Voice of Asia Feb 21 2014

VOICE OF ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 1

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FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Do You Know About ‘Texas Left Me Out.Org Care Act. Read on Page 14 Or Call 713-771-2900.

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Vol. 27 No. 8 Friday, February 21, 2014 Published Weekly from Houston 713-774-5140 20 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Missing SIU-C student found dead

India House Fundraising Gala Nets $1.2m, Presents Plans For Phase II

by Shobana Muratee HOUSTON – At their seventh annual fundraising gala held on Saturday, February 15th, the India House Inc. announced its plans for Phase II of the ‘India House Center’ project, which was initiated in 2003. “At our last gala we had announced our partnership with Harris Health System and now we are very excited to say that the Sareen clinic has already started at the India House,” said Jugal Malani, president India House, amidst appreciative applause. He received an encore when he announced that the gala raised $1.2m this year.

Pravin Varughese was 19-year-old.

by WILY/WRXX News Staff • February 18, 2014

A

missing SIU student has been found dead.

Authorities say the body of 19-year-old Pravin Varughese was discovered Tuesday in an area off Giant City Road in Carbondale.

Crews could be seen searching that area nearKohl’s and Buffalo Wild Wings earlier in the day.

Varughese was last seen Wednesday night at a party at a home on West College Street. He and two roommates went to the party, but the roommates left early and Varughese never came home.

His parents and nearly 200 friends and family were in Carbondale last weekend to help find him.

India House (IH) got off to a promising start in 2014 with the inauguration of their advance health facility, the Sareen clinic built in partnership with the Harris Health System.

The clinic is now open five days a week to treat non-emergency cases. In his remarks Malani expressed his special thanks to IH Trustees Dr. Durga Agrawal and Dr. Virendra Mathur for their efforts and made a special mention of IH COO Kulbhushan Uppal for his efforts and donors Bal Sareen family for the construction of this clinic.

Keynote Speaker, former NASA astronaut Dr. Bonnie Dr. Mathur in his comments expressed that the partner- Jeanne Dunbar. Photos by Bijay Dixit ship of India House with Harris County was a successful one as the clinic was getting popular already. “We think it will lead to future partnerships with the county, city and other institutions to expand the scope of services that we can offer,” he wrote to Voice of Asia. According to him, plans for an eye clinic are already underway. “The eye clinic will operate in partnership with University of Houston, College of Optometry and very generous donation of all the necessary equipment by Dr. Dennis Golden, former Regent of the University and a current member of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. We met with Dr. Golden and Dr. Earl Smith who is the Dean of the College and now has additional responsibilities as Interim Chief Health Officer of the University. Both of these gentlemen were our guests at the Gala and both are very optimistic that we will be able to start operations very soon,” he mentioned. “The next expansion of our services in the Health Care area will be a specialist clinic on Saturdays in which we intend to offer consultations with Board Certified and well known Continued on Page 5

Many of those friends and family went further outside of Carbondale Sunday to pass along missing person posters. They were offering more than $15,000 for any information that led to Varughese’s discovery.

Koshy Thomas receiving the Award from Dr. Renu Khator

Carbondale police said during a press conference this afternoon that Varughese accepted a ride from an acquaintance on the night he disappeared but left the car and fled into a wooded area after a dispute.

Hardeep Singh receives the PECASE Award

Hardeep Singh M.D., M.P.H

W

ASHINGTON - The President and Members of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston congratulate Hardeep Singh M.D., M.P.H on his receiving the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

On December 23, 2013 The White House announced the names of 102 researchers as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

Hardeep Singh M.D., M.P.H was among those receiving the honors for his research on improving patient safety.The White House, following recommendations from participating agencies, confers the awards annually. The winners are to receive their awards at a Washington, DC, ceremony this year.

“The impressive achievements of these early-stage scientists and engineers are promising indicators of even greater successes ahead,” President Obama said. “We are grateful for their commitment to generating the scientific and technical advancements that will ensure America’s global leadership for many years to come.”

No foul play is suspected, police said, and no cause of death has yet been determined.

The low temperatures and difficult terrain of the wooded area might have made it difficult for Varughese to get out of the area, police said.

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

www.VoiceofAsiaOnline. com for more community stories.

L-R: India House Trustee Dr. Durga Agrawal, President Jugal Malani and Trustee Dr. Virendra Mathur at the gala.

The awards, established by President Clinton in 1996, are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President. Awardees are selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, or community outreach.

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C OMMUNITY VOICE OF ASIA

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Second Front Page

Friday, February 21, 2014

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

Students clebrated VHS Day at Sri Meenakshi Temple On February 16th, 2014 Sri Meenakshi Temple’s Vedic Heritage School (VHS) conducted a new event called VHS day that combined the Shlokotsavam (an annual presentation of slokas) and Speech Contest, both by the junior and senior students of the VHS. The VHS program, which started in 2000, is in its fourteenth year at Sri MTS and is run

by volunteers, with the objective to teach Hindu values, heritage and culture to the younger generation. The VHS has continuously grown in the breadth and depth of its content and in the number of students enrolled.

MTS Education committee coordinator Mrs. Meena Subramanian started the day’s proceeding with the traditional lighting of

the lamp, followed with an invocatory prayer by a VHS student.

The day ran like a clock-work with the coordinators, Sripathy Karnam, Lakshmi Panchavaty and Garuda Rao constantly on the move to ensure timely completion of all activities scheduled for the day. The sessions were chaired by the VHS assembly coordinators (bhajan/sloka teachers) Partha Krishnamurthy,

Dr. Sabina K. Cherian, ObGyn, back in Houston, Texas

Sabina K. Cherian, MD

I

am so happy to be back home in Houston where I grew up. I have been on the east coast with my husband the last decade and I have convinced a die-hard New Yorker to move to Texas. I would say that is a feat in of itself.

From the vast restaurant scene to the endless houses being built here, where I only remember empty fields, Houston has grown! I am proud to say I still see the same strong Asian heritage represented as I just celebrated Chinese New Year and Indian Republic Day all in one month. I am proud to be able to share all this cultural heritage with my children.

Being an OBGYN in the Indian Community was not easy for me in the beginning.

Besides the dentist, I don’t think there is another medi-

cal professional that a woman dreads seeing as her gynecologist. We are always poking and prodding places no one wants to talk about - especially an Indian. When I first started work out of residency I had no Indian patients as I think they all feared I would tell everyone their secrets. Slowly I developed a following, and then I moved to New Jersey. Some of my patients actually came over the bridge for a day trip from NY and would still see me for their annual exam. I was delighted and very happy to see old faces. Unfortunately I had to leave them and am starting afresh here in Texas.

I did get quite a laugh at the “snow day” we had in Houston recently. I actually had been on call the last four years during real storms. I was doing multiple deliveries during Hurricane Sandy as I was telling the staff a storm was approaching but not a soul took it seriously. Then the enormous hospital was on backup generator and we all had to stay the night. Those were stressful times especially

not having electricity or heat with an infant at home. Glad to be back where a “snow day” is not quite so adventurous.

I really want the middle aged women of our Houston community to be strong role models for our young girls. Let’s get them off their phones and computers and inspire them to be more. We are not just mothers, wives and women at work-we are artists, musicians, readers, athletes, charity workers. Don’t forget who you are just because you think you are too busy.

Please email Voice of Asia News Group and let me know what OBGYN articles YOU would be interested to read. Go women!

Dr. Sabina K. Cherian, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Minimally Invasive Surgery, practices at Center for Women’s Health which has four locations at Sugar Land, Grand Parkway, Hillcroft and Richmond. She can be reached at 281-3426962 for a private consultation or actual visit.

Sri MTS Vedic Heritage School children at the end of the tournament proudly_displaying_the_ award Trophies with teachers and coordinators of VHS, Judges and MTS board members.

Bhavani Iyer, Kiran Partha and Nalini Sadagopan. Several MTS board members lent support through their presence, welcoming the participants, and thanked teachers, volunteers and parents for their service.

The event was broken into two segments: Juniors with ages (4 -10 years), and seniors above 10 years. The children ages (4-6 years) from the junior segment sang two verses from invocatory slokas and bhajans they had learnt; children aged (7-8 years) gave a rendition of one Khandam from the Ramayana and children (9 to 10 years) recited verses from the Dashavathara stothram from Bhagavata Purana. It was heartening to experience the enthusiastic rendition by the young children in their inimitable style.

The seniors were divided into two categories, with the younger group reciting Aditya Hridhayam and the second group reciting Vishnu Sahasranamam verses #20 to #40. Speech con-

test was open to all and the given topic was based on curriculum.

The pronunciations of even difficult slokas were outstanding by all the children and a real testimony to the efforts of students, teachers and parents. The speech contest displayed the depth of understanding that the student had, as they tackled a range of topics from discussing their favorite characters in the Puranas, to answering questions such as “what are your universal values? Define it” and “exemplify the relevance of boundaries of Friendship learned in the sacred texts”. The consummate ease with which they tackled the topics and answered impromptu questions displaying outstanding composure and confidence indicated a deep appreciation of their learning at VHS. The event concluded with the award ceremony where MTS board members presented the children with trophies for their outstanding performance. Dr.

Venugopal Menon, Dr. Kamalesh Lulla, Nacha Sethuraman, Dr. Tushar Varma, Chitoor Ramachandran, Dr. Subrmaniam, Narayan Dave, Saro Alagappan, Radha Jayakumar and Priya Prasad, who were judges gave their time, energy and enthusiastically challenged and encouraged the children during the competition and selected top performers in each category, based on their pronunciation and stage presence skills.

The multi-faceted dimension of the combined Sloka/Speech performance by the children stands testimony to the fruits of the Seva of the VHS volunteers. As remarked at the opening statement by an MTS board member, the understanding that is imparted through efforts such as Vedic Heritage opens the eye to our rich culture and heritage to the next generation. For more information on Vedic Heritage School please check http://mtsvhs.blogspot.com/

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COMMUNITY/LEGAL

VOICE OF ASIA 4

The People’s Lawyer

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

SANT NIRANKARI MISSION

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

Texas Consumer Complaint Center can help solve your problems Q. I heard that the University of Houston has a program to help with consumer problems.

What is the name? How do I get in touch?

A. You probably are referring to the Texas Consumer Complaint Center. The Texas CCC, as it is known, was founded by the Center for Consumer Law at the University of Houston Law Center in 2007. Since that time, it has helped thousands of consumers save more than $1million. The Texas CCC helps with just about any type of consumer problem and can be reached at www.texasccc.com, or 877-839-8422.

