Voice of Asia March 06 2015

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FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

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Vol. 28 No. 10 Friday, March 6, 2015 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 20 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Wallis State Bank pledges $25,000 to Houston Habitat for Humanity

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OUSTON, TX- Wallis State Bank made a $25,000 pledge to Houston Habitat for Humanity. Allison Hay, Jim Proctor, and Leela Krishnamurthy accepted the check on behalf of Houston Habitat for Humanity. The donation was presented by the Board of Directors and Executive Management of the Bank. In addition to the monetary donation, Wallis State Bank also made a commitment for its employees to volunteer with Houston Habit for Humanity over the next 5 years to help build homes.

Picture: L-R: Guido Piggott, Aziz Rahim, Leela Krishnamurthy, Rajiv Bhavsar, Musa Dakri, Faizel Dakri, Asif Dakri, Jim Procter, Allison Hay, Ayaz Nasser, Roger Sebesta, Billy Burge III, Nasrullah Khan

Narthaki - An insight into Indian classical dance forms presented by SPARC

Mr. Koshy Thomas, Publisher, Voice of Asia, seen presenting a a token of appreciation to dancer Ashwarya Balasubramanium.

by Shobana Muratee

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OUSTON - Four distinctive dance performances representing Mohiniyattam, Odissi, Bharatnatyam and Kathak were presented at this year’s ‘Narthaki’ dance festival, a production of Sunanda’s Performing Arts (SPARC) Center held at the Jewish Community Center on February 28. Started in 2009

by Natyashri Sunanda Nair, a classical artist of international acclaim and founder of SPARC, Narthaki continues to serve as a platform for dancers to portray their talent, entertain as well as educate the audience on Indian classical dance forms.

Brilliant performances by the artists Charlotte Moraga, Sandhya Manoj, Ashwarya Balasubramanium and senior L-R: Charlotte Moraga, Sandhya Manoj, Ashwarya Balasubramanium and senior students of SPARC with Mr. Thomas and Moani Thomas. Photos by Khalit, Reflections

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OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS

VOICE OF ASIA 2

by C P Surendran, dna media.

T

Publisher: Associate Publisher: Editor-in-Chief: Austin Correspondent: Print & Media Marketing: Marketing: Production: Office Manager:

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

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

VoiceofAsiaOnline.com Editor: Online & Newsletter : Shobana Muratee All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the consent of the publisher.

Voice of Asia assumes no liability resulting from action taken based on the information included herein. Published weekly by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713-774-5140. Fax: 713-7745143. Email for editorial submissions: voiceasia@aol.com; Email for advertising inquiries and submissions: ads@ voiceofasiagroup.com

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

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he restraint placed on telecasting the BBC documentary India’s Daughter by a Delhi court at the instance of the Delhi Police and the advisory issued by information andbroadcasting ministry on similar lines is unjustifiable.

Snatches of the documentary, based on the December 16 gang-rape case, already aired on TV channels, have generated outrage over the views expressed by one of the convicts, Mukesh, and the two lawyers, ML Sharma and AP Singh, who represented the convicts in court. The three men squarely blamed the courageous victim, known only to us as Nirbhaya - for being in public space at night with her boyfriend. Further, the rapist blames the victim for fighting her rapists. These deplorable assertions can only provoke a sense of deep revulsion and shame. Condoning these statements or regarding them as defending the crime, is akin to creating deliberate mischief. In such a context banning the documentary in order to blackout such misogynistic views is obfuscating the real issues thrown up by the documentary. Rather, the

End the Hypocrisy articulation of such reprehensible views should be regarded as a trigger to take a deeper look at the disorder in our society and take forward the discourse on gender violence.

No doubt, that much-needed gender discourse has somewhat receded two years after the December 16 street protests. Besides, is it possible to dispute that the gender biases exhibited by parliamentarians and police officers, in public and private conversations are any different from the spirit of the statements made by the rapist and the two lawyers?

In this context, home minister Rajnath Singh’s vow to fix responsibility on officials whose alleged “negligence” allowed the filmmaker Leslee Udwin to record the sensational conversation with Mukesh is plainly hypocritical.

Moreover, Udwin claims she had all the necessary clearances. The Delhi Police FIR accusing “unnamed persons” of words, acts intending to “insult the modesty of any woman” is clearly an attempt

to put Udwin on the defensive. The Centre has directed its anger at the messenger and her medium rather than the source of such patriarchal and violent mindsets. Its misgivings that the documentary buttresses uncharitable international perceptions about India are yet another indication of pushing the societal malaise under the carpet. Banning a documentary or prosecuting its director is hardly the way to salvage national pride. Perhaps, a more genuine concern has been raised by activist Kavita Krishnan who worried whether the documentary would do justice to the struggle against gender violence in India, or would end up as yet another simplistic film on India, from a Western point of view. Take for example, the title India’s Daughter, virtually a red rag before women’s rights activists who have persistently argued for women to be seen as human beings rather than mothers, daughters, sisters or wives. But even to make such nuanced critique, one would surely have to see the documentary.

India’s Daughter throws up

Has America become a police state?

W

hat has become of America?

Have we become indistinguishable from the likes of North Korea, Iran, China or Syria?

These things are happening all too frequently, and innocent people are unnecessarily dying.

The dangerous trend is that the severity of these incidents is not decreasing, but they are exponentially increasing. It happened on Staten Island in New York, which killed a seemingly innocent African-American male. It happened, again, in Ferguson, Missouri, and before it came to its bitter end, a young African-American teenager lay

- The Publisher

dead on the street for well over four hours before his cold dead body was removed from the scene of the “police crime”! It was reported that they pumped over a half dozen bullets into his young body. It was also appalling to note that in neither of these cases, the offending police officers were even indicted by the Grand Jury, let alone convicted!

On February 6, 2015, it happened again in Madison, Alabama, a neighboring bed-room town of the high tech metropolis of Huntsville! An innocent foreigner, legally visiting his US citizen son, who did nothing other than take a stroll in

the sub-division where his son and his family own their home was “attacked” by at least three police officers in broad daylight, that left the elderly visitor partially paralyzed!

The only ‘crime’ that the gentleman has “committed” was that he, admittedly, did not speak English!

Since when is it against American Law to walk on public roads or sidewalks is one of the things that I have not figured out yet! Since when is it illegal for anyone who looks other than Caucasian to walk on public streets?

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several issues but the Centre has skirted them all in its trivial pursuit of scapegoats.

Following the December 16 incident, the Supreme Court (SC) set up fast track courts to expedite sexual offences trials, after criticism over judicial delays and low conviction rates. However, the convicts’ appeals against their death penalties are pending for nearly a year in the SC. While due processes must be followed assiduously, the inordinate delay in the appellate process necessitates judicial reforms and lightening the SC’s burden. The Nirbhaya Fund to be devoted for women’s security has been doubled this year but both central and state governments remain clueless on evolving apt schemes. Though gender sensitisation programmes have been proposed for the general populace, and not just in schools, the discourse has not moved beyond academic circles. By preventing the airing of the documentary in India on International Women’s Day, a self-righteous establishment has only ensured the perpetuation of societal hypocrisy. (Courtesy: dna Media).

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

It is the policy of Voice of Asia to publish letters to the editor which evidence a variety of viewpoints. The opinions expressed in any particular letter to the editor are not necessarily those of the management. Voice of Asia welcomes letters in reply to issues raised in letters to editor. In as much letters to the editor are not articles written or researched by members of Voice of Asia, it is not the policy of the Voice of Asia to perform any investigation or confirmation of any facts or allegations contained in letters to the editor. Moreover, Voice of Asia reserves the right to edit letters to the editor as necessary to correct errors of fact, punctuation, spelling and to comply with space constraints.

Although paid advertisements may appear in Voice of Asia Group Publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, the Voice of Asia Group does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement.

Soma Balasubramanian

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

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The human rights and ‘due process’ that America pretends to champion are being tossed on the wayside!

In the case of the Madison incident, what happened to the gentleman’s right to remain silent? I have not heard his Miranda Rights having been read to him on the video that I watched on CBS and YouTube!

What happened to it? How about his civil rights, and the violation thereof? Where does the federal government stand on this issue?

George P. Kurien, Chattanooga, Tennessee

C OMMUNITY VOICE OF ASIA

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FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

Second Front Page

Friday, March 6, 2015 • www.voiceofasiaonline.com • Page 3 • Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com • Tel: 713-774-5140

India House hosts reception in honor of Chitra Divakaruni for being chosen as one of the twenty most influential global Indian women by ET of India

O

n February 25, India House, led by current President Jugal Malani, held a reception to honor Houston writer Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, who was recently chosen by the Economic Times of India as one of the twenty most influential global Indian women.

Around 150 people gathered at India House for this reception.

Divakaruni attended the event along with her husband Murthy, eldest son Anand, nephew Rushil and his wife Radhika. In addition to people from the Indian American community, people from the University of Houston, where Divakaruni teaches in the nationally ranked Creative Writing program, and people from Inprint, the leading literary organization in Houston, also attended the event.

The evening began with an invocation to Lord Ganesha by Nalini Mathur. Jugal Malani warmly welcomed the guests and commended Divakaruni on her achievements.

Colorful slides prepared by Vipin Kumar, Manager of India House, and Ashita Murugai, listing Divakaruni’s many books and awards, such as the American Book Award and the Light of India Award, were shown during the event.

Dr. Amitabh Shukla, a friend of the Divakaruni family, shared an excellent introduction to the writer with the audience, mentioning that several of Divakaruni’s books, such as Mistress of Spices and Sister of My Heart, have been made into films. Dr. Virendra Mathur presented Divakaruni with a beautiful shawl on behalf of India House. Mrinal Chaudhuri of the Tagore Soci-

ety read a proclamation from the Tagore Society and from the North American Bengali Conference felicitating her.

Dr. Wyman Herendeen, Chair of the English Department at University of Houston, congratulated Divakaruni on behalf of the university and spoke of the value she brings to the Creative Writing program. Dr. Durga Agrawal, leading member of the Indian American community and one of the Regents of the University of Houston, also felicitated Divakaruni, whom he has known for many years.

Several other people from the audience spoke up to congratulate Divakaruni and share stories of their friendship with her.

Divakaruni gave her thanks to India House and to all present for coming out to make the

India House president Jugal Malani (4th from left) with India House members, Chitra’s husband Mr. Murthy Divakaruni (far left), past president of IACF and son Anand (far right).

event a success. “I thank God for His blessings and for giving me the ability to write,” she said. “I really appreciate all the encouragement given to me by my husband, Murthy, without which I could not have been successful. A big thank you also to the warm Indian American community of Houston, which has supported me in so many ways.”

Finally, Vipin Kumar informed the audience of the many wonderful programs available at India House, including a free medical clinic, subsidized after-school programs, free yoga classes and free legal help, and urged them to get involved.

The evening concluded with a delicious dinner catered by Daawat owners Mahesh and Alpa Shah, who were also guests at the event.

Honoree Chitra Banerjee Divakarun.

Chitra Divakarun with members of University of Houston, where Divakaruni teaches. Dr. Wyman Herendeen, Chair of the English Department and Dr. Durga Agrawal are also seen.

Sewa International launches 2015 Yuva for Sewa, summer internship in India

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OUSTON, Feb 12, 2015 - Sewa International has launched its annual Yuva for Sewa (YFS), 8 to 10-week volunteer summer internship opportunity for college students to travel to India to contribute their time to serve humanity. Since its inception in 2006, 52 YFS youth interns have volunteered their time for health care, education, environment, women’s empowerment, rural development, and microfinance.

Interns work with community NGOs to serve and engage in an empowering self-transformative experience to make an impact in their chosen field.

Bhavana Vissapragada, a student at

University of Massachusetts, Amherst travelled to Bengaluru, India in 2014 as a YFS intern. She shares her experiences to inspire others to participate in the program. “In June, I visited an orphanage for girls to interview the NGO administrators as a part of my internship. Later, the girls pulled me into the room next door. At first, I walked in with the expectation of talking to them to get more information on the NGO, but slowly the interview structure degraded, and even with the language barrier, the girls and I were talking about everything. They discovered that I knew Bharatanatyam (a classical dance from South India), and before I knew it, I was performing for

them. As I was leaving, they made me promise that I would come back and visit again.

Before I knew it, the day had come when I had to leave Bengaluru back to the US. I remembered the promise I made to those girls. So I got a ride, and visited them. I walked in, and soon the girls were all yelling “Bharathanatyam Akka (elder sister)! Bharathanatyam Akka!” This exemplifies my experience interning with YFS. I would go places with the intention of just conducting an interview, but I would come back from the experience with a connection, realizing that each interaction was meaningful. The friendships I made stand out with the

experience I got out of my internship.”

