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Indian Americans in Houston celebrate India's 70th Republic Day at the India House. (Photo credit: Navin Mediwala)

Indian Americans celebrate India’s 70th Republic Day

OUSTON - India’s 70th Republic Day celebrations were held with much gaiety in at the India House in Houston on Saturday, January 26. Over 200 Indian Americans and friends cheered as India’s tricolor was hoisted along with of U.S, Indian, Texan and India House flags. A formal program commenced on the lawns where the flag hoisting was held with India House President Jugal Malani welcoming the gathering. Malani highlighted President of India Ram Nath Kovind’s message on partnership and urged the community to continue its support to India House. “The human experience is

built on partnerships. Partnerships at home build a family. Partnerships at work build a business. Partnerships of different stakeholders build society. Partnerships of the government and the people build our nation. And partnerships of nations build a better world. In this manner partnerships are the thread knitting together family, nation and world – and leading to the treatment of the World as a Family: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” said President Kovind The program continued inside the India House where Trustee, Dr. Virendra Mathur read excerpts from the speech of the President of India, on Eve of India's 70th Republic

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Day. India House Executive Director Col. Vipin Kumar (Retd.) emceed the program and spoke briefly about the mission of India House which is to unite the cultures of India and the U.S. and expose Indian culture to the Houston community. A group of children that attend the afterschool program at the India House presented an Indian dance with guidance of the teachers. Earlier, Serene Kaggal sang the American and Indian national anthem and an Indian patriotic song as well. An invigorating Bharata Natyam dance performance by Datta Subba Rao, 70 was very inspiring. Guests were treated to light refreshments.

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California Senator Kamala Harris at a rally launching her presidential campaign in Oakland, California, on Jan 27, 2019. (AFP photo)

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by Bhamy V. Shenoy

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Editor Online: Shobana Muratee Marketing Director: Susan Pothanikat All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the consent of the publisher. Voice of Asia assumes no liability resulting from action taken based on the information included herein. Published weekly by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713774-5140. Fax: 713-774-5143. Email for editorial submissions: voiceasia@aol.com; Email for advertising inquiries and submissions: ads@voiceofasiagroup.com. It is the policy of Voice of Asia to publish letters to the editor which evidence a variety of viewpoints. The opinions expressed in any particular letter to the editor are not necessarily those of the management. Voice of Asia welcomes letters in reply to issues raised in letters to editor. In as much letters to the editor are not articles written or researched by members of Voice of Asia, it is not the policy of the Voice of Asia to perform any investigation or confirmation of any facts or allegations contained in letters to the editor. Moreover, Voice of Asia reserves the right to edit letters to the editor as necessary to correct errors of fact, punctuation, spelling and to comply with space constraints. Although paid advertisements may appear in Voice of Asia Group Publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, the Voice of Asia Group does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement. — The Publisher Voice of Asia (USPS 010-215) (ISSN#10705058) is published every Friday (for a subscription rate of $50 per year) by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713-774-5140. Fax: 713-774-5143. Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Voice of Asia, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074.

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ratham is one of the largest and successful NGOs in India. Houston Indians led by Vijay Goradia has played a significant role in this remarkable achievement. Pratham’s mission has been “Every child in school and learning well”. While the first objective has been more or less met, India is far away from the second objective as discussed in this article. Since 2005 Pratham has been publishing Annual Survey of Education Report (ASER). This has become a “bible” for any educationist interested in India. No article on India’s education sector is complete without quoting some data from ASER. Pratham has just published its 13th ASER mid January. Alarming findings of poor learning revealed by the latest report have not been any different from the first report. In some areas specially in hardware there is some improvement - more access to toilets, better availability of drinking water, serving of mid-day meals with better nutrition etc. However, improvement in software which involves learning levels has been dismal. ASER has tons of data, a gold mine for any researcher. This year ASER was developed by collecting data from 596 districts by surveying 546,527 students from 354,944 homes. Let me give only few illustrative statistics. My aim is to show that India should have been shocked to learn about these findings and felt an urgent need to bring about reforms on a war footing. Unfortunately, there has not been any such reaction like “Race to the top” or “No child left behind” in the US. More than half of Class VIII students cannot correctly solve a simple division problem and more than a quarter of them cannot read a primary-level text. In 2008, 84.8% of Class VIII students could read a text meant for Class II; by 2014, only 74.6% could do so, and by 2018, that percentage had fallen further to 72.8%. There are similar dismal and distressing numbers for Class V, Class III, etc. There is no need to drown the readers by quoting even more alarming statistics to convey the main idea that we have an education crisis in India and key stakeholders are not concerned. This is where Houston Indians can play a significant role just like we did in 1998 by welcoming Pratham to the US and to support its flagship program of providing pre schooling (balwadis) in Dharavi to begin with. Today Pratham has presence in just about every state of India and is concentrating mostly its efforts in “Read India” program reaching millions of children. While Pratham’s contribution has been considerable, there is a need to question if we need course correction after analyzing ASER results. It is true that thanks to Pratham’s intervention pre schooling has spread to poorer section through government’s anganwadi project. But such an intervention has not been satisfactory. Pre schooling should have been made part of government schools as it is in private schools by this time. But it has not happened on the pretext that there are anganwadis to provide pre schooling. When successive ASERs have been showing that India’s future generation has not been getting quality education, key stakeholders have failed to demand fundamental reforms. Indian Media has been giving extensive exposure to ASER results. Earlier there used to be discussion of what the country should do improve basic learning skill levels. However, in recent years, release of ASER has become a ritual. Drowned in ocean of data, newspaper articles have missed the forest for the trees. As in the old story of proverbial six blind people trying to figure out the shape of an elephant, most of the articles have highlighted what the authors think are important. They are: improvement in % of children not in school, falling dropout rates, increasing preference to private schools,

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

Pratham: Is it time for reinventing? absenteeism of children and teachers in government schools, improving availability of toilets and drinking water facilities, X % of students not being able to read at second grade level in grade eight, Y % of children in grade eight not being able to do simple division problem, skill deficit, more girls in schools but boys better at maths, etc. But no one has questioned the real objectives of education. From the head- Here is a photo of a class room (taken two months back) in a school located lines of the newspa- in the heart of Mysore. One teacher (though two teachers are assigned to this per articles, it looks as school, any given day most of the time only one is present) is handling 27 though that if 100% students who belong to grade one to seven. How can students get any quality our students can per- education. Few years back this school had more than 300 students. This is form at 2nd grade lev- happening to many government schools both in the urban and rural areas. el, nation should be Photo provided by Bhamy V. Shenoy. happy. Certainly, for an economy which wants to provide should make the best use of the 4. Developing a system to knowledge workers not only public interest created by the hold teachers and administrato India, but also to the world, news media about the educa- tors accountable based on the basic reading and maths skills tion crisis to push for needed performance of the students. cannot be the only minimum reforms (see the proposed 5. At least in education secaspirational goals. six strategies) and it is here tor, we need to start dismanCan our children think criti- Houston Indians and specially tling the edifice of recruitment cally and ask questions? Do those involved with Pratham of teachers based on caste they have the ability to carry can play a critical role by pro- based reservation. Dr. Ambedout world class research? Are moting fundamental reform to kar would have welcomed they imbibing proper values bring about systemic changes. such a pro poor policy. based on India’s civilizations I know that such intervention 6. Closing down of ‘small’ (Epics like Ramayana, Mahab- is not likely to be welcomed. harath are hardly read)? Will However, since Pratham has schools and to integrate them they inculcate values to be so- established considerable cred- into larger and integrated cially responsible citizens of ibility through earlier interven- schools like Kendriya Vidyation, it may have better chance. layas with library, and laboIndia? ratory facilities. Children Proposed six strategies to residing away from schools Unfortunately, none of the stakeholders has found it nec- solve India’s education crisis. can be transported by bus like essary to raise these inconve- Let us start a debate. the children going to private nient questions. Is it because 1. Total decentralization of schools. we as a nation feel that these education system. Each taluk/ goals are beyond our capabili- big city to have independent ties to achieve in the foresee- school board rather than one Dr. Bhamy V. Shenoy, retired able future? Or is it because board for the entire state. manager of Conoco had been we want to aim higher once associated with Pratham since 2. Getting rid of public ex- 1998 - first as a volunteer to we reach the more achievable aminations like SSLC and goals? Or is there a hidden raise funds in Houston and agenda to prevent our future PUC and replacing them with Tristate Area and later with objective type of examination generation from getting qualPratham Mysuru to implement ity education lest the properly to test analytical abilities rather Pratham’s projects in Karnathan rote learning (Scholastic educated voters will throw the taka. He is also a trustee of current crop of corrupt lead- Aptitude Tests). Sehgal Foundation, an NGO ers? 3. No transfer of government working for rural development. He can be contacted at In the background of the lat- school teachers. 346 812 2783. est publication of ASER, we

Time for Trump to put up or shut up by Hari H. Dayal, Ph.D.

he partial shutdown that lasted seven weeks has ended and the Government is open for business for three weeks. The public announcement, and that is all the public has to go by, says in three weeks a “Conference” will develop a consensus on what measure, or combination of measures, can best secure the Sothern border. Wow, now that is a tall order! The good news is that it seems both sides agree there is a security problem on the Southern border. But, does anyone in the right mind, Democrat or Republican, believes the two sides will come to any agreement in three weeks, or even three months, on how to secure the Sothern border. Barring a miracle, come February 15 another Government shutdown will be staring at us. My Google search suggests it is the prerogative of the Commander-in-Chief to

declare national emergency if she/he believes there is a threat to national security and that such prerogative has been routinely invoked by many Commander-in-Chiefs.

let the chips fall where they may.

My two cents to President Trump: Pray for a miracle in next three weeks. If it does not happen, don’t shut down the Government a second time and punish the Federal Employees for the nasty political fight that is getting nastier by the day. Declare national emergency to secure the Southern border and

I am a retired Professor of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, a Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology (F.A.C.E.), and a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition (F.A.C.N.). Politically, I am a Conservative Independent. I can be reached at 281.482.8391.

In short, it is time for Trump to put up or shut up!

VOICE OF ASIA 3

Section 1

n a chilly morning of January 21, 2019, Foundation for India Studies (FIS) participated in the 25th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Grande parade for the eighth consecutive year. Volunteers from FIS carried a banner featuring pictures of Gandhi and MLK which featured a message saluting both the apostles of non-violence. Marching in solidarity with FIS were over thirty students, community members, and volunteers from across Houston.

Community Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Foundation for India Studies (FIS) participate in 2019 MLK Parade

Both Mr. Buzbee and Mr. King have already announced

pressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity. In real sense, Mahatma Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are inherent in the moral structure of this universe, and these principles are as inescapable as the laws of gravitation.”

Fundamentally, FIS’s participation in the MLK Grande Parade is to celebrate this connection between India and America these two important civil rights leaders. FIS remains committed to exploring both men’s message of peaceful resistance and non-violent struggle for being.

This year, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is especially significant because of the yearlong observance of Mahatma Gandhi ji’s sesquicentennial birthday.

In a pre-event VIP/Honors Reception held at the Mercer HiRise on January 19th, FIS and its founder, Krishna Vavilala, were honored by the 25th MLK Grande Parade organization. Some prominent Houstonians were also among the Honorees: Texas A&M University System regent and trial lawyer Tony Buzbee; Houston businessman Bill King, who sponsored the event; and two-time Emmy Award winner Kim Gagne, a former Supervising Producer of the Steve Harvey Show.

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Vavilala finally suggested that people should go and visit Herman park where the statue of Dr. King was installed very close to Mahatma Gandhi’s.

This year, new participants marching together with FIS included international students from the Houston Community College (HCC) and student volunteers from the Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP).

FIS's participation in the parade was coordinated by FIS event-chair, Nischay Bhan and Assistant Event Chairs, Vinisha Vasan and Divya Yadavalli of YLDP, and ably supported by FIS directors Sahil Verma and Raghu Nednur.

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

FIS parade procession walking in solidarity with the MLK Grande Parade their candidacy for Houston Mayor in the 2019 elections. The event was hosted by Radio personality Amanda Sapp and Dr. Richard Johnson, III. Krishna Vavilala, Chairman of FIS, and Event Chair Nish Bhan thanked the organizers for the recognitions and recalled the earlier MLK Parade Grand Marshall Award bestowed on FIS in 2015. In his speech, Vavilala discussed the important connection between Dr. King and Gandhi ji. For example, he explained that, although it is well known that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and passive resistance, not many

are aware that Dr. King and his wife, Loretta Scott King, had in fact visited India in 1959, four years before Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech, made at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. During his 5 week long tour of India, Dr. King even slept in Gandhi ji’s Bombay (renamed "Mumbai") residence. Dr. King wrote in the guest book that “to have the opportunity of sleeping in the house where Gandhi ji slept is really an experience I will never forget”. At the beginning of his tour, upon landing at Delhi’s Palam airport on February 10th, 1969, Dr. King told a group of reporters that “To other countries I may go as a tourist, but

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Contributors to this report are: Nischay Bhan, Vanisha Vasan and Divya Yadavalli. FIS would like to specifically thank high-school volunteers from YLDP for providing help at the event, and for their instrumental role in pre-event organizing.

to India I come as a pilgrim.” Dr. King also visited Gandhi ji’s Sabarmathi Ashram in Ahmadabad, from where Gandhi ji began his 1930 Salt March to the sea to protest against British taxation on salt which is essential for a poor man’s food. [The Gandhi statue in Herman park, sculpted by famous sculptor Ram Sutar illustrates that historic moment.] On the eve of his departure from India, Dr. King reflected on his trip in a radio address: “Since being in India, I am more convinced than ever before that the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to op-

FIS Board Members, Nischay Bhan, Sahil Verma, and Krishna Vavilala with Charles Stamp, Chairman and CEO of 2019 MLK Grande Parade.

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 4

Southwestern National Bank Scholarship 2019 $1,000 Scholarship Awards About The Southwestern National Bank Scholarship Program Southwestern National Bank Scholarship Program is funded by Southwestern National Bank (Member FDIC) to recognize and assist outstanding high school graduates reduce the financial burden for college. Southwestern National Bank Scholars are selected on the basis of their financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement. Each year a total of $5,000.00 will be awarded to five selected scholars. Each scholar will be awarded $1,000.00. Eligibility 1. Demonstrates financial need for college tuition, book & supplies and expenses

Documents Required (To be considered, all of the following documents must be submitted) 1. A completed Southwestern National Bank Scholarship Application Form 2. An official high school transcript 3. Copies of the most recent document(s) demonstrating the financial need (Family’s 1040 Federal Income Tax Return Form, qualification for School Free/Reduced Lunch Program, etc.) 4. Two letters of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, and/or other advisors 5. A two-page typed essay stating why you should be awarded a scholarship. Please include: • Financial need for this scholarship for educational purposes

2. U.S. high school graduating seniors

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• Academic plans and career goals. Give specific examples.

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• Past and current involvement, as well as future plans, towards making a difference in your community

Application Process & Award Announcement 1. Please send your application package to Southwestern National Bank, Attention Scholarship Program-Ling Chuang, 6901 Corporate Drive, Houston, Texas 77036. 2. Applications and all supporting documents must be received by April 30, 2019 for application to be considered. 3. An interview may be part of the application process for all semi-finalists. 4. Scholarships for the 2019 Scholarship program will be announced by mail in May 2019. Please Contact Us For scholarship application and information will be at Southwestern National Bank all the branch, or please contact the Scholarship Coordinator by e-mail at ling.chuang@swnbk. com , 713-272-5045

World Hindi Day at Indian Consulate and Arya Samaj

AV Sanskriti School, the Sunday School of Arya Samaj Houston celebrated World Hindi Divas twice in quick succession – first in the Consulate General of India, Houston on 16th January and then during its school hours the following Sunday.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital physician treats aFib with unique implantable device

UGAR LAND— (November 5, 2018) — Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is the first in Fort Bend County to treat atrial fibrillation (aFib) not caused by a heart valve problem with a tiny, permanent implant called the Watchman™. The procedure was successfully implanted in a patient on Nov. 2 by electrophysiologist and cardiologist, Jie Cheng, M.D. The Watchman is an FDA-approved alternative to blood thinning drugs such as warfarin, which are typically prescribed to people who suffer from aFib to prevent strokes. “Because of their irregular heartbeat pattern, patients with aFib often experience blood pooling in a pocket of the heart called the left atrial appendage,” said Cheng. “Over time, that pooled blood can coagulate and cause clots to form. If a blood clot escapes the appendage and moves into an artery, it can eventually block the flow of blood to the brain and cause an ischemic stroke.” Research shows that 90 percent of the stroke-causing blood clots that come from the heart formed in the left atrial appendage. The Watchman works by plugging off the appendage and preventing blood from pooling and clotting. Cheng says the Watchman is designed for patients who can no longer take blood thinners due to complications, such as people with a history of major bleeding due to the drug’s side effects, or those who are at higher risk of bleeding from an injury due to active lifestyles or hazardous work. “The long-term use of a blood thinner creates a higher risk of major bleeding in patients, so the Watchman is a welcome alternative,” said Cheng. In fact, clinical studies show that 99 out of 100 people fitted with a Watchman can stop taking a blood thinner one year after the procedure. The Watchman is implanted through

The World Hindi Divas commemorates the first World Hindi Conference held at Nagpur on 10th January 1975. All Indian Missions abroad conduct programs to bring together Hindi loving people. CGI Houston did so for the first time and entrusted Acharya (Dr.) Kavita Vachaknavee (director of the Sanskriti School and eminent Hindi author/poet) to coordinate the event. Deputy Consul General Surendra Adhana was present in both events. He encouraged the young school children to learn Hindi as in so doing, they will not only learn a rich language but also the great Indian cultural values. Hindi is an empowering asset. He suggested to appreciate how different languages derive words from one another.

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

Jie Cheng, MD a narrow tube that is inserted through a small incision in the patient’s leg and guided to the left atrial appendage. It takes Cheng about an hour to implant the device, and most patients will go home the next day. “Eventually, heart tissue grows over the Watchman to form a natural barrier against blood clots,” said Cheng. Cheng plans to continue implanting the Watchman in aFib patients who need an alternative to blood thinners to reduce their risk of stroke. “The Watchman has been studied for more than 10 years, and more than 50,000 people have received the implant,” Cheng said. “It’s a safe alternative that can provide a very significant benefit for patients.” To schedule an appointment with Jie Cheng, M.D., call 281.205.4514. To learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland or our Facebook page at fb.com/methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information.

Deputy Consul General Surendra Adhana honors Vinita Arora. Photos by ASGH

Hindi has a huge potential to strengthen itself and contribute to the global world, becoming more diversified and multicultural. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on the occasion was read out who is known among Indian diaspora as a champion of Hindi.

Dev Mahajan Welcomes Dy Consul General at DAV Sanskriti School

Besides sharing their own personal journey of learning Hindi, short speeches by children Stawya Agrawal, Saumil Goyal and Kashish Kalita reflected: 1.

derstand 2. It is scientific without need to memorize pronunciation of each word because it is read as written

Hindi is easy to speak and unDance Troupe with Dy. Con. Gen Adhana and Acharya (Dr.) Kavita Vachaknavee.

3. It is the third most spoken language in the world with 544 million speakers, after Mandarin 1100 and English 983 million, by a rough estimate 4. Indian culture revers every mother tongue as God’s gift to a little baby The event at CGI began with rendering of the song “Vaishnav Jan Peer Parayi …” by the classical vocalist Vinita Arora, also volunteer-teacher at the Sanskriti School. Dr. Kavita took the opportunity to showcase talents of the Sanskriti School as well as that of DAV Montessori School, the regular elementary school of Arya Samaj Houston. The group of 15 under-six children recited several short poems, followed by solo recitals of well-known poems such as Jhansi-ki-Rani by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan and Pushp-ki-Abhilasha by Makhan Lal Chaturvedi. The dance item was much appreciated, presented by the dance group Steps for Dancing of Dolly Goyal “…Hindi, Bharat Mata ke Mathe par Bindi”. Dy Consul general was so happy to see the children’s performance that he expressed his interest in seeing the larger version at the Sanskriti School following Sunday.

Deputy Consul General Surendra Adhana (center, back) with children of DAV Montessori School and Sanskriti School.