Q. I have a problem with collection agencies that are looking for people who do not live in my home. This has been going on for more than a year and it is getting worse. No matter what I tell them, they keep calling. In the past 3 months they have been calling as early as 8am and as late as 10pm. I am 74 and my wife is 72 and we like to sleep late. We usually don’t answer the phone if we don’t recognize the number or it is from out of state, but they continue to call. Sometimes the collectors call more then 10 times a day. I have tried several agencies but nobody has been able to help. Please give some advice as what to do besides changing my telephone number A. First, under federal law what the debt collectors are doing is illegal. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits calls before 8am or after 9pm. The law also prohibits calls to anyone except the person who owes money, unless the call is to try and locate someone. Even in that case, they can call once but if you tell them you don’t know where the person is they cannot call again. The law also prohibits a debt collector from harassing anyone. It sounds like the debt collectors have violated all of these provisions of the law.

I suggest you answer the phone and talk with the caller. Get a name and company name, and make it clear you do not know the person they are asking about and don’t know where he or she is. Then, let them know you believe they will be violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act if they call again. Tell them that if they do call, you are going to report them to the Federal Trade Commission [FTC] and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [CFPB] for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Hopefully, this will end the calls.

Q. My mother inherited our house after my father died. She is now selling it, and plans on using much of the money to travel. Do I have any right to a portion of the proceeds of the sale? I think my father would have wanted me to.

A. When someone inherits property he or she owns it, free and clear. Based on what you say, you had no right to the house after you father’s death and it now belongs to her. This means she can sell it and is free to use the proceeds any way she wants. If your father wanted you to have an interest in the house, he could have provided for it in his will.

Q. I borrowed some money from my girl friend a few months ago. We broke up last month when I was travelling alone in India. When I came back I found out my car was missing. She took my car! When I called her she said, “give my money back and you can have the car.� I cannot afford to pay the entire amount, but she won’t agree to payments. Please help.

A. In my opinion, your girlfriend has no right to the car, and has stolen it from you. Even if you owe someone money, he or she cannot simply take your property if you don’t pay. For her to have the right to take the car, you would have to have signed a document giving her that right. I suggest you let her know you will make arrangements to pay but expect the immediate return of the car. In my opinion, you should tell her that you believe she has stolen the car and you will report it to the police if she does not return it.

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COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

India House Fundraising Gala Nets $1.2m, Presents Plans For Phase II Continued from Page 1 specialists in different areas of Medicine, Surgery, Women’s Health and Pediatrics,” he added.

Focusing on the theme ‘“our community, our journey, our health,” Malani put into perspective the mission and accomplishments of IH over its seven years odyssey which included to build a community center, to unite cultures, create bridges, and serve human needs by bringing resources, education, services and incorporating meaningful programs on health and wellness, senior citizens, and so on.

This year’s gala had yet another surprise when plans to build a new state-of-the-art ‘culture community center’ were presented with help of architects Rey de le Reza and Lorie Wesrick. Speaking of the upcoming five-star banquet hall, which will hold 800 guests, Malani said it would be a “5-star facility without 5-star pricing”.

It has a dual purpose he said, to bring steady income for India House and to provide a place to hold annual galas for organizations like the Gujarati Samaj, India Culture Center and other similar organizations.

The other program that makes India House stand out is the Urban Young Group Program, focused on helping children from Monday to Friday and subsequently the parents as well. It is aimed at developing children’s health, reducing the number of dropouts, reducing crime and improving math and science knowledge, Malani explained.

“About ten to twelve children’s lives would be changed by this program,” he added.

Dr. Renu Khator, Chancellor and President, University of Houston Keynote graciously took the place of the Chief Guest, Hon. Governor Nikki Hailey who could not make it due to an emergency in her state. Dr. Khator recognized Dr. Dennis Goldman and other UH faculty members prior to introducing Keynote Speaker, a former NASA astronaut Dr. Bonnie Jeanne Dunbar.

At the onset, Dr. Dunbar compliment all on the IH achievements. “You were put to make the difference and the difference is what you make with young age,” she said. Narrating her story on how she grew up on the eastern side

of Washington where all she could see were the cascading mountains, wide spaces, open skies, cold winters and hot summers. She said that she along with her brothers gazed upon the Milky Way galaxy. “That stimulated me,” she said. The rest is history on how it impacted her life and career. Dr. Dunbar spoke about how important it was to get the right education and guidance at the right time. She was grateful to her parents who she said, “came from a culture of education”, as they were both school teachers. And she also thanked her eighth grade teacher who told her that in order to pursue her dream of flying a space ship she needed to learn algebra. “Trust me” she had told her and so she did.

Dr. Dunbar exemplary career as an astronaut spanning over three decades with Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center since 1978 and NASA is a testament of her perseverance and strong will. On the gala night she epitomized all the young people who dare to dream big.

“We need to give our children tools to grow,” said Dr. Dunbar. In her address she honored her friend and fellow astronaut, the late Kalpana Chawla who along with crew perished in the ill-fated Space Shuttle, Columbia on Feb 1, 2003.

She cited her and other astronaut friends who left an indelible mark in her life. Speaking about India she said,” “I didn’t go to India but flew over and took lots of pictures,” she said to the audience’s delight.

Clooney received personally by Dr. Mathur was read on the occasion. Also presented were messages from US Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Mr. Koshy Thomas, Publisher of Voice of Asia, presented plaques to the Bal Sareen family and to Charlie Yellamanchelli acknowledging their generous contributions to IH. Awards in recognition of service to community through media were presented to Publishers: Koshy Thomas, Voice of Asia, Rajiv and Sheshadri Kumar of India Herald and Jawahar Malhotra of Indo-American News.

Also among the honorees was Ravi Arora, India House director for his service to the community.

Koshy Thomas and Moani Thomas seen presenting a plaque to Chowdary (Charlie) Yalamanchili in appreciation of his contribution to India House.

The program was efficiently emceed

by Pooja Lodhia, news anchor, KTRK Channel 13. Enthralling musical performances by Solera Lamenco and titillating dance performances by NAACH Houston artists kept the mood of the evening elated until late into the night.

Hon. Consul General of India, Houston, P Harish, in his brief message commended IH for its work and Dr. Renu Khator presented the Award to Ravi Arora for involving the youth in its proOn the way out, the guests got to take grams. He stressed on the importance a wonderful gift from Unique Images, of imparting knowledge about India to pictures of themselves captured in all the younger generation. splendor, as a token of remembrance A special message from Dr. Denton of an equally grand evening!

Pramod Kulkarni and Vanshika Vipin of Indo-American News received the Award for Jawahar Malhotra, from Dr. Khator

Rajiv Gadgil and Sheshadri Kumar of India Herald seen receiving the Award from Dr. Khator.

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 6

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Gaura Purnima, Appearance Day of Lord Chaitanya (The Incarnation of Lord Krishna)

A

round five-hundred years ago, the very personification of the Lord’s Mercy descended upon this planet and gave us one of the most precious and beautiful of treasures – the means to attain the Love of God. That personality was none other than Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is actually Lord Sri Krishna Himself, in the mood of His consort Srimati Radha Rani.

Born in Mayapur (West Bengal) in a town called Nadia, and known variously as Gaura (due to His golden complexion) and Nimai (due to his birth under a Neem tree), Sri Chaitanya showed astonishing intellect and curiosity about everything spiritual. His parents (Jagannatha Mishra and Sachi Devi) as well as anyone that knew Him, understood that He was no ordinary person.

Along with His entourage (Advaita Acarya, Gadadhar Pandit, Srivas Thakura, and Nityananda – collectively known as the Panca-Tattva) He made it His mission to spread the nectar of the Holy Names far and wide, and succeeded brilliantly. People from all over India came to see Him and His ecstatic singing and dancing, intoxicated as He was with the love of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna Himself!

Vaishnava framework. A few of the core beliefs are that Lord Krishna is the Supreme and Absolute Truth; the jivas are the separated parts of the Lord; pure devotion is the duty of the jivas; and complete, unconditional, and pure love of the Supreme Lord Krishna is the final goal.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s sampradaya (disciplic succession) is known as the BrahmaMadhva-Gaudiya sampradaya, indicating the origin as that of Lord Krishna’s passing on the true knowledge to Lord Brahma, who then passed it on to Sri Madhvacharya – and it has flowed uninterrupted since then, currently traceable to ISKCON via the FounderAcarya Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

The Gaura Purnima festival, which celebrates the appearance day of the Sri Chaitanya, is observed with great enthusiasm every year at the Hare Krishna Dham in Houston. This year, ISKCON Houston also celebrating “Festival of Colors” on this day. The festival falls on Sunday, 16th March – so, please mark your calendars so you don’t miss the joyful kirtans, maha-abhishek, mahaArati, Chaitanya mahaprabhu pastimes and of course, the delicious prasadam feast that will comprise the festivities. For

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also called Gaura due to His golden complexion hence the Gaura Purnima festival. more details, please visit Hare Krishna Dham at 1320 W 34th Street, Houston TX – 77018,

www.iskconhouston.org , 713686-4482). We look forward to having your association in

jointly celebrating the most auspicious and glorious advent of the Lord Himself, in the

mood of His favorite companion and consort, Srimati Radha Rani!

It is said that one of the main reasons for His descent was to show the people how to perform proper worship of the Lord, and He exemplified it in every step of every stage of His life. Inspired by His pure and unadulterated teachings, His devotees spread the power of the Mahamantra (Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare! Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare!) all over India. The Mahamantra is the only means to attaining salvation in this age of quarrel and hypocrisy – the Kali Yuga.

Each of the four yugas requires certain duties to be performed to attain liberation.

During the Satya yuga, the means was meditation on the Supreme; Dwapar yuga required temple worship; Treta yuga needed sacrifices; and finally, Kali yuga is all about Nama-Sankirtana (chanting of the Holy Names).

Sunday, March 16th, 2014

Celebrate HOLI ‘Festival of Colors’ on Gaura Purnima Day

This priceless gift of the Holy Names by the most compassionate Sri Chaitanya is unparalleled in its ease of access (one can chant anywhere, anytime), brevity (only sixteen words), power (ability to invoke the Lord’s mercy when done in complete surrender and with pure devotion), and value (it is free!).

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s elegant composition, called the Siksastakam, lays down the core beliefs of the Gaudiya-

CITY CRIME

Surveillance video shows Houston store beer theft HOUSTON, February 18, 2014 (AP) — An illegal beer run at a Houston convenience store has police seeking two suspects who crashed a car into the business and only took an 18-pack of brew.

