Voice of Asia E-paper April 12, 2019 by VoiceOf Asia

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FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

- FASHION & STYLE : India's Fashion Decade, PAGE 19

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NRI Professor's research leads to first medicine for postpartum depression

Daya’s 2019 Gala - Shine Celebrating the Light of Survivors

OLLEGE STATION, Texas - Indian-born Scientist Dr. Samba Reddy’s research helped develop first medicine for the brain condition postpartum depression. Earlier this month, the U.S. FDA approved the first drug to treat postpartum depression, brexanolone, which will be marketed under the brand name Zulresso. About one out of every nine women experience postpartum depression. The condition can make it impossible for them to care for and bond with their babies, and although traditional antidepressants can help, they take weeks to work—such long time that women with suicidal thoughts or fears of harming their children may not be able to afford. Brexanolone is a rename of allopregnanolone, a hormone synthesized by the body from progesterone. It is the first “neurosteroid” to enter the clinic. Dr. Samba Reddy, Professor at the Texas A&M University College of Medicine, has been working on the basic science behind

Dr. Samba Reddy the drug for the last two decades. In 1999, when Dr. Reddy was working at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), he discovered how stress-induced release of neurosteroids protect the brain. Later, he has co-invented a neurosteroid replacement therapy. Continued on Page 6

A discussion on stage with Daya clients and Daya counselor, Hareema Mela. (Photos credit: Slyworks Photography)

UGAR LAND - Chaired by Daya Board Members, Aparna Asthana, Annu Naik, and Shamza Matin on March 31, 2019,

Daya held Shine – Celebrating the Light of Survivors to raise funds to support South Asian victims of domestic and sexual violence in Hous-

ton. As a result of outreach by Honorary Event Chairs Salma and Riaz Siddiqi, and Sandhya and Naresh

OEM encourages registration for AlertHouston notifications

OUSTON - Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) announced a promotional campaign for AlertHouston, the City’s official emergency notification system. AlertHouston is an important component for the City’s communications to citizens during severe weather or emergencies. Just this past weekend, residents were alerted of severe thunderstorm and tornado

Continued on Page 3

Left: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner stands beneath a new billboard, along with George Buenik Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security along with representative from the sponsoring business Ad Impressions, b.ID Creative, and Clear Channel Outdoor. (Photo courtesy The City of Houston)

warnings through the system. Register at www.alerthouston.org. To promote citizen registration, billboards in English and Spanish have been placed around the City, radio and television commercials will air in English and Spanish, and print and digital advertisements will be produced. “We all know how important it Continued on Page 6

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ongress has landed on one of those rare ideas that commands support from both Democrats and Republicans. Unfortunately, it’s a bad one.

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On Tuesday, the House approved legislation misleadingly titled the Taxpayer First Act that includes a provision prohibiting the Internal Revenue Service from developing a free online system that most American households could use to file their taxes. The Senate is considering a similar piece of bipartisan legislation. This makes no sense. Congress should be making it easier for Americans to file their taxes. Instead of barring the I.R.S. from making April a little less miserable, why isn’t Congress requiring the I.R.S. to create a free tax filing website? Better yet, the United States could emulate the roughly three dozen countries, including Chile, Japan and Britain, where most taxpayers do not need to fill out tax returns. In some of those countries, the accuracy of tax withholding is sufficient to obviate the annual filing process. In others, the government sends out completed forms to most taxpayers. In Estonia, filing taxes can be done in less than three minutes. The federal government collects enough information about most American households to mail out a completed tax form that people would simply need

by John R. Dearie

resident Trump has repeatedly called for a U.S. immigration system based on the economic value of those admitted. The president is correct that, at present, the United States accords a lower priority to the economic benefits of potential admittees than most other developed nations.

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

Don’t even think of helping taxpayers Congress could free most Americans from the annual drudgery of filling out tax forms. Instead, it’s trying to lock the current system in place. to verify, sign and return. President Ronald Reagan proposed a version of just such a system. In 1998, Congress passed a law instructing the I.R.S. to develop such a system by 2008. President Barack Obama endorsed the concept during the 2008 presidential campaign. It still hasn’t happened. The explanation is sad but not surprising. The most vocal opponent of simplicity is Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, which has spent millions of dollars lobbying against efforts to reduce demand for its services. The company draws support from conservatives worried that making it easier to file taxes would make it easier to raise taxes. Since the early 2000s, the government has required Intuit and its competitors to offer free tax-filing programs to the 70 percent of taxpayers with the lowest incomes. The legislation requires the I.R.S. to continue that Free File program rather than developing its

own. Senator Ron Wyden, the Oregon Democrat who is cosponsoring the Senate version of the bill, said on Wednesday that the I.R.S. would retain the authority to end the Free File program. But a number of independent experts, including the National Consumer Law Center, said the bill removed that exit ramp. But only about 3 percent of taxpayers use the programs. Intuit and its allies, including proponents of the legislation, say that it’s cheaper and better for the government to let private companies run the system. But companies have little incentive to advertise the availability of free filing or to make the system easy to use. Indeed, they have every reason to steer people away from the free products. That is how they make money. As a result, the government is saving taxpayer money at the expense of those taxpayers.

There is evidence that automatic payment systems can make it easier to raise prices. A 2009 study found agencies raised toll rates after the adoption of E-ZPass, perhaps because drivers were less likely to object if they were unaware of the increases. But an automatic filing system also might help taxpayers to save money. For example, only 78 percent of eligible households currently claim the earned-income tax credit. Members of Congress pay lip service to ideas like filing taxes on a postcard, but they continue to perpetuate the current system of mass April immiseration by preventing the most obvious and effective way to simplify tax collection. Americans with complicated finances are stuck with the misery of the current tax system. That’s no reason to force most Americans to join them. - The New York Times Editorial Board

An 'entrepreneur visa' can help us keep our competitive edge

Of the 1.1 million permanent residency green cards issued annually, 85 percent go to family members of U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents, people seeking political asylum or humanitarian refuge and “diversity immigrants.” Only 15 percent of green cards are allotted based on the economic skills of the applicants — and half of those go to the workers’ spouses and children. For other countries — including China, Australia, Canada, Britain, South Korea, Denmark, Chile, Switzerland and Spain — the ratio is flipped, with as much as 80 percent of their visas issued for economic reasons. In a global economy in which the competition for talent is increasingly fierce, the United States needs an immigration framework consistent with its national identity as a land of opportunity and refuge for the world’s “tired, poor, huddled masses,” but also one that places greater emphasis on attracting and retaining the world’s best and most innovative talent. Though “economic value” is frequently defined in terms of educational attainment, there is no immigrant category of greater economic value to the United States and its citizens than a foreign-born entrepreneur who wants to launch their new business in America. New businesses create jobs for Americans, contribute to innovation, economic growth and expanding opportunity, and, once profitable, pay federal, state and local taxes. Foreign-born entrepreneurs have been a prominent feature of America’s economic landscape for many decades. Iconic American companies founded by immigrants include: Dow, AT&T, DuPont, Levi Strauss, Anheuser-Busch, Pfizer, Goldman Sachs, Sun Microsystems, Google, Yahoo, eBay, YouTube, PayPal, Tesla and LinkedIn. A recent study by the Center for American Entrepreneur-

Image: Istock ship found that 43 percent of Fortune 500 companies and 57 percent of the top 35 companies were founded by immigrants or a child of immigrants. These companies are headquartered in 68 metro areas across 33 states and employ millions of Americans. Yet, the United States is one of only a few industrialized nations that does not have a visa category specifically designated for foreign-born entrepreneurs. In recent years, many other nations — including China, Canada, Germany, France, New Zealand, Australia and Chile — have overhauled their immigration laws to attract foreign-born entrepreneurs, including American entrepreneurs. Most recently, on June 13, 2018, the United Kingdom announced the creation of a "start-up visa" to attract and retain foreign-born entrepreneurs. America is already feeling the heat of heightened competition. Last year, more new technology jobs were created in Toronto than in Silicon Valley, Seattle and Washington, D.C. combined.

Given this new competitive reality, Congress should create a new visa category — an “entrepreneur visa” — specifically designated for foreign-born entrepreneurs who want to launch new businesses in the United States. To qualify for an entrepreneur visa, applicants should meet national security requirements and should be required to have raised a certain amount of initial funding from private investors to validate themselves as entrepreneurs and to authenticate their business idea. Under the terms of the entrepreneur visa, foreign-born entrepreneurs should be admitted on a temporary contingency basis, say for two years. If by the end of that period an entrepreneur's business has been successfully launched and has produced jobs for at least two non-family members, the temporary visa should be extended, say, for an additional three years. If the new business continues to grow and has created jobs for at least five non-family members by the end of the initial five-year period, the foreignborn entrepreneur should be

granted permanent residency status — a green card — in order to continue building his or her business and creating American jobs. A 2013 study by the Kauffman Foundation concluded that an entrepreneur visa would create between 500,000 and 1.6 million new American jobs within 10 years. Other studies have estimated that a new visa category for foreignboard entrepreneurs could create as many as 3 million new American jobs over a decade. Most importantly, an entrepreneur visa will help ensure that the United States and American workers are not disadvantaged in the increasingly fierce global competition for innovative talent. Foreign-born entrepreneurs have created many of America’s largest and most successful companies; we want the next generation of great companies launched in America too. John R. Dearie is the founder and president of the Center for American Entrepreneurship. Follow the organization on Twitter: @startupsUSAorg.

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Section 1

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FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

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Daya’s 2019 Gala - 'Shine – Celebrating the Light of Survivors' Continued from Page 1 Sabhnani, this year’s sold out gala welcomed over 600 community members. The program was led by emcee, Vikas Shah, MBE, an entrepreneur and professor who traveled for the event from Manchester. Against a stunning backdrop of twinkling lights, Daya Board President, Sheela Rao welcomed the audience and acknowledged the many staff, board members, and volunteers that make up the Daya Family. She gave special thanks to Daya’s partners and funders that allow Daya to do their work. Mr. Shah then read an official proclamation from the Mayor’s Office, naming March 31, 2019 “Daya Day” in the City of Houston. Executive Director, Rachna Khare spoke of the complex challenges and barriers that South Asian survivors face when seeking help. She welcomed two Daya clients and Daya counselor, Hareema Mela to the stage for an open discussion about the clients’ experiences and the role that Daya played in the recovery. One client discussed the barriers she faced in shelter and mainstream agencies. A year of rental assistance from Daya has allowed the client to rebuild her life. She now has a fulltime job and can independently take care of her four children. The second client spoke of the in-law abuse she experienced and the impact the abuse had on her own family in India. Through mental health counseling at Daya, she was able to rebuild her self-confidence and is now living independently and is finishing dental school. Ms. Khare challenged the audience to take ownership of domestic violence as a public health crisis. Mr. Shah

Leslee Udwin, filmmaker and activist, addressing the gathering.

Daya Board President, Sheela Rao welcoming the audience. Also seen is Vikas Shah, Emcee.

then took the stage to illustrate how community donations impact in the life of a survivor. A donation of $1000 provides six months of trauma-based professional counseling, $2500 gives a legal retainer fee for immigration and family law cases, and $10,000 provides an entire year of rental assistance for a client and her children. After dinner, filmmaker and activist, Leslee Udwin, took the stage. Ms. Udwin spoke passionately about the making of her film, India’s Daughter. Ms. Udwin introduced the audience to Think Equal, her

Musical performers at the gala.

Daya Board Members at the event.

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initiative to teach empathy and equality to children in the formative, developmental years. Ms. Udwin ended her inspirational speech with a call to action, urging the audience to shine the light on domestic violence in our community. Daya is aiming to raise $400,000 for the gala. To donate, please go to https://www. dayahouston.org/what-yourdollars-can-do. Daya empowers South Asian survivors who are trying to break the cycle of domestic and sexual violence and reclaim their lives.

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FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

Announcing : Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores National MB Entertainment presents Javed Ali Live in Concert in Battle of the Bands Houston on May 3 Eight elite collegiate bands to compete Labor Day weekend at NRG Stadium

Starting from the yellow jacket is - Janis Burke, CEO Houston Sports, Mayor Tuner, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Former Rockets Player, Calvin Murphy (in red). Photos by Susan Pothanikat

show.

OUSTON – It’s not halftime. It’s not the fifth quarter. It’s the

Bands are the essence of the Historic Black College and University experience and the HBCU’s ultimate celebration is coming to Houston on Labor Day weekend for the Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores National Battle of the Bands September 1 at NRG Stadium. Think Drumline at NRG. Think showmanship, precision,

Experience later that afternoon. Texas is home to nine HBCU schools and more than 20 HBCU alumni associations have chapters in the Greater Houston area. “It’s fitting that this impressive showdown will be in Harris County -- one of the largest and most diverse counties in the country,’’ Hidalgo said. “The competition will be fierce and I’m excited to see these

like this event. It’s packed with super high-energy performances by some the country’s most elite marching bands. They’ll have you on your feet dancing at your seats from start to finish.” The event will feature more than 2,000 members from the eight bands and the recruitment fair gives local students the opportunity to look at what approximately two dozen HBCU schools offer. “It is an honor to introduce

TSU Marching Band dancing and the best marching band showcase in the country. Eight of the nation’s top HBCU bands will celebrate the culture of their universities at what will be the largest African American event in Texas. Each band has its own unique style and music and was created to celebrate, support and recognize the excellence of Black college marching bands. This year’s band line-up includes Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band, Prairie View A&M University’s Marching Storm Band, North Carolina Central University’s The Sound Machine Marching Band, Talladega College’s Marching Tornado Band, Southern University’s Human Juke Box, Miles College’s Purple Marching Machine and Tennessee State University’s Aristocrat of Bands.

extremely talented bands strut their stuff, but make no mistake, I’ll be rooting for our very own Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band!” HBCUs are the heartbeat of African American higher education opportunities and this event exposes Houston’s diverse population to both educational and arts opportunities.

The day of celebration kicks off with the HBCU STEM college recruitment fair which is free and open to area students interested in higher education opportunities from 20 of the top HBCUs in the country.

“Houston has a successful track record for hosting successful events that draw thousands of people to our welcoming city. We are excited about partnering with Harris County, The Houston Sports Authority and Webber Marketing and Consulting for the 2019 Cracker Barrel National Battle of the Bands,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “The invitation-only competition featuring student musicians from Historically Black Colleges and Universities will put Houston on the map for hosting another thrilling event. It’s guaranteed great entertainment. I encourage everyone to attend and also stay tuned for exciting activities leading up to the competition.”

Education and scholarship partner H-E-B is sponsoring the H-E-B Tailgate Cook Off

Added Harris County – Houston Sports Authority CEO Janis Burke, “There’s nothing

Houston and the surrounding communities-at-large to the extraordinary talents of the students who represent the HBCU marching bands participating in this year’s National Battle of the Bands,” said Derek Webber, CEO, Webber Marketing & Consulting, LLC. “Our goal is to enhance the exposure of HBCU marching bands and the roles they play in educating aspiring musicians and developing future leaders; while also introducing patrons to the spirit and community of the HBCU experience, which they will encounter throughout the weekend.” The NBOTB partnership with the HCHSA helps to support the advancement of the event’s mission to enhance the exposure of HBCUs and their marching bands, and the role they play in educating aspiring musicians and developing future leaders. The partnership is also significant because it supports the growth of scholarships, and expands the awareness of higher learning with music, arts and entertainment.” For ticket information please go to www.nationalbattleofthebands.com or email Tickets@ houstonsports.org

OUSTON - After the Grand success of the Samir Dipalee Live in Concert and the Diwali Nite 2018 with Soumen and Chandrika, MB Entertainment Company is launching The Javed Ali Live In Concert on May 3rd, 2019. Javed Ali the renowned Indian Playback Singer, Television Presenter & Television Personality well known for his work in Bollywood, Lollywood, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia & Marathi cinema will be performing LIVE in Houston on May 3rd at the Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Rd, Stafford, TX 77477. Javed Ali started his musical career at a very young age and in 2007 he came into limelight for his song 'Ek Din Teri Raahon Mein' from the film Naqaab and thereafter he sang Jashne-Bahaaran from Jodhaa Akbar, Arziyan from Delhi-6, Kun Faya Kun from Rockstar, Guzarish from Ghajini, Aa Jao Meri Tamanna from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Gale Lag Ja from De Dana Dan, Tu Hi Haqeeqat from Tum Mile, and many more. He mentored and judged reality shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs 2011 on Zee TV Great Music Gurukul 2015 on Colors Bangla, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs 2017 on Zee TV, Mentored Bengali Singing Reality Show on Colors Bangla named Great Music Gurukul in

Javed Ali. (Image credit: The Hindu)

2015 and Indian Idol Season 10 in 2018 on Sony Entertainment Television. He also received several Awards and Nominations. IIFA Awards 2009 in The Best Male Playback Singer category for the song Jashn-E-Bahara from the film Jodhaa Akbar. Screen Awards 2012 (19th) in The Best Playback Singer Category for the Title Track of the film named Ishaqzaade. Best Song Representing the Sufi Tradition – Kun Faya Kun from the film Rockstar, Best Indipop Song “Mera Kya Saheb Haitera” from “Dil Ki Baatein”, Best Album of the year and Mirchi listener Award for Rockstar. Uttar Pradesh Government has Honored Javed Ali with the highest prestigious award of the state – Yash Bharti Samman. India awarded Javed Ali with the Yuwa Award 2015. Speaking about the concert, Mousumi Banerjee the CEO, says, “I am very enthusiastic hosting this concert and I am sure it will be a grand success. It is my request to the

community please do not miss this Concert. Javed Ali will deliver the best of his selection and I am sure you all will enjoy the evening About Mousumi Banerjee Entertainment: MB Entertainment is an entertainment company specializing in Concert Promotion, Talent Promotion and Cultural Event Promotion. Mousumi Banerjee the CEO of the Company had worked relentlessly several years helping the non-profit organizations like India House, CRY, SEWA International and currently a Director of Indo American Charity Foundation. She has promoted both large and small scale events all over Houston. For more information about Mousumi Banerjee Entertainment visit:www. facebook.com/MBConcerts. Email: info@mbentertainment.com or call 832-841-5727.

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Goswami Academy opens new school building

OUSTON - Goswami Academy, a primary school associated with ISKCON of Houston, has opened their new school building independent of the temple grounds. Located at 1610 W. 34 ½ Street in Houston (a block west of the temple and Govinda’s Vegetarian Cuisine), the first day of classes occurred on Wednesday, April 3rd, marking a historic milestone for the students and staff. A Grand Opening on the following Saturday was a local celebration, with current students happily entertaining visitors with performances, some yummy goodies from Govinda's and staff instructing guests about the school’s holistic approach to education! Parents of some students were there to offer first-hand praise for their child’s learning.

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USCIS reaches FY 2020 H-1B regular cap in five days, visa approvals to Indian IT down 49% H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers.

he United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) said that it had received a sufficient number of H-1B visa petitions since 1st April to reach the congressionally-mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap for fiscal year 2020. Now, the USCIS will next determine if it has received sufficient petitions to meet the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known aS the master’s cap. The new schoolhouse. (Left) Preparing for a performance. (Below) New class-

A parent named Otilla exclaimed that the academy excellences in “mindfulness, academics, and connectedness. Connectedness is because I see how the teachers really help children connect with each other. I have noticed there are students from many different backgrounds, different countries become culturally aware and connected. They are taught respect, leadership, and more importantly they are taught to give back.”

H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap. Petitions filed for current H-1B workers who have been

tion to the impact we have to the environment and animals.

