India Herald 082714

India HeraldWeb: www.india-herald.com • Email: [email protected] • Tel: 281-980-6746

VOL . 20 NO. 35 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 • P.O. BOX 623 • SUGAR LAND, TX 77487 • PERIODICAL PERMIT USPS 017-699 25 Cents

RONNIE PATEL, MBA, CPA, LUTCF CFPTM

INSURANCE AGENCY5901 Hillcroft Ste D4 • Houston, TX 7703616126 SW Frwy Ste 120 • Sugar Land, TX 77479

AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BUSINESS • HEALTH

Tel: 281-752-8000Fax: 281-752-8008

ABLE MORTGAGE

Offi ce: 281-242-8500, Cell: 281-733-4242

IN TEXASWe will pay your closing

costs Up to 3% of your New Home Price With combined

Real Estateand Mortgage Services

NATIONAL REALTY281-242-4005

TX Real Estate Lic. #397210

REFINANCE, PURCHASE & CASH OUTOver $400 Million Mortgage FinancedA low cost broker – Since 2001TX, NY, NJ, CA, CO & FL - call for State License updatesCalifornia Finance Lenders Law Lic. #603J747Email: [email protected] Mortgage Company ID: 264912MLO James Joseph Oolut – NMLS ID: 307384Web: www.ablemortgage.co

Pre-approve your mortgage in minutes over phone or email13401 S. W. Freeway #201, Sugar Land, TX 77478

Need Mortgage Loan Offi -cers in all licensed states - No experience needed - Attractive compensation.

5901 Hillcroft Ste. D4, Houston, TX 77036 713-789-GOLD (4653)6655 Harwin Dr Ste A101 Houston, TX 77036

Come see our large collection of gold, diamond, ruby,pearl and emerald jewelry in latest, attractive designs.

All of this in our new spacious showroom

Kirti Jewelers &K.V. Diamonds

11102 Highway 6, South, Suite 104, Sugar Land, TX 77498

[email protected]

• Age Defying Dentistry• Dental Implants• Preventive Care• Cosmetic Restorations• Crowns, Bridges & Veneers• Dentures and Partials• Periodontal Care

Dr. Rashmi Biyani 281-988-8955

We also speak Hindi, Gujarathi, Urdu, Arabic.

Monday - Friday 9 a.m - 5 p.m. Saturday - By appointment.

Free implant & denture

consultation for new patients

Family & Implant Dentistry

New patients only. Limited time off er. Cannot be combined with other off ers.

$79Adults

Kids $59

Exam,X-Rays & Cleaning ($270 value)

Exam,X-Rays & Cleaning ($250 value)

Toothache? $39Limited Exam

2 Diagnostic X-Rayswww.starplusdental.com

We accept all Major PPO plans.

By SESHADRI KUMARA jury in Atlanta federal

court on Monday convicted Annamalai Annamalai, a/k/a Dr. Commander Selvam, a/k/a Swamiji Sri Selvam Siddhar, of 34 felony counts following a two-week trial.

“This defendant traded on his perceived religious authority and spiritual powers to cheat the faithful who believed in him,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.

“The jury saw through his deception, and he is being held accountable for his fraud.”

“Annamalai Annamalai clearly took advantage of his religious standing in the community as well as the individuals who respected and revered him” said Veronica F. Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation.

“He used deceit and fraud, to circumvent the bankruptcy courts and to collect money for his own personal benefi t. Today’s verdict should send a strong message that this will not be tolerated,” Hyman-Pillot said.

‘Swamiji Sri Selvam Siddhar’ convicted of 34 counts

Annamalai

See SIDDHAR, Page 4

Hindus of Greater Houston hosts Janmashtami 2014

A 25-foot wide Rangoli drawn by Sangita Bhutada, with a 6-foot ice sculpture of Lord Krishnaas the centerpiece was the cynosure of all eyes attending the 25th anniversary of Janmashtami festival hosted by Hindus of Greater Houston at George R. Brown Convention Center on Aug. 23.

HOUSTONThe successful silver jubilee

of the annual community-wide Janmashtami celebration at George R. Brown Convention Center on Aug. 23 is a feather in the cap of Hindus of Greater

Houston, which brings together Hindu community, temples and other organizations under one roof for an evening of prayer and festivity.

Starting with the welcome gesture by cheerful youth

volunteers, through the exotic decoration on the fl oor like the Rangoli and the ice sculpture and colorful displays by area temples, the festive atmosphere was overwhelming.

The Rangoli was 25 feet in diameter. depicting 6 feet of Krishna on Lotus with a cow (made by Ice Occasion ) with colorful design created by Sangita Bhutada. It took her 9 hours to complete the Rangoli

The program commenced with a procession of Lord Krishna on the Meenakshi Temple chariot with authentic chanting of vedic mantras, kirtan, bhajan and band.

See FESTIVAL, Page 13

PAGE 2 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 • PAGE 3

Kirti Jewelers & K.V. DiamondsExquisite Gold and Diamond Jewelry for all festive occasions

The largest and most pleasing selection of gold and diamond necklaces, rings, bangles, ear rings, bracelets and much, much more.

Pamper yourself with the most well-crafted, traditional, modern or fashion jewelry in eye-catching designs... A truly charmed collection that will enhance your personality!6655 Harwin Drive Ste A101 • Houston, TX 77036

Tel: 713-789-GOLD (4653)

Buy with confi dence. Check out our superb collection of fi ne jewelry.

Custom-made diamond engagement and wedding rings

Your Designs! Our Workmanship!!

Conserve

Protect

Preserve


India HeraldIndia Herald (USPS 017-699) is published every Wednesday (for a

subscription rate of $25 per year) by India Herald Inc, 13643 La ConchaLane, Houston TX 77083-3438. Tel: 281-980-6746. Periodical postagepaid at Houston, Texas and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER:Send address changes to India Herald, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX77487.India Herald welcomes articles, letters for publication. Website:

www.india-herald.com Email: [email protected]: Seshadri Kumar. Executive Editor: Rajeev V. Gadgil.c India Herald. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of

any material herein, without permission, is prohibited. India Heraldassumes no liability resulting from action taken based on theinformation included herein.

COMMUNITY NEWSSentencing for ‘Siddhar’

Annamalai set for NovemberAccording to United States Attorney Yates, the indictment, and other

information presented in court: Annamalai generated income throughthe Hindu Temple of Georgia (“the Hindu Temple”) by charging feesto his followers in exchange for providing spiritual or related services.

In a typical transaction, a follower agreed to purchase a particularservice for a communicated price, and provided a credit card numberby telephone to guarantee payment. Annamalai caused the followers’credit card numbers to be charged on multiple occasions, in excess ofthe agreed amount and without authorization.

If the followers disputed the charges with their respective creditcard companies, Annamalai submitted false documentation to the creditcard companies in support of the unauthorized charges, which formedthe basis for his conviction on bank fraud charges.

The income generated by the Hindu Temple through these creditcard charges was used to fund the personal lifestyle of Annamalai andhis family, who owned or controlled numerous homes and real proper-ties, luxury vehicles, and foreign bank accounts in India. Annamalaiwas convicted of willfully filing a false tax return for the 2007 year, forfailing to disclose his financial interest in foreign bank accounts held inIndia.

Annamalai was also convicted of bankruptcy fraud offenses in con-nection with the Hindu Temple’s petition for bankruptcy protection inAugust 2009. Annamalai concealed assets from creditors and othersby diverting credit card receipts and donations intended for the HinduTemple to a bank account in the name of a different entity.

Annamalai was also convicted of money laundering for using pro-ceeds from the bankruptcy fraud to pay mortgages on properties thathe owned, and payments to himself. He was also convicted on threecounts of obstruction and false statements in connection with the grandjury investigation and the bankruptcy proceeding.

Annamalai transmitted a fraudulent email to an IRS Special Agent,which was falsely made to appear as if the email had been written andauthored by a witness of the criminal investigation. Annamalai submit-ted a false affidavit to the grand jury, and a false affidavit to the Bank-ruptcy Court in connection with the Hindu Temple’s bankruptcy pro-ceeding.

Finally, Annamalai was convicted of conspiring with his spouse andco-defendant, Parvathi Sivanadiyan, and others to conceal the arrestof co-defendant Kumar Chinnathambi.

Chinnathambi was later arrested and pled guilty to conspiracy tocommit bankruptcy fraud on July 17, 2014. He is scheduled to besentenced on October 24, 2014, at 10 a.m. before District Court JudgeTimothy C. Batten, Sr.

Parvathi Sivanadiyan is awaiting trial.Annamalai was convicted of bank fraud offenses, filing a false tax

return, bankruptcy fraud offenses, money laundering, obstruction, falsestatement offenses, and conspiring to conceal a person from arrest.He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13, 2014, at 10 a.m.before District Court Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the InternalRevenue Service Criminal Investigation, with valuable assistance fromthe Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorneys Steven D. Grimberg and SamirKaushal are prosecuting the case.

The self-proclaimed guru opened the Hindu Temple of Georgia inNorcross, Atlanta, in 2005 and by the following year he was underinvestigation by Gwinnett County police, who, in 2008, charged himwith theft and practicing medicine without a license. Those chargeswere later dismissed.

Annamalai filed several lawsuits alleging breach of contract againstindividuals from all over the U.S. saying they had procured his reli-gious services and failed to pay.

Annamalai moved to Dayton,Ohio, in the summer 2010 from greaterAtlanta, after he lost the Georgia temple in bankruptcy.

Just over two years later, he vanished from Ohio, leaving in hiswake nearly a dozen lawsuits.

Then Annamalai set up shop in Baytown, near Houston and opened“Siddhar Ranch.” He also announced opening of temples in Baytownand all over the country. Here again Annamalai continued his practiceof filing lawsuits and several Houston area individuals were drawn intolitigation.

Annamalai had filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Ashirwad-A Blessing and Sri and Geetha Ravula for not providing him space inthe annual Vedic Fair exhibition. The court dismissed the case anddeclared him a vexatious litigant.

Annamalai had been running his religious services as a business byadvertising in local newspapers and through his own Karma maga-zine.

After an article was published in India Herald about his exploits,Annamalai threatened to sue the newspaper and demanded hugemonetary compensation.

After sentencing Annamalai is expected to be extradited to India.At the time of his arrest last November, an “immigration detainer’ waslodged against Annamalai as he is subject to deportation if convicted ofthe pending charges.

Asit Shah, the student regent onthe University of Houston SystemBoard of Regents, had never vis-ited the University of Houston-Victoria before Thursday, but heliked what he heard and saw.

“I got a good flavor of whatUHV is, was and hopes to be,”the 20-year-old UH junior said.“UHV is a great example of whatthe future of higher educationmight be – a strong combinationof face-to-face and onlinecourses.”

While at UHV, Shah got a tourof campus and Victoria, and sawfirsthand the excitement of newfreshmen moving into Jaguar Vil-lage for the start of the school yearon Monday. In addition to meet-ing UHV administrators, he spenttime with Bola Adebayo, UHVStudent Government Associationpresident.

Student regent Asit Shah spends a day at UHV

“It’s important to me as the stu-dent regent to get to know all theSGA presidents and get their in-put for decisions being made bythe Board of Regents,” Shah said.“Bola talked to me about her goalsof increasing student engagementat UHV, and I fully support that.”

Interim President Vic Morgansaid he was pleased that Shahcame to Victoria.

“We always welcome the re-gents to visit our campus becausethe more they know about UHV,the better they can help us andthe entire UH System achieve itsgoals,” Morgan said.

Shah decided to apply to be theUHS student regent in fall 2013.His nomination was forwarded toUHS Chancellor Renu Khator andthen to Gov. Rick Perry, who ap-pointed him to serve a one-yearterm that began June 1. The stu-

Bola Adebayo, University of Houston-Victoria Student Government Association president,left, and UHV Interim President Vic Morgan show Asit Shah, student regent on the UHSBoard of Regents, around campus during his visit Thursday, August 21.

dent regentsappointed byPerry to serveon their respec-tive universitysystem govern-ing boards havethe same pow-ers and dutiesas regents butdo not vote andare not consid-ered part of aquorum.

Shah said hismain goal forthe year will beto increase stu-dent successthroughout theUH System.He also wantsto make surethat Texas leg-islators knowabout all thegreat things thefour universities

in the UH System are doing.“We’re here helping students

achieve their higher educationgoals, and it’s important to remindthem of that,” he said.

Shah, who is from Richmond,is a student in the UH HonorsCollege and the C.T. Bauer Col-lege of Business. He plans ongraduating in 2016 with a Bach-elor of Business Administration infinance and a minor in energy andsustainability.

At UH, Shah is a member ofthe Energy Association and a co-coordinator for Honors Advo-cates, a volunteer organization thatrecruits and welcomes new stu-dents to the university’s honorscommunity. He also is a co-founderof Knowledge Solutions LLC, acompany providing guidance tostudents transitioning from highschool to college.

“You really don’t know a uni-versity until you visit it,” Shah saidat the end of his visit on Thurs-day. “Everything was just awe-some all day.”

SEWA International Houston brings to you

11715 Bellfort Village Drive Houston, TX 77031

For more info / RSVP:Kaushik Chatterjee - 281-909-7392Or visit www.sewausa.org

A dance filled evening for rise of humanity

Sep 5th, 2014 - 6:30 pm

Tickets at $50 (Dinner Included)

H E L P ‘14Help Every Life ProsperHelp Every Life Prosper

Unite with us for a noble cause of ‘Service above Self’. Enjoy soulful dances Elemental, Amrapali and Bollywood Fusion by globallyacclaimed dance troupes at our fundraising event of 2014.