Police say nobody was hurt in the smash-and-grab crime early Tuesday in the Clear Lake area that was captured on store security video.

The recording shows the car backing into the front doors of the closed store. Two people with gloves and concealed faces scramble from the car, amid broken glass from the demolished doors, and into the store.

Both return to the car as one suspect totes an 18-pack of beer before driving away.

Police don’t believe anything else was stolen. Investigators are checking the surveillance video for the car’s license plate number.

The store owner estimates damage at about $5,000.

Maha-Abhishek Maha-Arati Kirtan Katha Cultural Event Holi Bonfire Prasadam Feast

DIASPORA

VOICE OF ASIA 7

Girl, 15, jumps to death off grandma’s Upper West Side apartment building

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Four University of South Florida Students Killed in Crash

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AMPA, Fla., Feb 14, 2014 (AP) - Florida Highway Patrol troopers say they’re trying to determine what entrance a driver took on Interstate 275 to end up going the wrong way and crashing into a car carrying four University of South Florida students.

version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on the dead man’s ukulele, said the report.

Ghan Ilias, older brother of Imtiyaz “Jim” Ilias, told reporters before the service that his brother “was always a good person, had a great smile on his face, always had a positive outlook on life. He was a loyal, hard-working, dedicated person. He’s gone but he’s never forgotten.” Later, in front of the crowd, grief overcame Ghan Ilias, and he was unable to deliver his remarks.

All five died in the morning crash Feb. 9.

The crash claimed the lives of South Asian students Jobin Joy Kuriakose, 21, of Orlando; Ankeet Harshad Patel, 22, of Melbourne; Imtiyaz Ilias, 20, of Fort Myers; Dammie Yesudhas, 21, of Melbourne; and the unidentified driver of the 2001 Ford Expedition that crashed head-on into them.

The Tampa Tribune reports the driver of the wrong-way car has not yet been identified because the body was so badly burned in the crash.

Jayah Shaileya Ram Jackson, pictured, went straight to the roof the building where her grandmother lived and jumped at about 10:40 a.m. Thursday, neighbors say.

Jayah Shaileya Ram Jackson had a history of psychological problems before killing herself Thursday morning, police sources say.

Her Facebook page shows the girl was gripped by loneliness and struggling with depression.

by Ryan Sit & Rocco Parascandola, (New York Daily News) - A tormented 15year-old girl who mused on Facebook about committing suicide jumped to her death Thursday from the roof of her grandmother’s Upper West Side building, police said.

Jayah Shaileya Ram Jackson’s recent posts portray an emotionally troubled teen who was gripped by loneli-

ness and struggling with depression.

“I’m actually just going to wait for someone to make a petition for me to kill myself because it’s inevitable,,, like, we all see it coming,” Jayah wrote on Tuesday.

Two days later, Jayah followed through on her suicidal threats.

The teen walked up to the roof of her grandmother’s Amsterdam Ave. building about 10:40 a.m. and plunged 27 stories, police sources said.

“Rest in peace,” a friend wrote on Jayah’s Facebook page Thursday night. “To all the kids that disrespected you

“We are working with the medical examiner’s office to positively identify who he is, though it might take medical and dental records,’ Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant Steve

they only wanted what you had. Prayers to your family.”

Jayah — who was a student at NEST+m, a lower East Side school for gifted children — arrived at her grandma’s place earlier in the day and headed straight for the roof, sources said.

A surveillance camera captured her sitting there alone for two hours. Jayah then went downstairs and casually chatted with her grandma for 30 minutes before she returned to the roof and jumped.

The teen gave no indication to her grandmother that she was suicidal and did not leave a note, sources said.

Jeremy Yasudas, brother of Dammie Yesudas, kicked off his version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” with a brief, “I miss you, bro.”

Dammie Yesudhas (top left), Jobin Kuriakose (top right), Imtiyaz (Jim) Ilias (bottom left), and Ankeet Patel of Sigma Beta Rho died in Florida after a SUV crashed into their Hyundai Sonata.

(Facebook photos) Gaskins said.

Toxicology tests, which will determine if the drivers were impaired, also take six to eight weeks, he said.

Investigators are also piecing together the wrong-way driver’s route.

“We do not know where he came on the interstate,’ Gaskins said. “He may have turned around in the median.

We can say with some level of certainty that he was going the wrong way for at least a mile or two, at least.’

Video feeds from interstate entrance and exit ramps do not record, he said. They are for observing real-time traffic conditions only, so traffic homicide investigators don’t have videotape from the highway cameras to watch.

The four students were all members of USF’s Sigma Beta Rho fraternity a USF fraternity dedicated to multiculturalism.

A donation site was linked by

the USF Alumni Association Facebook page. The fund, set up by Sigma Beta Rho national president Mohsin “Rhythmk’ Hussain, saw a steady stream of donations offered, from $5, up to single donations of up to hundreds of dollars.

“It is unimaginable what the families must be going through right now,’ said the message on the donation Web site. “As we all work through this difficult time, it is important for us to come together and form a support net for the family.

According to a report in The Tampa Tribune, an emotional remembrance ceremony was held Feb. 13 at USF, attended by nearly 1,000 students, faculty, family and fraternity brothers. The brother of one of the victims hung his head at the dais, too distraught to deliver his eulogy.

The brother of another said he “couldn’t express in words what I want to say,” and instead played and sang an emotional

Krupa Patel, the sister of the man she called “Ank,” recounted their last conversation, during which she felt an overwhelming urge to tell her brother she loved him — but didn’t.

“Please, tell the people you love that you love them. Because you never know when you’ll say it again,” she said through tears.

The family of Jobin Kuriakose was occupied with family services in Orlando, so friend, fraternity brother and roommate Allan Babu memorialized him at the service.

He joked about Kuriakose’s dance moves and his penchant for romantic Hindi songs.

USF president Judy Genshaft announced that all four young men would receive their degrees posthumously at this spring’s commencement ceremonies.

“They were a part of the family of the University of South Florida, and they will always remain a part of the University of South Florida community forever,” Genshaft said.

A fund to benefit the families of the students has been set up, and more than 2,200 donations totaling more than $76,000 had been received by Feb. 13.

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 8

Houstonians extendsupport Non-Profit Headed by One of their Own

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Texas Lunar Festival draws thousands in Houston

Sachi, and Maya

H

AAS, a community organization of Konkanis in the Houston area, hosted a fundraiser for Upaya Social Ventures on Saturday, February 8th 2014 at the Techniplex Conference Center in Stafford, TX. Owners of the Conference Center, Mr. Naren and Mrs. Hansa Patel, graciously offered the venue to support this special cause.

The program was kicked off with a Ganesh Vandana by Sneha Shenoy and a Bollywood dance medley by Samhita Bhat. Drs. Sujata Desai, Maya Prabhu, and Mr. Sudhakar Shenoy entertained the audience with their rendition of popular Hindi film songs.

Upaya’s Executive Direc-

Flyers to India must declare cash of over Rs. 10,000

by Sujay Mehdudia Indian citizens flying in from abroad will soon be spared from filling the immigration form at airports. But those carrying Indian currency exceeding Rs. 10,000 or gold bullion or jewellery above the mandated limit will have to make a declaration.

The Customs Baggage Declaration (Amendment) Regulations, 2014, notified on February 10 and likely to come into force on March 1, say an Indian citizen need to fill the immigration form only when flying abroad.

But those returning will have to declare prohibited articles, gold jewellery (over the free allowance), gold bullion and Indian currency exceeding Rs. 10,000 in the new Indian Customs declaration form, which will be different from the detachable perforated strip with the present immigration card.

The form carries additional fields for declaration of dutiable and prohibited goods to help check Customs duty fraud and keep a record of gold jewellery and bullion. Fields such as declaration of foreign currency remain. Besides, passengers will have to declare the number of pieces of baggage, including hand baggage. Courtesy: The Hindu.

Women and Leadership The HCC Northwest Counseling office is hosting the series “Empowering Women: We All Belong” at HCC Spring Branch. The next event in the series is titled “Women and Leadership”, featuring guest speaker Dr. Diana Pino, HCC’s Vice Chancellor of Student Services.

Please join us for this free event, which is open to everyone.

Tuesday, Feb. 25 1:30 - 3:00 pm HCC Spring Branch Eagle Room 1010 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N. Houston, TX 77043 For more information, contact mahnaz.kolaini@hccs. edu or call 713.718.7449.

tor, Sachita Shenoy, spoke about the problem of extreme poverty in India; nearly 400 million in India live under $1.25 / day, the largest number of any country in the world. Upaya builds businesses that create dignified jobs for the “ultra poor.” In the past two years, Upaya has supported the development of five enterprises, which are collectively employing over 1,100 people. For most, this is the first formal job they have ever had and all are on a path to emerge from poverty.

Currently splitting her time between Upaya’s offices in Seattle and India, Sachita spent her childhood in Houston and graduated from Klein High School. She attended

Congressman Al Green joins leaders in the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Texas Lunar Festival.

Texas Lunar Festival over 10000 people from various communities attended the event, along with congress man Al Green, State Representatives, Houston City Council members, Consular General from various countries and from different communities attended and enjoyed the event.

Mr. Wea Lee chairman of Texas Lunar Festival, Co-chair Mr. Rahman Moton. The event was well organized and successful the morning session was all V.I.P Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and grand opening of Microfilm Fest were taking place.

In the afternoon Mr. Moton and his team presented the South Asian performance which audience enjoyed a lot. Mr. Moton is promoting South Asian culture since 5 years in the Lunar Festival.

the University of Chicago, earning a BA in Economics and an MBA in Finance. After spending nearly a decade working in financial services, Sachita moved with her husband Vivek to India in order to work on poverty allevia-

tion. Sachita observed that the lack of good employment opportunities was a primary factor in perpetuating extreme poverty. She co-founded Upaya in 2011 with a mission to focus on job creation for the poorest of the poor.

During Saturday’s event, HAAS presented Sachita with a plaque in appreciation of her dedication to uplifting the ultra poor.

Upaya’s work is made possible by a large and loyal network of donors. To learn more

about Upaya’s work and how to get involved, please visit www.upayasv.org.

The event was co-sponsored by Dr. Vasudev and Mrs. Shobha Shenoy, and catering was provided by Udipi Cafe.

VOICE OF ASIA 9

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

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VOICE OF ASIA 10

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

LIFESTYLE

VOICE OF ASIA 11

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Vol. 27

No. 8 Friday, February 21, 2014

Section 2

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

New twists for love in age of big data India’s Bibhu brings Tibet to New York runway

by Rob Lever t is the ultimate test for big data -- finding the secret algorithm of love.

