Voice of Asia e paper October 7 2016 by VoiceOf Asia

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FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

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Vol. 29 No. 40 Friday, October 7, 2016 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 20 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

1000 Lights for Peace

147th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

OUSTON - Mahatma Gandhi Library presented the spectacular 1000 Lights for Peace, a celebration of the 147th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, on Sunday, October 2nd at Miller Outdoor Theater. The spirit of Houstonians attending the program was truly visible during this auspicious celebration. The gorgeous day started with 5K Walk for Peace, coordinated by Mr. Sesh Bala. The participants walked around Hermann Park voting for peace with their feet, many proudly displaying signs depicting peace. The walk culminated on stage at Miller Outdoor Theater, welcomed by the talented Katy Taylor HS Drumline.

started at 6pm with an invocation by Rev Daniel Dominguez from Centro Familiar Cristiano in Sugarland, and Dr. Kavita Vachaknavee from Arya Samaj Greater Houston. Neha Srivastava, the lovely Mistress of Ceremonies kept the evening flowing with historical perspectives on not only Mahatma Gandhi, but also social reformers including Cesar Chavez, Nelson Mandela, and Desmond Tutu. The Gandhi Darshan Exhibit, portraying the chronological lifetime of Gandhiji with actual photographs from that era, were on display as were booths for arts and crafts and face painting, which the children lined up for. The Vegan Society for Peace and the Indo-American Senior citizens club were active participants throughout the day.

The 1000 lights for Peace program

Continued on Page 6

Season’s first Durga Puja by VSGH draws record crowds

Swami during Durga Puja at VSGH: pushpanjali and arati chandelier lamps was performed. READ REPORT ON PAGE 5

SEWA fundraiser highlights virtue of service

SEWA Team with Keynote Speaker (4th from left) HD Chambers, Alief Independent School District Superintendent at the SEWA Fundraiser. READ REPORT ON PAGE 6

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OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS

VOICE OF ASIA 2

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

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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: 713-774-5143. 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

by STEVE PHILLIPS OCT. 5, 2016 , nytimes

he demographic revolution of the past 50 years has transformed the United States from a predominantly white country into a truly multiracial nation. People of color have grown to 38 percent of the population today from 12 percent in 1966, and that metamorphosis paved the path to electing the first African-American president. In November, Democrats have the chance to secure a decades-long electoral majority for decades, but they are at risk of missing this moment because too many consultants still stick to an outdated and ineffective campaign script that was written for a different, whiter era. Democratic spending is significantly misaligned with the pillars of the party’s electoral advantage, and campaigns throw away millions of dollars on ineffective ads while neglecting efforts to mobilize the rapidly growing ranks of minorities. The evidence about the formula for Democratic victory at the national level is overwhelming. When large numbers of voters — particularly minorities — turn out, Democrats win. When turnout plummets — as it did in midterm elections in 2010 and 2014 — Democrats lose. But the evidence has not translated to the actual practice of those who run and fund Democratic campaigns. The most critical decision campaigns have to make is how to allocate limited time and money between persuasion and mobilization. Persuasion is aimed at those people who have a history of voting regularly, and it generally takes the form of paid advertising, mainly on television. Mobilization involves the more labor-intensive work of turning out infrequent voters by making phone calls, knocking on doors and driving people to the polls.

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

How to Build a Democratic Majority That Lasts The appeal of prioritizing persuasion is easy to see in 2016, when Donald J. Trump’s hate-filled language is so extreme and toxic that Mrs. Clinton may well be able to make inroads with swing voters (although Mr. Trump’s September surge showed the limits of that approach). But to win the White House and the Senate, a swing-voterbased strategy — which emphasizes paid ads attacking Mr. Trump rather than hiring workers to talk to and turn out voters — is the wrong approach. Moderate Republicans may be repulsed by Mr. Trump, but that does not mean they will vote against the incumbent Republican senators they backed in 2010. The gross imbalance between investing in persuasion over mobilization could potentially be justified if there were evidence showing the efficacy of paid advertising, but there isn’t. Studies looking at decades of election data offer the same conclusion: Paid ads do little to change voter behavior. A recent study by the political scientists Ryan Enos and Anthony Fowler looked at the impact of identical ads when broadcast into neighboring areas. One area received, according to the authors, “traditional ground campaigning such as door-to-door canvassing, phone calls and direct mail,” and the other didn’t. The study found that voters in the region that received direct contact had turnout rates 7 percentage points higher than the

neighboring region. (President Obama’s average margin of victory in 2012 in the seven battleground states was 4 percent). Another problem: The target audience for ads, swing voters, is dwindling. A 2015 study by a Michigan State University assistant professor, Corwin Smidt, shows that voters are more polarized than at any time in the past 60 years, and just 5 percent — about six million people in the 2012 electorate — are swing voters. By comparison, the number of eligible minority voters in 2012 who didn’t make it to the polls was more than 25 million. Twenty years of research and individual campaigns have proved that mobilization wins elections. For example, Representative Keith Ellison, Democrat of Minnesota, has consistently increased voter turnout in his congressional district over the past decade, and he has done it by focusing on personal contact. His campaigns have deployed hundreds of volunteers to go door to door in apartment buildings in his renter-heavy district. He has also organized “Souls to the Polls” programs in which black parishioners are picked up after church and driven to polling places (Mr. Ellison successfully worked to get the polls open on Sunday). A permanent, year-round system can be established in minority neighborhoods for a fraction of the funds it takes to

carpet-bomb voters with television ads. Lisa García Bedolla, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of “Latino Politics,” has developed a concept called the “civic web” that is a synthesis of the old-fashioned precinct captain model, modern-day social networks and culturally specific community organizing. Paid staff members, neighborhood team leaders and block captains are part of a seamless network where the employees recruit and supervise volunteers — especially mothers, who are critical to building good voting habits in their families and communities. The civic web leverages faceto-face social networks and emphasizes long-term relationship building. In a battleground state such as Nevada — which Mr. Obama won by about 66,000 votes — Ms. García Bedolla estimates, the civic web model could, by 2020, mobilize more than 100,000 additional Latino voters at a cost of $3.1 million. The Clinton campaign and its allied super PACs spent $2.5 million on Nevada television ads in June alone. Making smart investments in mobilization can tip the election in longtime battleground states like Nevada, Florida and Ohio as well as emerging battlegrounds like North Carolina, Arizona and Georgia. In 2016, there’s still time to redirect resources to what we know works: mobilizing voters of color.

Most Democratic campaigns prefer to concentrate on paid ads. In 2012 and 2014, 80 percent of outside spending on Senate races went to television ads. Since the end of the 2016 primaries, Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the “super PACs” supporting her have spent $128 million on ads.

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VOICE OF ASIA 3

C OMMUNITY VOICE OF ASIA

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

Second Front Page

Email: voiceasia@aol.com by Prakash Waghmare

‘

Ekal is pulling all stops on village development in India and adopting ground-breaking methodology in the way it operates in ruraltribal areas’ ... That’s the profound message that came out of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation’s (EVF) recently concluded “International Conference” in Orangeburg, N.Y.

Tel: 713-774-5140

www.voiceofasiaonline.com

New Dawn at “Ekal Vidyalaya” on all Ekal alumni. It is widely known that Ekal renders all assistance without any credence to caste, creed and religion and its overhead is just 10%. What is more! When Ekal-Team met PM Modi this year, he not only applauded Ekal Vidyalaya’s efforts all across rural India, but also, termed it as an extension of ‘Skill India’ campaign.

This 3-day conference, meant for national committees of USA, India, Canada and other countries, was convened not Bajarang Bagraji, CEO of only for brain-storming ses‘Ekal Abhiyan’ (umbrella Orgz sions to critically assess the of ‘Ekal’) unveiled an ambiprogress made so far, but also tious plan of multifaceted deto charter EVF’s course for velopment of villages for 2017 2017. Until now, ‘Ekal’ (as it is at this Conference. According popularly known), had targeted to him,’ Ekal will add 5,000 new 100,000 villages as its ‘goal’ for schools specifically in conflictintegrated development. Now, zones and enhance the quality Ekal wants to reach out to all of training by resorting to digi600,000-plus rural/tribal areas tal technology. For youths, 5 in India. Considering it is alEkal Vidyalaya Foundation’s team had met India’s Prime minister Mr. Narendra Modi this year. more ‘Ekal-onready in 62,000 villagWheels’ digital es, this was inevitable. training-vans Another reason for this are being addambitious undertaking ed, bringing the is that it has picked up total of such fatremendous momentum cility to 9. Each in recent years in terms of these ‘modof enterprising entreern-technology’ preneurs joining its fold labs have caeverywhere with inpacity to train novative ideas and ac5,000 youths tively pursuing various each year. He rural projects. At the further added conference, Himanshu that ‘AneShah, CEO of ‘Shah mia’, which is Capital’ and ‘Mohan so prevalent Wanchoo’, CEO of among rural ‘EC Info systems’ each women-folks, pledged $100,000 to would be exA section of participants at the International Conference. $200,000 per year, for Bagraji, CEO of Ekal Abhiyan with Lalanji. pressly adthe next several years Moreover, water conserva- rural India dressed in 300 to uplifting rural lives. Inspired tails, who have distinguished by PM Modi’s ‘Swachchh tion, organic farming, cottage that benefit 1.5 million children themselves by obtaining pres- villages and soon a pilot projBharat’ initiative, Ekal’s ‘clean industries that could empower - half of which are girls. Lalan tigious district and state-level ect of ‘tele-medicine’ would environment’ pilot project is al- young girls and women-folks Sharmaji, Village Development jobs, after graduating from Ekal be started in West Bengal. As ready making its mark in some are in full swing in most of the Field Director for “Ekal-India”, schools. There are plans under for agro-projects, 15,000 nuvillages. There are 53,000 Ekal presented numerous examples way to carry out impact-studies tritional gardens and 25,000 rural and tribal areas. schools in operation throughout of Ekal Alumnus, with full de- by collecting and analyzing data acres of organic farming are