Memorial service forDr. Mahendra Gohil

A memorial service has beenorganized by Indian Music Soci-ety for veteran member DrMahendra Gohil who passed awayin Houston on Augut 17.

The program will be held at 2p.m. on Sunday, August 31, atthe Sugar Land Community Cen-ter, 225 Matlage Way, Sugarland(across from Imperial Sugar Fac-tory, Post Office)

From Page 1


GUARANTEE

OF

PASSING

testmastersPROFESSIONAL EXAM PREPARATION

Houston • Dallas • Corpus • Austin • San AntonioHouston • Dallas • Corpus • Austin • San AntonioHouston • Dallas • Corpus • Austin • San AntonioHouston • Dallas • Corpus • Austin • San AntonioHouston • Dallas • Corpus • Austin • San Antonio

EIT & PE

300 POINT

SCORE

INCREASE

GUARANTEE

SAT & PSAT

Exams for Prof. Engineering Licensing

Exams for College Admissions

MONEY

BACK

GUARANTEE

GMAT & GREExams for Grad School Admissions

Visit us online at www.testmasters.com

Phone:Phone:Phone:Phone:Phone: 281-564-7700 (Houston)281-564-7700 (Houston)281-564-7700 (Houston)281-564-7700 (Houston)281-564-7700 (Houston)

972-931-1600 (Dallas)972-931-1600 (Dallas)972-931-1600 (Dallas)972-931-1600 (Dallas)972-931-1600 (Dallas)

1-800-910-EXAM (3926)1-800-910-EXAM (3926)1-800-910-EXAM (3926)1-800-910-EXAM (3926)1-800-910-EXAM (3926)

Phone: (Houston)281-276-7777

Toll Free - 1-800-910-3926

SANJEEV KUMAR

Your realtor for life.

Cell Phone

832-689-1819

Email: [email protected]

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

Office: 713-722-8870

Fax: 713-779-4656

SELL OLD NEWBUY

WE DEAL IN Houses,

Gas Stations, Motels

and Farm & Ranch.

Apartment Complex

Available!! Call Now

WE DEAL IN

Houses, Gas

Stations, Motels

and Farm & Ranch

properties

281-497-7000

281-497-7007

COMMUNITY NEWS

Indian Music Society of Houston &Tagore Society of Houston Joinlty Present

Sunday, Sept 21 @ 4 p.m. Jones Hall, Univ of St. Thomas

Ticket: $25For tickets: Govind 713-922-2501 • Suresh 281-935-4653Ruma Acharya 713-501-6300 • Biren Das Biswas: 281-917-1873Or Online www.tickets2events.com

•• 3901 Yoakum Blvd

IMS Programs are partially funded by a grant from Houston Arts Alliance.Programs are subject to change for reasons beyond the control of Indian Music Society of Houston.

Two Classical Solo Programs of Sarangi & Tabla

Pt Ramesh Mishraon Sarangi(First Half)

Pt Kumar Boseon Tabla(Second Half)

By Manu Shah

In her calm, measured manner,Dr. Shirley Telles speaks of plasmacytokines and yoga in the samebreath, explains the concepts ofdhayana (meditation) anddhaarana (concentration) to anextremely interested Dalai Lamaand shares an interesting study ata yoga camp which found the sideeffects of chemotherapy for can-cer patients reduced by chantingOM during the treatment!

One of the most prominent re-searchers of yoga, Dr. Shirley’scredentials are of the highest or-der. She holds an MBBS and PhDin Neurophysiology and is the Di-rector of Research at PatanjaliYogpeeth, Haridwar. A muchsought-after speaker at nationaland international conferences, sheis the recipient of several awardssuch as the John Templeton Foun-dation Award and a Fulbright Fel-lowship to study “Functional mag-netic resonance imaging in medi-tators” at the Department of Ra-diology, University of Florida.

She has also published manypapers and books and is the prin-cipal investigator on severalfunded projects such as the IndianArmy Project which found thatyoga and meditation improved“skilled activities requiring coordi-nation and concentration as wellas muscular strength and endur-ance.”

Dr. Telles stumbled upon yogaquite by chance. She took up ayoga course and was pleasantlysurprised to find that her hyper-

Dr. Shirley Telles aligns science and yoga

tension stopped. Analytical in herapproach, she decided to conductmore research on yoga and medi-tation to see if she could clinicallyprove that it had a positive impacton cognitive and physical changesin her body.

During this time, a yoga revo-lution was sweeping across Indiaand the world. A simple, saffron-clad, plain speaking Swami wassinglehandedly teaching an entirenation to stretch, bend and breathecorrectly through yoga camps andcuring blood pressure, diabetesand a host of other diseases.Within a short time people real-ized the benefits of yoga and be-gan to take to it in a serious way.

Dr. Telles could not have founda better ally and mentor for herstudies than Swami Ramdev whohas constantly emphasized theneed for scientific research onYoga to prove its effectiveness inthe cure of diseases.

As Director of the PatanjaliResearch Foundation, Dr. Telleswas able to align science withyoga. Having spent her growingyears outside India, she learnt

Hindi and in thewords of SwamiRamdev “dedi-cated her life to theresearch of yoga.”Using the mostmodern equipment,she directs re-search and scien-tifically documentsthe physiologicaleffects of yoga, dif-

ferent types of yogic breathing,yoga for rehabilitation and health,and higher states of consciousnessinduced by meditation. At a yogacamp with Swami Ramdev, shespoke of her research stating thatclinical studies done on studentsand senior citizens proved that ifsafely practiced, breathing exer-cises such as Kapaalbhaati andAnuloma Viloma could improvememory and attention and reduceobesity and blood pressure.What’s more, it can even reducesnoring!

The Patanjali Research Insti-tute is also working with top uni-versities and medical institutessuch as Harvard and MD Ander-son Cancer Center to authenticatethe benefits of yoga.

Patanjali Yogpeeth, USA hasinvited Dr. Shirley Telles to talkabout her research on yoga andmeditation and its benefits. She willbe in Houston on Sunday, August31, at 3 p.m. at India House, andThursday, September 4, at 6:30p.m. at the Museum of Fine Arts.For morel information, visitwww.pyptusa.org or call ShekharAgrawal @ 281-242-5000.

Dr Telles (left) and Swami Ramdev

INDIANS ABROADPAGE 6 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27,2014

Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami, is an annual celebration of the birth of Sri Krishna, the eighth ava-tar of Vishnu.

Of all the avatars, Krishna avatar appeals to all as the God is most approachable as a little child playing with all, as the object of love and devotion by the Gopis and as the wise counsel to Arjuna in teaching the essence of Vedas through

the divine Bhagavad Gita in Mahabharata.

Sri Meenakshi temple, pro-vided opportunity to celebrate the Krishna Janmashtami in different ways. First of the inception of this grand cel-ebration was the special wor-ship in the morning, “uriyadi” (breaking of pots containing gifts), the smearing of colors and children dressed as Lord Krishna. The breaking of the

“pot” was artfully carried out with the modern day candy-fi lled piñata. Later, many chil-dren showcased their Krishna and Radha costumes as they excited the Ganesh Temple singing slokas, and bhajans. The parents were very enthusi-astic with the costume displays and the wonderful time.

A special puja with Ab-hishekam was conducted on the Sri Jayanthi evening by Priests

Krishna Janmashtami celebrated at Meenakshi Temple

Sridharan Raghavan and Pa-van Kumar Bhasyam, attended by number of devotees in the Main Sannadhi of Meenakshi Temple. The focus of celebra-tion is the ritual puja, chanting of mantra and offering prasa-dam to all the devotees.

Sri Meenakshi Temple par-ticipated with the Hindus of Greater Houston in their an-nual Janmashtami celebra-tion at the George R Brown center. MTS had a beautiful booth with the Kolu display. The proceedings of the GRB event started with the proces-sion led by the MTS with the Chenda melam group leading it and the resplendent deity on the Garuda Vahana (vehicle of Lord Vishnu) being accom-panied to the sounds of the drums and conch with very en-thusiastic audience in celebra-

tory mood. The MTS booth also proved popular with over thousand devotees stopping to get the darshan of the Lord Vishnu (Srinivasa permual with Sridevi and Bhoodevi) on the Garuda Vahana. Theer-tham and Sweets were dis-tributed to all. The evening was topped with the Life time achievement awarded to one of our foremost exemplary MTS team member Dr. Appan who was present to receive the award with his wife Mrs. Ra-jam Appan.

We thank the Priests, Staff, Board members and Volunteers who had organized and partici-pated in these celebrations of Sri Krishna Janmashtami cel-ebrations in different ways to make it memorable to all.

(Author: Mala Gopal, Pho-tos: Koushik Govindararajan )

Children in fancy dress during Gokulashtami celebration at Meenakshi Temple.

Hindus of Greater Houston’s Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Dr. S. G. Appan, with wife Rajam at the Meenakshi

Temple booth at George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston during the Janmashtami festival.

We provide Turn-key Services including: • Payroll • Accounts Payable • Accounts Receivable • Inventory • Job Costing • Financial Planning • Tax Preparation & Planning • Loan Packages • Traditional Bookkeeping

Succeed In Your BusinessGet rid of your staffi ng problems and spend more time on sales.

Good Numbers = Good DecisionsImplement The “Three D” Principle

Delegate • Dirty • Details

3300 S Gessner Ste 249 • Houston, TX 77063 713-785-3900

Comprehensive Paperless Bookkeeping. How It Works:

BEL

TWAY

8

WESTHEIMER

MEADOWGLEN

RICHMOND

S. G

ESSN

ER

Visit us at www.comprehensivepaperless.com or call:

Atul B. KothariMS, MBA, CPA

Rimple Mashruwala, CPA

Just dump your paper on to the fax or scanner

It all lands on our secure servers

We HAND read every single page, then name it, code it, index and store the page.

A system to assign tasks and track

work fl ow

GetOrganized

Now

COMMUNITY NEWSINDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 • PAGE 7

McGill Auto Body & Paint

Over 25 years of experience & quality

Off. 832-532-0986; Cell 832-600-1396 10522 Belknap Rd. #C, Sugar Land, TX 77498

Maheshwari Mahasabha of North America (MMNA) will hold its seventh International Maheshwari Rajasthani Con-vention (IMRC Detroit 2014) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA from August 29 to Sep-tember 1, 2014.

The convention, already a “sold out” event will be held at The Amway Grand Plaza Ho-tel with 750+ attendees from across the globe to engage in rich Rajasthani culture and tradition, and foster relation-ships within the community.

“The theme for IMRC De-troit 2014 is focused on four pillars: Seva, Sahyog, San-skriti, and Samman that build our Samaj,” said, Poonam Bhutada, convener of the con-vention.

The weekend will be fi lled performances, delicious cui-sine, intellectually stimulat-ing workshops, prominent and inspiring keynote addresses, networking events, and break-out sessions for all ages. The RAYS (Rajasthani Abroad Youth Samaj) group will play a key role in the convention. IMRC Detroit 2014 volunteers are working hard to make it a grand success.

The 2012 convention in Long Beach, CA attracted a record number of 600+ partic-ipants from all over the world.

Several prominent busi-ness leaders, social workers and dignitaries from all over the world have attended the past conventions. Some of these include HH Maharaja Shri Gajsinghji of Jodhpur, Smt. Rajashree Birla, Shri Benu Gopalji Bangar, Shri Anandji Rathi (Past President of Bombay Stock Exchange), Dr. Kamal Taori and Dr. Shri R.C. Lahoti - Chief Justice of India, Renu Khator – Chan-cellor University of Houston

Maheshwari Mahasabha of North America’s International Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan

amongst others.MMNA was incorporated in

1983 as a non-profi t organiza-tion and has 10 chapters spread across the continental Unit-ed States, Canada and other countries.. MMNA has many accomplished members who

place much emphasis on chari-table outreach and societal bet-terment.

The mission of MMNA is to create a spirit of cohesive-ness and camaraderie among all sharing the bond of a com-mon ancestry around the globe.

Sushma Pallod Parag BajajPoonam Bhutada

MMNA also fosters a climate of sharing and of lending a helping hand to community. It maintains links between simi-lar organizations across the globe including India.

“This is just the beginning of a great time for our Samaj,” said Sushma Pallod- Chairper-

son of the Board.The National Convention is

a platform to strengthen these bonds, promote our youth and an “energizer shot” which mo-bilizes the community to go further, in helping this cause, said said Parag Bajaj - Presi-dent of MMNA.

To advertise in India Herald

Email [email protected]

or call 281-980-6746.


COMMUNITY CALENDAR

or call for info.(713) 665-4665

Chandra & David Courtney Tabla and Vocal

Classes in Houston,Mission Bend,& Sugar Land

Visit www.chandrakantha.com

Classesnow ongoing

Radha AshtamiMon., Sept 1 @ 12 noonRadha Asthami (Radha Rani’s

birthday) celebration at the ShriRadha Krishna Temple on Mon-day, September 1st at 12 Noon.

Prasaad will be served afterprogram. For further informationplease call temple at 281-933-8100or visit www.SRKT.Org Templeis located 11625 Beechnut Street.

IA Chamber galaSat., Sept 27 @ 6 p.m.

Fifteenth annual gala of theIndo-American Chamber of Com-merce of Greater Houston. AtHilton Americas Hotel, 1600Lamar St. U.S. Senator JohnCornyn is the keynote speaker. Forinfo, call 713-624-7131 [email protected]

Muslim spelling beeThe World’s First Muslim Spell-

ing Bee competition 2014 will beheld at 11 regional locations acrossUSA and the finals will be held inHouston, Texas. To register, visithttps://muslimspellingbee.com/Register.aspx

New reduced registration feeis $30. Free registration for Zakateligible students with Masjid/Is-lamic School eligibility certificate.