Online dating companies say they have the knowhow and scientists have been studying the question for years.

The answers, alas, are not clear-cut for the lovelorn who scour the Internet looking for the perfect mate.

A 2012 study by researchers led by Northwestern University psychologist Eli Finkel concluded there was no algorithm that could predict a successful match, notwithstanding the claims of online dating firms.

“No compelling evidence supports matching sites’ claims that mathematical algorithms work,” said the study published in the journal Psychological Science in the Public Interest.

The researchers wrote that dating sites “are in a poor position to know how the two partners will grow and mature over time... and how the dynamics of their interaction will ultimately promote or undermine romantic attraction and long-term relationship well-being.”

But could it be that dating sites simply have not yet found the right mathematical formula?

- ‘Netflix formula’ for love? A team of researchers led by Kang Zhao at the University of Iowa say in a 2014 study that they found a method that markedly improves chances for online matches.

The new formula, interestingly, is based on the techniques used by successful online companies like Amazon and Netflix, and are based on user recommendations, not merely profiles filled out by love seekers which may be incomplete or inaccurate.

“What we did in our study is to look at users’ activity instead of their profiles,” Zhao told AFP. “Your activity reflects your tastes and your attractiveness, or your unattractiveness. We extend what Amazon and Netflix have been using.”

I

N

EW YORK Indian fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra on Wednesday unveiled his fall/ winter 2014 collection in New York, created for the global woman inspired by the beauty and colors of Tibet.

The 41-year-old awardwinning designer, who has dressed First Lady Michelle Obama, sent 41 breathtaking looks down the runway, confections of plum, black, ivory, bronze, red and neutrals.

Employees of mobile dating application Hinge work at their office in Washington DC. AFP photo.

So if person A shares a lot of characteristics with person B who draws a lot of positive responses from the opposite sex, the reasoning is that person A will elicit a similar response.

This is known as “collaborative filtering” and is used by online commerce firms, according to Zhao, who has been in talks with dating companies on using his formula.

“The new model can better recommend partners that match a user’s taste and attractiveness,” said the study to appear later this year in the IEEE Intelligent Systems Journal with co-authors Xi Wang, Mo Yu, and Bo Gao. He said that using this system, “the chances of getting a response increase 40 percent” compared to a baseline without collaborative filtering.

“Whether it’s a perfect match, I don’t know,” he said. “But we can at least help people get a successful date.”

- No more stigma The new research comes amid growing interest in online dating.

A 2013 Pew Research Center survey found 11 percent of Internet users -- or some nine percent of all American adults -- said they have personally used an online dating site. That is a sharp increase from 2008, when just three percent of American adults had used

ASIANET

online dating sites.

The survey found 66 percent of those who use online sites or apps have gone on a date with someone they met through one of these services. And 23 percent of online daters have married or begun a long-term relationship with someone they met through a dating site or app, Pew found.

A separate study last year

by University of Chicago researchers found more than one-third of US marriages between 2005 and 2012 began with online dating, and those couples may be slightly happier than couples who meet through other means.

However, some experts took issue with the findings because the survey was commissioned by eHarmony. com, one of the largest US dating sites.

- Hacking OKCupid While the algorithmic method for love has come under fire, one case suggest it may be possible to tweak or hack those formulas to optimize results.

Christopher McKinlay, while studying for a Ph.D in mathematics, “scraped” data from the profiles of 20,000 women on the dating site OKCupid to find what would get them interested, and increased the “matches” and the number of responses he got from women on the site.

And in the end he found his match, who became his fiancee, according to the ac-

count in his just-published e-book, “Optimal Cupid: Mastering the Hidden Logic of OKCupid.”

In their 2012 paper, Finkel and colleagues point out that there are benefits to online dating, notably its “efficient” means of facilitating the meeting of potential partners.

But they caution that there is a downside to this approach -- people can get overwhelmed by the large number of choices and can reduce people to “two-dimensional displays of information.”

As the science of love is debated, more people are turning to mobile dating apps which help identify available partners nearby based on smartphone geolocation. Some apps allow people to make their own assessment of a dating prospect.

Hinge, a dating app launched in Washington last year, draws information from users’ Facebook profiles to help match people.

Hinge data scientist John Kleint told AFP the app’s use of Facebook likes and postings helps in setting connections, but he acknowledges the limitations of any formula.

“Trying to develop an algorithm for love is probably the most difficult thing you can do,” Kleint said. “We try to get you a good first date and you can take it from there.”

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For outerwear, he showcased luxurious mink coats and mink vests.

There was a beautiful alligator coat with sable trim and cropped bomber jackets with raccoon collars.

A hazy mountain scene appeared again and again: printed across a pencil skirt, a shift dress, an offthe-shoulder satin gown and an organza strapless ball gown.

Mohapatra told AFP backstage his inspiration was Tibet, Earth’s highest region. Tibet is governed

by China and shares a border with India, which hosts a government in exile.

A models (top & below) presents an outfit by Bibhu Mohapatra during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2014 shows on February 12, 2014 in New York (AFP, Don Emmert)

“It’s a land that is so close to my homeland, and it’s the spirituality, bonding that kind of got me in there,” he said, sweat dripping off his face as he was mobbed by fans and friends.

“The beautiful, vast landscapes and the beautiful people and their beliefs, and their day-to-day lives is what captured me.”

“Everything has a meaning, so it was beautiful, it was a sort of introspective journey into myself,” he told AFP. He made ample use of prints and beaded insets with the traditional Tibetan pangden pattern of offset stripes. There were beaded cocktail dresses, pleated chiffon skirts and a stunning metallic gown in

Another creation by Bibhu Mohapatra gold that shimmered like a disco ball.

Chiffon, cashmere and beaded organza, embroidery and jacquard panels, crepe gowns all played starring roles, and Mohapatra appeared to cat calls at the end of the show.

He told AFP he designed for the woman who is “really global with beautifully crafted clothes” and an eye to longevity, who keeps pieces season after season.

“I have a very good mar-

ket in Russia, in the Middle East, in China, in India and the US, of course. So she’s all over.”

Mohapatra grew up in the Indian state of Orissa.

At New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, he won its Critic’s Award for Best Evening Wear Designer in his senior year.

He spent eight years as design director at furrier J. Mendel before resigning in 2008 and striking out on his own.

VOICE OF ASIA 12

Friday, February 21, 2014

Young Life Section 2

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Local Houstonian grabs International Science Fair Medal She was awarded a medal and 5000 Taiwanese Dollars. Manvitha was one of the 2 students representing the United States.

The hosts of TISF, the National Taiwan Science Education Center (NTSEC) invited over 50 international students from 21 countries including Switzerland, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and many others to spend the week of January 2127 in Taipei.

Manvitha Katta Manvitha Katta, of Houston, Texas` recently won First

place in the Taiwanese International Science Fair (TISF).

Manvitha’s project “Antimicrobial and Heavy Metal Sequestration Capacities of Graphene Polymer Nanofilms” was essentially the synthesis of nanoparticle coated filters made from a form of carbon, graphene and a polymer, PVK that could remove heavy metal and bacteria from wastewater. To get to represent USA involved several levels of competition. Manvitha first won the Grand Award at the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston and won a chance to participate in Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in Phoenix, Arizona, the largest and most prestigious science fair in the world.

At ISEF, the K.T. Li Foundation selected her work as one of the 2 projects among hundreds of projects to represent the United States at TISF. TISF marks the highlight of Manvitha’s science fair career.

She has been to many science fairs during her 4 years of high school including ISEF, SEFH, TISF, and ISWEEEP (International Sustainable World Energy Engineering Environment Project Olympiad) and has won awards. Always remains very low key and humble, she thoroughly enjoys every moment of these inspiring and amazing fairs. Officials from the US Consulate in Taipei were very pleased about her accomplishment for the country. Manvitha is recently enrolled at the Houston Pre-Medical Program, which will culminate in her pursuing a doctoral degree from Baylor College of Medicine. She is considering a post-doctoral career involving global health and clean water.

It is a great moment for all the Houstonians to be proud of her achievements.

Mayor Parker on The Houston Public Library (HPL) ect required for graduation, a grandfather wanting to learn to text with his grandchildren, or a father reading to his daughter at bedtime, HPL offers programs and resources that support the entire family.

P

ublic libraries are often referred to as ‘the people’s university.”

Through their local public libraries, people of all ages and stages of life can gain free access to information that can help them improve their skills, succeed in school, connect to the world through technology, or find the joy in reading.

The Houston Public Library (HPL), the nation’s seventh largest library in terms of population served, continues this tradition. HPL is also keenly focused on the possibilities of the future, continually looking for new and creative programs, services and resources that support individuals and families as they seek to better themselves, their neighborhoods, and the larger community.

Whether it is a mother looking to improve her computer skills in an effort to get a better job, a high school student looking for assistance with a class proj-

Last year HPL provided over 10,000 free programs that were attended by approximately 200,000 adults, teens and younger children. These programs include offerings such as bilingual child and family-centered reading programs, online tutoring services and after-school activities, and adult education classes such as Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL), and computer skills training.

These programs are especially important given the region’s continuing growth. It is critical that our community continue to produce skilled workers who can fill the jobs created by the local economy, and educated citizens who can be leaders in the community through civic organizations, social and religious groups, PTA’s and school boards, and more.

Public funding helps support these important efforts. Yet ongoing success also depends on

the partnership between public and private entities. Even here HPL is leading the way.

Houston Public Library has been selected this year as one of only five sites across the nation to partner with the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) on Toyota Family Learning. This is an opportunity for the Houston Public Library to join one of the most innovative educational movements in the country. We will be supporting the entire family, improving student achievement and building a stronger community alongside NCFL and Toyota.

The Toyota Family Learning Programs are especially important given Houston’s continuing growth. It is critical that our community continue to produce skilled workers who can fill the jobs created by the local economy, and educated citizens who can be leaders in the community. Families are positioned for success through comprehensive learning strategies that strengthen the whole family.

For the first year, participating families will attend classes two days every week, over a threemonth period. The goal is to increase the family contact time over years two and three.

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One of the two days will be spent with parents and children learning separately, the parents engaged in parenting classes and the children attending literacy programs. The second day brings the families together to focus on parent-child literacy activities and service learning projects that engage the entire family. The families will be equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to achieve real quality of life change for themselves and their community.

