then they used them to produce dopamine neurons.

They discovered that the primitive neurons they created had malfunctioning lysosomes, which are structures inside of cells that normally break down proteins and discard them. That could be why the cells were accumulating alpha-synuclein, they hypothesized.

The Cedars-Sinai team then used their iPSC models to screen several drugs until they hit on one that could reverse the lysosome abnormality. The drug is Picato (PEP005), a gel developed by Leo Pharma that’s used to treat precancerous skin lesions. Interestingly, the gel also corrected another abnor-

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OS ANGELES, | AFP | 1/27/2020 - A baseball coach, two teenage girls and their parents and the pilot were among the victims of the helicopter crash that killed basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter on Sunday.

Here is what we know so far about the victims.

- Kobe and Gianna Bryant Bryant, 41, died in the crash along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna as they were heading from Orange County, where he lives, to a youth basketball academy -- Mamba Academy -- northwest of Los Angeles.

- College baseball coach and family John Altobelli, 56, the head baseball coach at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, died in the crash along with his wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa.

The college confirmed their deaths in a statement.

“John meant so much to not only Orange Coast College, but to baseball,” the college’s athletic director Jason Kehler said in a statement. “He truly personified what it means to be a baseball coach. The passion that he put into the game, but more importantly his athletes, was second to none -- he treated them like family.”

- Christina Mauser Mauser, 38, was the assistant coach for Gianni Bryant’s Mamba Academy basketball team.

“I got three small kids and am trying to figure out how to navigate life with three kids and no mom,” her husband Matt told

Cedars-Sinai researchers discovered that the skin drug PEP005 reduces the accumulation of alpha-synuclein in brain cells, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. (Illustration: iStock/Getty Images Plus)

mality the researchers found, which was an activated version of protein kinase C, though it’s unclear whether that protein is related to Parkinson’s.

Combating the buildup of alpha-synuclein is a major focus of Parkinson’s research. Among the biotech companies that are developing drugs designed to combat alpha-synuclein clumping are Enterin, Voyager and Modag, the latter of which came out of stealth mode last year with $14 million in series A funding.

Several academic groups are investigating the link between the gut microbiome and alpha-synuclein buildup in Parkinson’s. Johns Hopkins University researchers published a study last year showing that misfolded alpha-synuclein can travel from the gut to the brain in mice. And earlier this month, U.K. researchers discovered

that in roundworm models of the disease, the bacterium Bacillus subtilis changes fat metabolism in cells in a way that prevents the clumping of alpha-synuclein.

The next step for the Cedars-Sinai team is to determine whether the abnormalities they found in cells derived from young onset Parkinson’s patients characterize any other forms of the disease. They also plan to develop formulations of PEP005 that could be delivered to the brain to treat or prevent the disease.

The research “provides hope that one day we may be able to detect and take early action to prevent this disease in at-risk individuals,” said co-author Michele Tagliati, M.D., professor and director of the Movement Disorders Program at Cedars-Sinai, in a statement.

- FierceBioTech.com

Los Angeles Lakers fans hold flowers for a memorial at the scene of a helicopter crash in Calabasas which killed nine people including Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. (AFP Photo/Mark Ralston) NBC news.

- Sarah and Payton Chester Sarah and Payton Chester, a mother and daughter, lived in Orange County and died in the crash, family and friends said.

“They had to get on the helicopter as a convenience today, they usually drove by car,” Payton’s

grandmother Catherine George told NBC. - Pilot Ara Zobayan Ara Zobayan, a commercial helicopter pilot and flight instructor, was flying Bryant’s private chopper when it crashed into a hillside near Los Angeles and burst into flames, according to media report and tributes posted online.

Millennials fear nuclear attack in next decade: survey

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ENEVA, Switzerland | AFP | Thursday 1/16/2020 - More than half of millennials fear there will be a nuclear attack somewhere in the world within the next decade, according to a survey by the Red Cross released on Thursday.

Some 47 percent of respondents to the poll of 16,000 young people also believed it was more likely than not that there would be a third world war in their lifetime.

