Voice of Asia e paper November 04 2016 by VoiceOf Asia

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VOICE OF ASIA

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

28years yearsofofdedicated dedicatedservice servicetotothe thecommunity community 29

Vol. 29 No. 44 Friday, November 4, 2016 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 24 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

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FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

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GET OUT AND VOTE!

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Vol. 29 No. 44 Friday, November 4, 2016 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 24 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

2016 UN Day Celebration in Houston sheds light on Refugees and Migration

DIWALI CELEBRATIONS Sri Meenakshi Temple Deepavali Bazaar and Health Fair in Pearland

by Shobana Muratee ne Humanity – Shared Responsibility was the theme of the 2016 UN Day celebration observed by the UNA-Houston Chapter on October 25 at the Junior League of Houston, located at 1811 Briar Oaks Lane in Houston, commemorating the adoption of the UN Charter in 1945. Speaking of the United Nation’s global goals that symbolize ‘hope and freedom for immigrants coming to America and for people seeking freedom around the world’, Hon. Teta Banks, Chair, UNA-USA National Council said, “Today we celebrate Houston’s commitment to these goals that are in the forefront of sustainable development goals, especially through personifying goal #17 (of the UN Charter) of partnerships and collaborations. ‘These partnerships are dedicated to Eleanor Roosevelt founding vision of UNA’”, Hon. Banks said quoting her. She then introduced Keynote Speaker Simon Henshaw, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration at the US Department of State. The 2016 Global Impact Awardee was Jean- Francois Poupeau, Executive VP Corp Development and Communications, Schulmberger Limited and Sunny Tang, PhD, fellow of the American Chemical Society, Humanitarian and Philanthropists, UNA- Houston Legacy Member and recipient of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Henshaw spoke of the ‘power of collective action’. “Today the world faces the worst and the largest wave of human displacement since

Page 11

Health Fair Inauguration by Tom Reid and Kyle Price

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Stafford Page 8

Masala Radio’s Diwali Mela at Constellation Stadium, Sugar Land Page 10

Continued on Page 12

Robert Moll, president UNA-Houston and Dr. Roopa Gir presenting JeanFrancois Poupeau with 2016 Global Impact Award. Photo by Shobana M

Dr. Truyet Mai. (3rd from lft), Director, with Dr. Thuan Tran, Mrs. Thuy Nguyen, Mr. Hung An, Mrs. Bac Tran, Dr. Lily Truong, at the event (not in order).

8th Annual Indian Film Festival of Houston by Ellen Goldberg

OUSTON - Audiences attending the 8th Annual Indian Film Festival of Houston (IFFH) were treated to two features, two documentaries, and a short during the event held October 28th and 29th at the Asia Society Center. In keeping with the high standards that viewers have come to expect, Sutapa Ghosh, Founder and Festival Director, brought the best of the best from all parts of India. Although American audiences have become fans of Bollywood films, the Indian Film Festival of Houston offers an opportunity to discover unique motion pictures with universal themes highlighting diverse perspectives of the

Indian Diaspora. Opening night guests enjoyed music by Moodafaruka, food by Nirvana, greetings by Indian Consul General, The Honorable Anupam Ray, and screenings. The documentary by director Elisa Paloschi, “Driving with Selvi,” is about South India’s first female taxi driver who unwillingly becomes a bride at 15, escapes an abusive marriage, and defies all expectations by sheer will and intelligence. The feature film that evening was “Budhia Singh— Born to Run,” directed by Soumendra Padhi, and is based on the early life of the world’s youngest marathoner (starting at the age of 5). His story was internationally reported because of his gift and the controversy concerning whether to let him continue in the sport that he Continued on Page 11

From Lto R: Consul General Anupam Ray, Carolyn Farb, Sutapa Ghosh, Iqbal Khan. Photo credit Krishna Giri

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OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS

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VOICE OF ASIA Publisher: Associate Publisher: Editor-in-Chief: Austin Correspondent: Print & Media Marketing: Marketing: Office Manager:

Changing American Nationalism in age of Globalization

Koshy Thomas Sherly Philip Shobana Muratee Sherine Thomas Jacob David Susan Pothanikat Priyan Mathew

VoiceofAsiaOnline.com

A Challenge in 2016 Presidential Election

Chandra K. Mittal, by Chandra K. Mittal, Ph.D.

Columnists: Legal: Richard M. Alderman Legal: Sharlene Sharmila Richards Research: Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee Health Insurance: Sudhir Mathuria Astrology: Hardik Vyas

Editor Online:

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

Shobana Muratee

All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the consent of the publisher. Voice of Asia assumes no liability resulting from action taken based on the information included herein. Published weekly by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713-774-5140. Fax: 713-7745143. Email for editorial submissions: voiceasia@aol. com; Email for advertising inquiries and submissions: ads@voiceofasiagroup.com

Voice of Asia (USPS 010-215) (ISSN#10705058) is published every Friday (for a subscription rate of $30 per year) by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713-774-5140. Fax: 713774-5143. Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Voice of Asia, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074

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

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Once the 2016 US Presidential election dust has settled and the American electorate has moved past the political mud-slinging of alleged misdeeds of Donald Trump, or potential breach of US national security by Hillary Clinton’s use of insecure private e-mail server, or the alleged quid pro quo between foreign donors to Clinton Foundation and the US State Department under Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Presidential choice will turn out to be a choice between two diverse visions for America, one expounded by Donald Trump - the nationalist and the other by Hillary Clinton – the globalist. The two leaders will launch American policy trajectory in two different directions. It has been clear during the entire course of 2016 election cycle from the statements, speeches, debates, etc. of the two candidates that they have stark differences in their philosophies, convictions and policies prescriptions for solving problems being faced by American society today. These policies, if and when implemented will usher in two different eras for America with national and global implications. These will also redefine America in the 21st Century. Donald Trump’s vision of America 1st is nationalistic that espouses to recapture the old glory of American Exceptionalism through fiscal conservatism to achieve “American Dream” as envisaged by America’s Founding Fathers. Hillary Clinton’s approach, on the other hands, is more globalist intended to pivot American domestic and foreign policies away from nationalism and more towards the global trends that are compatible with socialistic solutions. Whereas, Trump’s vision is more inwardlooking with emphasis on preserving traditional American culture and sovereignty, Mrs. Clinton’s solutions will realign and restructure America by bringing it in line with many socialistic democracies of the world. While, there is nothing absolute or inherently superior or inferior between the two visions, they do reflect contrasting national objectives and

governing philosophies for the future. Today’s America and its public opinion is divided into two separate socio-economic camps, and are being guided by personal interests and survival instincts in the new realities. These differences will impact American domestic economic policies, foreign relations, social programs, jurisprudence, environmental regulations, defense posture, immigration policy, etc. The phenomena of nationalism and globalism have always coexisted as a matter of necessity throughout the human history making it possible for countries to fulfill their needs in the interdependent world. American Founding Fathers consciously made the decision to seek active integration of their “new” country in global affairs including economics, commerce, security, etc. However, globalization was never intended to jeopardize or compromise country’s territorial integrity, political independence or the economy.

nomic problems will come neither from extreme nationalistic isolation, nor from radical globalism because both will jeopardize America’s survival and place in the world today. It can only come from the balance of the two forces consisting of “limited” nationalism and globalism.

foreign engagement or immigration policy, these all have to be guided by principles of preserving American sovereignty, territorial integrity with racial diversity and internal peace. And this will define the new American nationalism in the age of globalization.

While America needs global engagement and integration, it needs to do it while preserving and maintaining its own interests. Be it domestic economic policies, international trade,

Dr. Chandra Mittal is Professor at Houston Community College and Co-Founder of Indo-American Association (IAA). Contact: drckmittal@ yahoo.com

EARLY VOTING

But today with global economic integration and international migration of people, the definitions of nationalism and globalism are changing at a rapid pace. The world is becoming more open and interdependent much to the chagrin of many traditionalists in all countries. Indeed America has been the beneficiary of globalization in the past. At the conclusion of the World War II America’s international engagement indeed propelled it as a global economic and military superpower in the mid-20th Century. The reconstruction of Europe and Eastern Asia devastated by the war brought economic boom to the United States which significantly raised the standard of living standards for most Americans. But for the past few decades America has experienced low economic growth leading to stagnant wages, unemployment and underemployment, global competition, etc. This has led to many Americans to grow weary and anxious about their personal economic situation as see the “American Dream” slipping by them. They also see the idea of “American Exceptionalism” slowly waning. All this is leading to nationalistic pull in American politics and putting pressure on the politicians to solve these intractable domestic problems on a longterm basis. Solutions to American eco-

Happy voters! Three generations of Thomas family at their early voting election location.

“We the People” will determine our Country’s destiny by deciding who will govern us in less than one week. On November 8, the people of the United States will vote their next President. It is imperative that every eligible voter get out to vote. Voting is not just a constitutionally protected right of the people in this democracy, it is a responsibility and a debt that we owe to those have sacrificed for this right. Many of us were denied the right to vote for far too long. Although the 15th amendment created a right to vote, it was only until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that legislation was enacted to ensure access to that right based on race. It was only until the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920 that women were given the right to vote. It is only by the sacrifice of those before us that we have the right to vote and it is only by the current sacrifice of many that we maintain the right to vote. Please do not take this right for granted. By refusing to vote, you forfeit the right to complain about decisions of the government. Most important, you allow others to determine you destiny without your voice. Get involved in the electoral process and vote for the people, propositions, or party of your choice, or make your own party. Vote - No excuses! Koshy Thomas Publisher, Voice of Asia

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FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

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Durga Puja at Houston Durgabari A Devotee’s Cherished Experience by Nirmalya Ghosh

OUSTON - October, 2016 Coming back to Houston to see the Durga Puja after two decades has been a revealing experience for me. As a graduate from IIT Kharagpur, I came down to Houston the “oil capital of the world” on United Nations Fellowship. After completing doctoral studies, I left for Pune, India in 1991 on a promising assignment. Bengali community across the globe worships Goddess Durga. In those days Durga Puja was held in the church and later in the Gandhi Community Centre and selected Houston residents were requested to prepare khichuri, vegetables, mishti and payesh, it was then pooled together and distributed to all Bengalis not only from Houston but from Austin, College Station, Baton Rouge, who attended the Puja. It was more of a limited community social get together and religious worship of Maa Durga. There were a few games for the children in the afternoon and not much of evening activities.

Alter of Goddess Durga at Houston Durga Bari Temple. Photo credit: Saurabh Sengupta. Consul General Dr. Anupam Ray addressing the gathering. promotion of budding and young Bengali singers from India. We got the opportunity to talk to Imon Chakrabarty and Durnibar Saha who we have been watching on TV. We certainly miss this in Pune and other areas outside Bengal during the festival time.

I visited Houston again in 2013 after a gap of almost 22 years. From day one, the warmth made us feel at home. We witnessed Durga Puja celebration at Houston Durgabari and Vedanta Society for two years (2014 and 2016). It is a home away from my home country because of so many friends and acquaintances. In this time gap, I was amazed to see the growth of the community and the construction of Durga bari. It is an honour for Houston to have this pratishthan. When Durga Puja of Houston was awarded the first prize by Chief Minister of West Bengal in 2015, I was overwhelmed. Houston Durga puja today is celebrated with a lot of grandeur. One feels proud when the whole community is so vibrant and holds on to the culture staying so far away from the motherland. The cultural program put up by the local talents of all age groups was very entertaining and well-choreographed. It was amazing to witness the children dressed up in dhoti and ladies in sari playing Dhak and Dhol almost to perfection in front of Maa Durga. Being involved in Pune’s Durga Puja and enjoying the volunteer ac-

The concept of sari, dress, jewelry, pickle, insurance company, website promotion stalls at the Durga Puja mandap is something new compared to that in India, where it is more of gastronomic food and less of saris and jewelry. It was indeed an occasion for revival and rejuvenation for us. The transportation arrangement from the parking lot to the venue would have been better served if sun shade could have been provided for the devotees at Durga Bari. Women smeared with red color sing and dance as they celebrate Durga Puja. Photo credit: Saurabh Sengupta. tivities gives me unique perspective. In Houston too, we were fortunate enough to volunteer our services once for cutting of fruits and distribution of Prasad. The religious rituals were elaborate and so meticulously performed by the priests. Food plays an important role in the Durga Puja festival. The bhog in the

afternoon and chicken rezalla, mutton curry etc. served for dinner were really delicious and the mishti and chatni went really well with them. What was appealing and praise worthy was that the food was prepared in house, by a team of dedicated persons, and our appreciation goes to all. The fish fry and mashla muri sold at Houston Durga Puja, was really delicious and a star at-

traction to all of us. Our sincere thanks to the canteen team who prepared it so tasty. I only remember to have had similar mashla muri outside west Bengal at singer Abhijit Bhattacharya’s Durga Puja at Lokhandwala, Mumbai. Durga puja is not only a religious program; it is a social festival too. To me, another star attraction was the

I would love to visit the unique Houston Durga Puja every year and be a part of it. In my opinion, the Puja of this magnitude was well managed from Puja- Bhog- Dinner- Cultural events- Exhibition etc. and credit goes to the team. Nirmalya Ghosh lives in Pune, India and can be contact at: nirmalya1949@ yahoo.com

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FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

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www.peopleslawyer.net Richard M. Alderman Interim Dean of the Law Center

Q. About two years ago my wife and I ran into financial difficulty and made the choice to attempt to settle our credit card debt. Most creditors settled with us but one credit card company wouldn’t settle, so we quit paying altogether. If we are sued and have a judgment against us for this debt, can our wages be garnished? I guess essentially we want to know what can happen for non-payment of credit card debt. Thank you. A. If you are sued in Texas, the creditor can collect by taking your “nonexempt” property. To put it another way, the creditor cannot take “exempt” property. Under Texas law, your wages are exempt, except for a student loan, child support and certain taxes. Your home is exempt, as is up to $100,000 in personal property. Most retirement accounts, such as an IRA or 401k are also exempt. Because so much of your property probably is protected, my guess is the creditor will talk with you about working out a payment plan, once it knows you know your legal rights. To learn more about that can happen after you are sued, visit, www.peopleslawyer. net, and go to “Legal Topics-Debt collection.” Q. Can a debt collector garnish my bank account in Texas? A. As I said above, most of a person’s property, including wages, is exempt and may not be garnished by a creditor. In Texas, however, money in a check-

Wages cannot be garnished for credit card debt ing or savings account is not exempt and may be garnished by a debt collector. Of course, the creditor must first sue and be awarded a judgment. Q. Hello and thank you for reviewing my concern. How does a business successfully win against a claim of deceptive trade practices? Most of the information I have reviewed seems to slant towards the consumer receiving a favorable ruling. A. There may be more around for consumers because it is usually easier for the consumer to win. A suit for deceptive trade practices requires the consumer to show that the defendant has made a false representation, mislead or deceived him. This usually requires proof that the business said or implied something that was untrue or took unfair advantage of the consumer. The reason it may be easier for the consumer is because the law generally does not care if the business acted in good faith, didn’t know what was represented was false, or didn’t have any intent to deceive the consumer. The law is what we call “strict liability.” If the consumer relies on something a business said, the consumer usually has a claim if it was false or he has been misled or deceived. As a business, you defend these suits by disproving what the consumer asserts. For example, you can show that

what the consumer says is not true or did not happen. You also can show that what you represented did not matter and the consumer did not rely on it. In a lawsuit, the plaintiff, the consumer, has the burden of proof. Q. I am currently preparing my will. I want to leave money to someone who is not my child. Are there legal limits on how I divide my property? A. Texas law does not dictate how you distribute your property in your will. You may leave your property to whomever you want, in whatever proportion you want. Texas law also does not require that you leave your children any specific amount of your estate. Of course, because Texas is a community property state, your spouse already owns a share of property acquired after marriage. You only own your share of the community property. For example, if you have several children, you can leave each child a different percentage of your estate. Alternatively, if you wanted to leave all of your money to a friend, and none to your children, you could do that. The law basically says it is your property and you are free to leave it to whomever you want. Your will, however, should be clear about your intent.