being added next year. Currently, a ‘Gramotthan Resource Center’ (GRC) at ‘Karanjho’, Jharkhand is the only encyclopedic information ’citadel’ for villagers to learn modern techniques. It caters to 100 surrounding villages, directly benefitting 100,000 rural folks, and indirectly, affecting almost one million people. Bagraji elaborated that 11 such ‘GRC’s are under way for next year. The Event-Committee, headed by Dilip Kothekar and Prajna Khisti, is taking a departure from engaging Bollywood ‘Song & Dance Troupe’ for annual ‘Fund-raising Concerts’. For the first time, an innovative group of a dozen talented Artistes from Ekal-villages will be presented in most amazing one-of-a-kind entertainment program consisting of regional folk-songs & dances of India, skits from RamayanMahabharat, folklore episodes etc. Curretly, they are all being guided and trained by the best professionals in stage performances. Ekal believes this pioneering effort to bring ordinary but talented, village-folks to the forefront of this continent in 60-plus Ekal events will promote their ethnic artistry and will give them consistent patronage at national and international level. Starting with this conference, Ekal-USA is entering into ‘Social-Media’ arena with vengeance. The technology-savvy team, headed by Akshay Joshi includes Avinash Agarwal, Vinita Dogra, Arti Aggarwal and Sheetal Gupta. It will be guided by Prashant Shah, a new member of EkalUSA ‘Board of Directors’ and shall be advised by Prakash Waghmare and Ranjani Saigal, as necessary. In short, there is new dawn at ‘Ekal Vidyalaya’ on every level.

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VOICE OF ASIA 5

Season’s first Durga Puja by VSGH draws record crowds

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

MAGH Celebrates Onam

Pandit Suman Ghosh with his disciples and students of CICMH performing during Durga Puja. by Sanchali Basu

ne couldn’t have asked for better weather to kick off Debi paksha, Navratri and Mahalaya with Durga Puja on October 1 at the Vedanta Society of Greater Houston grounds. Swami Kripamayananda, head of the Toronto Vedanta Society presided over the event, his 5th year in a row. The day started with Mother Durga’s image being carried to the pandal outdoors to the auspicious beat of the dhak and the blowing of the shankh (conch shell). Mother Durga and kalabau were decorated in festive splendor and Mother was ready to welcome and bless all her devotees. The puja commenced on time at 9:30 a.m. with great austerity and devotion. The accompaniment of Chandi chanting by Dr. Amrit Achari, a neurosurgeon in Houston, added to the sanctity and divinity of the holy atmosphere. The melodious devotional songs sung by the VSGH choir during the puja created a very spiritual environment. Mother Durga seemed to have control over Mother Nature too, as the weather remained very pleasant throughout the day for the devotees. An additional bonus was the presence of Pandit Suman Ghosh, a local North Indian classical vocal maestro, with his family. They too enchanted the devotees with renditions of Durga bhajans. The puja ended with the beautiful arati performed by the Swami with the chandelier lamps, and pushpanjali, the offering of flowers, by devotees. By noon,

Dignitaries and guests enjoying the traditional Onam Sadya. by George Paul

VSGH Board and volunteers serving lunch prasad after the puja.

ISSOURI CITY, TX, Sep. 26, 2016 - The Malayalee Association of Greater Houston (MAGH) celebrated Onam, harvest festival of Kerala, South India, with all its festivities and traditional ingredients. The celebration was held on 24th Sep. at the grand auditorium of Elkins High School Missouri City. An estimation of more than 500 people from various facets, including non-Malayalee locals attended the function. The event started with a procession of women and children wearing the traditional Kerala dress, which is called set sari and

mound, chendamelam and the traditional thiruvathira dance in welcoming the mythological King Mahabali (The king of Asura dynasty who ruled Kerala in an era of great prosperity). The MAGH president Abraham K. Eapen delivered his address on the occasion. Prof. Donald Richard Davis (Department of South Asian Studies, University of Texas, Austin) who was the Chief Guest on the occasion delivered his Onam message in Malayalam, the language of the people of Kerala, that left the entire audience spellbound. Onam is a traditional festival celebrated by the people of Kerala irrespective of their cast or religion and also is recognized as a State festival of Kerala. Onam is celebrated

during the Malayalam month of Chingam which falls between (Aug - Sep). The celebrations also marked with numerous cultural activities such as Boat race, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal, Kummati kali and so on. Onam is reminiscent of Kerala’s agrarian past, and commemorates the homecoming of the good old mythological king Mahabali. It is a delightful time of the year and tourists prefer to visit Kerala during this festive season. The MAGH Onam celebrations concluded with the sumptuous Onam Sadya an elaborate feast of complete vegetable meals served on a banana leaf along with payasam a traditional sweet dish of Kerala.

A section of the gathering at the VSGH on Saturday, October 1 the pandal was overflowing with devotees and the pushpanjali had to be repeated for the latecomers. A record crowd of almost 500 people attended the VSGH Durga Puja this year. Fruit and lunch prasad were served to all attendees. Swami Kripamayananda at the end of the puja commented, “This is the best Durga Puja held in the west,” and also added that it gives him immense pleasure and fulfillment in conducting the Durga Puja in Houston. Mrs. Swapna Chaudhuri informed the gathering about the

upcoming projects of VSGH. After its affiliation to the parent organization Belur Math, VSGH is preparing to welcome the new resident minister, Swami Vedaswarupananda, whose immigration paperwork is currently being processed. Due to increased demands, VSGH is looking at blueprints to extend the side patio to create a classroom/dining hall for the devotees. Appeals were made to donate generously to make all these projects come to fruition. VSGH will celebrate Kali Puja at 7:00 p.m. on October 28, 2016. Worship will be performed by Dr. Bishnupada Goswami.

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Performers doing the traditional thiruvathira dance during the Onam celebrations.

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COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

1000 Lights for Peace SEWA fundraiser highlights virtue of service 147th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi sented an elegant performance featuring Turkish and Syrian folk dances. Dr. Manish Wani announced an unprecedented collaboration of MGL with Birla group in India to bring Eternal Gandhi Museum to Houston. It is one the world’s first digital multimedia museums preserving the historical events of Gandhiji’s life. Chris Brown presented the awards to more than 30 winners of the city-

OUSTON - After staying in a refugee camp in Nepal for 15 years, Sudarshan Luitel, a Bhutanese refugee, came to the U.S. in 2009. Seven years later, successfully studying at the Texas State University, the former refugee showcased his transformation. He spoke with an accent, but spoke in English clearly, and attributed his success to the help provided by Sewa International in terms of free vaccination, school supplies, tutorial help for studying English as a Second Lan-

Youth volunteers with Sewa president Sarojini Gupta guage and finally, a college scholarship.

Atul Kothari, the founder of MGL, addressing the gathering.

“Your donations can help transform refugees like me,” Luitel told over 500 people gathered at the Sewa International’s Annual Fundraiser at Sri Radhakrsihna Temple Auditorium in Houston on Sept. 25.

Continued from Page 1 The evening started with the adorable children from Houston’s St. Catherine Montessori Catholic Choir directed by Tim and Mindy Snow. They brilliantly sang “Halleluleah.”

The event with inspiring speeches, scintillating performances and mouthwatering spread catered by Bhojan, drew people of diverse backgrounds with the common thread being their commitment to Service or Sewa .

Winners of the Speech competition Rigved Sawale, winner of the younger speech contest, inspired the crowd by reciting his winning speech “Truth: My Story.”

The chief guest and keynote speaker, Alief Independent School District Superintendent H.D. Chambers, spoke passionately about the work Sewa International does to serve the refugee and immigrant students of Alief ISD.

Next was a high-energy, dynamic performance called Nsati by KoumonKe’le’ African Dance & Drum Ensemble, directed by Ms. Christina Gerard. Tony Jha then treated the crowd to his brilliant winning speech in the older category discussing Non-Violence: Means of Conflict Resolution. The students of Anjali Center of Performing Arts, directed by Dr. Rathna Kumar, performed a classical Indian dance to the melodious tune, Vaishnav Janato. The Keynote Speaker for the evening Houston City Controller Chris Brown spoke about how relevant the practice of Non-Violence was in today’s strife ridden world and that Gandhi’s message of “Be the change you want to see in the world” was his primary influence for entering public service. The Ismaili Dance Ensemble pre-

Students of Anjali Center of Performing Arts, gave a spectacular performance. Photo credit: (C) 2016 Michele Wambaugh wide contests held by Mahatma Gandhi Library. The Abhinaya School of Performing Arts, directed by Indrani Parthasarathy, presented a “Collage for Peace” set to contemporary Carnatic fusion music with the dance style of Bharatanatyam. Atul Kothari, the founder of MGL,

delivered the vote of thanks and urged everyone to think deeply about attaining peace in their own hearts. The spectacular evening concluded with the lighting of a candle by all as a symbolic pledge to observe peace in their own lives. The crowd reflected on how to emulate Mahatma Gandhi’s life listening to the soothing song “Imagine” by John Lennon and the