She also added “I have seen the strong emphasis on academics, and being a tight-knit community, the teachers really have an opportunity to work one-on-one with them.” Goswami Academy who has been serving families since 2014, has recently transitioned into their newly constructed school building. Enrolling children from age 2 through grade 5 for the next school

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

Photos courtesy Goswami Academy

year. The school is a faith-based school that provides a unique holistic education for young minds. The beautiful new campus features a STEM Lab to spark curiosity, a cozy library with

flexible seating to foster the love for reading, a meditation room to explore spiritual mindfulness, an Art Studio for creative expression, and a Yoga Studio for relaxation. The school also provides

before and after school care as well as enrichment activities including Spanish, Chess, Sanskrit, Gardening and Yoga. And visits to the nearby Bhakti Urban Farm provide instructive guidance on how to pay atten-

Goswami Academy offers an inquiry based curriculum. Children are placed at the center of model where they engage and interact with the five themes or contexts: Living being, God, Action, Nature and Time. Through this interaction they encounter various topics of study which are mapped to the Texas State essential learning outcomes. To schedule a guided tour of the school please contact us at (346) 600-3148, on Facebook or visit the school's website at www.goswamiacademy.org.

counted previously against the cap, and who still retain their cap number, are exempt from the FY 2020 H-1B cap. USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions filed to extend the amount of time a current H -1B worker may remain in the United States, change the terms of employment for current H-1B workers, allow current H-1B workers to change employers, and allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in a second H-1B position. Visa approvals to Indian companies declined by 49% last year, with only 22,429 visas granted to the top five IT firms as against 43.957 in 2017, as per a research report by CARE ratings. The median salaries for these companies were in the range of USD 74,000-90,000. Infosys registered the highest number of denials at 26%, followed by HCL America, TCS, Tech Mahindra Americas and Wipro. This was over the time period, 1st Oct’17-30th Sept’18. In FY18, USCIS received H-1B petitions were received from about 207 countries. Out of the total 419,637 petitions received during the year, 73.9% were from India. In FY18, a total of 331,098 H-1B petitions were approved. The maximum number of visas were allotted to Cognizant Tech Solutions US Corp, TCS, Infosys, Deloitte Consulting and Microsoft Corporation, which cumulatively received 33,576 approvals. These include both initial and continuing employment. - Economic Times

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FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

Arya Samaj Houston celebrates Foundation Day - 28 glorious years!

NRI professor research leads to first medicine for postpartum depression

by Mahi Tomar Arya Yuva Manda

Continied from page 1

ver the weekend of April 6-7, Arya Samaj Houston celebrated its 28th Sthapana Divas (Foundation Day). Arya Samaj was founded by Maharshi Dayanand on April 10, 1875, in Mumbai with the clarion call “Back to the Vedas” – the root of the Satya Sanatana Vedic Dharma – a rational and scientific philosophy that answers all the problems facing the world. The current worldwide progress seen in stress relief and mental peace by meditation, good health by vegetarian food, universal franchise and women equality, women education, equality of all humans, compassion and kindness, getting rid of superstitions, etc. have their seminal connection to the movement known as Arya Samaj. The celebration began with the 3rd annual communitywide Public Health Fair on Saturday, reflecting the Sixth Principle of Arya Samaj – the prime object of Arya Samaj is welfare of the world via physical, spiritual and social development. The fair included: 3K/5K walk, Yoga session, blood tests and EKG, coupled with one-to-one consultation with five specialist doctors. People could also register as a bone marrow donor or an organ donor. There were also public health awareness lectures by another three specialist doctors. Emphasis was on heart condition and diabetes – the two prominent medical conditions affecting the Indian community – and their control by means of food and life style changes. Sunday was dedicated to a colorful extravaganza that began with the hoisting of the saffron flag depicting the light of the Supreme Being – OM, followed by a special Yajnya, the classical practice that teaches us to dedicate life to spread goodness around the world. Acharyaji’s message further amplified the core teachings of Arya Samaj. Sanjay Jain made a balanced presentation about the organization and its various arms. Given the time limitation, he must have found it difficult to choose the items that are feathers in the cap of Arya Samaj Houston. The children of its both the schools then took charge – DAV Montessori & Elementary School and DAV Sanskriti School (the Sunday School). The school children Mahi Tomar and Soumil Goyal were emcees. Recitation of the Veda-Mantras was followed by an ensemble of songs and poems by the little children of all ages, including 4 yo. A thoughtful diversion came from Shrey Mukerjee, a 3rd grader narrating his experience at the San-

More recently, Dr. Reddy and his team mapped the “neurocode” for treating women with menstrual period-linked epilepsy—a condition with similar qualities as postpartum depression. “The new drug is based on our core neurosteroid replacement therapeutic strategy, as highlighted in more than 50 papers in the past 20 years, including identifying a unique mechanism during perimenstrual and postpartum period,” Dr. Reddy said.

Walk for Peace participants DAV MS

“These new analogs are superior to brexanolone because they could be formulated into a pill that could be taken orally

is to communicate during times of emergencies, especially natural disasters. During Hurricane Harvey, the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management was the primary source of information for residents around the City of Houston who needed to know about preparing for a hurricane, massive flooding, and putting together an emergency kit before the storm hit,” Mayor Turner said. “That is why I have partnered with the Office of Emergency Management, to launch a citywide campaign to promote registration for AlertHouston, the City’s official emergency notification system.” Most alerts are geo-targeted, which is crucial for a city as large and expansive as Houston. Residents can register at http://bit.ly/2N7ltYp to receive emergency alerts through email, text message, voice call or mobile app push notifications via the Everbridge system (available in the iTunes or Google Play stores).

Dr. Reddy hails from Warangal in Telangana State, India. He has long record of exceptional discoveries in medical pharmacology including introducing new therapeutics for many brain conditions. He received his pharmacy degree from Kakatiya University in Warangal and doctorate in pharmacology from Panjab University in Chandigarh. He completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. He is a tenured Professor of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics at the Texas A&M University, the largest University in Texas and the second largest in the United States. He instructs both medical and graduate students and directs a research team in translational pharmacology. Dr. Reddy’s publications are available worldwide (http:// orcid.org/0000-0003-27359550).

U.C.F Convention in Houston arrangements almost complete by. Saji Pullad

OUSTON: The annual Union Christian Fellowship convention which is being held this year from May 2 to 4 is almost ready with all arrangements to start, according to the organizers. This great annual Gospel Convention is also very remarkable and special as this is the 40th anniversary of this meeting held annually without interruptions. This convention is also remarkable for the fact that it includes many different Christian denominations actively participating. The famous Evangelist Dr. George Cherian is the main speaker at this event this year being held at the St. Thomas Evangelical Church, Houston.

Health Fair coordinator Sanjay Jain speaking at n event.

DAV Montessori & Sanskrit Elementary School children sing patriotic Vedic song skriti School, talking in Hindi on “Why a Child Loves Arya Samaj”. The 7th and 8th graders performed a humorous skit about Good and Bad Karma, how it works, and what impact it has on everyday life. Three 5 yo girls of the DAV Elementary School stole the show, speaking extempore in a coordi-

nated manner, in Hindi, on the ideals of Maharshi Dayanand and inspiring their friends to emulate his teachings. The finale came from the little children who were dressed as him and rendered a song with the inspiring message. The festive mood was reflected in the meal served at the end. The discipline and decorum were noteworthy, particularly that the

OEM encourages residents to register... Continued from Page 1

One issue that people have raised with brexanolone is that it requires remaining in the hospital for nearly three days while receiving the drug by IV injection. Dr. Reddy hopes some of his discoveries may prove better delivery options in the future. He hopes to move forward into clinical trials with nearly 20 second-generation neurosteroids that he and his team have synthesized, tested in preclinical models and patented in the USA.

and wouldn’t require a hospital stay,” Dr. Reddy said. “We think that they have the potential to help even more women with postpartum depression and other hormone-related brain conditions.”

OEM provides timely information during emergencies through AlertHouston from six different categories: Emergency Incidents (such as hazmat situations or law enforcement activity) Severe Weather information Major Traffic & Transit Interruptions Missing People (AMBER Alerts & Silver Alerts) Information regarding Special Events & Planned Drills Recovery information for people impacted by a disaster (such as the flooding from Hurricane Harvey or Tax Day) “During any emergency, our goal is to be a trusted source of life-saving information for those who live in, work in or visit the City of Houston,” said George Buenik, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security. “As the Mayor mentioned, we’re excited about this campaign and the opportunity to spread the word on this important free service.” AlertHouston has grown from an email service to a

one that delivers timely, geotargeted notifications by email, text message, voice call and/or mobile app push notification. More than 133,000 subscribers are now registered in the system, and thanks to a new grant obtained by the Office of Emergency Management, OEM can coordinate with regional partners to fund the system’s first-ever promotional campaign. “We are proud of being a growing community, and we will continue to grow for years to come. Our welfare should always be our number one priority,” Mayor Turner said. “As much as we want to control our surroundings, emergencies caused by nature or by man can have a powerful impact on our community. We ask that our residents register today, before the next disaster, to remain prepared at all times.” Supported by a mitigation grant from the Texas Department of Emergency Management, Mayor Turner and the Houston OEM partnered with Ad Impressions, b.ID Creative, and Clear Channel Outdoor to produce the promotional materials.

crowd was huge and heterogeneous, thanks to the volunteers and teachers of both the schools and Arya Samaj.

India House Houston

Union Christian Fellowship started in year 1978 with the sole aim of providing healing and peace to thousands through intercessory prayers and word of God. A choir of 40 members are

Evangelist Dr. George Cherian is the main Speaker of the event. already on continuous practice for this great event. All are cordially welcome to come and participate in these meetings and experienced a new Awakening in their lives. For further details, you may contact: Mathai K. Mathai:713 384 5970 or P.I.Varughese:832 439 5559.

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COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 7

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

Fond and fitting farewell to Anasuya Devi Vaikuntha Samaradhana held on April 4

Anasuya Devi May 12, 1920 - March 23, 2019

"Bidding a loved one goodbye is very, very hard." My mother Avasarala Anasuya Devi, a genius of a singer, composer, writer, and a beautiful, most elegantly dressed lady, always wearing perfectly matching clothes and bindi, my beloved Amma lived a full life, and would have completed 99 years, had God not decided to take her from us, perhaps to have her regale Him with her songs that few could render as well. - Ratna Kumar (Facebook).

Vaikuntha Samaradhana, of Anasuya Devi: Children, their spouses and grandchildren celebrated her life and times on April 4, 2019 in Sugar Land, TX. Photos by Shobana Muratee, VOA

Granddaughter Laasya Giri sharing her fond memories.

Dr. Rathna Kumar, welcoming the guests at the Anjali Center by Shobana Muratee

nasuya Devi was just a year shy of being a centenarian, a genuine feat, among many others that she had challenged herself. On March 23 she died at the ripe old age of 99 surrounded by her loving family in the United States. Undoubtedly, hers was a life well-lived and well-served, especially in the world of folk music, where she leaves an indelible mark as folk artist: singer, writer and composer par excellence. On Thursday, April 4 was held the Vaikuntha Samaradhana, the 13th Day ceremony hosted by her children Dr. Rathna Kumar, oldest daughter and noted Houstonian; Krishna Giri, who also lives in Houston; daughters Seetha Ratnakar, Kamala Srikar and youngest son Neehar Giri, at the Anjali Center for Performing Arts in Sugar Land, Texas. Nearly 75 guests attended the memorial service and joined the family to celebrate her life and times. Dr. Chitten Raju Vanguri, an author, writer and publisher of Telugu literature who is a longtime friend of family, shared many incidences in a lighter vein, from his early association with Anasuya Devi (who he said treated him like a son). Houston’s well known writer and community leader Dr. Venugopal, on a more somber note explained the significance of Vaidkundta Samaradhana. “After a person passes away, the soul Athma is believed to

• Black Magic

transit first to Prethaloka, then to Pithruloka and finally to Vaikundta, the abode of Lord Vishnu. The rituals of Srardh’, the penance and the final rites, observed by the close family members is to help the Athma attain that destination,” he said, and requested a moment's silence “praying for her Athma to reach Vaikundta, blending with the Ultimate Reality, or Moksha as many of us believe.” Further he explained, “As per our sacred scriptural teachings, human life is just a tiny transit in the infinite passage of the soul as it shelters through this existence, accomplishing its designated assignments ordained by our karma. Once such a soul performs the ordeal in a divinely approved fashion, following the prescribed syllabus, accumulating enough credit and graduating with the required celestial scores, it is assumed that they earn eligibility to merge with the Sublime. That there is no more need for them to return to the mundane cycles of birth and death. If we believe in such an estimate, there is no one more qualified to earn that laurel than our dear Sri Avasarla Anasuya Devi,” he added. Vasantha Lakshmi, a wellknown artist and teacher of performing arts, who was visiting from Chennai said, “It is an unexpected delight to be a part of this celebration of life.” She went on to speak about how Devi was adaptive to changing times and technology. She was

acquainted with Devi as a child and described her not only as a great artist but someone who appreciated other artists. Prabha Bala, a classical music and arts enthusiast from Sugar Land, shared her experience how she got a treat of Devi’s celebrity status during one her travels accompanying her. Earlier, Ratna Kumar welcomed the guests and briefly spoke of her mother’s vibrant personality and how she would have wanted everyone to treat her passing in celebratory way, which is why she said they family chose to dress in their fine silks and jewelry. Mani Shastri, Houston’s noted singer and family friend, sang one of the famous folk songs written and sung by Devi. Grandchildren shed some light on the whimsical side of their grandmother. Aashrai Srikar said his grandma had the ability to connect to about six generations of the family. He said she was a person of details as he spoke, of a note he found where she had maintained a list over the years, gifts that she had received and gifts that she wanted to give people. Granddaughter Laasya Giri also spoke, sharing some tender moments with her grandmother and said how she impacted people of her generation as well. Grandson Chetan Kumar thanked the guests for sharing their times and making the day a memorable one. Granddaughter Anushka Giri was also present but grandkids

Siddharth Dushyanth Jayanthy, Kedaar Kumar and Avaneesh could not make it to the event. Daughters-in-law Kalyani Giri and Radica Giri and son-in-law Bellur Srikar attended to the guests. Later, guests were treated to a traditional South Indian meal of select dishes that were Devi’s favorites, including sweets that were brought from India to complete her long list. The spread was prepared by Udipi and owner Satish was there in person to serve as his tribute to the departed soul. There was a great message in the celebration of life of the legend, Anasuya Devi. It was no exaggeration to say that she was one of a kind, someone who instantly drew attention to herself and so impactful that she left a very individualistic impression on those she met. Age did not alter her way in which she maintained her impeccable style in which she prided herself. Her memory was impeccable, especially with people

• Vodoo

• Family Problems

Dr. Venugopal Menon speaking at the Vaidkundta Samaradhana of Anasuya Devi on April 4, 2019. and their names. Those who knew her will always cherish her voice, her kohl-laden eyes, and her red bindi that set off her

pure silk saree and jewelry. She was a timeless woman of honor, grace and dignity and will be missed dearly.

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VOICE OF ASIA 8

TAXES & PERSONAL FINANCE

New I-T return forms: Expats need to give more info for claiming tax pact relief Overseas residential details, tax identification numbers & residential status in India will need to be provided.

EW DELHI, (Apr 06, 2019) - Expats who claim tax relief in India under double taxation avoidance agreements will now have to provide extensive disclosures such as tax identification number of their home country, assets held outside the nation and overseas tax residency certificate, according to the latest income tax return forms. Any person who is a director or shareholder in an unlisted company will need to disclose this along with details and permanent account number of the company. The income tax department notified the return forms for individuals and companies for the assessment year 201920 on Friday. The last date of filing the income tax return (ITR) is July 31for those who are not required to get their accounts audited. This includes individual taxpayers. Overseas residential details along with tax identification numbers and residential status in India will also need to be provided. Overseas Citizens of India and Persons of Indian Origin claiming non-resident status in India will be required to report the number of days stayed in the country in the relevant tax year and in the previous four tax years.

- No Changes In ITR-1 “The tax return forms released for the tax year 201819 have clearly tried to bring more transparency through disclosures for globally mobile employees who avail relief under tax treaties,” said Amarpal Chadha, partner and India mobility leader, EY. Experts hope for a reduction in the need for further enquiries by the income tax authorities. “With so much of adoption of automation, hopefully this will reduce further questioning or need for clarification by the tax authorities as they will now have detailed information already with them,” said Kuldip Kumar, partner, PwC. Additional reporting requirements for Indian residents include a detailed breakup of salary including directorships held, unlisted securities, mode of donation payments and agricultural land details if farm income exceeds a specified limit. ITR-1 or Sahaj to be filed by salaried workers has not been changed but 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 have been amended slightly. ITR-1 is filed by individuals with a total income up to Rs 50 lakh from salary and having one house besides

other sources such as interest and agricultural income up to Rs 5,000. This cannot be used by an individual who is a company director or has investments in unlisted equity shares or has an income on which tax has been deducted in the hands of another person. “Taxpayers need to be very careful this time and will need to collate additional details and reporting requirements well in advance this year in order to be able to fulfil the reporting requirements prescribed in new ITR forms,” said Shailesh Kumar, director, Nangia Advisors (Andersen Global). “We also expect greater automated scrutiny of ITRs, based on extensive data, details required and furnished in ITRs.” ITR-2 is filed by individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) not having income from profits and gains from business or profession, while ITR-3 is filed by individuals and HUFs having income from profits and gains from business or profession. ITR-4 or Sugam is meant for individuals, HUFs and firms other than limited liability partnerships (LLPs) having a total income of up to ?50 lakh and also having presumptive income from business and professional sources.

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

Managing cash flow is vital for small business’s survival to quote-to-cash quality, automate your accounting system

Winith Misquitta

ack of Capital or Insufficient Capital is a major risk for the business’s survival specially in Oil and Gas sector. From the vast number of small businesses opened nearly half of them fail due to lack of working capital. More than profitability, cash flow is the lifeblood of a company. Companies with strong cash flow can survive temporarily of low profitability, but even the most profitable companies can’t survive when their cash flow situation turns negative or downturn hits them. There are generally two types of cash flow problems: those caused by spending too much money, and those caused when sales decreases. Majority of these problems hover around DSO and DPO. Days (DSO)

Sales

Outstanding

DSO is all your accounts receivable in terms of the average amount of sales your company produces in a given day. To reduce your DSO • You should start by evaluating processes for issuing credit to customers, deal with cash rich customers •

Proactive approach

• Systematically address the root causes of high DSO. It’s critical to get ahead of problems • Utilize your human capital to improve cash flow, having an additional resource always helps • Review books and adjust the terms for clients who consistently pay late. Days Payable Outstanding (DPO) DPO is the money that you owe to creditors. Looking at this number in terms of average daily sales is a great way to know the amount you owe, and to allow you to compare apples to apples with your DSO number. To reduce your DPO • Timely pay and reduce your accounts payable • Cutting your inventory to the minimum levels, avoiding making capital investments on credit • Request discount or rebate from suppliers of paying early or on time Having as little outstanding payables will put your company at strength when a tough situation comes when your clients are struggling to pay you or having no cash.

The ideal situation for any business is to have low numbers for DSO & DPO, with the DPO number equal to or little higher than the DSO is ideal. But keeping both numbers low is the key to long term business success. Managers, bankers, investors, and creditors look for how effective the company is collecting cash from customers. A lower DSO will reflect high liquidity and cash flow measurements, the business is sure to survive, make profit and grow.

Winith Misquitta is an international accounting professional in Oil & Gas sector with 25 years of international work experience. He is specialized in the field of fiscal control & management specializing in profitability analysis, creation & implementation of business strategies, policies and procedures for the oil and gas industry. Disclaimer The purpose of this article is to provide general information and general understanding of the subject matter, not to provide specific business-related expert advice.

SOURCE: Economic Times

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DIASPORA

VOICE OF ASIA 9

An un-biased analysis of India’s 2019 General Elections by Dr. Milan Vaishnav

OUSTON - On March 30, 2019, members of Houston's Indian community gathered at India House for a lecture on Indian politics and the upcoming general elections, organized by Foundation for India Studies. The lecture, presented by Dr. Milan Vaishnav, head of South Asian Studies at the Carnegie Institute for International Peace, Washington,D.C, and a former Houstonian, was titled "India's 2019 General Elections: Money, Muscle, and Democracy's Future."

Dr. Vaishnav's lecture primarily focused on issues of entrenched power, money and corruption in Indian politics. He aimed to analyze the "hawah" around the general elections, and to approximate scenarios for the general election based on several important criteria. One of the issues Dr. Vaishnav discussed in detail was the Congress Party's recent success in the "Hindi-belt" and their successes in states historically dominated by BJP. He sought to explain whether the results of that success would translate to the general election. He also analyzed the successes and failures of both BJP and Congress's attempts to navigate alliances and coali-

Dr. Milan Vaishnav receiving a memento presented by Col. Dr. Raj Bhalla joined by Krishna Vavilala and Nish Bhan.