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Q: My brother who is a permanent resident was returning home from his overseas trip in October 2016 and at the airport, he was informed that because of his two misdemeanor theft convictions, he will be denied entry and detained. He received his Immigrant Visa from the US consulate abroad and came here as a permanent resident in January 2001. His wife who was a US Citizen had petitioned for him. His first theft offence was committed in May 2003 and he was sentenced to 6 months’ probation for that. He committed the second theft offence in June 2005 and he was sentenced to 30 days jail. He has not committed any other offences since then and has been a good citizen. What will happen to him? Can I just go over to the detention facility to talk to immigration and get him out? Or can I just pay a bond to get him out? Will he be deported from the United States? How long will he have to stay at the immigration detention facility? Do we need to hire a lawyer to help with the case? He is still married to his United States Citizen wife and they have three US Citizen children. A: U n f o r t u n a t e l y, you will not be able to ‘just go over to the detention facility to talk to them to get your brother out.’ Your brother was denied admission or entry to the United States because he has been found to be inadmissible due to his criminal conviction(s). He is currently detained pending removal proceedings. He will have to go before an Immigration Judge who will have to decide whether he gets to remain in the United States as a lawful permanent resident or whether he has to return to his home country. In terms of receiving bond, no, he is not bond eligible in this case. The reason is because under our immigration law, he is subject to what is known as mandatory detention. A lawful permanent resident arriving at a port of entry and who has multiple criminal convictions involving crimes of moral turpitude such as theft will be held in custody under mandatory detention and can only be released upon the grant of their relief application at the completion of their removal case. Generally speaking, a lawful permanent resident in removal proceedings can

In your brother’s case, unfortunately, he will not be eligible for this form of relief. The reason is because of the timing of his second theft conviction. His first theft conviction is deemed a petty offence – a crime involving moral turpitude for which the maximum sentence possible does not exceed one year and was not sentenced in excess of 6 months does not render one inadmissible. It is the second conviction which makes him inadmissible for admission as a Permanent Resident and which also renders him ineligible for Cancellation of Removal because when he committed the offence in June 2005, that event triggered the ‘stop-time’ rule to end the required seven year continuous residence after admission in any status. In other words, because your brother committed the second theft in June 2005, he can only show 5 years and 5 months and not seven years of continuous residence after admission as a permanent resident - the commission of the second offence in June 2005 stops the time in measuring seven years of continuous residence for him to be eligible for the relief of Cancellation of Removal. As an arriving alien seeking admission, he most likely will be eligible for the standalone 212(h) waiver to waive the second theft conviction. He must show that he has lawfully resided continuously for 7 years before removal proceedings were initiated in order to be eligible to apply for this waiver. Having lived here as a permanent resident since

January 2001 will be sufficient. For this relief, your brother needs to show that his removal and or denial of admission will result in extreme hardship to his qualifying relatives - US Citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent and children. In addition to that, because the waiver is discretionary, the court will also have to weigh discretionary factors such as seriousness of the crime in question, his rehabilitation and remorse, length of time as permanent resident, etc. I strongly advise that you seek the assistance of an experienced immigration attorney to assist your brother in the preparation of this waiver. The attorney should be able to advise the process and prepare the Form I-601 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility and all supporting documents in a timely manner and to avoid unnecessary time in custody. There will be a formal hearing in Immigration Court where your brother will get the opportunity to present his case and show that denial of his admission will result in extreme hardship to his qualifying relatives and to present all the necessary factors as to why the court should exercise the discretion to grant the application in his favor. If the Immigration Judge grants the 212(h) waiver application, your brother will retain his permanent residence and be released from custody. It is normal for this kind of case to take about 2 to 3 months to conclude. 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 713-623-8088 or by email at srichardslaw@ aol.com to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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VOICE OF ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 7

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

FORT BEND VIEW Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

Three nurses from Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital honored with Gold Award UGAR LAND – (NOVEMBER 1) — Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital nurses Allison Damron, MSN, RN, ACNPBC, Elizabeth Gonzales, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, and Amy Sebastian-Deutsch, DNP, RN, CNS, AOCNS, have been named Gold Award winners in the 12th Annual Good Samaritan Foundation’s Excellence in Nursing Awards.

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3 arrested in international scam appear in court

Damron was honored in the category of Clinical Practice in a Small Hospital. Inspired to become a nurse by encouragement from her mother, she was nominated by her director after working to ensure that a patient’s husband was able to receive medical care and remain by his dying wife’s side. “To me, that felt simple and just part of my job,” Damron said. “As nurse practitioners, we have a really big impact on families and patients every single day even if it’s in small ways that may we not notice.” Gonzales was nominated in the category of Nursing Administration and Leadership. Her colleagues recognized her not only for her dedication to the administrative aspect of her role and to the leadership and development of her team members, but also for her passion for going above and beyond to develop relationships with patients and families. “I’m still a clinician at heart,” she said. “I love taking care of patients. Yet, I understand and appreciate the administrative role; I feel that

In this video image, the three Fort Bend County residents are being led to their arraignment on multiple charges. (Video: KHOU)

Photo L-R: Allison Damron, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, Elizabeth Gonzales, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, and Amy SebastianDeutsch, DNP, RN, CNS, AOCNS (Methodist Sugar Land) we need to have very strong leadership in the health care arena and the only way to do that is to dive in and take on some of the issues that are in health care today.” Sebastian-Deutsch was awarded in the category of Non-Hospital Based Care. Honored for her expertise and her passion to make a difference for oncology patients, she seizes the opportunity to be a mentor to other nurses and to create new tools to share her knowledge with patients. “I am humbled to receive an award for doing something I am so passionate about,” she said. “God has been very good to me in allowing me to couple my clinical expertise with my administrative interests.” “I want to congratulate each of these excellent nurses,” said Janet Leatherwood, Chief

Nursing Officer. “These women exemplify the quality care and expertise that Houston Methodist Sugar Land is known for, and they are incredibly deserving of this recognition and appreciation.” The Good Samaritan Foundation Excellence in Nursing Awards recognizes nurse leaders offering extraordinary and compassionate care and service, who are nominated by their peers for their passion, leadership, mentorship and service to the Houston community. The Good Samaritan Foundation encourages nursing excellence through a variety of supported programs from education to practice. For more information about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland

OUSTON - Three Fort Bend Co. men made their first appearance in federal court Friday after being arrested in connection to an international scam operation. Three local defendants have been arrested and are set to make initial appearances Friday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo: Sunny Joshi, 46, and Rajesh Bhatt, 52, both of Sugar Land, who were identified as “domestic managers” for one of the five companies; and Nilesh Pandya, 53, of Stafford, who was described as a “runner” for the same company. They all face charges for identity theft, impersonating an officer and conspiracy in wire fraud and money laundering. If convicted of all charges, they could face up to 45 years in prison. The federal indictments unsealed Thursday in Houston named 61 defendants. The scheme stemmed from five call centers in India, though caller IDs on the victims’ phones indicated they were calling from the U.S. gov-

ernment. The callers alerted victims to trumped-up demands, including fake deportation warrants, nonexistent arrest warrants and phony unpaid income taxes that needed immediate attention, according to federal officials. In all, 20 defendants have been arrested in seven states. In addition, the U.S. Attorney has indicted 32 people and filed charges against all five of the call centers in Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, India. The arrests were the result of a three-year, multi-agency investigation. In addition to the victims allegedly scammed out of their money, more than 50,000 people had their identities stolen to perpetuate the fraud, according to court documents. The scheme targeted mostly South Asian immigrants and elderly people, with callers posing as IRS, immigration, homeland security and other government agents, according to Department of Justice officials said.

“Many of the victims in this case are savvy, successful, lawabiding people,” said Bruce Foucart, the assistant director of Homeland Security investigations. “The scammers in this case and so many like it are convincing, they are menacing and they are ruthless in their pursuit of their victims. They convey authority that leaves their victims terrified – the brazenness of the scammers is chilling.” The scammers reportedly told a woman in Southern California who had cancer that police would show up at her work in the next few days to arrest her if she failed to pay $7,000 in tax debt related to medical bills. “Mortified about the potential harm to her professional reputation if she was seen being led away in handcuffs, she complied,” Foucart said. Another victim in Colorado Springs did not respond to the callers’ request he pay back taxes, and the scammers allegedly called 911, saying the man was armed and intended to kill police officers, he said. A dozen “heavily armed” police officers stormed the man’s home, where his daughter was home alone. No one was hurt. “As this scenario makes clear, the criminals involved in this scheme are willing to go to frightening lengths to try to collect from the victims,” Foucart said. The defendants are also charged with using alternative schemes. Some victims, for example, were offered small, short-term loans or were told they were eligible for grants. The conspirators then asked for a good-faith deposit on the loan or a processing fee on the grant. However, investigators determined that none of the victims ever got money in return for these contributions.

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 8

Diwali, Now and Forever at BAPS Mandir in Stafford

uring the last week of October, lights and candles were lit, sweets prepared and shared, and warm greetings and well wishes were exchanged as millions of Hindus around the world celebrated the festival of lights, Diwali. Diwali presents Hindus around the world with an opportunity to renew the rich traditions of their roots with great

Children also enjoyed the annual Diwali fare filled with games, activities and sweet treats. BAPS youths take great measures to organize and conduct this annual event for the younger participants. Then on October 22 the grand Diwali theatrical performance titled “Diwali, Now and Forever” gave the audience of how

Annakut – an offering of 1000 vegetarian delicacies in front of Bhagwan. Devanshi Patel of Sugarland, TX said “many of the volunteers have been working around the clock to get the food prepared and many of the youngsters participated in the fruit carvings.” She added, “this is one time of the year we get an opportunity to offer our first meal to God.” Thousands of at-

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

Fort Bend to Contest Winners named at experience port FBISD’s annual School Bus traffic, benefits

he Port of Houston is one of the busiest ports in the U.S., and it is expected to get even busier by 2018. However, the growing congestion along the port could that could lead to greater opportunities for the Port of Freeport. Since 2011, leaders at the Port of Houston have been looking forward to the opportunities that would come with the widening of the Panama Canal, but the growth of the petrochemical industry, and the increase in trade has fostered an unforeseen and rapid growth that has manifest in greater traffic congestion.

Safety Week celebration

ORT BEND ISD – During the week of October 17-21, Fort Bend ISD celebrated National School Bus Safety Week by hosting an appreciation breakfast at each transportation terminal to commend transportation staff on the outstanding job they do to ensure that students are safely transported to and from school each day. The District also named student winners in the 2016 School Bus Safety Week poster contest. Each year, the District

invites elementary and middle school students to submit artwork that depicts school bus safety themes and promotes school bus safety. This year, students submitted posters based on the contest theme: “#Stop on Red!” FBISD Trustees Jason Burdine (Vice President) and members KP George and Grayle James joined FBISD Transportation administrators and staff, school principals, art teachers and parents in honoring the contest winners.

The Houston Business Journal reported that in 2010, 10,000 trucks per day used the road system near the port. Five years later, the number of trucks more than doubled to about 25,000 to 30,000 each day on the same unimproved thoroughfares. With more projects and greater population growth projected along the port, the traffic counts expected to double again by 2018. Many started the New Year with the first arti at BAPS (Photo courtesy BAPS, Stafford) fanfare. In marking the season, volunteers of all ages came together to organize a Diwali celebration at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Stafford, TX from October 15 – October 31, 2016. Colorful intricate designs called rangoli, decorative oil lamps and Annakut offerings of vegetarian food before the sacred images of God filled the atmosphere with a renewed spirit of the festival.

spiritual gurus throughout history have guided us through darkness. Every year the Diwali program ends in a grand fireworks display, this year it ended in an emotional tribute to the late His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj; lighted orange and white balloons flew into the sky as rose petals showered down on the stage. A beautiful video presentation at the end thanked Swami Maharaj for giving the world his inspirations, messages and work now and forever.

The Diwali celebrations were kicked off on October 15 with the Kids Diwali Carnival. Kids of all ages from the Houston area experienced the 5 days of Diwali with interactive booths.

The Hindu New Year, October 31, began with many from the community participating in the maha arti at 7:30am. Throughout the day visitors were engrossed in darshan of the grand

tendees experienced the culture and traditions of the auspicious holiday as they offered prayers, well wishes, and resolved to mark the New Year with spiritual enlightenment. Many relished the familiar atmosphere of Diwali and reminisced their childhood days as they immersed themselves in the beautiful sights, traditional songs, and delicious cuisine of the holiday. Bhaskar Patel, who has been working in Mumbai, India for the last 2 years said, “My wife and I made a special trip back to Houston to attend the festivities of the New Year at the Mandir.” He explained, “This Mandir allows me to be with my family and still feel like

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In the next 10 years, more than 600,000 people are expected to live along the corridor in Waller, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties, most of those in Fort Bend County. I am back in India - where else am I am going to have this feeling in the US.” The festivities brought devotees together to serve a common purpose, develop spiritually, and please their guru His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and inspirer, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired the celebration of Hindu festivals at BAPS centers worldwide to keep the rich traditions and culture of India alive with emphasis on the true historic and spiritual purpose of Hindu festivals.