To know more about the Yuva for Sewa program, log on to http://www. sewausa.org/yuva-sewa-appeal. Interested candidates apply online at http:// www.sewausa.org/yuva-sewa-2015.

Admissions are on a rolling basis.

The final deadline is April 15th 2015.

Locations of Internships will be in Bengaluru, India. Sewa International ( www.sewausa.org) is a Hindu- faith based, worldwide nonprofit that promotes selfless service to communities around the world regardless of race, color, nationality, religion, or gender.

To volunteer, contact info@sewausa. org

Bhavana Vissapragada, a student at University of Massachusetts, Amherst travelled to Bengaluru, India in 2014 as a YFS intern.

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FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

FIS launches a unique project The People’s Lawyer – India BEE_2015 for children www.peopleslawyer.net Richard M. Alderman Interim Dean of the Law Center

Power of attorney ends at grantor’s death Q. My mother recently died. She did not have a will. My father died several years ago, and my sister and I both agree we should sell the house and split the proceeds. Her house is essentially all she owned at the time of her death. I have my mother’s power of attorney.

How do I go about selling the house?

A. Unfortunately for you, the power of attorney is no longer valid and you will need some from of probate to sell the property. A power of attorney, even a durable power of attorney, terminates at the death of the grantor.

Depending on whether there was a will and what other property your mother may have owned, there are a number of alternatives you can use in probate to get title transferred to your names. I suggest you call several local probate attorneys and discuss what they suggest and what it will cost.

Q. I am 67 years old, and had a common law marriage for over 35 years. My husband recently passed. Am I entitled to his Social Security?

A. Under the law, a widow is entitled to receive Social Security survivor’s benefits upon the death of her husband. The fact that you have a common law marriage does not change your eligibility. As I have said before, as far as the law is concerned, a common law marriage is no different than any other marriage. How much you receive will depend on factors such as how long your husband worked and income. To learn more about survivor’s benefits, visit the Social Security Survivors Planner, http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/ index.htm Q. If you loan someone money and they don’t re-pay you, what type of action can be taken to retrieve funds? Can you just take some of his or her property?

A. The only way to legally enforce any loan is through a lawsuit. Without a separate agreement, such as a mortgage on a house or a security agreement for a car, you have no legal right to “just take” any property. If the amount is $10,000 or less you can file a claim in justice court [the new name for small claims court] to collect. Look at my website, www.peopleslawyer.net, for more information about using justice court and collecting after you win.

Q. I just found out my apartment complex rented the unit next to mine for $100 less than I pay. It is exactly the same apartment. Is this legal?

A. A landlord, like any other business, can base the price on what the market will bear. If demand is high, rent goes up. When demand falters, the rent often goes down. As long as the landlord does not illegally discriminate, for example, by charging different rent based on things like, race, age, sex, or religion, he is free to charge every tenant a different rate.

I suggest you ask for a lower rate when you negotiate a new lease.

Q. I have a problem with a used-car dealer. When I purchased the car, he promised to make certain repairs. It has now been two months, and despite numerous phone calls he still has not done what he promised. It is not a lot of money, but I expect to receive what I paid for. How can I make him do what he promised?

A. Forcing a business to live up to its end of a bargain can be difficult. Of course, the first step is always to speak with the business and try to amicably resolve your problem.

It sounds like you have already done that. As far as the law is concerned, the only legal remedy is a suit for damages. This can be filed in justice court. There is, however, one additional avenue to consider—the Texas Consumer Complaint Center. The Texas CCC, at the University of Houston Law Center, is staffed with lawyers and law students who can help you work out your problems. I suggest you contact the CCC and give them an opportunity to assist you.

You can reach the Texas CCC at www.texasccc.com, or, 877-839-8422.

K. V. Doraiswamy Bhattar 281-489-0464 or 281-948-8368

kvdoraiswamy@yahoo.com • kvdoraiswamy60@gmail.com More than 30 years of experience as Priest in major temples including Sri Meenakshi Temple Pearland, TX. Can speak 5 languages (Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and English) Rituals Performed: Sreemantham, Punyahavachanam, Namakaranam, Annaprashanam, Vidyarambham, Choulam, Upanayanam, Wedding, Sathya narayana puja, and all kind of Homas (Havans) and more. I can drive to your place.

P

opularly known as FIS, the Foundation for India Studies is launching a new project in partnership with India House Inc, to connect the young generations of America with India through a unique quiz contest that stimulates and encourages them to learn about India.

The first targeted group was the youth at universities.

FIS assisted in introducing the India Studies Program at the University of Houston in 2006, which has now been taken over by the university and incorporated into its Cultural Studies program. The University awards a Minor Certificate in India Studies.

It was soon realized by FIS that Houston also had an immense wealth of educated professionals who had contributed to Houston’s growth in various fields of Health Care and Medicine, Engineering, Transportation Business, Education and several other vocations. This led to launching of the “Indo-

American Oral History Project “in 2011, in partnership with Houston Community College –Spring Branch and Houston Public Library. The purpose of this project is to record and archive the stories of the first generation Indians who came directly from India and settled in Houston since the 1960’s.

These are stories of unsung heroes from the Indo-American community who deserve kudos for their contribution to the economic and cultural growth of Houston. Till date, 32 interviews have been conducted.

From the Youth to the Elder and now to the budding Young, FIS brings the unique INDIA BEE_2015 QUIZ contest scheduled to be held on Sunday, March 29th. This is another exceptional Project that FIS has brought out for MIDDLE SCHOOL students, between the grades 6-8.

The challenge to the budding young is “How much do you really know about India?” The purpose of the quiz contest is to encourage Indian as well as American school children of all ethnic backgrounds to learn more about India at an early age and become friends of India when they grow up. This may perhaps be the only project of its kind in the country at present.

The INDIA BEE _2015 is focusing on the middle school students this year ( to be expanded later to High School students and adults as well)

because from the age of 11 onwards, children have awareness and knowledge of their Indian roots fresh in their minds.

What is lacking however, is a deeper knowledge and understanding of India as a whole with regard to its geography, centuries old history and its immense cultural and religious diversity, and the country’s modern parliamentary system of democracy and of course not to forget Bollywood and Cricket.

Keeping all these in mind, this contest is designed to assist the Parents to motivate their children to study about India, the land they migrated from, and encourage them to be more globally oriented and knowledgeable about incredible INDIA- whose cultures stretch for over 5,000 years.

There are cash prizes for 1st place $1,000, 2nd Place $ 500 and 3rd Place $250. Our partners and sponsors are India House, and Indian Culture Center and many well-wishers.

Certificates to all participating children and surprise door prizes for audience.

The contest will be judged in three parts : a) A poster board presentation, b) Written test and c) A final oral test on the stage.

For registration and other details, please go to: http://foundationforindiastudies.org/projects/india-bee or call Falguni Gandhi 281-844-4604 or Sai Rachakonda 281-235-6641.

Memorial Hermann Celebrates “Pearland Day in Austin 2015”

H

OUSTON (Mar. 4, 2015) – On Feb. 2526 Memorial Hermann celebrated “Pearland Day in Austin 2015,” an advocacy event organized by the Pearland Chamber of Commerce every two years during each state legislative session. The event allows hundreds of City of Pearland and Brazoria County business, civic and community leaders to travel to Austin and meet with the region’s state legislators to highlight and discuss the public policy and legislative issues important to the Pearland community.

Memorial Hermann sponsored the “Pearland Day in Austin 2015” luncheon, where State Comptroller Glenn Hegar was the keynote speaker.

In addition, five business leaders, including Donna Coneley, Director of Business Development at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, and Ashlea Quinonez, Director of Government Relations at Memorial Hermann Health System, were chosen to represent Pearland on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives and were recognized by Pearland area state house members. Coneley and Quinonez, along with Memorial

Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Director of Business Development Donna Coneley, Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Director of Physician Resources Rebecca Lilley, City of Pearland Mayor Tom Reid, Memorial Hermann Health System Director of Government Relations Ashlea Quinonez, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Manager of Business Development Gerrit Von Wenckstern, Pearland Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Membership Development Jim Johnson and Pearland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carol Artz-Bucek at the Pearland Day in Austin 2015 luncheon, sponsored by Memorial Hermann.

Hermann Southeast Director of Physician Resources Rebecca Lilley and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Manager of Business Development Gerrit Von Wenckstern, met with various Pearland and Houston area state legislators and attended the Texas Department of Transportation Commission meeting.

As a Platinum Member of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, Memorial Hermann Southeast sponsors various Chamber events throughout the year, and Memorial Hermann Southeast leaders regularly attend Chamber functions and commit time to serve on various Chamber committees.

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VOICE OF ASIA 5

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 6

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

Narthaki - An insight into Indian classical dance forms presented by SPARC

Sunanda Nair, Founder SPARC Continued from Page 1 students of SPARC, portraying the four styles of Indian classical dance, each unique and equally mesmerizing, elevated the presentation to a master piece.

Mohiniyattam The first performance, presented by four senior students of Sunanda Nair, was a Mohiniyattam piece entitled MADHURASTHAKAM. The piece told the story of Lord Krishna as a child, an adult king, and as charioteer for Arjuna at the Kurukshetra battle.

The performers: Resmi Nair, Raejithaa Rajesh, Athira Vijaykumar and Deepika Bhadange, each depicting the different phases, brought forth the multidimensional personality of Lord Krishna: playful and lovable as child with his friends at the Gurukul learning from their teachers. Alluring and compassionate as a King who when visited by his childhood friend, Sudama bestows the greatest of fortunes for bringing him his favorite food. As Charioteer, Lord Krishna is the guide and guru for Arjuna at the battle of Kurukshetra. At the ultimate test of Arjuna’s life, he is filled with dread at the idea of having to battle his own kin, and he hesitates. Lord Krishna bestows upon Arjuna the divine wisdom through Geethopadesha reminding him that it is his duty and his karma as a warrior to continue with the task � he must do what is right for the soul is neither born nor does it die. Equally enthralling was the second item by the students called JIVA which portrayed the inner soul of artJivatma, merging with the Supreme, Paratma, to create bliss Ananda.

Bharata Natyam Ashwarya Balasubramanium, presented an invocatory piece, a traditional MALLARI, interspersed with sahithyams on Lord Shiva. Mallari is a composition of Sri. PR Venkatasubramaniyam in ragam nattai, kanda triputa thalam. This was followed by Theyvaram “Thodudaiya seviyan” and rudram. Her following item PADAM – CHITIKEYVEYSITHEY (if

Charlotte Moraga, Kathak. Photos by Khalit, Reflections Video I snap my fingers) was an entertaining piece portraying Venugopala’s annoyance with the girl who is ignoring him. “Who do you think you are? I am Venugopala and if I snap my fingers there will be thousands of women like you, more beautiful than you, at my beck and call.” He seems to be telling her in this very delightful dance. CHITIKEYVEYSITHEY: Ragam - Kalyani, Thalam-Adhi and Composer - Sarangapani.

The next presentation by Balasubramanium was THARANA AND ABHANG. In place of a thillana, she present a short Tharana – Theen taal which was followed by an abhang on the mighty Maruti (Hanuman) in bhajan format. Tharana: Ragam – Darabari Kanada and Abhang: Ragam – Jonpuri.

Odissi Briefing narrating the theme of her dance DASHA MAHA VIDYA (ten great knowledge), Sandhya Manoj, the Odissi dancer from Malaysia, explained the ten forms of Goddess with Shakti being the core of the different manifestation. In a part lecture, part depiction, Manoj treated the subject with dexterity and grace characteristic of a celebrated artist and knowledgeable in Natya shastra. The dance started with the fierce form of Kali, then moved on to the more benign Tara, to the beautiful bow wielding Shodashi and so on. In each of the challenging ten forms, Manoj was simply superb in her expressions and mudras and had the audience enthralled throughout. The original choreography of the dance is by Guru Durgacharan Ranbi she mentioned.

Katak Performance by Charlotte Moraga,

the renowned Kathak dancer, was a fitting finale for the grand production.

Moraga’s energy was astounding. In a dance-cum- demonstration, a style so welcoming that it made the intricate dance form like Kathak not just enjoyable but understandable as well.

Adorned in red, she created music and dance drawing the audience to her, ultimately became one with the dancer.

Moraga is the senior disciple of Renowned Kathak Master Pandit Chitresh and performs as principal dancer of Chitresh Das Dance Company (CDDC) around the world.