Dr. Milan Vaishnav during his presentation at the India House. tions. He looked into the impact of money power in current Indian politics and noted that wealthy Indians make up the vast majority of the Lok Sabha. He also provided an incisive look into the recent foreign policy issues at India's border with Pakistan, PM Modi's military action, and the impact of having a strong centralized leader on the future of Indian democracy. Ultimately, Dr. Vaishnav concluded, based on his analysis of the factors he had ex-

amined, that PM Modi was likely to remain in power, but with less seats for BJP than in prior years. This was consistent with his analysis of both parties relative strengths and weaknesses, and the positions they had taken on many issues. A lively interactive Q & A session followed Dr. Vaishnav’s lecture which was ably moderated by Nish Bhan who also the emcee for the program. Dr. Vaishnav was asked several difficult questions about Indian politics. These

included questions regarding India and Kashmir, the efficacy of a two-party system in India, and his vision for India in fifty years. The event ended with a special recognition for Dr. Vaishnav, who was presented a memento from FIS handed by Col. Dr. Raj Bhalla, Senior most member of the FIS Advisory Board. FIS also specifically thanked volunteers from YLDP for their participation in the event.

hirukkural, a collection of 1,330 couplets referred to as Kurals, written by Thiruvalluvar is a possession that is treasured by the Tamils. This collection has been written more than 2,000 years ago. However, every verse of Thirukkural holds good to our deeds today.

and Kashmir movement and their relatives to an employee of the Indian foreign intelligence service Research & Analysis Wing," they said in a statement. His wife joined him in monthly meetings with the Indian intelligence officer between July and December 2017, and in total the couple were paid 7,200 euros ($8,100) for their work. The charges, which can carry up to 10 years' jail in serious cases, were laid on March 28 but only publicised Tuesday by the federal prosecution service in the city of Karlsruhe.

NIA arrests Qatarbased IS sympathizer in Kerala

HIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said it had on Tuesday arrested Islamic State sympathizer Shaibu Nihar from Kerala, upon his arrival here from Qatar, for facilitating travel of some of his associates to Syria to join the terror outfit. The 39-year-old, a resident of Vattakandathil House in Kozhikode, was arrested from Calicut International Airport. He was produced before a special NIA court in Ernakulam and was sent to judicial custody up to April 22.

by Nadhu Radhakrishnan.

The office bearers of TNFHouston chapter have been working tirelessly to successfully host this event. Mrs. Mala Gopal, a long term resident of Houston, is the President of Houston chapter. “It is refreshing to see kids at tender age recite Kurals” she said. “I was enthralled to watch a five-year old participant narrate more

ERLIN, Germany | AFP | 4/9/2019 - An Indian married couple accused of spying on Germany's Sikh community and Kashmir movement have been charged with espionage, German prosecutors announced on Tuesday.

"Manmohan S. agreed by January 2015 at the latest to provide information about Germany's Sikh community

Thirukural Game conducted by Tamil Nadu Foundation Houston Chapter

In order to commemorate this divine literature and pass on the tradition to our future generations, Tamil Nadu Foundation (TNF) – Houston Chapter conducted a two day marathon of Kural recitation. Children between 5-18 years of age were encouraged to recite as many Kurals they can along with its meaning. For each correct recitation, one gets a prize money of $1.00. Parents who have been training their kids for a long time shared their thoughts in unison that this generous gesture showed by TNF-Houston Chapter has encouraged their children to continue learning Kurals. Participants, not only from Houston, but other major areas including Sugar Land, Cypress, Katy, and Beaumont enthusiastically narrated their list.

Indian couple charged with espionage in Germany

They named the suspects only as 50-year-old Manmohan S. and his wife Kanwal Jit K., 51, in keeping with German privacy rules for defendants.

The event, which started and ended on time was emceed by FIS Director Nischay Bhan. It began with a welcome address by Krishna Vavilala, FIS's founder and chairman. Mr. Vavilala provided a brief history of FIS and its numerous achievements during the past 13 years. He said, FIS presents a neutral platform to discuss all issues concerning India without taking sides. He cited the recent Distinguished Lectures provided to the community including those by Gilad Katz and Anupam Ray the CGs of Israel and India, Santosh Hegde, Justice of the Indian Supreme Court, and various Professors and dignitaries. Dr. Vaishnav is the newest among FIS's distinguished lecturers. After Mr. Vavilala's presentation, Mr. Bhan introduced Dr. Vaishnav who proceeded to give a spirited, intelligent, thought provoking and occasionally lighthearted lecture on the state of India's democracy.

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

The NIA said that the case was originally registered at Wandoor police station under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on November 6, 2017 on the basis of disclosures made by accused arrested earlier in connection with the case. "Disclosure made by Hamsa U.K. contains allegations against Shaibu Nihar and other

accused persons that while they were working in Bahrain and attending classes at Al Ansar Salafi Centre, there they had shared jihadi ideology and decided to join the ISIS in Syria. Most of his associates had left Bahrain and joined ISIS in Syria," an NIA statement said. During 2016-2017, Nihar had facilitated travel of some of his associates to Syria with the intention of joining Islamic State and waging war on its behalf against the Syrian government, the agency said. Nihar, the NIA said, had also himself planned to travel to Syria to join the proscribed outfit in December 2016 from Bahrain while running an advertising company there. Following the arrest of some of his associates in October 2017, Nihar had shifted to Qatar, where he continued his advertising company, the NIA added. --IANS

Rashid Ali Khan building the bridge between India and US in the field of sports

ashid Ali Khan, who has been few of the prominent sports marketing professionals in India, has now ventured into starting new initiatives in cricket right from the grassroots in the United States of America. The USA, which is home to many talented sportspersons, now has a growing interest in cricket but lacks mainstream support & infrastructure facilities. Rashid, along with the Cricket Board of America, is planning to change the face of cricket in the US in the next 5 years. They aim to set up professional cricket associations in all the major states of America, ones that will be directly responsible for improving the state of cricket in their respective states and create world-class players.

Apart from going international, Rashid Ali Khan, is also in final talks with officials from NBA, to bring professional Basketball to India, just the way it is played in the US. Basketball in India is still in a very nascent stage, with the youth taking interest in the game only in the last decade and with NBA coming to India, the face of the game will get an overhaul. Therefore, Rashid Ali Khan, plans to change things right from the grassroots by starting training camps across India to train youth and get scouted. The final target of setting up a professional Basketball League is also on the cards, so as to get Indian Basketball players on the world map. - In.com

Jo Sharma, an Indian, wins Miss USA International 2019

Mala Gopal, president TNF- Houston chapter seen with children during Kural recitation.

than 430 kurals” she added. The top five participants in the list and mothers of toppers within the age range 5-13 and 13-18 will be honored on TNF-Houston’s Mothers’ Day celebrations. The two mothers will receive a customized saree with Thiruvalluvar’s image weaved within as a special prize. This event will be held on the 5th of May, beginning at 3:00 PM at The Westchester Academy for International studies, 901, Yorkchester Drive, Houston, Texas 77079. The entire team of TNF-Houston would like to have the support of the community to make this event a grand success.

Registration being done at the Sugar Land

The author, Nandhu Radhakrishnan, is an Associate

Professor, CCC-SLP at Lamar University

ANTA CLARA, Califrnia: Jyotsna ‘Jo’ Sharma won the Miss USA International Beauty and Talent Contest 2019 representing India along with several women from other countries. The event was held in the Santa Clara Convention Center, Silicon Valley, California, March 31. A total of 15 final participants

who competed in this contest showcasing their beauty and talent with modelling, dancing and acting along with powerful speeches regarding women empowerment, their contribution to social causes and academic achievements, were shortlisted. The event was organized by National Bankcard Visa - India Post

SOUTH ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 10

Indian bishop charged with raping nun

HIRUVANANTHAPURAM | AFP | 4/9/2019 - Police on Tuesday charged an Indian bishop with repeatedly raping a nun at a rural convent in a case that has cast a new shadow on the Roman Catholic church's global sex abuse crisis.

More than 600 insurgents were expected to turn in homemade weapons and firearms to Bangladesh's home minister and police chief at a formal ceremony at a sports stadium, officials said.

The bishop also faces charges of unlawful detention, unnatural sex and abuse of authority. Mulakkal -- who faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment -- has vociferously denied the allegations.

"The government will work to help rehabilitate them so they can return to society," Sheikh Rafiqul Islam, police chief in the restive northwestern district of Pabna, told AFP.

The police report backing the charges ran to more than 100 pages and contained statements from nuns, priests and other bishops, media reports said.

In a rare public show of dissent within the church five nuns staged days of protests with dozens of supporters to force authorities to take the allegations seriously. Mulakkal was arrested in October before being released on bail. Senior members of the church in the southern state have supported the 55-year-old bishop, however, and he was cheered when he returned to his diocese. - Truth the only weapon Sexual abuse by clergy and the failure to take action has mired the Roman Catholic Church in scandal across the world in recent years. In February, Pope Francis publicly addressed the sexual abuse of nuns by clerics for the first time, insisting the Vatican takes seriously reports of sexual abuse and the "sexual slavery"

Hundreds of Bangladeshi "extremists" to surrender: police HAKA | AFP | 4/9/2019 - Hundreds of Bangladeshi leftwing "extremists" will lay down their arms Tuesday in what police say is the largest surrender of its kind in decades in the South Asian nation.

Franco Mulakkal was charged with raping the nun several times between 2014 and 2016, K. Subash, police deputy superintendent in the district of the southern state of Kerala where the investigation was carried out, told AFP.

The victim filed a complaint in June last year, but police only started formal questioning in September as fury over the case mounted.

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2018 file photo, bishop of the Indian city of Jalandhar, Franco Mulakkal, center, leaves after being questioned by police in Kochi, India. Indian authorities charged the Roman Catholic bishop on Tuesday with repeatedly raping a nun in her rural convent, a case that helped make the sexual abuse of nuns a major issue in the church. (AP Photo/Prakash Elamakkara, File). of nuns. Mulakkal is accused of repeatedly assaulting the nun from the Missionaries of Jesus order at the St Francis Mission in Kerala. The bishop was the head of the order. Speaking to AFP, Sister Anupama Kelamangalath, one of the five nuns who protested outside Kerala's High Court, said they had sought to draw attention to Church authorities who were misusing positions of power. The sister, from the Jalandhar diocese in the state, said she was relieved and delighted at the charges. "We were able to achieve this despite stiff opposition from all sides. We had no-one on our side to fight for us, but Christ."

Bangladesh's western regions have been wracked with conflict since the 1970s until quite recently, with left-wing movements including Maoist outfits and tribal groups fighting the state from jungle redoubts. Bangladesh describes them as "extremists" and blames them for the assassinations of

political figures and journalists, as well as deadly attacks on the armed forces and police. Their resistance waned with the formation of Bangladesh's elite police unit in the mid2000s, which forced the various insurrection movements into retreat through a brutal crackdown. Rights groups have accused the Rapid Action Battalion police unit of extrajudicial killings of left-wing figures in the country's west and northwest. Islam said the surrender would be the largest since 1997, when several thousand tribal fighters from the jungle-clad Chittagong hill tracts bordering Myanmar laid down their arms in a peace deal with the government. Two years later, 400 other militants surrendered and were appointed to Bangladesh's reserve police force. Two months ago, roughly 100 methamphetamine traffickers turned themselves in under an amnesty struck with local authorities.

Radar images prove Pakistan F-16 shot down: Indian Air Force

EW DELHI | AFP | 4/8/2019 - India's air force presented what it called "irrefutable evidence" Monday that it downed a Pakistan fighter jet in February, as the regional foes offer competing narratives over what happened in the dogfight. Pakistan has repeatedly denied that it lost an F-16 over the skies in Kashmir while a US magazine, citing top defence officials, has also cast doubt on India's assertion that a jet was shot down. India lost an MiG-21 Bison in the aerial skirmish and its pilot

was captured by Pakistan and later returned, cooling one of the most serious military confrontations between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades. But India has long maintained that its pilot first fired on an F-16, sending the damaged jet crashing into Pakistan-administered Kashmir -- something Islamabad says never happened. In a press conference Air Vice Marshal R.G.K Kapoor repeated this assertion, reading out the evidence gathered by India and displaying radar images he said proved the Pakistan jet was struck and crashed.

"There is no doubt that two aircraft went down in the aerial engagement on 27 February 2019," Kapoor said Monday, reading from a prepared statement. India's air force "has irrefutable evidence of not only the fact that F-16 was used" on the day of the dogfight, but that it was shot down by the Indian jet, he added. Kapoor said further "credible information and evidence" backed this version of events but could not be released due to confidentiality concerns.

It comes just days after Foreign Policy magazine cited two unnamed senior US defence officials who said that US personnel recently conducted a count of Pakistan's F-16s and found none missing. The magazine quoted one of the officials as saying that Pakistan invited the US to physically count its F-16 fleet. The dogfight happened after Pakistani aircraft entered Indian airspace a day after Indian aircraft carried out an airstrike on what it said was a "terrorist training camp" in Pakistan.

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Dalai Lama 'doing much better', should leave hospital in few days

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

A fisherman's haul

EW DELHI | AFP | Wednesday 4/10/2019 - The Dalai Lama has been admitted to hospital in New Delhi for treatment but is "doing much better" and should be released soon, his close aide told AFP on Wednesday. "His Holiness is doing much better, but he is still undergoing treatment at a hospital and we hope in few days he will be discharged," Tenzin Taklha, the Dalai Lama's personal spokesman, told AFP. Another aide told AFP the 83-year-old Buddhist monk flew to the Indian capital early Tuesday for a doctor's visit at Max hospital after he experienced a "light cough." "The doctor said there's nothing to worry about. It's not that serious," said Ngodup Tsering, the Dalai Lama's representative in the United States. "He's taking a few days' rest." Kangra police superintendent Santosh Patial told The Indian Express that the Dalai Lama, who is based in Dharamshala and has been in permanent exile in India for some 60 years, took a regular morning flight Tuesday and was not airlifted. A spokeswoman for Max hospital in Delhi said they would not comment on the condition of the Dalai Lama's health due to patient confidentiality. Although the exiled leader remains a hugely popular speaker, he has cut back on his global engagements and has not met a world leader since 2016 -- while governments have been wary of extending invitations to him for fear of angering Beijing. The Dalai Lama has sought to pre-empt any attempt by Beijing, which has effectively wiped out any organized opposition to its rule in Tibet, to name his reincarnated successor, even announcing in 2011 that he may be the last in the lineage.

The Dalai Lama with his aides last week at a conference of educators and students in New Delhi. (Photo: AP) But even India, which offered asylum to the Dalai Lama in 1959 when he made a daring escape across the Himalayas dressed as a soldier, has turned

Japan Olympic minister steps down after gaffes by Natsuko Fukue

OKYO, Japan | AFP | Wednesday 4/10/2019 - Japan's minister in charge of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics stepped down on Wednesday after comments seen as hurtful to survivors of the 2011 tsunami, the latest in a series of gaffes. Yoshitaka Sakurada's resignation comes less than 500 days before Tokyo hosts the Summer Games, and follows a decision by the head of Japan's Olympic Committee to step down as

The Tibetan spiritual leader enjoys wide support across the partisan divide in Washington, where a senator raised the issue of his succession at a hearing Tuesday.

Malaysia's former first lady faces new graft charge

Following the election, police discovered valuables, including cash, jewellery and luxury handbags, worth up to $273 million in properties linked to the couple.

The resignation comes after Sakurada made comments at

More than 50,000 people have not returned to their home towns and Japan has dubbed the 2020 Games the "Reconstruction Olympics" in a bid to showcase recovery in affected regions. NHK reported that Abe had decided to reappoint a previous Olympics minister, Shunichi Suzuki, to replace Sakurada.

- 'Lacked consideration' In February, he was forced to apologise after suggesting that the leukaemia diagnosis of star Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee could dampen enthusiasm for the 2020 Games. The shock announcement of 18-year-old Ikee's diagnosis had prompted an outpouring of support in Japan, but Sakurada came under fire after responding to the news by saying: "She is a potential gold medallist... I'm really disappointed." "When one person leads, she can boost the whole team. I am

slightly worried that this type of excitement could wane," he said. After a backlash, he sought to clarify his stance and admitted his comments had "lacked consideration." But they were hardly the first time he had become a lightning rod. Despite serving as minister for cybersecurity, he has admitted that he "does not use computers," sparking widespread ridicule. And in 2016, he sparked anger when he described the women forced to work in military brothels for Japan's wartime troops as "professional prostitutes." Sakurada's resignation comes only a month after the head of Japan's Olympic Committee Tsunekazu Takeda announced he would step down from his position in June.

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Allegations that she, her husband Najib Razak, and his cronies stole billions of dollars from the fund and went on a global shopping spree played a major role in the election loss of Najib's coalition last year. Appearing in a Kuala Lumpur court, Rosmah denied that she accepted a kickback to help a company secure a project providing solar power generators to schools.

"I deeply apologise for his remark to the people in the disaster-hit areas," the prime minister added, saying he accepted responsibility for having appointed Sakurada as minister.

The March 2011 tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea quake, killed around 18,000 people and swamped the Fukushima nuclear plant, sending its reactors into meltdown and leading to the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

The resignation comes after a string of gaffes that had already raised questions about Sakurada's suitability for the post of Olympics minister, which he held in addition to a portfolio for cybersecurity.

On Sat., Sep. 28, 2019

She has already been hit with a barrage of money laundering and tax evasion charges linked to the looting of sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.

Sakurada "requested to resign after he hurt the feelings of victims" of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters. "And I accepted it."

a political gathering to the effect that a lawmaker from the disaster-hit region was more important than the recovery of the area, according to the public broadcaster NHK.

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UALA LUMPUR, Malaysia | AFP | Wednesday 4/10/2019 - The wife of Malaysia's exleader was Wednesday hit with a new corruption charge, the 20th since her husband's shock election loss, and complained she was the victim of "slander". Rosmah Mansor -- widely reviled in Malaysia due to her penchant for lavish overseas shopping sprees -- was charged with accepting a $1.2 million bribe in relation to a government solar power project.

French authorities investigate him.

Fishermen prepare extraordinary amounts of nets in the early morning in Bình Thuận, Vietnam. The area, off the coast of Vietnam, is popular for yielding shrimp, tuna, and squid. (Photo: Ha Nguyen)

“Serving the community for over 31 years”

Senator Cory Gardner, the Republican who heads the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on Asia, said that the United States should follow the Dalai Lama's lead on how to choose his successor. "Let me be very clear -- the United States Congress will never recognise a Dalai Lama that is selected by the Chinese," Gardner said.

its back, with the government reportedly warning officials against attending events featuring him, citing diplomatic sensitivities.

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Saudi tourist falls, drowns in Nile while taking selfie

AMPALA, Uganda | AFP | Tuesday 4/9/2019 - A Saudi tourist drowned after he slipped and fell into the River Nile while apparently attempting to take a selfie, police said Tuesday. "The Saudi national was on a tour on Uganda. He drowned as he was taking a selfie on the River Nile and the water swept him away," Uganda police spokeswoman Hellen Butoto told AFP. The body of Alsubaie Mathkar Nasser, 55, a businessman in Saudi Arabia was discovered by a local fisherman identified as Kezironi Wamberenge, 42, in the wee hours of Tuesday near Mutukula landing site in Kangulumira sub-county about 10km from the point where the deceased is reported to have drowned. Nasser’s two sons and other officials from the Saudi Arabian embassy led by the Saudi Ambassador to Uganda Dr Abdullah Fahd Alkahtani and his deputy Bander Alfafi, pitched camp near the spot where Nasser drowned from Sunday to aid the search for the body.

The body was then taken to Mulago Hospital in a Police ambulance for a post-mortem immediately after it was retrieved from the river. “On the day he drowned, the deceased who had stayed for four days in Kampala, joined his three colleagues and a Ugandan driver for the excursion,” Butoto said. The tourist was with a group of friends visiting Kalagala Falls in central Uganda, a popular spot whose raging rapids are popular among kayakers, when the accident happened on Saturday. "The tourist slipped because the surface is wet and he had leaned backwards to take a selfie of fast-running water in the background," said Butoto. She said his body was recovered some 10 kilometres (six miles) away on Tuesday. A study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 2018 found there had been 259 selfie deaths around the world over the previous six years. The highest toll was in India, followed by Russia, United States and Pakistan.