Tel: 713-774-5140

Student Will Win Full Four Year Tuition In East-West Challenge Four other winners receive tuition and book scholarships

East-West University building

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HICAGO-(Feb. 10, 2014) East-West University is offering a 100 percent, four-year scholarship to one lucky winner through the 2014 East-West Challenge. Any U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident who meets EWU’s admissions requirements is eligible to win. Participants take an online quiz between now and 12:00 p.m. Friday, April 4, 2014, and randomly selected winners will notified later that day.

The winner must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average and full-time status throughout their four years at EWU. Those who have already completed a bachelor’s degree are not eligible. Other rules and restrictions apply.

To read the full instructions

and take the quiz, please go to www.eastwest.edu.

Second prize is a 75 percent four-year scholarship, and third prize is a 50 percent four-year scholarship. These students must also maintain a 3.0 or better and study fulltime. Two runners-up will receive a two-year text book scholarship, which is worth up to $1,500 per year.

East-West University is a private, non-profit, non-denominational four-year university in Chicago’s South Loop. East-West is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), and provides affordable, quality higher education to students from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

Earning the competitive opportunity for Toyota Family Learning a perfect example of Houston’s creative, can-do spirit. Through private funding, from Toyota and in partnership with NCFL, it brings together the combined experience of trusted community institutions to provide educational opportunities that support the development of healthy families and communities.

This is just one example of what HPL has to offer to individuals and families in Houston. I encourage you to visit our “people’s university”, either online or in-person. You will be amazed at the fun, innovative and educational programs and services available.

And they are all free. Find out more at houstonlibrary.org.

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VOICE OF ASIA 13

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Friday, February 21, 2014

Section 2

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

SACC Hosts 20th Anniversary Gala ‘From Hollywood to Bollywood’

The SACC Annual Gala 2014: SACC Board of Directors, gala Chair and Co-Chair, honorees, keynote speaker and Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia, American TV actor Wilmer Valderrama, Ukrainian dancer Karina Smirnoff. Photo credit: Dalton DeHart.

At the SACC gala – Board Members L-R: Mustafa Tameez, Nomi Hussain, Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia and Gala Co-Chair Ash Shah. Photo credit: Dalton DeHart.

H

OUSTON The Houston South Asian Chamber of Commerce hosted their 20th anniversary gala February 12, 2014 honoring Outstanding Business Leader Javaid Anwar, CEO of Midland Energy and Anthony Melikhov, founder of Unite 4 Good, this year’s Outstanding Charity nominee.

The event featured Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia, American actor Wilmer Valderrama, Ukrainian dancer Karina Smirnoff, and Texas officials including Mayor Annise Parker, Judge Ed Emmett, Lt. Governor Dewhurst, Attorney General Greg Abbott, and State Senator Wendy Davis. The MC for the evening was none other than Houston’s own comedian Mo Amer.

The crowd glittered in their ethnic elegance and formal attire. “Every year our gala is more extravagant than the year before. We’ve been so excited to host our past honorees like Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, CNN’s Ali Velshi, and the incomparable Joanne Herring. This year is going to be our most ambitious yet with stars from Hollywood to Bollywood” said Nomi Husain, President of the SACC and the gala’s Chairman.

Ash Shah – Co-Chair and Board Member of SACC introduced Neha Dhupia, the Indian actress and international beauty queen representing Bollywood at the event. She gained instant fame in India when she was crowned ‘Miss India 2002’.

Neha finished amongst the top

Proof

10 in the ‘Miss Universe 2002’.

Ms. Dhupia shared her thoughts on the importance of the special relationship between American and Indian film. In his speech, Ash highlighted how Bollywood and Hollywood industries were working closely together.

Wilmer Valderrama, best known as Fez on That 70’s Show, presented the award for Outstanding Charity to Anthony Melikhov’s organization Unite 4 Good, which seeks to increase global acts of kindness.

“We’re celebrating the Chamber’s 20th Anniversary so we wanted to show our deep connections to Houston, to Texas, and to the US, as well as our South Asian roots,” stated Mustafa Tameez and Ash Shah, Co-Chairs of the Board of the

L-R: Vikki Anwar, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Honoree Javaid Anwar, seated is Attorney General Greg Abbott, SACC President Nomaan Husain and SACC Co-Chair Mustafa Tameez. Photo credit: Dalton DeHart.

A Bollywood dance presentation. Photo by NewsWireHouston.com Directors of SACC. Annise Parker and County Judge Also attending where Hous- Ed Emmett. They were joined ton’s own political stars Mayor by such political luminaries as Republican Attorney General

Greg Abbott, and Democratic State Senator Wendy Davis, both rivals in the campaign for Texas Governor.

Lt. Governor David Dewhrst presented the award for Outstanding Business Leader to Javaid Anwar, CEO of Midland Energy. Former President George W. Bush and Governor Rick Perry sent congratulatory video messages to the honoree as well.

Founded in 1993, the South Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) is a non-profit organization whose mission is committed to bridging the capital and talent in the South Asian community with the broader Houston business and philanthropic community.

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VOICE OF ASIA 14

Friday, February 21, 2014

Section 2

Tuna study reveals oil pollution causes heart problems

by Mira OBERMAN CHICAGO, February 13, 2014 (AFP) - The reason people have more heart attacks when air pollution levels rise may have been revealed by a study on the impact of the BP oil spill on tuna, scientists said Thursday.

Heart problems in humans and fish have long been linked to air pollution and oil spills respectively. But researchers had not yet sorted out exactly how the toxic compounds found in oil interfere with heart cells.

Interest in the problem increased when the devastating 2010 explosion on the BPleased Deepwater Horizon drilling rig unleashed four million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico during spawning season.

Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Stanford University set out to understand what happened to the hearts of tuna which had been spawned near the spill.

They collected oil samples and young fish from the site and studied the impact of both fresh and ‘weathered’ oil on the fish heart muscles.

The researchers found that chemicals in the oil blocked the potassium and calcium channels that regulate heart rate and rhythm.

The basic mechanisms occurring there are vital processes in cardiac cells in all vertebrates -- including humans.

“There’s lots of evidence that what’s in particulate mat-

ter -- the exhaust coming out of our cars -- is similar to what we’re measuring here in crude oil,” said study author Barbara Block, a biologist at Stanford University.

“We should be looking at the impact of air pollution on cardiac excitation coupling and I suspect we’ll find the exact same response as we find here.”

The discovery could have impacts beyond the regulation of oil pollution, said coauthor at Nat Scholz, who heads the ecotoxicology program at a NOAA fisheries center in Seattle.

“These results on the NOAA side are going to have the potential to go beyond crude oil because there’s so many other sources of PAH (toxic hydrocarbons) in coastal watersheds,” he told reporters at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“There’s tie-ins from this to urban storm water runoff and pollution from other sources.”

- Bad news for Gulf seafood The study also presented dismal prospects for the Gulf’s commercial fishing industry and for the region’s ecological health.

The breeding population of the bluefin tuna -- which can live 35 years and grow to a whopping 1,400 pounds (650 kilograms) -- had already fallen by 80 percent before the spill.

The latest stock assessment found that the bluefin tuna

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Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

spawning population had fallen to just 36 percent of the 1970 baseline population.

A number of other important species -- including yellowfin tuna, dolphins, blue marlin and swordfish -- also spawn in the area worst hit by the spill.

While the impacts of the oil were most acute in embryos and larvae -- because adults can filter out some of the oil with their gills and livers -the cardiac cells were blocked by oil at all stages of development.

The study also found that the ‘weathered’ oil -- which had been broken down by wave action and chemical dispersants used to keep the oil out of fragile wetlands -was more toxic than fresh oil.

And even very low concentrations of oil had significant impacts.

It’s not yet clear when the Gulf fisheries will stop feeling the effects of the oil spill, Scholz said.

Relatively high concentrations of oil will simply kill the larvae. Lower levels of oil in the water will still affect the survivability of the fish, but in less obvious ways.

“We’re finding situations where fish that look outwardly normal may have subtle effects that persist,” Scholz said. “If you put them on a fish equivalent of a treadmill later in life they have problems with their cardiac output.”

The study will be published Thursday in the journal Science.

er-

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Tel: 713-774-5140

With Sharp Do You Know About Increase in Pedestrian Fatali- ‘Texas Left Me Out.Org’? ties, HPD Emore than 40 health and and won’t earn enough to qualify community groups for subsidies to purchase marphasizes Safety launched a campaign ketplace coverage. Subsidies to raise awareness of are available for consumers who and Awareness Wednesday the coverage gap created when earn between 100 percent and

M

H

ouston police are urging pedestrians to be extra cautious, especially at night, following the death of a third pedestrian in a five-block stretch on Bellaire Boulevard in the past month and a rise in pedestrian deaths citywide so far this year.

The latest fatality involving a pedestrian happened about 5:55 a.m. on Saturday (Feb. 15) in the 8700 block of Bellaire Boulevard, in a construction area.

The male pedestrian, 40, was at fault and tried to cross the street not at a crosswalk. However, the driver of the striking vehicle did not stop and fled the scene.

Almost one third of the 44 traffic fatality victims this year have been pedestrians (15) compared with 7 pedestrians killed at the same time last year among the 30 fatalities reported.

HPD Captains James Dale of the Midwest Patrol Division and Larry Baimbridge of the Traffic Enforcement Division urge pedestrians to follow common sense safety tips to avoid becoming victims of traffic accidents. Among them: Do not walk across the street unless you are at a crosswalk.

Take the extra minute or two to walk to a crosswalk.

Obey traffic signals of Walk / Don’t Walk.

Look before you step.

Do not assume vehicles will stop. Make eye contact with a driver; don’t just look at a vehicle.

Dress to be seen. Wear light colored clothing if walking at night and carry a flashlight, if possible.

Do not wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while walking across the street.

Be especially careful in construction zones.

Texas officials declined to expand Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act. Advocating that poor Texans should have greater access to affordable health care, the group is gathering stories of people in Texas who fall into the so-called coverage gap.

The coverage gap is made up of the portion of the population that earns too much to qualify for federal subsidies and too little to qualify for Medicaid.

Members of Texas Left Me Out include advocacy groups and health care providers such as the Center for Public Policy Priorities, Foundation Communities and the Seaton Healthcare Family.

“All of us know the people being left out of coverage; they are the working poor and we work with them every day,” Sister JT Dwyer of Seton Healthcare Family said. “It’s the veteran and his wife, the construction worker who helped build your neighborhood, the person that takes care of your child at the nursery and the health attendant that helps you care for your aging parents.”