Ashwarya Balasubramanium, Bharata Natyam

The Narthaki was another of Sunanda Nair’s creative induction to the India classical art thriving in Houston. Nair, a leading Mohiniyattam exponent and recipient of numerous awards, gave Houstonians an exuberating and enriching experience that would be cherished for a long time.

The presentation was sponsored by Madras Pavilion, New India Grocery, New Millennium Montessori, Jenny Silk Sarees, Beyond Networks and New SPARC senior students Resmi Nair, Raejithaa Rajesh, Athira Vijaykumar and Deepika Orleans. The program Bhadange (not in order). was efficiently emceed

by Ms. Rita Winter na’ actress and dancer Shobana on Koshy Thomas, publisher of Voice Shirer of New Orleans. Earlier Mr. May 22 at the Wortham Centre and of Asia and wife Moani Thomas Karunmanickam gave an outline of her own annual show Kinkini on honored the performers on stage and the SPARC. Nair, in collaboration May 24th 2015. Dr. Hari Dayal also presented them with a rose and a gift. with Freedindia and Indo-American spoke about the show ‘Krishna’ on Nair extended her appreciation to artAssociation (IAA) will be soon pre- the occasion. ists, sponsors, and the guests promissenting a spectacular ballet “Krishing more such talent in Houston.

Houston Artist Lectures in India

D

istinguished Houston documentary photographer, Michele Wambaugh, was recently invited to deliver two lectures in Ahmedabad, at the National Institute of Design (NID) and Gujarat University. In her first lecture at NID, Wambaugh presented a retrospective of her life’s work in photography, starting with candids backstage in theater, opera and ballet, and closing with her most recent light paintings created in-camera using neon lights at night. Her second lecture was more of a seminar involving student participation from the Department of Tribal Studies at Gujarat University. Over the years, Wambaugh has documented many tribal groups across India. During this recent trip she photographed the Ribari and Jat tribes in Gujarat.

Michele Wambaugh has been invited to display exhibitions of her work at many Museums around the USA, India and China during the past thirty years. Various series of her photography work have been published in anthologies & magazines in North America, Europe, India and China. She is listed in Who’s Who in American Art, and is a Visiting Professor at two Universities in India.

Michele Wambaugh at Gujarat University in India

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VOICE OF ASIA 7

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

Global Yazidi Delegation Receives Warm Welcome and Support in India

W

hen Houston’s Indian-American community stepped forward in solidarity with the Yazidi ethno-religious minority of Iraq, their efforts provided a humanitarian bridge to appeal to the people of India to continue their rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Once numbering 23 million, the Yazidis are on the brink of extinction today, as they have been reduced to barely 800,000 today, due to 74 separate genocides over the centuries. On August 3rd, 2014, the terrorist group called Islamic State (ISIS) attacked the defenseless Yazidis in their Iraqi homeland.

At least 7000 Yazidis were killed. Over 6000 women and girls, as young as 11, were abducted and sold as sex-slaves in open markets for as little as $25, or were gang-raped and forcibly “gifted” to ISIS terrorists for refusing to convert to Islam. 500,000 Yezidis fled overnight to nearby Mount Sinjar, for shelter. Many children and elderly victims perished due to the scorching summer heat and dehydration. The freezing winter continues to take its toll on the refugees living in the open with no food, shelter or warm clothing.

Appalled at the ongoing rampant genocide in Iraq, a global delegation of 15 Yezidi leaders and activists (from USA, Canada, France, Sweden, Armenia and Iraq) toured India for several weeks during JanuaryFebruary 2015. After receiving a warm welcome in New Delhi, the Yazidi delegates had several meetings with representatives of NGOs and officials regarding medical relief teams and scholarships for Yazidi students. They spoke on several TV-News Media outlets, toured the ISKCON and Malai Murugan temples, and addressed a late-night meeting of 150 students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

In Bengaluru, the delegates visited the Art of Living Ashram, attended Yoga-Meditation sessions and met H.H. Sri Sri Ravishankar to thank him for his ongoing relief efforts in Iraq.

They travelled to Mysore to attend the “International Conference and Gathering of Elders” at the Ganapati Sachchidananda Ashram, organized by International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS) where the Yazidis presented their ancient history and religion to 400 participants, hailing from 70 ancient cultures from 40 countries. The delegates received the blessings of “Yoga Rishi” Swami Ramdev at Patanjali Yogpeeth Ashram in Haridwar, and Swami Chidanand Saraswati at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh. The Yazidi delegates performed the ceremonial Ganga Arati and offered oblations into a sacred fire or Yajna (Havan) on the banks of the holy river Ganga.

Laila Khoudeida, US-based Yazda activist, narrated her experiences in India: “I struggle to put into words my deepest gratitude for the relentless work done by the Hindu brothers and sisters in order to make the Yezidi cries reach the farthest corners of the world, including India. During our meeting with Indian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj, she stated that ‘her heart bleeds for our people’. This statement will stay with me forever, as it is a profound statement that came from a person who probably had never met a Yezidi person prior to our meeting.

All along our journey in India, I became more aware and more appreciative of every single Indian person that I came across, because they truly regarded us as their own family. Your commitment to helping a vulnerable group of people is no simple task and every single one of us owes you a debt of

gratitude. It is these acts of kindness and humbleness that we would have expected from our own blood relatives and for that, I thank you. However, the work does not end here and we will continue to work hand in hand because it is slowly but surely moving in a positive direction”.

Another US-based Yazidi activist, Gulie Khalaf, revealed: “It has been my dream to see India for more than 10 years.

My recent experience with India, the Hindus, and Indian Americans have shaken up my perception on living, humanity, and activism. If there is ISIS on one end of the spectrum, then the other end of spectrum includes the Hindu people we have been working with. While we were in India to raise awareness and seek help for our people, we definitely got more out of our trip than we bargained for. On behalf of the Yezidi delegation to India, on behalf of the hostages, those who are in camps suffering in silence, those Yezidis on Mount Sinjar, I thank you for helping us making it possible for them to be heard and for letting their plight visible to the rest of the world.”

Laila Khoudeida, Gulie Khalaf and Yazidi delegates with Smt. Sushma Swaraj, India’s External Affairs Minister

Mirza Ismail, North-America based Yezidi activist, underlined the similarities in both religious traditions; and spoke from his heart: “We wish to express our sincere thanks to our Hindu sisters and brothers for all the works you organized into making our India trip worthwhile, which is extremely appreciated, will always be remembered and will have an everlasting effect on all the Yezidi delegates.”

For more info, contact Ravi Raghavan, (c) 281-235-5779, raviraghavan76@yahoo.com Visit: www.SewaUSA.org , www.IAHV.org or www.

Yazda.org to help Yazidis this winter.

Laila Khoudeida, Gulie Khalaf and Yazidi delegates at the Mysore Royal Palace

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 8

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

Patanjali Yogpeeth: 3-day yoga workshop held in Houston

by Ashwini Kasture.

H

OUSTON - (Mar 2 2015) - The Patanjali Yogpeeth (USA) Trust organized a Self-Development and Assistant Teacher program at Arya Samaj, Houston on schiller Road. It was a three day Training program which took place on Feb. 27, 28 and Mar 1 2015. Patanjali Yogpeeth has been founded by Yogrishi Swami Ramdevji who is instrumental in spreading the knowledge of Yoga thought the world.

This session integrated Yogasanas, pranayama, meditation, mudras, bandhas & self-reflection. The renowned president of International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), Dr. Dilip Sarkar and Houston’s Yoga-guru, Shekhar Agrawal were the teaching coordinators.

More than 40 participants attended this program and were blessed by Dr. Dilip Sarkar’s divine presence. This training took place almost after 6 years and was an attempt to spread Swami Ramdevji’s message (Good Health is the Birth-right of all Human Beings) to the world.

In today’s uncertain world “Yoga is the answer to human worries and miseries. Yog teaches how to live a healthy life through the medium of Asanas, Pranayama and meditation. The program taught Asthang Yog practice to the disciples.

Sage Patanjali’s eight principles of Yoga was the main theme and Acharya Surya Nandaji of Arya Samaj beautifully covered Patanjali’s Yog Darshan. The program also involved Ayurveda, Mudras, acupressure and the Six Cleansing Kriyas (which includes Jalneti, Sutraneti, Nasya and Vaman dhauti).

The trainers are accomplished yogis who demonstrated various asanas and pranayama with ease and elegance. They emphasized on chanting of mantras and concentration of mind to achieve oneness with the universe. The participant’s also got a chance

to attend the routine Havan at Arya Samaj.

At the end, Shekhar Agrawal stressed on spreading yoga to the whole world and overcome the difficulties of western world’s limited understanding of it. Dr. Sarkar said, “Yoga is not just stretching and bending, it is union of body, mind and spirit to transform Rogi (Diseased) to Yogi (Supreme human being).

The session was concluded by a lecture on 7 Chakras in our body. It was fascinating to know how the ancient philosophy of chakras is connected to the understanding of today’s medical science. Dr. Sarkar also presented the valuable pictures of the babies doing yogic asanas in natural poses. He remarked about Indian yogi’s (like Charak and Sushruta) deep understanding of the mental and physical body thousands of years ago.

Some of the participants were physicians who gained the miraculous knowledge about evidence based yoga practice.

Best of all, the participants were blessed by Swami Ramdevji himself as he connected by phone from Haridwar and declared all participants as Yogis and Yoginis. He invited everyone to come to Patanjali Ashram in Haridwar for the upcoming 7-day NRI only Yoga Training Session from 24th March, 2015.

Yoga class in session.

The Indian communities as well as the Americans are indebted to such a knowledgeable opportunity. Houstonians must thank to the organizers and Mr. Shekhar Agrawal for organizing such a valuable event. The new breed of Yoga teachers will continue to spread Swami Ramdevji’s tradition and help yoga to reach masses.

Patanjali Yogpeeth (USA) is also conducting a 3-day yoga workshop from March 6 to 8, 2015 in Atlanta. For further details and classes please visit the website PYPTUSA.org.

Mr. Shekhar Agrawal conducts free yoga classes on Saturday and Sunday 8am to 9:30am at Arya Samaj, Houston.

Patanjali Yogpeeth (USA) Trust organization members.

Evening of color, words and poetry in Hindi

I

nternational Hindi Association Houston Chapter (IHA) partnered with India Culture Center (ICC) and Jain Vishwa Bharati Preksha Center (JVB) on March 1st Sunday and held its Annual local talent event at the JVB Center.

In the serene premises and extremely pleasant weather on Sunday, IHA held its Holi ke Hindi Bol event. It was an event of Hindi poetry and was presented by 12 local poets. The theme was on Holi related poetry, incidents and story which was presented by all the poets through Veer Ras, Bhakti Ras, Vyang Ras and Shringar Ras. Over 160 plus people attended this free event to enjoy for the 2nd time since it has been conceptualized in 2014 by the IHA Chapter President Swapan Dhairyawan.

The program started on time with the Event Coordinators and Emcees for the evening Mahesh Derashri and Saundarya Sohoni welcoming the gathering and explaining as to what to expect.

Thereafter they invited Shri Swatantra and Bimla Jain to light the lamp for commencing the event.

The Jain’s are avid lovers of Hindi poetry and have been very supportive to the Hindi cause.

It was followed by a Hindi short poetry by kids Siya Derashri and Eesha Dhairyawan.

The emcees invited JVB Ambassador Pramod Bengani to present the mission of JVB and recent update about their activities. ICC President Charlie Patel thereafter spoke about the long standing relationship with IHA and JVB and the necessity of sharing resources. Swapan Dhairyawan spoke about the mission of IHA and its resurrection since 2008. He credited the growth of the organization and the adding of events to the strength of his core committee members. He spoke about the passion and dedication of his team members whose mother tongue though not Hindi, have come together for the passion of Raj Bhasha Hindi. He explained that these team members though Kannada, Gujarati and Marathi speaking were making efforts to write poetry in Hindi and hence it was a good idea to provide a platform for this versatility. Also the mission of language is to bring

people together rather than being divisive. He thanked all the poets, supporters and coordinators for this event.

The artists and presenters at this event were Manglesh Mujmer, Krishna Sharma, Dr KD & Saroj Upadhyaya, Col Vipin Kumar ( on behalf of his wife Neera Vipin), Dr Sarita Mehta, Sangeeta Pasrija, Devika Dhruv, Dr Khalid Razvi, Dr Nik Nikam, Parul Fernandes, Mahesh Derashri and Saundarya Sohoni.

The presentation skills of each and every one was incredible. Though first timers Col Vipin, Parul Fernandes and Dr. Nikam, all them excelled and won immediate applause from the audience. The presentation ranged from Mathura brajbhoomi Holi to “sukh” and how that can be related to a joyous occasion. Almost 2 hours passed very swiftly and none of the audience wanted the program to end.