Sanskriti School believes in equal opportunity to its ALL 150 children

age 4 to 13; every child must appear on stage. They sang all-time favorite songs like Dadi amma, Mera rang de basanti, Nanhe munne bachche, Jahan daal daal par, and Mere desh ki dharati sona ugale, creating patriotic fervor and enthusiastic environment. Kids were bursting with energy and made this show as a “Talk of the Town”. Even insiders wondered how and when the music team led by Vinita Arora were able to practice musical rendering because the school runs only two hours a week and nobody ever saw the musical practice happening for the children! Another aspect that struck everyone was flawless discipline and the efficient manner of the outgoing group being replaced by the incoming group to the stage without loss of a second. Noteworthy was the make shift use of the Sanskriti School lobby providing the stage and sitting space for 150 children, 100 volunteers, teachers and parents and a number of special guests. It was a remarkably successful exercise in space management! Dr. Kavita expressed her legitimate pride in Sanskriti School children learning Indian heritage and values and in her team of volunteers promoting cultural values and Hindi language. She can be reached at 832.874.3376 and davss@aryasamajhouston.org. More about Sanskriti School can be known from www.davss.aryasamajhouston.org.

VOICE OF ASIA 5

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FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

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TiE Houston kicks off 2019 with Seminar on Growth opportuniCharter Members dinner event ties in Canada and requirements for Permanent Resident Held at Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, Houston

Dr. Arun Pasrija addressing attendees and summarizing the accomplishments throughout his presidency.

iE Houston kicked off 2019 with a gathering of its Charter Members and distinguished leaders in Houton’s entrepreneurial community by hosting their annual Charter Member dinner at the Doubletree by Hilton on January 26th. They gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of 2018 and to lay out the goals for 2019.

privileged areas in HISD. He handed out a small token of appreciate to all of the organizations that TiE partnered with, such as The Cannon, HAN, TMCx, UH and Station Houston. He also highlighted the progress of their TiE Young Entrepreneur program which is currently running with 30 high school students from underserved HISD schools.

TiE Houston President, Dr. Arun Pasrija welcomed all the guests and debuted their promotional video which was created by TiE Houston member, Namrata Singh of Misfit Communications. It highlights the history, mission, and diversity of the global TiE organization and

Finally, he gave many warm thanks to those who supported his past two years as President and introduced TiE Houston’s new president, Dr. Atul Varadhachary. Atul is a physician-scientist who serves as Managing Partner of Fannin Innovation Studio, Houston’s most active early-

going board members Karl Maier and Dr. Roopa Gir with a placard noting their years of service. He then introduced new board members Dr. Anudeep Jain, Somesh Singh, and Aju Koshy. Finally, Atul and Arun jointly presented outgoing Executive Director, Ana Rojas Bastidas, with a placard for her years running TiE Houston. She is stepping down to start her own business after being inspired by all the entrepreneurs she had the pleasure of working with. That concluded the evening. TiE’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, and education. TiE has 56 chapters across 17 countries with 11,000 members and 2,800

Members of IACCGH and The Aga Khan Economic Planning Board with Speaker at the immigration Seminar held on Dec. 15. (Photo Credit: Paresh Shah)

n December 15, 2018 The Aga Khan Economic Planning Board and Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston hosted a session on the financial growth opportunities in Canada and it’s immigration process. The event was led by a team of attorneys presented a seminar to discuss if moving to Canada is the right decision. The event included a general seminar for the audience that included information on the logistics of the Canadian immigration process. After the general seminar, the team of attorneys consulted with each attendee one-on-one to provide advice specialized to each attendee’s needs.

Charles Foster, Immigration Attorney, Foster LLP.

The keynote was delivered by emminent Houston based immigration attorney Charles Foster who was joined by Canadian attorneys Benjamin Kranc and Gurpreet Kaur Patheja.

Board of Directors from left to right:Front Row: Aruna Viswanathan, Dr. Atul Varadhachary, Dr. Arun Pasrija, Vinita Gupta Back Row: Dr. Ram Shenoy, Somesh Singh, Aju Koshy, Ana Rojas Bastidas (Executive Director), Juan Arjona, Dr. Anudeep Jain, Dr. Shri Iyer, Ravi Brahmbhatt

how Houston’s chapter works hard to uphold its pillars of education, networking, mentoring, incubating, and funding. After some networking, TiE Houston President, Dr. Arun Pasrija, gave an overview of all of the past year’s events which included expert panel discussions on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Energy; angel investments in several startup by TiE Houston charter members, mentoring and offering third largest investment prize at last year’s Rice Business Case Competition, and leading to teach entrepreneurship to 30 high school students from under-

stage development group in the life sciences. Prior to Fannin, Atul has served as President, U.S. Operations at Reliance Life Sciences, President & COO at Agennix, Inc. and as Senior Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Co. Atul also serves as adjunct professor at Rice University, UT School of Public Health and Baylor College of Medicine and serves on a number of private company boards. Atul welcomed the crowd and shared his vision in 2019. In addition to his new presidency he announced the election of new board members. Before introducing the new members, he presented out-

charter members. Charter Members, who are successful entrepreneurs and/or business executives, make the pillars of each chapters. They commit their time to help next generation of entrepreneurs - a “leveraged give back” which creates jobs, economic activities and wealth in the community. Houston chapter has a strong and vibrant charter member community helping meet’s TiE’s mission and making it a meaningful part of Houston’s start up eco system. For more information on TiE upcoming events:TiE Houston: www.houston.tie. org

To quote Charles Foster "With fewer viable U.S. immigration options for LPR status given the limited number of H-1B visa numbers and backlogs of ten years plus for Indian nationals under employment-based preferences, Canada may be a viable option, through employment, family and under the merit point system. On behalf of Foster LLP, Charles Foster said that the EB-5 Investor Program was still a viable and safe U.S. option for those few who could make a de facto $500,000.00 loan." According to Gurpreet Kaur Patheja J.D, Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public "While the United States becomes more restrictive with its immigration policies, Canada is targeting to increase the quotas of permanent residents they will be accepting in both economic and family sponsor-

Gurpreet Kaur Patheja J.D, Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public. ship over the next few years. From temporary residence as a student or worker in Canada to permanent residence options under the Federal and Provincial Programs, Canada offers a wide range of immigration pathways for skilled and semi skilled individuals." At Patheja Law we work with our client’s to identify the best solution to their specific immigration requirements she said . "IACCGH is proud to continue its support of communi-

ty wide events and has found partnering with Aga Khan Economic Planning Board a way to reach out to a larger cross section of the community" said IACCGH President Swapan Dhairyawan. The audience was reminded that the USA was always our first choice but for some Canada may be a better option than moving back to their homeland. The Chamber invites readers to visit www.iaccgh.com to learn about upcoming events.

TAXES & PERSONAL FINANCE

VOICE OF ASIA 6

Elizabeth warren called for a wealth tax on ‘ultra-rich’ Americans. Here’s how it would work by Paul Schrodt

lizabeth Warren has proposed a wealth tax on the richest Americans. But what exactly does that mean? The Democratic Senator from Massachusetts, who recently threw herself into the ring of contenders for the presidential nomination to go against President Donald

made wealth taxes something of a hot topic by endorsing them in his best-selling 2013 book Capital in the TwentyFirst Century. He sees wealth taxes, as opposed to consumption taxes, as the ideal solution for a number of countries facing growing wealth disparity, believing that overall wealth is easier to define.

proves popular with voters. Analysts including at The National Review and Mother Jones have called into question whether her proposal is even constitutional. The US Constitution forbids direct taxes of this sort unless they’re apportioned to each state by population, which could make it unworkable in practical terms.

That thinking has evidently

Of course, a constitutional amendment is an option, however unlikely. For now, Warren’s proposed wealth tax appears to be primarily a campaign statement. And it’s certainly gotten people talking. - Money.com

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

Tax bill deadline is January 31st penalty and interest begin to accrue on February 1st

OUSTON - Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris Bennett reminds taxpayers to pay their property taxes prior to the January 31st deadline to avoid penalty and interest charges. All Tax Office locations will remain open until 5:30 PM on January 31st. Taxpayers have multiple options for paying their taxes. Payment can be made in person by cash, check, money order or credit card at any of the 15 Tax Office locations throughout the county. Checks or money orders may be mailed or sent by common couriers, such as UPS or FedEx, but must be postmarked on or before January 31, 2019.

Taxpayers should be aware that the price of a first-class stamp will increase from 50 cents to 55 cents effective January 27, 2019. Mailed payments that are returned due to insufficient postage could result in late payment. Penalty and interest will be added to the late payment, even if it was originally postmarked before the deadline date. Payment by credit card or echeck can be made by phone at (713) 274-CARD (2273) or online at www.hctax.net. Echecks are free. When paying by credit card, a 2.35% fee will apply. “I want all of our customers to be able to settle their accounts quickly, conveniently,

and on time. I strongly encourage taxpayers to utilize online payments for maximum efficiency and convenience. If you cannot pay your full tax bill by the due date, partial payments are accepted. Beginning February 1st, you also have the option to enter into a payment agreement,” said Bennett. On February 1st, penalty and interest will begin accruing on all delinquent bills and will continue to increase each month until the bill is paid. For more information about payment agreements or paying tax bills, refer to www.hctax.net, call 713-274-8000 or email tax.office@hctx.net.

The only job that pays $100 an hour in every state by Prachi Bhardwaj

Elizabeth Warren (Photo: Tim Pierce) Trump in 2020, announced her ambition in tweets on Thursday. “The rich & powerful run Washington… they don’t pay taxes on that accumulated wealth. It’s a system that’s rigged for the top if I ever saw one,” she said. “We need structural change. That’s why I’m proposing something brand new – an annual tax on the wealth of the richest Americans.” Who would pay She added that she’s calling it the “Ultra-Millionaire Tax,” and it would only apply to those with a net worth of over $50 million, or the “tippy top 0.1%.” That means those Americans holding assets— such as real estate, stocks and bonds or even businesses they founded, depending on the particulars of the possible law—in excess of that amount could be subject to the tax. This is distinct from taxes on income. Warren has long been focused on broad financial reform in her political career. But the congresswoman, who’s a major contender in polls for potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, isn’t actually suggesting something entirely brand new. The yearly tax for the “ultra-rich,” as she has also described her proposal, would certainly be a first for the United States. But wealth taxes have existed around the world, and the concept has been floating around in economic circles for some time.

trickled down into Warren’s “ultra-rich” tax. The Washington Post reported that leftleaning economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman, at the University of California, Berkeley, advised Warren on a potential 2% wealth tax. They also discussed a 3% wealth tax on those who have more than $1 billion, according to Saez. He estimated that the levy would raise $2.75 trillion over a 10-year period from about 75,000 families—less than 0.1% of U.S. households. Not unlike Piketty, Saez and Zucman see a wealth tax as an avenue to confront the concentration of wealth among the richest. “This is a very interesting development with deep root causes: the fact that inequality has been increasing so much, particularly in wealth, and the feeling that our current tax system doesn’t do a very good job taxing the very richest people,” Saez told The Washington Post. Channeling AOC

Economists behind the idea

Saez has a kindred spirit in Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who has proposed raising the top marginal tax rate hike to 70% for income (as opposed to assets under a wealth tax) above $10 million. Saez and Zucman praised the plan, saying it would alleviate an “inequality crisis.” OcasioCortez, a quickly rising star in the Democratic Party, has come under scrutiny, including from billionaire Michael Dell, who said he was against the notion.

In fact, the French economist and author Thomas Piketty

Warren’s wealth tax could face legal hurtles, even if it

ant to make a hundred bucks an hour, guaranteed? You’ll need a strong stomach. Surgeons have the only job in the U.S. that pays that rate in every single state, according to an analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2017 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. In the U.S., surgeons can make upwards of $250,000 a year. Even among medical practitioners, they’re an anomaly. It’s the only profession that has a median hourly salary that exceeds $100 an hour in all 50 states, meaning half the surgeons in every state make at least $208,000 a year (assuming a 40-hour work week). Nationally, 90% of all surgeons made more than $88,360 a year, which is higher than any state’s median household income as of 2015. And 75% of all surgeons make more than $195,110 a year. Of course, surgeons aren’t the only ones making bank in the medical field. According to the data, anesthesiology is the only profession that offers a higher national average salary than surgery, with 90% of all anesthesiologists in the U.S. making more than $123,580 a year. But broken down stateby-state, even anesthesiologists had salaries that dipped below that $100-an-hour mark in a few states, like Arkansas and Wyoming. A surgeons’ salary, like any medical profession, typically comes with debt attached to it though. In the 2018 to 2019 school year, the typical medical student is expected to pay about $60k a year in tuition, fees, and health insurance, roughly the amount they’ll get paid for each of the 3-7 years they’re required to spend as residents right out of medical school.

And there’s a huge bill just to get to that point. This year, an undergraduate four-year program — a prerequisite for medical school — will be about $35,830 a year for a private school, $25,670 a year for an out-of-state public school, or $9,980 a year for an in-state

public school. Students then have to pass the $315 Medical College Admission Test (per attempt) and finally pay the multiple fees associated with each of the 10-20 applications they put in. All said and done, the me-

dian debt for surgeons right out of medical school in 2018 was roughly $192,000, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, which is about five times the average student debt of $37,172. - Money.com

DIASPORA

VOICE OF ASIA 7

Contemporary relevance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The idea of unity

anuary 23rd marked the birth anniversary of one of India’s most vocal and defiant patriot: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. What do we know about Netaji and why is his fight for India’s freedom relevant to the contemporary political discourse? Bose was born in 1897 in the Bengal Province and was one among fourteen children. He received his early education within the European School system in India, where his teachers described him as being extremely bright. Bose was influenced by the teachings of Ramkrishna and Vivekananda, which seemed to have ignited the love for his religion, country, and freedom. He completed college in England but returned to India to take the Indian Civil Services exam. He scored well but refused to work under the British-occupied government and instead actively embarked upon activities for Bharat’s independence. Bose started the newspaper Swaraj (meaning self-governance) and began using it to help the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee’s efforts for an independent Indian nation. He traveled to Europe where he met his wife Emilie Schenkl and studied party organization in communist regimes in Europe. Bose, in his efforts to free India, first reached out to Russia, Germany, and finally to Japan, for help in Indian independence from colonialism. Bose tried his best to take full advantage of British weakness during World War II and used the mechanisms and diplomat-

ic relationships put in place by Indian revolutionaries during WWI in order to unite plantation workers and Indian prisoners of war, men and women who had fought under the British from all over South and Southeast Asia. His partnership with Imperial Japan resulted in the formation of the Indian National Army (INA), an organization which employed demo- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. cratic principles and promoted ethnic, religious and genderrise above the politics for the based diversity. common goal: India. Are us What do we as Indians, and NRIs concerned about the fuespecially as Non-Resident In- ture of India and our brethren’s dians (NRI), learn from Netaji’s day-to-day struggles the same legacy? Are we like the INA, way as the patriots were prior scattered across the world, to independence? Other than waiting for someone like Netaji packing our bags and moving to help unite us for the sake of to India, how do we contribute India? Is unity even possible towards the cause that is India? like how it was in the times Let’s ask ourselves these presswhen India was ruled by out- ing questions as critical elecside forces? Do we care about tions are right around the corthe Indian political discourse as ner, and the results will shape our ancestors did when fighting a future which NRIs too will for their country’s freedom? inherit. As we introspect, let’s ask ourselves whether we care and why, or why not. Anjali Kanojia, PhD is a poNetaji had many differences litical scientist affiliated with with his contemporaries – Gan- the University of Houston and dhi and Nehru- yet he chose to the views expressed here are explicitly her own.

One World Under GOD Dr. Sulekh C. Jain by Dr. Sulekh C. Jain

ne very beautiful Hindu aphorism “Vasu dhaiva kutumb kum”, means that we all are one family. This signifies that no matter where we are from, where we live, what religion we belong to, what language we speak, what kind of food we eat, what customs and traditions we follow, what gender we are and what caste we belong to, and what economic status we have, we all are human beings as one large family under one GOD. This reminds me of one real incident in my life. Twenty years ago, I was living in Houston, Texas and our granddaughter was going to be born soon. Our daughter in law was already in labor at a Hospital and my wife and I were eagerly waiting at our house for a phone call from our son as soon as our granddaughter is born. The phone call came after mid night at about 1.00 am. Immediately, my wife and I rushed to the hospital which took us about 30 minutes. By this time the just born baby ( our granddaughter) had been cleaned, her parents had seen and touched her and the nurses took her into a dark room where many other recently born babies (may be about 20) were there too. Both my wife and I looked into that dark room through a big glass window to figure out which one of the babies was our granddaughter but in that dark room, it was difficult to figure out and we could not clearly identify her out because all children looked alike. There, standing by the side of that window following thoughts came to my mind. Right now all the children look alike because they all speak the same language (just crying only), all of them have same dress (no clothing), have same food habits (just mother’s milk), have the same religion (no label of any religion), same color of blood and born at the same place but in a day or so these children will go to their parents/guardian’s homes. From that very day onwards the process of change to a particular language, food

habits, dress, religion, customs and traditions will begin and over time they will acquire all of these markers or labels based on their parent’s beliefs, habits, customs, traditions, circumstances and the environment. This means if one is born in a Jain family, the child will adopt the food, language, dress and religious habits of his/her Jain parents. At the same time if a child whose biological parents are Jains but due to some circumstances he /she is adopted by a Christian family, the child will be raised not as a Jain but as a Christian. In the case of an orphan, the story will be quite different.

these are the conception of narrow souls. To the liberal mind, the whole world is a family”.

My brothers and sisters, when born, we all had all the same afore mentioned traits but it is from the society during our upbringing, we acquired so many different traits and labels. I am emphasizing the word acquired traits. We did not come into this world with differences (except that of facial shape, feature, color of skin etc.) but throughout our lives, most of us start identifying ourselves with the acquired traits (from the society). These acquired traits are not real ME because all these were given to me by the society. This is what I call shaping, conversion or molding. These acquired traits and labels (such as caste, color, language, religion, dress and food habits and country of origin etc.) for us all should not become the basis of differences, walls, conflicts, hate, intolerance and wars. My way is the only way and all else is highway should not become the norm. We all belong to this big village where we should live/coexist in harmony, peace, respect, care and support to each other.

This is what defines one world under GOD:

None of us are born with a particular/specific religion and different GOD. We all are under one GOD who is same for all of us and is everywhere. The GOD has the same beauty, omniscience, tranquility and full of infinite compassion, care, love, mercy and forgiveness for all. How come we forget who we are in reality and identify with which we are not? How come the above mentioned aphorism Vasu dhaiva kutumb kum becomes just a slogan and a façade? Gandhi Ji said “I don’t belong to one religion, all religious belong to me. This is my country that is your country;

Saint Kabir said “Water is the same in all pitchers even if the pitchers may be of different shapes, sizes and colors. Essentially all the scriptures and faiths in the world say three things; let your heart be filled with the supreme soul, let your mind be full of compassion and let your body be engaged in helping others. All lands are holy. There is no Arya (moral) or Anarya (amoral) bhoomi/land”.

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

Renu Gupta awarded 'She The Change Nari Udhyami Award 2019" by Manu Shah

n January 23, Renu Gupta received the She The Change Nari Udhyami Sanman 2019 for her lifelong efforts in bringing about a positive change in the lives of people in India and the US. The award, conferred by the Beti & Shiksha Foundation in Varanasi, India was presented by Tara Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi and Baby Rani Maurya, Governor of Uttarkhand. While happy at the honor, Renu downplays her achievements and says there are many people who are doing as much work as she is and she just “happened to be lucky” that she was recognized. This is typical of the friendly no nonsense awardee who doesn’t believe in doing “anything that doesn’t make sense to her,” but will do whatever it takes to help someone in need. Renu, 61, spent her growing years in Rajasthan where she completed her studies in Sanskrit and English. Marriage to Dr. Arun Gupta, a scientist, brought her to the US where she plunged into a job, studies and community activities. She credits two strong influences in her life. Her maternal grandmother who instilled the values of Hindu dharma and her paternal grandfather from whom she absorbed the spirit of selfless service. The appeal of Hindu Dharma, observes Renu, is its “universality, logic and its step by step direction for self-realization.” She is “very comfortable being a Hindu in the US” and accepts other religious traditions with the same openness. A member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad America for the last 36 years and now serving as VP of Seva in VHPA, Renu spearheaded a group of 15 likeminded women for “Seva, Shakti and Sadhana.” All activities are geared towards this mission such as organizing spiritual retreats, workshops and serving the community. In 2008, she received a call from a Catholic Service coordinator who

Renu Gupta receives the award from Tara Gandhi, grand daughter of Mahatma Gandhi and Baby Rani Maurya, Governor of Uttarkhand asked for help in rehabilitating 50 refugee Bhutanese and Nepali families. Over the course of 10 years, the VHPA group worked with the refugees to set up their homes, taught them to clean houses and drive so they could find employment, file taxes and helped their children enroll in school. Five years ago she took up the “Support A Child” project – a VHPA initiative that was languishing for want of attention. The initiative raises funds for the education and boarding of under privileged children in India and her efforts helped the support grow from 700 children to 2500 children. Renu makes it a point to visit the Ekal schools and the SAC hostels every year to supervise its operations personally. Plans for the future include increasing the number of children in the program from 2500 to 5000. One of the original volunteers of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA, Renu was elected as the first woman to become the chairperson of the Board. Renu’s husband Dr. Arun Gupta, is equally engaged in Ekal and serves as a Board Director.