“Millennials appear to see cataclysmic war as a real likelihood in their lifetime,” Peter Maurer, president of the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross, said in a foreword to the report.

Adults aged between 20 and 35 took part in the survey -both in war-torn countries such as Afghanistan and Syria and largely peaceful ones like Britain and France.

The Red Cross used online panels, face to face interviews and telephone interviews to

reach people in 16 countries.

The most striking result came in reply to the question: “In your opinion, how likely or unlikely is it that nuclear weapons will be used in wars or armed conflicts anywhere in the world within the next 10 years?”

Some 54 percent said they felt it was likely such weapons would be used.

The ICRC said the survey also revealed some “worrying trends”, such as the answers they received to the question: “In your opinion, is torturing captured enemy combatants acceptable under some circumstances, or is it never acceptable?”

Some 41 percent said they would support torture in some circumstances.

And just 54 percent had heard of the Geneva Conventions, agreed in 1949 to protect prisoners of war and civilians in war time in response to the horrors of the Second World War.

Maurer said the results also revealed “a worrying acceptance of dehumanising language or actions towards perceived or real ‘enemies’ that is prevailing in an era of fake news, disinformation and polarised viewpoints”.

But there was some optimism, such as the 60 percent of Syrians polled who said they believed the current civil conflict would end within the next five years.

Syrians also had the highest support among respondents for showing humanity in war, with 85 percent saying captured combatants should be allowed to contact relatives and 70 percent saying torture was never acceptable.

The highest support for torture of captured enemy combatants was in Israel, Nigeria and the United States.

The Red Cross is a humanitarian institution established in 1863 with a mandate to protect the victims of conflict.

Seeds of hope: Young volunteers replant Tunisia forests

by Caroline Nelly Perrot

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ILIANA, Tunisia | AFP | Tuesday 1/27/2020 Around 40 young Tunisian volunteers gather on a bare hill in the central region of Siliana. Their weekend mission -- revive a burned forest by planting Aleppo pine shoots.

He is part of a network of nature lovers who have joined forces with Tunisian authorities for an ambitious venture; plant 12 million trees across the country by the end of this year.

That target equates to one tree per Tunisian citizen.

with basic training, thousands of tree shoots and a watering truck.

Amin Farhat, a young executive from Tunis who is also an activist for a recycling charity, says they want to safeguard Tunisia’s natural beauty and resources.

“When we use labourers, we plant around 1,000 trees a day.

But with volunteers, we can plant 4,000, even 5,000 a day. There are a lot of them, they are effective and it’s free,” says Nizar Khlif, a manager at the Siliana branch of the CRDA.

“We’re doing it for the future,” he says.

Hamdi, from the eastern city of Sfax, gets straight to work after travelling 250 kilometres (150 miles) to the marginalised region.

A camping and hiking enthusiast, he found out about the initiative on Facebook. “It’s a chance to have fun and do something good together,” says the student.

from the large coastal cities of Tunis, Sfax and Sousse.

- Effective & enthusiastic Soli&Green, founded by a handful of environmental activists in their thirties, organises planting weekends in winter and helps other organisations that want to do the same.

Volunteers aim to revive a burned forest by planting Aleppo pine shoots. (AFP Photo) “We can only get there together,” says Baya Khalfallah, one of the heads of the Soli&Green association, which launched the campaign in November.

counting on all the (community) organisations, our partnership with the government -- and, obviously, on those who are environmentally conscious,” she adds.

“To reach our objective, we are

Most of the volunteers come

Since November, it has compiled a list of all the country’s reforestation initiatives and estimates that by mid-January, almost a million trees had been planted.

The state does most of the work.

The regional commission for agricultural development (CRDA), a public body, provides volunteers

“And there is a participatory approach -- they involve the local population.”

The arrival of the city-dwelling, backpack-carrying volunteers has inspired Siliana residents.

In 2017, 40 hectares (almost 100 acres) of forest went up in smoke. A suspected arsonist said he had hoped the blaze would compel authorities to recruit forest rangers, and that he would be hired.