No transactions with Venezuela while leadership in doubt: IMF by Heather Scott

ASHINGTON | AFP | Wednesday 4/10/2019 - The International Monetary Fund will not have any contact with Venezuela, nor allow the country to access its reserves held by the institution, until the international community recognizes a government in Caracas, an IMF spokesman said Wednesday. The country's leadership has been in question since late January when national assembly leader Juan Guaido challenged embattled President Nicolas Maduro as the country's acute economic crisis worsened. "Any IMF engagement with Venezuela, including responding to potential financial transaction requests, is predicated on the issue of government

recognition being clarified," an IMF spokesman told AFP. "We are guided by our membership on that issue, and at this point, this determination has not been made." The United States is among some 50 countries that recognize Guaido, the opposition leader who declared himself interim president in late January in a bid to replace Maduro. Guaido has branded Maduro's rule illegitimate because of what Guaido calls fraudulent elections last year in which Maduro won another term in office. Maduro, who is backed by Russia and China, is under increasing pressure as the economy implodes and the exodus of Venezuelans continues amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. Earlier Wednesday, US Vice Presi-

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

Trump misses Democrat deadline for releasing tax return

ASHINGTON | AFP | Wednesday 4/10/2019 The Trump administration will miss a Wednesday deadline set by congressional Democrats demanding to see President Donald Trump's tax returns, the treasury secretary said. Trump is the first US president since Richard Nixon to refuse to divulge his tax information. Critics say his refusal seems to suggest he has something to hide. Democratic Representative Richard Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, sparked a battle last week when he made the request using a little-known provision in the tax code. Neal said: "It is critical to ensure the accountability of our government and elected officials." But Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin released a letter Wednesday evening saying he was checking with the Justice Department as to the constitutional issues raised by the Demo-

dent Mike Pence asked the United Nations to recognize Guaido as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, telling the Security Council, "Nicolas Maduro must go." The IMF has previously said it is awaiting a decision by its members on recognition of a government in Caracas, which would take a majority of the voting shares in the fund, although the issue would not necessarily be decided by a formal vote. The United States holds the biggest share of IMF votes, at 16.5 percent, giving it veto power over most decisions. - Draining reserves All of the 189 members of the global crisis lender are required to keep a minimum level of foreign currency reserves on deposit at the IMF but because of the limbo in Caracas neither Maduro nor Guaido could have access to those funds. Nor would either leader be able to enter negotiations with the IMF for an aid program.basic goods.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that his department intends to “follow the law.” (Photo: AFP) cratic request. In the letter to the House Ways and Means Committee, Mnuchin wrote: "The Committee's request raises serious issues concerning the constitutional scope of congressional investigative authority, the legitimacy of the asserted legislative purpose, and the constitutional rights of American citizens." Trump's acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, asked Sunday whether Democrats would ever see the returns, was unequivocal. "Never," he said on "Fox News Sunday." "Nor should they." Mulvaney asserted that since voters knew ahead of the 2016 election that Trump would not reveal his returns and then elected him anyway, the matter was "already litigated."

He said that while there are legal provisions for the Internal Revenue Service to turn tax papers over to the Ways and Means Committee -- the chief tax-writing committee in the House -- a "political" attack is not a valid reason. Separately, Jay Sekulow, a private attorney for Trump, argued that the Democratic-controlled House was trying to move beyond its constitutionally mandated role of oversight into the realm of law enforcement. If the Democrats want to know "if the IRS is doing its job auditing the president, they could ask the IRS," he said on ABC's "This Week." Trump argues that he cannot release his tax returns because they are being audited but the IRS said this is no impediment to their release.

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Fort Bend View

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

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Sugar Land recognizes Volunteers of the Year

he city of Sugar Land recently named the 10 Volunteers of the Year.

“These individuals are part of a city program called Serve Sugar Land that contributed 27,853 hours of volunteer service to the city last year, equating to more than $687,690 in in-kind service donations,” said Community Engagement Coordinator Kayla Lauhoff.

Those recognized for volunteering in city departments during the past year included: • Damon Brownd, Community Assistance Support Team; • Ron Fawcett, Citizens Fire Academy Alumni Association; • Brenda Frye, municipal court; • Connie Guyton, T.E. Harman Center; • Tony Manna, Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association; • Gabriel Rodriguez, permits and inspections; • Carmen Suarez, purchasing;

• Michael Voegtline, animal shelter. Sugar Land’s Serve Sugar Land program has coordinated volunteer efforts in the city since 2007 as a way for the citizens of Sugar Land and surrounding neighborhoods to become involved in their city government. Each year city departments select and nominate a volunteer who enhances the delivery of city services by sharing their skills and fosters an atmosphere of community.

Serve Sugar Land Volunteers of the Year and their staff nominators include (Front Row, L-R) Animal Services Manager Kathryn Ketchum, Michael Voegtline, Human Resources Department Specialist Paula Allen, Trudy Thompson, Recreation Coordinator Sandy Penman, Connie Guyton, Battalion Chief Javier Crespo, Ron Fawcett, Carmen Suarez, Damon Brownd, Becky Adams, Tony Manna (Middle Row) Police Lt. Wayne Coleman, Director of Finance Jennifer Brown, Police Capt. Chris Thompson, Mayor Joe Zimmerman (Back Row) Councilmember Amy Mitchell, Councilmember Himesh Gandhi, Councilmember Bridget Yeung, Assistant City Manager Jennifer May, Councilmember Carol McCutcheon, Councilmember Steve Porter and Councilmember Jennifer Layne. Not pictured is Brenda Frye and Gabriel Rodriguez. “The success of our city would not be possible without the contributions of active, engaged citizens like the 10 we’re recognizing this year,” said Director of Public Affairs Cindy Dees. “We’re extremely fortunate that so many people in our community have a passion for service and freely part-

ner with our champion workforce to ensure Sugar Land remains an exceptional place to live. Citizen engagement continues to be a top priority for our city, so we’ll continue to look for ways to ensure citizen participation, as well as opportunities to recognize their efforts. These investments of

time and resources are part of what makes our community so special – it’s something we routinely refer to as ‘The Sugar Land Way.’” To learn more about how to become a volunteer with the city of Sugar Land, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/ volunteer or call (281) 275-2329.

Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees approves resolution supporting legislation related to Sugar Land 95

ICHMOND - The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees has adopted a resolution in support of House Bill 4179, which would amend a state statute to allow Fort Bend County to own and operate the abandoned cemetery discovered during construction of FBISD’s James Reese Career and Technical Center. Fort Bend ISD is hopeful that the passage of this legislation will allow us to move forward in collaborative efforts to memorialize the 95 individuals discovered at the site of the James Reese Career and Technical Center,” said FBISD Board President Jason Burdine. “We are appreciative of Fort Bend County and the City of Sugar Land for their willingness to partner with us in this journey.” The Board action comes just days after Fort Bend ISD’s Chief Communications Officer Veronica Sopher and General Counsel Rob Scamardo testified to the House Committee on Coun-

ty Affairs in support of the legislation. Currently, the Texas Health and Safety Code allows cities and smaller counties to own and operate cemeteries. House Bill 4179, filed by State Representative Rick Miller, would allow counties with a population of more than 550,000 that border a county with a population of more than 3.3 million to own, operate, and maintain a cemetery. During the April 8 Board meeting, the FBISD Board also received an update on the District’s work to represent local history within the District’s student-centered curriculum, including history about the abandoned cemetery. “From the beginning, Fort Bend ISD has recognized that this discovery is of a great historical significance. We remain committed to teaching future generations about this important piece of local history in a way that encourages critical thinking and appropriate reflection,” said FBISD Superintendent

former Fort Bend ISD and Alief ISD teacher is accused of inappropriately touching students on multiple occa-

Jorge E. Castellon, 51, was charged with improper relationship with a student and indecency with a child. The investigation began on Dec. 18, 2018, after a student’s mother told the Alief ISD Police Department that her daughter was harming herself, according to court documents. When police asked the girl why, she stated that Castellon sexually abused her in second grade in 2016 at Best Elementary School when she was 9 years old, according to court records. The girl told police that Castellon would touch her genitals and sit her on his lap multiple times and that students witnessed the behavior, according to court documents. Castellon denied all allegations the two girls made and resigned that school year. He then worked at Fort Bend Independent School District, according to court documents.

“Glenda is one of our longest-serving employees, and she will be deeply missed,” said City Manager Allen Bogard. “We have some incredibly big shoes to fill. As much as anyone, she helped define the creation of what we call the Sugar Land way. Glenda continually exceeded expectations in service delivery for our citizens, anticipated and responded to new challenges and inspired confidence in governance.” During her 35-year city career, she has been part of a leadership team that managed numerous annexations, including Sugar Creek, First Colony, Avalon, Greatwood and New Territory. As one of the state’s fastest-growing cities, she helped transform the city from a small bedroom community of about 8,800 to a full-service city of more than 118,000 that’s routinely recognized for transparency, innovation and responsive governance. Gundermann has been instrumental in technological innovations that made government more accessible to citizens. In fact, her efforts contributed to Sugar Land being one of the first cities to live stream its Council meetings on the Internet and repost videos on the city’s website. The Center for Digital Government has routinely named Sugar Land among the nation’s top cities that successfully use technology to improve citizen services, enhance transparency and encourage citizen engagement. Gundermann directly managed every city election and worked with five mayors and two city managers. Her expertise ensured legal compliance with election laws that resulted in bond projects that provided quality-of-life amenities such as parks, roads, trails, a recreation center and much more. She also managed requirements for open meetings and Freedom of Information Act requests. More recently, Gundermann led the launch of Sugar Land’s first automated agenda management process, which resulted in the transformation from a time- and labor-intensive paper system to a more efficient electronic format.

Dr. Charles Dupre. “This discovery gives our FBISD students a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the realities of the

Former FBISD, Alief teacher accused of abusing young girls sions.

UGAR LAND - City Secretary Glenda Gundermann plans to retire on May 31.

Gundermann was hired by the city in October 1983. She had previously worked for City of Cities Municipal Utility District, a governmental agency that provided water and wastewater services for Sugar Creek prior to its annexation by the city in 1985.

• Becky Adams, accounting;

• Trudy Thompson, human resources; and

City Secretary announces retirement

After police started to investigate, they found records showing that Castellon was a teacher at the time of the alleged abuse and that two additional girls made claims that they were touched inappropriately by Castellon during a summer session during the 2013/2014 school year, according to court records. The girls said Castellon would rub and touch them across their legs and chest and massage their shoulders and that he always wanted to hug them, according to court records. The school district’s human resources department conducted an investigation and found the girls allegations to be insufficient evidence to go forward with those charges, according to court records. On Jan. 10, investigators interviewed the two girls who made the previous allegations against Castellon and they told investigators that he had touched them inappropriately and made them feel uncomfortable, according to court records. Investigators also interviewed students from the girl’s class who possibly witnessed the abuse. - KHOU

convict-leasing system. We are excited that our students will directly benefit from this historic discovery,” said Dupre. - FBISD

She was part of teams that delivered emergency response during incidents such as Tropical Storm Allison, Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Harvey.

VOICE OF ASIA 14

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

BOLLYWOOD - HOLLYWOOD Section 2

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Jackie Chan refutes rumors about Rush Hour 4 Social media was abuzz with rumours regarding these two films after Tucker posted a picture with Chan on his Instagram account

My loved ones shouldn’t suffer: Varun Dhawan

UMBAI – Just days after reports emerged that a fanatic fan of Varun Dhawan threatened his ladylove Natasha Dalal, the actor said his near and dear ones should not be paying a price due to his celebrity status. There has been a buzz that a female fan waited for hours to meet Varun outside his residence. Since the actor was busy, he did not step out, and that made the fan so angry that she started misbehaving and uttered: “I will kill

Instagram/christucker

ith respect to recent reports that Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker might soon join hands for Rush Hour 4 and Karate Kid 2, Jackie Chan’s management company has come out with a press statement clarifying that all such speculations are false and baseless. Social media was abuzz with rumours regarding these two films after Tucker posted a picture with Chan on his Instagram account, where the actors are seen standing together and holding up four fingers each to the camera. Tucker had also earlier revealed, in a podcast, that they were working on a script for Rush Hour 4

and will go into production once it was ready. This led to speculation that the project might be going on floors soon. However, with the statement from Chan’s team, it appears that there are no immediate plans for another instalment of to the popular buddy cop franchise. Incidentally, one of the biggest roadblocks facing the fourth instalment, if and when it does get green-lit, is that every film in the franchise has been directed by Brett Ratner, who has been accused of multiple instances of sexual harassment and abuse. - Cinema Express

‘Grease’ prequel ‘Summer Loving’ in the works

OLLYWOOD - Tell me more, tell me more. Paramount is revving up some greased lightning. The studio’s division Paramount Players has put into development a Grease prequel, titled Summer Loving, and has tapped John August, the veteran writer behind such films as Big Fish and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to pen the script. Grease is the classic 1978 musical that starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as high school teens from opposite worlds — Travolta’s Danny Zuko a rough-and-tumble greaser, Newton-John’s Sandy Olsson

a virginal good-girl from Australia — who in the end come together “like rama lama lama.” However, in the early part of the movie, in a he-said/she-said manner, Zuko and Olsson both recount to their friends a summer fling they had via the song “Summer Nights.” Zuko’s tale is more graphic, while Olsson’s is much innocent and wistful. The prequel’s story is said to tackle that fateful meeting. Grease has proved to be an enduring title for Paramount over the decades, with the songs continuing to be part of pop culture. - Hollywood Reporter

Parineeti binging on Saina Nehwal’s badminton videos prepping intensely for the character to ensure she is able to get Nehwal’s mannerisms and body language as well as how she conducts herself on and off the court, on point. “I am a visual learner,” Parineeti said of her preparation, in a statement. “The most important advice that I got from my entire training team, Amole Gupte sir and everybody was that I must watch Saina’s matches. I haven’t watched that many badminton matches and I really want to play exactly the way she plays.

UMBAI – Actress Parineeti Chopra has been devoting two hours daily to watch match footage and public appearance videos of Saina Nehwal to get into the mind of the ace badminton player. The “Ishaqzaade” actress has been

“So, watching her matches how she drops her foot, how she uses her hand, how she uses her racket, her aggression on the court that is something that I really want to imbibe as a part of my personality. So, I have to watch all her matches and videos,” she added. Produced by T-Series’ Bhushan Kumar and Divya Khosla Kumar, the biopic is set to release next year. - Cinema Express

Asked about the incident, Varun told IANS here: “The police has got involved in the matter, so I will refrain from speaking on the incident. Keeping that aside, I am generally saying that it is a wrong thing. My loved ones should not have to pay any price because of my celebrity status.

“It is wrong. I am a very approachable guy when it comes to fans. I always take out time for them. I love my fans as much as they love me. But any bitter incident is not expected.” The actor will soon be seen in the much-awaited multi-starrer “Kalank”, which also features Alia Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditya Roy Kapur, Kunal Kemmu, Madhuri Dixit Nene and Sanjay Dutt. It is releasing on April 17. - IANS

‘Indian Downton Abbey’ turns colonial cliches upside down

ANNES, France | AFP The maker of a lavish new television series dubbed the “Indian Downton Abbey” wants to turn the tables on the cliches of the glorious British Raj. The sweeping historical drama, “Beecham House”, which is premiering at the Canneseries festival in the French Rivera resort, is set in the final years of the 18th century as the battle for India between the British, the French and the fading Mughal Empire reached its peak. But unlike classic series such as “Jewel In The Crown”, it is not told from the point of view of the British colonists, its maker Gurinder Chadha said. The “Bend It Like Beckham” director told AFP she has brought her “own British-Asian perspective to the story”, including using material from Indian politician Shashi Tharoor’s hardhitting bestseller, “Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India”. Chadha said Tharoor’s “anger” is balanced by her lead character, an “honourable” English trader called John Beecham who quits the East India Company in disgust at its rape of the country. - Doing the right thing The father of a half-Indian child, Beecham, played by British period drama heart-throb Tom Bateman, is caught up in the intrigue. “I try to tell the story of empire and colonialism through the eyes of an Englishman who is trying to make the right moral decisions, who is trying to be good,” Chadha told AFP. “I grew up with shows like ‘Jewel In The Crown’ and ‘It Ain’t Half Hot Mum’ so I am able to jump between the two sides,” she added. Chadha set the show -- which will be broadcast on ITV in Britain and on PBS in the US in the coming weeks -- in 1795 “at a point when India could

English director Gurinder Chadha said the Brexit crisis had given her new series “a sudden and unexpected relevance.” (AFP photo) have gone in any way”, she said. “The Mughals are on the way down, the Indian maharajas are standing by and the English are on their way to Delhi but are not there yet, and the French are down in the south with Tipu Sultan -- and they were damned if they are going to be beaten by the British. “But the French Revolution is going on back home so they are an army without a government... A few years later Napoleon is going to set out” to follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and “invade India”, although he never got further than Egypt, she added. “It is all up for grabs, a free for all, everyone is plotting with each other and making alliances,” the director added. This is not Chadha’s first foray into the fraught history of the subcontinent. Her 2017 movie about Indian Partition, “Viceroy’s House”, was banned in Pakistan, with the poet and writer Fatima Bhutto -- a niece of the country’s former leader Benazir Bhutto -- calling it “a servile pantomime”. Making that film convinced Chadra there was an appetite to explore the “relationship between Britain and

India in a long-running TV series. I really wanted to go back to the beginning” to explain as well as entertain and counter the “colonial amnesia” that Britain often suffers from. Chadha said there were many Englishmen like Beecham who wanted to do right by the subcontinent and its peoples and would have melted into its fusion of cultures. “Many people went native, as they say, and there are wonderful portraits of Englishmen all dressed up in Indian clothes with their Indian wives and children. We still have this fascination with India through food, yoga and meditation, and it has had a massive cultural impact on Europe. “It is Sunday night TV, and is all about personifying the history through characters you care about and through the moral questions and judgements they had to make and the dilemmas they were faced with.” Nevertheless, Chadha said the Brexit crisis, with some conservatives yearning for a so-called “Empire 2.0” of a free-wheeling Britain trading with its former colonies, had given the series “a sudden and unexpected relevance”.

My equation with Salman won’t change: Sonakshi Sinha

UMBAI – Actress Sonakshi Sinha says her equation with superstar Salman Khan, with whom she starred in her debut film “Dabangg”, will never change no matter where she goes in her career. Sonakshi, who is currently gearing up for her upcoming release “Kalank”, has started shooting for Salman-starrer “Dabangg 3”. “I joined the team of ‘Dabangg 3’ and shot for a couple of days in Maheshwar. Now I have come back (to Mumbai) as ‘Kalank’ is releasing and I am promoting the film. I will go back to shooting again. “Every time I enter the set of ‘Dabangg’, it is a special feeling. I started my journey 10 years ago with that film. It was my debut film opposite Salman Khan. My equation will never change with him no matter how many

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Natasha”. According to reports, when the girl refused to leave, security officials informed the local police station.

films I sign and what I achieve as an actress. He helped me to find my calling, I did not even know that I can act and I am an actress now,” Sonakshi told IANS here.

She said it is heartening to work on the project as the Director of Photography, producer and most of the crew members are the same. “Only the story has evolved. One of the reasons I am excited about the film is also that I will be working with Prabhudheva again,” she added. The “Dabangg” franchise started in 2010. The second film of the franchise released in 2012 and the third installment of the film “Dabangg 3” is slated to release in December this year. It is a story of a young man who becomes a police officer, played by Salman. Sonakshi plays his wife Rajjo.

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Mala Sharma

Any auto accident can be complex and overwhelming, even further, accidents occurring while Uber drive has been requested and also when the Uber driver is driving a passenger, complicate matters even more. Uber is a ride-share program where anyone can request a ride through the Uber mobile app, which is fast, simple, and easy to request compared to requesting a Taxi. With Uber-related accidents, it is not clear cut, as other accidents, as to how to recover all medical expenses and property damage. There are additional steps that need to be taken immediately after the accident in order to secure your rights to recovery. Further, there are three insurance policies that may be responsible for paying your damages, not two, including the Uber policy, the Uber driver’s personal policy, and the other driver’s policy. Under the Uber insurance policy, required by all Uber drivers, there is liability coverage up to $1 million if the Uber driver is found at fault for an accident or $250,000.00 uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UM/ UIM) with a $1,000.00 comprehensive and collision deductible for property damage. Thus, if you were a passenger during an Uber drive when an uninsured vehicle negligently hits the Uber vehicle you are in causing damages, then you may recover under the Uber UM/UIM coverage. The Uber driver may also recover all their personal in-

Additionally, if the other vehicle or the at-fault driver does have insurance, then their insurance policy would be first to look at in claiming all bodily injury damages incurred. This includes damages to both the passenger and Uber driver as well as property damage to the Uber vehicle. Then, if policy limits are reached through the at-fault driver’s insurance, Uber’s underinsured motorist coverage will kick in to help cover any additional medical expenses incurred, so that those injured by a negligent driver may receive the maximum compensation possible. Thus, whether you are an Uber driver or passenger injured in an auto accident with an at-fault party, you must first call the police to write a police report and always gather the following: (1) names and contact information for all driver’s/vehicles involved in the accident,(2) insurance policy for the at-fault driver, (3) Uber insurance policy, (4) Uber driver’s personal insurance policy, (5) all vehicle license plates, (6) pictures of all vehicles including their license plate, (7) pictures from the scene of the accident, (8)

pictures of all bodily injuries including abrasions and more, (9) pictures of all property damage, (10) names and contacts for any witnesses, (11) any ambulance bill, hospital records, hospital bills, physicians bills, police reports, and any other treatment. In certain situations and with the right attorney, it is possible to recover from all three insurance plans: the Uber policy, Uber driver’s personal policy, and the atfault driver’s policy. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact a qualified personal injury attorney to pursue your right to recover maximum compensation including medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, mental anguish, and more! It is crucial to have an attorney fight on your behalf against the insurance companies for your fair and just damages. About Mala Sharma Mala Sharma has been practicing family law and personal injury with her family at the Law Offices of Sharma & Associates, founded in 1997. Mala is President Emeritus of the Houston Northwest Bar Association, Board member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association and South Asian Bar Association. She is also a member of the Houston 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.