Growing up, Renu was often buried in books thanks to a friend’s father who owned a bookstore. Writing came naturally and she has several books to her credit. Her experiences and observations in America served as fodder for her books. Close to her heart is “Mrityorma Ma Amritam Gamay” and deals with a friend’s battle with cancer while her latest book “Sansari Sanyasi” is a biography of Hanuman Prasad Poddar, a saintly personality who played a key role in her spiritual journey. Renu, along with her husband and son is also actively engaged in running the dozen franchisees of Great Clips – the hair salon chain they own.

India's 70th Republic Day celebrations hosted by the Indian Consulate in Houston Flag-hoisting, dinner reception hosted by Consul General Dr. Annupam Ray

A Jain Prayer teaches Satveshu Maitrim Gunishu Pramodam Klishteshu Jiveshu Krupa Paratvam Madhyastha Bhavam Viparita Vruttau Sada Mamatma Vidadhatu Deva O Lord! Make myself such that I may have love for all beings, Joy in the meritorious, unstinted sympathy for the distressed And tolerance towards the perversely inclined. O Lord! May my soul always find fulfillment, in friendship and love towards all beings, In all the virtuous, in compassion toward all suffering creatures, And in remaining neutral towards those hostile to me. This is my prayer. A Buddhist Prayer teaches Evoking the presence of the great compassion let us fill our heart with our own compassion - towards ourselves and towards all living beings. Let us pray that all living beings realize they are all brothers and sisters, all nourished from the same source of life. Dr. Sulekh C. Jain is the Past Secretary and President of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA). Dr. Jain also authored a book “An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide, which can be accessed as an eBook free of charge at www.isjs.in Email; scjain@earthlink.net

Renu also spends time teaching Hindi and Hindu culture to children in Cincinnati, Ohio where she is based. Role models, for our children, she inserts, must be characters like Mirabai, Shivaji, Maharana Pratap and Laxmi Bai. Playing on the word “Hindi medium” she enjoins Indian American parents to “raise their children through the Hindu medium and teach them values of Hindu dharma.”

Pictures from Facebook/Indian Consulate

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 8

Fort Bend County Judge KP George kicks off Countywide Listening Tour in Pct. 4

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

C‑SPAN bus takes "Southern Swing" tour Bus to visit Houston on February 4-6

At the University of Houston-Sugar Land on January 31, 2019 will host a series of county-wide meetings dubbed the Listening Tour to engage Fort Bend County residents in constructive dialogue about Fort Bend County services and hear their concerns. The first in the Listening Tour series will be in partnership with Fort Bend County Pct. 4 Commissioner Ken DeMerchant and Pct. 4 Constable Trever Nehls and is scheduled for Fort Bend County Judge KP George January 31, 2019 at the University of Houston – Sugar ORT BEND COUN- Land (Brazos Hall AuditoriTY- Fort Bend County um) located at 14000 UniverJudge KP George is sity Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas excited to announce that he 77479-0800 beginning at 7:00

India House

Gala 16th Annual

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019 | 6:00 pm onwards Sugar Land Marriott Town Square

p.m. “This is a great opportunity for Fort Bend County residents to attend, listen and ask questions about what is happening in our county, I understand that not everyone can attend our regular commissioners court meetings where county business is discussed and I want to bring county government closer to the community and gain insight from county residents.” stated Fort Bend County Judge KP George. Representatives from Animal Services, Road & Bridge, Human Resources, Parks, Clinical Health, Drainage, Office of Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Health & Human Services, Sherriff’s Office, Environmental Health, Engineering, and other departments are also expected to be in attendance.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER HONORABLE DAN PATRICK Lieutenant Governor of Texas GALA CHAIR BAL SAREEN For Sponsorship / Tickets vipin@indiahouseinc.org 713-929-1900 www.indiahouseinc.org/gala2019

ASHINGTON (January 29, 2019) – The C-SPAN Bus is on a "Southern Swing," traveling for eight weeks through Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Partnering with Comcast, C-SPAN’s award-winning state-of-the-art, 45-foot customized Bus will visit six venues between February 4-6 around the Houston area to engage students, teachers, community members and elected officials. Through interactive kiosks and demonstrations aboard the Bus, visitors will learn about C-SPAN's in-depth coverage of the American political process and comprehensive online educational resources, including C-SPAN.org – an extensive video library containing close to 250,000 hours of searchable content for viewing, research and education purposes, dating back to 1987. In addition, Bus visitors will be invited to share their thoughts on what it means to be an American for C-SPAN's "Voices from the Road" project. "We are excited for the opportunity to meet, engage and share our resources with residents along our 'Southern Swing' and hearing from peo-

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ple about what being an American means to them," said Heath Neiderer, C-SPAN Marketing Manager. "Some of the cities on this tour haven't seen our Bus in many years. We hope they enjoy their experience aboard our interactive mobile classroom and discover new ways of keeping well-informed." Aboard the high-tech, interactive C-SPAN Bus you'll find: Access to an exclusive interactive experience available on 11 large-screen tablets featuring C-SPAN programming and myriad of political and educational resources A smart TV and classroom area for conversations with students and teachers A high-definition TV production studio for taped and live programming A 360-degree video station featuring C-SPAN's unfiltered coverage of high-profile events and insightful, behind-thescenes tours of U.S. landmarks A D.C.-themed selfie station where visitors can share their Bus experiences through social media Since 1993, a C-SPAN Bus has traveled across the nation visiting schools and commu-

nity events in partnership with C-SPAN's cable and satellite providers. Bus visitors engage with C-SPAN representatives and interactive tools to learn about the unique public affairs programming and online resources such as C-SPAN Classroom – the network's free membership service for teachers and students. "Comcast is excited to bring the interactive C-SPAN Bus to Texas and partner with C-SPAN along their 'Southern Swing,'" said Michael Bybee, Comcast Media Relations Director for Houston. "We are proud to serve Houston by providing all three C-SPAN networks and share their robust educational and political resources with our community." About C‐SPAN: Marking its 40th anniversary in 2019, CSPAN was created by the cable TV industry and is carried in more than 90 million TV households. C‐SPAN programs three commercial-free public affairs television networks; C‐ SPAN Radio, heard in Washington, D.C., at 90.1 FM and available as an app; and C-SPAN.org, a video‐rich website offering live coverage of government events and access to the vast archive of C‐SPAN programming.

SOUTH ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 9

First Indian film museum opens in home of Bollywood by Udita Jhunjhunwala and Peter Hutchison

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

Pakistan, India to kick off T20 World Cup in Australia

UMBAI, India | AFP | Tuesday 1/28/2019 - From silent black-and-white films to colourful blockbusters bursting with song and dance, the evolution of Indian cinema is traced by a new museum in the home of Bollywood. Costing 1.4 billion rupees ($19.6 million), India's first national film museum is spread across a stylish 19thcentury bungalow and a modern five-storey glass structure in south Mumbai. "It showcases to the world outside what Indian cinema has achieved in its entirety over more than 100 years," Amrit Gangar, a consulting curator on the project, told AFP. Movie-mad India today produces around 1,500 films a year, dwarfing even Hollywood's output.

The National Museum of Indian Cinema showcases the country's rich movie history. (Photos: Punit Paranjpe)

The government-funded National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) boasts stacks of memorabilia, recordings and film-making tools as well as interactive touch screens where visitors can watch clips from memorable movies. Movie buffs can learn about India's first full-length feature film, the 1913 Dadasaheb Phalke-directed "Raja Harishchandra", and listen to recordings of K. L. Saigal, considered the first superstar of Hindi-language cinema. They are also able to view hand-painted movie posters, including for internationally acclaimed director Satyajit Ray's 1955 hit "Pather Panchali", and click selfies beside a statue of Bollywood icon Raj Kapoor. The museum takes visitors through "the journey of Indian cinema, from silent films to 'talkies' to the studio era to the new wave," Prashant Pathrabe, director general of the Indian government's film department, told AFP. Bollywood is a nickname for the Hindi-language film industry that is based in Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay. The museum celebrates not just Bollywood but also the movies made in the various regions and languages across India. "Films are made in about 25 different regional languages

YDNEY, Australia | AFP | Tuesday 1/28/2019 - Hosts Australia will take on Pakistan's men and India's women for the opening fixtures of the Twenty20 World Cups in 2020, organisers said Tuesday as the draw for the tournaments was announced.

qualifiers make up the other side of the draw.

The T20 World Cups are being held in the same year and in the same country for the first time, with the men's and women's finals to be played at one of the world's biggest stadiums, the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The women's final will be played on March 8 to coincide with International Women's Day, and the men's final will be held on November 15.

Ten women's teams will play in 23 matches from February 21 to March 8, with reigning champions Australia to clash with India in the opening game in Sydney.

A wide array of exhibits, props and memorabilia are on display at the new National Museum of Indian Cinema. in India and all are included here so that the entire country, irrespective of which part you come from, can enjoy this museum," said Pathrabe. - Gandhi and Chaplin The museum also hosts replicas of the Mutoscope, the camera used by the Lumiere Brothers, and the Praxinoscope -- a spinning cylindrical animation device invented in France in the 1870s. The idea for the museum was first mooted in 2006 and it was due to open in 2014 when the exhibition rooms housed in the 6,000 square foot heritage

building were declared ready. However the opening was delayed after the government decided to build the new wing, which includes a section exploring the impact independence hero Mahatma Gandhi had on cinema around the world, including on Charlie Chaplin. "This is the first time I have seen such a huge museum about cinema," said Maria Jones, who had travelled from her home in the southern India state of Kerala, to visit the museum. "I'm really happy and excited to see the history of Indian cin-

ema until now. The different cameras have been fascinating for me. The first cameras were really huge," she told AFP. The museum does contain some gaps though as many of India's early films were never preserved while other artefacts have been damaged over the years. For example, the last remaining print of India's first "talkie", the 1931 "Alam Ara" (The Light of the World), was destroyed in a fire in 2003. Still, officials expect the museum to be a hit with fans. "It's an education in cinema," said Pathrabe.

Photo: Getty Images

The men's competition, from October 18 to November 15, will feature several qualifying matches before Australia kicks off the Super 12 group stages on October 24 against top-ranked Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia, Pakistan, the West Indies, New Zealand and two qualifiers make up one side of the draw, with defending champions the Windies starting their title defence against the Black Caps on October 25. India, England, South Africa and Afghanistan and two

For the women's fixtures, four-time winners Australia are in Group A with New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka and one qualifier, while West Indies and 2009 champions England join South Africa, Pakistan and a second qualifying team.

Women's group stages (February 21 - March 3) Group A: Australia, New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, Qualifier 1 Group B: England, West Indies, South Africa, Pakistan, Qualifier 2 Semi-finals: March 5 Final: March 8 Men's qualifiers: October 18 - 23 Group stages (October 24 November 8) Group 1: Pakistan, Australia, West Indies, New Zealand, two qualifiers Group 2: India, England, South Africa, Afghanistan, two qualifiers Semi-finals: November 11 and 12 Final: November 15

Sri Lanka call up uncapped fast bowler for Australia Test

Bangladesh to sue Philippine bank over $81m cyber heist Sri Lanka have called up right-arm fast bowler Chamika Karunaratne to replace the injured Lahiru Kumara. (File photo)

YDNEY, Australia | AFP | Tuesday 1/28/2019 - Uncapped right arm fast bowler Chamika Karunaratne has been picked by Sri Lanka to replace injured Lahiru Kumara in the Test squad as the visitors bid to level the series in Canberra.

The Philippines in 2016 imposed a record $21 million fine on RCBC (pictured) after investigating its role in an audacious cyber heist.

HAKA, Bangladesh | AFP | 1/30/2019 - Bangladesh will Wednesday file a lawsuit in New York against a Philippine bank over its involvement in one of the biggest-ever cyber heists, the country's central bank governor said. Unidentified hackers stole $81 million from the Bangladesh central bank's account with the US Federal Reserve in New York in February 2016. The money was then transferred to a Manila branch of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC), swiftly with-

drawn and laundered through local casinos. A case will be filed against RCBC and "all others" involved in the heist to try and retrieve the stolen funds, Bangladesh central bank governor Fazle Kabir told AFP. An agreement between the bank and the US Federal Reserve in New York had been signed to assist Dhaka in the case, he added. Bangladesh has sent a legal team to New York and is prepared to fight for the money to be returned, Kabir told report-

ers in the capital Dhaka.

concern.

The Philippines in 2016 imposed a record $21 million fine on RCBC after investigating its role in the audacious cyber heist.

The theft exposed the Philippines as a haven for dirty money, where some of the world's strictest bank secrecy laws protect account holders from scrutiny

The bank has rejected the allegations and in 2017 accused Bangladesh's central bank of a "massive cover-up". This month ex-RCBC manager Maia Deguito was handed a lengthy jail term and $109 million in fines in the first conviction over the massive theft. Deguito, who was a branch manager where the money landed, was accused of coordinating the illegal transfer. She plans to appeal and can remain free on bail until the conviction is finalised. Deguito is the only person who has been convicted in the case, drawing international

The hackers bombarded the US Federal Reserve with dozens of transfer requests, attempting to steal a further $850 million. But the bank's security systems and typing errors in some requests prevented the full theft. The hack took place on a Friday, when Bangladesh's central bank is closed. The Federal Reserve is closed on Saturday and Sunday, slowing the response. The US Federal Reserve, which manages the Bangladesh central bank account, has denied its own systems were breached.

Australia thrashed Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs in the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday. That was a major boost for the Australian team, which recently lost a Test series to India

for the first time on home soil. But Sri Lanka, who recently lost a series 3-0 against New Zealand, now face the unenviable prospect of being swept again. In another injury blow, Sri Lanka Cricket said Dushmantha Chameera -- who injured his left ankle while bowling during the first Test -- had been ruled out of the second and final Test starting Friday. Both bowlers are now returning home, the selectors said in a statement.

Indian statisticians quit over jobs report delay

ew Delhi, India | AFP | 1/30/2019 - A top Indian statistics official has quit in protest at a government delay in the publication of a report many expect will show rising unemployment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Such findings, coming ahead of elections due by May, would be highly damaging to Modi, who came to power in 2014 promising to create millions of jobs. P V Mohanan, acting chair of the National Statistics Commission (NSC), told AFP that he

quit on Tuesday along with a colleague, saying that the NSC had approved the report in early December. "We have resigned because I felt we were not taken seriously. Our decisions have not been implemented... The commission was not playing an effective role," he said. Newspapers suggested that the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) report, the first since 2011-12, would reflect job losses in the wake of Modi's shock demonetisation scheme in 2016.

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Hong Kong gifts Pakistan a culinary star by Jerome Taylor / with David Stout in Islamabad

ONG KONG, China | AFP | Wednesday 1/30/2019 - A pair of his father's old tandoor ovens helped Hong Kong restaurateur Asim Hussain achieve a dream -- the world's first Michelin star for a Pakistani restaurant, an accolade he hopes will fire interest in the country's often overlooked cuisine. Like many of Hong Kong's 85,000 strong South Asian population, Hussain's family trace their lineage in the bustling financial hub back generations, when the city was a British colonial outpost. His great-grandfather arrived during World War One, overseeing mess halls for British soldiers while his Cantonese speaking father owned restaurants in the eighties and nineties.

"He comes from a generation that doesn't throw things away," laughs Hussain, dressed in a traditional knee-length tunic and sitting in a restaurant decked with paintings by Pakistani artists. "Actually the results are better than if we had new ovens because these things improve with age." Those tandoors, frequent trips to Lahore to perfect recipes and a kitchen overseen by head chef Palash Mitra, earned the New Punjab Club a Michelin star just 18 months after it opened its doors. - 'A benchmark' The success made headlines in Pakistan, a country that is unlikely to see a Michelin guide any time soon and whose chefs have long felt overshadowed by the wider global recognition gained from neighbouring India's regional cuisines. "It makes us proud, it makes us very happy," Waqar Chattha, who runs one of Islamabad's best-known restaurants, told AFP. "In the restaurant fraternity it's a great achievement. It sort of sets a benchmark for others to achieve as well." Hussain is keen to note that his restaurant only represents one of Pakistan's many cuisines, the often meat-heavy, piquant food of the Punjab. At it doesn't come cheap -- as much as $100 per head. "I'm not arrogant or ignorant to say this is the best Pakistani restaurant in the world. There are better Pakistani restaurants than this in Pakistan." But he says the accolade

EIJING, China | AFP A tourist town in eastern China is trying to attract health conscious visitors with hot springs designed to look like a fiery hotpot, a popular Chinese dish said to drive away winter blues. A hotpot is eaten with friends or family, with diners cooking raw meat, vegetables and noodles in a shared pot of spicy broth. Visitors to the First World Hotel in Hangzhou can dip into a hot spring bath, shaped like a rectangular copper pot with nine compartments, each containing popular hotpot ingredients like chilli peppers, lime, corn and lettuce.

Hussain, 33, already had some twenty eateries in his group when he decided to embark on his what he described as his most personal and risky project yet, a restaurant serving dishes from Pakistan's Punjab region, the family's ancestral homeland and where he was packed off to boarding school aged six. His father, a serial entrepreneur and even once Pakistan's ambassador to South Korea, suggested he restore two old tandoors from his now shuttered restaurant collecting dust in storage.

Tourists Lunar New Year dip into Events in Houston ‘human hotpot’ F ahead of Chinese New Year

A pair of his father's old tandoor ovens helped Hong Kong restaurateur Asim Hussain achieve a dream -- the world's first Michelin star for a Pakistani restaurant, an accolade he hopes will fire interest in the country's often overlooked cuisine. (AFP Photo)

Hong Kong restaurateur Asim Hussain already owned some twenty eateries when he decided to embark on his what he described as his most risky project yet, a restaurant serving dishes from Pakistan's Punjab region, the family's ancestral homeland. (AFP Photo) has still been a "great source of pride" for Hong Kong’s 18,000-strong Pakistani community. "It's bringing a very niche personal story back to life, this culture, this cuisine is sort of unknown outside of Pakistan, outside of Punjab, so in a very small way I think we've shed a positive light on the work, on who we are and where we come from," he explains. It was the second star achieved by Black Sheep, the restaurant group which was founded six years ago by Hussain and his business partner, veteran Canadian chef Christopher Mark, and has seen rapid success. But the expansion of Michelin and other western food guides into Asia has not been without controversy. Critics have often said reviewers tended to over-emphasise western culinary standards, service and tastes. Daisann McLane is one of those detractors. She describes the Michelin guide's arrival in Bangkok last year as "completely changing the culinary scene there -- and not in a good way." She runs culinary tours to some of the Hong Kong's less glitzy eateries -- to hole in the wall "dai pai dong" food stalls, African and South Asian canteens hidden inside the famously labyrinthine Chungking Mansions and to "cha chan teng" tea shops famous for their sweet brews and thick slabs of toast.

VOICE OF ASIA

While she's "delighted" New Punjab Club has been recognised, she has her reservations: "There is a lot of world cuisine operating way under the radar in Hong Kong and it doesn't get noticed by Michelin or the big award groups."