He said “the challenges my school district faces with students speaking more than 91 languages are many ” and emphasized how “without the help of non profits like Sewa Houston it would not be possible for school districts to educate these students.” His comments underscored the importance of the work Sewa does through School districts and its independent programs like ASPIRE tutorials. “America is more of an idea. Every community is a microcosm of the USA. For the country to prosper there must be support from the communities. If communities do not hlp each other, the country will crumble,” Chambers said. Alief community is a contributor to the concept of America, he said. Nearly 60 percent of Alief ISD students live in apartments. In this context, Sewa also helps refugee students

who live in these apartments. Chambers said the challenge is to make apartment dwellers live like a community and he admonished Sewa to help build communities in apartments and help those students assimilate into the culture. People, faith-based organizations and schools are three pillars of the society and building a community begins with a family and building from within. And here comes the contribution of Sewa, Chambers said. Sewa President Sarojini Gupta drew loud applause as she shared with the audience the numerous strides Sewa has made in the past year. “This past year has been a year of progress and growing partnerships” Gupta said. She added that “Sewa served over 75 kids through the entire school year, took two field trips with the support of Brays Oaks Management District and tutored over 200 kids in Alief ISD summer schools. We also served over 70 pre diabetic and diabetic people through our Stop Diabetes Movement yoga camps.” Also present at the event were various beneficiaries of Sewa programs and speakers like SDM participant Dr.Satyanarayan Chilukuri, and noted scientist Dr.Sen Pathak. Dr. Chilukuri spoke about yoga as a complementary medicine and how Sewa programs helped provide good health and living in harmony with nature. A practicing doctors for 50 years, Dr. Chilukuri encouraged everyone Continued on Page 7

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VOICE OF ASIA 7

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

Unmesh to unfold SPECTRUM: SEWA fundraiser ... Traditional Music at its Best Continued from page 6

by Sasi Raghavan fter a sultry afternoon, imagine a beautiful evening – relaxing on your porch, with a cup of tea, watching the rainbow colors of the trees all around. The ambient temperature perfectly poised between warm and cool, you feel the gentle breeze brushing past your face. Slowly, you hear the droplets of rain – first delicately falling down and then turning into a torrential downpour - emanating an earthy smell, reminding you of your childhood, a time when you were an integral part of the nature that surrounds you. By the time you wake up the day, it’s a cool crisp morning!

an organization founded by Pandit Suman Ghosh, which strives to bring this traditional art form to the community in the purest and most holistic form. This event, to be held at Stude Concert Hall, Shepherd School of Music, Rice University at 3:15pm, will feature the disciples of Pandit Ghosh, Hindustani Classical Music Virtuoso. During the course of this musical evening, aptly titled “Spectrum”, one can witness the confluence of Music and Tradition, with about 90 disciples of the much revered Gurukul, Saadhana Pariwar, ages 5 to 70, presenting a spectacular garland of Raags through delightful compositions and delicate moves.

Saturday, Oct 15th 2016 will be one such remarkable evening, where Houstonians will have the opportunity to connect with these elements of nature through Hindustani Classical music at Saadhana Unmesh, the much-celebrated, muchawaited Flagship event of the Center for Indian Classical Music of Houston (CICMH),

The rain of raags will display beautiful color schemes knit together by musical notes, creativity and imagination of the highest order from Pandit Ghosh, the maestro himself, portraying a whole new dimension of this age-old complex musical system, bound to transport us to a spiritual world

filled with happiness, attesting to the belief that this traditional music is a reflection of our association with nature. A range of moods - from serenity to ecstatic joy, from sheer dynamism to tranquil calmness, can be experienced in this captivating music palette. Unmesh, meaning “blossoming”, will showcase the growth of musicality in the performers representing the wider community, and will help the blossoming of the mind and spirit of the audience as well. Guru Pandit Suman Ghosh-Ji himself has conceptualized, directed and will be conducting this magnificent musical event in the most traditional way. The Chief Guest of the evening will be the Honorable Consul General of India, Shri Anupam Ray.

to practice, yoga as it has immense impact on good health and wellness. Yoga will liberate us from unnecessary medications, he said. The evening’s highlight however was the speech given by Sadhvi Ritambhara Ji, who stressed on the importance of service and the long standing virtue of donating . She reiterated that Sewa does exactly that, serving humanity without any prejudice of cast, color or religion. With the support of its speakers, well wishers, the emcee of the evening Dr. Ratna Kumar, Director of Anjali School of Dance, Sewa was able to raise $168,000 against its target of $150,000. The evening’s entertainment comprised live dance performances, Saraswati Vandana

Please come, enjoy this free event at this magnificent venue, open to all. Partake in India’s heritage at Saadhana Unmesh – Spectrum and feel the awakening in you.

NP Narvekar

EW YORK: An Indian-origin investment veteran has been appointed by Harvard as CEO of the management company that oversees the university’s $36 billion endowment, the largest college endowment in the world. NP Narvekar, 54, has been appointed the president and chief executive officer of Har-

ment Management Company (IMC), where he managed Columbia’s $9.6 billion endowment since 2002. Narvekar was responsible for setting and leading investment strategy for Columbia’s $9 billion endowment portfolio. IMC has delivered annualised returns over the ten-year period through fiscal 2015 of 10.1 per cent. In fiscal year 2016, HMC returned a negative two per cent on the endowment that led to an almost $2 billion reduction in the value of Harvard’s endowment. Harvard’s endowment now stands at $35.7 billion, down from its $37.6 billion valuation in fiscal year 2015. Narvekar said he is honored to join the investment organisation and “help support the mission of Harvard University.

performed by Neha Pendse and troupe from Aradhana school of dance, Chinese dance by J.H school of dance and Flamenco performance by Flamenco Houston.

On behalf of our entire team Chapter Coordinator Kaushik Chatterjee and Project Coordinator Kavita Tewary thanked all Sewa Volunteers and donors who came out and made the fundraiser a big success.

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Indian American investment veteran appointed endowment chief at Harvard vard Management Company (HMC), which manages Harvard University’s endowment and related financial assets, HMC said in statement. The Wharton graduate comes to Harvard Management Company a week after Harvard endowment reported a two per cent loss on its investments for the fiscal year ending June 2016, the endowment’s worst performance since 2009. Harvard’s total endowment is values at $35.7 billion. Narvekar will be HMC’s fourth CEO in 10 years. His predecessor Stephen Blyth resigned as the CEO of HMC in July after only 18 months at the helm. Narvekar, who will assume his role in December this year, was most recently chief executive officer of Columbia University Invest-

Sadhvi Ritambhara Ji, delivering her message at Sewa fundraiser.

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COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

Diwali and Dusshera Mela Celebrations at Skeeter’s Stadium Sugar Land on Oct. 15 by Nik Nikam, MD Technical Director.

hri Sita Ram Foundation, USA will be presenting the Diwali - Dusshera Mela at the Skeeter’s stadium on Oct. 15, 2016, between 4-10 PM. This will be the FIFTH year in a row, where Shri Sita Ram Foundation will be displaying this cultural extravagance, where the Triumph of Good over Evil is brought to real life on stage with hundreds of artists acting, dancing, changing music and much more. The Dusshera refers to the tenth day of the battle between Gods and Demons, where Lord Sri Rama kills the Demon Ravan in Sri Lanka. In other parts of India like Karnataka, this day refers to Goddess Chamundeshwari killing demon Mahishashura, and in West Bengal, it refers to Durga mata killing the Demon Monster. Dusshera celebrations are accented by enacting the battles scenes on stage, followed by music, dances, and religious chantings. That is followed by a parade, similar to the one we see on the Macy’s day Parade. Here some people dress-up like Gods and Goddesses, while others play music, dances, and wear mythical costumes. Following the parade, the burning of the effigies of the Demons and fireworks, mark the finale of this glorious celebrations. This program is very popular and very attractive to all mem-

bers of the family, as young children get to learn a great deal about the India mythology, while the grandparents get to reminiscence the nostalgia memories of their childhood when they were participating in the similar events in various parts of India. And, of course, there will be plenty of food booths, merchandize booths and activities for young children Diwali marks the beginning of a new year in the Indian calendar and is celebrated with houses lit up with multicolored lights ( similar to Christmas) prayers, exchange of gifts, wearing new dresses, visiting family and friend, and finally,

culminating with firecrackers. This Diwali and Dusshera Mela has attracted more than 9000-10,000 people in the past. We have had to turn down people due to fixed capacity at the Skeeter’s stadium. We urge people to buy their tickets from www.Sulkeh.com , www. humtumdesi.com, Foundation website www.ShriSitaRam.org and many Indian grocery stores around town. Come and experience this once-in–a lifetime cultural enlightenment; and we will promise you that you will be mesmerized.

VOICE OF ASIA 9

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

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FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

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India’s home auctioneers raise gavel on unwanted goods by Emily Ford

EW DELHI, India | AFP | On a scorching rooftop in a smart neighbourhood in the Indian capital, 40 Delhiites with an eye for a bargain peer over auction tables creaking with used, broken and half-eaten items, the front line of a thriving second-hand economy. The auctioneer’s voice rises to a frenzied pitch as the numbers soar higher, each item wielded to a rapid bidding war -– 200 rupees ($3), 300, 700 –- as sheaves of Gandhi-emblazoned notes change hands in a flurry of shouts, winks and the occasional scuffle. Mobile phones missing chargers, American shaving foam cans that have lost their pressure and expired food packets are all on display, together with a vacuum cleaner, outdated Apple laptops and knock-off designer sunglasses -– labelled coyly as “local”. “Everything will go,” says Ashok Sood, a professional home sale organiser who arranges weekly auctions at homes or embassies in New Delhi, mostly for well-off Indians or expatriates who are moving on. “There is nothing we cannot sell,” he adds proudly. “The only question is price.” Delhi’s second-hand circuit goes far beyond a humble car boot or garage sale, attended by hundreds of fulltime dealers who buy to sell on and savvy middle-class Indians scouting bargains. “In India people recycle more than anywhere in the world. Labour is

cheap and brains are sharp. Out of three things that are not working, they make two work,” Sood says. A grocer by trade, he spotted the niche at the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi when he saw foreigners being offered money for their Nike trainers and Sony Walkmans, rarities at the time. “Back then we were selling VCRs, landline phones, tennis rackets. Things that otherwise only came in through smuggling,” he says. Since India’s economy started opening up in 1991 foreign brands have become more visible, but are often much costlier than in other markets because of high import duties. These days electronics are the most sought-after items, Sood says, followed by furniture. Some can be refurbished, but even those beyond repair hold value -- a broken smartphone can be sold for parts for a hefty margin. - Ikea’s exotic allure –Delhi-based dealer Abishek Chowdhury specialises in “upright pianos, golf clubs and imported furniture, like Ikea”. The Swedish homeware brand so popular in Europe and other parts of Asia has yet to open its doors in India -- although it will next year -- giving its flatpack designs an exotic allure. “Some of it I sell it from my warehouse at my home, some of it I sell online,” Chowdhury explains.