COMMUNITY CALENDARArya Samaj Satsang

Weekly Havan Satsang everySunday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.DAV Sanskriti School Sundays 10a.m. to 12 noon. - Havan, Hindiand Naitik Shiksha classes. DAVMontessori School for ages 2 to 7years. Call Arti Khanna 281-759-3286. Free Yoga classes on Sat.Sanskrit & Upanishad classes Tue.6-8 p.m. At 14375 Schiller Rd. (betWestpark & Bellaire off Hwy 6).281-752-0100.

Chinmaya Mission -Summer scheduleOne Session from 6/15 to 8/24;

No classes in July. Sundaysatsanga for adults and Bala Vihar(PreK to Grade 11) from 10:50AM to 12:30 PM at ChinmayaPrabha, 10353 Synott Road, SugarLand, TX77498. Enrolling for newBala Vihar year. New membersvisit welcome desk 10:15-10:45a.m. Visit www.chinmayahouston.org or call Bharati Sutaria 281-933-0233

Vedanta SocietyVedanta Society of Greater

Houston, 14809 Lindita Drive(77083) has classes every Sundayfrom 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. onGospel of Sri Ramakrishna, 1st &

3rd Sunday; Bhagavad Gita, 2ndSunday; on works of SwamiVivekananda, 4th Sunday; HolyMother Sarada’s Gospel, 5th Sun-day. Swamis of Ramakrishna Or-der visit to conduct retreats andtalks. www.houstonvedanta.orgor 281-584-0488.

Durga Bari TempleDurga Bari temple is open from

9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Mon.thru Sat. Sandhya aarti at 6:30p.m. Temple closes at 7 p.m. Sun-day special from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.Puja services - Priest BishnupadaGoswami 281-597-8100 Temple islocated at 13944 Schiller Rd (offHwy 6 bet. Bellaire & Westpark).Call Ganesh Mandal at 713-797-9057 / 832-423-8541.

Telugu FellowshipTelugu Christian Fellowship

meets every third Saturday of themonth at Triumph Church, 10555W. Airport Blvd., Stafford TX77477 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for atime of praise, worship and fellow-ship. Worship is in English. CallChris Gantela 281-344-0707, orRev. V. Gurrala 281-997-0757.

Sahaj Marg MeditationSahaj Marg (Natural Path)

Meditation and Spirituality (www.sahajmarg.org) A natural, simplesystem of Raja Yoga meditationand spiritual practice. Weeklysatsangs in Houston area. EmailRadheshyam Miryala at meditate_houston@yahoo. com ormeditate.galveston @gmail.com.

Heritage ClassesAshirwad’s Heritage Classes in

Katy, Cypress and Sugar Land forkids 4 to 18 yrs - meditation, Yoga,slokas, stories from scriptures,Vishnu Sahasranam, bhajans, com-petitions and fun activities. Adultmeditation classes. Register atwww.ashirwadablessing.org or SriRavula 281-995-0930.

Hare Krishna DhamHouston’s original Vedic temple,

ISKCON of Houston. At 1320 W34th St. (77018). Daily Darshan& Arati Times: 4.30am, 7am,8.30am, 12noon, 4.30pm, 7pm,9pm. Sunday Festival: 5.30 pm to7.30 pm. Weekly Gita classes foradults; call 281-433-1635 orharekrishnadham @gmail.com

Gandhi LibraryMahatma Gandhi Library Book

Club: Meets 2nd Sunday of each

Open Forum Radio ProgramKGOL 1480 AM • Saturdays 4 to 6 p.m.

Informative programs with doctors, lawyers,politicians and other newsmakers. Call in todiscuss matters of interest to the community

with Dinkar, Jagat and Subodh.713-784-1480

Where Your Opinion Counts

SALES HELP WANTEDWell-known Houston jewelry store is looking forsaleswomen availabe to start immediately. Must be ableto speak English and Hindi well. Call 713-789-7575

month; 12:30 PM at Arya Samaj Greater Houston, 13475 Schiller Rd.Join the discussion of the great man’s autobiography – The Story ofMy Experiments with Truth. Call Manish Wani 713-829-6979.

Saumyakasi SivalayaSri Saumyakasi Sivalaya is located at Chinmaya Prabha, 10353

Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Temple timings: Monday to Fri-day: 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon and 5:00 - 8:00 PM Saturday and Sunday:8:30-2:00 PM and 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Contact Bharti Sutaria 281-568-1690 or Jay Deshmukh 832-541-0059 or visit www.saum yakasi.org.

Veerashaiva SamajaVSNA Houston is a group of families who believe in Veera-shaiva

dharma (Basava dharma). Monthly Mahamane program for prayerand discussion on Vachana Sahitya followed by Prasada. Contact:[email protected] or Jagadeesh Halyal 832-744-4166.

Shiv Shakti MandirSanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir, 6640 Harwin. Open daily 7 a.m. to 8

p.m. All major festivals, as well as birthdays, naam karan, engage-ment and other ceremonies. Call Pandit Virat Mehta 713-278-9099 orHardik Raval 361-243-6539 for puja or other ceremonies.

Houston NamadwaarA prayer house where the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Maha-man-

tra is continuously chanted. Weekends: 8-11 AM & 4-7 PM, Week-days: 7-8 AM & 6-7 PM. Weekly “Gopa Kuteeram” children’s heri-tage classes and Srimad Bhagavatam classes. Call 281-402-6585;visit www.godivinity.org (Global Organization for Divinity).

Mar Thoma ChurchTrinity Mar Thoma Church every Sunday at 5810 Almeda Genoa

Rd. Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. Malayalam service at 9:30 a.m. on1st & 3rd Sunday. Adult Bible class at 9:30 a.m. English service at10:30 a.m. on 2nd & 4th Sunday. Call 713-991-1557 or 281-261-4603.

Sri Guruvayurappan TempleHours: Mon to Fri 6 a.m. -8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Week-

ends & Holidays: 6 a.m. to noon and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. BhajansSaturdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Special poojas(weekends and holidays) Choroon (Annaprasam) for kids,Thulabharam, Vahana Pooja, Nirapara. Temple is located at 11620Ormandy St (77035) Tel: 713-729-8994 email: temple@ guruvayur.us

Arsha Vidya BharatiSanskrit classes and special worship sessions for all ages. At 2918

Renoir, Sugar Land, TX 77479.Call 281-606-5607 [email protected]. Web-site: https://sites.google.com/site/avbtexas/classes

LEGAL NOTICEThese Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off games will be closing soon:

For detailed odds and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-37LOTTO. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education. © 2014 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

Game # Game Name / Odds $Official Close

of Game

EndValidations

Date

1555 Weekly Grand

Overall Odds are 1 in 3.96 $2 9/29/14 3/28/15

1587 Chili Pepper Tripler


1582 20X The Cash


1585 Cash Multiplier


Radhastami: Appearance ofSrimati Radharani

The divine counterpart of Sri Krishna is known as Sri Radha.Together, according to the ancient Vaishnava tradition, this dual-gendered divinity is God-male and female dimensions of the Abso-lute Truth. Sri Radha is the complete energy, and Sri Krishna is thecomplete energetic source. They are non-different from each other,just as musk and its scent are forever merged, or as fire and heatare inseparable.

Radha and Krishna are one, yet They have assumed two sepa-rate forms to enjoy loving pastimes. Numerous theological textsexplain how this is so, but most thorough are the writings ofKrishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami and Rupa Gosvami, great mastersin the Vaishnava tradition whose books have been translated andcommented upon by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta SwamiPrabhupada. To understand Sri Radha, then, English readers woulddo well to turn to Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Of the many, many prayers offered to Srimati Radharani, theeternal consort of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, one goes thus:

tapta-kancana-gaurangi radhe vrndavanesvarivrsabhanu-sute devi pranamami hari-priyeI offer my respects to Radharani, whose bodily complexion

is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vrndavana. Youare the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, and You are very dear toLord Krsna.

This makes it all the more important that devotees make the tripto the temple and sing Her glories and enjoy the ecstasy that comeswith worshipping the feet of the most munificent form of the Lord’sinternal potency.

Join in celebrating, meditating on, and trying to understand thesignificance of this extraordinary day at Hare Krishna Dham (1320W 34th Street, Houston TX – 77018. http://www.iskconhouston.org/713-686-4482) on the auspicious occasion of Radhastami on Tues-day, September 2. The festivities start at 6:30pm and include anecstatic bhajans, Abhishek, Maha arati, discourse on Radharani’sglories and sumptuous prasadam feast.


INDIA

IMMIGRAIMMIGRAIMMIGRAIMMIGRAIMMIGRATIONTIONTIONTIONTIONLAW OFFICES OF

DAKSHINI R. SEN, P.C.Attorneys at Law7100 Regency Square Blvd., Ste. #190

Houston, TX 77036

Tel: 713-278-1677Fax: 713-278-1656

New York Office:1123 Broadway, Ste. # 509

New York, NY 10010

Tel/Fax: (212) 242-1677Dakshini R. Senanayake, B.S., LL.M.Licensed by the Supreme Court of New York

Not Licensed in Texas nor certified by any

Board of Legal Specialization

Web: www.dakshinisen.com • Email: [email protected]

H-1B, L1, P3, TN, O1, R1 and other non immigrant visasGreen Card thru Employment: PERM / I-140

Green Card thru Family: I-130/I-485Citizenship

Sharma Tilal Senanayake, CPACertified Public Accountant

Off: 713-984-4852 • Cell: 832-283-1677• Fax: 713-278-1656Email: [email protected]: sharma-cpa.com

Sharma Tilal SenanayakeCPA, MA, FCA

7100 Regency Square Blvd Ste 230-7• Houston, TX 77036

* Business & Personal Tax Preparation* Maintain Books of Accounts for Businesses* Project Evaluations and Feasibility Studies* Payroll, Payroll Taxes and Statutory Filing

Email: [email protected]

Jaitley walks back rape remarkNEW DELHI: Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley faced criti-

cism on Friday for making light of the gang rape of a Delhi woman in2012 and her subsequent death by saying it was a small incident thathad cost India billions of dollars in tourism.

Jaitley, who is also defense minister and a key lieutenant of PrimeMinister Narendra Modi, denied he was trying to lessen the magni-tude of the crime which shook the country and turned the spotlight onwomen’s safety.

“I am sensitive to these issues myself, no question of trivializing anyincident,” he said after his comments sparked outrage including fromthe victim’s mother, who said politicians had a tendency to forget.

Five men and a teenager lured the 23-year-old physiotherapist anda male friend into an unlicensed bus and repeatedly raped and torturedher. She later died of her injuries, provoking an outpouring of angerand soul-searching about the place of women in Indian society.

Four men have been sentenced to death while a fifth suspect com-mitted suicide. The teenager was remanded to a judicial reform cen-ter. While laws relating to assault on women have since been tough-ened, the crime also exposed social attitudes in a country where thevictim has often ended up being found responsible.

Jaitley, addressing a conference of state tourism ministers, said im-proving law and order was necessary to help bring visitors to India.

“One small incident of rape in Delhi advertised world over is enoughto cost us billions of dollars in terms of global tourism,” he said.

The assault and several similar attacks in Delhi and around thecountry have helped reinforce the image of India as unsafe for womenvisitors. About 50 members of the youth wing of the main oppositionCongress shouted slogans against Jaitley outside the office of the rul-ing Bharatiya Janata Party. The victim’s mother said the governmentminister’s remarks had hurt her greatly.

“When they needed votes, they would take my daughter’s nameand that such a big incident had happened. But once they got intopower, they call it a small thing,” she said.

NEW DELHI: India’s topcourt said Wednesday, Augus 27,lawmakers with criminal back-grounds should not serve in gov-ernment, with 13 ministers in thecurrent administration facingcharges for attempted murder, ri-oting and other offences.

The ruling shines a spotlight onNarendra Modi and his cabinetafter the right-wing prime minis-ter swept to power this year pledg-ing clean governance.

The Supreme Court ruled Modishould be left to choose his cabi-net at his discretion, but said ithoped the premier would take intoaccount public expectations andIndia’s democratic values.

“We leave it to the wisdom ofthe prime minister to see whetherpeople with criminal backgroundsare appointed as ministers,” Jus-tice Dipak Misra told the court.

“Ultimately it is expected thatpeople with criminal backgroundsshould not be part of the councilof ministers,” said Misra, whoheaded a bench of five judges.

“Ultimately it is expected thatthe prime minister should considerand not choose a person with acriminal background and that is theconstitution’s expectation.”

FREE ImmigrationConsultationStarting August 16, 2014Every Saturday 1 to 3 p.m.

(By Appointment only)

Free Yoga Classes: Every Tuesday & Thursday 11 a.m. to

12 noon and Saturdays 10 to 11 a.m.

Free Medical Clinic: Every Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free Craft Classes: Every Saturday 11 am to 12 pm.

Free Kidney Smart Classes: 4th Thursday of each month

from 12 pm to 1:30 pm.

After-school Tutorial Program: Monday thru Friday 3

p.m. to 6 p.m. Starting Sept 2, 2014.

Sareen Clinic (Harris Health System): Monday to Friday

8 am to 4 pm, Saturday 9 am to 11 am.

Bollywood & Classical dance classes: Saturdays and

Sundays

Religious prayers and spiritual fulfillment: Every

Sunday at 10 a.m.