The fillers and introductions to all the poets and their poetry was beautifully weaved in with satire by Mahesh Derashri which kept the audience involved.

The program ended with presentation of token appreciation to all the artists. The honors for this was done by Ashok Garg, Manohar Gidwani and Arvind Patel.

The hot refreshments and cold Thandai was a delight to all the attendees. The kitchen coordinators were Nisha Mirani, Kirti Sohoni, Ajit Patel, Rajiv Bhavsar, Pallavi Dhairyawan, Banke Bihari Parivar and Sangeeta Derashri.

The entire program can be watched on You tube “ Houston Holi ke Bol 2015” courtesy and coverage by Dr. Nik Nikam.

The next program Hasya Kavi Sammellan is slated for May 9 Saturday at India House.

International fame artists Arun Gemini, Ved Prakash Ved and Ritu Goel will be the esteemed guests. For more information/ tickets call 2813820348 or visit: www.icchouston.org

Organizers and artists: Pics by Rishikesh Sohoni

VOICE OF ASIA 9

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

IACCGH hosts motivational talks on ‘Women Mean Business’

by Manu Shah OUSTON: It was a woman powered evening with celebrated novelist Chitra Divakaruni and HCC Trustee Neeta Sane keynoting the Women Mean Business (WMB) event organized by the IACCGH. Sponsored by Shell and held at the Hess Club on February 24, the event attracted more than 70 ladies.

IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia welcomed the gathering and invited every participant to introduce themselves. This broke the ice and helped the women bond easily with each other.

IACCGH President Ashok Garg expressed his appreciation at how women were breaking the glass ceiling and proving that they mean business in every field. The Cham-

H

Speakers Neeta Sane, HCC Trustee with Award winning writer Chitra Banerjee Divakarun Chitra Banerjee Divakarun. Pho by Bijay Dixit.

unlock opportunities.

President Elect Joya Shukla reflected that she “was amazed and inspired at the talent and diversity in the room”. She also credited Asha Dhume for initiating this series at IACCGH and emphasized the fact that when successful women “share the journey of their lives, it allows others to take back pearls of wisdom” that could change their life for the better. Introducing Neeta Sane as “one of Houston’s top 50 Influential Women and Chitra as “an internationally renowned writer”, Joya invited them to address the gathering.

When Neeta Sane took the oath of citizenship in 2005 and raised her right hand, she felt an “inner voice” that compelled her to give back to the community that had given her

IACCGH members, guests and Speakers Neeta Sane and Chitra Banerjee Divakarun Chitra Banerjee Divakarun. Pho by Bijay Dixit.

ber, according to him, was not only about trade and economic growth but also about encour-

aging women entrepreneurship and leadership. The aim of events such as the WMB

Series was to help women “cultivate the strategies and tools” that can empower them

and enable them to meet other successful women – a resource that could be inspirational and

so much. Despite her inexperience in politics, she ran for public office in 2007 with the

simple goal to make a positive difference in someone’s life and her successful run strengthened her belief that “passion and heart can take you wherever you want to go.”

In her position as one of the 9 Trustees in the HCC Board, all from diverse backgrounds, she realized that the “cultural aspect was a significant factor in decision making and the multicultural environment was a challenge.” Through trial and error and “several sleepless nights”, she opted for a different approach which she described as “public servant leadership approach,” an approach that helped bring opposing, contrasting views to find creative solutions and move forward. Neeta also touched on several new initiatives by HCC including an Asian Scholarship Program.

Chitra never thought she would be a writer but “immigration made her one”. Her imagination and her keen observation of the transformation that America brings about in Indians and their relationship with each other provided the fodder for her stories. It also struck a chord with her readers making her one of the most popular Indo American writers today.

Sharing some insights learnt during her writing journey and citing examples from her life that brought her to these realizations, Chitra observed that if you are passionate about something and work at it, you get better at it and if something is really important to you, you will find a way and time for it.

She also highlighted the importance of having confidence in oneself and the futility of worrying about things that are beyond your control. To everyone’s delight, Chitra also read an excerpt from her latest book “Oleander Girl.”

Indian Americans in Houston celebrate AAP’s victory in Delhi

Find out how Colors influence your actions According to Vastu, the world of colors is unique in its own way and influences each and every action of our lives.

Supports of AAP party in Houston.

AAP party symbols and bust of its leader, Arvind Kejriwal seen at the gathering.

O

n March 1st- 2015, A group of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters gathered in a restaurant at Hillcroft Street to celebrate an unprecedented victory of common man in Delhi assembly elections held in the early February this year. AAP is a political party formed on anti-corruption plank two years back. Stunning victory on 67 out of 70 assembly seats was a result of faith of common man in a positive development agenda of party. This would have been impossible without the overwhelming support

of NRIs living in Houston as well as other parts of the world. NRIs didn’t only support by making transparent online donations to the party but also managed ground activities during the elections.

60 plus, Houston AAP supporters celebrated the day with patriotic poems and songs and delicious Indian food.

“We believe in the party’s ideology which is focused on transparent and clean funding for elections, providing corruption-free governance, idea of decentralization of power and Gandhi’s vision

of Swaraj. Victory in elections is just a beginning of the process of establishing a corruption free model of governance. So far NRIs have whole-heartedly supported the party, but now we will act as pressure group to ensure that party never leaves path of truth and honesty. I invite other fellow Indians in Houston to support the cause and criticize the party’s moves whenever party deviate from principles.” said an AAP supporter.

You can contact group at houston4aap@gmail.com

According to Vastu, the world of colors is unique in its own way and influences each and every action of our lives. While some colors make you want to get out of your chair and do something, others make you lethargic and want you to nestle down and relax. Some colors are so vibrant and articulate that they speak to you, while some are very quiet and peaceful. There are also colors which motivate, inspire or influence you in a positive way, whereas, there are others that create negative feelings in you. There are also some colors that emanate the desire for closeness, intimacy and love.

As we all know that Holi celebrations begin with a Holika bonfire on the night before Holi, when people gather, sing and dance. The next morning is a free-for-all carnival of colors, where participants play, chase and colour each other with dry powder and coloured water.

Holi, also known as the festival of colors, fun, frolic and love, is celebrated in the Spring season. The festival date varies every year, as per the Hindu calendar, on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon), and generally falls in the month of March. Today, it has become popular even among the non-Hindus in many parts of India and Asia. However, did you know that this festival of colors could also be celebrated in the Vastu way?

Each individual has a unique taste and chooses colors according to his/her personal preferences. There are no absolutes in the world of colors. However, there are some universal principles that apply to all colors. Just as everything in this world is made up of the five basic elements of Nature, or Panchtattva, i.e., the Fire, Earth, Water, Air and Space, all colors are primarily the shades of colors of these basic five elements. This fact has been proven by Vastu Shastra and also established in the modern stream of colour psychology.

For example, shades of green and yellow create a sense of being at peace and well-being, and if you are playing Holi with these colors, especially in the South-West Vastu Zone, (the Zone of Relationships and Skills) they foster interesting and open conversations between family and friends, and can dispel loneliness and depression. Therefore, shades of green and yellow are also called Nurturing Colors, and are recommended during Holi, as per Vastu.

According to the documented research on Vastu Shastra in the world’s largest book of Vastu, MahaVastu Handbook, there are colors with a sense of sharpness, wittiness, uniqueness and intelligence, which are the inherent qualities of an intellectual. Therefore, these are called Intellectual Colors. Use of these colors in the right Vastu direction/zone can command respect without being overbearing. These colors are also recommended for creative studies, libraries and art galleries. Grey, shades/tones of blue and a few lighter shades of red fall in this category, as they facilitate the optimal performance from a relaxed mind.

In addition to the above, there are also colors that are romantic in nature, such as red, which according to Vastu is the colour of Love. So, if you play Holi with these colors in the NorthNorth-West Vastu Zone, or facing towards the North-North-West Zone, an intense relationship develops between you and others. Pink, purple and light orange colors also fall in the category of Romantic colors. Actually, according to Vastu Shastra, these colors also suggest purity and innocence.

There are colors that impart a very refreshing and rejuvenating feeling in oneself. These colors include all the different shades of green, brown and other shades of warm earth colors. When applied in the North-North-East Zone, (the Vastu Zone of Healing), these colors facilitate better healing and immunity. So, all those, who love to play Holi with these colors should prefer playing it in the North-North-East Vastu Zone of their homes or offices.

Therefore, to conclude, try celebrating and enjoying Holi, this year in the Vastu way to bring home more Love, Money, Happiness and Prosperity, as well as learn both the positive and negative effects of each colour in your life through the various documented research case studies available in the different online books and YouTube descriptions of `MahaVastu’—the Scientific, Modern, Refined and Tested Version of Ancient Vastu!

The writer, Chetan Patel a well-known MahaVastu Expert of Houston is also CEO of MahaVastu Houston. He is fully dedicated and well equipped to guide people on every problem related with Vastu Shastra.

Chetan Patel

Contact + 832 412 2827 • 832 269 9000 chetan.patel@mahavastu.com

VOICE OF ASIA 10

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

12th Annual India House Gala Unity In Diversity

Saturday, March 21, 2015 6:30 pm to Midnight

Gala Chair: Devi Prasad Rungta Sugar Land Marriott Town Square 16090 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS BENEFACTOR: $50,000

GRAND PATRON: $25,000

PATRON: $15,000

GRAND SPONSOR: $10,000 One Table of 10 Half Page B/W Ad in Souvenir Recognition through Media

Two Tables of 10 Full Page Color Ad in Souvenir On Stage Recognition Recognition through Media

One Table of 10 Half Page Color Ad in Souvenir On Stage Announcement Recognition through Media SPONSOR: $5,000 One Table of 10 Quarter Page Color Ad in Souvenir Recognition through Media

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Cost of Advertising in Souvenir Book: Full Page Color Ad: $1000

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Full Page B/W: $500 Half Page Color: $500 Half Page B/W: $250 Quarter Page Color: $250 Quarter Page B/W: $100

India House strives to help the entire Houston community through its various programs and services. Join India House Board in accomplishing our mission. Visit us: www.indiahouseinc.org

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ATTENDEES: Couples: $500 - Seating for Two Individual: $275- Seating for One

To Sponsor the Event, contact: Vipin Kumar Tel: 713-929-1900 Vipin@Indiahouseinc.org

VOICE OF ASIA 11

LIFESTYLE

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

ONLINE .COM voiceofasiaonline.com

Vol. 28 No. 10 Friday, March 6, 2015 Section 2 Page 11

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com Tel: 713-774-5140

Dating app Tinder premium plan aims at under-30 crowd

Pratham - The Beauty of Empowering Women

Tinder, the popular dating app which allows smartphone users to find a partner by swiping on a picture, launched a premium, paid subscription version of the service Monday. Photo Credit Getty/AFP/File Justin Sullivan.

by Rob Lever

S

martphone dating app Tinder launched a premium paid subscription version on Monday, but drew criticism over a pricing system that charges older users more.

Tinder Plus, which has been tested since late last year, has subscription fees varying by age and country.

Pratham launched the Beauty Entrepreneurship Program in November 2011.

P

arham’s Beauty Entrepreneurship Program enables women from rural India to become confident, self-reliant, and inspiring individuals Mulla, Sanghmitra, Baishna, Kashmiri and nearly 270 others from rural, underprivileged pockets of India have done their parents proud. They have found their calling. Apart from supporting their families, these women aided with their vocation, their confidence, and their undying spirit –have inspired so many other young girls saddled by unemployment to step forward from impoverished backgrounds and grow self-reliant. They all are heroes in their own right.

Under its Vocational Skills Program, Pratham launched the Beauty Entrepreneurship Program in November 2011.

The goal of this program is simple: create employment opportunities at the local level.

Women often face gender-based barriers and the constraint of mobility and migration. They lack finances, schooling, and technical know-how. This is where Pratham comes in. The Entrepreneurship Program extends assistance in terms of training, mentorship, and raw material support. They educate candidates on market information and de-

mand patterns.

Entrepreneurship at work Sanghmitra from a village, outside Chhattisgarh was losing hope after her father passed away; she and her mother were in dire need of an income that could support them. Lack of schooling, and skills made it impossible for Sanghmitra to find a job. On her mother’s insistence, she enrolled in Pratham’s Beauty Entrepreneurship Program. Shy in the beginning, Sanghmitra gradually developed skills in cosmetology and business. Pratham approved her request for a loan, and today she runs her beauty parlor from her home where she also teaches beauty training to other women in her community.