Participants bid for items at an auction of second-hand items at a house in New Delhi, India. AFP Photo/ Sajjad Hussain. Rural dealers who have travelled to the city to buy furniture raise their margins by telling customers in their villages that the goods were purchased from the home of a diplomat, an unassailable hallmark of quality. One couple exits dragging a large air conditioner that once cooled a factory, happy to have paid 11,000 rupees for an appliance that costs around 39,000 rupees new. It looks heavily used, but they seem unconcerned -- auctioneers do not

guarantee the condition of goods. “If it is broken we will get it fixed,” the husband shrugs. Despite still holding multiple sales each week, Sood and dealers say business has declined in recent years. Many now prefer ready-furnished flats, especially in the satellite city of Gurgaon, curtailing the circulation of white goods and leading the average value of goods traded at auction to slide from around 200,000 rupees to 100,000.

Yet in India as elsewhere, there will always be those drawn by the thrill of a bargain. Auction regular Samir Mahmud has so much stuff his flat is running out of space but could not resist purchasing a hammock after prevailing in a fierce contest with another bidder. “It’s like an addiction, everybody says this,” he laughs. “It’s dangerous, I’m really suffering. I have all this stuff, but I don’t want to sell it.”

New York trash man tells Americans wake up to garbage

In everyday life, Greenfield is committed to leading as environmentally sound a life as possible, but for one month he has decided to behave like the average American and generate 4.5 pounds (two kilos) of trash per day. So he’s eating fast food -- pizza, hamburgers and fries -- and downing sodas -- before stuffing the empty packaging, cups and pots into see-through bags strapped to his body for around seven hours a day. “I’m fully embracing the American way of making trash,”

he tells AFP with a smile. Except that he’s struggling to keep pace. Instead he expects to accumulate 100 pounds of trash, instead of his target 135 pounds, when his 30-day “Trash Me” project ends on October 19. The project is destined to be made into a documentary. At first he planned to carry organic waste as well, but he gave up after the stench became overwhelming, wafting out of the bags. Residents in New York, the largest city in the United States, produce 12,000 tons of waste every day, according to the GrowNYC sustainability organization. Eighty percent of US products are used once and then thrown away, and the country produces

33 percent of the world’s solid waste for just 4.6 percent of the global population, according to the group’s website. “Everywhere you walk it’s ‘buy, buy, buy, consume, consume, consume’,” says Greenfield. “If you really want to live an environmental conscious life in the United States, you kind of have to go against the grain.” Wherever he goes, he’s mobbed by people whipping out their phones to take pictures. Most of those who come up to talk know his work -- he’s something of a celebrity with his own show on the Discovery channel. “You’re the garbage man?” asks a passer by. “Most people say trash man,” replies the ever jovial Greenfield. He has travelled the world, and once spent a year living in a

Rob Greenfield, an environmental activist who is spending a month in New York, has hanging on himself all the trash he’s produced in ziplog bags on October 4, 2016 in New York (AFP Photo/ Bryan R. Smith). tiny house without running water or electricity in San Diego, California. Greenfield says attitudes are

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“They’re cool with the recycling, with buying more eco friendly products, but not many people want to reduce (consumption),” he said.

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EW YORK, AFP | A man has been strolling around New York for two weeks weighed down with trash. Meet Rob Greenfield, an environmental activist asking America to wake up to its garbage problem.

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CULTURE

VOICE OF ASIA 12

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

Navratri - A journey within one’s inner soul

Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, Rice University, Houston TX. by Meenakshi Bhattacharjee During Navratri, offer all anxieties, fears, worries, negativity into the sacrificial fire and be rejuvenated with courage, enthusiasm and knowledge and spread wisdom and light to the suffering world. Let’s bring peace, love, joy and Happiness to all”. Symbolizing victory of positivity over negativity, Navratri literally means ‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit; Nav - Nine and Ratri nights. During these nine nights and ten days, the three forms of the goddess -Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi - are invoked. The festival of Navratri is celebrated with prayers and gaiety in the beginning of the Ashwin (autumn) and the beginning of Chatira (spring). This period is a time for self-referral and getting back to the source. During this time of transformation, nature sheds the old and gets rejuvenated; animals hibernate and life emerges back afresh in the spring. According to Vedic sciences, matter reverts to its original form to recreate itself again and again. The creation is cyclic, not linear; everything is recycled by nature - a continuous process of rejuvenation. The human mind, however, lags behind in this routine cycle of creation. Navratri is a festival for one to take the mind back to its Source.

“

We are all floating in the effulgence of one scintillating unseen cosmic energy called the ‘Devi’. The Devi or the Divine Mother is the womb of all creation. She is the seed of all dynamism, radiance, beauty, equanimity, peace and nourishment. She is the life force energy. A mother has total love for her child. The Divine Mother has unconditional and unquantifiable love for Her children which includes every being in this entire creation. During the nine nights of Navaratri, the Devi is worshipped in all her names and forms. Names have significance. We remember a sandalwood tree by the memory of its perfume. Each name and form of the Devi refers to a specific quality or attribute of the Divine. By remembering the form or by chanting the many names of Devi, we enliven those qualities in our consciousness and they manifest in us according to the need of the hour. The first three days celebrate the Devi in the form of Durga. Durga also means hill. A very difficult task is often described as an uphill task. In the presence of Durga, negative forces fade away. Durga is referred

to as “Jaya Durga” or the one who brings in Victory (Jai). She is Durgati pariharini – one who removes obstacles. She transforms negativity into positivity. Even difficulties find it difficult to come near her. The goddess is depicted as riding a lion or tiger as her mount, alluding to the aspect of courage and valor which are the essence of Devi Durga. The Nava Durga are the nine aspects of Durga energy which act like a shield to ward off all negativities. When you have obstacles and mental blocks, just remembering these qualities of the Devi, can cure them. Especially in the case of people suffering from anxiety, doubting oneself, doubting one’s ability, ‘lack’ consciousness, feeling threatened by enmity and negativity - simply by chanting the names of the Devis, it is like mantras that elevate your consciousness and you can become more centered, courageous and composed. This is the significance of the aspect of the Divine as Devi Durga. The Devi Durga, in her form as Mahishasuramardhini, is the destroyer of Mahisha. The word Mahisha means buffalo which is a symbol of laziness, lethargy, and inertia. These are the quali-

ties which impede the spiritual and material progress of an individual. The Devi is a storehouse of positive energy and any trace of laziness or inertia dissolves in her very presence. The second set of three days honor the Devi as Lakshmi. Lakshmi is goddess of wealth and prosperity. Wealth is a vital ingredient bestowed upon us for the maintenance and progress in our life. It is much more than just having money. It means abundance in knowledge, skills and talents. Lakshmi is the energy that manifests as the complete spiritual and material well-being of a person. The final three days are dedicated to Saraswati. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge - the one who gives the essence (sara) of the self (swa). She is often depicted as being seated on a rock. Knowledge, like a rock, is a steadfast support. It stays with us at all times. She plays the veena, a musical instrument whose mellifluous notes bring harmony and peace to the mind. Similarly, spiritual knowledge brings relaxation and celebration into ones’ life. Goddess Saraswati is the ocean of understanding and the consciousness which vibrates with different types of learning.

She is the source of spiritual light, remover of all ignorance and the source of knowledge. The Mother Divine is recognized not just as the brilliance of intellect (buddhi), but also the confusion (bhranti); she is not just abundance (lakshmi), she is also hunger (shudha) and thirst (trishna). Realizing this aspect of the Mother Divine, in the entire creation, leads one to a deep state of samadhi. This gives an answer to the age-old theological struggle of the Occident. Through wisdom, devotion and nishkama karma, one can attain advaita siddhi or perfection in the non-dual consciousness.Kali is the most horrific manifestation of Nature. Nature symbolizes beauty, yet it has a horrific form. Acknowledging the duality brings a total acceptance in the mind and puts the mind at ease. Though Navratri is celebrated as the victory of good over evil, the actual fight is not between good and evil. From the Vedantic point of view, the victory is of the absolute reality over the apparent duality. In the words of Ashtavakra, it is the poor wave which tries to keep its identity separate from the ocean, but to no avail.The three primordial gunas are considered as the feminine force of our magnificent universe. By worshiping the Mother Divine during Navratri, we harmonize the three gunas and elevate sattva in the atmosphere. The inward journey nullifies our negative karmas. Navratri is a celebration of the spirit or prana which alone can destroy mahishasura (inertia), shumbha-nishumbha (pride and shame) and madhu-kaitabh (extreme forms of craving and aversion). They are completely opposites, yet complementary. Inertia, deeply ingrained negativities and obsessions (raktabeejasura), unreasonable logics (chanda-munda) and blurred vision (dhoomralochan) can be overcome only by raising the level of prana and shakti, the life-force energy. In praying to the Divine Durga we get back to the true source through fasting, prayer, silence