“It was as if we’d lost a family member,” says 14-year-old Khairi Jaied, from a nearby village.

“I have many good memories of the forest. It’s good to see these people helping so that our region can rebuild its resources.”

- ‘Motivating’ “Before the fire, there was a dense forest here,” says 46-yearold Khlifa Jaidi, pointing at a rocky hill.

Reforestation is a crucial part of curbing erosion and fighting global warming -- trees capture carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and transform it into oxygen.

But it’s also a way of creating local revenue.

“People used to gather Aleppo pine seeds to make zgougou (a traditional dessert) and rosemary, sold for its essential oil,” adds Jaidi, a local guide from the nearby town of Kesra.

Forest fires, both deliberate and accidental, eat away at hundreds of hectares each year.

VOICE OF ASIA 13

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US pharma boss gets 5 years jail time for fueling opioid crisis

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EW YORK | AFP | Thursday 1/23/2020 John Kapoor, the founder of US drug maker Insys, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison on Thursday for helping fuel America’s deadly opioid crisis.

The 76-year-old became the first owner of a pharmaceutical company to go to prison over the crisis that has killed tens of thousands of Americans.

Kapoor was convicted in May of an elaborate scheme that saw Insys pay doctors money to prescribe the company’s addictive painkiller Subsys to patients who didn’t need it.

He was found guilty of criminal conspiracy, along with four other former executives of the Arizona-based firm, following a 10-week trial in Boston.

In 2017, President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency.

Almost 400,000 people have died from overdoses involving prescription or illicit opioids over the past two decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nearly 48,000 people died in 2017 alone from opiate overdose.

To increase sales of their fentanyl spray Subsys, a painkiller 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, Insys executives

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Insys Therapeutics founder John Kapoor departs federal court, in Boston, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. A federal prosecutor told jurors Monday that Kapoor plotted to bribe doctors across the country to prescribe a highly addictive fentanyl spray in order to outshine competitors and line his own pockets. Kapoor is the highest-level pharmaceutical figure to face trial amid the opioid epidemic that’s claiming thousands of lives every year. (AFP Photo)

set up a system of large-scale bribes.

Between 2012 and 2015, they paid health professionals to prescribe large quantities of the highly addictive drug, which was approved to alleviate severe pain in terminal cancer patients.

Doctors were encouraged to recommend the spray to patients who did not need it and also in excessive doses.

Officially, the bribes were paid as fees to doctors speaking at seminars for health professionals to praise the benefits of the drug.

The company’s aggressive

marketing tactics reportedly also included sales representatives making a rap video to promote the drug.

In some years, Insys paid more than $10 million in bribes in this way. The heads of the firm also set up a scheme to mislead health insurance companies to reimburse patients for the costs of the drug.

According to Insys’ annual report, Subsys sales reached $329.5 million in 2015.

The group went public in 2013. Kapoor resigned from the board in October 2017, a few days after his indictment.

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EW YORK | AFP | Monday 1/27/2020 - US cereal giant Kellogg has set a goal of phasing out the controversial weedkiller glyphosate from its oat and wheat supply chain by 2025, the company confirmed Monday.

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, the Bayer-Monsanto weedkiller that is the most heavily used herbicide in the United States.

(File photo/AFP)

of glyphosate in corn and soy products.

commissioned lab testing of popular cereals and other foods that were shown to contain high

Kellogg’s move comes amid a deluge of lawsuits targeting glyphosate, which is sold commercially as Roundup.

Several US courts have awarded plaintiffs large damages awards over cancer and other health claims, although they were later reduced by judges.

German chemical giant Bayer maintains glyphosate is safe.

Kellogg’s action was applauded by Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit which had

dosages of glyphosate.

“We applaud Kellogg’s for working with their suppliers to address the risks posed by glyphosate,” said EWG President Ken Cook.

“It’s no surprise that consumers don’t want a controversial weedkiller in their cereal. Now it’s time for General Mills and Quaker to listen to their customers and fall in behind Kellogg’s leadership and do the same -end this use of this notorious weedkiller.”