The program paves the way for access to formal finance mechanisms, raw material support and capital. Mulla, from Mumbai studied till the 10th grade and was married soon after. She needed help supporting her two young children when she joined Pratham’s Basic Beauty Course and soon earned a Government Authorized Certificate in Beauty.

Mulla, now successfully runs her own beauty shop and plans to open another branch in the nearby market. Her goal is to hire the girls she has trained.

Pratham’s Door-to-Door Entrepreneur model focuses on preparing bud-

gets and business proposals, basic business mathematics and effective methods communication. On completion, students are provided with Joint Certification from Pratham, Godrej (knowledge partner), and the Government.

So far, Pratham has supported 276 beauty entrepreneurs. More than 500 youth have been trained in beauty services by these entrepreneurs. The centers are spread across India and about 90 per cent of the investments have already been repaid by the entrepreneurs.

The good news doesn’t stop here: Two women from Pratham’s Dibrugarh Beauty Center, Baishna and Kashmiri were so inspired by their new careers that they entered into the World Skill Competition, an international event with over 60 countries participating.

They each won medals in local competitions and had an opportunity to compete in the National Round in India.

Each of these women armed with an education and an enterprising mindset have embarked on a new journey, one that only makes them stronger, smarter, and ready to walk out of the shackles of poverty.

For more information on Pratham USA, visit www.prathamusa.org . Tel: 713 774 9599.

In the US, users under 30 will pay $9.99 a month and older subscribers $19.99, according to a spokeswoman.

Prices will be as low as $2.99 in emerging markets.

The new tiered plan raised some hackles, and the PhoneArena blog wrote that it “quite frustratingly.. borders on age discrimination.”

Tech blog Endgadget decried the pricing scale as “sleazy.”

But a Tinder spokeswoman defended the move.“We’ve priced Tinder Plus based on a combination of factors, including what we’ve learned through our testing, and we’ve found that these price points were adopted very well by certain age demographics,” spokeswoman Rosette Pambakian said in a statement.

“Lots of products offer differentiated price tiers by age, like Spotify does for students, for example.

“Tinder is no different; during our testing we’ve learned, not surprisingly, that younger users are just as excited about Tinder Plus, but are more budget constrained, and need a lower price to pull the trigger.”

The app has spread widely among

smartphone users, getting particular attention at the Sochi Olympics when athletes bragged about “tindering” for fast hookups.

“With Tinder Plus we’re giving our users access to their two most-requested features through Passport and Rewind, as well as unlimited liking capabilities.”

The “rewind” feature allows users to “take back” a swipe, so if someone accidentally swipes left on a picture -- rejecting a potential date -- he or she can find that person again later.

“Rewind lets you take back your last swipe,” Tinder says.

“If you accidentally swiped left on someone you want to get to know, they’re no longer lost in the Tindersphere forever. Now you can get him/her back with the touch of a button.”

The “Passport” feature allows users to change their location to match with people around the world, such as ahead of a planned vacation or business trip.

“Passport lets you change your location to connect with people anywhere around the world. It’s like teleporting to a different location,” the blog said.

Tinder, owned by the conglomerate IAC, has not confirmed reports saying the free version of its app will include advertising.

With apps like Tinder, prospective daters can see pictures of people who are nearby. If they see someone they like, they can swipe right to indicate interest.

People who both swipe right on each other’s profiles can then contact each other.

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HEALTH, SC & RES

VOICE OF ASIA 12

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

Asian firms challenge Apple with snazzy new smartphones

B

ARCELONA, (AFP) Several big Asian phone companies launched new high-end smartphones and other wireless gizmos on Sunday, hoping to challenge US giant Apple in a big year for wireless gadgets.

Samsung, fellow South Korean firm LG and hip Chinese maker HTC timed their smartphone launches to grab the attention on the eve of the Mobile World Congress, the world’s biggest telecoms trade fair, in Barcelona, Spain.

the year.

Apple as usual was staying away from the Barcelona show but was reported to be preparing a coup with the launch next month of its new Apple Watch, reflecting a major trend in wearable gadgets this year.

The chief executive of Samsung’s mobile division, J.K. Shin, said the company aimed to set “a new standard to drive the global

businesses looking for high-end smartphone experiences,” said Thomas Husson, an analyst at another consultancy, Forrester, in a note after Sunday’s launch.

“Samsung’s lack of software DNA will still prevent it from delivering truly differentiated service experiences like Apple does.”

Also present at the congress were two of the world’s other

In a head-on challenge to Apple’s popular iPhone 6 which was released last year, Samsung came out fighting on Sunday with the Galaxy S6, a smartphone with a touchscreen that curves around the edges and has a wireless charger.

Samsung Electronics President and CEO JK Shin presents the Samsung Galaxy S6 during the 2015 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on March 1, 2015

It also presented the larger S6 Edge, a “phablet” somewhere between a tablet and a phone in size.

HTC also revealed a new connected “fitness band” body-monitoring bracelet and a virtual reality headset that it said it hoped to sell commercially by the end of

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Two models show the new Huawei’s device “Huawei Watch” during a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, on March 1, 2015 mobile agenda”, claiming his phones had the fastest processers and most high-performance cameras on the market.

Samsung is the world’s biggest seller of smartphones but saw its world market share fall last year from 34 percent to 20 percent, according to a report by tech consultancy IDC. “There’s a risk Samsung’s 2015 flagship devices are insufficient for the company to regain brand leadership among consumers and

biggest-selling smartphone makers, Chinese companies Huawei and Xiaomi.

Joining in the rush for big launches on the eve of the trade fair, Huawei unveiled its first “smartwatch”, a round luxury design that, like LG’s, can display incoming call and message alerts.

The companies refused to cite consumer prices for the new products. Top-end smartphones typically cost several hundred dollars (euros).

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LG unveiled a new top-line phone with a curved back to sit snugly in the palm, the LG Flex 2, as well as a range of four new mid-range smartphones and two new luxury internet-connected watches.

At a noisy stage presentation before a crowd of hundreds, HTC chief executive Peter Chou meanwhile presented the HTC One M9, with a grey metallic handset moulded from a single piece of aluminium.

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Asian herb derivative could work against Ebola: study

M

IAMI, | AFP | 2/26/2015 - A small molecule derived from an Asian herb may help stop Ebola infection by preventing the virus from entering the cells of the body, researchers said Thursday.

So far the research using the calcium channel blocker Tetrandrine, found in some Chinese and Japanese herbs, against Ebola has only been done in lab animals and in petri dishes.

However, the findings so far warrant tests in primates before possibly being tried in people, said the authors of the study in the journal Science.

Researchers studied several existing drugs currently used to treat high blood pressure in order to find out which small molecules were best at blocking the Ebola virus from moving any further through the cell.

Tetrandrine protected mice from disease without obvious side effects, and appeared to be the most potent of the compounds tested.

“When we tested in mice, the drugs stopped virus replication and saved most of them from disease,” said Robert Davey, scientist and Ewing Halsell Scholar in the Department of Immunology and Virology at Texas Biomedical Research Institute.

“We are very excited about the progress made in this study and the momentum it provides as scientists across the world vigorously search for effective vaccines and treatments against Ebola virus,” Davey said.

There is no drug on the market to treat Ebola, which has killed more than 9,000 people, mainly in West Africa, since 2013 in the world’s largest outbreak to date.

“We are cautiously optimistic. The next step in the process is to test both safety and effectiveness of the interaction of the drug with Ebola virus in non-human primates,” said Davey.

Co-authors on the research came from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; the Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at LudwigMaximilians-Universitat München in Munich, Germany; and the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas.

CULTURE

VOICE OF ASIA 13

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

Holi Colors Go Back to Their Roots

by Victoria Lautman, WSJ

H

imanshu Verma mixes turmeric and lime water in a bowl and, by some process of herbal alchemy, the color turns from saffron yellow to deep rust red.

Behind him bags of arrowroot, sandalwood, henna and neem teeter on a dining table. Clay pots and metal tea caddies form a treacherous obstacle course on the oor.

Also known as the “Festival of Colors,� Holi has celebrated for centuries, possibly millennia, the onset of spring, harvests and fecundity.

duction line in his apartment in Delhi turning out plant-based Holi colors, more in keeping with his grandparent’s era than the 21st century.

The festival derives its name from the ancient, demonic, would-be murderess Holika, whose death by ďŹ re is re-enacted each year to symbolize the triumph of good over evil.

The ingredients spread throughout the small apartment yield 14 colors, but the most time-consuming are ower-based and account for the heaps of rose petals and marigolds – to which he is allergic.

As to how “playing with colors� – throwing bright powder over other

“It’s a long process,â€?Mr. Verma acknowledged, snifing. “Drying takes about a week, then there’s cleaning and sorting. It’s slow work, and grinding is the only mechanized step.â€?

Thirty kilos of marigold owers yields only one kilo of gulal. With his total output around 200 kilos, that’s a

lot of blooms but Mr. Verma’s diminutive cottage industry isn’t even a blip on the Holi radar screen.

sari in a pottery jar. Synthetic colors cost about 200 rupees, or $3, per kilogram.

An array of vessels – tea glasses, copper lotas, ceramic jars and woven baskets – hold the various combinations of color, each spiked with aromas like jasmine and saffron. Each one is hand-covered with multi-hued fabric. There are even specially designed silk pouches to carry them in.

“There’s a niche market that appreciates these artisanal products,� said Mr. Verma.

So how much more do they cost than the store-bought colors?

About seven times more. Prices start at 550 rupees (or about $9) for a kilogram of color in a silk-encased pot and top off at 4,500 rupees (or about $73) for a thali, or platter, stuffed with nine colors kept alongside a colorful

And that market is growing each year, he said, through word-of-mouth and his website, where the colors are promoted as part of his “bringing back traditional aesthetics into the urban space� ideology.

Each Holi, Mr. Verma says he won’t be making colors for the next one. “It’s a super-loss if I factor in my time,� he sighs, standing in his apothecary’s den. “But you know, I just can’t help myself.�

India celebrates Holi as widows paint town red Ingredients for a Holi palette. Photo (s) credit: Victoria Lautman, WSJ

Rose petals being dried before they are ground to a pink powder, or gulaal.

Two Indian widows touch foreheads as they celebrate Holi or the “festival of colours� in Vrindavan on March 3, 2015

V

RINDAVAN (India) (AFP) Revellers have begun painting the town red across India at the start of riotous celebrations to mark the spring festival of Holi, including in a town usually associated with grief as a so-called “city of widows�.

Holi, also known as the festival of colours, is celebrated across India this week as revellers owerbomb each other with powdered paint with festivities reaching a crescendo on Friday which is a public holiday.

Buckets full of fun.

Humble housewares await colorful ďŹ llings.

Eighteen kilograms of market-fresh marigolds wrapped up in a gunny sack.

The smell is like a new-age perfume shop, but Mr. Verma is handproducing the colorful powders – or gulal – that will be used as benevolent arsenal in the coming festival of Holi on March 6.

Modern-day Holi festivities are usually a mashup of psychedelic synthetic hues as revelers daub each other with bright powder paint.

But Mr. Verma’s pigments are subdued and earthy and certainly truer to Holi’s traditional roots.

revelers — entered the picture, there are plenty of beliefs and legends, predominantly revolving around the Hindu gods Shiva or Krishna, depending where the festival takes place.

Still, ask powder-wielding teenagers about Holi’s signiďŹ cance and they’ll likely come up blank, as would many adults. And at Holi parties around the world this weekend, the festival is mostly just about unadulterated fun.

Enter Mr. Verma. He spends several weeks each year as a one-man pro-

But some of the most moving celebrations have been in Vrindavan in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, home to around 2,000 widows who have been shunned by their families after the deaths of their husbands.

While the idea of widows taking part in any kind of celebration has been traditionally frowned upon, the widows of Vrindavan have been joined by hundreds of other women since they began marking Holi three years ago. “The best part about the festival is that we get to change and wear different clothes than those that we wear almost everyday,â€? Manu Ghosh told AFP after taking part in a Vrindavan paint ďŹ ght on Tuesday. “We can dance, sing and mess around together.

The food, particularly the sweets during Holi, also remind me of the days when my husband was still alive,� said the 85-year-old who was widowed

21 years ago.

There were similarly joyous scenes in

the city of Mumbai on Wednesday where disabled youngsters sprayed and smeared each other with a rainbow of colors.

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Young Life

VOICE OF ASIA 14

Friday, March 6, 2015

Section 2

Page 14

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

Does a College Degree Help One billion young at risk of or Hurt Young Entrepreneurs? hearing loss from loud music: WHO

G

ENEVA, Switzerland | AFP More than one billion young people risk damaging their hearing through listening to loud music, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

The WHO estimates that around half of those between the ages of 12 and 35 in middle- and high-income countries are at risk due to unsafe levels of sound on personal audio devices or smartphones.