Lawsuits raise new concerns about Roundup

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

A: After admission to the United States on the K-1 visa, your fiancé can immediately apply for employment authorization which is valid for only 90 days after admission. After the marriage, your fiancé can then file for extended work authorization concurrently with the application to adjust status as a permanent resident. Your fiancé will also be permitted to attend school.

However, there are growing questions. The maker of the weed killer has lost two massive lawsuits in the last eight months, giving users and retailers pause. Pike Nurseries is selling off its stock of Roundup in its 15 Atlanta and two Charlotte stores. “We found that sales have been going down,” said Desiree Heimann, the vice president of marketing. “So we are bleeding it out. Consumer preferences are changing, and we have other products that can help with that.”Costco also has dropped sales of Roundup.Roundup is one of the most-used chemical weed killers in the world. Farm-

Q: Are K-1 visas available for same-sex couples? A: Yes, same sex couples are eligible to apply for K-1 visa for their fiancé(e). However, when the marriage takes place within the 90 day period, it must be a valid marriage and legally recognized in the jurisdiction of the marriage. In other words, the same sex couple must marry in a State that recognizes same sex marriages. Not every State in the US recognizes same sex marriages.

Q: Does the Petitioner of a K-1 visa need to provide an affidavit of support? When is the Affidavit of Support required? A: The Petitioner of the K-1 visa will need to complete and submit Form I-I34 Affidavit of Support to demonstrate income is at least 100% above the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the year. The Affidavit of Support is submitted to the US consulate at the time of interview for the K-1 visa.

Q: My K-1 visa was denied at the consulate. What happens now? Can I appeal the denial?

Q: My Petitioner Fiance is presently unemployed and receiving unemployment benefits. He has been employed in a steady job for the past 10 years and has filed tax returns each year, all of which show he had a steady job and good income. He is currently looking for a new job and also receives some income from a couple of properties he owns. I am scheduled for my K-1 visa interview next month. What should we do about the Affidavit of Support?

A: Unfortunately, there is no appeal against the denial. The I-129F Petition for Fiance(e) visa will be sent back to USCIS for revocation. The Petitioner will receive a Notice of Intent to Revoke and given the opportunity to respond. If the response is accepted, the K-1 visa Petition will be affirmed and resent back to the consulate. You, the Fiance(e) will most likely then receive second interview for the visa in such circumstance. Q: I married my K-1 visa sponsor and have filed for my adjustment of status

to permanent resident. The case has been pending with USCIS for more than one and a half years. My relationship with my husband has now deteriorated to the point that I wish to file for divorce from him. Can I still obtain permanent residence despite the divorce? A: Generally speaking, the answer is no, you may not. If you divorce before adjusting your status, you will not receive your permanent resident status unless you reside or live in the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (which includes California and a few other States). Individuals in that jurisdiction may adjusts their status to permanent resident based on marriage to the K-1 visa Petitioner even after the marriage has ended in divorce. 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.

Sharlene Sharmila Richards Attorney at Law

Just as garden stores have begun overflowing with pallets of flowers, tomato plants and stacks of tangy-smelling, bagged mulch, some retailers are removing the herbicide from the shelves. Others continue to carry it.

Roundup has been deemed safe by regulating agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

income from his properties will count towards the minimum income requirement of at least 100% above the Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2019. He should provide the Affidavit of Support with his 2018 Tax Returns and proof of those sources of income. If the income appears to be insufficient, you may try to provide an Affidavit of Support from a Joint Sponsor who makes enough income. Be aware that consulates vary on their treatment or acceptance of Joint Sponsor affidavits of support in K-1 visa cases.

Q: My fiance just arrived in the US with his K-1 Visa. Can he work or study in the United States? We plan to marry next month, within the 90 day period of his arrival in the US.

he $80 million verdict last week for a California man who argued that the weed killer Roundup caused his cancer is reverberating in Texsa.

Consumer attitudes reflect those of retailers: Some are nonplussed by the news, while others are looking for alternatives.“I’ve been using it for 40 years,” said Barry Spann, owner of Spann Landscaping, as he loaded his truck with a day’s supplies outside a local Home Depot. He has no concerns about its safety and no plans to stop using it.“It works,” he said.Retailing giant Home Depot plans to keep selling it, and it is still on the shelves at Lowe’s. In an emailed response to The Atlanta JournalConstitution, Home Depot said it abides by all regulations.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT FIANCE(E) VISA

Sharlene Sharmila Richards

A: Your fiance’s unemployment earnings and

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PERSONAL INJURY: BASICS OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING UBER DRIVERS AND HOW TO RECOVER YOUR DAMAGES juries as well, and their property damage through the same coverage. However, the Uber policy will only be effective while the Uber driver is using the vehicle for Uber drive purposes and does not cover any accidents occurring when the vehicle is being used for personal use. Thus, when an Uber driver is injured in an accident during personal use, their personal insurance policy will control, not Uber. It is important to know the terms of the personal insurance policy as sometimes there are no restrictions for ride-share purposes and will also cover accidents not only during personal use but also accidents during ride shares.

www.richardsimmigration.com E-mail: srichardslaw@aol.com

Roundup has been deemed safe by regulating agencies, such as the EPA, however, there are growing questions. (File photo) ers use it, and it’s popular among homeowners, because it easily eliminates flora such as cudweed and sow thistle. Early scientific studies in the U.S. and abroad, and some recent ones, found glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is not carcinogenic. The Environmental Protection Agency concluded in 2017 that the chemical is “not likely” a carcinogenic. Monsanto, the company that developed Roundup, and Bayer, the multi-national conglomerate that bought Monsanto last year lean on such studies to defend the product. The first cracks in that defense came in 2015, after the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” The agency reviewed years of published and peerreviewed scientific studies to reach that finding. Other recent scientific studies also have linked glyphosate to increased health risks.Thousands of lawsuits have been filed, claiming Roundup and other products containing glyphosate cause

cancer. But the two suits recently tried and won by U.S. plaintiffs raised the stakes for Bayer. It lost a $78 million judgment last August; the second loss was last week’s California case, and a third trial is underway and expected to finish within a month or so.Some cities and counties in the U.S. have banned the product’s use, and Roundup is coming under increasing pressure in France and other countries.

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There are also commercial organic weed killers, such as herbicidal soaps. He urges caution when using some products, such as highly concentrated vinegar, because it can burn users’ eyes or skin.But like many, he is not afraid to use Roundup. Josh Suggs, a Smyrna homeowner pushing a shopping dolly stacked with just-purchased mulch and a bottle of Roundup, said he heard about the suit last week, but is “not really” concerned. “I’ll use what works, unless the research is more convincing,” he said. -Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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America’s opioid legal blitz is a real mess by Robert Cyran

he American legal blitz over opioids is a smoking mess. Overdose deaths are mounting, Oklahoma last month won a $270 million settlement against Purdue Pharma and its owners, and thousands more lawsuits target makers, distributors and sellers of the drug. It recalls the tobacco crisis that ended with a $206 billion agreement in 1998. Yet proving liability and apportioning blame will be much harder. There are clear parallels between Big Pharma and Big Tobacco. Over 47,000 Americans

died from an opioid overdose in 2017, and about three-quarters of those who became addicted in the 2000s started with prescription pills. Manufacturers, such as Purdue and Johnson & Johnson, allegedly oversold the benefits of opioids and underplayed the risks. And they funded outside parties who pushed unproven, profitable ideas like pseudoaddiction Distributors ignored blatant signs of abuse. Opioids’ addictive and deadly properties have been known for centuries. The majority of overdoses involve illegal drugs like heroin and occur years after the initial prescription.

Much of the fight will center on novel legal theories claiming these firms created a public nuisance, and therefore should pay to clean up the mess. Companies fear the uncertainty and giant damages that could come in court. Municipalities worry they may not be able to prove their case, or that a disorderly process could lead to bankruptcies and uneven payouts. But there’s no ready prescription for getting this many parties to agree on who owes what. The legal quagmire, like the underlying social crisis, looks set to endure. - Reuters

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Hiring young advisers: You can’t start too early Investment firms need to make concerted efforts to find next-gen talent, such as setting up internships and building awareness of their firms. by Kate Healy

he talent shortage is one of the biggest challenges our industry is currently facing, so it’s no surprise that finding and recruiting the right talent were top of mind for attendees at TD Ameritrade Institutional’s annual adviser conference, National LINC, this year. One of the speakers this year, Kelly Bradley, really struck a chord with advisers as her story is a great example of how connecting early can benefit adviser firms and students. Two years ago, Kelly attended her first National LINC as one of the several dozen financial planning students we sponsor to attend LINC each year. While using the opportunity to network, she met an adviser from her area, Marjorie Wentz of Trinity Wealth Management, and inquired about internships. While the firm didn’t currently have an internship program, Marjorie knew it would be a good opportunity, yet wasn’t sure how they would pay for the internship. During a session at this year’s conference, Marjorie said, “Every time we’ve wanted to hire someone, we figure out what is the increase in assets we need to break even with this hire. We justify it by needing to bring in $4 million. We have $120 million under management, so if we can’t bring that in, then shame on us.” Trinity got much more than its money’s worth. Kelly was not only an enthusiastic and driven worker, but she was able to fill in for the firm’s operations manager, who left unexpectedly shortly after Kelly started. Kelly rearranged her class schedule so that she could work two full days a week, showing the job was a priority for her and allowing her to be a predictable presence within the office. Hearing Kelly speak and learning how she has progressed in her career since that conference two years ago was inspiring and gratifying. She represents the future, not just of our industry, but of how we need to think about recruiting and hiring. For the last 10 years, TD Ameritrade Institutional has hosted financial planning students and their program directors at National LINC to give them the opportunity to be immersed in the RIA industry for several days. This year, 63 students and 30 university program directors attended the conference. It’s one of the largest groups of students we’ve had, and they made a significant impression on the attending advisers. What was happening between scheduled events was what was most exciting at this year’s conference. Several of the students were interviewed for internships or jobs, and two got offers. One adviser bought lunch for a group of students and held an informal roundtable so everyone could ask questions and learn more about each other. “Our students had an amazing time and were enriched by the conference,” said Craig Lemoine, director of financial planning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “They made professional connections, learned from speakers, and built a strong cohort with the other universities present. It was an awesome week.” This conference gives students the opportunity to learn more about the advantages of a career as a RIA. But the opportunity for advisers to connect with the workforce of tomorrow is even more valuable. Advisers need to start early. College financial planning programs provide a great pipeline, but they don’t yet have enough students graduating to fill the talent gap. Creating internship programs allows firms to begin building a talent pipeline, as well as to build awareness of their firms, so that when students are choosing between offers — because they get multiple offers — their RIA firm stand out. Figuring out an internship schedule that works for both sides and keeping in touch as students finish their education can be competitive advantages in today’s battle for top talent. Firms need a strategic plan that anticipates growth and fills the gap before capacity. This allows time for recruitment, onboarding and development. The talent shortage is real. But making a concerted effort to find and develop next-gen talent will help RIA firms win. - Investment News

Texas House signs off on medical schools for University of Houston, Sam Houston State

The decisions bring both universities’ plans for medical schools one step closer to reality, though both still need Senate approval. The Sam Houston State enabling legislation — House Bill 2867 by Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, and Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress — was approved Thursday, but it will still need final approval on what is called the third reading from the House. That third reading is usually just a formality. Both bills were approved by wide margins. “This is a very smart solution to an ongoing problem that we have in Texas, which is a shortage of primary care physicians in the rural parts of our state,” Oliverson said after the vote. “Sam [Houston State]’s medical school is geared to deal precisely with that particular problem.” Texas already has a dozen medical schools. Programs at UH and Sam Houston State will grow the number of schools in the Houston area, the Texas region with the highest concentration. And if the two schools open, they’ll join relatively new schools from the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the Texas Tech University System and

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the University of North Texas Health Science Center. “This is a very smart solution to an ongoing problem that we have in Texas, which is a shortage of primary care physicians in the rural parts of our state,” state Rep. Tom Oliverson said. “This is a very smart solution to an ongoing problem that we have in Texas, which is a shortage of primary care physicians in the rural parts of our state,” state Rep. Tom Oliverson said. Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas That explosion in new schools — and a shortage of medical residencies for medical school graduates in Texas — has prompted skepticism by some higher education leaders. Last fall, the nine-member Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board voted 5-4 in favor of the proposal for a school of osteopathic medicine from Sam Houston State. The board unanimously approved UH’s plan. When the House approved the UH school Monday, the authors of the bill establishing it nodded to that concern. “The University of Houston College of Medicine will address the need for more primary care physicians in Texas, but just as important, they are creating new residency slots

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Virgin territory: study shows sexual inexperience rising in Japan by Sara Hussein

OKYO, Japan | AFP - Around one in 10 Japanese in their thirties has never had heterosexual sex and the number of adults with no sexual experience is increasing, according to a new study based on national survey data. Comparable data from other developed countries indicated that “Japanese adults tend to become sexually active later in life and that a substantially larger proportion remain heterosexually inexperienced into their thirties”, the authors said. The research is based on data from seven rounds of the National Fertility Survey of Japan, carried out between 1987 and 2015, which is administered by a unit overseen by the Japanese health ministry. In 2015, 11.9 percent of women aged 30-34 and 12.7 percent of men in the same age group reported having had no heterosexual sexual experience, the data showed. In the 35-39 age bracket, the figures were 8.9 percent for women and 9.5 percent for men. In both age brackets, the number of self-reported virgins had increased by several percentage points from the earlier surveys conducted in 1987 or 1992. Each round of the survey is administered to people aged 18-39 years old, and in total the researchers from the University of Tokyo found around a quarter of men and women in that demographic reported having never had heterosexual intercourse in 2015. The survey data did not include information on same-sex intercourse. But the authors said even assuming that five percent of respondents were engaged only in homosexual sex, “around one in twenty 30-39-year-old women and men ... would still lack sexual experience.” - Battling low birth rate The study said Japan appears to be

A large proportion of Japanese adults “remain inexperienced” with sex well into their thirties, a new study shows. (AFP photo) an outlier.

ered a concern for everyone.”

Data from the United States, for example, found just 1.9 percent of women aged 30-34 and 0.9 percent of women aged 35-39 reported no sexual partners of the opposite sex.

“More research is needed on reasons for sexual inactivity and how mating market dynamics might be evolving,” he added in a statement issued by the university.

The figures for American men were just 3.1 percent for those aged 30-34 and 1.4 percent for those between 35 and 39.

The study said it found a correlation between sex and money, with men more likely to have had intercourse if they had permanent, full-time employment.

The results are likely to be cause for concern given Japan’s ongoing battle with population decline and a low fertility rate. Japan’s government has sought to tackle the problem by offering birth incentives and support for working mothers, including more nursery spots for young children. “The situation of individuals who remain sexually inexperienced due to difficulties in finding a partner... maybe considered in future policies aimed at increasing Japan’s birth rate,” the authors wrote. Peter Ueda, the study’s lead author and an epidemiology expert at the University of Tokyo, said that “sexual inactivity or inexperience, whether voluntary or not, should not be exoticised, ridiculed or necessarily consid-

But they cautioned that cause-andeffect was difficult to determine on issues of sexual experience. They also noted that while sexual activity might not be a priority for everyone, most respondents over 25 with no sexual experience reported hoping to get married, “indicating that their lack of sexual experience may be involuntary.” The researchers noted several potential limitations, including the self-reported nature of their underlying data. And they pointed out that sexual inactivity could also be higher than their research suggests because they only examined whether respondents had any sexual history, not whether they were currently sexually active.

New Netflix series inspired by real-life teen drug king

ANNES, France | AFP - A new Netflix series billed as the teenage “Breaking Bad” is inspired by a real-life German youth who ran an online drug empire from his bedroom, its creators told AFP. The makers of “How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)” even met up with Maximilian S. on one of his days out of prison where he is serving seven years for “running the Amazon of illegal drugs” -- selling everything from MDMA to marijuana. While his mother thought of him as a “lazy and grumpy” 19-year-old who wouldn’t leave his room, he made 4.4 million euros ($4.9 million) worth of Bitcoin in little over a year from his Shiny Flakes online store. Police still couldn’t access all of his Bitcoin accounts when he was jailed in 2015. “When you think of the drug business, you think of the Cali cartel and Pablo Escobar,” said the series’ makers Philipp Kassbohrer and Matthias Murmann Sunday as it was premiered at the Canneseries festival in the French Riviera resort.

by Carlos Anchondo USTIN - The Texas House approved two new medical schools in Texas this week, one at Sam Houston State University and the other at the University of Houston.

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

“But this young German weirdo guy who was doing this himself was having a big effect on the European drug market. - ‘Best dealer in Europe’ “He was the best dealer in Europe

for medical students,” said state Rep. John Zerwas, chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “Ultimately, we’ll be able to keep more doctors in Texas, which will improve the health of our state, especially in underserved communities.” The campus for the Sam Houston State school will be in Conroe, 40 miles north of Houston. The House has also included $20 million in its budget for the UH school. The college will ask for another $20 million over the next eight years, according to Chris Stipes, a university spokesman. Sam Houston State is planning to open its school without state funding. Both schools are also working through the accreditation process. - Texas Tribune

Danilo Kamperidis (L) and Maximilian Mundt star in the Netflix show “How to sell drugs online (Fast)”, inspired by a real-life German youth who ran an online drug empire from his bedroom. (AFP photo) and he didn’t just do it in the Darknet (that part of the internet hidden from public view), he did it in the clearweb,” Murmann said. “You could find his site on a normal browser. It had customer reviews and everything: ‘If you liked this drug, you might like to try this...’” The young man they would later know as “Max” -- who was treated as a juvenile by the courts -- turned up one day at their offices when the series was still being shot after he heard his story had been picked up. “We thought he was making it up. But it was him,” said Murmann, a selfconfessed geek himself. “He had to sleep in jail but he could travel around during the day. It was interesting to get his mindset,” and to find out how proud he was of the “customer experience”. He even showed the director “how he arranged the MDMA in boxes. ‘No, I did it like this,’ he said. It as a real headspin for the actors,” Murmann recalled. By that point, shooting had already begun of the show, which they had turned into a buddy story of a 17-yearold high school student who sets up a drugs site with his wheelchair-bound best friend to try to win back his girlfriend, who has returned for a year out in the US as pill-popping party animal. - ‘He was a bit too smart’ “It was inspired rather than based on him because when we dug into his true story we found it was very short and

boring,” Kassbohrer added. “He was a little bit too smart. He only made one big mistake and that’s why he got arrested... but when he turned up, it was a weird bridge with reality.” The pair, whose BTF studio makes late-night TV shows and computer games, used fast editing and smartphone-style pop-ups to recreate the superconnected lifestyles of Generation Z teenagers. Kassbohrer said “Max” was like many of this age group, trying to make their mark but in his own terribly misguided way. “He really is a nice guy but you cannot forget that he did something very criminal and he was connected to people who were doing even bigger criminal things. “He didn’t think it through, he was just focusing on the user experience and the technical side,” Kassbohrer added. In fact he was so proud of his “customer experience” that he gave an interview to “a journalist friend of ours when he was still dealing and told her that he even had a customer services and marketing department, when it was just him in his room.” He had that “Steve Jobs thing” of not fully thinking through the consequences, Kassbohrer said, “just like Jobs hadn’t worried about people dying in China to make iPhones.” “How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)” goes online on May 31.