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China-U.S. air traffic is in free-fall

by Michael Boyd

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redicting the future, even with solid data, is full of unknowns. But one thing we can rely upon in aviation forecasting is that it’s unforeseen factors that suddenly spring out of left field that will drive change.

idemic, and it is not only killing people, but it’s threatening to put a stake in the heart of what was until now was still thought to be potentially one of the fastest growth sectors in the global air transportation business.

It’s simple. Air traffic between

The airline, which owes more than $8 billion, has been struggling to pay salaries and buy fuel, with officials recently warning that it would have to shut down unless a buyer was found.

On Monday the civil aviation ministry released a document inviting bids for a 100 percent stake, setting March 17 as the deadline for initial submissions.

Potential buyers would have to assume around $3.26 billion in debt, the document said.

The government was forced in 2018 to shelve plans to sell a 76 percent stake in Air India after failing to attract any bidders.

India’s Tata Group, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and IndiGo were all linked to a takeover but subsequently ruled themselves out.

Founded in 1932 and formerly India’s monopoly airline, the company was once known affectionately as the “Maharaja of the skies”.

But it has been haemorrhaging money for more than a decade and has lost market share to lowcost rivals in one of the world’s fastest-growing but most competitive airline markets.

In November aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said the airline would “have to close down if it is not privatised”.

State-run oil companies halted fuel supplies to Air India in August after it fell behind on payments, though the firms agreed to lift the suspension a month later after talks brokered by the government.

The country’s aviation sector has been stuck in a slump since the collapse of Jet Airways last year.

Numerous lawsuits against Bayer legacy company Monsanto over the alleged cancer risks of its herbicide, Roundup (glyphosate), continued to dominate the news in the US last year.

Kellogg’s Chief Sustainability Officer Amy Senter said the company has been working with suppliers on pesticide use since before 2017, and will “continue to actively monitor the science, regulations and consumer preferences on this topic.”

“We expect the news of our updated commitments to be well received by our consumers,” Senter told AFP in an email.

Kellogg did not address an AFP question about any use

New Delhi to sell full stake in debt-ridden Air India UMBAI, India | AFP | 1/27/2020 - New Delhi intends to sell its entire stake in the debt-crippled national carrier Air India, the government announced Monday, after failing previously to secure any bids for a majority share.

Kellogg pledges to phase out glyphosate in oats, wheat by 2025

Kellogg, which makes “Corn Flakes” cereal, Pop Tarts and other breakfast products, does not own or operate farms but some suppliers have used the herbicide as a “drying agent a few weeks before harvest, particularly with wheat and oats,” the company said on its website.

“Although this practice is not widespread in our wheat and oat supply chains, we are working with our suppliers to phase out using glyphosate as pre-harvest drying agent in our wheat and oat supply chain in our major markets, including the US, by the end of 2025,” the company said.

www.voiceofasia.news

FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

Masks maybe not needed. They may be heading to work an empty flight, anyway. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

In the case of air traffic between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China, unforeseen factors have been rampant over the last 18 months.

Two years ago, the future appeared to be incredibly strong.

Expanding visitation, robust discretionary spending on the part of Chinese visitors, and a shortage of adequate capacity all combined to make airlines on both sides of the Pacific enthusiastic. Concerned about fare yields, yes. But not about the potential passenger demand.

But mid-2019, a relatively strong growth picture became really cloudy, really fast, as the edges started to fray around China’s bubble economy. The trade war didn’t help, either. But at least these were factors that could be somewhat accommodated in projecting traffic shifts, based on schedule capacity, fleet decisions at specific airlines, and historical passenger demand.

As of now, however, all that is out the moon gate. The bottom has quickly fallen out of the trans-Pacific market between the U.S. and the Middle Kingdom.

It’s due to the coronavirus ep-

the United States and China is spinning into a free-fall. (It’s also doing so to other international destinations from China, for the same set of reasons.)

To be sure, occasional cases of the potentially deadly coronavirus are being discovered all over the world, including in the USA. But it’s now all across China, big time.