Pictured are poster contest winners with Board Vice President Jason Burdine, Transportation Director Michael Brassfield and art teachers Isabella Flores, Katherine Komos and Georgia Daniel. Winners named in the Lake Olympia service area include: Division I • Faye Tang, 1st place – Commonwealth Elementary • Shelly Au, 2nd place – Commonwealth Elementary • Amna Sami, 3rd place – Commonwealth Elementary Division II • Ahsaf Shayor, 1st place – Armstrong Elementary • David Ramirez-Calderon, 2nd place – Barrington Place Elementary • Nneoma Ogu, 3rd place – Barrington Place Elementary Division IV • Yavraaj Gupta, 1st place – Commonwealth Elementary

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VOICE OF ASIA 9

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 10

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

Diwali Mela was “Huuuge” As promised by Dhamaal Trump

Crowds swelled like “Indian local train station”

mazing cooling temperatures and Bollywood singer Aditya Narayan filled another sold-out stadium at Masala Radio’s HOUSTON DIWALI MELA presented by Star Plus, as well as Tara Energy, Xfinity by Comcast, and Mercedes Benz of Sugar Land.

Aditya Narayan, five-time SaReGaMaPa host and son of Bollywood Singer Udit Narayan.

Some described the crowds on Saturday, Oct 22 5-11PM at Constellation Field like those on a “Indian local train station.” Where else in the world can you encounter a live, full-bellied Ganeshji, and ten steps later watch a flawless imitator of Michael Jackson dance to HollywoodBollywood music? Or where Dhamaal Trump (AKA Masala Radio Lead Sunil Thakkar) answers tougher questions than the US Election Debates coming from “Kaun Banega Crore-Pathi’s” Amitabh Bachchan (AKA Masala Radio Jockey Rajoo Waddy)? I

guests were dazzled by the Ganeshji, jay-dropping pink & orange Mahararaj arches by Blink Decor, and Living Statues of Laxmi, Sita-RamLaxman, and Shiv-ParvatiGanesh. Beautiful chaniacholi clad Apsaras offered a traditional tilak welcome, inviting all to the Star Plus presented Houston Diwali Mela with electric Tara Energy dance performances, Aditya Narayan Concert by Xfinity, Mercedes Benz of Sugar Land Fireworks, Ramji& Associates Rangoli Competition, Alings Hakka Fire Dancers, Design Your Ensemble Fash-

Dhamaal Trump (AKA Masala Radio’s Sunil Thakkar) kept the attendees entertained for hours. Indeed, it took a village of Masala Event Managers, Sponsors, Volunteers and Vendors to put together one of the Indian community’s signature events, from Maharaja styled entrances, to gorgeously-decorated jewelry and fashions booths, gigantic

3-level stage with impeccable sound and lights, additional 3 stages of entertainment, inflatable-carousel-playground kids rides, CO2 and pyro effects, and on-site cooked Indian cuisine. Lining up well before 5PM,

Proof

“Here’s the Party, Yaar!” The Masala Radio crew really knows how to throw a memorable celebration for everyone.

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ion Show, Britannia Bazaar, Karya Kids Rides, Hindus of Greater Houston Maha Arti, SKAI Foundation Hindu Gods Parade, and Spectacular Venue by Harvest Green and Imperial Market. Chef Nirman presented freshly prepared Mumbai Street Foods – like his famous Raj Kachori – from Chowpatty Chat Co. Hilcroft and Chowpatty Express Katy. Rice & Spice, Hyderabad House, and Kwality Ice Cream filled patrons

with delicious full course Indian cuisine, ice creams and Kulfi. Samir Sanghani, first time attendee, said “Everything was very addicting, my wife Mona could not leave the Bazaar shops, my one son Nikhil was glued to the “Eliminator” huge inflatable ride while Saajan rode the carousel 5 times in a row, and my parents kept going back to try different food dishes. I was in a festival buzz all night.” Xfinity by Comcast presented Aditya Narayan, fivetime SaReGaMaPa host and son of legendary Bollywood Singer Udit Narayan. After a Sholay-style entry on white motorcycle sidecar, Aditya emotionally stirred the crowds with “Pehla Nasha” and “Thum Hi Ho.” Echoing his father, legendary Udity Narayan, he got on his knees holding hands with lucky girls from the audience. Frenzy built up to his riveting “Tattad Tattad” with a finale of fireworks personifying the Triumph of Good over Evil. Aditya sang until 11:00 PM with hit after hit, joined in with a variety of background dancers from Arya Dance Academy, Roarin Raas, the audience, and of course Sunil T and the Crazy Masala Crew! Comedian Sunil Thakkar led 3 hours of non-stop main stage entertainment of Bollywood, Folk, Semiclassical, Bhangra, and some westernized Mash-Ups, in order: US Desi Gals, Htown Lil Pathakaz, Kathak Nritya Kala Kendra, Holding Space Fire Dancers, Bollywood Dancing Stars, Roarin’ Raas, Arya Dance Academy, and Infused Performing Arts.

Rangoli judges were challenged to pick just one or two winners from dozens of entries featuring Ramayan scenes, from Hanuman, son of the Wind God, to colored rice and mixed dals kaleidoscopes; ultimately judges split the $1001 Ramji & Associates prize between 9 top entries. A heavenly procession of Hindu Gods exuded vibrant Darshan before manifesting on the stage for the Hindus of Greater Houston’s soul-stirring Maha Arti of 5000 LED lights led by Grand, Platinum, Diamond, Gold Sposnors (mentioned previously) and Silver Sponsors including Anand & Dr.Ashima Chauhan, Brij & Sunita Agarwal, Govind & Renu Agarwal, Fiesta, One Step Diagnostic, NYL Amirali Dodhiya, Perry Homes, Amaya Clinic, Plaza Jewelres, Sling Intl. Masala Radio would like to thanks its dream management Masala Crew: Office: Rinku, Devangi, Shreya, Carlos, Sonali & Dhaval. Event: Ruchir, Shah, Ninad, Devan, Nimi, Ina, Natasha, Ayesha, Mayur, Anuj, Lauhael, Aditi, Pragati & Iman. Stage: Preanka, Dilip, Rajoo, Mehran, Sunny, DJ Zee, Ashka, Krupa, Shreya P., Rupal, & Chris. Halo Re Halo! Organizers Sunil & Sandhya Thakkar request feedback at events@masalaradio. com and look forward to new concepts for Diwali 2017. Halo Re Halo! Photography: Carlos Pena, Gaurav Hariyani, & Meedu Photogrpahy. For more photos HoustonDiwali.com and www.facebook.com/HoustonDiwali.

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COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 11

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

8th Annual Indian Film Fest ... ISKCON Houston celebrates Govardhan Puja and Diwali

IFFH Board of Directors with Emcee Jose Grinan (far rt) Fox 26 Senior Morning News Anchor. Photo by Krishna Giri. Continued from page 3 loved, or whether the trainer was exploiting him. The closing night’s festivities featured food by Nirvana, dances by Rhythm India under the direction of Arzan Gonda, and the presentation of awards at a ceremony emceed by Fox 26 Senior Morning News Anchor Jose Grinan. Three films were shown that evening. The documentary, “Amdavad Ma Famous—Famous in Ahmedabad,” directed by Hardik Mehta, takes place during the kite-flying festival in Gujarat and features 11-year-old Zaid who becomes a passionate and aggressive kite-runner who fights for the right to use a terrace of the building next door on the biggest day of the event. The short film “Daaravtha—The Threshold,” directed by Nishant Roy Bombarde, is about Pankaj, an adolescent who is discovering his sexuality amid accepted norms of a patriarchal Indian upbringing. He finds a way to express his desires in a socially acceptable

way. Director Munish Bhardwaj’s feature film “Moh Maya Money—In Greed We Trust,” tells the story of a young realestate broker whose huge scam goes terribly awry, affecting the lives of his wife, others, and, ultimately, himself. Two winners were present to receive their awards in person. Not only was Eilisa Paloschi of “Driving with Selvi” in the audience, but so were Selvi herself, accompanied by her young daughter who stole the show. Selvi is a woman who continues to change her life, first by learning to drive and working for a taxi company, then learning to drive a bus, truck, and heavy equipment, starting her own company and aspiring to have a fleet of vehicles with her second, loving husband. She is a role model for other women in circumstances similar to those of her early years. As such, she is active in Save Her A Seat, a non-profit girls advocacy organization. Soumendra Padhi received

the award for best feature, “Budhia Singh—Born to Run.” He spoke about the search to find a young boy to play Budhia, then showing the completed film to the real Budhia who is now 14 and is forbidden by law to participate in running for at least another four years. His accounts of the actual story were riveting. Nishant Roy Bombarde received the award for best short, “Daaravtha—The Threshold” which added to his National Award. No doubt more accolades are in store for him. Iqbal Khan, noted actor, model, and IFFH Board Member accepted the award on his behalf.

EARLAND - Deepavali festival 2016 turned out to be a most unforgettable experience in Sri Meenakshi Temple Society (MTS). It is estimated that over 7000 people of all ages from far and near of the Houston metroplex visited the temple throughout the day, from early morning till midnight. Year by year, Sri Meenakshi temple has grown from strength to strength, attracting more and more people from all the diverse communities. The Goddess indeed magically showers her blessings to all. Deepavali, the festival of Lights, is considered as one of the most important Hindu holidays. It symbolizes celebration of the victory of good over evil. The day started auspiciously with a few sprinkles early morning. This is the day when it is believed that the sacred Ganga river flows throughout the world and an early morning bath is equivalent to a dip in the holy waters of Ganga where all our sins are washed away. The priests started the pujas at the break of dawn and worked tirelessly till late evening, attending to the devotees needs. The traditional Lakshmi puja was conducted in the Main Temple late morning and was followed by the Deepavali Katchi. It was a sight to behold. The highlight of the religious event was an elaborate Lakshmi Puja with sahasranama (1008 names) archana was performed in the

Sri Lakshmi was then taken on a procession around the temple with great fanfare and pomp in a most beautifully decorated and shining silver Ratham (chariot), stunningly lit up with blue lamps. Hundreds and hundreds of devotees took part in pulling the chariot rope to the resounding drumbeat of chenda melam (traditional drums of Kerala). Among the many attractions organized by MTS are the children’s cultural program. Brightly clad children entertained the visitors by displaying their wonderful talents in traditional Indian dances and songs. Budding artists competed in art and rangoli competitions. This year, the 21st Health Fair was yet another successful event. Participants lined up long before the registration opened. Sri. S. Narayanan, the temple chairman gave the welcome remarks. Dr. P. Vaduganathan, the coordinator of the Health Fair recognized the Health care providers for their valuable contributions. Honorable Mayor of Pearland Mr. Tom Reid, and Mr. Kyle Price, CEO of Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital cut the ribbon and inaugurated the Fair. The services provided were:

Govardhan Puja and Annakut is celebrated the day after Diwali. It was on this day that Lord Krishna protected the in-

Devotees hearing a class by HH Amala Bhakta Swami on the origin of Diwali while awaiting the candle-lit altar to open. habitants of Vrindavan from the onslaught of Lord Indra’s wrath by lifting the Govardhan hill. Abhishek of the resident Govardhan Deity, with opulent juices, milk and honey bathing Him, commenced and the offering of food placed on the altar, which numbered in the hundreds of dishes. Thus sanctified, the prasadam was then freely distributed to everyone.

This was another successful year for IFFH (www.iffhinc. org) which invites our readers to join us for next year’s festival in October 2017 at the Asia Society Texas Center.

Priests performing Lakshmi Puja at MTS. Photos by Arun Narayanan. evening to a packed devotee audience. There was tremendous enthusiasm and devotion among all who participated. The Arathi accompanied by Vedic chanting enthralled the hearts of all present.

n Sunday, October 31 evening, attendees of ISKCON Houston (Hare Krishna Temple) were treated to an ecstatic Diwali celebration and Sunday Feast program. Hundreds of candles shone during the special aarti of the magnificent Deities decorated with fragrant flowers,and decorative lights lined the temple room. Later over a thousand guests were served prasadam

IFFH’s Philanthropy award was presented to H-E-B. Mr. James Harris, Director of Diversity, accepted the award on behalf of H-E-B.

Spectacular Deepavali Bazaar and celebrations at Meenakshi Temple

by M.K. Sriram

The honorable Pujaris performed Abhishek on Sri Giraj Govardhan, the largest such Govardhana Shila outside India. (All photos by Thejas Rajaram)

EKG (Memorial Hospital), Blood tests including Fasting Lipids, Comprehensive Metabolic profile , Complete Blood count and Thyroid test ( Kindred Hospital) , Vision screening ( UT McGovern Medical students) Dental screening, urologic. Gastroenterology and a rheumatology advise and Flu shots (Cypress Spring Family clinic). There were about 150 people registered and received screening tests. Over 50 vendors displayed their exotic jewelry, saris, costumes, art works, pictures, books etc in the grand bazaar that filled up the entire Youth Center. The highlight of the festival was the spectacular fireworks show that drew oohs and aahs from the crowd. Diwali and fireworks are synonymous, and people were treated to a fantastic show. MTS Raffle as always is most popular at the Deepavali festival. Thousands jostled to buy the tickets hoping that Sri Lakshmi will bring them luck so they win one of the many grand prizes. The grand finale was the traditional garba dance that many had been waiting to participate in. They literally danced till the stroke of midnight. All in all, a most magical day for everybody. This Deepavali Bazaar was organized and executed so well by coordinator Nachal Sethuraman with the help of MTS Board, priests, staff and volunteers.

Devotees provided hundreds of dishes of bhoga (vegetarian food) for the temple Deities on the Annukut (New Year) Festival.

Both celebrations began at 6pm, lasting well into the night, with joyful chanting of the Lord’s names in kirtan and praise.