Call Ramesh Cherivirala Ph.D, LUTCF Financial Adviser

and meditation. Night is also called ratri because it brings rejuvenation. It gives relief at the three levels of our existence – physical, subtle and causal. While fasting detoxifies the body, silence purifies the speech and brings rest to the chattering mind, and meditation takes one deep into one’s own being. The nine days of Navratri are also an opportunity to rejoice in the three primordial qualities that make up the universe. Though our life is governed by the three gunas, we seldom recognize and reflect on them. The first three days of Navratri are attributed to tamo guna, the next three days to rajo guna and the last three days to sattva guna. Our consciousness sails through the tamo and rajo gunas and blossoms in the sattva guna of the last three days. Whenever sattva dominates in life, victory follows. The essence of this knowledge is honored by celebrating the tenth day as Vijaydashmi. Though the microcosm is very well within the macrocosm, it’s perceived separateness is the cause of conflict. For a gyani (wise), the entire creation becomes alive and he recognizes life in everything in the same way children see life in everything. The Mother Divine or the Pure Consciousness itself pervades all the forms and has all the names. Recognizing the one Divinity in every form and every name is the celebration of Navratri. Hence, special pujas honoring all aspects of life and nature are performed during the last three days. As one body, one mind, established in the ultimate truth, fulfilling your worldly duties and relax in the depth of peace. Immerse in this love and devotion with the feeling that everything is happening well, everything is being done for you. Like corn – when it is little warmed, it becomes pop-corn. In the same way, consciousness is all Divinity, and with the chanting of mantras, it blossoms and manifests. This is a beautiful occasion for letting the consciousness to blossom. Happy Navratri to all readers

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VOICE OF ASIA 13

HEALTH, SC & TECH

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

When is a coffee mug a donut? Cells’ garbage disposal may hold key to healthier life Topology explains it by Mariëtte Le Roux

by Marlowe HOOD / Mariëtte Le Roux

ARIS, France - Autophagy, the little-understood method by which human cells dispose of harmful waste and unwelcome intruders, may one day be central to therapies for longer, healthier living, experts said.

ARIS, France - A topologist is a person who cannot tell the difference between a coffee mug and a donut -- so goes a joke about a little-known scientific field crowned Tuesday with a Nobel Physics Prize.

Japanese cell biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi was awarded the 2016 Nobel Medicine Prize Monday for discovering genes involved in autophagy, a non-stop housecleaning process that keeps cells healthy, and is thought to spur ageing and disease when disrupted.

The quip describes it perfectly: topology explains how a material’s shape can be completely deformed into new one without losing its core properties. In the metaphor, the mug and the donut are one and the same. If they were made out of rubber, one could be twisted and stretched into the shape of the other without changing its essence. The two are considered topologically equivalent as each has a hole -the ear of the mug and the centre of the donut. “You can put your finger through the hole in a teacup handle, but you can’t put it through a potato, so these are two different categories of topological objects,” explained Manuel Asorey of the University of Zaragoza’s department of theoretical physics. A strange universe of fundamental shapes long existing only in mathematics, the field was introduced into the physics realm just a few decades ago. Indeed, in the mid-20th century theoretical physicist George Garnow said topology was one of two mathematical concepts, along with number theory, that would never apply to physics. Garnow was wrong. Today, topology has burgeoned into a wide range of physics sub-fields promising a host of practical applications ranging from supercomputing to superconductors. By shaping materials into “topological states,” scientists hope one day to transport energy or information farther

and fastest than possible today.

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“Pioneers glimpsed that topology could have some relevance to physics,” said Asorey.

“It is exactly this robustness in topology that is being examined as a basis for constructing the quantum computers of the future.”

“But the real practical applications became apparent because of these three gentlemen,” -- Nobel laureates David Thouless, Duncan Haldane and Michael Kosterlitz -- who “realised that topology was not something visible,” he told AFP.

Quantum computers, still on the drawing board, promise superfast processing speeds using the properties of subatomic particles that exist in more than one state at once.

“Now people are generalising these ideas to many other fields of physics.”

But they pose a high risk of overheating, which is where topological insulators with an inherent stability would come in very handy.

- Robustness is key -Sometimes referred to as “rubber sheet geometry”, topology in physics remains in the theoretical and experimental realm for now. But its principles are widely expected to find practical and commercial application within a decade or two, particularly in the quantum sphere of electronics and computing. It is hoped, for example, that new materials emerging from this research will use much less electricity. The key virtue of topological materials is that they “remain robust regardless of the deforming forces being applied to them,” said David Carpentier, a physicist at France’s CNRS research

“Two years ago, I would have said it would take at least two decades to see something on the supermarket shelf” resulting from topology research, Asorey said. “Today, I would say one decade, maybe less.”

Scientists are striving to “find a way to increase it beyond what it normally does,” said University of Edinburgh cell biologist Simon Wilkinson referring to future treatment possibilities for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

- No drug in sight -Autophagy happens when fatty membranes called autophagosomes envelop the unwanted waste and sequester it from the rest of the cell. The autophagosomes then join up with another specialised cell compartment full of digestive enzymes, called a vacuole, to obliterate the waste. “Autophagy declines when we age. That’s why we accumulate these dysfunctional proteins that cause diseases,” University of Warwick autophagy expert Ioannis Nezis told AFP. “Now we are trying to understand how this process declines during ageing, and how we can find innovations to activate this process and keep our cells healthy for longer, so we can live a better and longer life.” The experts stressed that an autophagy-based drug was still far off.

“Can we find drugs that will ramp it up further than it would ordinarily be?” he told AFP by phone. “Can we ameliorate these horrible disorders?”

“Tests are being conducted on mice,” said Guido Kroemer, an autophagy researcher at the Inserm medical research institute. “Tests on humans might begin in a few years.”

Trial drugs in lab experiments with human cells and mice have shown that autophagy can indeed be boosted.

Two main avenues were being investigated, he explained.

In “mouse models, for example, where autophagy has been increased genetically, the mice do age better,” Wilkinson said.

The first was an autophagy stimulator to slow ageing and the development of diseases such as diabetes, clogged arteries, certain cancers or neurodegenerative conditions.

Concretely, this meant a less rapid accumulation of damaged proteins in cells, and a metabolism with a slower rate of age-related decline.

Another option was to use autophagy inhibitors to lower cancer cells’ resistance to chemotherapy.

For Nathan Goldman of the Free University of Brussels, “we are still a ways from technological applications” or a revolution in computing.

Autophagy -- from the Greek words for “self” and “to eat” -- is a process by which cells in animals and plants get rid of damaged proteins, as well as specialised structures called organelles which have become defunct.

“The next step will be to create these objects in the lab and try to manipulate them, performing very simple operations.”

Allowed to accumulate, these useless scraps would damage the cell and upset its normal functioning, leading to health problems. Autophagy was already known to scientists in the 1960s, but Ohsumi, who studied the process in yeast in the 1990s, was the first to uncover the genes responsible. Yeast is a favourite of biologists because it shares much of its cell structure and functioning with humans and other animals.

Much more is understood about autophagy since Ohsumi’s breakthrough -- with about a dozen papers published on the subject until 1990, and some 30,000 since then, according to Nezis. But a lot remains unknown -- chiefly how and when to use a drug molecule to boost autophagy without causing unwanted side-effects. Wilkinson cautioned autophagy was unlikely to yield the elixir of life. “This is an increase in health during ageing, it’s not immortality by any stretch,” he said. “Inevitably, there will come a point where the autophagy process is finite... where the fundamental capacity of cells is just overcome by ageingrelated damage.”

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VOICE OF ASIA 14

Section 2

Young Life

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

Music school hits right note for Kabul’s street children are very creative at finding a living,” says Zubaida Akbar, a Save the Children official. Overcoming social prejudice was a major obstacle in getting students off the streets: of the 80 who passed the audition in the first year only nine were allowed by their parents to join, she said. “Discrimination against music began really in 1992” after civil war erupted following the withdrawal of Soviet forces, says Sarmast. Fortunately, he says, the powerful were “too busy at that time fighting each other... and (had) no time to implement their decrees.”

Afghan music students hold their sitars before practice at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul. AFP Photo by Wakil Kohsar. by Anne CHAON

ABUL, Afghanistan - Short and upright in his grey suit, Wahidullah enchants his audience as his fingers dance over the piano keys. The 20-year-old used to sell chewing gum in the streets of Kabul, until he passed an audition at the Afghan National Institute of Music (Anim) and his life changed tune. Ahmad Sarmast, the school’s founder, believes children deserve a better life than polishing shoes or selling trinkets to motorists. At Anim, he teaches music theory and singing, English, strings or percussion, Mozart, Schubert and Afghan classics -- the latter particularly helpful when it comes to pleasing their parents. “Music still has a bad reputation in this country... People think it is forbidden in the Koran, [but] it’s a wrong interpretation,” he says from his of-

fice overlooking the courtyard playground -- “the happiest place in the country”, by his reckoning.

half are poor, orphans or work in the streets, but all must undergo the same demanding auditions.

Nearly a quarter of Afghan children from ages five to 14 work and contribute to the family income, often earning just a handful of dollars per day.

“At the beginning my family didn’t want me to leave because of the money,” recalls Wahidullah.