In early February there will be various Lunar New Year celebrations throughout District 137 and other parts of Houston. I encourage you to join the Asian-American community in the festivities! Here are a few events: The 23rd Annual Texas International Lunar Festival will take place on Saturday, February 2nd from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in front of the Southern News Group Building, lo-

cated at 11122 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77072. The Chinese Community Center (CCC) will be hosting its Annual Lunar New Year Festival on February 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 9800 Town Park Drive, Houston, TX 77036. Lunar New Year Houston will be celebrating the Year of the Pig on February 9-10 at the Viet Hoa Center at Beltway 8 Plaza (8388 W. Sam Houston Parkway South, Houston, TX 77072) from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Asia Society Family Day: Lunar New Year celebration will be held on February 9th at Asia Society Texas Center at 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, Texas 77004 from 12 - 4 p.m. Food and drink will be available for sale. Performances by Huaxing Arts Group Houston are ticketed. ($5 Members, $10 Nonmembers) Lunar New Year activities will also take place off-site at The Galleria at 5085 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77056 on February 10 and February 16– 17, 12–5 p.m. These events are open to the public. If you would like additional information, please feel free to contact our office at (713) 271-3900 or District137. Wu@house.texas.gov.

US, China resume trade talks with a chill in the air

For some, any recognition of Pakistan's overlooked cuisine is a success story. Sumayya Usmani said she spent years trying to showcase the distinct flavours of Pakistani cuisine, so heavily influenced by the tumultuous and violent migration sparked by the 1947 partition of India. When the British-Pakistani chef first pitched her cookbook to publishers on her country's cuisine, many initially balked. But in recent years, she says, attitudes have changed. Pakistani-run restaurants in the west that once might have described themselves as Indian are more proudly proclaiming their real culinary heritage, she says. "I think it's really good that people are coming out of that fear of calling themselves specifically Pakistani," she told AFP. "It's nice that Pakistanis have started to take ownership of what belongs to them." Back in Hong Kong, Hussain remarks the hard work has only just begun. "I joke with the boys and I say that 'It's the first Pakistani Punjabi restaurant in the world to win a star, let's not be the first one to lose a star'".

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The hot spring is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle in the run-up to the Lunar New Year, or spring festival, which begins the first week of February, according to Chinese news site Sohu.com.

ebruary 5th is Lunar New Year and marks the beginning of the Year of the Pig. Lunar New Year, Chinese Chunjie, Vietnamese Tet, Korean Solnal, Tibetan Losar, also called Spring Festival is typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries beginning with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ending on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later. The origins of the Lunar New Year festival are thousands of years old and are steeped in legends. One legend is that of Nian, a hideousbeast believed to feast on human flesh on New Year’s day. Because Nian feared the color red, loud noises, and fire, red paper decorations were pasted to doors, lanterns were burned all night, and firecrackers were lit to frighten the beast away.

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Beijing's trade envoy Liu He (L) meets with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer (R) at the Eisenhower Building near the White House. (AFP Photo) by Delphine Touitou / Sebastian Smith

not at the expense of American business and know-how.

ASHINGTON, | AFP | 1/30/2019 - Top US and Chinese trade officials returned to the bargaining table Wednesday, working to avoid a sharp escalation in the trade war between the world's two largest economies.

Specifically, US officials are attacking Chinese trade practices they say are unfair, spotlighting the forced transfer of American technology through requirements that foreign companies form joint ventures with local firms, as well as the alleged theft of American intellectual property through hacking.

At the head of a 30-person delegation from Beijing, Chinese Vice Premier Lie He greeted his counterpart, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, against the backdrop of Washington's prosecution of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, which has outraged Beijing and infused the negotiations with uncertainty. The two sides have just a month remaining in a 90-day truce declared in December. Should the talks fail, US import duties on $200 billion in Chinese imports are due to more than double on March 2 -- something economists say could help knock the wind out of the global economy's sails. The world's two largest economies are battling for nothing less than future dominance in critical high-tech industries, according to Lighthizer, the lead US negotiator. A little over three years ago, Beijing launched a strategic plan dubbed "Made in China 2025" that aimed to make the nation the global leader in aerospace, robotics, artificial intelligence, new-generation autos and other areas -- sectors US officials say now represent the "crown jewels" of American technology and innovation. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he favors a healthy Chinese economy, but

To pressure Beijing, the White House has imposed tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese imports. Beijing hit back with duties on virtually every product it buys from the United States, about $110 billion in goods annually. Given the complexity of the issues, a finished agreement is unlikely to emerge from the two days of talks in Washington this week. But US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday he expected "significant progress," and noted the governments had time left remaining in their truce. - Huawei unrelated? Sure it is... Elsewhere on Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told reporters that drawn-out trade talks with China could hurt the US economy by sapping business confidence. "Uncertainty is not the friend of business," he said. But a final agreement seemed even more distant after the US Justice Department announced two indictments of Huawei Monday on charges of stealing trade secrets, fraud and obstruction of justice, and of a top executive accused of violating

US sanctions on Iran. But US officials insist the trade talks and Huawei prosecutions are not related. "Let me be clear. Those are separate issues," Mnuchin told Fox Business, repeating comments made Monday by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Still, Monica de Bolle, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said Tuesday the Huawei case could only complicate matters in the trade negotiations. "Of course the Huawei issue does make the trade negotiation much more difficult," she told AFP. "There is no doubt about that." Last year, US sanctions on another Chinese telecoms company, ZTE, sent waves through the trade negotiations, which produced no breakthrough. Trump later intervened to modify the penalties, allowing ZTE to avoid collapse. In a sign the sides are hopeful of making progress, Harvardtrained Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is due to meet Trump during this week's talks. Trump so far has projected optimism, believing Washington has the upper hand given China's weakening economy. Last year, the Asian country recorded its slowest growth in nearly 30 years, making the US trade war an unwelcome development. But Trump also may appear weakened after agreeing to end a five-week government shutdown without extracting any concessions from opposition Democratic lawmakers in a battle over funding to build a wall on the Mexican border.

VOICE OF ASIA 11

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

US/WORLD

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US urges citizens not to travel to Venezuela due to safety

ASHINGTON | AFP | 1/29/2019 - The United States on Tuesday urged its citizens to avoid all travel to crisis-torn Venezuela, citing risks of crime and arrest and the US embassy's limited ability to assist. "Do not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure and arbitrary arrest and detention of US citizens," the State Department said in an updated travel advisory. "There are shortages of food, electricity, water, medicine and medical supplies throughout much of Venezuela," it said. Venezuela becomes the only country in the Western Hemisphere to be slapped with the State Department's "Level 4" warning against all travel, joining war zones such as Syria and Yemen. Americans, however, are not legally forbidden from going. The State Department had earlier listed Venezuela as Level 3, meaning that Americans should reconsider visits. While the new travel advisory concerns security of US citizens, it comes as the United States is pressing leftist President Nicolas Maduro to step down faced with Venezuela's economic collapse and mounting street protests. The United States has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president.

Stacey Abrams to deliver Dem rebuttal to Trump speech

emocratic presidential aspirant Tulsi Gabbard has alleged that she had become a victim of "religious bigotry" and some media outlets were targeting her and accusing her supporters, who have Hindu names, of being Hindu nationalists.

Proud to be 1st Hindu-American to run for president: Tulsi Gabbard "I am proud to be the first Hindu-American to have been elected to Congress, and now, the first Hindu-American to run for president," the four-term Democratic lawmaker from Hawaii said.

Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to the US Congress, wrote an op-ed for the Religious News Services on Sunday, describing the campaign against her, supporters and donors as "profiling and targeting of Hindu Americans and ascribing to them motives without any basis". The 37-year-old had on January 11 announced that she would be running for the White House in 2020. In the hard-hitting piece, Gabbard pointed out to the accusation against her of being a Hindu nationalist. "Tomorrow will it be Muslim or Jewish Americans? Japanese, Hispanic or African Americans?" she asked.

Reuters photo

"My meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's democratically elected leader, have been highlighted as 'proof' of this and portrayed as somehow being out of the ordinary or somehow suspect,

even though President (Barack) Obama, Secretary (Hillary) Clinton, President (Donald) Trump and many of my colleagues in Congress have met with and worked with him," Gabbard said.

Harris emerges as frontrunner to oust Trump as rivals circle criminal justice reform to gun safety to the war in Afghanistan.

Continued from front page de facto frontrunner. It is a burgeoning field that may ultimately feature dozens of candidates seeking to oust President Donald Trump. Harris immediately took her campaign to Iowa, the state that votes first in the nominating process, holding a televised town hall from Des Moines where she eviscerated the Trump administration for "lighting that fire" of racial division and seeking to "vilify" young immigrants. "There is a lot of work to do," she told a crowd at Drake University, deftly handling questions from health care to

A crowd of more than 20,000 watched her kick off her campaign Sunday in Oakland, California. But her prime-time town hall brought her into the living rooms of many more Americans. Complicating the launch, billionaire former Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz said hours after her announcement that he is seriously considering entering the race -- as an independent. The self-described "lifelong Democrat" told CBS news show "60 Minutes" that he will run as a "centrist independent

outside of the two-party system." Not only is Trump unqualified to be president, Schultz said, but Republicans and Democrats are failing the American people by engaging daily in "revenge politics." Schultz's announcement drew sharp rebukes from Democrats, who warned he would siphon off Democratic votes and clear Trump's path to re-election. "I urge him, for the good of the country, to reconsider this bad idea," tweeted House Democrat Brendan Boyle. Trump, clearly aware that a Schultz run could help the sit-

"And, while the headlines covering my announcement could have celebrated this historic first, maybe even informed Americans at large about the world's third-largest religion, some have instead fomented suspicion, fear and religious bigotry about not only me but also my supporters." Gabbard said India was one of America's closest allies in Asia and is a country of growing importance in a critical region of the world. "The strategic partnership between our two countries has been a priority for several decades now. To question my commitment to my country, while not questioning nonHindu leaders, creates a double standard that can only be rooted in one thing: 'religious bigotry'. I am Hindu and they are not," Gabbard said. She referred to the attack against her in the past by political opponents. "Religious big-

ting president, appear to seek to goad him into the race, declaring the coffee king "doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President!" But another billionaire businessman, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, strongly urged Schultz to halt his independent antics. "In 2020, the great likelihood is that an independent would just split the anti-Trump vote and end up re-electing the

otry and attempt to foment fear of Hindus and other minority religions persist. During my 2012 and 2014 elections, my Republican opponent stated publicly that a Hindu should not be allowed to serve in the US Congress and that Hinduism is incompatible with the US Constitution," she said. In the 2016 race for Congress, her Republican opponent said repeatedly that a vote for her was a vote for the because of her religion, Gabbard wrote. "Republicans like Ben Carson said in 2016 that a MuslimAmerican would be unqualified to serve as president. Democratic Senators have recently grilled and opposed Republican judicial nominees because of their connection to Catholicism," she alleged. Gabbard said after her 2012 election, she made a personal decision to take "my congressional oath of office on the supreme yoga/Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna's teachings have provided wisdom and spiritual solace to me throughout my life, including when I was serving our country in the Middle East during the Iraq war." "Those who are trying to foment anti-Hindu sentiment expose the dark underbelly of religious bigotry in politics and must be called out. "

president," said Bloomberg, who himself considered an independent run three years ago but ultimately backed off. Schultz, at a book signing in New York, stressed he was not aiming to split the Democratic vote. "I am not running against the Democrats," although the party has shifted "far, far left," Schultz said, insisting "nobody" wants to see Trump out of office more than he does.

Indian American Nurses Legacy Award (IANLA)

ASHINGTON | AFP | 1/29/2019 - Democrats on Tuesday picked Stacey Abrams, who rose to prominence in her heated but unsuccessful Georgia governor's race, to deliver the rebuttal to Donald Trump's State of the Union address, a first for an African-American woman. The president will give his annual speech on February 5 before a joint session of Congress, after it was postponed because of the partial government shutdown. Abrams is a former Georgia legislative leader but holds no current political office, an unusual status for someone delivering a national party's response to the president. "She is just a great spokesperson, she is an incredible leader," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters, adding that Abrams "has led the charge for voting rights, which is at the root of just about everything else." Abrams, 45, emerged as a potent political star last year when she nearly won her race to became the nation's first female black governor -- in the reliably Republican southern state of Georgia. She nearly forced a runoff with the state's secretary of state Brian Kemp in Georgia's tightest gubernatorial election in decades. Abrams challenged the initial results, sharply accusing Kemp of deliberately suppressing thousands of votes. Kemp was declared the winner and took office this month. A champion of voting rights who seeks to elevate the conversation to a national level, Abrams is already being discussed as a potential Democratic candidate for the US Senate in 2020. She said she was "honored" to be delivering the response. "Stacey Abrams embodies the American Dream, and her powerful message of progress for all is deeply needed during this time for our country," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra will deliver the Spanish-language response. The rebuttal is a tradition that dates half a century. In recent years, it has been seen as a high-profile honor bestowed on a rising political star. Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who became Trump's UN ambassador, delivered the Republican rebuttal to Barack Obama in 2016, while Congressman Joe Kennedy III, a grand-nephew of president John F. Kennedy gave the Democratic response last year.

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

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Save the Date Oct. 12, 2019

On Sat., Oct. 12, 2019 At: Immanuel Center, 12801 Sugar Ridge Blvd, Stafford, TX 77477

Your best opportunity to leave a legacy for generations to come. Be a part of the Commemorative Publication. A great opportunity for sponsors & advertisers to be recognized. We request every Nurse who came till the end of 1975 to register.

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AACN recognizes ICU at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital with Beacon Award for Excellence

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To Infinity and Beyond: 2019 Fort Bend Chamber Chairman’s Gala

Beacon Award-winning ICU team.

UGAR LAND — The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), recently recognized the Medical ICU Department at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital with the silverlevel Beacon Award for Excellence, making both ICUs the only Beacon critical care units in Fort Bend County. The Beacon Award for Excellence — a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments — recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award with gold, silver or bronze designations meet national criteria consistent with Magnet® Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award. AACN President Lisa Riggs, MSN, RN, CNL, CCRN-CSC, applauds the commitment of the interprofessional team in

the Medical ICU at Houston Methodist Sugar Land for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence. These dedicated health care professionals join other members of our exceptional community of nurses, who set the standard for optimal patient care. “The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care,” she explains. The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence signifies an effective and systematic approach to achieve optimal patient care by meeting the following evidence-based criteria: • Leadership Structures and Systems • Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement

• Effective Communication, Knowledge Management, and Learning and Development • Evidence-Based Practices and Processes • Outcome Measurement “Having been awarded the silver-level Beacon Award of Nursing Excellence is a true testament to the level of dedication and focus the unit has in providing exceptional patient care. It is a very significant milestone for the unit, especially since the Medical ICU only opened Feb. 2016,” said Charlene Manzano, nurse manager of the Medical ICU. “It is a team achievement as the award is a validation of what the nurses, in collaboration of the other members of the ICU interprofessional team, do at the bedside and I am truly honored and proud to work with such a wonderful team.” To learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit our website at houstonmethodist.org/sugarland. Visit our Facebook page at fb.com/methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information.

FBISD Board of Trustees calls special election to fill Position 5 vacancy Position 5 vacant due to resignation of former trustee KP George

ORT BEND ISD (January 29, 2019) – The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees has called a Special Election for May 4, 2019 to fill the vacancy in Trustee, Position 5 for the unexpired term. The position will be added to the ballot (along with positions 3 and 7) for the May 4, 2019

election. Position 5 was formerly held by KP George, who resigned his position to serve as Fort Bend County Judge this past year. The remaining term for Position 5 expires May of 2020. The period for candidates to

file an application for the special election on May 4, 2019, opens January 29, 2019 and closes March 4, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Individuals who reside on the District’s east side are welcome to apply. Information about Board elections can be found on the Fort Bend ISD website.

Sinkhole opens up in Fort Bend County neighborhood

ICHMOND - Some residents in Fort Bend County are concerned after a sinkhole opened up in their neighborhood. The sinkhole was reported on the Westheimer Lakes subdivision in Richmond. Officials said a leak from a sewer line led to the erosion and caused the ground to fall away. A lane along Canyon Fields is closed to help keep people away Crews have rerouted the sewer line until it can be repaired and the hole filled.

The large sinkhole appeared in the Westheimer Lakes subdivision in Richmond. (Photo: KPRC)

Sonal Bhuchar honored with Community Spirit Award flanked with Dr. Subodh Bhuchar (husband) Keri Schmidt, President & CEO, Malisha Patel, Immediate Past Chair, SVP and CEO of Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and MHSLH and Mayor of Sugar Land Joe R. Zimmerman.

he 5-Star Accredited Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce held the Chairman’s interGALActic celebration on Friday, January 25, 2019 at Safari Texas Ranch in the Infinity Ballroom. The annual event paid tribute to the leaders and volunteers of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce who served the chamber in 2018 and welcomed the new leadership for 2019. Immediate Past Chair, Malisha Patel, SVP and CEO of Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, presented the Community Spirit Award to Sonal Bhuchar, a trailblazer, a giver, a pioneer, a leader, a legacy, and a force all packaged into a caring and giving heart. Sonal Bhuchar has devoted many years of service to the Sugar Land and Fort Bend county community. She embodies the soul, the essence, and the energy of the Fort Bend Chamber’s Community Spirit award. Joining her to accept the award were her husband, Subodh, and many friends and family. Sonal’s heartfelt remarks were received by a standing ovation from the audience. The Chairman’s Award was created and is presented to an individual who continually demonstrates support of the chamber’s mission. Rick Conley of Fluor Corporation, a Fort Bend Chamber’s 5-Star Chairman’s Circle member humbly accepted the award and expressed his gratitude to the chamber. Rick is well-respected amongst his peers and committed to giving back to the chamber by serving on the chamber’s Board of Directors, and as chair for the Internal Committee. He is a graduate of the Fort Bend Leadership Forum Class of 2014 and the Excellence for Non-Profit Leadership Class of 2012. The awards continued with Patel acknowledging the leadership and service of immediate past Chairman, Sterling Carter (President - Sterling Physical Therapy and Wellness) and Treasurer, Benjamin Swan (President - Windrose Surveying & Land Services); retiring Board Members,

Chairman’s Award recepient Rick Conley of Fluor Corporation with Incoming Chairman, Rehan Alimohammad (lt) and Malisha Patel. Farha Ahmed (Owner - Farha Ahmed Attorney at Law, CLLC) and Anne Marie Ponce De Leon (Medical Doctor - Dr. Shel Wellness and Aesthetic Center); and retiring Division Chairs, Ashlea Quinonez (Director of Government Relations – Memorial Hermann Health System); Dustin Fessler (Attorney - Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey PC); and Barkley Peschel (VP - Colliers International: Fort Bend). Incoming Chairman, Rehan Alimohammad (Partner Wong Fleming, LP) introduced the 2019 Executive Officers; Chair Elect, Jonathan Pursch (VP – Frost Bank); Immediate Past Chair, Malisha Patel (SVP and CEO - Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital); Treasurer, Keith Borgfeldt (President – Spartan Wealth Management LLC); Legal Counsel, Dustin Fessler (Attorney – Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey PC); and President & CEO, Keri Schmidt along with the 2019 Board of Directors, Three Committee and Division Chairs. Following the awards, intergalactic guides led the cosmic crowd into the Space Cantina for more libations, fun, games AND live music from the Royal Dukes Band! From Marvin the Martian to Mork from Ork, guests channeled their

“innergalactic” alter egos and dressed in festive attire. Universe Sponsors were: CHI St. Luke’s Health - Sugar Land Hospital, Consolidated Communications, Fluor Corporation, PrimeWay Federal Credit Union, Rice & Gardner Consultants, Inc., and Sterling McCall Automotive Group. Our Galaxy Sponsors were: Audi Sugar Land, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Blue Jungle Marketing, HCSS, Houston Methodist Sugar Land, Johnson Development Corporation, MD Anderson Cancer Center - Sugar Land, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land, Mercantil Bank, now Amerant Bank, NALCO Champion, An Ecolab Company, Naushad and Narmin Kermally, Pamela Printing Company, Rich Products Corporation, Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey PC, Safari Texas Ranch, Signarama of Sugar Land, Sugar Lakes Family Practice, Wharton County Junior College, and Windstream Communications. About Fort Bend Chamber As the only 5-star accredited and single-county chamber in the nine-county area surrounding the Houston Metroplex, membership provides both immediate and long-term benefits for your business and helps build momentum for our community’s future.