Cricket: Every Saturday & Sunday.

www.indiahouseinc.org

For info or appointment, contact [email protected] call 713-929-1900 • 8888 West Bellfort, Houston, TX 77031

The court was handing downits judgement on a petition seek-ing to bar MPs with “criminalbackgrounds”, including thosecharged but not yet convicted ofcrimes, from being appointed min-isters in state and federal govern-ments. The court said it could notdisqualify such MPs from cabi-net. India bans those convicted ofserious crimes from holding officebut not those facing charges.

Modi won a landslide electionin May partly on a promise to cleanup government after the previousCongress-led administration wasplagued by corruption and other

scandals. Thirteen of Modi’s 45ministers have been charged withcriminal offences including eightfacing serious charges, accordingto the Delhi-based Association ofDemocratic Reforms, a clean gov-ernment advocacy group.

Water Resources and GangaRejuvenation Minister UmaBharti has 13 cases pending, in-cluding two charges related to at-tempted murder and six chargesrelated to rioting, the associationsaid. Transport and Shipping Min-ister Nitin Gadkari has four cases,including one charge of criminalintimidation.

Modi’s most trusted aide andpresident of the ruling BharatiyaJanata Party, Amit Shah, facescharges of ordering extra-judicialkillings and of extortion datingback to his time as home ministerin the western state of Gujarat.

MPs say the charges againstthem are false or trumped up bypolitical opponents seeking toharm their reputations.

Rakesh Dwivedi, who was ap-pointed to help the Supreme Courtwith the case, said the judgementstressed the premier should takeinto account “the fact that thecriminalisation of politics destroysdemocracy”.

“They should keep in view theprinciples of public morality, trustand conventions,” he said. MPsconvicted of crimes have contin-ued to hold office simply by filingan appeal in India’s clogged andnotoriously slow courts.

But in a landmark judgementlast July, the Supreme Court ruledthat MPs sentenced to more thanthree years in jail should be dis-qualified regardless of any appeal.

The previous government triedto reverse the ruling which af-fected a long list of MPs, butdropped its bid after facing inter-nal dissent and a major publicbacklash.

Court presses Modi govt. on ‘tainted’ ministers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Man from Kalyan dies fighting for ISISKALYAN: Aarib Majid, one of four young men from Kalyan, near

Mumbai, who had gone to Iraq and joined ISIS, has been killed inclashes in Syria.

Sahim Tanki, who had also gone to Iraq with Aarib Majid, on Tues-day called up his family informing them that their associate Majid haddied in clashes and asked his family to inform Majid’s relatives. Majidwas a third year engineering student from Kalsekar college in NaviMumbai. He was son of doctor Ejaz Majid, a local physician in Kalyan.

Ejaz’s family was unavailable for comments but their relatives con-firmed about Tanki’s call. Majid, Tanki, along with Fahad Shaikh andAman Tandel left India on June 26 with some pilgrims on tour to Iraqwithout informing their parents.

In July, the Mumbai police have zeroed in on a small-time business-man suspected to be the brain behind the radicalization of the fourMumbai men who are believed to have joined jihad in Iraq and Syria.

Adil Dolare, 35, who works with the Islamic Guidance Centre inKalyan and had organized the tour to Baghdad from where the fournever returned, used to meet them every evening at Kalyan’s DonChowk. The investigators expanded their probe and identified 15 moremen from Mumbra and Bhiwandi who may have joined the four fromKalyan in Baghdad and enlisted with the Sunni insurgent group Is-lamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Islamic Guidance Centre through Rahat Tours and Travels hadbooked Arif, Fahad, Aman and Shaheen with 37 others on a sevendaytour of Baghdad. The group’s air tickets were bought by Akbar Toursand Travels.


INDIANS ABROAD

Suite 127

Arya Samaj Celebrates

Foundation Day The Arya Samaj Greater

Houston (ASGH) celebrated its 23rd Foundation Day dur-ing the weekend of August 16th and 17th, with great en-thusiasm and fervor.

The program started on Saturday, the 16th of August, with the Indian fl ag hoisting ceremony to celebrate India’s Independence Day.

A group of DAVSS students lead by Smriti Srivastava sang a patriotic song and the national anthem. It was fol-lowed by Yajna with selected Vedic mantras, Bhajans and a spiritual discourse, which con-cluded at 12 p.m. with Aarti, Shanti Path and Prasad. The same pattern was repeated in the following three sessions, with a music program added in each evening.

The highlight of the cel-ebration was the Chatur Veda Yajna (Yajna reciting mantras from all the four Vedas, the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda) spread over four sessions on Saturday and Sunday.

About 70 families partici-pated in the Yajna as Yajmaans. This required enormous coor-dination and planning, and it is to the credit of ASGH volun-teers who executed this effort perfectly, leading to smooth and uninterrupted proceed-ings.

The Yajnas were led by the ASGH resident priest, Acha-rya Dr. Suryanarayan Nanda who made a special effort to explain the meaning of the mantras by presenting slides with English translations of the mantras. His explanation and messages were highly in-spiring and appreciated by the audience.

The annual Foundation Day celebrations commemorate the founding of ASGH by veteran Vedic missionary Shri Ram Chand Mahajan in 1991. The Samaj started in the building facilities on Highway 6, gra-ciously provided by Rita and

See ARYA, Page 11


COMMUNTIY NEWS

Patanjai Yogpeeth (USA) cordially invites you to attend

Research Based Yoga Presentations & Practices by Dr. Shirley Telles, MBBS, PhD, DSc, director of research @ Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, India

Drop in! These events are FREE

Join world-renowned yoga and breathing instructor Dr. Shirley Telles as she talks about the scientifically proven benefits of yoga practice for improving

memory and mood, reducing blood pressure, pain management and more...

Dr. Shirley Telles Visit www.pyptusa.org

Yoga & Health

Sunday August 31

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. India House, O.P. Jindal Center

8888 West Bellfort, Houston, TX 77031

For more information, visit

www.indiahouseinc.org/events or Vipin at 713-929-1900

or [email protected]

The Application of Yoga in Daily

Life Thursday, September 4

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts

Beck Building, Mezzanine 5601 Main Street Houston, 77005

for further details, visit www.mfah.org/calendar

Sunil Mehta. In August 1997, Arya Samaj Greater Houston started functioning from its cur-rent campus on Schiller Road, which includes the main Tem-ple building and Dining Hall, the recently expanded DAV School building, the beautiful outdoor Yagyashala and sur-rounding lawns.

A special feature of this year’s celebration was the series of Pravachans, or lec-tures, by Acharya Ashish Darshnacharya, a visiting Ve-dic scholar from India. The discourses covered in the two sessions on Saturday related to the Vedas, their divinity (Why are the Vedas divine?) and their importance (Vedas: Source of Science, Spirituality and Healthy Living). These topics, and the interactive and interest-ing presentations of ideas, kept the audience engaged.

On Sunday, which was also the day of Janmashtami, spe-cial messages were delivered to commemorate the birth and vir-tues of Sri Krishna. The other topic of discourse was Vedic Views on Science of Creation of Universe by Arya Samaj’s own Acharya Surya Nanda. Here again, the audience was spellbound to perceive the wealth and depth of scientifi c knowledge contained in the Ve-das.

Variety was added to the pro-gram by including a music seg-ment during the evening ses-sions on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday ASGH’s Bhajan group lead the musical pro-ceedings. Also Smriti Srivas-tava, DAV music teacher, pre-sented a music program with her students and performed a variety of bhajans and patri-otic songs. On Sunday evening, ASGH’s other music teacher and volunteer, Vinita Arora and her students entertained the au-dience with melodious bhajans and songs.

Each session ended with the distribution of prasad and a sumptuous meal, allowing the attendees to mingle with their friends, engage in discussion with the Acharyas and make plans for the following ses-sions. By Sunday evening the satisfaction of a job well done

was writ large on the faces of the numerous ASGH volun-teers. Plans are being made to surpass this performance next year, when this occasion will coincide with the 25th Arya Maha Sammelan (an annual conference of all Arya Samajs

in North America) to be held at ASGH.

Following the Foundation Day celebrations, a two-day workshop was conducted by Acharya Ashish Darshnacha-rya at ASGH on four practi-cal aspects of application and practice of Vedic philosophy. The workshop topics were: Importance and Practice of Prayer/ Yajna/Yog/Pranayam in daily life, Concept of God, How to prepare our children to practice and defend our values

with pride, and Basics of Ve-dic Scriptures. These sessions were interactive, well attended and generated a lot of interest among the audience.

Arya Samaj Greater Hous-ton is located at 14375 Schil-ler Road, Houston, TX 77082, (www.aryasamajhouston.org or Tel. 281-752-0100) and conducts Satsang every Sun-day from 10 AM to 12 Noon. The DAV Sanskriti School is held every Sunday during the Satsang hours. The DAV

Montessori School offers pre-school and elementary edu-cation for children from 2 to 7 years. Yoga, Sanskrit and Upanishads classes are held twice a week at ASGH. Arya Samaj has highly qualifi ed priests who can conduct all Ve-dic Sanskars . Please contact Dev Mahajan (713-468-4339), Shekhar Agrawal (281-242-8280) or Bhushan Verma (713-504-2707) for any information regarding ASGH or its schools and services.

Aryafrom Page 1

Vedic yajna in progress at Arya Samaj.



COMMUNITY NEWSHARDIK VYASYoungest Astrologer in North America

Vaastu & Gem Stone Consultant;

Hindu Priest for all Pujas & Marriages

Astrology & Vaastu Shastra are Science of Nature, and are not related with any religion, caste, or community. It is an Occult Science and gift of nature for the welfare of the people.

Astrologer Hardik Vyas, a famous young face in Vedic Astrology from India is in Houston. Call for guidance on Health, Wealth, Education, Career, Business, Property, Love & Passion, Marriage & Compatibility, Horoscope-Making, Child Problem, Luck & Fortune, Peace & Prosperity, Karma & Economic success.

Vaastu Shastra is an ancient science. Fix an appointment for personal visit to your home, plot, business/offi ce, shop, factory, or hotel. Gain peace of mind and prosperity by doing little changes as per Vaastu Shastra. Simple, Easy, Scientifi c & Aff ordable solutions/remedies to overcome problems in your Horoscope and Vaastu.

E-mail: [email protected] Ph: 832-298-9950 www.toaskfuture.com

Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Gujarati & Marathi

Listen to Hardik Vyas live on 1320 AM

Shoba Joshi’s Geetanajali Radio

The Hare Krishna Temple brought procession from Dis-covery Green to convention center.

The popular children’s cos-tume contest with the theme “Dasavatar” attracted over 110 participants who decked them-selves with costumes of a vari-ety of Gods and Goddess.

Music by Hum A Capella, youth group brought out melo-dious popular Bhajans, while group dances featured the theme of Krishna’s birthday.

A vibrant, rhythmic dance group Mayapuri’s entertained with active participation of the audience.

“Lord Krishna” of TV Ma-habharat series, Saurabh Raj jain made a dramatic entry, in grandeur on a decorated Chari-ot.

The only disappointment was that people expected to see him in the costume of “Krishna” as he appears in the TV serial.

During the evening, Life-time Achievement Awards were presented by Consul general of India P. Harish to Raj Syal and to Dr.S.G.Appan for their out-standing services to Hindu com-munity.

Akhil Chopra Community Service Award was presented to three recipients Radha Dixit, Dr. Rahul Pandit and Rishi Bhuta-da.

Ashirwad A blessing held an art contest “Xpress Urself 2014”added colors to the Jan-mashtami festival by bringing out Krishna art to children .

The Aarti was followed by melodious Dandiya music ren-dered by Manpasand group.

Gajananad Malpani, a visi-tor from Surat, India, said: “I have not seen such a grand Janmashtami celebration. All Hindu temples and organiza-tions collectively celebrating under one roof at a 130,000 square Convention Center is impressive. I hope more cities in Bharat and worldwide fol-lows this idea.”

Sharad Amin, President of Hindus of Greater Houston said “we are very happy to have recog-nition from the Prime Minister of India, Sri Narendra Modi with his best wishes for Happy Janmashta-mi to the Houston community.

—SESHADRI KUMAR

FestivalFrom Page 1

A costume contest participant depicts Matsya avatar, the

form of fi sh. —Photos BIJAY DIXIT.

More on Page 15.

A young girl participates in the costume contest as Meerabhai at the

Janmashtami festival.


COMMUNITY NEWS

Since 1997 our team of a orneys has served countless clients by making Since 1997 our team of a orneys has served countless clients by making complex immigration complex immigration SIMPLESIMPLE. Email us: [email protected]. Email us: [email protected]

H-1B, TN, L, E Visas, PERM Labor, EB-2, I-140, Green Card, Appeals, F-1, OPTH-1B, TN, L, E Visas, PERM Labor, EB-2, I-140, Green Card, Appeals, F-1, OPT

DALLAS OFFICE15950 N Dallas Pkwy Ste 400

Dallas, TX 75248214-281-8900

HOUSTON OFFICE11000 Richmond Ave Ste 300, Houston, TX 77042713-953-7787 www.rnlawgroup.com

“Yellow Brick Road to Charity”

24 th Annual Gala

Indo American Charity Foundation

Make aCommitment to the

Place You Call home

We Live Here ..........We Give Here !

Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar, Houston6:30pm, Saturday, September 20, 2014

Kamala Raghavan, Gala Chair • 281.778.7105 • [email protected] Nanda Vura, Gala Co-Chair • 281.236.0735 • [email protected] Cherivirala, President • 713.875.4336 • [email protected]

27 Years for

serving greater houston

By Lavanya RajagopalanThe Bharatanatyam Arangetram (solo dance debut) of 15-year-

old Shruti Natarajan, a disciple of Guru Padmini Chari, was char-acterized by vivacity and nimble footwork. A sophomore at De-Bakey High School for the Health Professions, Shruti is blessed with a lithe fi gure, expressive eyes, and a fl air for abhinaya (emo-tive expression).