When Sarmast started his programme with Afghan NGO Aschiana in 2010, 14 children including one girl joined his school. But one by one the youngsters dropped out because their family could not afford to lose their salaries, he said. “We calculated that each child made about $1 a day in the street and we decided to compensate (them)”, he says, explaining how the school -- backed by international partners -- subsidised the children’s salaries in exchange for attendance. - Entrenched prejudice Some 40 students sign up each year with Anim. Around

Then the Taliban swept to power in 1996, implementing their bans on music and other practices. Sarmast himself suffered a serious injury in 2014 Taliban attack on the French Cultural Centre in Kabul, that left

Since 2014, the institute has worked with Save the Children and no longer hands out money: “We offer to pay for the education, transport, and free lunch to enable (children) to continue their education,” says Sarmast. “Working in a repair shop, serving in a bakery, selling stuff in the streets...(children)

Even today, Anim does not advertise its concerts in Kabul -- though it does televise some. That helps win over the families of students, says Sarmast. - Positive discrimination The school also broadcasts songs promoting the rights of children and of girls. “In 2006 when I came back after 15 years in exile (due to war), there were still MPs who wanted to ban female singers on TV,” says Sarmast. “We are committed to more gender equality: we have an objective of 50:50. We do positive discrimination, we give priority to the girls,” he adds -- especially when families try to slip in a son in place of a daughter. Today a third of the 240 students aged from nine to 20 are

girls, and all classrooms and orchestras are mixed. Boys in grey jackets and burgundy shirts, and girls wearing grey tunics with a burgundy shawl draped over their shoulders, face a teacher singing a traditional song. Nazira, a 16-year-old orphan from northeast Nuristan in the front row, is “the best cellist in the school”, according to the director. She has already played at the Carnegie Hall in New York and wants to be a conductor. Twenty-year-old violinist Zafira, meanwhile, has just returned from a year abroad at Yale. Eleven-year-old Hakim stands in the hallway, admiring Wahid. He only left the street recently -- his two older siblings still at work. Standing confidently with arms crossed, he announces in English that he, too, will become a violinist.

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After school he sold chewing gum and led riders off the bus to earn up to 200 Afghanis per day (less than $3). Arriving at the school aged 13, he began to learn the harp and harmonium, then the piano. Now a fresh graduate, he wants to beome a music teacher himself and dreams of creating more Anims in every province.

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VOICE OF ASIA 15

Section 2

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

Bollywood Masala

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Bollywood biopic shows India cricketer Dhoni’s heartbreak by Peter HUTCHISON

“MS Dhoni: The Untold Story”, due for release on September 30, charts the rise of India’s limited-overs captain from boy to train ticket collector to World Cup glory.

He is working on the upcoming Tamil film “Remo”. In the romanticcomedy, Kollywood superstar Sivakarthikeyan appears in a dual role - of a boy next door and female nurse.

Actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who plays Dhoni, told AFP in a video interview that filming scenes that dealt with the death of the cricketer’s former girlfriend had been heart-rending. “It was very difficult because, after we did the preparation, in my head I was him and everything that was happening was actually affecting me,” said the 30-year-old. In 2002 Dhoni was in his early 20s and trying to break into India’s national team when his girlfriend, Priyanka Jha, was killed in a road accident, according to Indian media reports. A music video released by producers as a teaser shows Dhoni’s character romancing his sweetheart, played in the movie by Disha Patani, just before her death. Rajput said that it was a particularly moving scene to film. “It was just before I lose her... I was emotional,” explained Rajput. The film, directed by Neeraj Pandey, includes scenes from Dhoni’s childhood when football was his passion as well as his years as a young ticket collector. It culminates with his heroics at the 2011 final. Rajput, who describes himself as an “ardent” cricket fan, said his preparations for playing an icon had been “exhaustive”. “People already know the way he

‘South Indian stars are like demigods for their fans’ Mumbai, Oct 4 (PTI) Sound designer Resul Pookutty has worked in films across several languages, but the Academy- Award-winner feels one has to be careful while “tampering” with the physical aspects of South Indian actors, as fans treat them as demigods.

UMBAI, India | A Bollywood biopic of Mahendra Singh Dhoni is to bring a tragic episode in the Indian cricket hero’s life to movie screens -- the death of his first love.

Resul had “sleepless nights” while working non-stop to get the perfect voice texture for the female part of Siva. Indian Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput gestures during a press meeting in Mumbai for his upcoming Hindi film, a biography of Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni “MS Dhoni: The Untold Story.” Photo: AFP/File / by Peter HUTCHISON.

“In the last seven days I haven’t slept. You have to understand this in the context of South Indian movies. A cine star is not just a cine star anymore. To the people, they are far more bigger. They are almost like demigods.

talks, walks, plays his cricket so I realised very early that it was a possibility that I could act well in the film but at the same time not be very convincing,” said Rajput.

“To be able to manifest or manipulate their physical attributes, for the

The Hindi actor watched “hours and hours” of videos of Dhoni and met the star several times to study his mannerisms. - ‘Helicopter shot’ “There was a certain level of subconscious imitation and it happened from completely immersing myself in him, either thinking about him or looking at him or behaving like him,” said Rajput. Dhoni told a promotional event in New York that he hadn’t enjoyed relaying elements of his life. “What was most difficult for me was to narrate the story and all of that because I am somebody who lives in the present,” he said, according to footage broadcast by NDTV news.

Rajput says he has left no stone unturned in ensuring the cricket scenes would be convincing, even mastering Dhoni’s trademark “helicopter shot”. “We would carefully analyse it and fix the bowling machine into one spot and then we would play the same shot at least 200, 300 times a day for a week to a point that it came naturally,” he said. The 35-year-old Dhoni, nicknamed “Captain Cool”, is idolised for leading India to victory over Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final. The skipper hit an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls, including a match-winning six. Rajput said the memory of Dhoni’s exploits at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium gave him “goosebumps”. But what did the famously taciturn Dhoni think of the film’s final cut? “He was very moved by it but he didn’t say anything. He kept quiet for 15 minutes, smiled and then left,” said Rajput.

SLAMABAD, Pakistan- Indian films have been banned in cinemas across Pakistan as tensions between Islamabad and nuclear-armed rivals New Delhi over recent scuffles in the disputed Kashmir region spilled into the world of Bollywood and celebrity. The tit-for-tat retaliation came after Pakistani actors and technicians were banned from working on Bollywood sets by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA). Tensions have been simmering for months between India and Pakistan, but were dangerously ratcheted up Thursday when India claimed it had carried

Arts in the Cameron University Theatre at 8 p.m. The banquet will feature authentic Indian cuisine provided by Himalayas Aroma of India, located in Moore. For more information visit www.cameron.edu/

Pradeep Anand, Speaker

ameron University’s annual India Night celebration will feature a free Bollywood performance thanks to a new twotiered schedule. India Night takes place on Friday, October 14, with a ticketed banquet featuring guest speaker author Pradeep Anand at 5:30 p.m. in the McCasland Ballroom and a free performance of Bollywood dance by Infused Performing

As a keynote speaker at business workshops, conferences and meetings throughout the world since 1994, Anand educates and motivates worldwide business audiences by sharing with them his perspectives on a variety of topics. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, where

sake of the story, is something which can be unforgiven by their true fanbase,” Resul told PTI. “That is what I am tampering with. Of course, that tampering is done for story and to take it further,” he said. The 45-year-old, who has been a key element in bringing the right sound in films like “Highway”, “Ra.One” and “Slumdog Millionaire” which bagged him an Oscar, felt the same pressure while working on Rajinikanth’s “Robot”. “It’s the same issue I was dealing with while working on ‘Robot’. To change someone like Rajinikanth’s voice into a robot... Similarly, Siva is like Ranbir Kapoor. He has a huge fan following. To be able to manipulate to this level was not an easy task,” he said. “You have to be convinced about what you are doing, and that what you’re doing is right for the story,” he said.

Pakistan bans Bollywood films as Kashmir tensions rise

Cameron University’s Annual India Night To Present Free Performance Of “Kaleidoscope: A Magical Bollywood Spectacular”

Anand’s presentation is titled “India: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” In addition to serving on the Advisory Board of the University of Houston’s India studies program, he is the founder of Seeta Resources, a business consulting firm.

Tel: 713-774-5140

out “surgical strikes” across the heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border in disputed Kashmir. The rare public admission of such an action on alleged “terrorist” targets prompted furious rhetoric from Pakistan, with both sides reporting fresh cross-border firing but no casualties early Saturday morning. “It is deeply regrettable that a film trade body, the IMPPA, has passed a resolution to ban Pakistani stars and technicians from working in India,” a statement from Pakistan’s Film Exhibitors and Distributors group said late Friday. “(Following) the IMPPA decision... the majority stake holders of the (Pakistani) film industry have decided to suspend the screening of all Indian films until normalcy returns.” Celebrities on both sides of the border have also weighed in on tensions over the past week. Bollywood star Salman Khan saw a vicious social media backlash after he was reported as saying that Pakistani artists should not be equated with terrorists. While singer Adnan Sami, Britishborn but of Pakistani origin who received Indian citizenship last year, has been slated on Twitter by Pakistanis since praising Indian forces.

Bollywood performance to feature at Cameron University’s annual India Night he teaches Marketing Management in the Energy Industry in the MBA program. His novel, “An Indian in Cowboy Country: Stories from an Immigrant’s Life,” was published in 2006.

and beautiful kaleidoscope of dances from Bollywood’s most popular movies, lighting up the stage with a brilliant perspective of the improbable, the implausible, and the irresistible world of Bollywood.

Dancers from Infused Performing ArtsInfused Performing Arts will present a bold

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in 2009. Founders and choreographers Tina Bose-Kumar & Kiron Kumar started Infused Performing Arts out of their love and dedication to the arts and promoting the rich Indian culture to students and audiences around the country. The group, which is the only dance company in the world to infuse magic and Bollywood dance,

has been selected to perform every year during the NBA’s Houston Rockets Halftime Show since 2012. India Night is partially funded by the Ajay and Shireen Bhargava Endowed Lectureships in India Studies and International Studies and Cameron University.