According to reports, it is spreading quickly, and it may be worse than previously conveyed by the Chinese government. As of today, the virus has spread from its start in the city of Wuhan to every province in the country. That means virtually every large commercial center can be affected. It also means that air traffic demand will also be affected at every large commercial center.

Official numbers are now indicating over 2,500 cases. Based on the reliability of government data in China, you would be safe to increase that figure materially.

Take it to the bank: this epidemic will materially affect the flight levels between China and the United States, because airlines don’t like to fly nearly-empty airplanes.

Apple delivers record results, McDonald’s closes all branches sees growth in in virus-hit Chinese province iPhones, digiew York | AFP | “Right now, as you would ex1/29/2020 US fast pect, our priority’s really on our tal services food giant McDonald’s employees, on our customers,

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AN FRANCISCO | AFP | Tuesday, 1/28/2020 Apple on Tuesday posted record results for the final three months of last year, powered by sales of iPhones, digital services, and wearables such as AirPods.

Net profit hit an all-time high of $22 billion on record quarterly revenue of $91.8 billion, the California tech giant said.

“We are thrilled to report Apple’s highest quarterly revenue ever, fueled by strong demand for our iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models, and all-time records for services and wearables,” said Apple chief executive Tim Cook.

Apple shares jumped two percent in after-market trades that followed release of the stronger-than-anticipated earnings report.

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said on Wednesday it closed all of its restaurants in Hubei, the Chinese province at the epicenter of a virus outbreak that has spread beyond the country’s borders.

The novel coronavirus outbreak traced to the provincial capital Wuhan in central China has killed more than 130 people and infected nearly 6,000 people across the country.

That has prompted factories and businesses to close, airlines to cancel flights to the country and governments to discourage travel to China.

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski called the situation “fluid” and “concerning,” and said the chain decided to close all of its restaurants in Hubei, which amount to “several hundred.”

But three thousand outlets elsewhere in China remain open, he said during a call to discuss the company’s fourth quarter financial results.

doing everything we can to make sure that they are safe and taken care of,” Kempczinski said, adding that the company would establish a special team to deal with the outbreak.

China accounts for nine percent of all McDonald’s restaurants but only about four to five percent of its sales and three percent of its income, he said.

But commenting on the potential financial hit from the virus, he said “its actual impact on our business is going to be fairly small, assuming, again, that it stays contained to China.”

There are now 16 countries that have confirmed cases of the SARS-like illness, from the United States to the United Arab Emirates.

American coffee chain Starbucks announced on Tuesday that it had shuttered half of its cafes in China, and Disney shut down its theme parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 14

by Vishal Manve

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UMBAI, India | AFP | Friday 1/23/2020 - Rashmi Sahijwala never expected to start working at the age of 59, let alone join India’s gig economy -- now she is part of an army of housewives turning their homes into “cloud kitchens” to feed time-starved millennials.

Asia’s third-largest economy is battling a slowdown so sharp it is creating a drag on global growth, the International Monetary Fund said Monday, but there are some bright spots.

The gig economy, aided by cheap mobile data and abundant labour, has flourished in India, opening up new markets across the vast nation.

Although Indian women have long battled for access to education and employment opportunities, the biggest hurdle for many is convincing conservative families to let them leave home.

But new apps like Curryful, Homefoodi, and Nanighar are tapping the skills of housewives to slice, dice and prepare meals for hungry urbanites from the comfort of their homes.

The so-called cloud kitchens -- restaurants that have no physical presence and a delivery-only model -- are rising in popularity as there is a boom in food delivery apps such as Swiggy and Zomato.

“We want to be the Uber of

FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

Cloud cooking land: Indian housewives become gig economy chefs

Home chef Rashmi Sahijwala at her kitchen in Mumbai. (Image Credit: AFP)

home-cooked food,” said Ben Mathew, who launched Curryful in 2018, convinced that housewives were a huge untapped re-

source.

His company -- which employs five people for the app’s daily operations -- works with

52 women and three men, and the 31-year-old web entrepreneur hopes to get one million female chefs on-board by 2022.