Shruti, also a student of Carnatic music under Smt. Rajeshwary Bhat, began her performance with a vocal invocation, impressing the audience with her musical talent before giving us a glimpse into her ability as a dancer. She opened her dance recital with a Pushpanjali in Ragam Mohanakalyani, Talam Adi, an invocatory piece in praise of Lord Vinayaka, the remover of all obstacles. Although initially somewhat hesitant and possibly nervous (an entirely understandable reaction to being on stage solo for the fi rst time), Shruti soon settled into her rhythm and her 9 years of careful training and dedicated practice took over. In the second piece, a Jathiswaram, Shruti demonstrated capably the intricate rhythmic patterns required of her in this abstract piece set to musi-cal notes.

The next piece in the repertoire was the Varnam, the centerpiece of a Bharatanatyam recital, a physically and mentally demand-ing piece that can extend to over an hour, and tests the dancer’s stamina, technique, emotive ability, and mental discipline. Shruti performed the Varnam ‘Mayam Edho Swami’ in Ragam Mayama-lavagowla, Talam Adi, choreographed by the legendary Dhanan-jayans. Shruti showed maturity in abhinaya beyond her years as she depicted the lovelorn devotee enamored by Lord Muruga in this diffi cult and intricate piece.

In the second half of the recital, Shruti demonstrated once again the nimble footwork and ease of movement that comes only from years of training and passionate artistic pursuit, as she performed a Padam in praise of Lord Nataraja the Cosmic Dancer. She seam-lessly switched to subtle yet dramatic abhinaya in the next piece, describing the ten incarnations of Vishnu. In this piece, Shruti revealed her deep understanding of Hindu mythology and her emotional involvement, without which one cannot achieve abhi-naya that reaches and touches the audience. That she established an emotional connection with her audience was evident from the spontaneous applause throughout this piece.

In the Padam ‘Vaada Vaada Kanna’, a lighthearted piece de-scribing the dialogue between an exasperated Yashoda and her wayward and naughty son Krishna, Shruti once again stole hearts with her now pouting, now lip-quivering, always twinkling im-pression of little Krishna, as he begs an angry Yashoda to relent and let him go out to play with his friends. The dancers enjoyment was evident in this piece, arguably the highlight of the recital.

Shruti concluded her recital with a vibrant Thillana in Ragam Paras, Talam Adi, followed by the traditional Mangalam.

The brilliant orchestra, highly sought after in India and a plea-sure to watch as well as listen to, complemented and augmented Shruti’s performance. Sri. Murali Parthasarathy’s soulful singing was ably matched by Sri. Veeramani’s mellifl uous violin, and Sri. Sukhi’s dynamic mridangam must be experienced, as no words can do justice. Guru Padmini Chari looked resplendent and an-chored the orchestra with poise and control, and one could not resist sneaking glances at her during Shruti’s performance, to wit-ness her evident pride in her sishya. The articulate and informa-tive master of ceremonies, Dr. Mohan Chari, enhanced the experi-ence, and the beautiful stage décor provided the fi nishing touch.

In the opinion of this writer, Shruti has made a promising start; her sparkling abhinaya, quite diffi cult to achieve, is her strongest point and must be nurtured and developed. Continuing attention to rhythm, nritta, and stamina will unlock her full potential. We look forward to seeing more of Shruti on the Houston stage in years to come!(Dr. Lavanya Rajagopalan is a dancer, Guru and choreographer, and the founder and Artistic Director of Silambam Houston, a premiere Houston non-profi t arts academy and organization. )

Sparkling abhinaya and twinkling feet

Shruti Natarajan


JANMASHTAMI 2014

–

- - - -

“Yellow Brick Road to Charity”

24 th Annual Gala

Indo American Charity Foundation

16 founders 24 presidents140 directors

27 Years

Renew Your Commitment !

Kamala Raghavan, Gala Chair • 281.778.7105 • [email protected] Nanda Vura, Gala Co-Chair • 281.236.0735 • [email protected] Cherivirala, President • 713.875.4336 • [email protected]

6:30pm, Saturday, September 20, 2014Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar, Houston

Consul general of India P.Harish presented Lifetime Achievement Awards for outstanding services to Hindu community. Fromleft P.Harish, Saurabh Jain, Dr. S.G. Appan, Raj Syal, HGHPresident Sharad Amin and event chair Partha Krishnaswami.

“Lord Krishna” of TV Mahabharat series, Saurabh Raj Jain arrives on a decorated Chariot.

Akhil Chopra Memorial Award Winners. Rahul Pandit, second from left, Radha Dixit and Rishi Bhutada, right, with Saurabh Raj Jain, left, and Consul-General Harish, center.

Release of the souvenir by Swami Mukundananda - on the left, editor Ravi Sharma, and on right, Saurabh Jain.

The Mayapuri dance team performs at the festival.


REVIEW/PREVIEW

Cast: Rani Mukerji, Tahir RajBhasin, Sanjay Taneja. Direc-tor: Pradeep Sarkar

To appreciate the film, you mustfirst forgive its title. Even if it’s in-spired by the famous words writ-ten for Rani Laxmibai, it seems likeit’s egging women to “be like men”to overcome crisis, and that adjec-tive is a compliment to our centralprotagonist Shivani (Rani Mukerji),a Crime Branch cop. But it’s actu-ally talking about a more ‘yin-yangwithin each person’ perspective.

Shivani, a daredevil cop with asense of humour, makes for animmediately arresting character.That she’s also kind-hearted is dem-onstrated in her taking care of astreet child Pyaari. Shivani and herniece are all set to celebratePyaari’s birthday, when she sud-denly goes missing.

Shivani frantically tries to piecetogether the clues she finds afterPyaari’s disappearance, andstumbles on a highly organized drugand child trafficking syndicate.

It’s a brave subject for a com-mercial film, but the story’s execu-tion by director Pradeep Sarkardoesn’t cut it. Some scenes areway too graphic, almost exploitative- the one where a man rips apart achild’s clothes, showing their barebacks (do we really need to see allthat on screen?), several shots ofthe girls in inappropriate clothes andmake-up, and a man raping an un-derage girl.

Also, the film is also way toosimplistic, especially in the quickly-resolved finale. And, throughout thefilm, there is no mention of exploi-tation of little boys that makes up ahuge part of child sex trafficking.

There are glaring errors, like thecops don’t question/arrest the ChildShelter’s attendants who clearlyseem to be involved. And you won-der how the cops were unawareof such a big crime nexus till now.

The film is very dark under itsown veneer. You balk in disbeliefas these children are presented forsale in posh parties, their detailsshown to clients on iPads. The girlsafter being raped brutally are pre-sented a cup-cake by their captorsas a ritualistic celebration. The“normalcy” of the villain’s home,where he casually asks him momwhat’s for lunch is also nerve-wracking. And while the villainsmake their multi-crore deals,Shivani and her team inch closerto nailing them.

The film becomes suspenseful

in the second half as we figureout the people involved and theirmodus operandi. That the filmdoesn’t make it clear is a bit un-fair, barring some random state-ments like, “Isse Hong Kongwaale lot mein daal do.”

The suave central villain, a 20-something lad, who Shivani calls‘Junior’ during their cryptic phoneconversations, frightens even hisown people with his brutality.They make an odd, and equallyinteresting, hero-villain pair.

The dialogue is full of crack-ling lines that encapsulatehumour, irony and angst. Thescene where one of the peopleinvolved in girl trafficking says“mata rani ki kasam” is deeplyironic. The phone conversationsbetween Shivani and the villainare full of acerbic exchanges, thatkeep the viewer involved.Shivani’s lines have an edge,whether it’s her anger-fueledwords, or her plea to the policeto get more “emotional” aboutsuch cases.

And to do justice to these linesis Rani Mukerji who is back witha power-packed, heartfelt perfor-mance. The camera gives usflashes of her evocative eyes fullof anger and determination, asshe closes in on yet another clue.Her act as the larger-than-lifeShivani is so convincing and ear-nest, not only does she make youemotionally invested in her char-acter and the story, she also in-spires you.

As the villain, Tahir Raj Bhasinis superb. Anil George and MonaAmbegaonkar are impressive.

Now this is a film that pretendsto be innately feminist but justabout scrapes the surface. Thisfaux feminism, despite a centralfemale protagonist, was also seenin Sarkar’s Laaga ChunariMein Daag. For example, thefilm rightly questions why we usethe insulting “maa-behen” cusswords, but has the characters goahead and do exactly that! Butthen you have a film about a grittyfemale cop whose title isMardaani. It defeats the pur-pose somewhat.

If we look past these blunders,we have an interesting film withan inspiring hero, a menacing vil-lain that you personally want tothrash, and a story that touchesyour heart. All this, and RaniMukerji! More reasons to watch,than not! — Sify.com

MUSINGS By Gadfly

The following column was writ-ten between the 1st (Trent Bridge)and the 2nd Test (Lords) of therecently concluded Investec En-gland-India series. The columndidn’t make it before the deadline.

I haven’t written a cricket col-umn since Tendulkar retired andnot written about an upcomingTest series longer than that. Sincemy current expectations are posi-tively negative, it will be a positiveto make those predictions and ifwrong, enjoy being wrong laterwith an India victory. It’s muchbetter to be wrong about one’sprophecy of doom than about vi-sions of grandeur.

When columns sprouted aboutIndia’s best chances to win theInvestec series with a down-and-out England - Ashes defeat fol-lowed by series defeat against SriLanka, I thought of the last timeIndia played Australia in Austra-lia under Michael ‘pup’ Clark. In-dian columnists also had predictedthen that it was India’s bestchance to win a first ever seriesin Australia. The Aussies wererebuilding after the big five –Hayden, Langer, Ponting,Symonds, Gilchrist - had retired.India lost 4-0.

Now everyone is celebratingnot losing the first Test. Wake up.The Trent Bridge pitch was abatsman’s paradise. If our threestar best batsmen – Dhawan,Kohli and Pujara - failed there,what can we expect on the hos-tile pitches with pace, seam,bounce, swing and reverse-swing,at the next four venues?

And don’t forget India’s recenthistory of having the opposition onthe mat but being unable to closethe deal with the tail.

The English comedian, AndyZaltzman, who dabbles in sportsthru comedy predicts that Englandwill win the series 2-1, despite theircurrent downslide. First I felt itwas a partisan prediction.

Per India’s pundits, India weresupposed to win this series. Myown wishful thinking had agreed.Better sense has since prevailed.I think it could be worse – as in 2-0 or 3-0 in England’s favour.

Here’s why. The recent historyof our coaches points to losing thisor any series till 2015 World Cup.It began with John Wright. Withhim as coach, India reached thefinals of 2003 world cup for thefirst time since Kapil’s Devils in1983. Wright’s glorious tenure wasfollowed by the inglorious GregChappell. After Chappell cameGary Kirsten, a total turnaround,winning the World Cup 2011 andmaking India #1 in Tests.

Enter Duncan Fletcher. Withhim, has started a slide for Indianteam that hasn’t stopped yet andis not likely until after the 2015World Cup. Fletcher’s victorycupboard outside Asia is emptyexcept for the Championship Tro-phy and the lone series against the8th ranked West Indies. We evenlost the Asia Cup this time. Thecurrent Test series against En-gland and others to follow outsideAsia, with Fletcher as the coach,are going to bring the same result– defeat – all the way up to 2015World Cup. You see the pattern?

One good coach followed by onebad coach.

Before the start of this Investecseries, Indian commentators pre-dicted for Kohli, Pujara, Dhawanand Rahane to pass the ‘test’ withflying colours against England.However, ex-selector and captain,Dilip Vengsarkar felt the Indianteam didn’t have the bowlers totake 20 wickets in a Test match.That sounded realistic to me. Buteveryone agreed about our bat-ting clicking.

Well, guess what? In the 1stTest, our pacers not only suc-ceeded (barring Root andAnderson’s batting extravaganza)as bowlers. They succeeded asbatsmen also - B. Kumar (58 and63), Shami (51), Binny (78).

A cricket analyst of Cricinfowrote that the average of India’sopening batsmen outside India inthe recent past has been dismal,below 30. In India’s 1st innings@ Trent Bridge, the first wicketfell @ 33 but M. Vijay scored acentury. In the 2nd innings, it fell@ 49. There again Vijay scoredhalf century.

Before we drop Dhawan, hewill probably come thru with similarscores in the next Test but Vijay,having decided that his place issecure, will score less than 30 perinnings in the remainder of theseries and by the third Test, bothhe and Dhawan, feeling secureabout their respective places inthe team, will test the opening slot-skills of Pujara and Kohli. (No onewants to fail but complacencycreeps up on you.) There goes thethird and fourth wicket leaving uswith Rahane, Dhoni and Jadeja.How can we expect them to suc-ceed where Dhawan, Kohli andPujara failed?

Then there is Ishant Sharma.Now that he has done reasonablywell in the 1st Test, he’ll go backto non-performing for rest of theseries. Dhoni’s tactics won’tchange either because he keepssaying ‘we couldn’t have doneanything differently’.

Funny how things can changein two years! I was a diehardDhoni fan who wouldn’t tolerateany criticism of Dhoni. ‘A cap-tain is as good or as bad his team’was my stock response to anycriticism. When we lose a match,it’s a collective failure. Somebodyhas to load the gun and someonehas to pull the trigger. Only thencan the captain set up the trap.We don’t have a loader (bowlers)and worse still a trigger-happy guy(catcher).