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 12

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

2016 UN Day Celebration in Houston ....on Refugees and Migration Continued from Page 3

WWII and in absolute terms the largest in recorded history. By the end of last year more than 66 million people were refugees, internally displaced, or seeking asylum - that’s almost 2 1/2 time the population of Texas. Syria’s war has uprooted men women and children more than any other. Half of the pre-war population has fled and more 4.8m civilians Syrians have crossed its border to become refugees,” Henshaw said. Dr. Roopa Gir, UNA Director, who worked for Schulmberger and heads iEducate, briefly mentioned Schulmberger’s involvement in their local and global community outreach as she introduced Mr. Poupeau. In his address, Jean-Francois Poupeau said, “Nearly 100,000 employees represent a diverse culture of 149 nationalities operating in 85 countries,” Further “to date, in 2016, Schlumberger has participated in 175 events engaging about 16,000 students, 861 teachers, 3600 company volunteers and contributed about 10,000 volunteer hours,” he added. “Our programs are primarily educational that focuses on STEM through robotic computer science, coding and energy education.” Citing examples of their stewardship programs hosted this year, he mentioned teacher training in places like Angola, Ecuador, Mexico, Nigeria, and Columbia. Locally, Schulmberger is partnering with area school districts and sponsoring close to 100 coding and robotic clubs through the Gulf Coast from Houston to New Orleans. They offer a fully paid

Keynote Speaker Simon Henshaw, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.

Hon. Teta Banks, Chair, UNA-USA National Council addressing the gathering

fellowship program to women pursuing PhDs in science (STEM) that allows them to attend the top rank STEM universities across the entire

HAF to host its annual Fundraising Gala

OUSTON - The Hindu American Foundation returns to Houston on Sunday, November 13th for their annual Fundraising Gala Dinner, to be held at India House from 5:30-8:00pm. Join other HAF supporters to enjoy a gourmet dinner, laugh a little, and learn about HAF’s advocacy efforts and how you can get more involved Speaking at the event will be Rishi Bhutada, HAF Board Member, Sheetal Shah, HAF Senior Director, and Seetha Aiyar, HAF Director of Philanthropic Partnerships. Come learn about HAF’s efforts to speak up on behalf of the Hindu American community on issues such as education and curriculum reform, bullying on our children, human and civil rights in the United States and around the world, as well as a range of other issues. Headlining the gala will be comedian Rajiv Satyal, whose

TV-clean act has already delighted sold-out audiences across the country. Satyal, creator of the wildly viral ‘I Am India’ YouTube video, couples his Hindu and Indian identities into unique, hilarious, and heart-warming stories into a spectacular evening of comedy. “We’re really excited to have Rajiv Satyal perform his act here in Houston, and we hope the community turns out not only to see him perform, but to also hear about HAF’s work advocating for the Hindu community,” said Bhutada. All are welcome to attend. Event details: Sunday, 11/13, 5:30-8:00pm at India House (8888 West Bellfort Blvd. Houston TX 77031 More info, contact: Rishi Bhutada rishi@hafsite.org; Tickets: http://bit.ly/hafhouston2016

“Naturalization Ceremony of New Americans”

Citizenship Month. Photo by Rahman Moton (far left).

OUSTON - On October 27, Naturalization Ceremony of New Americans took place at Houston City Hall where immigrants from nearly 30 countries received US citizenship during this time of year which is dedicated Citizenship Month. The event was jointly hosted by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, US Federal Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore, First Daughter Ashley Turner, US Citizenship & Immigration Services

& Citizenship Month Steering Committee, along with Congresswoman Sheila J. Lee, Congressman Gene Green, State Reps, City Council Members, Officials Stuff and community leaders where also present. The new Americas were very happy, after such a long time, to become US citizens is great moment stated the report sent by Raymond U Tun Tin, President, Myanmar American Chamber of Commerce (MACC)

world. Launched in 2004, so far 600 women from 78 countries have received fellowships to pursue doctorate studies in STEM, said Mr. Poupeau. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Sunny Tang, 2016 Lifetime Achievement Awardee who has been with UNAHouston for 41 years said, “I was eager to join UN Houston because at that time it was one of the very few organizations that had an international focus. Within UNA there were many like me concerned about issues of world peace, social injustice, and global poverty. We decided to vote on one of the three mandates of the UN, the easiest one, which is global poverty.” Dr. Tang and his wife Barbara Steen Tang have been working on it close to nine years through their AllPeopleBeHappy Foundation, which they co-founded in 2007 in memory and honor of their son, Eric Tang. The Foundation supports education and training, healthcare, and sustainable agricultural programs in 31 countries. Upon retiring from Shell, Sunny served as Consultant in an analytical chemistry and catalysis and later as Certified Financial Planner. Special acknowledgements of the work of the UN and UNA-Houston were given by the Mayor Turner’s Office, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressman Al Green, the Consular Corps of Houston, the U.S. Congress, and the United Nations Foundation. Special performances were by the Anjali Center for

Bhutanese dancers performing at UNA-Houston event.

Sisters Srimati and Dharani Sevaraj, students of Anjali Center for Performing Arts, performing at the UNA-Houston event.

Performing Arts, Jean- Robert Mickey Ngabu-Dhembu and Family Congolese Band and Bhutanese American Association of Houston Rising Stars. Anna Louise Bruner was the Presenter and emcee Russ Lewis, KHOU news coanchor. Closing remarks were by Daniel Stoecker on behalf of UNA-Houston BODs. The United Nations Association-Houston Area Chapter, the local chapter of the

national 501(c)3 non-profit organization United Nations Association-United States of America (UNA-USA), is a membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and vital work of the United Nations (UN) among the American people . The Houston Chapter is one of the oldest and largest of the 160 chapters throughout the United States.

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The ultra-exclusive Rolex watches that money can’t buy by Jared P. Stern

urchasing a Rolex has long been a rite of passage for successful men everywhere, often the first step toward building a collection worthy of passing down. But an even more select group wear the rarest Rolexes of all on their

to racecar drivers in the 1940s now brings in over $1 million at auction. Who’s to say what a modern example might be worth in 75 years. If it ever belonged to a famous driver the sky’s the limit. Rolex’s ties to the world

graph, the most enviable of all sports watches, engraved with the year and the famed Rolex 24 at Daytona logo. In other upscale sports like sailing, tennis and equestrian events, prize Oyster Perpetual Rolexes make top-drawer competitions that much more intense, like the venerable New York Yacht Club’s annual Regatta and Race Week in Newport, Rhode Island, where the Submariner Date is up for grabs. The winner of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the country, takes home a watch every bit as coveted as the trophy itself, the timeless and elegant Datejust.

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is often said to be the world’s premier celebration of the automobile. (Photo: Rolex) wrists—watches no amount of money can buy. These are the world’s top guns in gentlemanly pursuits like sailing, motor racing, exploring and equestrianism, who have “won the watch” in competition, purely on skill and merit. From a distance, the timepieces might not look that different from what you’d find in a high-end jewelry shop, but turn the watch over and its true character is revealed: the official engraving on the caseback, and especially the magic word, “Winner.” These prizes are presented in Rolex’s signature dark green leather box, customized with scenes of the sport in question. But the exhilaration comes from the owner’s knowledge of what’s discreetly pressed up against the top of his or her wrist. The watch isn’t the kind of thing you’d ever sell; its value as an heirloom is worth more than any monetary reward, but just to give you an idea: one Rolex chronograph presented

of sports go deep, part of the brand’s mission to support “individual excellence and the quest for perfection.” They were, after all, designed as the world’s first sports watches when Hans Wilsdorf established the company in 1905. T h e s e days Rolex awards watches in a range of sporting activities and events. Drive the winning car in the legendary Rolex 24 at Daytona race in Florida, held since 1966 and one leg of the “triple crown” of endurance racing, and you’ll receive the equally iconic timepiece named for it: a Rolex Daytona Cosmo-

The winner of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the country, takes home a watch every bit as coveted as the trophy itself, the timeless and elegant Datejust. Rolex also awards watches to the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, who receives the Explorer, a model worn by Sir Edmund Hillary when he climbed Everest, and to its Yachtsman of the Year, who gets a very special Yacht-Master. The 2015 recipient, Steve Benjamin, compares winning his watch to medaling at the O l y m p i c s — which he’s also done. As New York Yacht Club’s Vice Commodore Phil Lotz puts it, winning a Rolex “is a universally understood emblem of significant accomplishment.” Worth, in the case of sailing, at least, spending millions on a yacht and crew just to get one.

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

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Air pollution, lifestyle diseases are behind 33% strokes in India NEW DEHLI (IANS) - As India continue to report 16 lakh cases of stroke every year, health experts have said that at least one third of these cases are caused by mere modifiable lifestyle factors and deteriorating air quality. A study concluded by the city-based Fortis Escorts Heart Institute reveals that lifestyle problems such as depression, chronic anxiety and job stress trigger the brain and heart strokes among people, including youth. It was found that among the challenges faced by the patients who survive stroke are shortterm memory loss, difficulty in thinking and depression. “Pollution in the air thickens the blood and hardens arteries, known as atherosclerosis. Once this process starts, the plaque is built up in the arteries, narrowing them down and causing strokes,” said P.N. Renjen, Senior Consultant Neurologist at Indraprastha Apollo, and added this also raises the blood pressure, boosting the risk of clot formation in the brain. Renjen said that as conditions in India are severe, job stress, anxiety and depression and other lifestyle issues trigger the stroke in a much faster way.

As conditions in India are severe, job stress, anxiety and depression and other lifestyle issues trigger the stroke in a much faster way. (Shutterstock) World Stroke Day was on October 29. “The challenge is huge with 26 million stroke survivors living with significant disabilities that impede their ability to carry out daily living tasks. One in six people will have a stroke in their lifetime. The symptoms of stroke occur all of a sudden and patient will benefit if these are recognised and treated early,” said Vipul Gupta, Director of neurointervention at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon. Stating that the stroke is the third most common cause of death and disability in India,

Gupta said: “Every minute if stroke is untreated, the average patient loses 1.9 million neuron. Golden hour of stroke is first six hours, and urgent treatment is the key.” Talking about the new developments in strokes, Gupta said that women who take birth control pills are at a slightly higher risk of stroke. “Risk increases for a woman during pregnancy as the increased blood pressure puts stress on the heart. Also, migraine can cause chances of stroke three times up in women,” added Gupta.

What to consider before buying a second home by David Mount

adviser:

ith today’s current low interest rates, homeowners are looking to buy. But they’re not always looking to sell. According to the National Association of Realtors, more than 2 million vacation and investment properties were purchased nationwide last year. Buying a second home comes with unique financial considerations. Before you purchase a vacation home or investment property, there are a few questions you should ask yourself and discuss with your financial

have the home’s mortgage covered by renting it out.

What’s your goal? Will your new home be a true second home, or will it be a rental property for investment income? Your vision for the home will affect its total cost. A couple I work with recently purchased a second home in Florida and plans to use it as a rental property for the next decade or so. When they retire, they plan to make it their full-time residence. Since the couple knows where they plan to settle down, they can get everything set up in advance and

If you’re purchasing a second home as an investment property, you should work with a financial adviser to understand how it may compare to traditional investing. Real estate appreciation values are historically fairly low, so you should use a conservative growth rate and look at median home prices in the area over the last decade. These prices are not a guarantee of how a home will appreciate in the future, but can give you a sense of how it has performed historically. Continued on page 14

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Take an Election Day Vacation (After You Vote, of Course)

n less than two weeks, the day U.S. residents have all been waiting for will have finally come: November 8th, which marks the end of the presidential election season. After months of contentious debates, scandalous discoveries, and Janet Jackson-themed T-shirts, soon it will be all over. And for those Americans who are worn out from nearly a year of screaming at their televisions, it’s time to relax and get out of town. Calming Spa Trip A spa vacation—or even just a trip to a day spa—is the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate after a draining election season. Visitors can indulge in head-to-toe healing treatments and leave feeling refreshed. Some hotels and resorts have even created packages to cater to the election stress. The Coronado Island Resort & Spa Marriott in Coronado, California has been promoting its products as a way to

de-stress. Sanctuary Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona, Montage Deer Valley in Park City, Utah, and Rancho La Puerto, in Baja California, Mexico are just a few options to stressedout voters looking for a way to unwind. Fall Foliage Peeping Breathe in the crisp fall air, see the fiery hues of New England’s peak foliage, and attempt to forget this arduous election season (spoiler: you never will). While Vermont and other New England destinations are safe options, this interactive map can tell leaf-peepers exactly where and when to go for the best foliage.

Beach Getaway For U.S. residents living in cities and towns where the

Brewery Tourism With pumpkin ales and other seasonal brews on the menu, a visit to a local brewery can satisfy both beer purists and experimenters alike. Three of the best cities for brewe r y

tourism are Minneapolis/St. Paul, Kansas City, and Portland, according to a ranking from Travel+Leisure readers.

by Cailey Rizzo

vidence is growing that Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has adversely affected his businesses in the travel industry. A new survey from Travel Weekly revealed that 61 percent of travel agents are recommending Trump properties less since he announced his presidential bid last year. Travel agents also reported that over half of their clientele have specifically asked not to be placed on a Trump property.

“The majority of travel agents are women, and travel decisions are made overwhelmingly by women,” Arnie Weissmann, editor in chief of Travel Weekly, said on CBS This Morning. About 20 percent of travel agents said that those looking

Home

Continued from page 13 Can you afford two mortgages?

Travel agents also reported that over half of their clientele have specifically asked not to be placed on a Trump property. to avoid a Trump hotel were more likely to be female. However the reasons for avoiding a Trump property may go beyond just political affiliations. Trump properties have become a common site for vandalism and protests. “It’s not an environment that you would want to send your high-end clients to regardless of what your political beliefs may or may not be,” Eric Reader, the senior vice president and Before buying a home, have a financial plan in place to understand your cash flow of income in and expenses out. It’s common to underestimate the costs of owning a home. (-Washington Post)

How to avoid the perils of leisure in your second half

winter chill has already begun to arrive, sunny beach days are still only a short plane ride away. Whether to Bermuda, Miami, or the Caribbean, a few hours in the warm sun can have even the most hardened politico planning their retirement.

People are asking travel agents to avoid Trump Hotels

According to the 1,100 travel agents surveyed, the number of travelers specifically looking to avoid Trump hotels spiked immediately after the Billy Bush Access Hollywood hot microphone tapes leaked earlier this month—specifically among female travelers.