VOICE OF ASIA 16

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

HEALTHY LIVING VOICE OF ASIA

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Harris County has highest rate of breast cancer diagnoses in women in Texas YMCA offering FREE classes to cancer survivors to improve quality of life and decrease fatigue HOUSTON – By far, Harris County sees the greatest amount of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases in women in the state. Every year, an average of 2,295 new cases are diagnosed, according to the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As treatments for all types of cancer become more effective, the number of people living beyond a cancer diagnosis continues to grow rapidly. This is why the YMCA of Greater Houston is offering free, 12-week classes that have proven through studies with the Yale Cancer Center and the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Institute to: • Meet or exceed the recommended amount of physical activity for cancer survivors

• Help survivors significantly increase their cardiovascular endurance • Increase cancer survivors’ overall quality of life and decrease cancer-related fatigue Called LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, the evidence-based program is open to cancer survivors ages 18 and up currently in treatment or who have completed treatment. A YMCA membership is not required and the program is of no cost to the individual. Two, 90-minute weekly sessions are modified to meet all participants’ needs. Some participants perform gentle stretching and low-impact exercises while sitting in a chair. Others may lift light weights and engage in modified Zumba movements. Some

Medicare Advantage premiums remain stable in 2017 with better plans

use the treadmill and exercise bikes to build strength and balance. All instructors are certified with 16 hours of training. “There is something about being physically active and having fun together that really bonds people in a special way,” said Lharissa Jacobs, director of Community Health at the YMCA of Greater Houston. “People feel their LIVESTRONG group can understand them in a way that their friends and families might not be able to because they have all faced the same challenges.” The LIVESTRONG program also includes a fellowship component that allows participants to share their stories. And, guest speakers discuss topics such as nutrition and mind-body connection.

Medical Record Mix-Ups a Common Problem, Study Finds The opportunities for the mistakes, which can be deadly, are increasing as health care becomes more complex by MELINDA BECK, WSJ Sept. 25, 2016

patient in cardiac arrest was mistakenly not resuscitated because clinicians confused him with a patient who had a do-notresuscitate order on file.

2017 Open Enrollment for Medicare health and drug plans begins on October 15, 2016 and ends on December 7.

ood news for many seniors: Medicare Advantage premiums will remain stable and more enrollees will have access to higher quality plans in 2017, according to word last week from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Today’s announcement comes as CMS releases the premiums and costs for Medicare health and drug plans for the 2017 calendar year. For the seventh straight year, enrollment is projected to increase to a new all-time high. In addition, CMS released today updated information that shows that millions of seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare continue to enjoy prescription drug discounts and affordable benefits as a result of the Affordable Care Act. CMS estimates that the average Medicare Advantage monthly premium will decrease by $1.19 (about 4 percent) in 2017, from $32.59 on average in 2016 to $31.40. This would be 13 percent lower than the average Medicare Advantage premium prior to passage of the Affordable Care Act. The majority of Medicare Advantage enrollees (67 percent) will experience no premium increase. “Medicare Advantage and the prescription drug benefit continue to be a great option for seniors and people living with disabilities,” said Andy Slavitt, CMS Acting Administrator. “Medicare enrollees will continue to have access to predictable premiums and high quality care.”

Another patient was given an okay to undergo surgery based on a different patient’s records and was found dead in his hospital room the next day. Such patient-identification mix-ups are common and can have deadly consequences, according to a report from the ECRI Institute, a nonprofit research group that studies patient safety. The report analyzed 7,613 cases of so-called wrong-patient errors at 181 health-care organizations from January 2013 to July 2015. The cases were submitted voluntarily, under a federal law that lets providers share safety data without fear of liability, and probably represent only a fraction of the mixups that occurred, ECRI officials said.

Tel: 713-774-5140

A study said medical record mix-ups are a common problem at U.S. healthcare facilities. Photo: Associated Press

“This is a huge problem that the general public isn’t aware of,” said William Marella, executive director for operations and analytics at the ECRI Institute’s Patient Safety Organization. “Pretty much every clinician involved in your health care is at risk of making this kind of error.”

Of the 7,613 mix-ups studied, 91% were caught before patients were harmed. Two were fatal and others might have been. One patient was given another’s hypertension medication, at 10 times the usual dose. A patient who wasn’t supposed to eat or drink was given the wrong meal tray and nearly choked. And an infant was given expressed breast milk from the wrong mother and was infected with hepatitis.

Safety initiatives have made many improvements in recent years, but the opportunities for ID-mix-ups are increasing as health care becomes more complex. “We’re doing many more labs tests, more imaging tests, more procedures and more transitions through the system,” said Hardeep Singh, a patient-safety researcher at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, who advised on the report.

The report found that about 13% of identification errors occurred during registration, when a duplicate record might be created for the same patient or information from two patients comingled in one record. That is in part because some EMR systems aren’t finely tuned to recognize minor variations in name spellings, Mr. Marella said. “Mary Ellen Smith, Mary E. Smith and Mary-Ellen Smith might all appear to be different patients.”

More than one-third of the mixups studied involved diagnostic tests such as X-rays and lab work; 22% involved treatments and procedures. In some cases, a patient’s wristband was wrong, missing, illegible or simply not checked. The report urged all health-care facilities to adopt a standardized protocol to verify patient identities, emphasize its importance to all staff members and discuss errors openly to learn from them. It also suggested standardizing how patients’ names are displayed in electronic records and including patient photos. “It doesn’t take a lot of mental energy to notice out of the corner of your eye that this record shows a young white woman and you’re treating an elderly African-American,” said Jason Adelman, chief patient safety officer at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, who advised on the report. Yet only about 20% of hospitals use patient photos, he said. “There’s a

Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional Health Life 360 6776 Southwest Freeway Suite # 178 Houston TX 77074 713-771-2900 www.MyMedicarePlanning.com Drug plan prices also stable Average premiums in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program will also remain stable and beneficiaries have saved billions on prescription drugs. In July 2016, CMS announced that the average basic premium for a Medicare prescription drug plan in 2017 is projected to be an estimated $34 per month. Today’s projections show that access to a prescription drug plan will remain strong in 2017, with 100 percent access to a plan in the individual market and improved access to employer plans. Because of the Affordable Care Act, people with Medicare are seeing reduced costs through both savings on covered brand-name and generic drugs and access to certain preventive services with no cost sharing.

Access to the Medicare Advantage program will remain strong, with 99 percent of Medicare beneficiaries having access to a Medicare health plan. In addition, in 2017, more Medicare Advantage plans will offer more supplemental benefits for enrollees, such as dental, vision, and hearing benefits.

Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act through July 2016, more than 11 million seniors and people with disabilities have received savings and discounts in the coverage gap of over $23.5 billion on prescription drugs, an average of $2,127 per beneficiary thanks to the law.

Enrollment is projected to increase to 18.5 million enrollees next year, a 60 percent increase from 2010.

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2017 Medicare health and drug plans begins on October 15, 2016 and ends on December 7, 2016.

In 2017, 32 percent of all Medicare enrollees will be in a Medicare Advantage plan compared to only 24 percent in 2010. lot of low-hanging fruit.” Patients and family members should take an active role and ask about every test and treatment, the report recommended. It also urged clinicians to always ask patients to state their name, not just confirm it. And it warned staffers not to identify patients by room or bed number, which could change easily. “A common practice is to say, ‘the patient in room 44 needs to get an MRI.’ We need to stop that,” said Dr. Singh. Most hospitals now require staffers to match bar codes on all medications to patient wrist bands before they are administered. That could be expanded

For Medicare plan enrollment contact Sudhir Mathuria @ 713771-2900. to blood tests, X-rays and other tests and procedures, the report said. And the “time-out” that surgical teams now take to verify the patient’s name, the procedure and other items, before beginning surgery could be extended to all invasive procedures. “I think we are making good progress,” said Lucian Leape, a retired professor from Harvard School of Public Health and a patient-safety pioneer, who wasn’t involved in the report. “But a report like this brings us up short and shows us how far we have to go.” SOURCE: The Wall Street Journal

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VOICE OF ASIA 17

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Houston Super Bowl Host Committee and City of Houston Announce Additional Touchdown Tour Dates with the exception of the November 19th date which will take place at Kingwood High School.

OUSTON (October 4, 2016) – In partnership with Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City of Houston, the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee announced a slate of upcoming event dates on Tuesday for the one-of-a-kind fan experience: the Touchdown Tour. The first of 11 dates will be held on October 8, at Mason Park located at 75th Street and Tipps. The Touchdown Tour, designed to bring the excitement of the Super Bowl to the Houston area as the region prepares to host Houston Super Bowl LI in February, will feature: interactive games, a Houston Texans mobile locker room, special photo booths, giveaways, music and more. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. On both Friday and Saturday, the Host Committee will also engage each community through a combination of its Touchdown Houston legacy initiatives focusing on three key areas: education, health, and community enhancement. “Not everyone will be able to be in the seats at NRG Stadium on game day in February, but that should not mean they don’t get to experience the fun,” said Mayor Turner. “The Touchdown Tour will take the Super Bowl experience on the road to neighborhoods all over Houston. I want to thank the Host Committee for delivering on my request to figure out a way for all Houstonians to participate in the excitement leading up to the Big Game.” Select community parks will host the Touchdown Tour dates

been instrumental in turning this vision into a reality.” The Touchdown Tour’s kickoff event was held August 27 at the nonprofit science and space learning center, Space Center Houston followed by a stop at Joint Base San Antonio.

“The Houston Super Bowl Host Committee and the City of Houston are committed to giving all residents an unparalleled Super Bowl experience,” Sallie Sargent, the President and CEO of the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee, said. “We want to bring the excitement of Super Bowl LI into the community, and Mayor Turner and the City of Houston have

For more information, visit the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee’s website: www. housuperbowl.com and follow the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit www. houstonspecialevents.org.