The only wild card in this isStuart Binny who may show whathe can do on a swing-friendlypitch, as he did in Bangladesh butthat was Bangladesh. England (orAustralia, West Indies, Pakistanand New Zealand) will be his realtest. If he fails on a swing-friendlypitch, we can safely put him outto pasture. About the only brightspot could be Gautam Gambhirthough he doesn’t have a goodaverage in England. At the end ofthe English summer, we’ll knowif Gambhir is on a second wind.

By the time you read this col-umn, the 2nd test will have begun@ Lords next Thursday, (July 17).

I’ll be glad to be proved wrong. Itis easier to swallow the humblepie when the team does unexpect-edly well than when it doesexpectedly badly.

That’s where that columnended.

In the four Tests that followed,I’m sorry to see how disgustinglyprophetic my prediction was. Thesilver lining is we didn’t lose 3-0.After winning the 1st Test, wewere defeated in the third Test,humiliated in the fourth and wesurrendered in the fifth. The bat-ting, as I expected, was a colos-sal disaster. Slip (drop-) catchingmade it worse.

Critics are finding fault withDhoni’s captaincy. They’re partlyright. Dhoni in Tests, unlike inODIs, is NOT a proactive cap-tain. Worse still, there’s no one toreplace him. Cricket correspon-dent Martin Johnson once ob-served: "There are only threethings wrong with this Englandteam - they can't bat, can't bowland can't field." We can’t say thatabout the current Indian team yet.They can do all those things anddo them well IF they don’t sur-render.

Dhawan was missing in action.So were Pujara and Kohli. Vijayfailed after the 2nd Test andRahane after the 3rd. Jadeja fadedhimself out of Test cricket. Binnyproved me wrong. So didGambhir. Ishant thundered in the2nd Test, thanks to Dhoni’s trap,and then played only one Test.Ashwin, the after-(Binny) thought,was too late to do much.

As for Fletcher, the coach, hemay be on the sidelines with RaviShastri overriding him for remain-ing ODI’s in England but he’s stillthe boss per Dhoni. That’s badnews for India. The band aids -Ravi Shastri and the support staff- signify nothing. Shastri blamesthe team’s inexperience for thehumiliation. That applies only toslip catching. That’s also bad newsbecause it ignores the wilting sur-render by batsmen. In four con-secutive innings of the last twoTests, India were 66 for 6. OscarWilde said, “Consistency is a vir-tue of an ass”. The Indian teamproved it.

Finally, why were M. Vijay,Pujara, Gambhir, Binny allowed totake their wives on this tour?There should be no place for play-ers’ wives and children on a crickettour. And in a first in India’s crickethistory, Kohli was allowed to takehis heroine girl-friend with him.Chala Murari Hero Banane. NowBCCI is having second thoughtsabout WAGs – Wives And Girl-friends. I guess that’s a positivedespite the coach.

So lower your expectations tillthe end of 2015 World Cup includ-ing the ODIs against England be-ginning August 25. India havefailed to win their last seven ODIsoutside Asia. — Send responsesto [email protected]

First ODI washed outThe first ODI between England

and India on Monday, Aug 25, atBristol was called off due to heavyrains without a ball being bowled.The second ODI is on Aug 27.

Mardaani: Watchable despitea few blunders

After rout in Tests, more pain in one-dayers


Subscription/Renewal RequestPlease enter my subscription $25 for one year (52 issues) $250 Lifetime Subscription

Name___________________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________

City_______________________State____Zip code_______________

Tel:___________________Email_____________________________

Please make check or money order payable to India HeraldP.O. Box 623 • Sugar Land, TX 77487

CHEF’S CORNERThe Story of Mahatma Gandhi - X

Gandhi Jayanti 2014Gandhi Jayanti, cel-

ebrated as 1000 Lights ForPeace. Saturday, October 4,2014 at Jones Plaza Down-town – Free Parking* Edu-cate your children aboutGandhi ji by having themparticipate in Speech, Essay,Poster or Multi-media con-tests. To register for thesecontests and more informa-tion visit www.gandhilibrary.org

Low-cal Palak PaneerIngredients: 2 bunches spinach, cleaned, chopped; 100gm paneer,

2 cloves garlic, crushed; 1/2 tsp. ginger, grated; 2 green chillies, crushed;1/4 tsp. cumin seeds, 1/4 tsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp. wheat flour, 3-4 pinchesturmeric powder, 3-4 pinches cinnamon-clove powder, 3-4 pincheshing, 1 pinch garam masala powder, salt and lime juice to taste.

Method: Wash and drain spinach. Boil in minimal water till softand bright. Drain, cool, grind with flour, ginger, garlic, chillies. Heat aheavy or nonstick pan, add seeds. When roasted add asafetida andground spinach. Add all other ingredients, except paneer and lemonjuice. Stir, cover and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Add paneer and lemonjuice, stir gently. Simmer further for 2 minutes. Pour into serving dish.Serve hot with wheat flour phulkas, or steamed brown rice.

Note: Most other veggies may be similarly cooked by using theoil-less tempering method as used above.

Paneer ShashlikIngredients: 250 gm paneer, 2 onions (sliced), 1 bell pepper, sliced,

1/2 cup tomato puree, 2 tbsp ghee, 1/2 cup fresh cream, 1/4 tsp garammasala, salt and red chilli powder to taste. Method: Heat ghee in apan, add onions and bell pepper. Cook for two minutes. Then addtomato puree, fresh cream, salt, garam masala and red chilli powder.Cook for one minute. Cut paneer into cubes and add to the masala.Mix well. You can add half tea spoon of sugar if you want sweet andsour taste. Cook again for two minutes. Serve hot.

Paneer PakorasIngredients: 1/2 lb Paneer, 1 cup besan flour, 2 tbsp corn flour, salt

and pepper.For Garnishing: 2 tsp oil, 1 tsp Jeera, 1 bunch mint leaves, red

chillies, green pepper, 1 tsp chat masala.Method: Cut Paneer into inch long pieces. Mix besan, salt, black

pepper, corn flour in a mixing bowl with water into a thick, stickypaste. Immerse paneer into the flour. Drop bite-sized pakoras into hotoil. Deep fry on medium till golden brown. Garnishing: Chop thegreen chillies into small pieces finely. Heat oil in frying pan. Add jeeraseeds, chillies. Sprinkle chat masala powder, salt, pepper. Finally, addmint leaves to the ingredients. Mix with Paneer Pakoras in the pan.Garnish and serve hot with ketchup.

Onam Treat — Parippu PradhamanIngredients: 1/4 cup moong dal, 1/2 a grated coconut, 1/2 lb jaggery,

2 tbsp ghee.Method: Cook dal with 3/4 cups of water, let it cool and mash

well. Make syrup of jaggery, by boiling it with 3/4 cup of water. Slice2-3 thin long pieces from coconut keep aside. Grate the rest of coco-nut. Take the milk by squeezing well (first extraction of milk), keepaside. Grind the remaining coconut in a mixer for 10- 20 seconds.

Mix well with 1 cup of water and take the second extraction ofmilk. Similarly take third extraction of milk. In flat, thick-bottomed panheat 1 tbsp ghee and add mashed dal. Mix well and fry for a while tillghee separates. Add jaggery to pan, mix well and keep stirring till itcomes to a boil. Add the third extraction of milk, keep on stirring. Bringto a boil then reduce the heat to low medium and cook continuouslystirring till coconut milk reduces by half. Now add second extractionof milk and repeat the same process.

Add first extraction of milk. If required add little sugar. And switchoff the stove and let it remain there for 30 minutes. Mean while cut thecoconut strips into small pieces. Heat remaining ghee in a pan and frythe coconut pieces till brown. Pour over the hot pradaman. Serve hotor refrigerate and serve.

Kesaria Paneer KheerIngredients: 1 kg milk, 250gm paneer, 1/4 tsp crushed Saffron, a

pinch of cardamom powder, 20 almonds and 20 Cashews, 1/2 canunsweetened condensed milk, 300gm sugar.

Method: Boil milk for about 20 min. Add condensed milk and stir itthoroughly. Add sugar and mashed paneer in the milk. Stir it thor-oughly near about 10 min. Add all the other ingredients into it. Refrig-erate and serve chilled.

Face-to-face with God, ahimsa, truth in Champaran

The annual meeting of the Con-gress was held in December 1916in Lucknow. The Congress wasdivided. There were the moder-ates and there were the extrem-ists, but at Lucknow the Congressmet without tension between thetwo wings. The President, AmbikaCharan Mazumdar, spoke in termsof Swaraj, which previous lead-ers had demanded.

A resolution was passed ap-pealing to His Majesty’s Govern-ment and demanding that a defi-nite step should be taken towardsIndian self-government by grant-ing the reforms contained in thescheme prepared by the All- In-dia Congress Committee andadopted by the All-India MuslimLeague.

In Lucknow the Congress andthe Muslim League came to anagreement. This was later knownas the Lucknow Pact. For thesake of the unity of India the Con-gress conceded many points de-manded by the Muslims.

For two years Gandhi had trav-elled extensively in India and hadtalked at different places. He nowwanted to start some work con-nected with labor.

His interest first centered on theproblem of indentured labor, thesystem under which poor, ignorantlaborers were enticed away fromIndia to work in the British colo-nies. He had fought this system inSouth Africa and he wanted to seeit abolished.

The Viceroy, Lord Hardinge,announced that His Majesty’sGovernment had agreed to abol-ish the system’ in due course.Gandhi, however, wanted a defi-nite date before which the systemwould go.

So now Gandhi started a greatagitation on this issue. He went toBombay and consulted all the In-dian leaders there. They fixedMay 31, 1917 as the last date forthe abolition of indentured labor.He then went around the countryto get support for this view.

Meetings were held in all im-portant places. Everywhere therewas a great response. EvenGandhi said that he had not ex-pected so much public support.

As a result of the agitation, theGovernment announced that thesystem of indentured labor wouldbe stopped before July 31,1917.Gandhi had heard about an obnox-ious system of agricultural laborprevailing in Bihar.

In the Champaran district ofBihar, the cultivators were forcedby Europeans to grow indigo, ablue dye, and this imposed on themuntold sufferings. They could notgrow the food they needed, nor

did they re-ceive ad-e q u a t epaymentfor the in-digo.

Gandhiwas un-aware ofthis until anagricultur-ist fromB i h a r ,Rajkumar

He came to the conclusion thatthe ignorance of the cultivatorswas one of the main reasons whythe European planters could ex-ploit them. Gandhi set up volun-tary organizations to improve theeconomic and educational condi-tions of the people.

They opened schools andtaught the people how to improvesanitation. The Government real-ized Gandhi’s strength and devo-tion to his causes. They them-selves then set up a committee toenquire into the grievances of thecultivators.

They invited Gandhi to serveon that committee, and he agreed.The result was that within a fewmonths the Champaran AgrarianBill was passed. It gave great re-lief to the cultivators and land ten-ants. Gandhi could not stay longerin Bihar. There were calls fromother places.

Labor unrest was brewing inAhmedabad and Gandhi was re-quested to help settle the dispute.Gandhi hurried back toAhmedabad. Before taking up thelabor dispute Gandhi wanted tomove his ashram.

The Satyagraha Ashram wasin a village near Ahmedabad, butthe surroundings were not cleanand plague had broken out. It hadspread there from Ahmedabad. Arich merchant of Ahmedabad, whowas closely associated with theashram, volunteered to procure asuitable piece of land.

Gandhi went about with himlooking for land and at last theychose a place on the bank of theSabarmati river, near theSabarmati Central Jail. The landwas purchased and there the fa-mous Sabarmati Ashram wasstarted. In Ahmedabad there weremany textile mills. Prices had goneup and the mill workers were de-manding higher wages.

The mill owners would notagree. Gandhi sympathized withthe workers and took up theircause. He launched a struggle andresorted to peaceful resistance.The workers proudly followed

Shukla, met him and told him ofthe woes of the people ofChamparan. He requested Gandhito go to the place and see for him-self the state of affairs there.

Gandhi was then attending theCongress meeting at Lucknowand he did not have time to gothere. Rajkumar Shukla followedhim about, begging him to comeand help the suffering villagers inChamparan. Gandhi at last prom-ised to visit the place after he hadvisited Calcutta.

When Gandhi was in Calcutta,Rajkumar was there too, to takehim to Bihar. Gandhi went toChamparan with Rajkumar earlyin 1917.

On his arrival the District Mag-istrate served him with a noticesaying that he was not to remainin the district of Champaran butmust leave the place by the firstavailable train.

Gandhi disobeyed this order. Hewas summoned to appear beforethe court.

The magistrate said, “If youleave the district now and prom-ise not to return, the case againstyou will be withdrawn.

“This cannot be,” said Gandhi.“I came here to render humani-tarian and national service. I shallmake Champaran my home andwork for the suffering people.”

A large crowd of peasants wasoutside the court shouting slogans.The magistrate and the policelooked nervous. Then Gandhi said,“I shall help you and calm thesepeople if you let me speak tothem.”

Gandhi appeared before thecrowd and said, “You must showyour faith in me and in my workby remaining quiet. The magis-trate had the right to arrest me,because I disobeyed his order. IfI am sent to jail, you must acceptthat as just. We must work peace-fully. Any violent act will harm ourcause.”