“We usually train them in processes of sanitisation, cooking, prep time and packaging... and then launch them on the platform,” Mathew told AFP. One of the first housewives to join Curryful in November 2018 shortly after its launch, Sahijwala was initially apprehensive, despite having four decades of experience in the kitchen.

But backed by her children, including her son who gave her regular feedback about her proposed dishes, she took the plunge.

Since then, she’s undergone a crash course in how to run a business, from creating weekly menus to buying supplies from wholesale markets to cut costs.

The learning curve was steep and Sahijwala switched from cooking everything from scratch to preparing curries and batters for breads in advance to save time and limit leftovers.

She even bought a massive freezer to store fruits and vegetables despite her husband’s reservations about the cost.

“I told him that I am a professional now,” she told AFP. - ‘Internet restaurants’ Kallol Banerjee, co-founder of Rebel Foods which runs 301 cloud kitchens backing up

2,200 “internet restaurants”, was among the first entrepreneurs to embrace the concept in 2012.

“We could do more brands from one kitchen and cater to different customer requirements at multiple price points,” Banerjee told AFP. The chefs buy the ingredients, supply the cookware and pay the utility bills.

The apps -- which make their money through charging commission, such as more than 18 percent per order for Curryful -- offer training and supply the chefs with containers and bags to pack the food in.

Curryful chef Chand Vyas, 55, spent years trying to set up a lunch delivery business but finally gave up after failing to compete with dabbawalas, Mumbai’s famously efficient food porters.

Today Vyas works seven hours a day, five days a week in her kitchen, serving up a bevy of Indian vegetarian staples, from street food favourites to lentils and rice according to the app’s weekly set menus.

“I don’t understand marketing or how to run a business but I know how to cook. I am just glad life has given me this chance.”

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: BE MY VALENTINE

Week of January 31, 2020 HOROSCOPE.COM

21 March to 20 April This can be a week when you might prefer to go with the flow. A delightful Venus-Neptune alignment in your spiritual sector can put you in the mood to make a sacrifice. You might feel like helping at a local charity or volunteering to assist those who can’t manage alone. You’ll know when the time is right.

21 April to 20 May For much of this week, the ethereal qualities of Neptune could influence your affairs. With feisty Mars making an awkward angle to this dreamy planet, you may feel less inclined to get on with things. If you have something important to do, you might need to push yourself to complete it. You find yourself falling in love with someone.

21 May to 20 June It helps to set your intentions early this week or you could find yourself drifting.

With beguiling Neptune on the field, it could be easier to go with the flow even when you have a lot on your plate. Make a to-do list on Monday and determine to stick with it. With sweet Venus aligning with misty Neptune on Monday, you might be feeling selfless and more willing to help others than attend to your own plans.

21 June to 22 July

Sweet Venus meets with nebulous Neptune in your sector of travel and far horizons, and this dreamy influence could see you enjoying a holiday romance. Whether solo or spoken for, you might relish getting close to someone, particularly if you have a chance to unwind and relax. Are you hoping to get involved? Avoid having big expectations, because the person in question will likely have a few flaws.

23 July to 22 August Fiery Mars continues in your sector of leisure and links to dreamy Neptune over this week. This could cause you to hold back just when you’re about to move ahead. You could be filled with all kinds of doubts, which isn’t your normal style. And the smaller setbacks could see you faltering when you’d normally march right past them.

23 August to 22 Sept Regarding relationships, aquatic Neptune can have an influence on key relationships for much of this week. Solo? Someone could impress you so much that you feel you’ve met the perfect partner. You could be convinced that they have soul-mate potential. Bide your time, though, because they may not be quite as wonderful as they seem.

23 September to 22 Oct How much is enough? A dreamy aspect in your sector of work and service could see you sacrificing your time with no thought of any return. If you have your own tasks to do, it would be wise to set limits even though you may not want to. In addition, avoid any dubious schemes, because it could be easy to get sucked into something that is a waste of resources.