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

chief operating officer of Connoisseur Travel in Washington, told CNN. “I wouldn’t want to walk through a picket line and have to explain myself.” Earlier this month, Trump Hotels announced that the launch of a new brand that will not carry the presidential candidate’s name, although they denied the name change had anything to do with the election. While some news outlets and data analysts reported that there has been a drop in attendance at Trump properties ever since the man entered the race, the business refuted the claims, telling Travel + Leisure that the reports are not “an accurate representation” of performance. (-Travel+Leisure)

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by Bob Buford ogers Kirven was about to cash out his successful business. It would have given him enough money so that he would never have to work for the rest of his life. Kirven had worked extremely hard to get to this enviable position, and he wanted to reward himself. He envisioned the life of his dreams: More time with his wife and family, never having to start each day with a trip to the office, and most of all, freedom. The day was almost there when all he had to do was sign his name and he would have enough cash to do whatever he wanted for the rest of his life. For some reason, just before he was to close the deal he decided to celebrate with two long-time buddies who had sold their companies a few years earlier. They met at a restaurant in Washington D.C., and very soon into the conversation Kirven began to get nervous. “The first thing they told me was that they had new wives,” he said. “I’d known one of them for 15 years; the other for seven years. Both of them had cashed out to spend more time with their families!” Confused and disconnected The conversation never got much beyond their toys and leisure activities, and the more they talked, the more terrified he became. Instead of being excited about their lives, they seemed confused and disconnected, still wondering what to do with their lives. “There was a creeping sensation of ‘Uh, oh! Something has happened to my friends,” Kirven said. On the way out of the restaurant, he was still looking for confirmation from them that cashing out to spend all their time in Leisure World was the best thing they had ever done. But when he asked one of the guys that exact question, all he got in return was, “I don’t know. I don’t know.” Kirven decided to track down every person he could find who had cashed in seeking relief from first half pressures and a better life. When last I talked to him, he had found and interviewed 36 men who, between the ages of 40 and 50, had turned their businesses into at least $5 million. This certainly isn’t a statistically projectable sample, but I find it, at the very least, an interesting and instructive win-

dow into the American dream. How did it turn out? “The first three guys I talked to were just like me,” he said. “They loved God, loved their families, and were in the same age bracket, 42, 43, 44. They all had a strategy. They wanted to spend more time with their families and develop their own souls. “Within a year, all three were divorced. All three blew at least $1 million on new toys — bigger boat, bigger car, bigger plane. They all thought they had a solid game plan, but like Mike Tyson said about his boxing foes, ‘They all had a strategy until they got hit.’ Each of these guys stepped into a stream, and they didn’t realize the current was so strong until they got swept away.” Of the 36 guys he interviewed, a remarkable 32 had gotten divorced. All of them locked their targets on a new toy or affair, but experienced tremendous depression after “acquiring” each new thing. What seemed like paradise turned out to be just the opposite. These guys tried what most of us would say is the ideal arrangement. Where money is no object. You don’t have to go to work. You can travel, play, and buy all you want. And instead of waiting until they were too old to enjoy their freedom, they did it while they were quite young. Somehow, it just didn’t pan out the way they thought it would. Keeping your dream ahead of you So, here’s one of the big secrets of avoiding the perils of Leisure World: Never, never, never let your dream get behind you. That’s a dangerous place for it to be. And it happens all the time in the second half. There’s some kind of tipping point where life begins to slide downhill into reminiscence. It’s a comfortable feeling. You feel that your best days are behind you. The pressure is off. You have that great moment — now beyond the reach of risk and uncertainty — captured in a treasured photograph, a newspaper clipping. Those were the good old days! And the further the “good old days” get into the past of faded photographs, the more they grow in remembrance. You imagine that life will never be as happy again as that shining moment. Don’t let this happen to you! I keep thinking that the best season of my life is the one I

am in and the one just ahead and it usually turns out that way. But I must have a dream that draws me forward. To lose a dream is to lose forward momentum, to live in the past. I want to never be captured by the past, be it my bad past or my good past. For a relentless dreamer, it isn’t the outcome of the dream that counts; it’s the dream itself. When I embarked on my second half career, I thought I would try and work in a lot more leisure into my life. I thought I would be working four days a week at my office in Dallas and spend three at my farm where I am my most creative . I would also spend one week each month traveling or learning something new. Leisure with a purpose, but leisure just the same. I think those are reasonable expectations for a second half, but it just has not worked out that way for me, and the reason is that meaningful work ultimately is more appealing than leisure. I could easily take more time off for leisure pursuits, but I’m enjoying what I’m doing too much. In most ways, it is the most exciting adventure I’ve ever had in my life. A purposeful second half Rogers Kirven was lucky. He swerved from Leisure World at the last minute. I asked him what others can do to avoid the trauma that those 32 men faced. Here’s what he told me: - Don’t be too eager to quit your job. Work is healthier than you think. - Pursue a peer group.(Not just any group, but a true peer group with people who are in the same situation that you are in). Go for regular interaction and accountability. - Find a meaningful and significant lateral move to make before you leave what you’re doing. - Establish the right goals. Ask yourself, “How can I build character goals, attitudes, and perspectives that will keep me from experiencing a shipwreck like the others?” A purposeful second half is that place where work, meaning and happiness merge. It is where you can be fully engaged in activities that match your skills, capacity, and mission. We were meant to work, but so much of what we have done in the first half was drudgery. It was necessary busyness that contributed to the bottom line, but it did not always reflect who we really were. It wasn’t the work that was the problem, but the emptiness of much of it. The answer is not to quit working, but to find work that adds meaning and purpose to your life. At our Halftime Institute we have learned this: One of the greatest adventures you can ever experience comes when you begin to invest your whole self into something that counts; something that lasts beyond now. When you find that place, you won’t want to leave it. (-Travel+Leisure)

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Toyota invented a box that turns your smartphone into a car key Smart Key Box will help make car-sharing easier

Bob Dylan Won. But in Science, the Times They Aren’t A-Changin’ by Dennis Overbye

by Andrew J . Hawkins

hen I first heard that Bob Dylan had won the Nobel Prize in Literature, I was immediately jealous of the scientists who had won this year. Not because they were now rich and had gained scientific immortality, but because they would get to meet the legendary troubadour himself at the festivities in Stockholm.

oyota is jumping into the increasingly crowded car-sharing market, and it’s doing it with a flair for innovation that helps explain why it’s the world’s biggest auto seller. The company invented a Bluetooth-enabled device called the Smart Key Box that allows users to unlock and start the engine of a car using just their smartphone. Here’s how it will work: a vehicle owner who wants to make some money on the side lending their car to other people can install the Smart Key Box on their dashboard, no modification needed. The car-share customer is sent a code via an app to access the box. When the smartphone is brought near the vehicle, the codes are authenticated via Bluetooth — Toyota calls it a “handshake” — similar to regular smart key. The time and period when the user can access the Smart Key Box is set and managed by Toyota, based on the vehicle reservation. Toyota plans to put this new technology to the test in a limited pilot in San Francisco next year in partnership with a peerto-peer car-sharing service called Getaround. Last week, Getaround received a $10 mil-

Well, it’s now a definite “maybe.” Although it purports future tech here now, only people who own the new Prius or any model Lexus can participate in the car-sharing pilot program. (Photo: Toyota) lion investment from a fund controlled by Toyota, Reuters reports. The fund mostly spends money on AI and robotics, but the investment in Getaround is a sign that Toyota is interested in expanding into car-sharing. Only people who own the new Prius or any model Lexus can participate in the car-sharing pilot. Toyota is banking on carsharing growing increasingly popular, especially as urbanites trend away from personal car ownership and toward services like Car2Go and Zip Car. Un-

fortunately, Toyota is playing catch-up to its competitors. Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, owns Car2Go. General Motors launched its own car-sharing service called Maven, which just recently expanded to Los Angeles. Ford has GoDrive in London, BMW has ReachNow in Seattle, and Tesla plans to launch its own car-sharing network in the near future. Toyota says it also plans to create a new financial product that allows people to use car-sharing to pay off leases charges for their vehicles. (-TheVerge.com)

Star Trek jokes and geek culture make women feel unwelcome New study points to computer science challenge for young females by Sapna Cheryan and Sianna Ziegler

recent psychological study I conducted with my colleagues, published this month in the Psychological Bulletin, has a clear message about our best hope for diversifying computer science. To draw more girls into STEM fields, it’s not enough to provide more learning opportunities. The cultures in these fields need to change to communicate to girls that they belong in them just as much as boys do. We analyzed over 1,000 research articles to determine what distinguishes the more gender-balanced fields— biology, chemistry and math — from computer science, engineering and physics, which have greater gender disparities. We found that the difference comes down to culture. Computer science, engineering, and physics have more masculine cultures than biology, chemistry, and mathematics, and that these masculine cultures are turning women away. Specific factors include male-oriented stereotypes about the people in the fields, stereotypes that women have lower abilities, and a dearth of female role models. When courses are optional, as

is typical for computer science, students rely on their stereotypes about the fields to decide whether to enroll. And as one undergraduate research participant in our lab put it, the current stereotypes of computer scientists is that they are “nerdy guys” who “stay up late coding and drinking energy drinks” and have “no social life.” A recent psychological study I conducted with my colleagues, published this month in the Psychological Bulletin, has a clear message about our best hope for diversifying computer science. To draw more girls into STEM fields, it’s not enough to provide more learning opportunities. The cultures in these fields need to change to communicate to girls that they belong in them just as much as boys do. We analyzed over 1,000 research articles to determine what distinguishes the more gender-balanced fields— biology, chemistry and math — from computer science, engineering and physics, which have greater gender disparities. We found that the difference comes down to culture. Computer science, engineering, and physics have more masculine cultures than biology, chemistry, and mathematics, and that these masculine cultures are

turning women away. Specific factors include male-oriented stereotypes about the people in the fields, stereotypes that women have lower abilities, and a dearth of female role models. When courses are optional, as is typical for computer science, students rely on their stereotypes about the fields to decide whether to enroll. And as one undergraduate research participant in our lab put it, the current stereotypes of computer scientists is that they are “nerdy guys” who “stay up late coding and drinking energy drinks” and have “no social life.” The efforts have paid off. Last year, the proportion of undergraduate computer science degrees going to women at the University of Washington, 32%, was higher than any other public flagship university in the country. The gender gap began to close once women could learn computer science in a culture that signaled they belonged. It’s time we take the pressure off women to change themselves to fit within masculine cultures. Instead, the pressure should be on society to make computer science a field in which all students feel equally welcome. (-Quartz.com)

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

After two weeks of radio silence that infuriated the Swedish Academy, on Friday Mr. Dylan told an interviewer for The Telegraph that he would show up for the award ceremonies in Stockholm on Dec. 10 “If I can.” The party, of course, would’ve gone on anyway, but it wouldn’t have been the same without him. As an old (emphasis on old) Dylan fan, I was knocked off my chair by the news he had won the literature prize — a possibility that had been bruited hopefully about for years, but who knew? Everything that has happened and not happened since has cemented in my mind the first thought I had that day: The Nobel Prize needs Bob Dylan more than Bob Dylan needs the Nobel Prize. The Swedish Academy, at least its literature committee, made a bold move when it named Mr. Dylan as its laureate, unleashing a torrent of discussion about the nature and limits of literature. I wish the committees that award the Nobel Prizes for science would be so adventurous. The Nobel Prize is the most honored and prestigious award in the world, but lately I fear it has seemed more and more hidebound, and in danger of being strangled by its own rules. There are three such prizes: physiology or medicine, physics and chemistry (four if economics is a science), awarded to “those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind,” as it says in Alfred Nobel’s will. To start with, there is the rule, which is not in the will, that no more than three people can share a prize. That anchors the Nobels in a bygone romantic era of the myth of the lone genius. Modern science, however, is an internet blur of competition and collaboration. That

means that no matter how well the Nobel committees do their homework, somebody is often left out in a kind of intellectual triage. At least six theorists, for example, had the idea of the Higgs boson, which explains how elementary particles get mass, back in 1964, but they couldn’t

science by dividing another $2 million among the other 1,012 physicists on the LIGO project. It doesn’t help, moreover, that the Nobels hew to a mossencrusted division of scholarly pursuit that is almost medieval in its outlook: The only categories are physics, chemistry or medicine. Economics was added in 1968.

The most exciting progress these days is happening in the interstices between those antiquated domains, in astrobiology or neurogenetics or geochemistry, and that Illustration by Elwood Smith is where the smart research all win the physics prize when grants are going, but not the the particle was finally discov- Nobels. ered. Peter Higgs and François Thus the astronomer Edwin Englert received the prize in 2013, two years after Dr. En- Hubble never received a Nobel glert’s partner, Robert Brout, for discovering the expanding had died. The three others, Tom universe. Claude Shannon nevKibble, Carl Hagen and Gerald er received one for inventing information theory. E.O. WilGuralnik, were not named. son will never get a prize for It took some 5,000 physicists ants or sociobiology. Nor will working together in two teams Jane Goodall. Or Sarah Blaffer to discover the vaunted particle Hrdy or Rachel Carson. at CERN in 2012. So far there The most glaring and embarhas been no prize for that, even though a little noticed clause in rassing Nobel Prize failure of the Nobel rules does allow the all — the dismal representation prize to go to an institution or of women. association. No science prize In a speech opening the cerever has. emonies that year, Marcus More than 1,000 physicists Storch, the chairman of the Noand astronomers were part of bel Foundation, swatted away the LIGO collaboration that an- those concerns, saying among nounced the discovery of grav- other things, “The prize-awarditational waves — space-time ing institutions apparently still ripples predicted by Einstein share Nobel’s firm opinion that a century ago — in February discoveries and inventions, as this year, a Nobel-Prize-worthy well as ‘outstanding’ literary event if there ever was one. works, are made by creative individuals, not by institutions.” Only three of those scientists can win a Nobel, alas. That’s their opinion, but in a lifetime of reporting such It couldn’t happen this year events I have rarely found a because the discovery was an- significant discovery or theory nounced after the Jan. 31 dead- that didn’t have predecessors line for Nobel nominations. or hints or influences and roots that could be traced back almost Other award organizations as far as anyone wanted to go. were more fleet of foot, rac- Even Einstein, the prototypical ing to bask in the glow of an- loner, was bulwarked by a vast other Einstein achievement. correspondence of arguing and This summer the originators of discussion. LIGO, Rai Weiss of M.I.T. and Ron Drever and Kip Thorne It’s hard to imagine anyone of the California Institute of who embodies all of the contraTechnology, shared the Shaw dictions of this situation better Prize in Astronomy, the Kavli than Bob Dylan — “the original Prize for Astrophysics and vagabond,” as Joan Baez called the Gruber Cosmology Prize him — a singular voice who — though the deadline for exploded on the scene dragging nominations for those had also behind and propelled forward passed before the discovery by a phantasmagorical ocean was announced — as well as a of allusions, references, approthird of a Special Breakthrough priations, traditions, folklore Prize for Fundamental Physics. and culture as wide, deep and The prizes for the three were mysterious as history itself. collectively worth $3.7 million, So I am hoping that Mr. Dyincluding $1 million for the lan does show up for the Nobel Breakthrough Prize. ceremony on Dec. 10. It could That prize, however, also be a real jingle jangle morning recognized the foot soldiers of in Stockholm. (-NYTOnline)

VOICE OF ASIA 16

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

HEALTHY LIVING VOICE OF ASIA

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Foods that can slow aging by Alice Park

cientists have found another reason people should eat their vegetables.