The crowd dispersed peace-fully. The police stared at Gandhiin admiration as he went inside thecourt. “That day in Champaranwas an unforgettable event in mylife ... It is no exaggeration, butthe literal truth, to say that in thismeeting with the peasants, I wasface to face with God, ahimsaand truth,” Gandhi wrote later.

The Government withdrew thecase against Gandhi and allowedhim to remain in the district. Gandhistayed there to study the griev-ances of the peasants.

He visited many villages. Hecross-examined about 8,000 cul-tivators and recorded their state-ments. In this way he arrived atan exact understanding of theirplight and the causes.

Gandhi in Champaran, Bihar

Gandhi and pledged their full support to him. They paraded the streetswith large banners, and said they would not go back to work until asettlement had been reached. — To be Continued

RELIGION / SPIRITUALITYPAGE 18 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir NEW LOCATION6640 Harwin Dr• Houston, TX 77036

Call Pandit Virat Mehta713-278-9099• Open daily7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Rudrabhishek every Monday followed byAarti and mahaprasad. Everyone isinvited to join the puja.Our prayer hall is large enough to accommodate up to 125guests for your celebrations — birthdays, babyshowers,engagement or any other ceremony. Plenty of free parking

Reflection to realizationBipin Chandra Padhy

Meditation is a process of dismantling our present personality, areconstructing of ourselves in such a way that our disharmonious ex-istence becomes a harmony. It depends on a psychological backgroundwhich implies the cleaning of our persona, and cleaning it so perfectlythat it will reflect God’s existence, which is already in us.

One who is competent to understand and study the scriptures is theAdhikari, who is of tranquil mind and has the attributes of Sama (qui-etude), Dama (self-control), etc., is full of faith, is constantly engagedin good thoughts and associates with the knowers of Truth, whoseheart is purified by the due discharge of all duties, religious and secu-lar, and without any idea of reward. The necessity of scriptures is toobtain realization of the Supreme Brahman, by the removal of all falsenotions that prevent that realization.

Direct intuition of the self is a visible result to be gained in this verylife. If the result is not there, the process must be repeated till the resultis realized. There is repeated instruction from Sruti in this context to beengaged in frequent practice of meditation.

Br.Up. Says: “Verily, the self is to be seen, to be reflected upon andmeditated upon.” And “The intelligent aspirant knowing about Brah-man should attain direct self realization.” In the chandogya Upanishad,the teacher repeats nine times the great saying: “Tat Satyam SA AtmaTat Tvam ASI Svetaketu- That Truth, That Atman, That Thou Art, OSvetaketu”. Here Svetaketu is taught the mystery about Brahmannine times before he could understand it. ‘Thou art That’ means thisindividual which has taken the shape of a particular ‘I’ located in someplace due to the rajas aspect of prakriti preponderating is the same asthat cosmic Brahman , reflected through, sattva guna prakriti and tamasguna prakriti. If we dissociate rajas from the individual, and freeBrahman’s reflection from sattva and tamas, we will find the essenceof the jiva is identical with the essence of the supreme Absolute.

Thus, the particularity of the individuality of a person and the uni-versality of omnipresence, etc., of God are only factors arisen on ac-count of perception through space and time. If these screens of space,time and objectivity are lifted, the individual merges into Brahman inone instant. When by deep concentration –the consciousness of ourbeing and the consciousness of a process of meditation is dropped, ourconsciousness merges into that object, and as a result we become thevery object itself.

In ordinary life we say that a person is devoted to a teacher if hefollows him with a mind set on him and a wife whose husband hasgone on a journey thinks of him only if she steadily remembers himwith longing. In Vedanta also ‘knowing’ and ‘meditation’ are usedinterchangeably. Just as rice is beaten over and over again, till it is freefrom husk, similarly when it is declared the ‘self’ must be seen throughhearing, reflection and meditation it implies that the repetition of men-tal process must be continued till ‘self’ is realized.

Though consciousness develops side by side with the body, it doesnot stop developing when the body has finished growing. Intellect,aesthetic activity, moral strength and religious sense continue to de-velop even in old age. The aspirant must master the knowledge andtechnique of meditation as a keen and lifelong learner.

Thoughts from Sri Ramana MaharshiBy Ashok Kumar

Constant ‘japa’ repels all other thoughts.Vocal japa becomes mental, which is sameas meditation. When japa becomes naturaland spontaneous, it is realization.

There is no such thing as realization – thereis just warding off of thoughts. The gap be-tween two thoughts is Self. The destruction of mind is recognizing itas not being apart from the Self. The essence of mind is Awarenessor Consciousness.

The non-dualistic approach of understanding the “I AM” or God isfar more purifying and superior than dualistic approach of assumingthe difference between God and ‘me’ and struggling to be one withHim. When one is firmly established in the ‘I AM’, devoid of thethinking mind, that is supreme devotion. The dissolving of the thinkingmind in the heart, purely by the grace of God, is true devotion, Yogaand understanding.

The partitioning of the subcon-tinent in 1947 led to the migrationof millions of Hindus and Muslimswho left behind homes, livelihoodsand places of worship.

A new book, Historic Templesin Pakistan: A Call to Con-science, by Reema Abbasi looksat the remaining Hindu temples inPakistan, some of which have be-come casualties of the conflictbetween India and Pakistan.

In 1992, a Hindu mob destroyedthe 16th-century Babri Masjid inthe pilgrimage town of Ayodhyain northern India. Pakistani Mus-lims reacted by attacking templesacross their country. It was “a timethat erased over 1,000 historictemples from Pakistan’s land-scape,” Abbasi writes in her newbook released last month.

But there are signs of hope, shesays. The book traces the historyof more than 40 of Pakistan’sroughly 500 Hindu holy sites , con-centrating on the most active andmost-visited shrines.

Abbasi spoke to The Wall StreetJournal (WSJ) during her recenttrip to New Delhi. Excerpts:

WSJ: Why did you decide towrite this book?

Reema Abbasi: It seemed likeeveryone in India I met thoughtthere were no temples left in Pa-kistan. People from all walks oflife: Muslims, Hindus, people whoare very enlightened, very cluedin. I found that so hard to believebecause how do you wipe out suchancient buildings and beliefs? It’slike me thinking there are nomosques in India. I was actuallyreally taken aback and that gaveme that push [to do this book].

Also, the perception about Pa-kistan had to be addressed.There’s a lot of sensationalism inthe media about the country. Thisbook has recorded real incidentsof harmony and unity. I think it is acelebration of shared history andshared people between Pakistanand India. Yet I haven’t white-washed the problem areas.

WSJ: Most Pakistani Hin-dus live in Sindh province.There are numerous templesthere where they can practicetheir religion openly. That istrue of other parts of Pakistan,but not in Punjab. Why?

Abbasi: I found Punjab tragic.It was really very sad, the burdenof false identity there after theconversion from Hinduism to otherreligions. The burden of false iden-tity has got to be the heaviest onewhere you can’t come out and telleveryone who you really are andyou have to practice your religioncovertly.

Lahore now has only two Hindushrines. The small Balmiki Temple

is being run and main-tained by people whohave converted and onrecord are Christian.They are aware thattheir temple, which hasbeen their shelter andtheir place of belongingfor generations, is goingto die with them. Theyknow their customswon’t continue and theirchildren are reluctant totake it forward. Thoseaging men, I felt theirpain.

In Lahore there arenow only 35 Hindu fami-lies remaining, all livingin disguise. If there aremore, we don’t know.Most Hindus have left

The calm is greater than ecstasy and merges into Samadhi, leadingto a waking sleep state, always Consciousness. Being aware of thedeep sleep while in the waking state is Samadhi. It is nature or Prarabdhathat forces you to emerge from it. Sleep is temporary death. Death isa longer sleep. Ego disappears in sleep. It will be the same thing indeath. Even a Jnani looks for casting off his body.

The ego is the ‘I-Thought’. The true “I” is the Self. Vairagya withego is useless; possession without ego is of no significance. Both inthe ignorant and Jnani the ego sprouts; but the Jnani’s ego is not dan-gerous; it is only the ash skeleton of a burnt rope. The egoless ‘I AM’is not a thought; it is realization.

The Consciousness within, purged of mind, is felt as God. There isno incarnation either now or before or hereafter. This is the Truth.

If a guru believes that he can bestow realization by look or touch, heis not a real guru. Primarily, service to the guru is to abide in the Self;but, in practice, it includes making his body comfortable in his abode.

Whatever is destined not to happen will not happen, try as you may.Whatever is destined to happen will happen, do what you may toprevent it. This is certain. The best course, therefore, is to remainsilent. There is neither creation nor destruction; neither destiny norfree will; neither path nor achievement. This is the final truth.

Ancient Hindu temples in Pakistan

the city. They have experienced tremendous discrimination.Lahore was one of the last places we visited so just at the tail end

of everything being positive, you are hit by this boulder. Fear waswhat I least expected in Lahore, a beautiful city shaped over time bymultiple religions.

WSJ: Tell me about the sites you visited.Abbasi: The first site we covered was the Ratneshwar Mahadev

Temple in Karachi, which is 500-years-old. In the book, we documentover 40 antiquated, active sites. Some of them are really, really an-cient. In some cases, we went to sites based on certain accounts andfound nothing was there because of disuse or disrepair–maybe theremains of an ancient pillar, but that’s it.

Most places bore the brunt of mob fury after the Babri incident, butin many instances renovation work has occurred and is ongoing, butof course that can never match the ancient craftsmanship.

WSJ: You write about meeting Muslims at some of the Hindutemples you visited.

Abbasi: So many people would say when we went to visit a sitethat this is so ancient it can only be the home of god. There’s rever-ence attached to the history that comes with it.

It seems these sites have transcended all faiths and that’s whyoften Muslims go to these sites in the belief that something that is soancient, with such mystique, pulls people and keeps them coming back.Some go for blessings; others believe it’s a place that should be re-spected for all that it has seen.

WSJ: Some say Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws in-terfere with the practices of minority faiths. Would you agree?

Abbasi: No, I don’t. It’s a very sensitive topic and the blasphemylaws are not really part of my chronicle, but I don’t think they aretargeting any faith. Neither is there government prejudice against mi-norities. If there was, my work would have been hugely hindered.Instead, it was welcomed. — Atish Patel

The Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple inKarachi is believed to be 1,500 years old.

INDIAINDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 • PAGE 19

RAJARAJARAJARAJARAJAINDIAN RESTINDIAN RESTINDIAN RESTINDIAN RESTINDIAN RESTAURANTAURANTAURANTAURANTAURANT

PROUDLY SERVING THE HOUSTON

COMMUNITY FOR OVER 25 YEARS

We Bring India to You!To serve you the best is our

journey, not our destination

SERVINGSERVINGSERVINGSERVINGSERVINGLUNCH & DINNERLUNCH & DINNERLUNCH & DINNERLUNCH & DINNERLUNCH & DINNER

Low Cholesterol & High FiberAll Dinners Served with Salad & Pickle

Chana BhaturaChana BhaturaChana BhaturaChana BhaturaChana Bhatura(As low as $5.50)

VVVVVegeegeegeegeegetable Plattable Plattable Plattable Plattable Plate & Ricee & Ricee & Ricee & Ricee & Rice(As low as $6.00)

Goat Meat & RiceGoat Meat & RiceGoat Meat & RiceGoat Meat & RiceGoat Meat & Rice(As low as $9.50)

Butter Chicken PlatterButter Chicken PlatterButter Chicken PlatterButter Chicken PlatterButter Chicken Platter(As low as $8.00)

Authentic Indian Snacks & SweetsAuthentic Indian Snacks & SweetsAuthentic Indian Snacks & SweetsAuthentic Indian Snacks & SweetsAuthentic Indian Snacks & Sweets

(As low as $2.50 a plate)

CofCofCofCofCoffffffee, Tee, Tee, Tee, Tee, Tea, Sofea, Sofea, Sofea, Sofea, Soft Drinkst Drinkst Drinkst Drinkst Drinks

We Cater for Parties •• Fast Food Take-out

713-782-5667

5667 Hillcroft @ Harwin •• Houston, TX 77036

Your Satisfaction is Our Business

Nobody Goes Hungry at RAJA

Visit www.raja-sweets.com

RANCHI: The Jharkhandpolice lodged an FIR on the com-plaint of national-level shooterTara Shahdeo, who alleged shewas deceived by one RanjitKumar Kohli into marriage,whose real name is Raqibul HasanKhan. She said in her complaintthat she was tortured for over amonth to accept her husband’sreligion.

Ranchi SSP Prabhat Kumartold reporters on Sunday, Aug 24,“Raqibul Hasan Khan was knownas Ranjit Kumar Kohli amongpeople in Ranchi. After their mar-riage, he forced Tara to have anikaah, which she refused, andwas tortured for raising her voicein protest.”

Kumar said police havecharged Hasan with IPC section295A which deals with deliberateand malicious act intended to out-rage religious feelings of a classby insulting its religious beliefs.Following the August 22 FIR, thepolice sealed two of Hasan’shouses and six cars.

Hindu religious organizationslike the VHP called for a Ranchibandh on Monday against Tara’sfraudulent marriage, her tortureand confinement. They demandeda CBI probe into Hasan’s role,alleging he could be part of jihadioutfit carrying out forcible conver-sions by luring Hindu girls intomarriage.

Tara, who is related to the erst-

Marriage fraud alleged: Ranjit Kumar or Raqibul Hasan?while ruling family of the Palkotprincipality, won the gold medal ata national event, Eastern IndiaShooting Championship (2011-12).

Tara met Jharkhand Women’sCommission chairperson MahuaManjhi on August 23 and told herabout her plight, saying she metHasan as Ranjit Kohli in May thisyear during shooting practice atthe range at Hotwar sports com-plex in Ranchi.