23 October to 21 Nov You could find yourself mesmerized by someone, and it could be difficult to get them out of your mind. Over this week, a yearning to get to know them better, coupled with a touch of obsession, could mean that you lose your common sense where this potential relationship is concerned. However, with sassy Mars, your ruler, angling toward aquatic Neptune, it would help to consider the cost of such a liaison.

22 November to 21 Dec Dynamic Mars in your sign links to nebulous Neptune in your home zone, so you may not feel up to doing much of anything this week. If you can lighten your schedule, this might be a wise option. Your body might need a chance to recharge, and taking the opportunity to do nothing much could be the best way ahead.

22 December to 20 Jan Although there’s a very practical and down-to-earth emphasis on your sign that helps to keep you grounded, you could still get carried away. The early part of the week could see you getting close to someone and finding it easy to pick up their thoughts and feelings. Whether this is romantic or platonic, you may feel as though any barriers between you have melted away and you understand each other.

21 January to 19 Feb Look after your money this week or it may not go very far. There could be a tendency to give too much of it away to charity or to help friends or family. Or you could yearn for certain items and decide to splurge. Set yourself some limits. If you don’t have a budget, it might help to get one up and running.

Keeping control of your finances is one way to ensure peace of mind.

20 February to 20 Mar All kinds of dreams and fantasies could show up this week, but it would be best not to take any of them too seriously. With lovely Venus aligning with beguiling Neptune in your sign, it’s better to harness this energy creatively. If you have any projects in mind, this artistic and imaginative transit can give them a sparkling edge.

ACROSS 1. *Abélard to Héloïse 6. C.E.O.’s degree 9. a.k.a Snowmobile 13. Make amends 14. Over, poetically 15. Garlic unit 16. ____ lazuli 17. New, prefix 18. Bumpkin 19. *St. Valentine’s Day Massacre city 21. James Bond’s drink of choice 23. Building annex 24. Galsworthy’s “The Forsyte ____” 25. MD, familiarly 28. Land of Nod, in relation to Eden 30. Hire for work 35. Part of an eye 37. Feudal laborer 39. Request from Amazon 40. Waterproofed canvas 41. Bunch of bees 43. Black cat, e.g.

44. Apollo of “Rocky” 46. Roofed colonnade 47. X in a letter 48. Medicinal herb 50. Tangerine-grapefruit hybrid 52. Tennis barrier 53. Hold as a conviction 55. End of a fuse?

57. *____ Valentine, a.k.a. humorous Valentine 61. *One of star-crossed lovers 65. Beyond’s occasional partner 66. E.T. transporter 68. Wombs 69. Hansen’s disease patient 70. Young canine 71. *Flirt 72. *They used to be each other’s Valentines 73. Attempt 74. Passover meal DOWN

SOLUTION:

1. Barber’s supply 2. Arizona’s neighbor 3. Serengeti antelope 4. *Like a bottle of champagne 5. “Goodwill Industries” business 6. *Unfortunate consequence of kissing?

7. Busy as a what?

8. *Pleasant bouquet smell 9. Vegas bandit 10. Mischievous Norse deity 11. ____-tempered 12. Sub station 15. *Roxane’s pen pal 20. “Heart of ____,” Blondie’s hit 22. Well-kept secret, for some 24. Strata, sing.

25. *Go ____, or split the cost of a date 26. Estrogen maker 27. The smallest dwarf planet 29. Uses a Singer 31. Get the picture 32. Short for administrator 33. Goslings, when they grow up 34. *German artist or Young’s partner 36. “Singes” in “La Planète des Singes” 38. *Mr. Right, pre-kiss 42. Tiny European republic 45. Jackie Robinson, e.g.

49. Princess tester 51. “My two cents,” pl.

54. Do like Vesuvius 56. *Héloïse to Abélard 57. Wide river valley 58. Wild goat 59. Uh-uh 60. “The Three Faces of ____,” pl.

61. Printer button 62. Old paint hazard 63. Gaelic tongue 64. *Wedding cake layer 67. “___ Elise”

BE MY VALENTINE on Page 15

VOICE OF ASIA 15

B

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FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

D

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STATEPOINT CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Theme: BE MY VALENTINE

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