VOICE OF ASIA 14

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

BOLLYWOOD - HOLLYWOOD Section 2

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‘Black Panther’ scores big win at Screen Actors Guild Awards

Michael Jackson family slams documentary renewing sex abuse claims

EW YORK | AFP - Michael Jackson’s family on Monday lashed out against a new documentary renewing focus on allegations the singer sexually abused young boys, calling the subsequent social media outrage a “public lynching.” Dubbing the late King of Pop an “easy target,” the Jackson family said they were “furious” over the bombshell “Leaving Neverland” expose that premiered Friday at the Sundance Film Festival.

Groundbreaking superhero blockbuster “Black Panther” on Sunday won the top prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards -- a major boost to its campaign for Oscars glory next month. (© Frederic J. Brown / AFP) by Laurent Banguet

OS ANGELES | AFP | Groundbreaking superhero blockbuster “Black Panther” on Sunday won the top prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards -- a major boost to its campaign for Oscars glory next month. The film won for best ensemble cast, besting musical romance “A Star Is Born,” Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman,” Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” and rom-com “Crazy Rich Asians.” Chadwick Boseman, who plays the title role in what was the top-grossing film in North America in 2018, explained the film’s significance alongside his co-stars, nearly all of them black. “We all know what it’s like to be told that there is not a place for you to be featured, yet you are young, gifted and black,” Boseman told the audience at the Shrine Auditorium. “We knew that we had something special that we wanted to give the world -- that we could be full human beings in the roles that we were playing, that we could create a world that exemplified a world we wanted to see.”

“Black Panther” also won for best stunt ensemble. This year, the SAG Awards come at a key point in the race to next month’s Academy Awards -- just after the Oscars nominations, and well before voting for the winners begins. The Screen Actors Guild accounts for a major percentage of the 8,000odd Oscar voters. Despite four nominations, “A Star Is Born” -- the latest iteration of the classic Tinseltown story of an aging star and the ingenue he discovers -- went home empty-handed. One major absentee at the 25th edition of the SAG Awards was Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma” -- the top Oscar nomination getter was left out of SAG contention. While SAG-winning casts have only gone on to win a best picture Oscar about half the time, the awards are better at predicting best actor winners (79 percent) and best actress (75 percent). Glenn Close solidified her frontrunner status in the race for the best actress Oscar with a win for her searing work in “The Wife.” - AFP

Tom Hanks WWII project ‘Greyhound’ repositions for 2020 arrival

The family noted that prior to his 2009 death Jackson had faced a lengthy investigation, including a raid on his Neverland Ranch in California and a criminal trial concerning another teenager, in which he was acquitted. “Michael always turned the other cheek, and we have always turned the other cheek when people have gone after members of our family -that is the Jackson way,” the statement said. “But we can’t just stand by while this public lynching goes on, and the vulture tweeters and others who never met Michael go after him.” “Michael is not here to defend himself, otherwise these allegations would not have been made.” The new four-hour documentary -- which is set to air on HBO later this year -- reportedly included graphic testimony from accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck, leaving Sundance viewers shellshocked. The two men who are now in their 30s allege Jackson sexually abused them when they were seven and 10. Robson testified during the 2005 trial of Jackson, and both men have filed lawsuits against Jackson’s estate as adults in recent years, though both cases were dismissed for technical reasons. Prior to its premiere the Jackson family had slammed the documentary earlier this month as a “pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson.” Director Dan Reed, who is behind a documentary on the 2015 terror attack against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, at the time defended his lengthy two-part documentary, named for Jackson’s famed California ranch. “If there’s anything we’ve learned during this time in our history, it’s that sexual abuse is complicated, and survivors’ voices need to be listened to,” he said in a statement. The documentary’s release comes on the heels of another explosive docu-series “Surviving R. Kelly,” in which accusers of the R&B superstar detail disturbing allegations against him including sexual battery, false imprisonment and having sex with minors. Jackson, who died on June 25, 2009 after being given an overdose of the anesthetic propofol, faced multiple allegations of child sex abuse during his lifetime. In addition to his 2005 acquittal the performer paid a $15 million court settlement in 1994 over allegations involving another child.

Tom Hanks at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. (Photo © Frederic J. Brown / AFP)

ar drama “Greyhound” has taken a big step back from its planned March 2019 release and is now expected May 2020. Tom Hanks’ maritime biopic “Greyhound” will be going up against comedy comeback “Legally Blonde 3” in May 2020 instead of Jordan Peele

thriller “Us” in March 2019. The movie revolves around a fictional episode set during World War II’s Battle of the Atlantic and, specifically, a naval commander named Ernest Krause. It’s based on the 1955 C. S. Forester novel “The Good Shepherd” (not to

Indian Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut (Photo © Sujit Jaiswal / AFP)

Bollywood epic lauds India’s Brit-bashing ‘Joan of Arc’ by Peter Hutchison

UMBAI, India | AFP | Bollywood’s newest swashbuckling, Brit-bashing offering hits cinemas on Friday, a patriotic epic heavy on martial arts which tells the story of a warrior queen dubbed India’s Joan of Arc. Released just in time for Republic Day, the Hindi-language “Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi” is not without controversy, with its star Kangana Ranaut threatening to “destroy” protesters who say the film alludes to an affair with a British officer. Rani Laxmibai was a leading figure in the failed 1857 uprising against Britain’s East India Company, which led London to impose direct control, and is also revered for defying gender stereotypes. Killed in the Battle of Gwalior in June 1858 that ended the rebellion, she has lived on as an independence icon and is usually depicted brandishing a sword while leading her troops to war on a horse. “Her story is one that all Indians have grown up listening to, whether

it’s at school or from our mothers and grandmothers,” trade analyst Akshaye Rathi told AFP. The film, which sees its blood-spattered star deftly despatch red-coated British soldiers with her sword, hits screens on India’s Republic Day weekend, one of two annual holidays that celebrate independence. Industry watchers expect audiences to flock to a flick that will be full of nationalistic fervour, featuring elaborate costumes and grandiose battle scenes. “People are in the mood for a certain occasion and playing into their mind at that point of time is fine,” said Rathi. “We express our patriotism the most on Independence Day and Republic Day so why not talk about the people who have contributed to our struggle for freedom, which of course includes the Queen of Jhansi,” he added. The filmmakers will be hoping “Manikarnika” does better than Bollywood’s last anti-colonial epic -the “Pirates of the Caribbean” style “Thugs of Hindostan” which bombed at the box office in November despite a star-studded cast.

Amid cancer speculations, Rishi Kapoor opens up about health

eteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor announced in September that he is headed to the US for treatment and will be away for a while. As soon as the news broke out, speculations about him suffering from cancer started doing the rounds. His brother, actor Randhir Kapoor, rubbished these talks in an interview with Hindustan Times. Now, Rishi Kapoor has Rishi Kapoor with wife Neetu Singg (Instagram) opened up about his illness in an interview with Bollywood Hun- York. gama. The actor says he has put aside his “My treatment is on, hopefully, I acting career for the moment, “Thankwill recover soon and God willing I fully, I am not thinking about films will return. The procedure is long and anymore, just want to be blank and tedious and one needs immense pa- refresh myself with a more relaxed tience which unfortunately is not one mind. This break shall be therapeutic of my virtue,” he responded from New for me.”

be confused with the Matt Damon and Robert De Niro historical thriller of the same name), Forester being the SRI SHIRDI SAI BABA KRIPA British novelist SRI DURGA MATHA ASTROLOGER who created Napoleonic-era navy officer Horatio Hornblower.

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VOICE OF ASIA 15

Section 2

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FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

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HOW TO FINALIZE UNCONTESTED DIVORCES

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

Sharlene Sharmila Richards

Mala Sharma

Uncontested divorces are the least expensive route to getting a divorce and is the legal term for a divorce where both parties agree to the divorce, child custody if relevant, any child support, and property and debt division. Once you have reached an agreement on all relevant terms of the divorce, you do not need to argue in Court and only file a “divorce settlement agreement” or final decree of divorce which includes all agreements. After all paperwork is filed with the Court and the mandatory sixty day waiting period for divorces, then a judge will grant your divorce after a hearing. Only one spouse needs to appear to finalize. The attorney will ask you these questions to prove up the divorce: • Please state your full name • Are you married to your spouse? • Prior to filing the original petition for divorce were you domiciled in Texas and Resident of the Harris County for the preceding 6 months? • Where you married on this date and did you cease to live as husband and wife on this date? •

Has your mar-

• Were there any children born or adopted during this marriage? • Are you expecting or (to wife) pregnant? • Prior to today, is it true that there were no court orders affecting your child relationship from another court? • (If there are children): Do you and your spouse have an agreement on all the issues regarding the children? • (If there are children): Do you think this agreement is in the best interest of your children? • Have you and your spouse entered into a property settlement? • Does this property settlement resolve all of the property issues? • Does this agreement reflect a just and right division of the marital property? • (If asking for wife’s name change): Are you or your wife is asking for a name change to avoid criminal prosecution or creditors? • Have you seen your spouse’s signature before? • Is that your spouse’s signature on the last page of the final decree of divorce?

• Are you asking the judge to sign this agreed decree of divorce today? A court will approve an uncontested divorce when both spouses agree to the terms of the divorce decree, evidenced by both signatures on the decree, and the agreement is fair. However, always have an attorney review any documents prior to having a court ordered judgment to ensure your best interests are satisfied. 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.

How to avoid legal disasters at your side hustle with simple steps by Jacob Wolinsky

ide hustles have become increasingly popular. For some, an extra source of income is needed just to make ends meet. Others may just want extra cash for fun and leisure. Some might not be doing it for the money at all, but to explore a new career path or test out entrepreneurship before fully committing. Plus, side hustlers can often choose when to work, making it easier to fit it into a schedule with another job. Fortunately, finding and starting a side job is easier than ever. From driving rideshares to standing in line for people, the gig economy offers numerous ways to pull in additional income. Virtual markets, like Etsy, provide a platform for crafters and artists to sell their work. A small business can sell their products through Amazon. There are also numerous sites that post opportunities for freelancers. With seemingly endless possibilities, it’s not surprising that more and more people have a side hustle. A side hustle may have many benefits, but it’s important not to overlook associated legal issues. Make sure you know what might affect you. For example, it’s estimated that 18% of United States workers are covered by a non-compete clause. Doing work on the side that is similar to your duties at your primary job may put you at risk of violating this. While there are a number of legal issues that can occur, there are six key areas worth taking a closer look at: 1. Employment contract: Most people sign an employment contract when they start working with a new employer. These contracts often include stipulations that can affect what you are allowed to do outside of the job. Before starting a side hustle, look at your employment contract. If you don’t have a copy, HR should be able to provide it to you.

Key terms to look out for: Non-compete – An agreement not to enter into competition with your employer.

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YOUR IMMIGRATION LAWYER

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riage become insupportable because of a discord or conflict of personality that has destroyed the legitimate ends of the marriage relationship?

Q: What is the purpose of an Affidavit of Support? A: The Affidavit of Support is a contract between the petitioning family member who is sponsoring the immigrant and the United States Government whereby the sponsoring family member undertakes and promises to provide financial support to the immigrant so that he or she does not become a public charge and be without financial assistance. In addition, the sponsor undertakes to reimburse the US Government if the intending immigrant has utilized any need based public benefits. Q: I am the Petitioner for my wife’s Permanent Residence. Which form do I have to use for the Affidavit of Support? A: You can use the short form Affidavit of Support known as Form I864EZ if you, the Petitioner will be the only sponsor, the immigrant sponsored is the only one in the underlying petition and you are depending only upon your income from employment to satisfy the requirements under the affidavit of support. If you need a joint sponsor as your income is insufficient or you are relying on other sources of income in addition to income from your employment and there are several intending immigrants, the appropriate form to us is Form I-864 Affidavit of Support. Q: How do I know if my income is sufficient to meet the affidavit of support requirements? A: You will need to look at most recent Poverty Guidelines. This can be found under Form I-864P at www.uscis.gov, under

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANT RELATIVE PETITIONS ‘Forms”. The I-864P lists the respective amounts based on the number of people in the sponsor’s household and the number of family members immigrating. You must be able to show that your income or assets are at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines level for the appropriate size of household members and the intending immigrant(s). For sponsors on active duty in the Armed Forces who are petitioning for their spouse or child under 21 years old, their income or assets must be at least 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. To illustrate this, for a Petitioner (not on active duty in the Armed Forces) who has a spouse and one dependent child in his or her household and with one intending immigrant, this is how to calculate – look at the current Form I-864P. This will be the I-864P for 2018 HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support. Assuming you do not live in Alaska or Hawaii, you will look at the top half of the I-864P. Under the column marked 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines (for all other sponsors), the income to meet the affidavit of support requirements for 4 persons (for 4 persons – 3 household members and 1 intending immigrant) is $31,375.00 Q: What documents do I need to include with the I-864 Affidavit of Support for my wife’s case? A: Together with the completed and signed Affidavit of Support demonstrating that your income is sufficient to meet the income requirements, you will need to submit your Federal Tax Returns for the most recent tax year including the Form(s) W-2 for that year, evidence of your current employment, proof of your US Citizenship or permanent residence and ideally, a copy of the current edition of the poverty guidelines. If

you derive your income from other means apart from employment, you may have to provide other appropriate documents evidencing income from such sources. Q: I have worked with TN visa for 15 years now and I am marrying my US Citizen spouse and I was informed that it may be possible that my petitioner spouse need not provide an Affidavit of Support for me? Is this correct? A: If you have earned or can demonstrate you have 40 quarters of coverage under the Social Security Act (SSA) you are exempt from the requirement to file Form I-864 or Form I-864 EZ. You must use Form I-864W Request for Exemption for Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support. 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. You may contact her at telephone number 713623-8088 or by email at srichardslaw@aol.com to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Non-disclosure – An agreement to keep your employer’s private information confidential. Invention assignments agreement (AKA intellectual property agreement) – an agreement that anything created, or improved upon, on behalf of the company will be exclusively owned by the company. 2. Taxes: Figuring out taxes can be one of the trickier parts of working for a non-traditional employer. Whether you’re doing gig work, contract work or working for yourself, there are a few things you’ll want to think about. Reporting income – The IRS requires you to report all income and pay taxes. At a traditional job, these taxes are usually taken out of your paycheck. However, this likely isn’t the case for your side hustle. Make sure you’re putting money aside for taxes throughout the year so you can afford to pay when it’s time to file. Business vs. hobby – There are different tax breaks depending on whether you claim to be running a business or hobby. The IRS has a handy guide to determine which one you should choose. 3. Loans – If you decide to take out a loan for your side business, you’ll want to minimize your risk. If your business isn’t legally separated from you as the owner, your personal assets could be at risk. It might be worth forming an LLC to protect yourself. LLC – LLC stands for limited liability company. This is a business structure where owners are not personally liable for the company’s debts or liabilities. 4. Job specific considerations – Every job has unique legal issues that should be taken into account. Make sure you know what applies to your

specific work so you don’t run into trouble. Here are a few legal issues for popular side hustle: Blogging Disclaimer – Putting a disclaimer on your blog can be used to limit your liability for how others use the information in your blog. Paid content and promotion – The US Federal Trade Commission requires that you disclose your relationship with any product you promote or endorse. This is often done by marking a post as a promotion or ad. Driving rideshare Insurance – The major rideshare companies include insurance, but some states say that is not sufficient coverage in the case of an accident. Selling products online Sales tax – Online vendors usually need to collect sales tax from buyers who live in the same state where they have a physical presence. 5. Location-specific considerations – Depending on the city and state you operate in, there may be additional laws to keep in mind. For example, leash laws can vary greatly by region. If you’re a dog walker in Tennessee you’ll need to make sure dogs are under “reasonable control” at all

times. If you’re in California, a company can’t enforce a non-compete clause after termination of employment. 6. Ownership over your ideas – If you create something, whether that’s an invention, a piece of art, or a company name, you don’t want someone else using it without your permission. Below are important concepts that can help protect the rights to your ideas. Copyright – a form of legal protection to authors of “original works of authorship,” including musical, literary, dramatic, artistic and other creative works. Patent – An exclusive privilege granted to an inventor to make, use or sell an invention for a set number of years. Trademark – A word, name, symbol, or design, or any combination those, used to identify and distinguish the goods of one manufacturer from another. Whether you’re starting a side business, joining the gig economy or working on a passion project, you want your side hustle to succeed. Protecting yourself legally can help make that happen. - ValueWalk.com

VOICE OF ASIA 16

Section 2

Young Life

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Too much screen time can have lasting consequences for young children’s brains by Alice Park

Sheri Madigan, an assistant professor of psychology at University of Calgary in Canada, and her colleagues studied 2,441 mothers and children enrolled in the All Our Families study, which followed young children from ages two to five. Mothers reported on how much time their children spent in front of a television or computer screen on a typical day, and also reported on developmental measures by answering questions about their children’s communication skills, behavior and social interactions. The data were collected at the start of the study, when the children were two years old, then again when they were three and five. Many studies have looked at the connection between screen time and developmental issues at one point in time, but by following the children over many years, Madigan and her team could learn more about how screen time and development interact. For example, while some studies suggested that increased screen time might contribute to slower development, it was also possible that parents with children with behavioral issues and developmental delays might be more likely to use movies, TV or

Neil H., a 49-year-old British national based in Dubai, won $1 million in Series 291 with ticket number 1927. Neil, a resident of Dubai for 12 years, works for an international oil and gas company. “Huge thanks to UAE and Dubai Duty Free for kick starting my 2019,” he said. Research has shown that more screen time is linked to poorer progress on key developmental measures such as communication skills, problem solving and social interactions among young kids over time. (Photo: Peopleimages/Getty Images) video games to calm or quiet their child.

period of tremendous development,” Madigan says.

Madigan found that on average, the children in the study were spending about 2-3 hours a day in front of a screen. (The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends that toddlers and young children spend no more than one hour a day watching quality educational programming.)

That strongly supports expert guidelines that recommend limiting screen time for young children, when the brain is rapidly developing new connections and learning from every cue it receives. “What too much screen time leads to is a variety of missed opportunities for learning and development,” says Madigan. “When a child is watching a screen, he or she is missing out on the opportunity for walking, talking and interacting with others.”

The researchers found that over time, children who spent more time using TV or computers did indeed show poorer performance on the developmental measures. But they did not find evidence that the opposite was occurring; it did not seem that children with developmental issues were more likely to spend time in front of a screen. The links remained strong even after they accounted for other factors that can influence developmental milestones, including parents’ education, how physically active the children were and whether parents read to their children regularly. “The results show that there is a lasting influence of screen time, especially when children are two to five years old, when their brains are undergoing a

Not all screen time is detrimental, she says, and her study did not delve into the quality of programming the children were watching. The way in which children are using TV or computers is also important. Watching with parents or caregivers, for example, can make the experience more engaging and less passive, and can even provide opportunities for learning and social development. “Families can develop healthy media habits,” she says. “When parents watch with their children, they can point out interesting things and contribute to language skills and learning.” - Time

“I am me, and I know I will always be. I am free,” he sings

Khan had earlier won a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe in 2008 in Series 1347 with ticket number 0759. The second millionaire was

This handout picture released by France television shows French singer Bilal Hassani (C) performing on stage on January 26, 2019 in Paris during Destination Eurovision France television’s broadcast. (France Televisions/AFP/Gilles Scarella) in “Roi” (“King”), the song he is hoping will become France’s first victorious Eurovision entry since 1977. Hassani is vocal about his sexuality and rejection of old ideas about masculinity, delighting in a gender-bending wardrobe. Heavily made up a la Kim Kardashian -- albeit far less curvy -- his success owes much to his big personality, flaunting what he calls his “fabulousness”. Encouraging messages flooded in on Hassani’s YouTube channel after he was picked for Eurovision on Saturday.

“I wanted to thank you --even if you don’t read this comment, it’s thanks to you that I’ve managed to have confidence in myself,” wrote one fan. - 1,500 hateful tweets But beyond the tide of support, Hassani has also had to grapple with a violent online hate campaign from homophobes and racists. Campaign group Urgence Homophobie said it had already identified “more than 1,500 insulting, discriminatory or threatening tweets linked to his sexual orientation and/or appearance”.

by Catherine Wong

AIPEI, Taiwan -- With the US dominating in the soft power stakes, China should focus on young Americans who take a more positive view of the country to improve cultural ties, according to scholars and officials. That was the consensus at a seminar in Beijing last week to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of relations between China and the United States, where a key discussion was why American culture shown in products such as Hollywood films had been so well received elsewhere.