Another 40 percent are at risk from damaging audio levels at concert venues and night clubs.

“More and more young people are exposed to unsafe levels of sounds. Young people should be aware that

Stressed-young-adults-millennials-hold-question-mark-signs

by Rieva Lesonsky AllBusiness.com I’ve been in the world of entrepreneurship for decades, and as long as I can remember there’s been a debate about whether young entrepreneurs need college degrees, or whether they can learn via “street smarts” everything they need to know to start a business.

But today, the college-or-nocollege debate is taking on a whole new meaning. A recent post on the Kauffman Foundation’s blog asks whether the soaring cost of college is hamstringing young entrepreneurs by saddling them with debt before they even start businesses.

Ever since I can remember, the 20s and 30s have been considered ideal times to start a business. These young entrepreneurs are less likely to have the responsibilities of a home mortgage, spouse or family to contend with, and in the past, they’d usually have paid off any student loans or other college-related debt by their midto late 20s.

Today, of course, the landscape is much different. College students are graduating with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and, in many cases, few prospects for employment that can make any

type of meaningful dent in that debt. Where in the past, you could live in your parents’ basement and save your salary to start up your business, today you’re more likely to have to put any salary you have toward paying down college debt.

The irony is that this is occurring at a time when there are more undergraduate and graduate entrepreneurship courses than ever before—all of which could make aspiring young entrepreneurs see a college degree as even more essential, despite the cost.

So is a college degree really needed to start a business? It’s crucial to weigh the costs. Here are some factors to take into account.

What type of business do you want to start? Some businesses, especially those based in professional services, may truly require a degree. Others, however, can be learned just as well (or better) with real-world experience.

What other educational options exist? If you’re concerned about learning things like basic accounting or marketing principles, there are plenty of ways to get that knowledge without a costly four-year degree, including community college courses, adult education or online courses (and, of course, advice from

Dr. Gary Welton

by Dr. Gary Welton The basic problem with America’s educational system is not that college is too expensive. Nor is the basic problem that public school teachers are underpaid or that educators are poorly trained. The basic problem with America’s educational system today is that far too many children are given the implicit message at home that education is not a priority. “Perhaps the nerds and the geeks need these educational skills, but in our home, they

Our schools face a huge challenge today, because the educational message that teachers are trying to inculcate into their students is far too often dismissed at home. If you live in a subculture where education is not valued, it is unlikely you will come to value your own educational opportunities.

We cannot expect our schools to inculcate values of learning when there is little to no reinforcement at home.

The reality of life is that education and learning is not always fun. I was, and still am, an eager learner; nevertheless, some topics were uninteresting and seemed pointless when I first learned them. Some things are not intuitive; being sick and missing math class the day we were introduced to right angles, I was totally confused the day I returned to school. I could not figure out whether a right angle was the opposite of a left angle or the opposite of a wrong angle. That, of course, was an easy fix with a few questions

The UN health agency considers a volume above 85 decibels for eight hours or 100 decibels for 15 minutes as unsafe.

Exposure to traffic noise at peak hours can reach 85 decibels.

The vuvuzela, a popular wind instrument used in stadiums during the football World Cup in South Africa in 2010, has a sound intensity of 120 decibels and over nine seconds of exposure could result in irreversible hearing damage.

“It is something we can live without,” Chadha said refer-

ring to the vuvuzela.

To counter the risks, the WHO recommends that personal audio devices should not be used for more than an hour a day, at reduced sound levels.

The use of ear plugs in loud conditions and regular check ups were part of the recommendations as well.

The WHO also wants governments to play a role by imposing strict regulations on noise in public places.

The UN agency estimates that 360 million people suffer from hearing loss worldwide. In addition to noise related causes and ageing, it is also brought on by infectious diseases, genetic conditions, complications at birth, and use of certain drugs.

SCORE mentors).

What other advantages does college confer? In some cases, college connections confer entrée to sophisticated investors, entrepreneurs or advisors who can advance your startup at light speed. But these cases are few and far between and there may be other ways to make those same connections.

How much money do you have at your disposal and how is it best spent? If you’re fortunate enough to have some capital on hand, do the math. How much will your startup cost?

How much would college cost?

Could your college fund be better spent doing a startup? If so, can you convince your parents of that?

Starting a business or starting college—those are tough choices, and today’s economy isn’t making them any easier.

Only you can choose what’s right for you.

Rieva Lesonsky is CEO of GrowBiz Media, a media and custom content company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship. Email Rieva at rieva@smallbizdaily.com, follow her on Google+ and Twitter @Rieva, and visit her website SmallBizDaily.com to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for Rieva’s free TrendCast reports.

An Educational Culture: The Right Angle on Education just are not that important.”

once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back,” said Shelley Chadha, a WHO specialist on hearing impairment.

that evening around the dinner table—an easy fix because my parents and my older siblings cared about education.

The college opportunity was not available to my father-inlaw, but one of his primary goals in life was to enable his children to be college graduates. In order to fund this educational goal, he worked a factory job in addition to farming his own property. He only liked one of these jobs, but he worked them both, because he wanted to make sure his children had every educational opportunity.

In “Look Homeward, Angel,” Thomas Wolfe says, “He loved a farm better than anything in the world except a school.” My father-in-law communicated that value to his children.

My father-in-law saw both of his children succeed in college, and recently celebrated the diplomas of all four of his grandchildren. He fostered an educational culture in which education was important. His children and grandchildren were motivated by his own

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continuing love of learning.

President Obama has sought to increase the number of college graduates in America, and is currently proposing that the federal and state governments pay the tuition for community college students. As Michael Horn recently stated in a CNN column, however, community colleges have not been particularly successful (only 22 percent of students complete their two-year degree within three years and 28 percent within four years), in spite of the fact that tuition is already heavily subsidized. He concludes that 60 percent of tuition is already

covered by federal, state, and local programs, and, for needy students, the remaining 40 percent is entirely covered by Pell Grants.

Horn argues that providing free tuition will not fix the educational system. Indeed, the problem begins in American homes. When parents and caregivers communicate that education provides access to jobs and opportunities, and when parents demonstrate that college tuition is high on their list of priorities, students will come to value their educational opportunities. President Obama’s current proposal will not fix the

problem unless the core issue of educational value becomes the focus.

If we want to improve our educational system, creating an educational culture is the essential and right angle.

Dr. Gary L. Welton is assistant dean for institutional assessment, professor of psychology at Grove City College, and a contributor to The Center for Vision & Values. He is a recipient of a major research grant from the Templeton Foundation to investigate positive youth development.

Read more on YOUNG LIFE Visit: www.voiceofasiaonline.com

VOICE OF ASIA 15

BOLLYWOOD MASALA

Friday, March 6, 2015

Section 2 Page 15

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Ed Sheeran performs in Mumbai, parties with Abhishek, Hrithik, Aamir

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

Tel: 713-774-5140

Sonam Kapoor recovering well from swine flu

British singer Ed Sheeran

M

UMBAI - British singer Ed Sheeran, on his maiden trip to India, performed to a jampacked audience at Mahalaxmi Race Course here.

The ‘Lego House’ hitmaker was later spotted partying with Bollywood A-listers including Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan at the megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s

Jalsa residence.

“Mumbai,” Sheeran posted along with a picture from the concert arena.

The 24-year-old singer’s maiden concert even caused traffic snarls in the city.

“So @edsheeran is in mumbai, causing major traffic jam, which I am stuck in, but not going for the concert, so cl1ose

yet so far,” Sonakshi Sinha tweeted.

Before his India concert, the Grammy-nominated singer performed Muscat, Oman on February 28.

Sheeran’s latest album ‘X’ (2014) which included hit singles ‘Sing’, ‘Don’t’ and ‘Thinking Out Loud’, was a major international success. PTI .

Weight has never been an issue for me: ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ actress Bhumi Pednekar

Sonam Kapoor NDTV

M

UMBAI | MAR 02, 2015 Actress Sonam Kapoor, who has been admitted to a hospital for the treatment of Swine flu, is showing improvement in her health.

shooting for her upcoming Salman Khan starrer Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.

She was then taken to Mumbai, where she is undergoing treatment.

showing signs of speedy recovery. Hopefully, she should be back at work soon. We thank all her fans and industry alike for their love and support,” a statement from her spokesperson said.

The 29-year-old actress, who is said to have contracted Swine flu here, tested positive for the virus in Rajkot, where she was

“Sonam has been detected with swine fly but it is under control. She has been shifted to a hospital in Mumbai and she is

Director Sooraj Barjatya and actress Swara Bhaskar were spotted wearing masks on the set of the movie.

would be sent as a reference to actors who don’t live in Mumbai. After the first round was okay, I was told I was up for the part. I was really happy, exited and shocked. I wasn’t expecting to get an acting offer for a film and that too a film which has such a wonderful script. I felt honoured more than anything else,” the actress said.

Despite working as a casting member at YRF, Bhumi said she always had a flair for acting and bagging a movie with a company where she has been working since the age of 18 was dream come true for her.

In her upcoming films, the actress hopes to get similar performance-oriented roles like her debut movie.

Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar in Dum Laga Ke Haisha.

Bhumi Pednekar

F

or Bhumi Pednekar, putting on oodles of weight for her debut film Dum Laga Ke Haisha was not a problem as the actress said that being a plump girl almost all her life she has always been comfortable in her skin.

The 25-year-old actress, who has earned wide-spread praise for her character Sandhya in the film, said being a hard-core foodie she loved preparing for the part that only required gorging on delicacies. “I have been an over-weight girl all my life and I have been very comfortable with it. I wore what I wanted, did what I wanted. It was never a hindrance for me.

So, when they told me I had to gain more weight, I was actually really happy because I am a foodie,” said Bhumi.

“No actress gets the chance

to eat butter chicken, dal makhni on sets every day. Eating was part of the preparation. It was the best months of my life,” she added.

Dum Laga Ke Haisha, directed by Sharat Katariya, has received rave reviews for its honest story and endearing performances by both Bhumi and Ayushmann Khurrana.

Bhumi, a former casting member at Yash Raj Films for six years, has trimmed down post the shooting of the film, which began in February last year. The actress, who has a three-film contract with YRF, said she does not mind altering her body size for movie roles.

“My aim was never to become skinny. I started eating homemade foods and began losing weight. Definitely, if a certain part requires me to be extreme-

ly fit I will do it. It is not a thing for me. If I have to gain weight again I will do that as well,” she said.

Bhumi welcomed the acceptance of plus-size actresses in Bollywood and said that their success in the film industry motivates newcomers like her. “It is a positive change that talent is being appreciated more than the way you look. I strongly feel it is not about being beautiful but about feeling beautiful.

Body size really doesn’t matter,” she said.

“Looking at the other girls, my contemporaries, who are also not size zero and yet doing well, motivates people like me. It is just nice to see the way films are changing. The way perception about actresses is changing,” she added.

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It seems like it is happening in a parallel universe. I am very happy, I am filled with gratitude. There is a whole bunch of emotions in me which I can’t express,” she said.

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTH

VOICE OF ASIA 16

Friday, March 6, 2015

Section 2

Page 16

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Blood biomarkers found for chronic fatigue syndrome

W

ASHINGTON, AFP | 2/27/2015 - Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease with distinct stages that can be identified through biomarkers in the blood, researchers said Friday, offering hope that earlier diagnosis may improve treatment.

Scientists at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health said their findings represent “the first robust physical evidence” that the syndrome is “a biological illness as opposed to a psychological disorder, and the first evidence that the disease has distinct stages.”

The report was published in the journal Science Advances.

With no known cause or cure, chronic fatigue syndrome -- known formally as encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) -- has long puzzled the medical community. It can cause extreme tiredness, headaches, difficulty concentrating and

muscle pain.

more than three years.

“We now have evidence confirming what millions of people with this disease already know, that ME/CFS isn’t psychological,” said lead author Mady Hornig, associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia’s Mailman School.

Those who had been sick for less than three years had higher levels of immune molecules called cytokines.

“Our results should accelerate the process of establishing the diagnosis after individuals first fall ill as well as discovery of new treatment strategies focusing on these early blood markers.”

Researchers tested levels of 51 immune biomarkers in blood plasma samples from 298 patients and 348 healthy controls.

“The association was unusually strong with a cytokine called interferon gamma that has been linked to the fatigue that follows many viral infections, including Epstein-Barr virus,” said the study.