Researchers led by the Washington University School of Medicine found an enzyme in some natural foods that appears to slow aging.

of NMN, they made more of that energy-fueling compound and some of the biological problems associated with aging went away. The NMN-treated animals did not gain as much weight, they were able to convert food into energy more efficiently, their blood sugar was

The results are encouraging enough that part of the team, based at Keio University in Tokyo, is launching an early study on people — using supplements of NMN in pill form. “It’s clear that in humans and in rodents, we lose energy with age,” says Imai. “We are losing the enzyme NMN. But if we can bypass that process by adding NMN, we can make energy again. These results provide a very important foundation for the Photo: Fotolia human studies.”

Researchers have zeroed in on an enzyme — found in natural foods like broccoli and cucumbers — that can slow some of the chronic conditions that come with age. So far the findings are limited to mice, but they’re encouraged enough to start testing it in people The quest for the Fountain of Youth is getting a boost from an international team of researchers who may have stumbled upon a compound that appears to make cells act younger than they are—at least in mice. In a paper published in Cell Metabolism, researchers led by the Washington University School of Medicine reported that they found an agent that can balance out what happens in aging cells to essentially make them behave as they would in a younger mouse. That substance, as it turns out, is also found in a number of natural foods, including broccoli, cucumbers, cabbage and edamame. The compound, called nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), is involved in producing another compound that is critical for energy metabolism. When they gave normal aging mice infusions

need] simply from natural foods,” says Dr. Shin-Ichiro Imai, professor of developmental biology and medicine at Washington University and senior author of the paper.

better their eyesight improved. The mice receiving NMN were also able to prevent some of the genetic changes associated with aging. Most lab mice live just several years, so the researchers started the NMN treatments at five months, and continued them for a year. The study did not track whether the mice actually live longer, but with lower rates of age-related disease, that’s the assumption. So can you load up on broccoli or cabbage and extend your life? “If you do the math, I wouldn’t say it’s impossible entirely but probably very difficult to get the whole amount [you

The findings are also in line with other anti-aging compounds that have shown promise in animal studies, including things like the diabetes drug metformin, rapamycin and sirtuins, all of which are also involved in energymaking process. “All of these pathways cross-talk with each other,” says Imai. “We don’t know the precise details of how, but they are communicating with each other.” The hope is that the human studies will add provide even more information about how to keep cells young — and maybe halt, or at least hold off, the diseases that typically creep in as cells get older and lose their function. (-Time.com)

Misdiagnoses: A hidden risk of genetic testing by Jacqueline Howard

fter a 13-year-old boy’s heart failed suddenly, his family arrived at Dr. Michael Ackerman’s doorstep with questions. He was determined to find them answers. Since the boy’s autopsy report seemingly failed to explain his death, more than 20 of his relatives underwent genetic testing for heart conditions that could put them at increased risk of the same fate. The tests diagnosed the family members, including the boy’s brother, as having a potentially deadly genetic heart rhythm condition called long QT syndrome. As a result, a heart defibrillator was surgically implanted in the brother’s chest to prevent any potentially fatal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias. Then the family asked Ackerman for a second opinion about their diagnoses and overall health. Ackerman was skeptical of the previous diagnoses, he said. And after evaluating the family members, he soon concluded that they did not have long QT syndrome after all.

At another level, there is confirmation with their own gut instinct that things were not hanging all together,” said Ackerman, a genetic cardiologist and director of the Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. When Ackerman and his colleagues realized that a genetic evaluation of the deceased boy was never performed, they conducted tests and discovered that the boy didn’t have long QT syndrome, either. “Instead, the boy actually died a sudden death from a genetically mediated heart muscle disease due to a completely different mutation that was present in him and him alone,” Ackerman said. A paper about the boy’s case, which occurred over the past five years, was published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings on Monday. The family referenced in the paper has requested to remain anonymous.

When genetic testing goes wrong

In the paper, the researchers called for a more careful use of genetic testing tools and a more careful interpretation of genetic test results.

“At one level, families like this one go through intense frustration and anger about the missteps that were made.

“Right now, the evaluation of sudden death victims throughout this country is very heterogeneous, and the evalua-

tion of their surviving relatives is even more variable. Tread with caution,” Ackerman said. “The medical community and community at large need to get a better grasp on genetic testing and precision medicine rather than just using them as buzzwords. When used properly, these tests are incredibly helpful,” he said. “But we must become wiser users of genetic testing and even wiser interpreters of the genetic test results so that we can make wise conclusions.” The first mistake made in the family’s initial diagnosis was that the 13year-old was never tested, Ackerman said. The second was that the test results for long QT syndrome were accepted as accurate even though the family members showed no clinical signs of the disease. For the paper, the researchers collected DNA from the boy and conducted a molecular autopsy, in which DNA was isolated and sequenced in a way that allowed genetic variants to be re-examined and analyzed.

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Home Health Agencies to be rated by Seniors on CMS site Senior citizens have long been outspoken when asked about how they want to spend their final years. They want to stay in their homes for a number of reasons, however, the industry needed to make this possible by a quality system of Medicare-Medicaid supported agencies to provide the care, was slow to develop. Now it is up and rolling and the first ratings of their services by patients has been released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services. The star ratings – one through five – can be found at Home Health Compare. The star ratings evaluate patients’ experiences with home health agencies. It has been assigned the clumsy name of Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) Survey. The HHCAHPS Survey star ratings report patients’ experiences of care ranging from one star to five stars using data from patients (or the family or friends of patients) that have been treated by the agency. Five stars is the highest rating and reflects the best patient experience. There are over 11,000 agencies with data on Home Health Compare, and about 6,000 of them now have patient care experience star ratings. Previously, patients could select multiple agencies at a time on Home Health Compare to compare agency performance on individual HHCAHPS items, such as how often the home health team delivered care in a professional way. In addition, patients have also had access to summary Quality of Patient Care star ratings for each agency. These star ratings summarize home health agencies’ performance on nine quality measures that indicate how well they assist their patients in regaining or maintaining important functional abilities and how frequently they adhere to evidence-based processes of care. Now, patients and their family members can go one step further: they can compare information on patients’ experiences of home health care at these agencies through the HHCAHPS Survey star ratings. Now, an individual is able to view the following five HHCAHPS Survey star ratings for each home health agency listed on the website: • Care of Patients • Communication between Providers and Patients

Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional Health Life 360 6776 Southwest Freeway Suite # 178 Houston TX 77074 713-771-2900 www.MyMedicarePlanning.com • Specific Care Issues • Overall Rating of Care Provided by the Home Health Agency • Survey Summary star rating

Some home health agencies do not have enough data right now to calculate and display star ratings. However, CMS continually updates Home Health Compare, and all of its Compare websites, so those home health agencies that do not currently have patient experience star ratings may have star ratings in the future. “Having the HHCAHPS Survey star ratings on Home Health Compare helps patients and their families make more informed health care decisions and encourages home health agencies to strive for higher levels of quality and patient experience,” said CMS Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer Patrick Conway, M.D. “We hope patients and their families find this information helpful and visit our other provider comparison websites.” The CMS news release says, “This announcement on Home Health Compare is the latest example of how CMS is committed to transparency and helping patients and their family members make informed health care decisions through an initiative to simplify the quality of care information across all CMS Compare websites. “It also supports the larger effort across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to build a health care system that delivers better care, spends health care dollars more wisely, and results in healthier people.” To choose right 2017 Medicare Advantage, Supplement OR Drug plan, contact Sudhir Mathuria @ 713-771-2900.

The potential for disparities The findings in the paper are a cautionary and constructive story about the risks associated with genetic testing, said Dr. Arthur Caplan, a professor and founding head of the division

of bioethics at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York. “We haven’t really figured out the significances of all the genetic muta-

tions that are found and what they mean in different environments, meaning the same mutation in a different person may not mean the same disease,” Caplan said.

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VOICE OF ASIA 17

Section 2

Young Life

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Freedom to explore: 2 schools where the students call the shots

“This one was, ‘What I Wish We Would Have More Of,’ “ Ben says, reading to me from his notebook. “I hope we have more field trips.” He stops and looks up. “I have more entries, but I don’t want to share them.”

I ask him, What is it you like about your school?

Students high-five and share a laugh at the Khan Lab School. (Photo courtesy of Khan Lab School) was by using and practicing it.

“You can move at your own pace,” he says. “You don’t have to be with everyone else. I like that.” About an hour away, in Oakland, an eighth-grader named Khalil is finishing a small speaker and audio recorder he’s building. “This is just a spring coil, so I’m going to solder right now,” he explains, unpacking a small soldering iron. He’s also an expert with a glue gun, a needle and thread, and basic welding and power tools. “I just love making. Exploring different things. I can be creative, do what I want,” Khalil says. “It really helps me calm down.” Two very different schools. Two very different classrooms, both exploring the idea that children like Ben and Khalil learn best through firsthand exploration — choosing their own assignments and working at their own pace. Both of these schools are considered cutting-edge, but learning by doing, of course, is a very old concept. The Socratic method of inquiry advocates direct, experiential learning. Plato wrote that the best way for students to learn his dialectic method

by Jack Loechner

n 8-year-old named Ben is sitting quietly by himself in a bean bag in a classroom in Mountain View, Calif. He’s writing in his journal, an assignment he created himself.

Aristotle, too, wrote about the value of personal experience and its connection to perception and memory. Italian educator and physician Maria Montessori designed her schools in large part around the value of selfdirected learning; the power of young people to learn from each other and their surroundings. And, of course, the 20th century American philosopher John Dewey made the case that students aren’t passive, empty vessels to be filled with knowledge. The deepest learning, he argued, happened when inquiry was guided by the students’ interest. Education “is a process of living and not a preparation for future living” Dewey famously wrote. So, if these concepts are ancient, vital and powerful, why haven’t they found their rightful place in mainstream education? Why haven’t more schools embraced those ideals in the classroom? To see how these concepts could be applied, we took a close look at the schools that Ben and Khalil attend. Both schools place student-

directed inquiry at the center of teaching and learning. They’ve made big breaks from the whiteboard, lecture, sitat-the-desk pedagogic model that still dominates American classrooms. Ben is a student at the experimental Khan Lab School, a private school founded by Sal Khan, a pioneer of online education through his Khan Academy. And, Khalil goes to the progressive maker program at the public Lighthouse Community Charter School in Oakland. While both are at the forefront of student-centered learning, they have very different student populations. Lighthouse serves an economically and ethnically diverse community. The Khan Lab School serves mainly higher-income families living and working in the heart of Silicon Valley. Yet, each in its own way, these schools believe in these old ideas about student selfagency, project-based inquiry and the value of learning by doing. And in the process, they’ve created classrooms that are challenging, interesting and, very often, fun. (-National Public Radio)

Employers1 are likely to recall the impact that Millennials brought to the workplace due to their dramatically different perspectives about work. That adjustment is about to be magnified as Gen Z, who in many ways appears to be an exaggerated version of the Millennial cohort, radically alters the workplace, says a report from Randstad and Future Workplace from a new study. According to new global Randstad research, Millennials are simply not prepared, nor equipped, with the emotional quotient (EQ) and soft skills required to effectively manage others. The situation is compounded when Millennial managers are required to oversee generations older than themselves, resulting in turnover among key positions held by their subordinates and the Millennial managers themselves. And, a separate study by Future Workplace found that 83% of respondents have seen Millennials managing Gen X and Baby Boomers in their offices. Meanwhile, these older generations hold a general sentiment that Millennials are unqualified or ill-equipped for the managerial position. For example, 45% of Baby Boomers and Gen X survey respondents feel that Millennials’ lack of managerial experience could have a negative impact on a company’s culture. In addition, Millennials haven’t had the opportunity to develop their much-needed skills in the areas of navigating corporate politics, leadership and team-building. According to the study, Mil-

Saudi college student in Wisconsin dies after assault

Saudi student at the University of Wisconsin-Stout died Monday afternoon after being attacked on a main thoroughfare near campus, police and school officials said. Hussain Saeed Alnahdi, 24, was outside Topper’s Pizza in downtown Menomonie, Wis., where the university is located, early Sunday morning when he was assaulted by a suspect whom police described as a white male about six feet tall, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported. Shortly after, police found Alnahdi unconscious and bleeding from his mouth and nose. He was initially transported to Mayo Clinic Health System in Menomonie, then taken by helicopter to Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, where he died of his injuries, police said. Alnahdi was from Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, and had come to the Wisconsin university in 2015 to study business administration,

Mr. Alnahdi was beaten into unconsciousness. (Photo: UofW) the school said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to Hussain’s family in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, and his friends at UW-Stout,” Chancellor Bob Meyer said. “I want to make a personal appeal to anyone on campus or in the community who might have information that would help authorities locate the individual involved in the attack to come forward.” Witnesses said that about 2

a.m. Sunday they saw a man attack Alnahdi on Main Street East, a main drag that runs along Lake Menomonie and is home to much of the city’s bar and restaurant fare, according to WEAU-TV. The attacker ran away, leaving Alnahdi unconscious and bloodied, the TV station reported. When police arrived, witnesses said, he regained consciousness before being taken away. Police said in a statement that they have not made any arrests or identified a motive, but they are treating the incident as a homicide. Almost immediately, Alnahdi’s death stoked fears that the assault may have been racially motivated. The incident grabbed the attention of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which identified Alnahdi as a Muslim and tweeted that it was “monitoring his death.”