Since he took office in 2012, Xi has repeatedly called on cadres to step up efforts to boost China’s image and “soft power” abroad and promoted what he calls the “Chinese dream” of national rejuvenation. China’s soft-power play: what will it take to get it just right and hit the Goldilocks zone? But Chen Dali, who is in charge of US affairs at the education ministry’s Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, told the seminar that the China story had to be “real”. “If we are too eager to tell our stories in a way that we think Americans will accept, we may resort to making up stories, and that is dangerous,” Chen said. “It won’t be a good story if it has been made up because the

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Abhishek Kathel, who won in Series 292 with ticket number 2582. Kathel, an Indian national based in Sharjah, works as cabin crew for a UAE-based airline. “Thank God for this wonderful news! I cannot believe that I will win this big with my first ever ticket for the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free,” he said. Meanwhile, two Indian winners were announced in the Finest Surprise draw. Leepika

Ahluwalie,

27-year-old Indian national based in Dubai, won an Audi R8 RWS V10 Coupe (Tango Red Metallic) in Series 1708 with ticket number 0380. Ahluwalie, who recently joined her husband in Dubai just 2 months ago after getting married, bought her winning ticket on their way to Baku, Azerbaijan where they went for their honeymoon. “Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this amazing wedding gift to us. My husband has been planning to get a new car and now here it is!” - Khaleej Times

Young Americans seen as ‘future of China-US relations’ as scholars reflect on soft power • Officials and experts at seminar ponder

One official said the difference was a failure to “tell the China story well” – something President Xi Jinping has instructed the ruling Communist Party’s cadres to do.

An internet sensation, Hassani beat better known singers to clinch Saturday night’s public vote to represent France in the glitter-soaked competition in Israel in May.

With a penchant for wigs -each of which has a pet name, including a blonde called “Paris” and a brunette called “Gila” -- Hassani is unapologetic about what he stands for.

Another winner was Farhan Jawed Khan, a 14-year-old Indian national from Ranchi, who won a BMW R 1200 GS Rallye Edition motorbike (Lupin Blue Metallic) in Series 356 with ticket number 0323. His father, Mohmaad Jawed Khan, explained that he bought the winning ticket and put it in his son’s name on their way back to India for good after living in Dubai for 24 years.

They said the success of these cultural exports had helped the US to spread its values around the world, while China’s efforts to use its soft power abroad were often met with scepticism and even resistance.

ARIS, France | AFP | Sunday 1/27/2019 - At the tender age of 19, Bilal Hassani is already being held up as an inspiration to LGBT teenagers -- and now he’s got his sights on winning the Eurovision Song Contest.

“I’ve been a Eurovision addict since I was nine, as much for the artistry as for what it symbolises -- all the cultures and differences that are brought together by music,” he said on Instagram.

14-year-old Indian leaving UAE for good wins at Dubai raffle

by Aurélie Mayembo

Born to a Moroccan family, the Beyonce fan has delighted in proving wrong critics who laughed at the singer they dismissed as an “Arab in a wig”.

Tel: 713-774-5140

n Indian and a British expat on Tuesday won $1 million each at the Dubai Duty Free raffle.

LGBT teen shines as France’s Eurovision pick

“I am very proud to represent in being 100 percent myself, despite people who might say on the internet that I don’t represent France,” he said Sunday evening on French television.

Indian, British national win $1 million each at Dubai Duty Free.

rowing data suggests that exposing young children to too much time in front of a TV or computer can have negative effects on their development, including issues with memory, attention and language skills. In the latest look at the topic, researchers report in JAMA Pediatrics that more screen time is linked to poorer progress on key developmental measures such as communication skills, problem solving and social interactions among young kids over time.

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FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

• Email us: ads@voiceofasiagroup.com

why US cultural exports like Hollywood movies are global hits but Chinese efforts miss the mark • Cultural exchanges also criticised as too rigid, with not enough dialogue

story is not real.” Wang Lili, deputy dean of the National Academy of Development and Strategy at Renmin University of China, said the country needed to sharpen its storytelling ability. “The US has done pretty well [on soft power and cultural exchanges] and Hollywood movies and the Fulbright Programme are some good examples that have played a big role in its public diplomacy,” Wang said. Scholar Wang Lili said films like Forrest Gump had been effective in promoting American values, but Chinese blockbusters failed to achieve the same popularity abroad. Photo: SCMP She said blockbusters like Forrest Gump had been popular at the box office but also effective in promoting American values, while in contrast, even the highest-grossing Chinese films did not achieve the same popularity abroad. Wang added that China’s cultural exchanges were too rigid and usually involved government-led events with little spontaneous participation by those invited. “Sino-US cultural exchanges usually stay on the official level and they are top-down … But from the American viewpoint, they want to see more people-to-people dialogue and exchanges initiated by nongovernment bodies,” she said. “So we need to address this and put more of our resources into cultural exchanges.” Calm down, America. China doesn’t have any real influence on Americans, or soft power sway

Unofficial exchanges between think tanks have also become more important for informal diplomacy, but scholars who go on overseas exchanges are hindered by Beijing’s strict rules, according to Feng Yue, a politics specialist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Feng told the seminar the rules limited academics’ ability to have deeper exchanges with their American counterparts. “[For example] the foreign ministry introduced a rule two years ago that [experts and scholars] cannot spend more than five days in a foreign country … Think about how long it takes to fly to the US and get over the jet lag … it’s not going to be a productive trip,” Feng said. Wang from Renmin University said one way to improve cultural ties was for China to focus on younger Americans. Her view is backed by survey findings from the Pew Research Centre in August, showing 49 per cent of Americans aged between 18 and 29 had a favourable outlook on China, compared with 37 per cent of those aged 30 to 49, and 35 per cent who were 50 or older. The younger Americans were also much less concerned than the older age groups about issues such as cyberattacks and job losses to China, according to the research. “Now, in terms of China-US relations, the elites in America have reached a not-so-optimistic consensus on the future. But the younger people are still relatively optimistic – and they are the future of China-US relations,” Wang said. - South China Morning News

VOICE OF ASIA 17

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

February is American Heart Month

Section 2

February is Spay/ Neuter Awareness Month

Tel: 713-774-5140

Data of 14,200 HIV positive people leaked in Singapore

INGAPORE | AFP | Monday 1/28/2019 - Confidential data of 14,200 people diagnosed with HIV, mostly foreigners, has been stolen and leaked online in Singapore, authorities said Monday, the second massive data breach in the city-state within months.

Medicaid is a government program that pays for healthcare for people with limited incomes. Some of these services are provided to people as they grow older. Medicaid pays for services that help people stay in their own homes. It also pays for people to move to a nursing home, if that is what they need.

An American convicted of numerous crimes is believed to have leaked the information after obtaining it from his partner, a Singaporean doctor with access to the HIV registry, the ministry of health said. It comes after the health records of 1.5 million Singaporeans, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, were stolen in a suspected state-sponsored attack in June and July, the country’s biggest ever data breach. “Confidential information regarding 14,200 individuals diagnosed with HIV up to January 2013, and 2,400 of their contacts, is in the possession of an unauthorised person,” the ministry said in a statement. “The information has been illegally disclosed online... We are sorry for the anxiety and distress caused by this incident.” The information includes names, identification numbers, contact details, HIV test results and other medical information. Access to the information has been blocked but it is still in the possession of the person who leaked it -and could be disclosed again, the

ministry warned. Those affected are 5,400 Singaporeans diagnosed with HIV up to January 2013, and 8,800 foreigners diagnosed with HIV up to December 2011. Singapore, an affluent city-state of 5.6 million people, is home to many expatriates. The health ministry was notified by police last week that confidential information from the HIV registry may have been disclosed. The data is in the possession of Mikhy K. Farrera Brochez, a male US citizen who lived in Singapore from 2008 to 2016, the ministry said. He was convicted of fraud and drugrelated offences in March 2017, and

was deported from Singapore after completing his sentence. He is not currently in the city-state, the ministry said, adding that authorities were seeking assistance from their foreign counterparts. Brochez was the partner of Ler Teck Siang, a male Singaporean doctor, who had access to the HIV registry for his work. He was convicted in September of abetting Brochez in criminal activity, and sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment. He is appealing. Earlier this month, an official inquiry into last year’s breach highlighted a litany of failings, including weaknesses in computer systems, and said authorities believed a state was likely behind the attack.

New technology reduces chemotherapy-related hair loss for patients at Houston Methodist SL Hospital

UGAR LAND— (January 23, 2019) — For patients undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer, hair loss can be a devastating side effect. But now a proven technology – available to Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital patients – can help reduce or even eliminate the hair loss known as chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA).

“Hair loss during chemotherapy is more than just an image issue,” said Amy Sebastian-Deutsch, director of oncology at Houston Methodist Sugar Land. “It’s also a very visible sign that a patient has cancer, which can lead to privacy concerns. Many patients also report that hair loss impacts how others see them and is harmful to their own sense of well-being. The scalp cooling system can be used by both men and women in order to reduce the likelihood of CIA.” The scalp cooling system includes a soft, flexible cap that fits comfortably on the patient’s head for the duration of each chemotherapy treatment session. The cap is connected to a small cooling machine that keeps the scalp at a constant temperature, just a few degrees below normal. The cap can also be detached from the machine

To help pay for these long-term services, every state must have a Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP). If you received Medicaid long-term services and supports, the state of Texas has the right to ask for money back from your estate after you die. In some cases, the state may not ask for anything back, and the state will never ask for more money back than it paid for your services. The program is administered by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS). The following services and programs are affected by MERP: • Nursing facility care (nursing homes) • Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Condition (ICF/ IID) • The following waiver programs:

Medicaid

o Community Attendant Services (CAS) o Community Based Alternatives (CBA) o Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) o Consolidated Waiver Program (CWP) o Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) o Home and based Services (HCS)

Community-

o Integrated Care Management (ICM) o STAR+PLUS care services) o Texas (TxHmL)

Home

(long-term Living

MERP also affects the costs of certain hospital and prescription drug services you receive. Primary Home Care (PHC) is not affected by MERP. If you are not sure whether MERP applies to the services you currently receive or will be receiving, you should ask your Health and Human Services case manager.

The Paxman Scalp Cooling System was approved by the FDA in 2017 and is now cleared for use on patients who are undergoing chemotherapy to treat solid-tumor cancers such as ovarian, breast, colorectal, bowel and prostate cancer. The cooling system works by lowering the temperature of hair follicles immediately before, during and after chemotherapy. That prevents chemotherapy drugs from attacking fast-dividing hair follicle cells in the growth stage.

Guide to Medicaid Estate Recovery Program

Medicaid managed care enrollees should contact their health plan service coordinator for further information.

Paxman Scalp Cooling System

for brief periods to allow for greater mobility. The reduction in scalp temperature slows blood flow to hair follicles and limits the impact of chemotherapy drugs, which work by preventing cell division. “This is a major breakthrough that has very real benefits for both men and women fighting cancer,” said boardcertified oncologist Jorge Darcourt, M.D., of Houston Methodist Oncology Partners at Sugar Land. “Hair loss is almost always a topic of concern with patients, and many of them find that losing their hair is a constant reminder of their cancer and a real obstacle to a positive attitude. Now they can approach chemotherapy without the additional concern of hair loss and have more control in their fight against

cancer.” If you have general questions about scalp cooling, please contact our Oncology Nurse Navigators at 281.276.8989 or if you want to know if you can be a candidate for scalp cooling, ask your oncologist at your next appointment. To learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit houstonm e t h o d i s t . o rg / sugarland or our Facebook page at fb.com/methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information.

When a person applies for Medicaid and long-term services and supports, the state provides a notice that explains MERP. When the person dies, the state sends a different notice to the estate representative or heirs to let them know that the state intends to file a claim. The notice will ask the representative for information so the state can decide whether to file a MERP claim. An estate is property, such as money, a house, or other things of value that a person leaves to family members

Sudhir Mathuria HEALTHLIFE 360 713-771-2900 or others (heirs) when he or she dies. MERP does not apply to all property that a person may own. Examples of property that the state will not collect on include: • Life insurance policies that name a person to receive the payment. • Bank accounts that are paid on death another person. Giving away resources for no compensation, or refusing to accept income, or reducing income you could receive before moving into a nursing home may result in: A penalty against you for not paying for nursing facility or ICF/IID facility services when you were able to do so; or A decision by the state that you are ineligible for waiver program services or state supported living center services. The state may “look back” up to 60 months before you applied for nursing home, ICF/IID or waiver services to determine when your income was reduced and resources were transferred. the state will not ask for money when: • alive.

There is a spouse who is still

• There is a child under 21 years of age. • There is a child of any age who is blind or permanently and totally disabled under Social Security requirements. • The value of the estate is $10,000 or less. • The amount of Medicaid costs is $3,000 or less. • There is an unmarried adult child who lived full-time in the Medicaid person’s home for at least one year before this person died. • The cost of selling the property is more than the property is worth. Also, the state will not ask for money when this would cause an undue hardship for the heirs.

For enrolling in right Medicare or Medicare and Medicaid Plan contact Sudhir Mathuria at 713-771-2900.

VOICE OF ASIA 18

Plant these super-seeds into your diet

DIET & EXERCISE

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

20-second exercise ‘snacks’ could actually improve your fitness, according to new research by Caroline Praderio

n busy days, setting aside a large chunk of time to work out can feel unrealistic — even impossible. But new research suggests that a few short bursts of activity spread throughout the day could still improve aerobic fitness.

s part of the life cycle of plants - seeds are naturally rich in nutrients. This allows for them to provide a number of health benefits. They can be easily introduced to any diet and for those with nut allergies; they’re a great alternative- providing a similar crunch and taste. Here is a list of our favorite seeds and the benefits they provide. Chia Seeds Chia seeds are currently the seeds of the moment and for good reason. They’re a potent source of nutrients that include fibre, protein, omega-3 fats and calcium.

They are also rich in omega-3 fats, magnesium and iron. They have a nutty flavor and can be eaten on their own or added to salads and yogurts. Pomegranate Seeds This fruits’ seeds- known as arilsare edible and contain fibre, potassium, iron, and vitamin K. Pomegranate seeds can help in the fight against cancer as a study published in The International Journal of Oncology showed their potential to hinder the spread of breast cancer cells. The high levels of antioxidants found in the juice made from pomegranate seeds can also help to protect the body against free radicals and inflammation.

The soluble fibre found in them helps to improve digestion. The fibre prevents constipation by preserving more water in your stool, making it easier for the body to remove it. They are also hydrophilic- when they come into contact with liquids; they swell up and form a gel. Once the fibre comes into contact with your digestive liquids- your stomach expands and this induces satiation. This substance can also work as a prebiotic- feeding the probiotics in your gut. seeds | Longevity Live They also contain the omega-3 fatty acid alpha lipoic acid (or ALA). According to a study published in the Journal of Molecular Biochemistry, ALA can help to hinder the growth of breast and cervical cancer cells without harming the healthy cells. Aside from helping in the fight against cancer, studies have also revealed that they are great for heart health. They help to lower blood sugar and reduce the risk factors of heart disease. Calcium is imperative for strong teeth and bones. It also plays a part in blood clotting and muscle and nerve function. For those who are unable to get their calcium from dairy products, they are the perfect alternative being a great source of calcium. They also contain phosphorus which forms DNA and magnesium which is important for your metabolism. Furthermore, chia seeds can also act as alternative protein source for those who do not eat meat and animal products. Because of their ability to thicken, chia seeds can be added to sauces or used to create desserts. They can also be added to cereal and yogurts. Flaxseeds Flaxseeds are rich in soluble fibre, omega-3 fats and lignans. The lignans help to reduce the risk of heart disease, whereas the soluble fibre helps to lower the level of bad cholesterol in the body. The soluble fibre also helps to regulate blood sugar and appetite. The regulation of blood sugar helps to lower the risk of diabetes whereas the regulation of appetite helps in regards to weight management. There have also been reports that display the anticancer properties of flaxseeds. According to a study published in Clinical Cancer Research, they may lower the risk of cancer by hindering the growth of cancer tumors. The body has a hard time digesting whole flaxseeds thus it’s best to consume ground flaxseeds. Ground flaxseeds can be used in baking as egg substitutes. They can also be mixed into salads, yogurts and smoothies. Hemp Seeds Hemp seed- also called hemp heartsmay be the best seeded source of out

Aside from enjoying them with the fruit, they can also be added to salads, yogurts and even made into a jelly. Pumpkin Seeds There’s more to pumpkin seeds than Halloween decorations. Also known as pepitas, pumpkin seeds are rich in iron, zinc, B vitamins, magnesium, fibre, omega-3s and protein. They are also rich in phytosterols- plant compounds that can help to lower cholesterol. Pumpkin seeds can be used in the fight against prostate cancers as studies have revealed that the protective compounds found in them may prevent the onset of cancerous behavior in cells located in the male prostate.

These seeds can be snacked on raw or roasted. They can also be part of granola bars or added to trail mixes. Sesame Seeds Sesame seeds are a good source of B vitamins, zinc, protein and selenium. They’re also a great source of lignans which has been proven to improve cardiovascular health. The lignans can also help to reduce cancer risks. According to studies, sesame seeds can also help to naturally lower blood pressure. Sesame seeds can be grounded and used as an ingredient in hummus. Whole sesame seeds can be added to salads or stir-fry meals. Sunflower Seeds Sunflower seeds are extremely rich in folate, vitamin E, protein and selenium. Folate helps to prevent birth defects whereas vitamin E works as an antioxidant and it also helps to maintain healthy hair and skin. Selenium, on the other hand, helps to protect against breast cancer and the development of thyroid disorders. Their nutritional content also allows for them to balance cholesterol levels and lower high blood pressure. They are extremely versatile and can be added to cereals, salads, yogurts, smoothies and muffins. It’s clear that from our list that not all seeds are destined for the soil. That being said, it’s time to incorporate these small nutritional powerhouses into your diet. - Longevitylive.com

Hemp seeds also contain plantbased compounds- phytosterols- that, according to studies, can help lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health.

“We’ve been increasingly interested in translating this out of the lab and making this more practical and accessible to people,” he said. “We thought, well, stair climbing is a great way to apply this. Many of us work in an office tower or live in apartment complexes, so stairs are readily available.”

The researchers recruited inactive students for an exercise “snack” regimen The researchers recruited 24 college students who were healthy but inactive, reporting less than one hour of structured exercise per week. Half of the students were randomly assigned to a control group, while the other half took on a six-week regimen of exercise “snacks,” or short bursts of physical activity. (The term “exercise snacks” was coined by another team of researchers in 2014, the authors wrote in the paper.) This latter group performed three exercise snacks per day, three days out of the week. For each snack, they vigorously climbed stairs for 20 seconds. Each bout of stair climbing was separated by one to four hours of recovery time. The snacks were also preceded by a short warmup (10 jumping jacks, 10 squats, and five lunges on each side) and followed by a oneminute walking cooldown.

The short bursts of stair climbing led to a modest improvement in cardio fitness Before and after the experiment, the participants underwent a test to mea-

Winter exercise tips Consider your heart If you have a history of heart disease or two or more risk factors for heart disease -- including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history of early heart disease, diabetes, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle or poor diet -- cold-weather exercise can actually cause a heart attack.

Protect your skin

It may not seem as sunny, and it may even be cloudy, but you can still get a sunburn during the winter, so wear sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and reapply it often, especially at higher altitudes where your risk of sun damage is even greater due to closer proximity to the sun and the reflection of sun off snow.

Dress smart

Don’t over- or underdress if you are exercising outdoors. Exercise causes your body to heat up fairly rapidly, so bundling up too much can cause you to get overheated or to sweat, which can make you even colder when you slow down.

Exercise contributes to good mental health

They are considered a complete protein source- they contain all essential amino acids which the body is unable to produce. This is especially vital for vegetarians and vegans.

Dr. Martin Gibala, professor of kinesiology at McMaster University and senior author of the study, told INSIDER that he and his team have been researching the benefits of short exercise bursts for more than a decade. But these types of studies often take place in lab settings using stationary bikes.

“The practical analogy would be, people come into work in the morning and bound up a few flights of stairs. They do that again on a break or a lunch and they do it again before they leave for the day,” Gibala said.

veryone knows exercise is good for your physical health. But, did you know exercise is also good for your mental health? there.