However, cytokine levels did not explain symptom severity, which often fluctuates.

Patients may have good days and bad days.

Specific patterns appeared in patients who had the disease three years or less.

“It appears that ME/CFS patients are flush with cytokines until around the three-year mark, at which point the immune system shows evidence of exhaustion and cytokine levels drop,” said Hornig.

These patterns were not visible in healthy controls or patients who had the disease for

Researchers said the findings support the theory that the disease may strike when

vulnerable patients fall ill with a common virus like EpsteinBarr, which causes mononucleosis, and they are unable to recover.

“The immune response becomes like a car stuck in high gear,” the university said in a statement.

Previous research has ruled out two viruses thought to be causing ME/CFS, including xenotropic murine leukemia virus and murine retroviruslike sequences.

“This study delivers what has eluded us for so long: unequivocal evidence of immunological dysfunction in ME/ CFS and diagnostic biomarkers for disease,” said senior author W. Ian Lipkin, professor of epidemiology at Columbia’s Mailman School.

“The question we are trying to address in a parallel microbiome project is what triggers this dysfunction.”

Heart Healthy Tips to Prevent That First Heart Attack

H

OUSTON (Feb. 27, 2015) – February is National Heart Month, and heart disease is the leading cause of death among both men and women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year about 735,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, 525,000 are a first heart attack and 210,000 occur in people who have already had a heart attack. Heart attack leads to loss of the heart muscle, or the myocardium, which ultimately can lead to heart disease.

“Preventing that first heart attack is the key to lowering risk for heart disease,” said Periyanan Vaduganathan, M.D., Cardiovascular Disease Specialist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital.

“While you can’t change risk factors such as age, gender and family history, you can take action to improve your overall health, which helps lower your risk for a heart attack.”

As National Heart Month comes to an end, Memorial Hermann Southeast wants to keep you heart healthy all year long. Follow Dr. Vaduganathan’s five tips to help your heart stay strong, and to reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Control your blood pressure.

Blood pressure measures how hard your heart has to work to pump blood into the arteries and through the circulatory system. High blood pressure often presents no warning signs, which is why it is important to check your blood pressure regularly. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, increases the heart’s work-

load. Blood pressure of less than 120/80 mmHG is normal.

The higher number (systolic) represents the pressure when the heart is beating. The lower number (diastolic) represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats.

Maintain your cholesterol.

Know your cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels - the higher your cholesterol level, the greater your risk of heart disease. High levels of cholesterol, a fatty wax-like substance, in the blood increase the amount of plaque that forms on the walls of the arteries. A total cholesterol level less than 200 mg/DL is ideal. The risk of heart attack doubles with a cholesterol level of 240 and increases four times at a level of 300. The individual ideal level of LDL (bad cholesterol) is less than 100 mg/dL, and of HDL (good cholesterol, carries extra fat away from the arteries) is more than 40 mg/dL. Don’t smoke.

Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, including the heart, blood vessels, lungs, eyes, mouth, reproductive organs, bones, bladder, and digestive organs. Smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers. Nicotine narrows the blood vessels, causing an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Smoking also leads to the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries and increases the risk of blood clots.

Exercise routinely.

Exercise improves your heart’s pumping efficiency, benefits circulation and increases overall strength and endurance.

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

According to the latest American Heart Association/American College of Sports Medicine guidelines on physical activity, all healthy adults ages 18-65 should get at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity five days a week. You can also break up those 30 minutes into three 10-minute sessions.

Eat heart-healthy foods.

Maintaining a healthy diet should help you control your weight and reduce the risk of obesity. Extra weight makes the heart work harder to supply the body with needed oxygen, and it raises cholesterol, blood pressure and the risk for diabetes. Try these suggestions to improve your dietary choices: Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains Choose lean meats and poultry without skin. Prepare them without added saturated fat and trans-fat Select fat-free, 1 percent fat, and low-fat dairy products Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans-fats Aim to eat less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day Limit beverages and processed foods with added sugars Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt. Aim to eat less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day Don’t overeat. Watch portion size and calories Following these tips will reduce your risk for heart disease, but it cannot prevent heart disease. If you do experience chest pain, Dr. Vaduganathan emphasized the importance of heading to an accredited chest pain center immediately. Early detection and treatment of a

heart attack is critical to saving the heart muscle, and ultimately saving lives. Memorial Hermann Southeast is one of only a handful of hospitals with a Chest Pain Center accredited by the Society for Chest Pain Centers, ensuring that patients receive the gold standard in emergent cardiac care.

About Memorial Hermann An integrated health system, Memorial Hermann is known for world-class clinical expertise, patient-centered care, leading edge technology, and innovation. The system, with its exceptional medical staff and more than 20,000 employees, serves to advance health in Southeast Texas and the Greater Houston community.

Memorial Hermann’s 12 hospitals include three hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, including the Texas Trauma Institute – a level I trauma center which houses the Life Flight® air ambulance – a hospital for children and a rehabilitation hospital, eight suburban hospitals, and a second rehabilitation hospital in Katy. The system also operates three Heart & Vascular Institutes, the Mischer Neuroscience Institute, three Ironman Sports Medicine Institute locations, cancer centers, imaging and surgery centers, sports medicine and rehabilitation centers, outpatient laboratories, a chemical dependency treatment center, a home health agency, a retirement community and a nursing home. As an Accountable Care Organization, the system also offers employers health solutions and health benefit plans through Memorial Hermann Health Insurance Company.

Tel: 713-774-5140

Understanding Principal Uses of Life Insurance...Part 3

C

ertain changes demand that individuals immediately reevaluate their life insurance plans. Those changes that require a more immediate evaluation of life insurance needs include: • marriage • birth of a child • purchasing a residence • planning for children’s education • children leaving home • beginning a business • planning for retirement Upon the death of a primary wage earner, surviving family members may not be able to meet mortgage payments, provide for college expenses, or prepare for retirement. Immediate and future family needs may be put on hold as a result of the death.

If the surviving family is left without sufficient funds to meet basic living needs, they will have a financial crisis to cope with during a time of grief. Because the financial needs of families with young children are often greater than the needs of families without children, families with young children have a clear need for life insurance—a large amount of it. Even if both spouses are employed outside the home, the loss of one income through death can cause the family immediate economic hardship and can make it more difficult to meet future needs, such as educating children.

The death of a spouse who doesn’t earn an income can also have an adverse effect on surviving family members. It may require hiring child care, housekeepers, and other professionals to help run the household, which can be a significant new expense.

Depending on the family’s current financial resources and ability to recover emotionally and financially, surviving family members could be forced to move to a less desirable home or community, leaving friends and a comfortable environment.

They could also be required to abandon education plans and reorder family priorities (such as the amount of time spent with the children), all of which could seriously affect the quality of life the family might have hoped to maintain.

In addition, survivors could be forced to go into debt to pay the expenses from the deceased family member’s illness and death, such as funeral costs, taxes, and final medical bills. A moment’s reflection shows that the lack of sufficient life insurance coverage when a loved one dies can have devastating consequences on a family.

A single person or a married person with no children may think that he or she does

Sudhir Mathuria Contact: Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional Health Life 360 6650 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 713-771-2900 www.MyMedicarePlanning.com not need life insurance because no children depend on his or her income. However, the individual must consider a partner’s or surviving family member’s ability to handle the costs associated with his or her death. Funds to pay funeral expenses, probate and administrative fees, outstanding debts, and federal and state taxes must be found somewhere; for the overwhelming majority of people, the least expensive place to find those funds is in the death benefit of a life insurance policy.

As policy owners age, increasing life insurance protection is a reasonable necessity, especially if they have accumulated a significant estate. Especially in large estates, additional life insurance may be needed to provide funds to pay estate taxes. If the insured has not accumulated a large estate, he or she may want to use life insurance to provide an inheritance for a close family member.

Uses of Personal Life Insurance: Life insurance can provide permanent coverage or temporary coverage.

Temporary life insurance coverage, known as term life insurance, pays a death benefit to the person or persons designated as the beneficiary if the insured’s death occurs within a specified period.

Permanent life insurance is life insurance designed to last for the insured’s entire life, provided premiums are paid when due. In addition to providing a death benefit, it offers policy owners a means to ready cash through its cash value. For some policy owners, the availability of cash value is an important reason for their life insurance purchase, because this is a benefit that can be used during his or her lifetime. A life insurance policy’s cash value can help fund college expenses, the purchase of a home, or provide supplemental income for a more secure retirement.

To evaluate your needs, compare quotes from all major life insurance companies and for guidance to purchase Life Insurance contact Sudhir Mathuria, 713-771-2900.

Saving Lives - Marrow Donation

by Dr. Parameswaran

E

very 4 minutes, a person is diagnosed with a blood cancer, such as Leukemia or Lymphoma; every 10 minutes, someone dies from this cancer.

For some patients, there is a cure!!! However, that cure can ONLY come from undergoing a Bone Marrow or Blood Stem Cell transplant. In order patients to receive a transplant, they must first find a person who is the same genetic match.

Unfortunately, only 30% of patients will find that donor match in their family. The remaining 70% of these patients are dependent on a compassionate stranger who registered to be a donor, and who follows that commitment to

donate when called. Since a genetic match is needed, patients from Indian origin are most likely to find a donor from someone within the Indian community.

The Indian community in Houston has long supported this effort by registering as potential donors with Be the Match. This is important because the more people that register who are Indian/South Asian, the greater the chances that a match can be found for patients who share that same ethnicity. On average, 1 of every 500 on the registry in the U.S. will go on to donate to someone in need. The Gulf Coast Marrow Donor Program has been coordinating Be the Match registration drives throughout the greater Houston area for over two decades. Many in the South Asian/Indian community have matched and willingly donated, saving many lives

throughout the world. Brahman Korampally, Gayathri Rao, Abhilash Katta are examples of recent donors from Houston who have donated and given the “Gift of Life” to strangers. After Gayathri’s donation, she said, “I feel extremely happy and content that I got a chance to give a priceless gift to a perfect stranger. I feel like I’m the lucky one as God gave me a chance to do something for someone.”

For more information, please contact Gaytri Kapoor, Be the Match’s Donor Contact Representative, at 281-780-1379 or at gkapoor@giveblood.org.

The next donor registration drive is on Sunday, March 22nd from 12 to 5pm at Masala Radio Holi event at the Houston Farm and Ranch.

VOICE OF ASIA 17

ONLINE .COM voiceofasiaonline.com

Friday, March 6, 2015

BUSINESS

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

Section 2

Page 17 Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

Mukesh Ambani richest Indian for Senators Rubio, Lee push 8th year; Bill Gates on top globally U.S. tax plan to cut cor-

N

Forbes said the entrepreneurship is thriving globally and 1,191 members of the list are self-made billionaires, while just 230 inherited their wealth.

EW YORK: Mukesh Ambani has retained his position as the richest Indian for the eighth year in a row with a networth of $ 21 billion, while moving up one place on the global rich list that has been topped once again by software czar Bill Gates.

Among the 90 Indians on the Forbes Rich List 2015, published today, Ambani (39th globally) is closely followed by pharmaceuticals business tycoon Dilip Shanghvi (44th rank with networth of $ 20 billion) and Azim Premji (48th with $ 19.1 billion).

Another 405 inherited at least a portion but are still working to increase their fortunes.

Gates with a networth $ 79.2 billion tops Forbes Rich List. This is for the 16th time in the past 21 years the software czar is topping the list.

Gates with a networth $ 79.2 billion tops Forbes Rich List. This is for the 16th time in the past 21 years the software czar is topping the list.

He is followed by Mexico’s Carlos Slim Helu at the second and legendary American investor Warren Buffett at the third place.

Announcing the list, Forbes said ranks of the world’s wealthiest defied global economic turmoil and expanded yet again, yielding a record 1,826 billionaires with an aggregate networth of $ 7.05 trillion, up from $ 6.4 trillion a year ago.

Indians on the list include Shiv Nadar (66th; $ 14.8 billion), Hinduja Brothers (69th; $ 14.5 billion) Lakshmi Mittal (82nd; $ 13.5 billion), Kumar Mangalam Birla (142nd; $ 9 billion), Uday Kotak (185th; $ 7.2 billion), Gautam Adani (208th; $ 6.6 billion), Sunil Mittal (208th; $ 6.6 billion) and Cyrus Poonawalla (208th; $ 6.6 billion).

Anil Ambani with a networth of $ 4 billion is ranked 418th in the list.

porate rates

Mukesh Ambani, photo credit Reuters.

“The total includes 290 newcomers, 71 of whom hail from China,” Forbes said, while adding that the the number of those aged below 40 is on the rise and the average networth of billionaires has, however, fallen to $ 3.86 billion.