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This is the difference between good and bad cholesterol by Natasha Lavender

cados and avocado oil, fatty fish like salmon, and nuts and natural nut butters,” Jones says.

holesterol has a bad rap as yet another health evil we all need to be monitoring. But just like most things related to our bodies, it’s more complicated than writing off all forms of cholesterol as the villain. There are actually two types of cholesterol, and while one deserves its bad reputation as a risk for your health, the other does a lot of important jobs to keep you running right. Meet cholesterol’s good and bad sides, and find out how you can find the balan “Good” versus “bad” cholesterol Cholesterol is a type of waxy fat that gets “packaged” up with a type of protein so it can travel around in your blood. This new molecule is called a lipoprotein. The right kind of cholesterol is essential for your body: “We need cholesterol to create cells in our brain and also to create hormones,” says Brittany L. Jones, MS, RD, owner of Blush Nutrition in Greenville, SC. The “good” kind of cholesterol is called high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and the “bad” kind is low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Jones recommends thinking of the “H” in HDL as “happy,” and the “L” in LDL as “lousy.”

fat cells between meals to use for energy.” The problem comes, Dr. Greenfield says, when your triglyceride levels rise too high: “Excess triglycerides are stored for later use in fat cells. As we become more sedentary and tend to eat too much, we have an overabundance of triglycerides and our fat cells get fatter!” High triglycerides can be a particular problem for people with type 2 diabetes, he says, and, “They also “play dirty tricks on their neighbors, HDL and LDL, as they decrease HDL in the blood and they make the LDL particles smaller and more dense, so they can more easily penetrate the blood vessel wall and accelerate atherosclerosis, or ‘hardening’ of the arteries.”

In addition to eating more of those, you have to also eat less of the foods that can increase LDL. Namely, says Dr. Greenfield, saturated fats and trans fats. Trans fats (including hydrogenated oils) both raise LDL and lower HDL, and “can typically be Getty Images found in processed foods with shortening like cakes, cookies, donuts, and also in coffee creamer, especially the powdered kind,” Jones advises. “The American Heart Association recommends that 10 percent of our calories or fewer should come from saturated fat to keep our LDL cholesterol low; this can be found in meat, dairy, and coconut products.” Dr. Greenfield also recommends you keep an eye on your carbohydrate intake (although you should never cut them out completely, unless you’ve spoken to your doctor about it first), since these can lead to excess triglycerides, which in turn raise LDL and lower HDL. “Exercise can also increase HDL,” he adds. “And even more interesting, alcohol increases

LDL has earned the ire of doctors because it is rich in pure cholesterol, which tends to build up in your arteries and lead to the plaque formations that cause narrowing and blockage, says Robert Greenfield, MD, a cardiologist and lipidologist, and Medical Director of Non-Invasive Cardiology & Cardiac Rehabilitation at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center. “It is also inflammatory, so it can cause plaque buildup in our arteries that become unstable and rupture, or erode to cause heart attacks and strokes.” HDL, on the other hand, is seen as the body’s superhero because it clears up the bad cholesterol. Dr. Greenfield compares it to garbage disposal: “HDL is the sanitation truck that picks up the garbage, and the garbage is the LDL.” To extend the metaphor further, HDL is more like a dedicated recycler who picks up discarded junk and transports it to someone who can turn it into treasure: “It can pick up cholesterol from the blood and blood vessels and carry it to the liver so the liver can use that cholesterol to make bile, vitamin D, and other necessary products that we need to live,” Dr. Greenfield says. “It also carries cholesterol to the gonads and adrenal glands so they can synthesize hormones. And if that wasn’t enough, HDL may help with our immunity and help us to fight infections.” Another type of fat that affects your cholesterol levels are triglycerides; Dr. Greenfield explains that these come from saturated fats and simple carbohydrates and sweets in the diet. Like cholesterol, they are both necessary and potentially bad for you. “Triglycerides have energy that is stored for later use,” Jones clarifies. “Your body releases triglycerides from your

How to keep your cholesterol in check

HDL as well — however, we don’t recommend people start drinking!”

As you can tell, ideally you want to keep your LDL levels low, your HDL levels high, and your triglycerides just right. Let’s start with HDL. “Having low levels of HDL can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke,” cautions Martha Gulati, MD, Physician Executive Director for Banner— University Medicine Heart Institute. “Your HDL level should be at least 40mg/dL [milligrams per deciliter] for people assigned male at birth, or 50mg/dL for people assigned female at birth — but higher is better.” Dr. Greenfield agrees: “The ‘sweet spot’ for HDL is between 60 and 80 mg/dl, and levels below 40 or above 100 can be problematic,” he adds.

Unfortunately, your LDL levels can be down to more than just your diet. Some people are genetically predisposed to high LDL or low HDL. “You can get an ApoE genotype test to see if you have a predisposition to high cholesterol,” Jones says. “You can also get tested to see if you have familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) through a genetic test and working with a genetic counselor.” FH, explains Dr. Gulati, “is a condition where excess LDL is made and not cleared from the body.” It’s surprisingly common: Dr. Greenfield estimates that about one in 200 patients with high cholesterol have this condition.

So how do you up those HDL levels? You can’t find LDL or HDL in a store, Dr. Greenfield points out, and nutrition labels don’t go into that much detail. That being said, certain foods and diets can influence their levels in your body. And that’s good news for avocado lovers: “Foods that help increase your HDL cholesterol include what you may have heard of as ‘good’ fats such as olives and olive oil, avo-

Other factors that can increase your risk from cholesterol, Dr. Gulati adds, include smoking, which lowers HDL; certain drugs — including thiazide diuretics (for hypertension), steroids, amiodarone, and cyclosporin — which can raise LDL; and the combined birth control pill, which might actually raise HDL and lower LDL, but can also raise triglycerides. The myths and rumors around cholesterol show just how important it is to find out the details before cutting things out of your diet in the name of health. With a better understanding of the nuances, you can keep the lousy low and the happy high. - Yahoo! News

CMS finalizes policies to bring innovative Telehealth Benefit to Medicare Advantage

he Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized policies that will increase plan choices and benefits, including allowing Medicare Advantage plans to include additional telehealth benefits. These policies continue the agency’s efforts to modernize the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs, unleash innovation and drive competition to improve quality among private Medicare health and drug plans.

“Today’s policies represent a historic step in bringing innovative technology to Medicare beneficiaries,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “With these new telehealth benefits, Medicare Advantage enrollees will be able to access the latest technology and have greater access to telehealth. By providing greater flexibility to Medicare Advantage plans, beneficiaries can receive more benefits, at lower costs and better quality.” The final policies announced today leverage new authorities provided to CMS in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which President Trump signed into law last year. CMS is finalizing changes that would allow Medicare Advantage beneficiaries to access additional telehealth benefits, starting in plan year 2020. These additional telehealth benefits offer patients the option to receive health care services from places like their homes, rather than requiring them to go to a healthcare facility. Before this year, seniors in Original Medicare could only receive certain telehealth services if they live in rural areas. Starting this year, Original Medicare began paying for virtual check-ins across the country, meaning patients can connect with their doctors by phone or video chat. Historically, Medicare Advantage plans have been able to offer more telehealth services, compared to Original Medicare, as part of their supplemental benefits. But with the final rule, it will be more likely that plans will offer the additional telehealth benefits outside of supplemental benefits, expanding patients’ access to telehealth services from more providers and in more parts of the country than before, whether they live in rural or urban areas. CMS is also finalizing changes that will make improvements to Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings so that consumers can identify high-value plans. The final rule updates the methodology for calculating Star Ratings, which provide information to consumers on plan quality. The new Star Ratings methodology will improve the stability and predictability for plans, and will adjust how the ratings are set in the event of extreme and uncontrollable events such as hurricanes. The final rule will improve the quality of care for beneficiaries

Sudhir Mathuria HEALTHLIFE 360 713-771-2900 dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid who participate in “Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans” or D-SNPs. These beneficiaries usually have complex health needs and if they have a complaint about their healthcare or about access to items and services, they have to work with multiple organizations, one responsible for Medicare benefits and another responsible for Medicaid benefits, in order to file an appeal. The final rule will create one appeals process across Medicare and Medicaid, which will make it easier for enrollees in certain D-SNPs to navigate the healthcare system and have access to high quality services. The final rule will also require plans to more seamlessly integrate Medicare and Medicaid benefits across the two programs, such as notifying the state Medicaid agency (or its designee) of hospital and skilled nursing facility admissions for certain highrisk beneficiaries, to promote coordination of care for these patients. Today’s announcement builds on the 2020 Rate Announcement and Final Call Letter released earlier this week that gives Medicare Advantage plans flexibility to offer chronically ill patients a broader range of supplemental benefits that are not necessarily health related and can address social determinants of health. With these new telehealth and supplemental benefits, Medicare Advantage plans will have the flexibility to provide a historic set of offerings to beneficiaries. Medicare Advantage plans will be able to compete for patients based on their new offerings and overall cost. CMS is working to update the Medicare Plan Finder with these new choices, so that beneficiaries will be able to see their new choices and benefits and can pick the plans that work best for them. (Source CMS) To get health insurance coverage on short term basis, on small group basis and for critical care coverage, Medicare plans coverage contact Sudhir Mathuria at 713-771-2900.

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DIET & EXERCISE

VOICE OF ASIA 18

How to find your max heart rate for exercise by Angela Spence

what?

ou have your runners on, your FitBit is charged, but now

When you exercise, your heart and breathing rates increase, delivering greater quantities of oxygen from the lungs to the blood, then to exercising muscles. Determining an optimal heart rate for exercise depends on your exercise goal, age, and current fitness level.

tion in HRmax. The only true method of determining HRmax is to conduct a maximal exercise test. But HRmax can be estimated using formulas based on age. The authors of a 2001 study proposed the following revised equation for estimating maximal heart rate: HRMax = 208 - (0.7 x Age) This means a 45-yearold would have a predicted HRmax of 177 BPM. Indeed, our genetics can in-

All you need to know about Vitamin D, importance, deficiencies and diseases PART 2

Muscle cells require two key ingredients to function: fuel (glucose) and oxygen. Muscles rely heavily on blood vessels to deliver the necessary nutrients and oxygen around the body, and also to remove by-products such as carbon dioxide.

Limited exposure to the sun

The more muscles used in exercise, the more blood is distributed towards the active tissues. When the intensity of the exercise is particularly high, the Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee. by Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, Rice University, Houston TX Continued from last week

Health risks of vitamin D deficiency Type 2 diabetes risk reduction

Heart rate and exercise intensity share a direct, linear relationship: the more intense the exercise, the higher the heart rate. When you exercise at the highest possible intensity, your heart will reach maximal heart rate (HRmax), the fastest rate it is capable of beating. But exercising at a maximal heart rate (HRmax) for every exercise session will not produce efficient fitness results. These high intensities can rarely be sustained, negating the potential benefit of the exercise. Exercise makes your heart more efficient Typical resting heart rate can vary quite substantially between people and even within an individual. Around 60-80 beats per minute (BPM) for adults is common. Heart rate can be easily be measured with devices like FitBits and Apple Watches, although they have their limitations. Improving your aerobic fitness reduces your resting heart rate, as the heart becomes more efficient with each beat. An athlete’s resting heart rate, for instance, is typically around 40 BPM. In fact, evidence suggests that long-term exercise training increases the size of the heart, specifically the left ventricle, a phenomenon known as “Athlete’s Heart”. A bigger heart means more blood can be pumped with each beat, and fewer beats per minute are required to maintain blood flow around the body. This is a beneficial physiological adaptation allowing athletes to exercise at higher intensities for longer. How to calculate your maximal heart rate There is substantial varia-

• Research has shown that those with blood vitamin D levels over 25 ng/mL had a 43% reduced risk of developing type-2 diabetes compared with those with levels under 14 ng/mL. Adequate vitamin D levels have been associated with improved blood sugar levels and decreased insulin resistance in some studies. fluence actual maximal heart rates from their predicted value. However, HRmax is not a major determinant of exercise or athletic performance. Far more important is our physiological efficiency. Why stretching is still important for exercise and dieting When assessing heart rate, it’s also important to take into account the effects of emotions such as excitement or fear, stimulants like caffeine, and circulating hormones like adrenaline, all of which can increase heart rate. Is exercising at maximal heart rates unsafe? In short, the answer is no. For most adults, the risk of not doing enough exercise is far greater than that of doing excessive endurance exercise. The health benefits of regular exercise are well established, although emerging evidence suggests excessive exercise may not provide extra cardiovascular health benefits. Likewise, there’s a higher chance a sedentary person will experience an acute cardiac event, like a heart attack, during exercise when they’re unaccustomed to high-intensity exercise, or they have a pre-existing heart condition. The maximal risk is 0.3 to 2.7 events per 10,000 personhours. With a third of Australians not meeting the WHO recommended guidelines of accumulating 150 minutes of exercise per week, encouraging regular physical activity continues to be a pervasive public health message. In terms of assessing risk, an exercise pre-screening assessment with an ESSA-qualified exercise specialist will be able to assess and mitigate the risk of exercise participation.

muscles start to produce another by-product called lactate. Cells can also use lactate as a fuel although if production rate exceeds metabolism, lactate starts to accumulate and can interfere with cellular function. The point at which this byproduct starts to accumulate is termed the “lactate threshold”. What is the best exercise for heart rate? While interval-style exercise training is a popular choice for people who are time-poor, the intermittent nature of the exercise means heart rate will fluctuate, providing not much more benefit than traditional steady-state exercise. From a scientific perspective, athletes typically use heart-rate ranges to train at specific intensities during aerobic exercise, like cycling or long-distance running. Exercising at certain intensities are known to elicit adaptive responses from the body, for example, exercising at or below the lactate threshold. These intensities are called training zones and are expressed relative to HRmax. For instance, a light aerobic training session would be prescribed below 75% HRmax, while training at threshold (around 95% HRmax) will induce physiological change. Overall, some exercise is better than no exercise for your cardiovascular health. Accumulating 150 minutes of exercise per week is the minimum requirement for health benefit. Exercising at your maximal heart rate is not necessary to achieve these benefits. Athletes can use training zones, relative to HRmax, to achieve optimal adaptation and enhance endurance performance.

by Sophie Mcevoy

eeling the rush of adrenaline and the blood pumping through your body after a good workout is enough to make any day feel that little bit better. Well it turns out that there’s actually some science behind this, as a recent study has found that exercise can benefit your mental health. Rob And Julia Campbell/Stocksy

Researchers also asked participants about their income and what specific exercises they included in their routine. Participants had the opportunity to choose from 75 types of physical activities, which ranged from cycling and swimming to mowing the lawn and housework. After comparing “the num-

• Adequate vitamin D levels have also been linked with improvements in kidney function, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, diabetic retinopathy, and decreased manicpisodes in bipolar patients. There is ongoing research to determine links with vitamin D deficiency and the increase in the prevalence of asthma and allergies, autism, preterm birth, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. What causes a vitamin D deficiency? • A deficiency in vitamin D can result from inadequate exposure to sunlight, inefficient production in the skin, not enough vitamin D in your diet, and health conditions that can affect it including, gastrointestinal disorders, renal diseases, and liver diseases. Darker skin • Melanin is what gives skin its color. Light-skinned people have less melanin than those with darker skin. Melanin is able to absorb UV-B radiation from the sun and reduce the skin’s capacity to produce vitamin D3 by 95%-99%. Dark-skinned individuals have natural sun protection and require at least three to five times longer exposures to make the same amount of vitamin D as a person with a white skin tone. Weight • Being overweight or obese may put you at risk for a vitamin D deficiency. A recent review of 23 studies showed that obese subjects had 35% higher rates of vitamin D deficiency compared with normal weight subjects and 24% higher rates compared with overweight subjects.

• You may look out your window and see the sun shining and think that you are safe from this deficiency, but that is not always the case. Even in sunny climates there is an increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. We have all heard about the dangers of skin cancer and the need for sunscreen to protect us from this disease. This knowledge and the preventive actions we take have significantly decreased our vitamin D levels. Sunscreen protects so well against UV-B rays that an SPF of 30 decreases vitamin D synthesis in the skin by more than 95%. On top of this, we tend to spend more time indoors. Even if you do have some exposure to the sun, the total amount of vitamin D you can produce is affected by the season, time of day, ozone amount, latitude, and number of clouds in the sky. Who is at risk for vitamin D deficiency? • Being that the sun is the primary source of vitamin D, your exposure, or lack of it, will impact your risk for a deficiency. Malabsorption • People with one of the fat malabsorption syndromes (for example, Crohn’s disease or celiac disease and people who have had bariatric surgery are often unable to absorb enough of the fat-soluble vitamin D. Age • Elderly: It has been shown that as we age our body has a decreased ability to synthesize vitamin D from exposure to the sun. There can be as much as 25% reduced production over the age of 70. While this can have an impact, it doesn’t cause as much of a deficiency as the other risk factors. • Children: A study done in Ethiopia found that schoolchildren between the ages of 11-18 years were more likely to be overweight or obese when they were deficient in vitamin D. Another study of 301 students aged 11-19 years found that 12% of the students were deficient, and 53% had insufficiency. It also found that as body weight increased (measured by BMI) the level of vitamin D decreased. Medications and medical conditions • A wide variety of medications, including antifungal medications, anticonvulsants, glucocorticoids, and medications to treat AID/HIV, can enhance the breakdown of vitamin D and lead to low levels. What is the treatment for a vitamin D deficiency? • The amount of vitamin D that is needed to correct a deficiency will depend on the severity of the deficiency and your individual medical con-

ditions. The time of year will also impact your needs. For example, if you are on the low end of adequate blood levels and heading in to the winter months you would need a bit more than if you were heading in to the summer months if you spend time out in the sun. The goal for everyone is to get your stores to a safe level and prevent them from dropping with a maintenance plan. • Vitamin D supplements should be taken with a meal that contains fat. Studies have shown that when taken on an empty stomach versus with a meal containing fat, there was an average of 32% more vitamin D absorption in the fatcontaining meal. There are supplements that can be taken on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis Food sources (diet) • The best way to get enough vitamin D every day is to eat a variety of healthy foods from all food groups. The vitamin content of various foods is shown in the table. Vitamin D Content Various Foods International serving

Units

• Cod liver tablespoon: 1360

of per

oil,

• Swordfish, cooked, 3 ounces: 566 • Salmon (sockeye) cooked, 3 ounces: 477 • Tuna, canned in water, drained, 3 ounces: 154 • Orange juice fortified with vitamin D, 1 cup: 137 • Milk, vitamin fortified, 1 cup: 115-124 • Yogurt, fortified with 20% of the daily value of vitamin D, 6 ounces: 80 • Margarine, fortified, 1 tablespoon: 60 • Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 2 sardines: 46 • Liver, beef, cooked, 3 ounces: 42 •

Egg yolk, 1 large: 41

• Cereal, fortified with 10% of the daily value of vitamin D, 1 cup: 40 • Cheese, ounce: 6

Swiss,

Concluding remarks • There is no disputing the fact that vitamin D plays many crucial roles in our wellbeing, and many of us have either deficient or inefficient blood levels. An affordable, convenient way to test vitamin D levels, similar to fingersticks used for blood sugar testing, can play a vital role correcting low blood levels. Changes to our lifestyle, diet, and regular supplementation are the keys to curbing the vitamin D deficiency pandemic.

- CNN News

Exercise can make you happier than money: study

Published in psychiatry journal The Lancet, researchers at Yale and Oxford University collated their findings by analysing “the physical behaviour and mental mood of more than 1.2 million Americans” aged 18 or over, as Business Insider reports, by asking participants “how many times [they] felt mentally unwell in the past 30 days, for example due to stress, depression, or emotional problems.”