The small study, authored by a team of researchers from McMaster University and University of British Columbia Okanagan, was published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, the New York Times reported Wednesday.

A series of studies out of Duke University consistently found exercise helps a lot of people. The research started with a study of more than 150 adults with mild or moderate depression. They were separated into three groups: Group 1 took the antidepressant drug, sertraline which is in Zoloft and Lustral. Group 2 took the antidepressant and

exercised three times a week for 45 minutes. Group 3 did exercise only. The treatment lasted for 4 months. They found treating depression with exercise was just as effective as medication. It was basically a three-way tie. They followed up six months later and found the exercise only group did overwhelmingly better with much fewer patients relapsing. The studies concluded that it’s not that medication doesn’t work, it does. It’s that exercise works just as well, and it has the added bonus of creating a positive new identity.

A new study found short bursts of stair climbing improved fitness in a small group of participants. (Photo: sirtravelalot/Shutterstock) • A new study found that brief exercise “snacks” during the day could improve fitness, the New York Times reported. • For the small study, researchers recruited healthy but inactive college students. • Half of the students performed three short bursts of vigorous stair climbing spread out across the day. • After six weeks, the stair climbers had improved VO2max — a measure of cardio fitness— by about 5% compared to the control group. sure their cardiorespiratory fitness.

provement,” Gibala said.

“[The test] reflects the ability of the heart, the blood vessels, and the lungs to deliver oxygen through the body, Gibala said. “We measure that using something called a maximal aerobic capacity test, or a VO2max test. That involves exercising on a bike at progressively higher workload ... until you’re not able to go anymore. It provides a very accurate measure of the body’s peak ability to use oxygen.”

He added that this very small experiment was a “proof of concept” study, and in the future, the researchers have plans to study exercise snacks in larger, longer-lasting studies with more diverse groups of participants. They also plan to look at how these bursts of movement might affect different markers of health, like blood pressure and blood sugar control.

This measure of fitness is also important to health, Gibala added, because it’s closely related to the risk of developing certain chronic illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. After the six-week exercise snack regimen, the stair climbers had improved their VO2max by about 5%, compared to the control group that stayed inactive. “The size of the effect was small, but nonetheless we saw a measurable im-

For now, though, the takeaway message is simple. “We’re not at all suggesting that people should only do a minute of exercise or this is all you need,” Gibala said. “Really it’s a reminder to people that small bouts of activity can be effective. They add up over time. Exercise doesn’t mean you have to change into spandex and go to the gym. It can be something as easy as stair climbing.” - TheInsider.com

Higher quality protein could lead to better results for those on bed rest

ALVESTON, Texas – A new research study suggests that improving the quality of protein people eat while on bed rest could actually help protect muscle mass and burn fat. Physical inactivity and bed rest, especially when accompanied by illness or injury, can lead to a host of problems, not least of which is an increase in fat and a loss of muscle mass. Even during rehabilitation, restoring body composition can be a challenge. But fixing the problem could have something to do with what people eat while inactive.

fat, while the standard diet group lost less fat and more muscle mass. Once the research participants started rehabilitation after bedrest, the whey protein diet group also recovered muscle strength faster than the standard diet group. “Whey protein has the right proportion of key essential amino acids needed to efficiently carry out the functions that proteins perform in the body. Our results could represent a more nuanced, short-term solution that moves us beyond the ‘more is always better’ approach,” ArentsonLantz said.

Researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston said that improving dietary protein quality reduced some of the negative effects of physical inactivity on body composition and muscle function in their paper published in The Journal of Gerontology.

Arentson-Lantz and Paddon-Jones noted that their study could have relevance for individuals or patients able to eat relatively normally but temporarily unable to be physically active. When on bed rest, consuming too much or too little food can lead to a host of unwanted changes in body composition and metabolism.

“When a person is restricted to bed rest, even for a few days, they typically lose muscle and gain fat,” said Dr. Douglas Paddon-Jones, a professor at UTMB and senior author of the study. “Simply eating more food and protein may help protect muscle, but will likely increase body fat. Conversely, eating less food may help avoid fat gain, but will accelerate muscle loss. In this study, we were interested in finding a pragmatic, practical approach to help deal with this issue.”

“The quantity of food needed to protect muscle and metabolic health during periods of inactivity falls within a pretty narrow range,” ArentsonLantz said. “So food and protein quality absolutely matter. If you are sick or injured, we want to figure out the best way to help you maintain muscle, avoid fat gain and then recover faster. Many interventions can be expensive, burdensome or even risky. But everyone needs to eat. If we can tweak regular meals and get health benefits, then that’s a great place to start.”

During a 7-day bed rest study, Paddon-Jones and his team had one group of volunteers consume a typical whole food, mixed animal and plant protein diet. Meanwhile, a second group consumed similar meals with some of the whole food sources of protein replaced with whey protein. Both diets had the same calorie content and quantity of protein, fat and carbohydrate.

Other study authors include Elfego Galvan and Adam Wacher of The University of Texas Medical Branch and Jennifer Ellison from Texas Woman’s University.

“Whey protein, a naturally occurring dairy protein, is one of the highest quality proteins and is also easy to add to meals”, said Dr. Emily Arentson-Lantz, a research scientist at UTMB and the study lead author. The research team found that the group on the whey protein augmented diet kept more of their muscle mass, and actually lost some body

This research was funded by the National Dairy Council, the Dairy Council of California, the National Institute of Nursing Research at the National Institutes of Health, and in part by the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center grant and the National Center for Research Resources. The study was conducted with the support of UTMB’s Institute for Translational Sciences, supported by Clinical and Translational Science Awards from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. SOURCE:The University of Texas Medical Branch

TRAVEL & LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 19

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

Here’s where airlines stand when it comes to tipping flight attendants

Disney is opening its firstever ‘Zootopia’-themed land

And what passengers need to know before reaching for their wallets

race for the possibility of visiting a famed gazelle and a sloth-operated DMV on your next theme park vacation, because Disney’s first-ever “Zootopia”-themed land is opening at Shanghai Disneyland.

recent flight taken by travel points and miles writer JT Genter has once again raised the issue of whether or not passengers should tip flight attendants, with one budget airline encouraging the action. Genter, who wrote about his experience with the occurrence first-hand, was surprised when he was handed a flight attendant’s tablet on a Frontier Airlines flight and asked if he’d like to leave a tip after ordering a drink. After reaching out to Frontier, Genter was told by a spokesperson that the airline does not keep any portion of the tips and that tips had been shared among flight attendants until Jan. 1, 2019, when they became eligible to start earning tips on individual sales. Frontier introduced tipping three years ago. “We appreciate the great work of our flight attendants and know that our customers do as well, so [the payment tablet] gives passengers the option to tip; it’s entirely at the customer’s discretion, and many do it,” Frontier spokesman Jonathan Freed told the Chicago Tribune. While the issue has been contested in the past, the recent incident has sparked the question once again, with airlines varying on where they stand when it comes to the matter. Some airlines, like United, prohibit their employees from accepting tips, while others, like Southwest, do not allow flight attendants to initially take or expect tips but would allow them to accept a tip should a customer insist. Meanwhile, the two other U.S. budget carriers, Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines, don’t include the option in payment systems. Allegiant has an official policy against tipping, according to Bloomberg. Southwest Airlines and American Airlines both offer rewards programs where passengers can recognize cabin crew. Southwest A-List Preferred and Rapid Rewards A-List Members have the opportunity to do this with the airline’s Customer Kick Tail-A-Gram, which passengers receive by email and can give to employees to use to enter into an account for drawings throughout the year. Meanwhile, elite fliers can do the same with American

Some airlines expressly prohibit their employees from accepting tips in any circumstance. (Photo: Siim Teller/Compflight)

to the big city to become a police officer and follows her unexpected partnership with slick fox Nick Wilde in their

The new area will be themed to the exciting cityscape made famous by the Academy Award-winning film, compete with and a colorful skyline and iconic details. Expect plenty of characters — or in this case, citizens — as well as face-to-face interaction with the film’s stars Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps as part of a brand-new ride involving the residents of Zootopia’s bustling namesake town. With the announcement having dropped earlier this week, details are not yet revealed about what souvenirs and themed snacks will be for sale, but odds are they’ll be

tailor-made for a metropolitan city all animal life call home. (We’re hoping to enjoy the film’s “pawpsicles” and sweet treats that would make Officer Benjamin Clawhauser proud.) Rumors have persisted for months of a similar project possibly coming to Walt Disney World, but while “Zootopia” proved to be quite popular here in America, it was a blockbuster phenomenon in China. The animated film went on to break box office records and become China’s top animated feature film of all time, making Disney’s newest theme park its ideal home.

attempt to solve a city-wide mystery, is sure to feel even more real once the Disney park’s land debuts. With construction beginning later this year, the new “Zootopia”-themed area will likely open by 2021, making Shanghai Disneyland — with two expansions announced within a few years of its opening — even more worthy of visiting. In 2018, Shanghai Disneyland opened its own Toy Story Land; when the resort debuted in 2016, it revealed rides so groundbreaking that one is making its way stateside to Walt Disney World in Florida.

Airlines’ Above and Beyond program, which allows passengers to hand out coupon codes towards gift cards or merchandise to cabin crew as a thank you.

including your flight details and the employee’s name to recognize crew members that exhibited outstanding service.

Part of the debate surrounding tipping is the safety role flight attendants are primarily taking on as part of their job duties.

Book lover? Plan your trip around a literary festival

“Flight attendants used to have to be registered nurses because the aircraft cabins weren’t pressurized; it’s [really] a safety professional role, with a mask of customer service in there,” a representative from the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) told Travel + Leisure in a previous interview. “Flight Attendants are certified for our safety, health, and security work; safety is not variable and therefore base compensation for a safety job cannot be variable,” AFA president Sara Nelson said in a recent statement in response to Frontier’s policy change. Nelson continued to point out that tipping is not part of a flight attendant’s compensation for serving as “aviation’s first responders.” If you’re looking for a way to thank your cabin crew for their service during your flight, sometimes kind gestures and genuine appreciation can be enough (especially during the busy holiday season). “As with anyone in the service industry who works on the holidays, it’s always a special treat to be appreciated by a customer whether it’s with a gift card, a Customer Kick Tail-A-Gram, or a genuine smile,” a Southwest Airlines spokesperson told T+L. You can also contact the customer service representatives of an airline and write a note

- Travel + Leisure

by Annie Groer

ur map of India was the size of a tablecloth, and our folder of can’t-miss sights bulged with papers. In the winter of 2013-14, during a wave of sexual attacks on women in India, I, a smallish woman, was thrilled to be traveling there with a strapping 6-foot man. But when illness grounded him, I panicked. Despite decades of intrepid, solo travel, those crime stats rattled me, even as he urged, “You have to go for both of us.” Then I discovered the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival. Held each January in the capital of the storied state of Rajasthan, it draws more than 200,000 people over five days of author readings, signings and debates, plus music, dance and food. For a lone female bookworm, there was no better intro to the subcontinent: A safe place to hear emerging and established talent, savor Indian culture and cuisine, and meet friendly strangers from cities I’d later visit. Having attended the 2012 Sydney Writers’ Festival and several American book fairs, I knew these events were a blast. But I really hit the Jaipur jackpot when two Australian women I’d spent time with invited me on their post-fest tour of Rajasthan. Seven days later, as we parted in New Delhi, I knew I’d be fine alone for the next six weeks, given all I’d learned from Yogi, our Indian

driver, and the savvy Aussies. I’m now mulling other foreign lit-ventures: the Hay Festival Wales, in the Welsh border town of Hay-On-Wye, 150 miles from London, and the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, on the dazzling Indonesian island of Bali. But you don’t need a passport for a good book wallow. Homegrown celebrations of the written and spoken word abound. Lasting a day to a week, American gatherings include regional to global writers of prose, poetry and graphic works across many political, religious, age, gender, social, scientific, cultural and ethnic spectra. And they often include concerts, foodie fare, pub crawls, artsy vendors and local tours. Two of them made my domestic wish list: the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival in the French Quarter (one beloved event is the Stella and Stanley shouting contest a la Williams’s fraught play “A Streetcar Named Desire”), and the Texas Book Festival in Austin, founded by exlibrarian Laura Bush in 1995 when husband George W. was governor. “What makes a book festival great for solo women travelers is that the festival has done all the work for you,” says Julie Wernersbach, literary director of the Austin weekend. “You just show up. You meet people standing in line waiting for a book signing or sitting next to you at a reading. You can do yoga with authors, rent a kayak to go boating with authors. There are blocks of rooms in hotels we have already vetted. For safety, the streets are closed in and around the state capitol, which is already a destination. There are lit crawls in bars and galleries, so it’s a nice way to see nightlife that might otherwise be intimidating if you’re a single woman.” Feeling flush? Stay in the authors’ hotels, the better to corner them in the lobby or bar. Buy priority access, even at free festivals, for entry to private parties and meals, lineskipping privileges, even valet parking. This is, after all, a vacation. If a festival is part of a longer trip, start rather than end with it because locals are great sources of insider travel intel and can also be welcoming hosts and guides. An Australian woman I met at the Sydney Writers’ Festival passed me along to her brother in Tasmania, who later provided a terrific tour of the gorgeous countryside around Hobart and invited me on his radio talk show to discuss the 2012 U.S. presidential campaign. Two years later, an Indian couple from the Jaipur fest not only hosted a small, home-cooked dinner for me in New Delhi, after which they performed traditional music and song, but later took me to the India Art Fair, a grand exhibition of modern and contemporary South Asian work I probably would have otherwise missed. As I tell my solo vagabond girlfriends, it’s the best of all worlds: great books, new friends, safe travel. To find literary festival listings, check book lovers’ re-

The story, which brings golden-hearted Judy Hopps

sources such as the African American Literature Book Club or Everfest.com. For U.S. events, try Bookreporter.com. Hoping to integrate a book festival into your 2019 travel planning? Here is a chronological list of some of this year’s major gatherings in the United States and around the world: Jan. 24-28: Jaipur Literature Festival. Free. More than 200 South Asian and global authors and performers. One-day “delegate” passes cost about $85, all five days $323. Both cover meals and other events with writers and friendly fellow delegates. Jaipur also sponsors small U.S. events in New York, Houston and Boulder, Colorado, in September. Feb. 16: Savannah Book Festival. Free. Some 40 authors in venues throughout the Georgia city’s historic downtown. Festival Saturday is bracketed by opening, keynote and closing talks Feb. 14-17, $20 each. March 20-24: Virginia Festival of the Book. Featuring 250 authors in 70 spots across Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Most events free, but some featuring hot authors and food cost $22 to $60. March 27-31: Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Book Festival. Five days of workshops, lectures, plays, discussions and tours. Single events $10 to $50; packages covering some or all 40-plus activities, $200 to $600. March 29-31: Saints and Sinners Literary Festival. An international celebration of LGBTQ authors, partly overlapping the Williams event in New Orleans. $50 per day pass, $150 for the whole shebang. March 30: Ujamaa Book Festival. Free. Forty authors gather at a hotel in Alexandria, Virginia. Sponsored by Harambee Books & Artworks, which focuses on African American writers and artisans. April 13-14: Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Readings, panel talks and cooking demos. Free and paid events. A $100 two-day package buys priority entry and valet parking. April 25-May 13: Buenos Aires Book Fair. Brush up on your Spanish (limited translation) and join a million public and industry attendees at more than 1,000 events. Some free, some paid but not yet priced because of high inflation rates. April 29-May 5: Sydney Writers’ Festival. A week-long celebration of more than 200 Aussie and international authors; some free events, some paid. May 4-5: Bay Area Book Festival. Free and paid events in downtown Berkeley, California; $10 and $15 passes for priority entrance. May 23-June 2: Hay Festival Wales. With just 1,500 residents but more than a dozen bookstores, Hay draws more

- Travel + Leisure

than 200,000 bibliophiles to its tented fields for a glorious spring lit-fix. Hay also hosts a smaller Wales festival in December, plus others during the year in Europe and Latin America. June 8-9: Printers Row Lit Fest. Free. In this former hub of book production, the Chicago Tribune hosts author readings and signings, sellers of new and used volumes, food vendors and performers. July 20: Harlem Book Fair. Free. Outdoor readings and panel discussions by 60 to 75 authors and poets, plus music events and vendors draw 20,000 book lovers to what organizers call America’s largest African-American lit fest. Aug. 31: Library of Congress National Book Festival. Free. Another Laura Bush legacy from her White House years. Several hundred authors speak inside the city’s cavernous convention center. Sept. 22: Brooklyn Book Festival. More than 300 authors on 14 stages, plus 250 booksellers and other vendors at an outdoor market. During Bookends (Sept. 16-23), multiple literary offerings in all five New York boroughs. Oct. 23-27: Ubud Writers & Readers Festival. International tourists at this festival in Bali pay $85 for a day pass, $284 for four days’ access to 70 programs. Organizers offer hotel packages that hint at chance meetings with authors. Oct. 26-27: Texas Book Festival. Most events free. Features 250-plus authors in the State Capitol building in Austin and nearby venues; many local exhibitors and food sellers, plus special events. A $100 donation buys priority seating and signing-line access for two people at select events. October: Alaska Book Week. Free. No dates yet. Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and other locales host a total of three dozen lectures, panels, readings, discussions, and even an artistic bookmark contest. Nov. 4-10: Lagos Book and Art Festival. Nigeria. Check the website for details closer to the event. Nov. 9: Portland Book Festival. Formerly called “Wordstock,” the day-long, multivenue celebration in Oregon draws more than 100 American and international authors; $15 for advance tickets, $20 at the door (both include a $5 book voucher). Nov. 17-24: Miami Book Fair. Eight days of events with 500-plus authors. Given the community’s Latin and Caribbean cultures, some writers present in Spanish, French or Haitian Creole. with real-time translations. Daily tickets for the separate Street Fair and the Congress of Authors are free to $10, depending on age. “Evenings With” speakers require tickets, $20 and up. - The Washingt Post

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FASHION & BEAUTY

VOICE OF ASIA 20

Fashion ripples during the new year lull

A Bollywood hairstylist tells us how to recreate awesome celebrity updos

by Samuel Thomas

elcome to the fashion no man’s land between the New Year’s clearance sales and the start of the new season spring wear.

Insider tips from the hair expert who tends to Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor’s tresses

At the retail level, this is a fraught time, as the toasty winter gear that customers need to get them through to the end of February was either sold to them at full price in early November or at a cut price in the January sales. That leaves at least two solid months of retailers trying their best to get customers amped for spring trends, while the winds still blow icy cold outside.

by Hasina Khatib

ome days, it feels like you’ve only officially reached adulthood when you manage to carry off a dignified bun with poise and grace. From the formal section of one’s social calendar to the everyday, this versatile hairstyle has found its iterations for every occasion over time, be

It is also the season when companies restructure their retail portfolios as the end of the financial year draws to a close, with shop closures making way for new shoots of fashion popping up in the following months.

it the no-muss, no-fuss top knot for a quick dash at the airport or a messy bun that’s perfect for second-day hair at a last-minute party. To help you get a head start, we brought in celebrity hairstylist Ayesha DeVitre, the woman behind some of Bollywood debutantes Janhvi Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan‘s hairstyles. From her go-to products to nifty styling tips, find it all here.

Recreate Sonam K Ahuja’s top knot Photo: sonamkapoor/ Instagram

The most high-profile closure so far is the once highly popular hypergirly Liz Lisa, which is pulling its Takeshita-dori Harajuku store on Jan. 31, as well as three others nationwide. Sticking to its retro girlish fixed formula may have won it more fans from overseas but, unfortunately, it lost the trend-focused domestic market. There can be a slightly depressing mood as sale signs mix with other

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

A ‘hypergirly’ dress by Liz Lisa. (Photo courtesy Liz Lisa) zon and the chocolate market saturated, some retail is at least doing its best to crowbar anything fashionrelated into the celebration. At the industry end of the equation, however, the gears are already spinning and the wheels are in motion to get the clothing you’ll be wearing later this year into production. Not only is the countdown to March’s Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo already ticking, but many of the leading lights of Japanese fashion have already played their hand at the European fashion capitals of London, Milan and Paris. Having proven themselves domestically, the likes of Fumito Ganryu of Comme des Garcons fame, Ambush, and Takahiromiyashita The Soloist have now made Paris their home for the menswear season. They all also took the time to send some women’s looks down the runway, showing that men’s collections are a good entry point to Europe for Japanese fashion brands, a trend we are likely to see reinforced in the future. - Peacocking pants One of the real surprise success stories of the European fashion collections was men’s underwear label Toot, which took Milan with aplomb. Its very skimpy silk boxers, swimwear and briefs (even their trunks leave very little to the imagination) drew plenty of attention on the runways of Tokyo for the past couple of seasons. But for a company aiming to sell bikini-cut swimwear and glow-in-the-dark or tasseled thongs to men, seeking to reach the larger global market is not a bad move.