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Gen Z and Millennials collide at work n 2016, the workforce is undergoing a seismic change as 3.6 million Baby Boomers are set to retire, one-fourth of Millennial workers will take on management roles and Generation Z (those born between 1994 and 2010) has started to enter the workforce.

by Eric Westervelt and Sami Yenigun

That’s cool; it’s your journal, Ben.

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

lennials named corporate politics as the second biggest obstacle getting in the way of their work performance. And only 27% of Millennials rate their personal skills as very good. Preparation for a managerial role is largely lacking, according to many Millennials in the survey. In fact, only 28% of Millennials say their current job relates extremely well to what they studied during their educations. According to the Future Workplace survey polling multiple generations, 44% of Millennial respondents view themselves as being the most capable generation to lead in the workplace, but only 14% of all survey respondents agree with this sentiment. Another recent study conducted by talent assessment firm XBInsight looked at managers across a wide range of industries. It identified five competency areas that Millennial managers must develop to close the generational divide between their older subordinates. Employers will need to consider growing the following critical skills of their Millennial managers. These fundamental skills can help build trust and foster respectful, productive and satisfying relationships between generations, says the report: • Persuading and influencing; • Communicating articulately; • Managing conflict; • Navigating politics; • And gaining buy-in. When it comes to the aspects of their current jobs that their educations did not prepare Millennials for, many are interpersonal or managementrelated: • 29% say resolving conflicts • 28% negotiating • 27% managing other people • 22% working with older people • 22% working in a team

For years, companies have put in countless hours and resources to understand and prepare for the different work styles of the multi-aged workforce, concludes the report. Now, with the introduction of Gen Z into the working world, it’s about to get even more complicated. Armed with new insights, attitudes and expectations of Gen Z and Millennial workers, employers are better equipped to put tailored programs into place in order to better recruit, engage and retain these valuable workers. Successful organizations today, and in the future, will need to implement important workplace processes and programs, suggests the report, including: • Collaboration: Collaborative tools and processes to fulfill the expectations of Gen Z and Millennial generations, while seamlessly integrating them into existing workflow to maximize workforce performance • Career advancement: Frequent and abundant professional development and career advancement opportunities. • Financial stability: Shoring up of wage disparities and providing employee recognition and rewards that deliver younger generations the financial stability they desperately seek. • Technology: Integration of the social and emerging technologies that will satisfy Gen Z and Millennial desires for such tools, while enabling more productivity and less distraction. • Managerial training: Talent assessment and development initiatives for Millennial managers so they may effectively perform and succeed in their valuable roles. • Work/life balance: Formal work/life balance programs that will help younger generations manage workplace stress. (-Mediapost.com)

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VOICE OF ASIA 18

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

Bollywood -Hollywood

Section 2

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

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How Salman Khan’daan’ Aamir Khan praises From Brit schoolcelebrated Diwali Ranbir Kapoor girl to B’wood’s Proclaims him as best actor in the industry! hottest new actress

t’s hard to please Mr. Perfectionist of Bollywood but there is one actor who has succeeded in receiving accolades from the 51-year old actor.

to his social media to praise the ‘Tamasha’ actor. He tweeted, “Just saw Ae Dil. WHAT a film!!! I just LOVED it! Karan has hit the ball out of

Superstar Aamir Khan is all praise for ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ and overwhelmed with Ranbir Kapoor’s performance in the romantic drama After watching ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, Aamir Khan believes that ‘Ranbir Kapoor is the best actor’ of the industry! The ‘Dangal’ star is so overwhelmed with RK’s performance in ADHM that he took

Amy Jackson, 24, is a huge star in India despite being white and British

t’s the stuff of idle daydreams for most teenagers; a film director spots your photo and propels you to stardom on an epic scale.

Despite cynicism from both Amy and her parents; she made the journey to Chennai with her mother, Marguerita, a horseriding instructor.

Amy Jackson, 24, from, Walton, Liverpool, is a virtual unknown on UK shores but that’s not the case in India, where, thanks to an 11-film Bollywood acting career, she now has three homes, employs a staff of five and is recognized almost everywhere she goes in the Asian country.

“I’d never been to India or anywhere like it. There were cows wandering through the city. In the car on the way to the hotel I noticed Mum was grabbing on to the sides as we went in and out of traffic with the horn beeping. At one point a cow crossed the road in front of us and she screamed.”

The then 17-year-old’s modelling photos were spotted by a film director, who claimed to be making a film in Bollywood that needed a young actress.

Then she had to get used to the food. ‘At the start I couldn’t eat anything. I didn’t like the spice. I loved having Indian take-aways on a Friday night in Liverpool but it’s so different in the real India.’

The director, A. L. Vijay, was

Apart from Bollywood’s ‘Bhaijaan’, brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri, brother Sohail, sister Arpita and nephew Ahil can be spotted in the picture, which he captioned “Family Time” (Instagram)

estivities and celebrations are all about being together with family. And that is precisely what Salman Khan’s family follows: While the entire industry was busy attending or throwing grand Diwali parties, Salman and his ‘Khandaan’

Now that is something! (-India.com)

The 50-year old star, who has recently returned from a schedule of his film Tubelight in Manali, also took to his Twitter handle to share a picture with his gang of guys, that include Aayush Sharma, Sooraj Pancholi, Atul Agnihotri among others.

Things looking up for star of ‘Big Bang Theory’

On set: The young star is hoping to break into mainstream English-speaking films and says it’d be nice not to be just ‘eye-candy’.

by Frankie TAGGART

OS ANGELES - To say Kunal Nayyar looks up to his wife would be an understatement -- he barely reaches the beauty queen’s shoulder when she puts on stiletto heels for the red carpet. But the “Big Bang Theory” star, who measures 5ft 7in (170 centimeters) -- three inches less than former Miss India Neha Kapur -- has no reason for “short man syndrome.” Towering astride the entertainment industry as one of the world’s best paid actors, the 35-year-old British-Indian has become one of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood. “I feel like the tallest guy in the room,” he tells AFP in an interview to promote his latest project, a starring part in DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls” alongside Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick. “Maybe I’m the short guy

who got the beautiful woman, I don’t know. I have no qualms about it. She’s not only a beautiful person, she’s also an amazing human being.” Nayyar has good reason for his easy self-confidence, having seen his salary bloom from $100,000 per episode to a reported $800,000 for his role in “The Big Bang Theory,” known by its dedicated fans as “BBT.” He is making around $22 million a year, according to Forbes, making him the world’s fourth

Brother-in-law Aayush Sharma recently shared a picture on his Instagram account where ‘Dabangg’s KHANdaan can be seen posing together. Apart from Bollywood’s ‘Bhaijaan’, brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri, brother Sohail, sister Arpita and nephew Ahil can be spotted in the picture, which he captioned “Family Time”.

the stadium. Ranbir, Aishwarya and Anushka have just killed it. Ranbir is the best actor! Period! A must see!”

Actor Kunal Nayyar attends Hilarity for Charity’s 5th Annual Los Angeles Variety Show: Seth Rogen’s Halloween, at Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California, on October 15, 2016 (AFP Photo/Randy Shropshire)

decided to stay away from the craze. The actor’s family rang in this Diwali in Goa celebrating a very private holiday.

suitably wowed, despite her not speaking a word of Hindi, and offered her the lead role in his 2010 movie Madrasapattinam.

Now, the striking blue-eyed star (Jackson wears brown contact lenses for roles) is conversational in Hindi and mastered

highest paid television actor, a short distance behind three of his fellow cast members.

lease in the US on November 4.

There has been much speculation over whether season 10 of BBT will be the last, and while Nayyar says he’s “not ready to say goodbye yet,” he is already looking forward, with plans to star in Bollywood. - ‘Humanity is love’ Outside of the show, he recently took on a starring part in Jesse Eisenberg’s acclaimed play “The Spoils” and has a successful book -- “not a memoir” -- in stores, called “Yes, My Accent Is Real.” “Trolls,” inspired by the fuzzy-headed dolls popular in the early 1990s, is set for re-

Ostensibly for children, it follows Poppy and Branch on their mission to rescue their friends from the Bergens, giants who believe the only way to lift their melancholy is to eat the cute, colorful trolls.

tricky Bollywood dance routines. (-Daily Mail)

On a related note, Salman is currently shooting for the tenth season of ‘Bigg Boss’ and Kabir Khan’s Tubelight. The Wanted star will soon start working on YRF’s Tiger Zinda Hai co-starring Katrina Kaif and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. (-HindustanTimes.com)

Shilpa and Shamita Shetty in Rishikesh for their father’s last rites

Nayyar plays one of the captives, an endearing little troll called Guy Diamond who refuses to wear clothes and farts glitter as a means of spreading joy. When he talks about the film’s message that “humanity is about positivity and love,” he comes across like his character -- disarmingly animated. “It’s a film for both kids and

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hilpa Shetty’s father Surendra Shetty passed away on October 11 after succumbing to a cardiac arrest.

The actress and her sister Shamita Shetty recently went to Rishikesh to perform the last rites of their father. Shilpa’s husband Raj Kundra joined the duo. Shamita took to Instagram to share a picture of the three of them, sitting on the banks of the river Ganga. The picture (see photo above) caption read, “At the banks of the river Ganga in Rishikesh @TheShilpaShetty @TheRajKundra”.

VOICE OF ASIA 19

ONLINE .COM voiceofasiaonline.com

Section 2

Real Estate Home Inspection: What to look for and how to deal with it? Continuing with the topic of Home Inspection:

REC has adopted changes in rules that apply to Home Inspectors in the Year 2014. Chapter 535 General Provisions, Subchapter R. applies to the Real Estate Inspectors. Without going into its intricate details, a prospective homeowner is advised to carry out the home inspection within the option period in which if something was found terribly wrong that does not support the price, he can get his money back less the option money. A typical 1 to 4 Families Texas Contract requires the Seller to permit the Buyer access to the property during a reasonable time to inspect the property by inspectors. The Seller is required to turn on the utilities during the time the contract is in effect. Some home inspectors will advise that the buyer does not have to be present during a normal home inspection. This is true as the inspector has work to do such as start the appliances and check them to their intended use, check the roof, the heating system, etc. But a prudent buyer should spend few minutes before the inspector starts, show him the Sellers Disclosure of the condition of the house – provided it is correctly recorded by the Seller – and express any particular concern if any, and then,

toward the end of the inspection to see particular things or items that are of concern to the inspector. Even though a full report is prepared, the specific weight of the deficiencies can only be known if a verbal dialogue occurs between the inspector and the prospective buyer. The buyer then needs to work more The buyer is advised to be present Buyer is at his own mercy to get the home inspected and review the deficiencies listed by the home inspector and ascertain to proceed to continue or not continue in a proposed real estate purchase. The home inspector lists deficiencies item by item, and area by area of the home. All this can be confusing to the prospective buyer, quite a bit, as he has no other professional giving him advise on the cost of the repairs that require to be done. A real estate professional of experience makes a whole lot of difference when a large home with lots of amenities, lots of bedrooms and plenty of bathrooms, swimming pool, outdoor gas and other appliances are part of the real estate. Important thing to note is that a home inspector is not deemed to have ‘expert’s knowledge on any particular thing’, but more than a common man’s knowledge on all of the home items, such as roof, foundation, struc-

t hours are Monday thru Friday 8am till 5pm.

Business VOICE OF ASIA

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Telangana now aims at reducing cost of doing business

YDERABAD Having shared the top slot with Andhra Pradesh in ease of doing business and not resting on laurels, Telangana is now looking to reduce the cost of doing business, State IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao said. Addressing a press conference, Rao said that the government has made several changes in labour laws, and other relevant procedures, to make the state an “investor friendly” destination. “Ease of doing business is not the only solution. Cost of doing business is also important. Now, the task for Telangana government will be to ture, appliances, walls, etc. If something appears to be wrong, his word is to be believed upon, and an expert needs to see the deficiency if fixing of the same appears to be expensive. A professional advice in all of these is a must, and every prospective buyer is advised to seek nothing but some professional opinion in all of these matters. Another important thing to remember here is that ‘items described as deficient is usually not the way to reduce the negotiated price further by tens and hundreds of thousands.

bring down the cost of doing business and to ensure that it is minimised and also to ensure the quality of doing business improves drastically,” he said. “Officials and ministers may come and go. But there has to be some process driven method to ensure smooth flow of system. It should not be individual driven system. All these reforms will be institutionalized,” Rama Rao said. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana jointly topped the ease of doing business ranking, in the index based on the degree of implementation of the government’s 340-point Business Reform Action Plan. Seller does not have to fix anything of the home spending any more money. But he can and should to a reasonable degree to make the deal go through. More on this we will address while addressing other important aspects of the real estate. To Be Continued.. Dilip Kapasi is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Houston. Readers are encouraged to send emails to dilipmeena@ yahoo.com for any questions.

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

Tel: 713-774-5140

Saleena Jafry joins Asia Society Texas Center

OUSTON — Asia Society Texas Center announces the appointment of Saleena Jafry as Asia Society’s new Director of Education, Business & Policy. Jafry joins Asia Society Texas Center with leadership experience from various civic and service organizations over the past 15 years. She currently serves on the City of Sugar Land’s Multi-Cultural Advisory Board, which focuses on celebrating the city’s diversity through artistic and cultural programs. Previously, Jafry led the outreach and communications activities as a volunteer for the Ismaili community and His Highness the Aga Khan Council for the Southwestern United States. The Ismaili community believes in service and civic engagement as principle values of their faith, and Jafry served as a volunteer liaison between the community and a broad spectrum of civic, cultural, service, and governmental organizations across Texas. Jafry was also responsible for organizing and managing a robust portfolio of programmatic activities at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Sugar Land. These programs included visual and perform-

Saleena Jafry ing arts, lectures, roundtable discussions, and book launches on various topics of interest to the larger Houston community. Prior to joining Asia Society, Jafry spent 18 years as part of the management team at a privately held downstream energy company, where she helped oversee all aspects of the business, including operations, treasury, and business development. Jafry has earned her Master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Rice University and an MBA from Washington University. She is a consummate reader and an avid traveler, with a deep rooted desire to learn how different cultures, faiths, and civilizations promote pluralistic values.