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

ber of days of bad self-reported mental health between individuals who exercised and those who did not” and examining the effects of “exercise type, duration, frequency, and intensity,” researchers found that those who exercise regularly have 35 bad days per year. In comparison, those who don’t exercise regularly experience 18

more days of feeling negative. Through this data, researchers also found that not only did participants feel increased physical and health benefits, but those who were consistently active “felt as good as those who earn $25,000 or more a year” as Business Insider reports. But why is this the case? Well, the positive link between exercise and mental health is all down how physical activities can effect the connection between your brain and body. According to mental health charity Mind, “[p]hysical activity releases feel-good hormones” such as the endorphins “that can make you feel better in yourself and give you more energy.” And according to Psychology Today, studies have shown that regular exercise can also improve your “neuronal health by improving the delivery of oxygen and nutrients” that end up supporting “neuron signalling, growth, and connections” in your brain which can lead to an improvement in the

“area of the brain involved in memory, emotion regulation, and learning.” However, too much exercise can actually be detrimental to your health so it’s important that you stick to a steady routine. “Previously people have believed that the more exercise you do, the better your mental health, but our study suggests that this is not the case,” study author Adam Chekroud of Yale University said. “Doing exercise more than 23 times a month, or exercising for longer than 90-minute sessions is associated with worse mental health.” As Chekroud explained, it’s “easy to imagine why someone might have poor mental health if they are exercising six or seven days a week. They could be getting down (physically exhausted) or burned out (mentally), both of which might make them feel stressed or depleted.” Researchers advise in the study that training three to five times a week in 30 to 60 min-

ute intervals is “ideal”, as those who exercised more than three hours a day “suffered more than that of those who weren’t particularly physically active.” But as Mind points out, exercise isn’t always for everyone when it comes to alleviating mental health issues. It’s all about finding what’s right for you, and how you can attain a positive mental attitude. If you feel as though you’re having issues with your mental health, make sure you book an appointment with your GP. - Bustle.com

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For Latest on Health, Diet and Exercise Information

FASHION & STYLE

VOICE OF ASIA 19

Designers explore the future of digital clothing Designers are producing photorealistic, digital-only clothing collections - and customers are buying in. by Maghan Mcdowell

ast November, Scandinavian multibrand retailer Carlings released its first digital clothing collection. The 19 genderless, sizeless pieces cost between €10 and €30, each with a limited production run of up to 12. Customers supplied a photo that designers at Carlings manipulated so it appeared that they were dressed in the apparel. They hired several influencers to promote the collection on Instagram and it sold out in a week.

like?” The opportunity for fashion Drinkwater thinks we are still at least five to 10 years away from digital clothing being commonplace. Both he and Murphy point to the sale last May of a $140,000 CryptoKitty, which is essentially one-of-a-kind digital art, to show how much people are willing to pay for digital-only designs. Despite having the design credentials, there are significant barriers to

India’s fashion decade How has India’s fashion vocabulary evolved and grown in the last ten years? As we stand at the turning point of this decade, we trace the big style milestones that have shaped how Indians engage with fashion today. by Bandana Tewari

he last decade has seen the emergence of a unique signature that is sparse on frills but abundant in abstract and academic expressions in fashion. Modern Indian Minimalism-unadulterated by overwhelming embellishments, the hitherto obvious hallmark of most Indian designers-is a language that relies on pattern-cutting, experimentation with yarns, geometry of shapes, non-figurative design garnishes and unorthodox traditional techniques. Fashion Of Quietude What makes this movement uniquely Indian is the prominent role Indian textiles play in the minimalist designers’ practice. The resurgence of handmade textiles of India in fashion design-with their invaluable cultural, social and environmental narratives-is what makes this industry exciting today. Indian textiles give designers the tactility to explore the relationship between wearer and weave. These young designers, who graduated from pedigreed design schools across the world, use a unique language of design provocations and interventions, to build their oeuvres. They challenge us to shift our perceptions and constantly question our relationship with clothes.

Looks from Carlings’s digital collection. (Photo © Carlings) The concept might seem outlandish, but gamers have been spending real money on digital fashion items for years. Glu Mobile’s Covet Fashion game lets players style models with digitally rendered designer clothing and accessories. It brought in $53.4 million in sales last year (a portion of which is from advertising). The San Francisco company’s “Kim Kardashian: Hollywood” game, which allows users to dress an avatar in clothing from Roberto Cavalli, Balmain and Karl Lagerfeld, has generated more than $240 million in sales since its launch in 2014. But as people live and display more of their lives online — coupled with growing concerns about sustainability — digital clothing has the potential to expand well beyond gaming. Kerry Murphy, founder of Dutch digital design house The Fabricant, believes people will eventually spend as much on designer digital clothing as they will on “analogue” items. “People think that this is not a real thing, but the numbers are off the charts,” says Matthew Drinkwater, head of the Fashion Innovation Agency at London College of Fashion. “Fashion hasn’t begun to tap into that. What might a Louis Vuitton or Off-White digital piece of clothing be

entry for fashion brands. Fashion designers are traditionally not trained in 3D modelling and sample patterns are not easily converted to 3D models. A fashion brand would have to hire a 3D artist to manually design garments — there is no code for “wool” or “silk”, for example. There are a few startups that offer this service, but most 3D fashion visualisations, like those in mobile gaming, are still relatively crude, Murphy says. The Fabricant gets frequent requests to create one-off digital clothing collections. But the cost of a 3D designer means the company is only able to accept projects that bring in at least €25,000 and take at least six weeks to produce. For a project with Hong Kong luxury retailer I.T, a team of five spent three weeks visualising 15 pieces — which included “lots of overtime”, Murphy says. Carlings used four “digital tailors” for its initial collection and was compelled to cut off orders each day at 2pm as those tailors reached capacity. It is planning a second collection and working on scaling production — but it’s unclear exactly how. In some ways, the path to digital fast fashion is a slow one. - Vogue Business

Oversize necklaces are doing the rounds for spring century were big names in their own right, working with designers such as Balenciaga and Balmain to create riotously colourful and large pieces that kept perfect pace with the outfits they were made to accessorise.

by Annabel Davidson

aste, crystal, glass, fake… the words used in the past to describe costume jewellery have never done justice to this joyously frivolous category. Originally created to imitate the precious materials of ‘real’ jewellery as closely as possible, it was only when continental fashion designers such as Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli popularised flamboyant pieces made from inexpensive materials that costume jewellery became a distinct, desirable genre of its own. The expression ‘costume jewellery’ derives from a time when these jewels were made specifically for a particular outfit (costume in French), in contrast to precious, expensive pieces that were never intended to go with just one look. Costume jewellers of the mid-20th

Chanel, meanwhile, had Maison Gripoix and Goossens Paris (two costume jewellery houses still going strong today), which created giant Maltese crosses, clip-on earrings featuring fakepearl acorns and gold-toned leaves, and Mogul-style necklaces dripping with glass ‘rubies’–all of which are highly sought after by collectors today. But costume jewellery is no longer yesteryear’s trend. The world’s most acclaimed fashion houses are again creating exquisite costume jewels that aren’t designed only to accessorise catwalk looks, but are a powerful commercial category in their own right. Whether you opt for Marni’s braided Perspex cuffs in lurid colours, Chloé’s giant Valeria earrings of gold-toned beads, Balenciaga’s brilliantly oversized hoops wrapped in printed silk twill reminiscent of 1980s scarves, or Valentino’s 1970s-inspired disc earrings showing a repeating swirl of the house’s name, costume jewellery is one of the most exciting – and statement making – ways to access some of the world’s most beautiful brands. The Telegraph UK

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

Saree: Bodice. Jacket: Rahul Mishra. Bangles: En Inde. Shoes: Christian Louboutin Hair & Makeup: Amanender Sidhu. Model: Madhulika Sharma. Styled by Smridhi Sibal. (Photograph: Bandeep Singh) to her 35.7 million Instagram followers, dressed in a bespoke Sabyasachi Kanauj rose lehenga with intricate French embroidery and fine sequin work that took 3,720 man-hours and 110 embroiderers from Kolkata to create. Of course, it went viral. On the other hand, artist-designer Payal Khandwala, is popular among the non-conformists in wedding celebrations, but who want to look, what she calls-’Indian modern’. In her refined assemblage of blazing colours, she evokes the mantra ‘fierce and feminine’ that pretty much sums up the women who grew up in the #MeToo generation.

out beautifully with their gender-fluid collections. As a luxe-street meets athletic-leisure brand, it is known to play the zeitgeist card well. It’s last collection was a tribute to the blurring of the male-female binary and broadening the playing field for inclusivity. The sustainability question By far the biggest change in fashion is coming from the global dialogue on sustainability. Just weeks ago, the United Nations announced the launch of UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion in Nairobi, an effort to bring all the stakeholders of fashion, including NGOs, activists and institutions, etc, to create a cohesive blueprint and address the environmental issues festered by fashion. And countries like India are coming under the microscope because of the sheer manufacturing power it wields. So when Lakme Fashion Week joined hands with the United Nations, to launch the first Circular Design Challenge-it was certainly the need of the hour. This was a sign of things to come: sustainable fashion is priority.

Rahul Mishra has seamlessly transferred his nuanced Indian CULT OF EXCESS? The wedding industry is a massive c r a f t s m a n s h i p , canvas for Indian designers to test their design sensibility displayed in Paris The “2017 Global Online Confor a generation of women who are becoming increasingly Fashion Week ev- sumer Report” published by KPMG liberal, emancipated and experimental. (Photo: India Today) ery year, to the surveyed thousands of people in 50 bridal ensembles countries and noted that people no of India. “We em- longer “go” shopping, but literally Ruchika Sachdeva of Bodice, win- ploy our signature 3D hand embroi- “are” shopping every minute online ner of the prestigious International dered, hand-cut and hand-appliqué with their smartphones. This shopWoolmark Prize 2017/2018 has a pen- style. We use a huge bouquet of em- ping frenzy has resulted in 34 million chant, for instance, for finding a sym- broidery techniques like zardozi, shipping containers (with a standard biosis between disparate inspirations French knots, aari, appliqué and the length of 20ft) being carted around the and techniques. Her Woolmark collec- shading on the flowers is done by us- world every year. Way back in 1915, tion took on the 18th century costumes ing ‘Farishe ka Kaam’” says Mishra. German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin of Indian nautch girls but designed What this means, is that bridal-wear called this CBD (compulsive buying them using modern and minimalist is becoming one of the biggest cham- disorder) aka “buying mania”. menswear tailoring. Using natural fab- pions of craft in India. However literDesigners in India are beginning to rics including hand-woven textiles by ally they may be executed, the notions artisans in Uttar Pradesh, Antar Agni’s of what opulence means is seeing a question the consumer’s obsession Ujjawal Dubey is adept at splicing paradigm shift-from cheap crystals with novelty. The younger designers, and draping monochromatic fabrics; and garish embellishments to cultur- especially ones who are studying susand by almost completely eliminating ally rich handicraft, from different tainable design practices, understand surface ornamentation he achieves an corners of India, which become prized that if they continue to follow linear system of “take-make-waste”, their overall look that is reminiscent of zen heirloom pieces. business will not be able to sustain enthusiasts, but with oodles of swag. Fashion through a gender lens itself, leave alone the environment. Taking the lead from thoroughbred For aeons, gender identity has been While iconic Indian brands like Arrule-breakers of senior designers like at the centre of fashion’s dialogue. vind Mills and Good Earth are leadRajesh Pratap Singh, Abraham & Thaing the way for sustainable business kore, Anamika Khanna among others, And the last decade has seen the com- practices, the relatively new brands in plete overhaul of it. It would be an unthese designers do not hesitate to imIndia are also jumping onto the green bue their designs with a rich tapestry derstatement to say that the history of bandwagon. I Was A Sari is a ecomodern Indian fashion can be traced of thought and passion. Always lookethical brand that upcycles pre-loved, ing at a labyrinth of esoteric poets, phi- through the gay lens. This incredibly used sarees, converting them into very talented community of Indians, marlosophers, architects, etc., that inspire hip, contemporary clothes. them, they are perched faraway from ginalised and living in a grey area of don’t-ask-don’t-tell thus far, has noneFor Seerat Virdi, founder of Miesu, the brouhaha of Bollywood muses, so now we see a generation of young theless played one of the most power- ‘wear and re-wear’ is crucial not only designers go to great lengths to create ful roles in the fashion industry. They to her ideology but her design pracauthentic narratives of the cloth. They have been at the forefront of creating tice. Her clothes made from fashion are the realists of today, addressing the the alternative, the outré, the swag of waste, can be worn in multiple ways, allowing for clothes to sit in your form-function duality with much more fashion as we know it today. academic finesse and design precision Fashion has played a particularly closet longer (if not forever), instead than their predecessors. important role, in disseminating very of being dumped in a landfill. Bareek by Aman Singh makes sure his natty But here is the interesting part- personal, yet powerful messages about button-down shirts, in cotton or khaamidst this fashion of quietude, there egalitarianism and diversity through di, are created on a non-mechanised also exists a gargantuan wedding fash- clothes. Whether it was lead via an- loom, and always woven by an artisan. ion industry that spikes up the excess drogynous clothes or gender fluid de- Doodlage by Kriti Tula believes in the scale, exposing the fashion bipolarity signs, or through LGBTQ+ models on ‘scrap to fab’ fashion practice that althe ramp-fashion has always been a in India today. place to make subtle pleas to uphold lows her to upcycle fashion material waste into new garments that are worExcess drowns minimalism the dignity of rainbow The wedding blitzkrieg that hit In- the dia in the last one year with the mega flag. brides- Priyanka Chopra, Isha AmToday, show bani Piramal, Deepika Padukone and after show, Anushka Sharma, and the way they we see bold enthralled Indians world-wide, is de- tributes being monstrative of India’s increasing ob- raised to upsession with cinematic nuptials, in hold its sancand out of movie theatres. Weddings tity. Chola’s today feed into the extravagant mix head designer, of tradition, aspiration and modern Sohaya Mishra, affluence, accounting for the busi- fearlessly creness of marriage to be a whopping ates a platform $40-50 billion per annum according on the ramp for to a recent KPMG report. Also, with those who are 50 percent of Indians being below the not seemingly age of 29, the wedding industry is not accepted. Her only a lucrative business, it is also a “Bye Felicia” massive canvas for Indian designers to fashion show test their design sensibility for a gen- had models Seerat Viridi (Photo: Green Stitched) eration of women who are becoming and LGBTQ increasingly liberal, emancipated and community activists dressed as drag thy to be on the ramp. “Fast-fashion experimental. queens, wearing Chola’s latest collec- consumerism is a fairly new concept Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the retro- tion. Whether its gimmicky or not, is in India,” she says. “We were given revivalist designer, is at the forefront a matter of opinion. But to have the hand-me-downs while growing up. of this bridal extravaganza of de- faces of the LGBTQ+ movement rep- We always did something with useless sign. From sexing-up the bride with resented visually right up-front on the clothing; used loose or tight clothing Kamasutra-esque deep décolletage to ramp is exemplary. by altering them. Growing up this his homage to spectacular traditionGlobal popular culture has played way, I’ve always lived consciously. al crafts-he has women world-over a pivotal role in opening doors and In many ways fashion has come full squealing in delight with every col- minds. Laverne Cox on the cover of circle as Indian designers create their lection. When Quantico actress Pri- Time, the TV series Transparent and own language, drawing on the best of yanka Chopra and singer Nick Jonas Call Me Caitlyn were paradigm shift- the past and looking to the future. tied the knot in Udaipur, the actress ing milestones. Gender prejudice is -India Today shared some well-orchestrated photos a thing of the past. Huemn plays this

TRAVEL & LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 20

Komodo Island is closing to tourists because people are stealing dragons by Cailey Rizzo

ndonesia’s famous Komodo island (home of the Komodo dragon) will likely close to tourists after cops busted a ring of lizard smugglers last month. According to Indonesia’s Tempo newspaper,this link opens in a new tab the government will temporarily close the popular tourist attraction in January 2020. A reopening date has not been announced. During the closure, conservationists will examine the lizards’ food supply, work on preserving endemic plant species, and survey the natural environment. Conservation authorities hope that the closure will help grow the Komodo dragon population. The closure was announced after the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry revealed that it had busted a smuggling ring that was going to sell 41 Komodo dragons. The lizards were selling for about $35,000 (500 million rupiah) each.

Komodo dragons are a protected species and considered to be the largest living lizard in the world. It is capable of growing up to 10 feet long and weighing up to 200 pounds. They have a poisonous saliva and can be dangerous — but the World Animal Foundations estimates there are only about 6,000 left in the wild, all concentrated in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park. But it will still be possible to see the animal come 2020. Only Komodo island — which

has an estimated Komodo population of about 1,800 lizards — will close to tourists. It will be possible to see the animals in other parts of the national park, including Rinca and Gili Motong islands. This is not the first popular tourist island that has closed for conservation purposes. In 2017, Thailand indefinitely closed four of its islands to protect the coral reefs from overtourism. - Travel + Leisure

2019 BMW M850i review: The Beast Is Back After a two-decade breather, the 8-series returns with a vengeance. by Ed Tahaney

OLLYWOOD, California - Design of the Year, check. Driven on-track in Portugal, check. Stuck in traffic, check. We’ve now studied the new 8-series in myriad environments, and we’re happy to report the 2019 BMW M850i xDrive is one hell of a coupe, marking a triumphant return of the 8 Series nameplate after more than 20 years. The sleek two-door feels spry, sporty, and vigorous on the open road, and around town it fits like a well-tailored suit. And it cuts a mean profile practically anywhere. Its blacked-out twin-kidney grille is just the right size, its clamshell hood is as wide as Sunset Boulevard, and the laser-beam headlights shine brighter than any starlet. Our test example wore a coat of Barcelona Blue paint complemented with dark wheels, as well as a set of blue M-branded front calipers that pinch absolutely massive rotors—key in decelerating a 4,478-pound rocket from speed. You may be surprised to learn, however, that that weight figure makes the new car only about eight percent heavier than the old model. Instead of the original 850i’s V-12, the M850i packs a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine shared with the M550i sedan but tuned here for 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque—quite a hike over the four-door’s 456 horses and 480 lb-ft. As in the sedan, the V-8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The latter apportions its power with a bias toward the rear axle, and the M850i also has four-wheel steering to help maneuverability at speeds below 45 mph in Comfort mode and 55 mph in Sport mode and improve stability above those velocities. It works fabulously in practice, with the 8 imparting an almost eerie sense of steadiness in corners, where it hugs the road like a Hoover on a red carpet. The new M850i can slay all types of asphalt and excels in all sorts of driving conditions—torrential rainstorms or icy mountain roads, dry and twisting canyon two-lanes, and even bumper-to-bumper traffic. It jets off the line and on to 60 mph in a blistering 3.6 seconds, and every staffer who slid behind the wheel of the M850i was smitten with a car universally characterized as a smooth, incredible, and great all-rounder. The drive modes includes Sport, Sport +, Eco Pro, and Comfort, with Sport+ naturally being the most engaging, turning the BMW from a sporty and rewarding grand tourer to a crackling, snarling beast, eager to pounce at every apex. Despite its size, as with most coupes, the 8’s rear seats are best left to luggage duty, offering up just 29.5 inches of legroom and 33.6 inches of headroom. But used for cargo and combined with a deep trunk that can swallow up to 15 cubic

Six tips for traveling with your pet

f you’re a pet owner who doesn’t want to leave your furry friend behind when you go on vacation, take heart. You may find it easier than you think to bring your dog or cat along. Of course, before making a decision, you’ll want to make sure your pet is comfortable with travel. Whether it’s due to age, health, temperament or even breed, not every animal is up to a trip, especially if it involves traveling by air or spending a lot of time in the car. So it’s a good idea to discuss your plans with your veterinarian.

The Komodo dragon (Photo: San Diego Zoo)

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

Once you feel comfortable bringing your pet, make a checklist of items you’ll need. The American Veterinary Medical Association’s website has a list of frequently asked questions covering pet travel. For example, get a copy of the animal’s medical records, a health certificate, an adequate supply of medications and the items that make your pet comfortable at home, like a special blanket, toys and food. Make sure your pet has an up-to-date identification tag, and consider getting a microchip implanted that provides a permanent ID. When it comes to flying with a pet, airlines will usually allow small dogs, cats and household birds to travel in the cabin, but they must fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Other restrictions apply to larger ani-

Flying on an airline with with a pet can be easy, but breed and size restrictions can apply. It’s good to plan ahead with a vetrenarian before leaving. mals, certain breeds of dogs and cats, and on international flights. Many hotels will roll out the welcome mat for your dog, cat or other animal, providing amenities such as beds, water bowls, litter boxes, toys and treats. Your hotel concierge should have a list of nearby dog parks where your pet can get some exercise. Visiting a new city is one fun way to travel with your fourlegged friend. You can explore various neighborhoods on long walks, taking in new sights, sounds and smells. In nice weather, many restaurants with outdoor seating will allow your dog to sit by your side, as long as it’s on a leash. In many cities, you’ll find activities you can do with your

pet. For example, in San Francisco, you can take your dog on a cruise that offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. In Albuquerque, leashed pets are welcome on history and ghost tours of the Old Town. Beach vacations are another great choice if you’re bringing your dog. You’ll find places all along the coasts where you and your dog can run, swim and play in the sand. Some cities have dedicated beaches where your pet can run free and play with other dogs. Among the best known is the Original Dog Beach in San Diego, one of the first official leash-free beaches in the United States. - NR Today

The best trips to take in your 60s by Patricia Doherty

ccording to a 2016 study derived from the most recent U. S. Census, by age 63 nearly half of United States workers have retired. That leaves quite a few 60-somethings still at work in either full-time or part-time jobs.