On the global list, Spain’s Amancio Ortega has slipped to fourth place, while Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg has moved up 5 spots to number 16, ranking among the world’s 20 richest for the first time.

Alibaba’s Jack Ma and three other Chinese are among the the biggest gainers and figure among 50 richest on the list.

Other Indians on the list include Desh Bandhu Gupta ($ 5.8 billion), Savitri Jindal ($ 5.3 billion), Micky Jagtiani ($ 5.2 billion), Adi Godrej ($ 4.8 billion), Jamshyd Godrej ($ 4.8 billion), Shashi and Ravi Ruia ($ 4.5 billion), Subhash Chandra ($ 4.2 billion) and Benu Gopal Bangur ($ 4.1 billion).

The magazine said that the wealth has been calculated as per the share prices and exchange rates as on February 13 this year.

The richest 500 on the list collectively hold $ 4.7 billion of the total $ 7.05 trillion, thus translating into just over a quarter of billionaires accounting for two thirds of the wealth.

About its 29th annual Rich List, the magazine said the networth figures have taken into account the individuals’ assets including stakes in public and private companies, real estate, yachts, art and cash-and take into account estimates of debt and it tried to vet the numbers with all billionaires. ..

In some cases, it has listed siblings together if the ownership breakdown was not clear and this includes Shashi and Ravi Ruia from India.

The children are listed with their parents when one person is the founder and in control, while their fortunes are identified as “and family”.

Forbes said it did not include royal family members or dictators who derive their fortunes “entirely as a result of their position of power”.

Of a total 1,826 billionaires, 197 are women, up from 172 in 2014, but women still account for only a small percentage of the list at 11 per cent.

Christy Walton, who inherited a stake in retailer WalMart, has retained the title of world’s richest woman.

The biggest gainer in terms of wealth is Warren Buffett with an addition of over $ 14 billion to his wealth, taking his total to $ 72.7 billion.

Larry Ellison, ranked 5th with networth of $ 54.3 billion, is another big winner.

Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) speak as they walk to the Senate Chamber to vote on legislation for funding the Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington March 2, 2015. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

by Susan Heavey , Reuters

W

ASHINGTON- Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Lee proposed a tax reform plan on Wednesday they said would help drive long-term growth by reducing the top corporate rate and simplifying rates for other taxpayers.

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, the two conservative lawmakers said their plan would lower the maximum tax rate for companies to 25 percent from 35 percent. Individuals and families would pay a rate of either 15 percent or 35 percent, rather than the current tiered system with seven rates going as high as nearly 40 percent.

Rubio, a possible 2016 presidential contender, and Lee are scheduled to hold a 10 a.m.

EST (1500 GMT) news conference at the Capitol to formally unveil the plan.

The senators said their proposal would end the “double taxation” that companies face on both capital gains and dividends. It also would call for companies with operations in other countries to be taxed only in the country where income is earned.

“The need for tax reform is most acute on the business side of the Internal Revenue Code,” they said in an op-ed piece in the Journal.

“The current system inhibits businesses from expanding,

creating jobs and investing in the American economy by taxing them too much and taxing them unfairly,” they wrote.

The plan is likely to be a central theme to any presidential campaign launched by Rubio, the junior senator from Florida.

Corporations have long called for the U.S. tax code to be rewritten, and both Democrats and Republicans have acknowledged the complex system could use reforms. Still, Washington has been unable to overhaul the system for decades.

In their proposal, Rubio and Lee, who represents Utah, said families and individual taxpayers also would see greater fairness by paying one of the two new rates and having deductions available to all filers.

It also would eliminate the so-called marriage penalty, which imposes a higher rate on people who are married when they file jointly rather than filing as individuals. People with children would also receive a new $2,5000 per child tax credit to help lessen the “financial burden of raising the next generation of taxpayers,” Rubio and Lee wrote.

Last month, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, the Republican Party’s leading voice on taxes and budgets, said the current Congress has just months to enact any tax deal.

For latest on business visit www.VoiceofAsiaOnline.com

Alibaba opens US data center in new challenge to Amazon

S

AN FRANCISCO Chinese online giant Alibaba will open a data center in Silicon Valley, it said Wednesday, challenging US rival Amazon in the field of cloud computing.

The company’s Aliyun unit, which already competes with AWS (Amazon Web Services) in China, will offer cloud services to US firms in what was described as a gradual rollout.

“For the time being, we are just testing the water,” said Sicheng Yu, vice president of the unit, in a statement on the company’s corporate site Alizila.

“We know well what Chinese clients need, and now it’s time for us to learn what US clients need,” he said.

The new Silicon Valley data center will offer several services including cloud computing on demand, on an as-needed basis.

“The market is quite crowded in the US but we offer some unique value and there’s room for us,” Yu said.

sphilip@llppc-law.com

Alibaba operates the largest e-commerce platform in China, similar to those offered by eBay and Amazon in the United States.

Alibaba completed the world’s biggest initial public offering with its $25 billion listing on the New York Stock Exchange

in September, making its founder Jack Ma China’s richest man overnight.

But shares have been strug-

gling in recent weeks following revelations of probes in China about fake merchandise being sold on the platform that were not disclosed ahead of the IPO.

HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 18

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

Your Horoscope for the Week of March 6, 2015

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

READ YOUR COMPLETE HOROSCOPE ONLINE WWW.VOICEOFASIAONLINE.COM

Libra (R,T) 23 Sept to 22 Oct

Aries (A,L,E) 21 March to 20 April 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.

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.

Scorpio (N,Y)23 Oct to 21 Nov

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

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.

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

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June 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.

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.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July 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.

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.

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

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August 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.

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.

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

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September 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. Once you are re-charged, you will be unstoppable. Even the most challenging situations will be walkover for you.

QR

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.

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Granite Countertops starting @ $21.99/per sq. ft. installed Call 281-410-1030

Home Improvement

CUSTOM BLINDS & SHUTTERS www.SugarLandBlinds.com Call: 713-966-9215 2.5” faux wood blinds starting @ $39.99/window* installed

Apt., Home, Office 23 Years in Business

Restaurants India’s Restaurant & Catering

for special parties and corporate events. Preferred Wine list, Authentic vegetarian & non-vegetarian dishes, finest Indian cuisine with chef’s special dishes

Restaurants

Ph: 713-266-0131/ 0805

We cater from 10 people to 800 people for all occasions.

We deliver to your venue.

Madhuram Mirch Masala 10758 FM 1960 West Houston, TX 77070 281.955.9878 216.338.3940 (cell)

Shiva Indian Restaurant & Catering specializing in North Indian cuisine, Office and Corporate catering.

• 2514 Times Blvd. Rice Village, Ph: 713-523-4753 • 2130 Lone Star Dr. Sugar Land, Ph: 281-494-2981

Visit Us www.VoiceofAsiaOnline.com You need this Space For more information

Call us today

713-774-5140

CLASSIFIEDS

VOICE OF ASIA 19

Part Time Accountant Property Management Company in Houston is looking for a part-time accountant with the following qualifications: • Degree in Accounting or Business preferred.

• Must have good working knowledge of Quickbooks and Excel.

• Experience in generating financial reports & bookkeeping.

• Other duties as assigned.

Good compensation for an experienced person

To apply please email your resume to:

princeville.investments@gmail.com (Please indicate in the subject line: “Accounting Position”)

Know Your Words

Here’s your chance to be a Vocabulary Sleuth!

Acquiesce - to agree to; give in to Resonant - echoing Lampoon - ridicule; spoof Plumage - feathers of a bird

MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY FROM HBR.ORG

Visit our Website

Task-Manage With Help from Your Phone

com

W

e all forget to do things every now and then. But setting reminders on your phone can help you keep track of smaller tasks, so you can finally tame your to-do list. Unlike a task list, your phone can feed reminders to you one at a time. Choose an application that runs on your work computer and phone and any personal devices. The whole point of a reminder, as opposed to a task list, is that it comes back to haunt you.

So make sure that whenever you enter a reminder, you include a specific time when you want to be reminded. Since you’ll likely have reminders popping up throughout the day and evening, feel free to snooze them. The point is not to get each thing done at a specific moment (for that, you’d use a calendar) but to keep them from falling off your radar. Just make sure you don’t actually dismiss something that hasn’t been done. And remember to turn on the “do not disturb” setting during presentations and conference calls.

FRIDAY, March 6, 2015

www.voiceofasiaonline.

For the latest on Community News, National & Global Enjoy stories on LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

To Advertise online email: adsvoa@yahoo.com or call 713-774-5140

5

DAILY

servings of vegetables and fruits help keep your body’s immune system in balance and at peak performance.

It’s like putting the best fuel in your body to help it perform at its peak!

HELP WANTED Office in Katy needs female workers in and around katy area to handle office work.

Should be multi tasking with basic Computer and Internet skills, will train. Full time flexible working mom hours 8am - 4pm Please email your resume to

rajatriti@yahoo.com or Call us on 832-363-7448

Now You Know!

Amazing facts from all over the WORLD!

• The average human brain contains around 78% water.

• The Dead Sea is actually an inland lake.

• Gorillas can’t swim.

• Fingernails grow faster than toenails.

Adapted from “Conquer Your To-Do List with Your Phone” by Alexandra Samuel.

• A dragonfly can fly at 25 mph.

Envenom- to cause bitterness and bad feeling Free community events on: www.voiceofasiaonline.com Calendar!

Free community events on: www.voiceofasiaonline.com Calendar!

Got a favorite word? Let us know!

Email us: ads@voiceofasiagroup.com

Got a favorite fact? Let us know!

Email us: ads@voiceofasiagroup.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL: 713-774-5140

713-774-5140

Reach your customers fast!

Don’t wait for word of mouth referals

Grow your business today!

Assignment Desk Intern

Community Affairs Intern

KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a assignment desk interns for the upcoming semester. Internships are available to undergrads currently enrolled college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field

KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid COMMUNITY AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP for the upcoming semester. Internships are available to currently enrolled undergraduate college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies. Interns will have an opportunity to observe and participate in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As an intern you will attend help in the production of community affairs shows, including scheduling of guests, help gathering and editing video, assist with community drives, forums and outreach. Each area requires significant planning, scheduling and execution. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least one day per week and the hours may vary depending on scheduling and may include some weekend and early morning and evening hours. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers. com, Job Req #251775BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. Equal Opportunity Employer – Female/ Minority/ Veteran/ Disability. No Telephone Calls.

and must receive college credit for the internship. The successful applicant will be responsible for assisting the assignment desk, which includes but is not limited to making beat-checks, answering phones, monitoring police and fire radios, getting information and developing stories. The candidate should be detail-oriented and able to handle many different responsibilities at the same time. The ideal intern knows how to multi-task and set priorities. Good news judgment and strong communication skills are essential, along with strong writing skills. The candidate should have a good working knowledge with the use of social media for news gathering. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req 253368BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. Equal Opportunity Employer – Female/ Minority/ Veteran/ Disability. No Telephone Calls.

News Edit Internship KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid NEWS EDITING

www.voiceofasiaonline.com

INTERNSHIP for the upcoming semester. Internships are available to currently-enrolled college students in their junior or senior year who are pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies by using a “real world” hands-on environment. News Editing Interns will have an opportunity to observe, participate, and contribute in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As a News/Technical Intern you will primarily assist in editing for air-- being creative and precise, while also learning the ins and outs of working behind the scenes for live newscasts. Interns will work under the direct supervision of the Digital Media Coordinator and other staff

View on your Ipad, Laptop, Computer and Iphones

members. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least two days per week between the hours of 2PM and 10PM. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req 253369BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. Equal Opportunity Employer – Female/ Minority/ Veteran/ Disability. No Telephone Calls.

News Producer Intern KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid NEWS PRODUCER INTERNSHIP for the summer semester. Internships are available to undergrads currently enrolled college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies. Interns will have an opportunity to observe and participate in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As an intern you will gain valuable experience in all areas related to producing a television newscast – including the important relationship between our broadcast and digital platforms. Interested candidates should have a strong desire to pursue a career as a producer and willing to receive continual feedback. Will have an opportunity to attend production meetings, research news topics, and learn how to prioritize assignments.

Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least one day per week and the hours may vary depending on scheduling and will include some weekend and early morning and evening hours. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req 253370BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities.

Equal Opportunity Employer – Female/ Minority/ Veteran/ Disability. No Telephone Calls.

VOICE OF ASIA

Subscription Renewal Form

Fax this form to: 713-774-5143 Scan and E-mail us: ads@voiceofasiagroup.com

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

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FRIDAY, March 6, 2015