About the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee: The Houston Super Bowl Host Committee is the centralized planning entity for Super Bowl LI, and acts as the liaison between the NFL, City of Houston, Harris County and the local community. The Host Committee is a private, non-profit 501(c) (6) Texas Corporation, and is responsible for Super Bowl LI festivities and logistics including Business Connect, the Host Committee’s charitable arm, Touchdown Houston, and the volunteer program. Touchdown Tour Schedule Dates All events will be scheduled from 10 AM – 2 PM Date

Location

Address

Oct. 8

Mason Park

75th and Tipps Houston, TX 77023

Oct. 15 Sylvester Turner Park

2800 West Little York Houston, TX 77091

Oct. 22

MacGregor Park

5225 Calhoun Houston, TX 77021

Oct. 29

Sunnyside Park

3502 Belfort Houston, TX 77051

Nov. 5

Agnes Moffitt Park

10645 Hammerly Houston, TX 77043

Nov. 12

Finnegan Park

4900 Providence Houston, TX 77020

Nov. 19

Kingwood High School

2701 Kingwood Drive Kingwood, TX 77339

Dec. 3

Moody Park

Dec. 10

Blueridge Park

5600 Court Road Houston, TX 77053

Jan. 7

Burnett Bayland Park

6000 Chimney Rock Houston, TX 77081

Jan. 14

Alief Community Park

11903 Bellaire Blvd. Houston, TX 77072

3725 Fulton Houston, TX 77009

Asian Chamber Gala Honors Local Business Leaders

Asian Chamber Awardees. Photo by Rovo

he Asian Chamber of Commerce honored successful businessmen and women at The Spirit of Entrepreneurship Gala last week.

Winners were: Entrepreneur of the Year Thomas Nguyen, Peli Peli Restaurant Group Business Female Alice Lee, Hawes Hill Calderon LLP Rising Star Youngro Lee, Nextseed Community Champion Houston First Corporation Ambassador Nelvin Joseph Adriatico, Thadhani, Core Realty “Asian-American businesses are a vital part of our local economy,” said Chamber President Linda Toyota. “The Asian Chamber wants to recognize those who succeed and who help others to succeed.” The elegant annual event was held at the Bayou City Event Center Friday, September 30. Keynote speaker was Dr. Benjamin Chu, President and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System. Also making remarks Mayor Sylvester Turner, Qiangmin Li, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, and State Representative Gene Wu. Co-Chairs for the Spirit of Entrepreneurship were Alice Chen, Al Duran, Stephen Le Sr. and Bin Yu. Honorary Co-Chairs were Mayor Turner, Congressman Al Green and Consul General Qiangmin Li. The Asian Chamber of Commerce has been supporting the business community in Houston for 25 years. This Chamber is a diverse, multicultural group focused on increasing business with the Asian community locally and abroad for all Asian countries, as well as improving the overall economic prosperity of Houston. The Chamber hosts and supports numerous activities around the city to encourage our members to develop lasting relationships.

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

Tel: 713-774-5140

HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 18

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

Your Horoscope for the Week of October 7, 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 will take time for certain decision making that may create uncertainty in your work. Your ability to work through complex situations can come in very handy. Your reliability, consistency and dedicated work will be appreciated and you may receive recognition or a promotion now. This is a positive time for you when other people and situations assist you in accomplishing the tasks that are really important to you. Big breakthroughs and celebrations are not indicated; the effects are more subtle, but still very important.

Your feeling that hard work is only little rewarding for what you are experiencing, and the obstacles you face may be very frustrating. Try not to become emotionally depressed or angry because of the demands. It is best to take a positive attitude toward the work that needs to be done and realize that there will be other times for more expansive, pleasurable activity. This time period is not necessarily difficult, although it is for most people.

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

Scorpio (N,Y) 23 Oct to 21 Nov

Try to keep your workload to a normal level, avoid working for long hours. You need your rest, even if you see yourself as too tough to quit. Your feelings, friends, and female relatives figure prominently in your life now. You realize how much you appreciate and need their love and support, and you are particularly affectionate now. You may also initiate a partnership in which you take care of, support someone else. Business relationships also work well now.

You may plan or take a journey to a distant land. Travel and exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking about the world interest you now. You may meet and learn from someone from another culture or with vastly different beliefs and experiences than your own. Philosophical discussions or studies are also on the agenda. You’re thinking about the “big picture” rather than the mundane circumstances and details of your life.

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

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June Your intuitive insights will be favorable to others, more than you self. A nonstop flow of communication between yourself and the people in your immediate environment is likely. You may engage in interesting and informative discussions or fritter your time away in inconsequential chatter and gossip. Mental curiosity or restlessness may also impel you to take a short trip or visit. If you want to make long term plans, make sure you share them with those who will be affected.

Hard work and concentrated effort and are the key issues for this time period. You are faced with tasks that are tedious and difficult works, but which must be completed at this time. Fortunately, you have the mental concentration and stamina to tackle the tasks now but the demands are still more than you would like to cope with. This is a difficult time period, but at least your work is cut out for you. You are likely to discover flaws in your creative projects, neglected aspects of projects you are involved with.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July Some actions with brave & courage will be taken, this will help you to finish your long pending works. Extra hard work, will be your mantra to finish all pending work. Short trips & travels will happen for here & there. Now is a good time to make a presentation, go for an interview, or meet the public in some way; the response is positive. So, don’t under estimate yourself, just face the challenge & get success. Therefore, you have more energy and more fun at this time.

You will get unexpected help from your knowledge & good sense. Competition could help you other in your team, especially if you approach it in a positive manner. Your career, social standing or reputation is favored at this time, especially by making personal contact with superiors or by socializing and making friendly contacts at work. You may make a good friend or meet someone intelligent and charming through your work. This time will enhance your public image and you will gain goodwill in the community.

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

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August Worries about your carrier should be avoided because everything will remain positive. You come across clearly and present yourself articulately. Public speaking, interviews, and other transactions with the public are favored. Conversations you have at this time go smoothly, and an agreement can be reached. You are feeling sober and realistic about love at this time, and are interested in being with people you respect and can depend upon - your oldest, true-blue friends. Try hard not to instigate unnecessary friction with anyone.

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September You will take more responsibilities & you will also fulfill all of it with great success. Your mind will be sharp, your actions will be right on time. You are more aware of beauty and may want to rearrange your decor or buy something to beautify your surroundings. You strongly believe that life is colorful & you need everything colorful around you. Your weekend mood will be, just lay down & watch TV, that will be great pleasure for you this week.

Some questions in your mind And your questions will occupy your attention and you may be drawn to study philosophy, religion or other areas which open up new worlds for you. Mind-expanding studies or travel are likely and different cultures have a strong appeal to you now. You seek new vistas and broader horizons through traveling, studying, or reading about foreign cultures or by seeking out people with greater experience, insight, and knowledge than your own. Some important advice will come from teacher or mentor.

Pisces (D,CH,Z) 20 Feb to 20 March Something important & beneficial will illuminate in your job. You will be very much focused on all areas of your life. You are eager to defend your convictions or fight for a cause you believe in. You may encounter others who are aggressively promoting their philosophy, as well. Also, the desire for action and adventure may impel you to travel or to undertake an enterprise that is physically or mentally challenging, and possibly unproductive. You may just find they really need more than you imagined. Try not to lose your patience, support will work better than criticism.

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VOICE OF ASIA 19

Job Posting: Assignment Desk Intern KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for Assignment Desk Interns for the Spring 2017 semester. Internships are available to undergrads currently enrolled college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media ﬁeld and must receive college credit for the internship. The successful applicant will be responsible for assisting the assignment desk, which includes but is not limited to making beat-checks, answering phones, monitoring police and ﬁre radios, getting information and developing stories. The candidate should be detail-oriented and able to handle many different responsibilities at the same time. The ideal intern knows how to multi-task and set priorities. Good news judgment and strong communication skills are essential, along with strong writing skills. The candidate should have a good working knowledge with the use of social media for news gathering. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req. # 401286BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. Equal Opportunity Employer –Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity. No Telephone Calls

JOB POSTING – Community Affairs Intern KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid COMMUNITY AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP for the Spring 2017 semester. Internships are available to currently enrolled undergraduate college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/ media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies. Interns will have an opportunity to observe and participate in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As an intern you will attend help in the production of community affairs shows, including scheduling of guests, help gathering and editing video, assist with community drives, forums and outreach. Each area requires significant planning, scheduling and execution. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least one day per week and the hours may vary depending on scheduling and may include some weekend and early morning and evening hours. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req #401285BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. Equal Opportunity Employer –Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity. No Telephone Calls

FRIDAY, October 7, 2016

Houston Community College Request for Qualiﬁcations/ Proposals (RFQ/RFP) Oracle SuperCluster Project No. RFP 17-20 Sealed proposals will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, Room No. 11B01, Houston, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local time) on Friday, October 21, 2016. Documents can be obtained at: www.hccs.edu/ procurement.

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Job Posting – News Edit Internship KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid NEWS EDITING INTERNSHIP for the Spring 2017 semester. Internships are available to currently-enrolled college students in their junior or senior year who are pursuing careers in the television/media ﬁeld and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies by using a “real world” hands-on environment. News Editing Interns will have an opportunity to observe, participate, and contribute in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As a News/Technical Intern you will primarily assist in editing for air- being creative and precise, while also learning the ins and outs of working behind the scenes for live newscasts. Interns will work under the direct supervision of the Digital Media Coordinator and other staff members. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least two days per week between the hours of 2PM and 10PM. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written veriﬁcation of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. To be considered applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req # 401287BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. Equal Opportunity Employer –Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity. No Telephone Calls

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Name: __________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ City: ______________ State:___________ Zip:___________ Ph: ______________ E-mail:_________________________ Credit Card No: ____________________________________ Name on the Card: _________________________________ CVV #: __________ Exp Date:___________ Amount: $______ One Year Signature: __________________________ $30 Two Years $55 Five Years $100 We will mail 52 issues to your home or ofﬁce! 8303 SW Freeway, Suite 350, Houston, TX 77074

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