Leaders of the newly launched organization plan dispatch members to visit with legislators to persuade them to close the coverage gap and help insure the 1 million people in Texas who would have been eligible for Medicaid if Texas officials expanded coverage.

But because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that states couldn’t be required to expand the Medicaid, the state-federal program for the very poor and disabled, those people will they remain ineligible for Medicaid

400 percent of the federal poverty level. In 2013, the latest numbers, the poverty level was $15,510 a year for a family of two.

Irma Aguilar, a 28-year-old mother of four from San Antonio, spoke at Wednesday’s press conference and told reporters and advocates for the poor that she falls into the coverage gap and it’s causing problems.

“Not having health care coverage is an unfair challenge,” said Aguilar, an assistant manager at a Pizza Hut franchise. “I have developed a major case of anxiety” For her, lack of health insurance means performing the responsibilities of her job can be difficult due to her high-blood pressure and damaged disk in her neck.

“Texas left me out but I am here sharing my stories so we can change that,” she said.

Visit www.texasleftmeout.org For prompt enrollment in Obama Care contact:

Motorists are reminded to be cautious when driving on busy roadways and to be on the lookout for pedestrians. Any motorist who strikes a pedestrian must stop and render aid or else face a felony charge for leaving the

scene.

Anyone with information on suspects in these or any hit-andrun accident in the city is urged to contact the HPD Hit and Run Unit at 713-247-4065 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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TECH & SCIENCE

VOICE OF ASIA 15

Male, female or custom?

Facebook’s new gender options

F

acebook on Thursday freed members from the bonds of being either male or female, letting people opt for custom genders such as transsexual or “intersex” at the social network.

Along with adding scores of “custom gender” options on profile pages, Facebook is letting members select which pronouns they wish to be used when being referred to in posts or messages.

Facebook users could opt to be refered to as “he/him” or “she/her,” or by a neutral “they/ their” choice.

“While to many this change may not mean much, for those it affects it means a great deal,” Facebook said in a post at its Diversity page that included a picture of a giant rainbow flag on display on the company’s campus in the Silicon Valley city of Menlo Park.

Facebook said it worked with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activist groups to create a thorough list of gender options, which can be found in an “other” category on profile About pages.

Custom genders are only available to those who use Facebook in US English but the company plans to expand the range in the future.

Feedback in a forum at Facebook’s Diversity page was mostly positive, with some suggesting a need for even more description options and others insisting that biology limits the choices to male or female.

Facebook’s move will make “great strides” in supporting young people whose sexual identities don’t conform to traditional societal norms, according to US-based gay advocacy group Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

“Over the past few years, a person’s Facebook profile truly has become their online identity, and now Facebook has taken a milestone step to allow countless people to more honestly and accurately represent themselves,” said HRC president Chad Griffin.

A survey of 10,000 lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender youth published on Thursday

by HRC revealed that nearly 10 percent of them put themselves in a “gender-expansive” group that could benefit from Facebook’s move.

Two-thirds of the surveyed people in that group wrote in genders such as queer, genderfluid, and “non-binary,” which means they feel they are neither male nor female, or some combination of both.

The survey also indicated that “gender-expansive” youth were less likely to say they were happy, fit into their communities, or had an adult at home they could turn to.

Facebook said on its official Diversity page: “When you come to Facebook to connect with the people, causes, and organizations you care about, we want you to feel comfortable being your true, authentic self.

“An important part of this is the expression of gender, especially when it extends beyond the definitions of just ‘male’ or ‘female.’”

The social network’s latest initiative was given more than 4,000 “likes” on the page, and mostly favorable comments.

One user, “Katarina,” wrote: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have made me feel like a real person and I cannot tell you how much that matters.”

There were however dozens of others, including a user called “Shannon Sha,” who said: “Great option, but needs to be added in every country.”

Read more latest health, Science & Tech stories on our website: www. voiceofasiaonline .com

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Two ASIE members earn Young Engineer of Year Award

by Dinesh Shah, MBA, PE

T

exas Society of Professional Engineer Houston Chapter celebrate third week of February as Houston Engineer’s week every year with National Engineers Week. The kick-off this week long event began with the sold-out Young Engineers of the Year Banquet on February 17 at Peeples Restaurant, featuring numerous Houston engineers from various professional societies. The Young Engineer Award is intended to publically celebrate and promote the efforts of young professionals as part of their professional development, who has made outstanding contributions to the Engineering Profession and the community during the early years of one’s career, below 35 years.

Karthik Balasubramanian and Naresh Kolli, both are members of American Society of Indian Engineers (ASIE) were presented Young Engineer of Year Award in presence of an overflowing audience. Both have excelled and established themselves in their field of engineering.

Karthik is a Senior Civil/ Structural Engineer at Technip USA, Houston, Texas. He received his education at Mumbai University, India, earning a

Karthik Balasubramanian receiving the Award. bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 2004, and a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering at Lamar University, Beaumont in 2006. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. Previously, he worked for KBR Inc for 5.5 years as a Senior Technical Professional-Civil. In February 2013, Karthik was awarded a “Recognition Certificate for Excellent Performance” in Jazan IGCC project for Saudi

Aramco. His engineering experience includes Civil, Structural and Infrastructure work for Refinery, LNG terminals, Natural gas basins, and Integrated Gasification Combined cycle plant.

He gained extensive exposure to Pre-FEED, FEED and Detailed Engineering phases in Petrochemical & Refinery projects.

Karthik has been also involved in activities such as design of Marine facilities, Dredging, Single Point Mooring (SPM),

& II Environmental Site Assessments, site reconnaissance and geological and rock profile studies. His responsibilities at Geotest include coordination of field activities, supervision of laboratory testing, performing engineering analyses and preparation of geotechnical as Naresh Kolli recepient of the Award. well as Phase I and II Environmental Site and Marine Simulation studies.

He has worked for clients such Assessment reports. Mr. Kolli as Anadarko, Chevron, Saudi worked with several public and Aramco, Sonangol, Sasol, Sta- private projects in the greater toil, Trunkline etc. Previously, Houston Area. he has served as President for Naresh received a Bachelor’s the Civil Engineering Students degree in Civil Engineering Association (CESA). Karthik from Kakatiya University, Inhas served a Secretary and dia in 2002 and a Master’s deTreasurer for ASIE last year. . gree in Civil Engineering from Naresh Kolli is a project en- McNeese State University, gineer at Geotest Engineering, Louisiana in 2005. He is a liInc. Houston, Texas. He has censed professional engineer in over 8 years of experience in the State of Texas and Louisithe civil, geotechnical and envi- ana. He has been active memronmental field and has worked ber of AAEA for four years and on various projects involving attended several meetings. He high rise office buildings to is currently serving as board single story commercial build- member of the ASIE and in the ings, warehouses, schools and past he has served as secretary government projects, Phase I and Treasurer.

BUSINESS

VOICE OF ASIA 16

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Friday, February 21, 2014

Section 2

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

US renews ‘Open Internet’ push Ford India focusing on non-metro markets after court order

W

ashington — US regulators said Wednesday they would write new “open Internet” rules following a court ruling last month that struck down provisions aimed at barring providers from playing favorites for online services.

against the FCC, will not appeal the ruling either, a source familiar with the matter said.

Asked about the FCC initiative, Verizon spokesman Ed McFadden said in an email, “Verizon remains committed to an open Internet that provides consumers with competitive choices and unblocked access to lawful websites and content when, where, and how they want.”

Federal Communications Commission officials said that even though the US appeals court invalidated the so-called “Net Neutrality” rules, the decision provided a “blueprint” for a new set of regulations.

“Preserving the Internet as an open platform for innovation and expression while providing certainty and predictability in the marketplace is an important responsibility of this agency,” FCC chairman Tom Wheeler said in a statement.

The FCC said it would not appeal the January 14 ruling by the federal appeals court in Washington, but instead craft new rules which achieve the goals of equal treatment for services offered over the Internet.

The “Net Neutrality” rules were aimed at preventing big telecom operators from blocking or slowing online offerings like Netflix or YouTube, while promoting services of their own partners.

The court decision was “an invitation for the commission to act to preserve and protect a free and open Internet,” a senior FCC official told reporters in a telephone briefing.

The official said the ruling gives the FCC the ability to devise new rules

FCC chairman Tom Wheeler

with a more solid legal foundation, which guarantee equal access for socalled “edge providers” like Netflix.

The court used a narrow legal justification for striking down the 2010 rules, saying the FCC court not regulate broadband providers like Verizon and AT&T as “common carriers” or public utilities.

But Wheeler said the court affirmed the agency’s “legal authority to issue enforceable rules of the road to preserve Internet freedom and openness.”

“We now have from the DC Circuit (court) a blueprint for effective action,” the senior FCC official said.

Verizon, which brought the lawsuit

Chamak Chocolates Opens its shop in Sugar Land

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hamak Chocolates is proud to open the first artisan chocolate & confections shop in Sugar Land and will be located inside The Transformation Studio. Chamak gourmet chocolates & teas feature the exotic flavors from South Asia, and are based on Ayurvedic healing spices and herbs. The brand will offer made from scratch artisan truffles, bon bons, chocolate bark, chocolate bars, hot chocolate mixes, traditional Indian sweets and organic healing Ayurvedic loose leaf tea.

The line also features sugar free and healthy chocolates. Each handcrafted creation is made in small batches on location and will feature rich and flavorful ingredients such as fennel seed, clove, cardamom, mango & many other quintessential eastern flavors, fruits and spices. Chamak Chocolates will also offer chocolate classes and chocolate parties in studio along with chocolate deliveries and catering.

Sarah Ali, the creator of the brand, is a licensed psychotherapist and a Hollywood trained makeup artist and started The Transformation Studio, a wellness center four years ago. She attended a professional chocolatier course and develops her unique fusion chocolates with her mother, Nayyar Ali. Her artistic background leads her to create creative flavors, and artistic hand painted chocolate pieces.

The chocolates and tea are an expansion of her already established Chamak brand.

Chamak (which means to sparkle and glow in Hindi/ Urdu) is a beauty and skincare line featuring ready to wear products and a custom blend makeup, skin, hair and fragrance bar (www.chamakmakeup. com). The products celebrate the South Asian culture with colors, formula, names, and healing Ayurvedic ingredients. The color line is geared towards women of medium to dark skin tones.

“We have always focused on providing our customers with the services and experience they want, and this focus has not changed,” McFadden said.

by Nandini Sen Gupta CHENNAI, (TNN) - Ford India is focusing on non-metro hinterland markets to rev up growth of sales.

The company, which has just unveiled four dealerships in as many locations, is pushing for “deeper footprint” beyond the creamy-layer metro markets.