Photos: BMW AG

2019 BMW M850i xDrive Specifications ON SALE - Now PRICE - $112,895/$119,295 (base/as-tested) ENGINE: 4.4L turbocharged DOHC 32-valve V-8; 523 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 553 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic LAYOUT: 2-door, 2+2-passenger, front-engine AWD sedan EPA MILEAGE: N/A L x W x H: 191.2 x 74.9 x 53.0 in WHEELBASE: 111.1 in WEIGHT: 4,478 lb 0–60 MPH: 3.6 sec TOP SPEED: 155 mph feet of additional loot, the 8-series can accommodate plenty of stuff for two people to enjoy the type of extended trip this car was made for. Inside, the gauge cluster is fully digital; it’s a high-resolution affair and easy to read, although we will admit that the usability and overall presentation of functions such as navigation in the cluster is better executed in some VW Group vehicles. We were pleased that the cockpit offers myriad methods to control the ample technology inside, including the iDrive controller, the 10.3inch central touchscreen, your voice, and, blessedly, plenty of hard buttons and switches. There’s even a handy button to activate the steering-wheel heating element located—get this—on the steering wheel. Among the tech you’ll find automatic parking, a plethora of cameras for backing up and viewing all sorts of angles, and BMW’s Intelligent Safety suite of features. These are controlled and quickly accessed using a button in the center of the dash that displays a green circle when the “force field” of safety systems are all engaged. It’s all fairly transparent, save for the lane-keep assist function, which works quite aggressively to keep you from straying over a line. Get near a lane marking and the car will fight you like an arm wrestler, re-

quiring more than a little muscle to override; it’s also among the most overeager to activate we’ve seen. Thankfully, the Intelligent Safety systems can be configured individually to your liking, or you can simply turn them all off by holding the button down for three seconds. It defaults back to “All On” when you cycle the ignition, though. As in other BMWs equipped with gesture controls, they come across as little more than gimmicks here—for example, there’s virtually no difference in terms of motion between twirling your finger or using the knob to adjust the audio system’s volume, and the knob has the distinct advantage of working every time. One feature we did actually find neat was the ability to take phone calls with the wave of a hand once you’ve paired your phone to the car. In all, the M850i is an incredibly impressive piece, and it’s hard not to be intoxicated with its huge power, highly capable chassis, and surprising grace. While it’s plenty satisfying on its own, the 8 Series family will include plenty of variants, including a convertible, a fourdoor Gran Coupe, and the big daddy, the M8. But whether you stick with the coupe or try another version, you’ll be the star wherever you show up. - Automobile.com

Financial situations vary greatly, from limited fixed incomes to affluent retirees and high earners. Most 60-somethings are healthy and mobile, but others have health concerns that may limit travel or at least require consideration when planning. The good news is that there are travel opportunities to meet almost every need and interest. That means it’s time to start checking off some of those bucket list items. Or just getting away for some rest and relaxation. Others want adventure and exotic faraway places. Some want to explore the lands of their ancestors, and still others are looking at staycations that finally give them time to see the local spots that tourists visit when they come to their cities and towns. Our list includes a little of everything, from cruises to train trips to bucket list adventures, so we hope a few of these destinations and ideas will inspire you to get out there and see the world. For many first-time cruisers, a river cruise is a favored starting point. European rivers, especially the Danube, Rhine, and Seine are popular, with stops at historic cities and a variety of shore excursions. Many other international destinations are wonderful to visit on a river cruise. An Ocean Journey A lot like an oceangoing city, the largest cruise ships have restaurants, theaters, pools, and casinos keep guests entertained onboard, and ships explore the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, South Pacific, Asia, and more. If you have imagined crossing the Atlantic on a ship and have the time, you might check off a bucket list item in about six to eight days on the ocean. A Mid-sized Cruise Mid-size cruise ships that accommodate only several hundred passengers offer many of the same amenities along with the ability to access ports that are not available to larger ships. Cruises through Alaska’s Inside Passage are an example. Paul Gauguin Cruisesthis link opens in a new tab carry 332 passengers through the South Pacific. Windstarthis sails the Caribbean and the Mediterranean with just several hundred passengers. The Venice Simplon-OrientExpress

European rivers, especially the Danube, Rhine, and Seine are popular, with stops at historic cities and a variety of shore excursions. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, perhaps the best known railway trip, carries passengers aboard their luxuriously restored 1920s cabins for a trip across Europe as well as across time. The classic route from Londonthis link opens in a new tab to Venice takes riders through cities, towns, and farmlands in the comfort of single cabins to grand suites, with elegant dining and bar cars along the way. The dining car with tables set for dinner on the OrientExpress Hiram Bingham train which runs between Cusco (Poroy) and Machu Picchu via Ollantaytambo. The Galapagos Since this archipelago of about 19 islands is off the coast of Ecuador, you’ll need to travel to either Quito or Guayaquil to start your journey. Small boats are ideal for getting close, and depending on your interests, with most you can kayak, snorkel, dive, or observe from your boat as you enjoy the unique wildlife that includes iguanas, giant tortoises, penguins, sea lions, and numerous species of birds. Planning well ahead of your trip to the Galápagos is important because of limitations on numbers of visitors.

An African Safari Planning a safari can require many decisions with multiple options, from where to go, which tour company to book, how much to spend, when to go, and where to stay. Accommodations range from glamping-style luxury, to rustic lodges and tent camps. Special interests such as certain animals, birds, or cultural experiences should be considered as well. Hiking or riding in a jeep with a small group are options as well. Research and planning will create your perfect safari experience. Egypt and the Pyramids Who isn’t fascinated by the Sphinx, the pyramids, and the stories of King Tutankhamen and the tombs of the pharaohs? Near Cairo, visitors can see the Great Pyramid of Giza and several smaller pyramids, with a sound and light show at night. In Luxor, a one-hour flight away, visitors must see Karnak, a temple and complex of ancient walls and sculpture as well as the Temple of Luxor, dating to 1390 B.C. Take a boat trip on the Nile and spend some time in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo as well. - Travel + Leisure

VOICE OF ASIA 21

FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

SMALL BUSINESSES

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FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

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STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: CRUISING THE WORLD

When you find some time, READ!

READ DAILY! 15 - 30 minutes of reading daily helps your brain focus better. Grab a novel! A Community message from Voice of Asia Group

Texas

Week of April 12, 2019 21 March to 20 April A Jupiter retrograde period that starts midweek gives you time to think about the improvements you want to make to your love life. You won’t always be able to count on luck, but there’s still a lot to look forward to. There’s love in the air at the end of the week.

21 April to 20 May This week should be smooth sailing. You’ll be happiest sticking with regular routines. If you’re having a problem with a co-worker or customer, it can help to document specifically what you see as the issue with their behavior.

21 May to 20 June You are very communicative now. Talking, chatting online, or even using social networking sites to your advantage are par for the course. But you’re kicking it up a notch, maybe even thinking about writing your memoirs.

21 June to 22 July You need to look after your soul and spirit as well as your body. With a focus on your spiritual zone, you get to do just that. If you’re living from the heart and your life is a good example of your ability to be true to yourself, your health will be excellent.

23 July to 22 August Jupiter enters a retrograde period in the middle of the week, giving you time to reflect on what’s happened in your love life over the last several months. Is it time to rekindle things with an ex, or is getting closure what you need? If you want the reward, you’ll have to prove you’re worthy.

23 August to 22 Sept You’re likely to start the week feeling upbeat. Women can be especially helpful. It’s a good time to ask for advice from people you respect. It is a busy time. Some things may take longer than you expect. Work that offers a great deal of variety is best. This can be a very stable and productive week.

astrology.com

23 September to 22 Oct You’re caught in a bit of a bind now. There’s action on the home front and opportunities on the career front. However, you’re being herded along a narrow path toward your relationship situation. You can only do it alone for so long. Reach out, as much as you can, toward others who can help you out.

23 October to 21 Nov Reach for the stars. There’s no need to accept a life that’s far below what you want it to be. You’ll now begin to realize that your health is in your own hands. It’s up to you. Make it as good as you want it to be or stay mired in sickness.

22 November to 21 Dec When your power planet Jupiter goes retrograde in the middle of the week, it’s time to tap the brakes and slow down. Being cautious and thoughtful brings satisfying rewards. Give your date or crush time to say something nice about you.

22 December to 20 Jan This is a very happy time. Your usual friendly, helpful, sensible self will be appreciated. This week can bring you to a crossroads. Consider changing jobs if you’re facing some sort of daily stress. Your first step should be to talk to the people above you.

21 January to 19 Feb Your words and communication may have to be checked and double-checked for accuracy. Ideas may be wonderful jumping-off points for future projects, but there’s a good chance that the message will get muffled in the process. Using that creative energy to learn a new language.

20 February to 20 Mar Don’t strain your brain. If you’ve been suffering from headaches or tension in the neck and shoulders, give your head a rest. Worry and stress add to any general discomfort felt by the body. Try focusing on your heart and the area around it. This will take the pressure off you.

ACROSS 1. *Measured in knots 6. Kendrick Lamar’s genre 9. High school breakout 13. More lax 14. Female gametes 15. Rice wine 16. Verdi’s output 17. X 18. Chilled, two words 19. *San Diego and San Francisco connection 21. *Budapest and Belgrade connection 23. Greek H 24. H. H. Munro’s pen name 25. ____ De Triomphe 28. Old World duck 30. Accept without proof 35. Through, to a poet 37. What the Big Bad Wolf did 39. TV and radio 40. Observer 41. Letter-shaped girder 43. Month of Purim 44. What hoarders do 46. Tallest volcano in Europe 47. Trending one online 48. *Phnom Penh and Vientiane connection 50. Lazily 52. Antonym of keep 53. Cathedral area 55. “High” drink 57. *Iquitos and Santarem connection 60. *Shanghai and Jingzhou connection 64. Walter Mondale’s nickname 65. A try 67. Like an unwelcome neighbor 68. Hunter’s fake duck 69. R&B Charles 70. Clear the board 71. “Hurry!” acronym 72. Often follows to 73. Bullseye game

DOWN 1. Pig trough stuff 2. The biggest bear 3. Biz bigwig 4. Fear-inspiring 5. Author’s first copies 6. Campus drillers 7. Hail to Maria 8. Bamboo-eating bear 9. Hokkaido people 10. Bed with bars 11. *French Riviera port 12. WSW opposite 15. Opposite of pluralism 20. Iambus, pl. 22. Theodor Geisel, ____ Dr. Seuss 24. Term of endearment, with pie 25. Mr. T and friends 26. Mother Goose’s poem 27. Floorboard sound 29. *Wittenberg and Dresden connection 31. Clothing joint 32. Milk dispenser 33. *Port in Biscayne Bay 34. Dog-____ pages 36. Approximately, two words 38. Ollivanders’ merchandise, sing. 42. *Island country off the coast of Sicily 45. Stylish 49. Government Printing Office 51. Pined 54. Chow down voraciously 56. Greek bazaar 57. Bellicose deity 58. Flexible mineral 59. At the summit 60. Duncan toy 61. One of the Romanovs 62. Marinara quality 63. Beholder’s organs 64. Food safety org. 66. Needlefish

SOLUTION: CRUISING THE WORLD on Page 23

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Land for sale

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FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

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Workplace yoga can indeed lower employee stress or an office,” Hunter advised. “While most studies in this review included yoga postures, slow, deep, yogic breathing has also shown to elicit a relaxation response which could contribute to a reduction in stress in the workplace.”

by Lisa Rapaport

eople who get to do yoga at work may be less stressed out than their peers who don’t, a research review suggests. At any given time, as many as one in six working people suffer from stress and other symptoms related to mental illness, researchers note in Occupational Medicine. Yoga is one of many approaches a growing number of employers are using to combat stress and improve workers’ mental health, but research to date has offered a mixed picture of how well these efforts are working. For the current study, researchers examined data from 13 trials with about 1,300 participants. Some workers in these trials were randomly assigned to participate in workplace yoga programs while others were not. Yoga didn’t appear to influence heart health, but workplace yoga did have a positive effect on mental health and in stress reduction in particular. “Yoga at work could be one of the chosen programs to reduce stress levels, and usually requires low investment, with minimal equipment,” said lead study author Laura Maria Puerto Valencia of the Bavarian Health and Food and Safety Authority in Munich, Germany. It’s hard to say, however, how much the yoga itself is responsible rather than the workplace culture at companies that were willing to give workplace yoga a try, said Puerto Valencia said by email.

- Oxford Academic

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD SOLUTION “Usually a company that allowed or planned a randomized controlled trial of yoga at work is interested in reducing stress levels, increasing job satisfaction and productivity; in consequence, it could be a place with a lower stress environment (compared to) other companies in general,” Puerto Valencia said. Still, more companies are expanding their approach to occupational health to include not just efforts to avoid accidents and injuries but also services to promote mental health as well as good eating and exercise habits. And the results should encourage companies to include yoga as part of their approach to workplace wellness, the study team concludes. Mind-body medicine can include a range of health practices that combine efforts to focus the mind, control breathing and move the body in ways that promote relaxation. Yoga is often a component

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of this approach to wellness. Regular yoga practice has long been linked to better sleep, lower blood pressure, and improvements in mobility and flexibility. However, the study wasn’t a controlled experiment designed to prove how yoga might directly alter stress levels. Researchers also didn’t calculate the magnitude of stress reduction caused by yoga across all of the smaller studies included in the analysis. “The take-home message seems to be that yoga is a good practice in the workplace as a means of reducing stress,” said Stacy Hunter, a researcher at Texas State University in San Marcos who wasn’t involved in the study. Workers who don’t get yoga on the job can still find a way to practice, Hunter said by email. “Even if yoga classes aren’t provided in the workplace, simple pranayama (yogic breathing) techniques can be practiced at a desk in a cubicle

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FRIDAY, April 12, 2019

Home&Real Estate iBuyer programs heat up Houston home-selling market by Bill Spencer

OUSTON - Bryan Campbell and his wife, Pollyanna, are packing up and moving out.

With their two daughters grown now, their 3,800-square-foot home in northwest Houston has become too big for them and Pollyanna Campbell’s father, Jim, to live in and care for anymore. The only problem Bryan Campbell could see ahead was selling the house. He was dreading it. “It’s very, very stressful selling a home. There is so much work and worry involved,” Campbell said. What bothered him the most was all of the fix-up work involved: the painting, the repairing, the replacing, the updating -- not to mention the fact his family would have to leave the house spotless and get out every time a real estate agent was going to show the house for sale. “My wife and I would almost come to blows every time we would discuss it. She would say, ‘You don’t realize we have to keep the house picked up, perfect, and we’ll have a 30-minute window to get out of the house.’ She was right, it’s a lot,” Campbell said. That’s when Campbell discovered Zillow Offers, a new way to sell your home fast for cash that recently entered the Houston market. “It was great. We wanted to move fast, and we had an estimate within a week, and then we had an official offer on our home from Zillow the following week. It was amazing, to be honest,” Campbell said. Mark Dimas is a real estate broker working with Zillow Offers in Houston. He said the whole idea behind Zillow Offers is to make selling your home as simple as possible. “It is so fast. You just go onto the Zillow app or website. You request an offer. You answer a few questions about your home, you can even put some photos of your home in there and within a few days, you are going to get an offer,” Dimas said. One of Zillow’s key selling points is that they are trying to make the process as fast and hassle-free as possible for sellers. You don’t have to worry about painting the house, putting in new carpeting or putting in new appliances or countertops. Zillow makes you a cash offer on your home as it is. Zillow will send a professional house inspector to check out your home before signing a contract with you.

You can back out of the Zillow deal at any time with no obligation up until you actually sign the contract.

USTIN - A new bill that would require the disclosure of sale prices for homes sold to certain government entities aims to bring more money into the state’s coffers and increase transparency in the way properties are assessed throughout the state. Rep. Michelle Beckley (D-Carrollton) has proposed a bill in the Texas House that would mandate the sales price of property sold to appraisal districts and the Comptroller to be public. The Texas Association of Realtors isn’t sold, and is firmly opposing the bill. The purpose of the bill, introduced mid-February and currently pending committee approval, is to encourage consistency in the process of appraising properties, both residential and commercial, Beckley told the House Business & Industry committee. The bill is supported by school district leaders and appraisal districts. President Tray Bates of Bates Commercial, in Corpus Christi, noted to the that TAR has long objected to legislation requiring the release of these sale prices and called such disclosure unnecessary. “Neither counties nor the Comptroller need it to conduct their duties accurately,” Bates told the Houston Business Journal. Appraisal districts in the state performed a study where they found that more accurate appraisals could increase state property tax revenue by more than $4 billion, mostly from luxury homes and commercial properties. However, members of the house committee were doubtful, indicating that sale price disclosures could turn into a slippery slope, making way for future transfer taxes and that they would ultimately only increase inaccuracies, according to the Houston Business

These luxe designs are the definition of bathing beauties. Soak in the sight of these modern bathrooms that caught our editor’s eye this week.

by Samantha Daly

Zillow will also charge you a service fee that will vary depending on your home but averaged about 7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018. You will also choose the exact date you want to close on the deal. “We are set to close in about 60 days. We wanted that time frame,” Campbell said. Chaille Ralph is a past chairman of the Houston Association Of Realtors. She says Zillow Offers is part of a very fast-moving, new segment of the real estate market called iBuyers. These are internet-based companies like Knock, OpenDoor, Ribbon and Offerpad that operate online and offer you cash for your home. Her advice before you consider selling to Zillow Offers? “I would probably look at multiple iBuyer programs and see what is the best value I could get as a seller. I would also look at the more traditional route of selling my house with a real estate agent and seeing what value I could get there, as well,” Ralph said. As for Campbell and his wife, they have already agreed to sell their home to Zillow Offers and are set to close the deal in 60 days. Campbell estimates they will make about 2 to 3 percent less on the sale of their home by selling to Zillow as opposed to fixing up the house and selling the traditional way with a real estate agent, but for him, it is well worth it.

Weaver House

Santísimo House One of the luxurious bathrooms in Casa Santísimo by JJRR Arquitectura. It maintains a sense of natural intimacy despite its open plan and skylight ceiling.

White oak cabinetry features throughout the Weave house—including in the marble-clad master bathroom. The walk-in shower area with a copper soaking tub transforms from a private retreat to an outdoor experience with a pivoting door, custom built by Identity Construction.

“I say you have nothing to lose. If you are considering selling your home, click on the Zillow website and just let them make you an offer. There is no obligation,” Campbell said. Real estate agents Channel 2 Investigates talked to recommend you first find out the true value of your home by contacting a real estate agent and having that agent check the prices of comparable homes to yours in the market. That way, you will know what your home is worth right now and can make a sound decision whichever way you decide to go, with Zillow Offers, with another iBuyer or by traveling the more traditional route of selling your home. - KPRC

New bill would require broader home sale price disclosures in Texas by Evi Arthur

Top 5 homes of the week with marvelous bathrooms

Journal.

Highlands Ranch The master bath of Highlands Ranch features twin Duravit cabinets with concrete sinks, all lit from above by an automated skylight. SGS’ design provides passive cooling when coupled with the garden-level windows. The ocean view shower provides a seamless indoor/outdoor bathing experience.

Others, like Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, have shown support for the bill. “This is a controversial proposal, but somebody needs to know what these values are,” Martinez Fischer told the Houston Business Journal. “Even making this available to the Comptroller, just to make sure the appraisal methods are sound.” - Houston Agent Magazine

Mortgage rates take record dive to near 4 percent

ASHINGTON - The average interest rate on the standard 30-year mortgage fell ate the end of March, 2019 at the fastest rate in more than 10 years, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey dated March 28. Commitment rates for the 30-year fixed now sit at 4.06 percent, 38 basis points below where they were last year, and near levels not seen since the end of 2017. Analysts predict the downward trend could continue based on other economic indicators, including the Federal Reserve’s recent decision to hold off on its own rate increases for the foreseeable future. While lower rates are always good for homebuyers, this latest move downward could spell hope for lenders, too, who could see greater mortgage refinancing activity which is often more profitable than originating loans. - Houston Agent Magazine

Point Grey Residence Evoke International Design prioritized views of the heavily wooded lot surrounding the Point Grey residence, shown especially on the upper floors. Nearly every room, including this wood bathroom, features large windows to drink in nature. Conde D’eu House (Shown left) Estúdio Penha left industrial accents—like metallic frames, large windows, and cement tiles—in many rooms of Conde D’eu House.- Dwell.com