SOUTH ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 20

Young men in Kashmir are disappearing from their homes Friends say they’re going to fight India

ne morning in September, Shawkat Ahmed Dar told his father he was going to pluck apples in a neighbor’s orchard — and disappeared. For weeks, as demonstrators in the Indian-ruled portion of Kashmir rained stones on security forces and troops fired back with tear gas and lead pellets, Dar had stayed home. The 25year-old who once took up arms against India had renounced violence, working as a baker and farmhand to support his elderly parents, and knew that joining the crowds would get him arrested again.

“Free Kashmir” and the Pakistani crescent and star are scrawled on a bridge in Naina, a village in Indian Kashmir. (Shashank Bengali / Los Angeles Times)

But then, Indian police clashed with demonstrators protecting a meeting of pro-independence religious leaders in his village, firing tear gas and wounding several of Dar’s friends.

Security officials say they have confirmed that 15 Kashmiris have joined militant movements since July, although residents believe the number is much higher.

Now, friends say the tall, broad-shouldered young man has left home to rejoin a separatist militant movement that is seeing a resurgence amid the latest season of unrest in Kashmir, one of the world’s most enduring conflict zones. Since Indian forces killed a young militant commander in this disputed territory in July, mass protests have raged for nearly four months, even as soldiers and police have carried out a crackdown that has left more than 90 civilians dead, 12,000 injured and thousands more languishing in jails under vague charges — or no charges at all. Across the Kashmir Valley, a rippling blanket of fruit orchards and saffron fields tumbling down from the Himalayas, residents say more young men are joining militant groups, intensifying a struggle for selfdetermination that is as old as India itself. “I think every Kashmiri is willing to join the militancy now,” said Shawkat Hussain

Wagey, a teacher in the village of Panzgam. “No one with a sound mind would choose to kill himself. But being peaceful hasn’t given us anything.”

Syed Mujtaba Gilani, inspector general of Kashmir police, said insurgents have stolen about 40 weapons from his forces in recent weeks. “This is a cause for concern and one indication that new recruits are being armed,” Gilani said. The new militants’ impact is not yet clear, Indian officials say. Kashmiri fighters, unlike those from Pakistan, have not typically carried out suicide attacks; they have tended to focus on recruiting young fighters, attacking Indian installations and snatching weapons. Yet some in the Indian security establishment worry that the government is ill prepared to deal with an increasingly homegrown insurgency. “India has decisively won the battle against the foreign-based militants and terror outfits from Pakistan, but it now confronts a far graver problem of winning over the youth of Kashmir before an entire generation gets detached from India, a most

frightening prospect,” M.K. Narayanan, India’s former national security advisor, wrote in the Hindu newspaper. Some of those youths, like Dar, are militants whom the state claimed to have rehabilitated under a program begun after the last round of major unrest, in 2010. Dar was captured five years ago while seeking treatment for an arm injury and surrendered under pressure from his parents, friends said. He is believed to have spent a year with Hizbul Mujahideen, an armed group held responsible for attacks against Indian security forces. More than 450 people have been arrested under the act since July, including some younger than 18, human rights groups say. Mir Shafkat Hussain, a lawyer, described these as boilerplate charges that authorities had filed since July against scores of detainees he represented — few of whom fit the profile of violent agitators. “The anger has spread to educated people who have everything to lose,” Hussain said. “They go into detention and they become hardened. It is more dangerous now for the government of India. Everyone is a part of the struggle. It cannot be stopped.” (-Los Angles Times)

Smile Foundation of India launches its US Chapter Cook for a Smile with Master Chef Vikas Khanna “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.” – JF Kennedy

mile Foundation has more than 200 welfare projects on the ground, spread across over 950 remote villages and slums in 25 states of India. These projects directly benefit more than 400,000 children and families. To take these initiatives further, Smile Foundation has launched its first US chapter in Houston, TX. “Houston has a large concentration of India related interests. There is a large Indian presence in the business, educational, medical and research institutes that is playing an important role in a rapidly changing India and contributing to it. We are looking forward to “Cook for a Smile” event with Chef Vikas

In the wash-up, Sri Lankan asylum loser wins by Greg Bearup

by Shashank Bengali

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

he crab-trapper of Jaffna is a happy man; he has a sturdy boat with a new Suzuki motor. Each morning he rises before dawn to motor out to a vast lagoon in his new auto rickshaw to fish for prawns and crabs — partly funded by the $5000 given to him by Australian taxpayers.

with the rest to be paid upon a successful landing and getting work. Hundreds of Sri Lankans have perished on this journey, and he almost did too when his boat, with 51 people on board, ran into trouble off the coast of

of Immigration and Border Protection, between September 2013 and this month, 320 Sri Lankans who had arrived by boat were sent home. Half agreed to return — like Pireesan, they had run out of options. The other 160 were “involuntarily removed”. On top of this, “six people-smuggling ventures have been returned to Sri Lanka with 105 people on board”.

In August What became 2012, when of them? Marcus Pireesan fled Sri H u m a n Lanka for rights lawyer Australia in Marcus Pireesan and sons outside Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka. Lakshan Dias search of a better life, Jaffna, the northern Sri Lanka and began taking on has represented many of those 425 Sri Lankans who have been Tamil capital and his home water. sent back from Australia. He town, was a very different place It limped back to port after says he knows of cases where from what it is today. Pireesan and 17 others were of- people have been jailed for The long civil war against floaded to another asylum ves- many months after falsely bethe Liberation Tigers of Tamil sel, also en route to Australia. ing identified as “organisers’’. Eelam ended in 2009 - a UN The sea was extremely rough However, most had been rereport estimating that 40,000 and the boat was running low people died in final months of on fuel, water and food, but af- leased within a day or two of the conflict, mainly civilians ter 23 days on the Indian Ocean arriving back in Sri Lanka. A - but the Rajapaksa regime, it was spotted by an Australian few were “roughed up’’ but he which brutally obliterated vessel off the Cocos Islands did not know of any cases of torture. the Tigers, was still in power; and rescued. young Tamil men were still be“We were too much looked The three returnees The Ausing bundled into government tralian spoke to all said they after, as you would look after vans and never seen again. a small child,” he says of the were well-treated by Australian “We lived in constant fear,” Australian officials. They gave authorities and not ill-treated Pireesan, 40, tells me, “just them chocolates, fruit juice and by Sri Lankan authorities upon knowing information was dan- fresh clothes and took them their return. None of them has gerous. You could be stopped ashore. After two days on Co- been persecuted since they got at a roadblock and kidnapped cos he was flown to Darwin for back. (by the government forces) and processing, then to Brisbane One of the men, 22-year-old no one would ever know.” And where, he says, he was issued a Thiya Garajah Sabesan, arrived fishermen like him were told bridging visa. on Cocos Island as a 19-yearwhere and on what days they For a while he lived in Wagga old in November 2012. He was could fish. Wagga, working in a meat-pro- flown home to Sri Lanka 10 The Tamils of the north lived cessing factory and waiting for days later. He admits that he in a totalitarian state within Sri his future to be decided. In 2014 was trying to get to Australia Lanka and so Pireesan decided his refugee status was rejected. for economic reasons, rather to flee, planning to bring his In June last year he appealed than fleeing persecution. wife and three young kids to to the Supreme Court. The ap“I am very happy,” he says, Australia when he had become plication was rejected again. Better to come home freely, he as the little boy who was just established. reckoned, than in handcuffs. So three months old when he set sail crawls all over him. “Very It never worked out that way. he flew back to Colombo. happy to be back with my famPireesan had to pay $8500 to According to the Department ily.” a smuggler — $3000 upfront,

Hence, over the years Smile Foundation has adopted a lifecycle approach of development, keeping children at the centre, focusing its interventions on not just children but their families and the larger community. Girl child is an important part of all the centres of Smile Foundation’s welfare programmes - be it education, healthcare or livelihood. More than 10,000 girls are currently getting education at 120 of Smile Foundation’s Mission Education centres in India. Besides this, another 1000 girls have been trained so far to become change agents in their respective communities, and over 300 have received scholarship to complete their higher education. In addition, Smile centres are providing nutrition to more than 21,000 children and their families in 21 states. Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan, the Goodwill Ambassador of Smile Foundation launched “She Can Fly” campaign of

More than 10,000 girls are currently getting education at 120 of Smile Foundation’s Mission Education centres in India. the foundation recently – an initiative to create awareness about girl child education and empowerment. “I have been associated with Smile Foundation for the past five years and it’s great for me to be associated with a cause like this. Reason I am association with Smile Foundation is because I believe in it the most. Smile Foundation is doing excellent work and let’s support them in whatever way we can.” Said Ajay Devgan. Five times Michelin starred Chef Vikas Khanna has been a very dedicated supporter of Smile Foundation and is also the Goodwill Ambassador for its ‘Nutrition for Education’ initiative. The campaign aims

at combating the critical issues of hunger and malnutrition among children in India, and is currently providing nutrition to more than 21,000 children from 21 states. Smile Foundation has been evaluated by some of the most reputed Indian and international evaluators including INTRAC London, KPMG, India Development Foundation, Give India and PRIA, and has come not only at par with their expectations and norms but has also been accredited with organizations such as CAF America, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs and India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (Govt. of India), Guidestar and United Way.

Chef Vikas Khanna with girls of Smile Foundation

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Chef Vikas Khanna, Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan with Smile team Khanna in Jan ’17. ” said Jiten Agarwal, the president of USA chapter of Smile Foundation. Established in 2002 by a group of well-established corporate professionals, who came together with the sole aim of giving back to society, Smile Foundation has always

thought of its role as a catalyst in bringing sustainable change at the grassroots, by working effectively on the ground and encouraging civil society to be a part of the development process. Beginning its journey with education as its core work area,

the organization eventually realized that child education cannot be done in isolation, without ensuring the welfare of the family. A child will only go to school when her family is healthy; her parents, particularly the mother, are informed and empowered; and there is a sustainable source of income.

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FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 22

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

Your Horoscope for the Week of November 4, 2016 READ YOUR COMPLETE HOROSCOPE

by Hardik Vyas, Astrologer Cell : 832-298-9950

ONLINE WWW.VOICEOFASIAONLINE.COM

Libra (R,T) 23 Sept to 22 Oct

Aries (A,L,E) 21 March to 20 April You prefer to work behind the scenes, however this week you’ll be in the limelight. Work your magic with your positive attitude and contagious smile. Tired, old concepts could block the possibility of something completely wonderful. Push away the negative and take a different approach. Express your feelings clearly before allowing assumptions to start to work against you. Say it and get it out of the way.

Use your sense of humor to get your point across. Loud, rude people should stay clear of you. Your patience will be tried but your logic will prevail. You really do know your stuff and now’s the time to show it. You are exactly where you need to be. Everybody has been rallying around something new and improved. However news this week, will pronounce you the winner. Accept the prize but be the first congratulate others for their effort.

Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May

Scorpio (N,Y) 23 Oct to 21 Nov

Find your own little space. You want to be the one who will make the final decisions in your personal life. You not only will find but you will be able to perfect your own career. You’ll be riding high with confidence. Your impulses will fuel the positive flow. Be rid of friends or partners who cannot agree on what direction they are going in. Instead of wasting your time and energy, try going solo in a more focused way.

Keep a secret to yourself. Intense emotions will threaten to tell the world, but you know you can’t reveal your sources. A little issue you bring up could trigger something much larger. Others will be hurt if you do. Focus on ways to use your new found information, in a positive light. Get back to doing the things that you love to do. By week’s end, you should try to stay out of trouble by keeping to yourself.

Sagittarius (BH,F,DH,TH) 22 Nov to 21 Dec

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June Seem confident, reliable and intelligent at all times. Especially when you feel you’re in over your head. Don’t blow it all by wishing for the stars. Aim high, but be more realistic. Keep your ears open for the topics that you have stronger knowledge on. Think before you talk and all will go well. Pay closer attention to others and they will acknowledge your good standing in the community.

Find your place among family & friends. You’ll be unusually observant about everything. Your insight will have a greater impact if you deliver it with a little more passion. You may have felt a little out of the loop, lately, but that was only because your mind was in a solo mode. Get out there enjoy the wonderful wealth of family and friends you possess. Focus on the project at hand.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July Think quickly on your feet. Questions will be asked and you’ll have to have all the right answers. Dare to dream your dreams but your ideas may need to be presented in a more creative fashion. You’ll get a lot more if you use honey instead of vinegar to attract your audience. Use your mind and body to display your talents and achieve what is beyond other’s range. This certainly is the time to be noticed.

You will have an opportunity to do something great, this week. Problems in your personal and professional relationships could hamper you from reaching your goals. Old routines will make you feel old and dull. Break away from the way things used to be. Awake and find new ways to enjoy yourself. Stop arguing around the bush in relationships, express how you feel. Others need to communicate their feelings, as well.

Aquarius (G,S,SH) 21 Jan to 19 Feb

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August Inspiration from seniors will key issues for this time period. You are likely to feel the urge to do something completely out of character now. Don’t fight the urge. Let yourself be a little “crazy”; this is a good time to break out of your accustomed ways of acting and be more humorous or eccentric. Your imagination is charged now. Any artistic endeavors are imbued with a new spirit of originality and inspiration.

Be willing to cooperate when others want to do things differently. Don’t spend too much energy planning a schedule that will be revised more than once. You’ll be moved by a sudden passion for justice, but you need to take your time and think things through before you act. There are reasons for rules, and you need to look at things from a different perspective to understand them more clearly.

Pisces (D,CH,Z) 20 Feb to 20 March

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September Get yourself on schedule. Take the time to put everything into a better perspective before you go any further. Your ambitions and hopes are one in the same, right now, to get ahead. Others may threaten to put your plans on hold, but you’ll be able to change their minds with your charm and wit. . You’ll be able to come up with all the right answers to their questions. Your style will shine. A good challenge will reaffirm your convictions.

Reorganize yourself before taking on any additional responsibilities. Step up to bat for someone who really needs a break. Encourage others to spread themselves as well. Try to be a positive force rather than a negative one. Once you feel more like a mentor, your creative emotions will flow. Your perfect mate may walk right into your life. You’ll be aware of the mutual attraction. Decide for yourself on whether you want to risk what you have for something new.

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FRIDAY, November 4, 2016

VOICE OF ASIA 24

FRIDAY, November 4, 2016