“Already more than 40% of our growth comes from Tier2 to Tier 4 markets,” said Vinay Piparsania, executive-director, marketing, sales and service, Ford India. “This expansion of sales and service touchpoints is an effort to ensure better level of service and engagement is offered to a wider base of customers.”

Ford has 304 sales and service outlets in over 160 cities. With its new hinterland focus, the company is looking at locations like Jhansi, Raipur, Shillong, Dimapur, Hosur and Kochi both in terms of new showrooms as well as in terms of service workshops.

“We have also introduced ‘Quick Lane’, a line of fast-service workshops for roadside assistance,” said Piparsania.

“We had one in Bangalore and Surat and now Cochin and Nasik as well,” he said.

The aggressive expansion of its dealer and service network is part of Ford’s larger target of hitting 500-dealer touch points by the middle of the decade. Ford launched two new sales and service facilities of V GO Ford in Faridabad on Wednesday in a concerted expansion drive.

The company is also focusing on better ownership experience through ‘fixed’ pricing on scheduled service costs starting at Rs 2,199. Performed with genuine Ford parts, tools and equipment by Ford-trained technicians, the Ford ‘Happy Pocket Service’ is part of the company’s target of offering value for money service experience as a selling point.

Ford is also looking to raise capacity in line with its aggressive plans both for the Indian as well as the export markets. “We are increasing vehicle production capacity from 200,000 units a year to 440,000 units a year and engine production from 340,000 units to 610,000 units a year,” said Piparsania.

“This expansion is planned with the new plant at Sanand and should come on stream in 2015. It would allow us to roll out our growth strategy in India as well as in export markets,” he said.

BharatMatrimony ranked India’s most trusted matrimony brand NEW JERSEY, Feb 17, 2014 - A survey conducted by Brand Trust Report (2014) has ranked BharatMatrimony as India’s most trusted online matrimony brand.

The Brand Trust Report, India Study, a comparison of the trust held in brands, is conducted by Trust Research Advisory (TRA) annually across 16 cities in India. The study conducted on 61 critical points generated close to five million data points across 20000 brands.

Murugavel Janakiraman, CEO of Matrimony.com, whose flagship brand is BharatMatrimony, says, “It’s a proud moment for us and we would like to thank our 20 million members who have trusted us for over a decade.

The trust that millions of members have in us makes us more responsible to constantly innovate, improve our product and work harder.”

About Matrimony.com Matrimony.com is a signature internet conglomerate managing brands such as BharatMatrimony.com. It is today, one of the fastest growing and profitable organizations in both the digital and offline space, with a reputation for innovation, technical excellence and entrepreneurship.

Reaching out to South Asians in the UK, US,

Dubai, Sri Lanka & Malaysia, it has established a considerable retail presence with over 180 branches across India. The company has pioneered several new matrimony services such

as AssistedMatrimony.com, EliteMatrimony.com and Tambulya return gift stores. With over 3 million happy marriages till date, the company services 20 million across the globe.

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FEATURE/ARTS

VOICE OF ASIA 17

Houston Arts Alliance’s Folklife + Traditional Arts Program in Partnership with Asia Society Texas Center Present Voices of the Spirit IV A concert celebrating devotional music from Houston’s diverse faith communities Saturday & Sunday, February 8 & 9, 2014 at Asia Society Texas Center

H

OUSTON, TX — Houston is a remarkably diverse city — and in no domain of city life is that diversity more apparent than in its faith communities.

Many communities in the city have created a sense of home for themselves through membership in churches, mosques, temples and the like. It is not surprising, then, that most of these communities have fostered rich sacred music traditions.

Your Horoscope (For week beginning Friday, February 21, 2014)

Hardik Vyas, Astrologer Cell : 832-298-9950

As per Indian Vedic Astrology the Moon sign is considered, in which every Rashi has control over certain letters, which are initials of your name. Whereas in Western system of Sun Sign, all the people born in one month belong to the same sign. For example, every year approximately around 21 of March to 20th April, the Sun is moving in the Aries Constellation. So all the people born in that month belong to the Sign of Aries. If you were born in between those two dates then you are a Aries born.

Aries (A,L,E) 21 March to 20 April You are opting to take the difficult route and take on a new challenge. This will not be easy all the time, but the outcome will prove to be well worth the effort. Someone close to you could be a little defensive and you will have to watch your words. Choose what you say very carefully to avoid hurting other people’s feelings. You could have the feeling of being under siege, as several social events end up at your place, or people invite themselves around at the last moment. Don’t let your space be invaded. Learn to put your foot down.

Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May You will be ruled by friends & positive goals. Don’t judge a book by its cover. If you scratch beneath the surface of someone you know, you may discover a true friend with similar feelings and experiences to your own. Things seem just too good to be true, and you wonder when someone will pull the rug out from under your feet. Rest assured, all is well and things are set to go from good to better. When tension mounts, or you feel tired or unmotivated at home, it’s time to get to the bottom of it all.

For three years, Houston Arts Alliance’s Folklife + Traditional Arts Program has organized a concert featuring a selection of these traditions entitled Voices of the Spirit. Asia Society Texas Center’s spectacular Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater was the site of the fourth iteration of this immensely popular presentation.

As with all years preceding, the 2014 Voices of the Spirit line-up shared an entirely unique group of musical traditions from years past.

Performances started at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, and 3 p.m., Sunday, February 9, 2014. Both performances featured the same program. This fourth year concert began with praise and chanting from the Buddhist nuns of Chung Mei

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June The surprise announcement could leave you feeling somewhat disorientated. You will soon recover your wits and come up with the right response. Plutonic and intimate relationships come into the spotlight this week, as you are asked to make a greater commitment or prove your feelings. You come through all tests with flying colors. Luck is on your side, which means that games of chance are likely to bring dividends of some sorts. Take a few risks (well thought out ones of course) and you could double your money.

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July The new learning experience, Energy is a little low and you won’t feel like making much of an effort when it comes to socializing. But your charm, warmth and generosity will do the trick, so just be yourself. Conflict or misunderstanding is a possibility in love matters.

A family situation is becoming increasingly complex, leaving you feeling baffled and confused. The air has to be cleared, but you will not be the one to make the first step. You’ll be compensated for your ability to compromise. Others recognize that you are making an effort and will do the same.

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August

Pandit Suman Ghosh

Need to learn balancing & avoiding extremes. Once you climb off your emotional roller coaster, things will become easier. You are currently on an interesting path, paved with good intentions. Be warned, as you move on, you may be in for a bumpy ride. This will be a learning experience, but one which could take you by surprise. You are full of energy and ready to party this week, but try not to burn the candle at both ends. You need some rest and peace and quiet if you want to keep the pace.

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September You will see some family matters & making decisions. When you find it difficult to make a decision, there is no point insisting any longer. You’ll just end up going round in circles.

When it comes to dealing with domestic affairs, just go with the flow. Don’t try to push things through when it becomes obvious that there is resistance. Wait for a new opportunity.

Communication improves and so does understanding, as you make a decision to compromise and to adapt to existing circumstances.

Libra (R,T) 23 Sept to 22 Oct Personal plans for entertaining & career goals. You have the key to open a door to something new and exciting. Someone you know will bring you the chance to harness your potential and grow even faster. Your personal relationships require faith, trust and confidence, if you feel this is lacking, don’t take it out on the other person. When you have some time to yourself, don’t shut yourself away others. Stay with friends, seek out crowds and parties. Other people’s energy will recharge your batteries.

Scorpio (N,Y)23 Oct to 21 Nov

The group of musicians that performed for Voices of the Spirit.

Temple in Stafford, followed by a cappella gospel by The Soul Influence and Hindustani melodic modes by Pandit Suman Ghosh. Whether through chant, intoned praise, syncopated fourpart harmonies or devotional ragas, each tradition voices its unique spirituality through a distinctive musical style with a long history.

Voices of the Spirit IV is made possible by the generosity of the National Endowment for the Arts, Houston Endowment Inc. and Bill and Sara Morgan.

Artist Biography Pandit Suman Ghosh As a senior disciple of the

renowned Padma-Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj-ji, Pandit Suman Ghosh is an especially noted flagbearer of the school of Hindustani music known as Mewati Gharana. Now a seasoned and celebrated vocalist and musician, Pandit Ghosh is a third generation musician who began his involvement with music at the age of seven under the guidance of his mother. He continued to study with other well-known teachers and graduated eventually to work with the living legend of Indian music, Pandit Jasrajji, who transformed him into a full-fledged performing musician. As a result, Pandit Ghosh has performed throughout the US, India and across the globe,

VOICE OF ASIA

sharing the rich musical traditions of Mewati Gharana style worldwide. Now a resident of Houston, Pandit Ghosh has also carried on the tradition by serving as a teacher to many young musicians in the Houston area and beyond, and by founding the Center for Indian Classical Music Institute of Houston.

The music he performs and teaches is associated with Northern India and has always contained a strong devotional component identified with the Hindu religion, but its roots combine several musical elements, including the Vedic chants, ancient Persian music, and various folk traditions prevalent in the north of India.

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You have fascination with a new person or concept. Fulfill your creative needs by taking up a new activity. As you look ahead to the next few months, you wonder where you are heading. Now is the time to lay the groundwork for a new personal project.

There is a new opening for you, but you don’t know enough about this matter to make the most of it.

Gather more information and don’t be afraid to ask questions whenever you can. Financially you may feel that you are working flat out just to make ends meet, with little left over for fun and games.

Sagittarius (BH,F,DH,TH) 22 Nov to 21 Dec You don’t usually go in for gushing romance, something gets into you and you are all hearts and flowers. Enjoy yourself and let your imagination run wild. When you find you are constantly frustrated in close friendships, it’s time to ask yourself a few questions. Perhaps you are just drawn to the wrong kind of people. Expect to be feeling more enthusiastic for home affairs, as a new form of domestic energy takes hold of you, allowing you to deal with matters which are usually overwhelming for you.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan Just as you were beginning to give up hope, your love life could give you a boost. Things become more active and a seemingly stagnant situation suddenly takes off. Secrets come out from their hiding places and ghosts spring from closets. This will help to clear the air and get family relationships off on a better footing. You have been struggling for too long, and now you’ve had enough. Support comes in both financial and moral forms, to give you new energy as far as home is concerned. Start doing research now and it will serve your well.