Fumito Ganryu’s Fall 2019 Collection item. (Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com) similar closure notices, but keep in mind that this sparse mood will pass.

- Overseas starts With Valentine’s Day on the hori-

You’ll require: Hair conditioner, bobby pins, elastic bands, a donut stuffing (if desired) Top knots make the maximum effect when they are sleek. While gel can get hair sleek, it can also make your tresses stiff. I like to get a similar effect that stays soft by applying conditioner to dry hair, like the Nashi Argan Moisturizing Conditioner with Argan Oil and Linseed Oil. Using a a tail comb, smooth the sides of your head and gather your hair into a really high ponytail. Anchor it with an elastic band. If you want the bun to retain its perfect shape, pull a donut stuffing through the ponytail and secure it with pins. Then wrap the remaining hair neatly around the donut, keeping its shape intact. The size of the top knot can vary, depending on the size of the donut stuffing used. If you want a slightly messier knot, do not use a stuffing. Just twirl the high ponytail and pin it on the top of the head forming a bun. Use your fingers gently to pull out strands from the bun. Finish with a shine spray, like the TiGI Bed Head Head Rush Shine Spray mist or the Paul Mitchell Firm Style Freeze and Shine Super Spray.

Recreate Karisma Kapoor’s chignon

Luckily, the reaction from Italy was a resounding “si!” to the unabashed display of male peacocking. Check the brand’s videos online for an enlivening view of its lineup. If you think your man can pull it off, remember Valentine’s Day is coming! - The Japan Times

The military trend’s here to stay, prove Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan as a camouflage reversible puffer jacket, like the Canada Goose x Vetements piece Kylie Jenner sported recently, military-inspired fashion keeps making appearances on our social media feeds. What’s more, this unisex trend can be played with to suit any look you desire too—layer a camo jacket over a dress of any length to give it a tough girl

Alia Bhatt and right, Karina Kaif. (Images: Viral Bhayani)

rom the camo jacket to headto-toe green outfits, Vogue rounds up leading celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kylie Jenner and others who’re currently leading the ranks. A leading runway trend once upon a time; a classic look today—military fashion has been recycled enough times to confirm its position as a trend that doesn’t stray too far away from the charts. The evolution of warcore—which happens to be the new normcore—is proof enough that combat-inspired clothing is dominating runways and wardrobes alike.

If you still need more reassurance, look towards labels like Dior, Off-White, Marine Serre and Vetements, who have showcased the trend in their spring/summer 2019 shows. Closer home, Shantanu & Nikhil’s recent collections have exhibited military influences through their brooches, belts and vintage jackets. Whether reinvented in the form of an oversized jacket covered in decals, as seen on Alia Bhatt, or reimagined

makeover, a look favoured by the likes of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Bhatt. - Vogue India

Photo: therealkarismakapoor/Instagram You’ll require: a curling iron, root booster spray, heat protectant spray, elastic bands and bobby pins Start by using a heat protectant spray on the hair—my go-to option is the Ghd Heat Protect Spray, which creates a barrier against damage by heat and everyday elements. If you have straight strands, curl the hair into loose, soft waves against the tongs of a curling iron. Leave bangs out in the front if necessary, and gather your hair into a low ponytail. Soften the curls with a brush, and lightly tease your ponytail to give it more volume. Create a loose braid, twist it around your elastic band and secure the ends in place with pins. Turn your attention to the bangs, and loosely twirl the section and incorporate it into the bun. Leave out bits of hair, keeping it wispy while securing the rest with bobby pins. Finish with a quick hand of the Four Reasons Black Edition Shimmering Spray that leaves behind a glowing finish with a light hold.

VOICE OF ASIA 21

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

Home&Real Estate Retail space in Missouri City at Oyster Creek Place planned New road construction approval obtained

alta Inc. has purchased a 3.2- acre lot in Sienna Plantation in Missouri City. They plan to construct retail space overlooking Houston Methodist’s emergency care center and primary care facility. Interest in the area increased last summer when an undisclosed seller subdivided 12 acres. The seller also finalized plans with the Texas Department of Transportation to create a turn

lane at Highway 6 and Oyster Creek Place. Road construction is planned to begin in May, around the same time the retail centers are expected to break ground. The population within three miles of the retail space’s location has increased more than 50% since 2010, rising to 66,806 residents. Also, the popular commuting route of Highway 6 carries more than 50,000 vehicles each day.

Apartment development near TMC being built

tlanta-based Wood Partners broke ground on its new 33-unit apartment development near the new Texas Medical Center campus. The building will have one and two-bedroom apartments and is set to be completed in spring 2020. Alta Med Main will be located at 9330 Main Street and will feature a pool,

dog park, business center, sky lounge, and a clubroom. The development will be an addition to Wood Partners’ Alta West Dallas apartment building located near the corner of Shepard Drive and West Dallas Street as well as its already completed Alta West Gray project located near the border of Montrose and Midtown.

New townhomes begin construction in Katy/Brookshire

GI Homes, Inc. has announced the construction of a new branch of townhomes in their Crystal Lakes community in Brookshire, near Katy. Located west of Houston and near the I-10 Energy Corridor, the two-story homes will be over 1,800 square feet and will

be comprised of fully upgraded interiors. LGI Homes Inc. plans to price the homes from the $170,000s. The townhomes’ interior will feature granite countertops and a full set of stainless-steel kitchen appliances. They will feature attached 2-car garages with private driveways.

Austin tech professional builds off-the-grid cabin for $25k by Creede Fitch

EORGETOWN, Texas - In Texas, where everything is bigger, Ryan McLaughlin is placing his bets on something small. Specifically, a simple 160-square-foot cabin that he hopes city-dwellers will book for $149 a night to get away, find some focus, and reconnect with nature.

Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy. Almost immediately after Ryan and O’Neill connected, they were met by a cascading series of obstacles, starting with cost. To meet his budget of $25,000, Ryan, who had no background in construction, would have to build everything himself. The easiest way to do that,

The verdict is in: These 5 home design ideas will be trending in 2019

To fit everything, the architect included a convertible sofa, a lofted bedroom, and a folding glass door to a deck that doubles the living area. And to compensate for Ryan’s lack of experience, he kept the design deliberately simple. Over an eight-month period, Ryan tackled everything from charring the cedar for the facade with a blowtorch to hammering together storage cubbies. To enable the home to function off the grid, he also installed solar panels for power, a composting toilet for waste, and a water tank for the shower and sinks.

Ryan McLaughlin watches the sunset from the deck of the 160-square-foot tiny home he built, with no prior experience, at his parents’ horse ranch in Georgetown, Texas. Soon, the trailer-mounted cabin will be moved to a vineyard, where it will operate grid-free and be available to rent for short stays. Ryan, a Texas native, spent many years in Seattle as a digital product designer, but by 2017 he was looking to move beyond pushing pixels around a screen to something more three-dimensional. On weekends, he would escape to cottages in Washington’s evergreen forests, where the pace of life gave him time to think. He wanted to bring that meditative experience back to his home state. When a coworker introduced him to Seattle architect Sean O’Neill—who, like Ryan, is a fan of Scandinavian and Japanese design—he knew he had found the person to help him make his dream a reality.

full bathroom, and sleeping area.

The result is a laidback, pitched-roof cabin in which every inch of space is thoughtfully allotted so that guests can spend the maximum amount of time outdoors. - Dwell.com

Above: Ryan McLaughlin watches the sunset from the deck of the 160-square-foot tiny home he built, with no prior experience, at his parents’ horse ranch in Georgetown, Texas. Right: When the sofa is being used as a bed, blackout roller shades can be lowered to turn the living space into a proper sleeping area. (Photos by Benjamin Rasmussen) it turned out, would be to assemble the cabin at his parents’ horse ranch outside Austin and then transport it more than a hundred miles north to its intended final location, his brother’s vineyard in the Hill Country town of Mason. Making the structure mobile demanded that it be built on a trailer base. That trailer base then determined the footprint in which O’Neill would have to squeeze a living space, kitchenette, work nook,

Tips to make a style statement in every room of your house

ant to elevate your home décor in the new year? Whether you’re going for farmhouse style or mid-century modern décor, make a statement in every room, even the most neglected spaces. From the laundry room to the garage, to your home gym and game room, these easy and simple ideas from the design experts at Hunter Fan Company will add comfort and beauty to your home. The Laundry Room

Ingenious and easy to achieve designs. (Photo credit: StatePoint)

sher in the new year with a crop of inspiring fresh ideas across home design. To help you keep up with the latest décor trends, celebrity interior designer, Taniya Nayak, has pulled together the top five home design trends for 2019 to provide inspiration no matter your personal taste. 1. Natural and Organic. Bring a touch of Mother Nature into your home with this trend that accentuates earthy, organic elements. Nayak recommends adding layers of textures, like natural raw jute, and incorporating muted tones, such as terra cotta, moss green or mustard, to achieve this natureinspired style. 2. Feminine and Free. This style embraces a pastel palette of pale blue, pink and cream to achieve a romantic and glam look. Infuse this trend into your space by creating a striped accent wall with soft-hued tones or alternate different paint finishes, such as eggshell and satin, in the same color for a dimensional effect. Bring the look to life with fresh greenery

and indoor plants. 3. Eclectic and Bold. Nayak says “own your own style and show it off…make a statement!” An easy way to achieve this bold trend is to paint a door, an accent piece or even a ceiling in a bright color, like Jester Red or Ceylon Yellow. Unsure if bold colors are for you? Take a look in your closet to see which shades you tend to gravitate toward most. And when it comes to achieving clean, sharp paint lines, one of Nayak’s go-to tools is a premium painter’s tape like FrogTape brand painter’s tape that delivers the sharpest paint lines possible. Treated with patented PaintBlock Technology, FrogTape is a foolproof way to get professional-looking results and eliminate the need for touch-ups. 4. Fluid and Fashionable. Create a space that exudes effortlessness by infusing repetitive patterns and fluid transitions of the same color. According to Nayak, the best way to incorporate varying shades of a single color is to use a paint sample strip like

you might find at a paint supply store as guidance to achieve a serene look throughout the space. Otherwise, stick to a single shade and carefully play with patterns. For example, pair striped dining room chairs with a patterned rug for a fashionforward statement. 5. Luxe Modern. A little design secret to keep in mind: mixing metals is back and in a big way. Nayak encourages DIYers to complement metallic accents, instead of matching them. She suggests creating a palette of two to four metal tones and distributing them throughout the space in ways that are intentional and maintain balance. For a look that is glam, yet modern, consider pairing rose gold with pewter or brushed gold and stainless steel. Visit FrogTape.com/Trends for more trend information and ideas. Ingenious and easy to achieve, these rising trends for 2019 will provide the necessary inspiration to update your home’s interiors. - StatePoint

While this space is one of the most used on a weekly basis, it’s often forgotten in terms of décor and style. Simple touches, like matching laundry bins, wall art and coordinated shelving can really change the ambiance and help organize laundry day chaos. While this space has a ton of potential, it also comes with its share of challenges. Many laundry rooms tend to be cramped and get steamy easily. Adding a circulating element, like a ceiling fan, can remedy this woe and make chores more pleasant. Smaller options like the Loki from Hunter Fan Company come in options as small as 36-inches and can seamlessly coordinate with your updated space. The Game Room Game rooms are often the most aesthetically neglected rooms of the home. Often a culmination of mismatched and hand-me-down furniture, the game room is most likely in need of some tender love and care. Some new pillow covers for the couch and an added cowhide rug can provide a refreshing update to this room. Consider adding an accent wall in a bold color and replacing those outdated band posters for

Loki indoor ceiling fan. (Photo credit: StatePoint ) a grown-up look. The Garage For many people, the garage is the first interior space they encounter after a long day. Unfortunately, it’s also often the dumping ground for old tools, children’s toys and items with no place to call home. Built-in storage can help with organization, and adding a layer of colored floor protectant will make your garage seem more polished and presentable. If you use the garage as a workshop, the introduction of a cool breeze can revitalize strenuous home projects and ensure proper ventilation. Check out ceiling fan design options that can stand up to the elements, such as the Brunswick or Cedar Key from Hunter Fan Company.

The Home Gym When it comes to getting in shape, motivation is key, and having a beautiful, enjoyable space while working towards your goals can make all the difference. Get a better workout by updating your home gym with new mats, colorful dumbbells and a brand-new sound system. Avoid overheating with the latest smart tech, such as the SIMPLEconnect Symphony, a fan that can be controlled from your mobile device or an automated virtual assistant, such as Siri, Google or Alexa, so you can be comfortable without interrupting your treadmill session. For greater comfort, health and use of your home at the start of the new year, consider how you can incorporate beautiful and easy interior design elements into every room. - StatePoint

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You’re moving through a peak time regarding your social life. It could feel like a breakthrough and something that can make quite a difference to your life at this time. At the same time, it wouldn’t be wise to pit yourself against someone in authority.

21 April to 20 May If you could change one thing about your love life right now, what would it be? You might get the opportunity to take a totally different path at the start of the week, so have the confidence to take it. The change of scenery will do you good.

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21 June to 22 July You have energy directed toward groups, politics, and self-employment. You have all the friends and contacts you need to begin a new venture, whether product, service, or project at your current job.

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astrology.com

23 September to 22 Oct Do you have room in your heart for someone new? If you’ve been obsessing over an ex lately, it might be time to move on. Even if you haven’t yet gone through the five stages of grief, maybe it’s time to skip right to the acceptance phase.

23 October to 21 Nov It is a high-energy time. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you aren’t sure of something. Be willing to do a little extra to get things done. Tuesday can bring the opportunity to point out a job well done. Let as many people as possible take credit.

22 November to 21 Dec You’re soon likely to enjoy a gentle but needed bump when it comes to money. The planet of love, acceptance and creativity is asking you to become the person everyone sees as successful and the standard to live up to.

22 December to 20 Jan Health matters are in your hands now. You can now take conscious control of all your unconscious habits. Your good mood is certainly going to make you feel better, no matter what ailment you may have. Minor ailments could strike; stay positive!

21 January to 19 Feb you might discover something about yourself that shocks you. You may be about to launch an idea or product and come up against a side of yourself that sabotages your best efforts. If so, working with a life coach could help you overcome this once and for all.

20 February to 20 Mar Are you single and ready to mingle? The world is a strange place over the weekend, so your dates might be strange, too. It’s fun to date interesting people, but you aren’t really that into drama. Your perfect match is someone who can make you laugh at life’s absurdities.

ACROSS 1. Forever and a day 5. Organ of balance 8. What Jack Sprat couldn’t eat 11. Quinceanera or bat mitzvah 12. Wagon part 13. You can count on these 15. Heart of the matter 16. Perceive by touch 17. Fedora part, pl. 18. *Voter test, now illegal 20. Ireland’s other name 21. Written corrections 22. One from Laos 23. Kind of acid 26. *Segregation laws 30. *Stop segregation, e.g. 31. 40 winks 34. Zeus’ wife 35. Nadya Suleman’s children, e.g. 37. Subject of “Philadelphia” movie 38. Kind of southern pie 39. Chico or Groucho 40. Cured sausage 42. Member of Shoshonean people 43. *Montgomery Bus ____ 45. Produced by inbreeding 47. Brown league 48. Kind of ray 50. Flying toy 52. *He challenged nonviolence 55. Juice alternative 56. Craving 57. Evening in Italy 59. Dead to the world 60. Harry Potter’s mark 61. Wet nurse 62. Ottoman officer title 63. Café alternative 64. Kind of bean

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DOWN 1. *”The ____ of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice” 2. Lena Dunham or Allison Williams, 2012-2017 3. Red carpet purse 4. The Brady Bunch children, e.g. 5. Permission for absence from a college 6. Smart ____, pl 7. Be dependent 8. *____ Housing Act 9. Climber’s destination 10. “____ the season ...” 12. *Mandela presided over its southernmost country 13. Perpendicular to the keel 14. French bun 19. Authoritative proclamation 22. Not to be given to those in authority 23. Manhattan Project invention 24. Chocolate tree 25. “Dear Diary...” note 26. Cup of joe 27. Happen again 28. Do like Demosthenes 29. What moon did 32. Not this 33. Bupkis 36. Oscillator, e.g. 38. ‘70s Ford model 40. Farm pen 41. Meat grinder, e.g. 44. For all to see 46. Model-builder’s wood of choice, pl. 48. *____ on Washington 49. Blue-Green scum 50. *Nobel Peace Prize winner 51. Light bulb 52. Necessary thing 53. Office dispatch 54. Roentgen’s machine 55. Langley, VA org. 58. “Eureka!”

CLASSIFIEDS

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Job Posting – Non-Linear News Editor (Part Time) KTRK-TV, and ABC owned station in Houston, TX has an opening for a part timeNon-Linear News Editor. Candidates should have experience in editing on non-linear systems as well as knowledge of the Digital Newsroom and understanding of the digital workflow for broadcast news, in a deadline intensive environment. Serious candidates should also have a working knowledge of a server based digital media workflow. Candidates should be able to edit in deadline situations, be creative, precise and be able to work fast. You must be able to take direction, and be a “Team Player” who is not afraid of an intense news environment. Hourswill vary depending on the needs of the department, so flexibility to work a varied schedule is required.To be considered, candidates must apply on-line at www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume file, cover letter and list of references. Please Reference Job ID: 631640BR on all materials submitted. Equal Opportunity Employer –Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender IdentityNo Telephone Calls Please

FRIDAY, February 1, 2019

Job Posting – Audience Development Multi-Platform Producer KTRK-TV, the ABC owned station located in Houston, TX, is seeking a MultiPlatform Promotions Producer/Writer/Shooter/Editor for the Audience Development/Creative Services department. We are looking for a creative genius who can conceptualize, write, shoot and edit station promos as well as create compelling digital ads, social videos, and original digital content. Ideal candidates must have at least 3 years multi-platform promo producing experience. Must possess a strong understanding of local news/local station branding, storytelling and story optimization on every platform. In-depth knowledge of Final Cut Pro and Adobe Creative Suite as well as basic After Effects skills are necessary. To be considered all interested applicants must apply on-line at www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume file, cover letter and list of references. Please Reference Job ID: 631358BREqual Opportunity Employer - Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity No Telephone Calls Please

Job Posting – Temporary Audience Development Multi-Platform Producer KTRK-TV, the ABC owned station located in Houston, TX, is seeking a temporary Multi-Platform Promotions Producer/Writer/Shooter/Editor for the Audience Development/Creative Services department. We are looking for a creative genius who can conceptualize, write, shoot and edit station promos as well as create compelling digital ads, social videos, and original digital content. Ideal candidates must have at least 3 years multi-platform promo producing experience.Must possess a strong understanding of local news/local station branding, storytelling and story optimization on every platform. In-depth knowledge of Final Cut Pro and Adobe Creative Suite as well as basic After Effects skills are necessary.To be considered all interested applicants must apply on-line at www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume file, cover letter and list of references. Please Reference Job ID: 631631BREqual Opportunity Employer - Female/Minority/Veteran/ Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity No Telephone Calls Please

Positions open for hotel We are in need of a couple for housekeeping

Houston Community College Request for Proposals (RFP) System Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP) Hands-on Lab Project No. 19-20

for our independent motel located in Karnes City ( 3 hrs West of Houston & 1 hour away from San Antonio). Paying $4 per room. Also position for front desk clerk available. Accommodations provided for both positions For details, contact Sharmi Patel at:

832-444-9575 or 601-213-6654

Sealed proposals will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, Room No. 11B01, Houston, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local time) on February 26, 2019. Documents can be obtained at: www.hccs.edu/abouthcc/procurement/

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Theme: CIVIL RIGHTS from Page 22

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FRIDAY, February 1, 2019