Aquarius (G,S,SH) 21 Jan to 19 Feb Some events, that may leave you feeling a little nervous or confused. This is when you need to take refuge in your own home until you calm down. A part of you is avoiding commitment, preferring to keep all your options open. There comes a time when you have to choose, and a decision will have to be made in the next few weeks. No matter what others have to say, you are perfectly entitled to change your mind. Don’t be afraid to make a U-turn. You may be breaking your word but the outcome will be positive for all concerned.

Pisces (D,CH,Z) 20 Feb to 20 March Your Way ahead is, creative footwork and gathering of information. Some of the people you care for most may prove difficult to get along with, through no fault of your own.

That’s just the way the planets are lying and you will all have to learn to compromise. A forthcoming family gathering or reunion could be causing some strain. Don’t worry, all will go well. All you have to do is remain detached and not let others tell you what to do.

Travel and distant places are high on your list of priorities at the moment. Then money issues appear to dominate while a spike in social events may have the family traveling ‘as a group’, spending/shopping in groups or AS a ‘whole’, or attending many of the same

COMMUNITY EVENTS

VOICE OF ASIA 18

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTES & ORGANIZATIONS OF HOUSTON - call Voice of Asia 713-774-5140 Sri Meenakshi Temple Prog: February 27th, Thursday 6:30 pm onwards: Maha Sivarathri - (midnight, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30 AM).

Location: 17130 McLean Road Pearland, TX 77584 Contact: (281) 489-0358 Web: www.meenakshi.org

Ashirwad - A Blessing Temple Prog: Vedic Fair on Sat. Mar. 1, 2014. See ad on Pg 9 Regular prog :Sloka Classes for kids and teens.

Location: Katy, Hwy 249 & Sugar Land.

Contact: 281.995.0930/ 281.808.2159

Hare Krishna Dham (ISKCON) Prog: Gaura Purnima & Holi Celebrations on Sunday, March 16th.

Everyday, 7 Aratis and bhoga offerings daily. Sunday Festival: 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Location: 1320 West 34th St, Houston, TX 77018.

Contact:281-433-1635/E-mail harekrishnadham@gmail.com Website: www.iskconhouston. org

Arsha Vidya Bharati Prog.:Sanskrit classes and special worship sessions for all ages Location: 2918 Renoir, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Contact: 281-606-5607 or AVB.Houston@gmail.com Web: https://sites.google.com/ site/avbtexas/classes

Arsha Vidya Satsanga

QR

Prog: Website: www.avshouston.org Contact: 713-412-2923 / Email: ArshaVidyaHou@gmail.com

Chinmaya Mission Prog: Location:10353 Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX77498.

Phone: 832.541.0059.

Website:www.chinmayahouston. org.

Cell: 713-874-4363 Zafarullah_Hanjra@hotmail.com www.Alislam.org

Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple

Dr. Ambedkar International Mission Inc. U.S.A

Prog: Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra Parayanam: daily 6.30 p.m. Location:10098 Synott Road. Sugar Land, TX 77478 Phone: 281- 498-2344 Website: www.ashtalakshmi.org

Prog: Location: India House 8888 West Bellfort Avenue Houston, Texas 77031

Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya

Vedanta Society of Greater Houston

Temple Hrs: 9 am to noon and 5 to 9 pm.;Sri Astalaksmi puja: 7 pm. Sri Laksmi Archana will be performed on request all day.

Location:same as Chinmaya Mission.

Website: www.saumyakasi.org;

Prog: Vedanta teachings Sundays at 10:30 AM Location: at 14809 Lindita Dr. Houston, TX -77083.

Website: www.vedantahouston. org.

Hindu Temple of The Woodlands Location: 7601 S. Forest Gate Drive at Woodlands Parkway, Spring, TX 77382.

Contact: info@woodlandshindutemple.org, 832-585-0001 Website: www. woodlandshindutemple.org.

VPSS Houston Location VPSS Vallabh Hall, 11715 Belfort Village Dr. Houston 77031.

Contact:713-530-2900 Website:www.vpsshaveli.org

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Baitus Samee Mosque Prog: Friday Prayer - 1:30 PM Children’s Classes | Interfaith meeting | Location: 1333 Spears Rd, Houston, TX 77067 Imam - Mohammed Zafarullah Contact : Work: 281-875-3400 |

ISSO Prog: Darshan daily from 7.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.; Aarti daily from 7.45 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Location: 10080 Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Phone: 281-530-2565 Web:

Shri Satyanarayan Sai Puja Darshan Prog: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 1:p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Every Thursday Abhishek Location: 16338 Kensington Dr, Ste 110, Sugar Land 77479.

Phone: 713-933-8821 / 9359.

Gurdwara Sahib of SW Houston Prog: Sundays Dewan 10:00 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Langar Location:14811 Lindita Drive, Houston, TX 77083 Phone: 281-498-5200 Website: www.gurdwaraswh. com

Hindu Worship Society Prog: Open all days except Thursdays (by appt). Regular Puja and Prasad. Sunday Service 11:30 AM to 1:30 Location: 2223 Wirtcrest Lane Houston TX 77055.

Barsana Dham Houston Chapter Prog: Satsang every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: India House, 8888 West Belfort 77031 Phone: (713) 855-9818 for details Website: www.jkphouston.org Weekly Radio Program-1460 AM Saturdays 10-11 a.m.

Divinity Website: www.godivinity.org

Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Prog: Every Friday Satsangh from 7:30 pm to 9 pm. Bhajans and Devi Puja, Discourses.

Location: 12530 Ann Louise Road, Houston, 77086.

Phone: Contact Vishnu at (832) 309- 7181.

JVB Preksha Meditation Center Prog: Location: 14102 Schiller Road, Houston TX 77082 Phone: 281.596.9642

QUICK REFERENCE SERVICES DIRECTORY

Accountants

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• TOEFL & GRE Preparation

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Accounting, Tax Returns, Cost Accounting, Peachtree, Sales Tax, Franchise Tax.

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Website: www.jvbhouston.org

Patanjali Yogpeeth Center Prog: Free Yoga Classes every Sat/Sun from 8 am to 9:30 am Location: Arya Samaj @Schiller Road.

Contact: 281-579-9433.

Websites: www.pyptusa.org

Jain Center of Houston Location: 3905 Arc St. Houston, TX 77063 Contact: 281-606-JAIN; Email: ecjsh@jain-houston.org Website:www.jain-houston.org

Durga Bari Society Prog: Sandhya Arati at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday: 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Location: 13944 Schiller Road.

Contact: 281-597-8100 Website:www.houstondurgabari. org

Gayatri Pariwar of Houston Prog: Sundays Satsang, BalSanskar Shala, from 11am to 1pm.

Location: 5645 Hillcroft, Suite # 307, Houston, TX 77036.

Website: http://www.gayatripariwarhouston.org/ “

Sri Guruvayurappan Temple Prog: Bhajans: Sat.7:00 -8:00 p.m.; Sundays 9:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.Location: 1620 Ormandy Street, Houston, TX 77035 Contact: 713-729-8994

Govindaji Gaudiya Math

Prog: Satsang every Sunday evening from 5 - 7 p.m. Vedic heritage classes for kids 5-14.

Location: 16628 Kieth Harrow blvd. Houston, TX 77084 Contact: 281-499-3347/281-4914114.

Sathya Sai Baba Centers Prog: Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at two locations Contact: (North) 832-418-3842 or (South) 281-788-4786.

Website:www.saicenterofhouston.org

Telugu Christian Fellowship Prog; Every third Saturday 6:30 PM. Worship is in English Location: The Triumph Church, 10555 West Airport Boulevard, Stafford, TX 77477.

Contact:713-301-6444 Website:

Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center Prog: Daily classes in Raja Yoga Meditation To register call or email.

Contact:832-379-8888/ Email: houston@bktexas.com Website: bktexas.com

Bethesda Houston Tamil Church Prog: Sundays Tamil Worship: 5 – 7pm Sunday school : in English. Bethesda Family Fellowship: in English 10.30 am-12.30 pm Free Tutorial for all children Mondays & Wednesdays 5-6 pm. Ladies Bible Study: Thur 9 am.

Location: 1092, Suite F&G, Stafford. Tex 77477 Tel:281-317-7331, 281-3177331.Website:bethesdahoustonta milchurch.org

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Residential & Commercial Free estimates on Residential Repairs & New Equipment replacement Call Saji Mathew Ph: 832.633.4347

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HD Video, Live Stream, Editing, Dubbing, Titles Call for Weddings, Anniversary, Baptism, Graduation

Call Tony Kalladanthyil at 281-799-4518

VOICE OF ASIA 19

CLASSIFIEDS

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014

Have you been ABUSED, ATTACKED or INJURED?

Have you experienced a traumatic event such as:

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mood@bcm.edu

If you are a woman between the ages of 18 and 65, you may be eligible to participate in a study of an investigational medication for PTSD conducted by the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and the Mood and Anxiety Program at the Baylor College of Medicine. There is no cost for participation.

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Reliable Caretaker Needed

Seeking Christian Bridegroom

A family needs a reliable Caretaker full time to take care of home, cook meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner, do some light house work, weekdays and weekends. Timings are: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM daily, flexible some evenings. Must be able to cook South and North Indian dishes. Please have a few references.

Long term employment preferred.

To apply, email: koshyvoa@aol.com E-mail Subject: Caretaker Position

Young and beautiful, she is 28 years, Nursing professional, height 5’ 5”, Bachelors in Nursing, employed in Qatar, currently pursuing higher studies in Msc Nursing.

Looking for an Optimistic, God fearing and family oriented, well settled person here in the U.S. Minimum qualification should be a Bachelor’s degree and prefer those from a traditional Christian family (Orthodox / Jacobite) Send bio and photo to:

priyan448@gmail.com or Call: 281-925-8879

Asian Food Products Manufacturer Needed Looking for a manufacturer to produce healthy frozen Asian products for School foodservice business. Interested in protein and vegetable items as well as wraps, springrolls, with low sodium.

Please contact Tracy Kompaniez Tools for Schools/Good Source Solutions

866-319-2402 • efax-866-589-7597 tkompaniez@goodsource.com

$ 35/-* Week!

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Car For Sale - Holden Commodore - Sample ad!

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• A/C • 6 CD changer Leather Seats!!!

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Allstate Insurance Sales Agent

Studio Apartment for Rent

Full time Insurance Sales Agent required.

Office in Stafford area, 8:30 - 5:30 PM weekdays. Base Salary plus commission. No experience is required, will train. P&C License holder is a plus or can apply. This is an Immediate requirement.

Heights and 6-10 North Loop

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Call: 281-948-8396

$650/per month + Utilities

Call : Ram 347-610-1213

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