“He was well known as Kohliand connected to high-profilepeople of the state and a regularvisitor at the shooting range,” Taratold Manjhi, who quoted her.“Kohli” proposed her though herfriends, Tara told the JWC chair-person, and their wedding tookplace according to Hindu ritualsat a five-star hotel in Ranchi onJuly 20. It was attended by manywell-known personalities includingformer Jharkhand Speaker InderSingh Namdhari.

Tara’s father Lal Ambika NathShahdeo said Hasan was well net-worked as Kohli and many peoplesaid positive things about him. “Itried to verify his credentials andmost people I spoke to had posi-tive remarks about him,” he said.

After Hasan insisted on nikah,Tara also found letters marked inthe name of Raqibul Hasan Khan.

“Most guests (visiting home)were Muslims and I came acrossinvitation cards sent to him in thename Raqibul Hasan Khan,” she

told the JCW chairperson.She said she was tortured and

asked to accept Islam. Tarashowed her wounds to the JSWCchairperson Manjhi, including dogbites, forced by her husband.

Hasan, she alleged, had takenaway her mobile phone to ensureshe couldn’t contact her family.He, Tara said, had threatened tokill her father and brother if shespoke out. She then sent a mes-sage to her brother through hermaid, when Hasan was out of thecity.

“We raided Hasan’s house withover a dozen policemen and res-cued her on August 19,” saidTara’s brother, Dwed NathShahdeo. “Tara had injury markson her body and was admitted toRanchi Institute of Medical Sci-ences. Two days later, she wasreleased and we lodged an FIRwith the Hindpiri police station,”he said.

Meanwhile, Hasan and hismother are said to have escapedfrom Ranchi in one of their SUVs.“A high alert has been soundedbut they are untraced. They seemto have left Jharkhand,” said DSPKotwali Deepak Ambasth.

Inspector Mohammed Farooq,who raided Hasan’s houses, said,the seized six cars and motorbikeare registered in Ranchi registra-tion in the name of Raqibul HasanKhan. Special team has been con-stituted to arrest Hasan.

PATNA: State BJP top brass on Monday accepted the four wins(and six losses) in the hotly contested byelection to the 10 assemblyseats, maintaining that it should have won at least two more. They alsopledged to foil the RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s march and perform betterin the assembly election to be held in October-November next year.

“The byelection results underscore that it is RJD chief Lalu Prasadwho has emerged victorious from within the three-party front of JD-U, RJD and Congress. The real loser is JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar,”said senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi.

“We will see what went wrong. Was it candidate selection or mis-reading of the social combination and local issues, or any other factor?The review will be comprehensive. Our reading is Lalu has won, notNitish,” Modi said.

Modi, the former deputy CM, along with leader of opposition in thestate assembly Nand Kishore Yadav and state BJP chief MangalPandey, was briefing media. He denied that the byelection resultscould be seen as the “trend and indicator of the future scenario” andcited the case of the bypolls to 18 assembly seats in 2009 a few monthsafter the Lok Sabha elections held that year. “Lalu and his combinehad won 13 seats and we won just five. Yet, we won the assemblyelections held next year, rather spectacularly,” Modi said.

In the same vein, the state BJP top brass insisted there was “norelation” between the recently held Lok Sabha election and the as-sembly bypolls. “Despite strong Narendra Modi wave, our vote sharein parliamentary election was low in Mohania and Narkatiaganj as-sembly segments, but we have won the two seats in the byelection,”Modi said, and with a pinch of remorse added the party should havewon Bhagalpur, considered its citadel for the last 24 years, and theChhapra seat.

Modi said the party was not having any leadership problem and thematters related to the CM candidate would be decided by the parlia-mentary board “in consultation with the people concerned.”

Bihar byelection: BJP wins 4, loses 6NEW DELHI: Carrying on

with a generational shift of its lead-ership, the Bharatiya Janata Partydropped veteran leaders AtalBihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani andMurli Manohar Joshi from its par-liamentary Board, the party’shighest decision-making body, onTuesday, Aug 26.

The three veterans, leadinglights of the party for nearly fourdecades, were dropped from itscentral election committee too.

As a token gesture, they findplace in a new five-memberMargadarshak Mandal (guidancepanel), along with Prime MinisterNarendra Modi and Union HomeMinister Rajnath Singh. BJP me-dia managers said the presenceof the Prime Minister and theHome Minister on the panelproved it was a “high-powered”body, but conceded it was pow-erless.

Three-time Madhya PradeshChief Minister Shivraj SinghChouhan and party general sec-retary J.P. Nadda are the newmembers of the parliamentaryBoard of the BJP. Party presidentAmit Shah will be the chairmanof the all-powerful body.

Others on the 12-memberBoard are Modi; his Cabinet col-leagues Singh, Arun Jaitley,Sushma Swaraj, M. VenkaiahNaidu, Nitin Gadkari, AnanthKumar and Thawar ChandGehlot; and Ramlal.

Chouhan and Nadda are newentrants in the party’s central elec-tion committee. Among the no-table exclusions from the panel isfirebrand Uttar Pradesh leaderVinay Katiyar. The panel strengthhas been pruned from 18 to 15.

BJP drops 3 veterans from Parliamentary board

Shah will chair the election committee, too. The other members onthe panel are Modi, Singh, Jaitley, Ms. Swaraj, Naidu, Gadkari, Kumar,Gehlot, Ramlal, Jual Oram, Shahnawaz Hussain and Mahila BJP chiefVijaya Rahatkar (ex-officio). Reacting to the Congress charge thatthe BJP had relegated its seniors to an “old-peoples’ home,” Hussain,BJP spokesman, said, “Let the Congress bother about its seniors.”

The old guard in a 2002 photo: L.K. Advani (left), Murli ManoharJoshi and former Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee.

Kerala to shut down liquor barsTHIRUVANANTAPURAM: In a momentous decision that has

major socio-economic implications, the ruling United Democratic Front(UDF) in Kerala has decided to shut down 730 liquor bars, go in formore ‘dry’ days, and bring down the retail outlets of the Kerala StateBeverages Corporation (Bevco) by 10 per cent every year.

The UDF high-power committee took the decision at its two-hourmeeting here on Thursday evening, Aug 21, bringing the curtain downon what was increasingly becoming an acrimonious spat among Con-gress leaders on the question of restoring licences of 418 bars that hadbeen closed down in April owing to their poor upkeep.

The decision, which also bore clear hints of political one-upmanshipamong those ranged behind Kerala Pradesh Congress Committeepresident V.M. Sudheeran and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, wouldsee the State limiting bar licences to the dozen or so five-star hotels inthe State beginning April, 2015, foregoing a major portion of close toRs.9,000 crore in revenue annually.

The government will not restore licences of the 418 closed barsand, after obtaining legal advice, it will shut down 312 bars that arenow open. Toddy shops and wine and beer parlors would, however,remain outside the curbs, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said afterthe meeting.


INDIA

Specializing in Small

Business Commercial Loans

Commercial Real Estate Loans

Construction Loans

Equipment Loans

Working Capital Loans

International Trade Finance and more...

Jack Kuo Sally Li Catherine Liang Winston NguyenLending Officer, V.P. Lending Officer, V.P. Lending Officer, V.P. Lending Officer, V.P.713-995-3201 713-272-5027 713-995-3210 713-995-3226

Court okays Lalit Modi’s returnNEW DELHI: The Delhi

High Court on Wednesday or-dered restoration of the pass-port of former Indian PremierLeague (IPL) CommissionerLalit Kumar Modi, paving theway for his return to India.

A bench of justices BadarDurrez Ahmed and VibhuBakhru set aside the order re-voking Modi’s passport butmade it clear that it was notexpressing any opinion withregard to the alleged violationsunder the Foreign ExchangeManagement Act (FEMA) byhim which are being examinedseparately by the authorities under FEMA.

Restoring his passport, the bench said the materials taken into con-sideration while revoking his passport were “extraneous and irrelevant“.

Further, the bench said the order revoking Modi’s passport wasinvalid as it was in violation of Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech andexpression) and (g) (practise any profession, or to carry on any occu-pation, trade or business) of the Constitution.

The bench also said there is a specific procedure and statutory pro-visions for default or non-compliance of summonses under FEMA andrevocation of his passport for such default on the ground that it was inthe interest of general public “was not lawful.”

“... extraneous considerations and irrelevant materials were takeninto account by the officers under the Passports Act while renderingtheir decisions dated March 3, 2011 and October 31, 2011.

“This is also apart from the more serious issue of invalidity on ac-count of violation of Article 19(1)(a) and (g). The Single Judge, in theimpugned order dated January 16, 2013, in our view, did not examinethese aspects of the matter.

“Since there is a specific procedure and there are specific statutoryprovisions for default in non—compliance with summonses underFEMA itself read with relevant provisions of the Income-tax Act andthe Civil Procedure Code, the revocation of the appellant’s passportfor that so-called default (which is yet to be adjudicated upon), on theground that it was in the interests of the general public, was not law-ful,” the court said.

On January 16, 2013, a single-judge bench of the high court haddismissed Modi’s plea challenging the orders revoking his passportpassed by the Regional and Chief Passport Officers on March 3, 2011and October 31, 2011, respectively.

NEW DELHI: The SupremeCourt on Monday declared allo-cation of all the 218 coal blocksmade since 1993 as “illegal andarbitrary” while also holding thatthe central government had nopower of allocation under the rel-evant laws.

However, the consequences ofthis declaration, particularlywhether such allocations will bescrapped or not, will be consideredon September 1 after further hear-ing by the court.

In what is bound to overhaul theentire process of mining of themineral, which the court describedas “black diamond” and “ex-tremely important element in theindustrial life of developing India”,a three-judge bench ruled that thewhimsical and non-transparentprocedure of allocation had re-sulted in “unfair distribution of thenational wealth in the hands of fewprivate companies”.

It also said the prevailing prac-tice of the Centre issuing alloca-tion letters after selecting the pri-vate companies reversed the le-gal procedure stipulating that thestates should take such decisions.

The bench, led by Chief Jus-tice R M Lodha, said the entireallocation of coal blocks, on rec-ommendations made by thescreening committee in 36 meet-ings and through the governmentdispensation route, suffered fromthe “vice of arbitrariness and le-gal flaws”.

The allocations relate to theperiod from 1993 to 2011, duringthe regimes of both the NDA andUPA governments. However,over 190 of these allocations were

done during the tenure of the UPA government, which had defendedthese allocations in January, when the court reserved its order.

The allocations were done on the recommendations of the screen-ing committee, set up in 1992, for scrutinising applications from privatepower generating companies for ownership and operation of captivecoal mines. The second route was through the government dispensa-tion quota, wherein the allocations were made by the Coal Ministry tothe government companies.

The bench clarified that it was not for the court to evaluate theadvantages of competitive bidding over other methods of disposal ofnatural resources, but it was surely the court’s duty to examine whethersuch disbursal did not trample upon constitutional mandates.

While maintaining that the “common good and public interest havesuffered heavily”, the bench said the screening committee was notconsistent or transparent, and whatever guidelines were framed werenot followed. “There was no objective criteria, nay, no criteria for evalu-ation of comparative merits. The approach had been ad hoc and ca-sual,” it said.

Indicting the authorities for a policy of “pick and choose”, the bench,also comprising Justices Kurian Joseph and Madan B Lokur, said: “Noapplications were invited through advertisement and thus the exerciseof allocation denied a level playing field, healthy competition and equi-table treatment. There were no steps or measures taken to preventpossible misuse of end-use project of private companies.”

It also noted that several companies which have been allocated coalblocks were not engaged in the production of steel, power or cementat the time of allocation — a necessary condition to be fulfilled forallocation — but they were still given the blocks. Similarly, thoughallocation could be done only to individual entities and not to a consor-tium of companies, coal blocks were allocated to such consortium bytweaking the norms.

The bench termed the allocations through the government dispen-sation route as “illegal” since it was not permissible as per the CoalMines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973, according to which no state gov-ernment or public sector undertakings of the state governments areeligible for mining coal for commercial uses. Yet, such entities wereallocated coal blocks.

The court, adjudicating on PILs filed by advocate M L Sharma andNGO Common Cause, also junked the Centre’s argument that it wasthe appropriate authority empowered to allocate blocks by issuing let-ters of allocation and that the states could subsequently execute theleases with the selected companies.

It underlined that such a practice was violative of the CMN Act aswell as the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)(MMDR) Act and it also rendered the role of the state governments“only mechanical.”

Supreme Court voids 218 coal allocations

PAKISTANINDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 • PAGE 21

IS offered Foley in exchange of Aafia, othersLONDON: Militants belonging to the Islamic State had reportedly

demanded the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui and others extradited tothe United States in exchange for American photojournalist JamesFoley and other Western hostages, said a report published in The In-dependent.

An e-mail was sent to the family of Foley in which the IS hadclaimed that they had offered “prisoner exchanges to free the Mus-lims currently in your detention” which included Dr Aafia, a Pakistanineuroscientist, who was sentenced to 86 years in prison in 2010 by aUS federal court for trying to kill US agents and military officers.

The e-mail said that despite offering prisoner exchanges to freethose who were detained in the US, the government “proved veryquickly that this is not what you are interested in”.

The report quoted the GlobalPost as saying that Foley’s family hadreceived their first message from his captors last year on November26, asking for money after more than a year had elapsed without anycontact.

“After the militants had proved to the Foleys and investigators thatthey were in fact holding Jim, they made their sole demand for aransom of 100 million euros (about $132 million) or the release ofunspecified prisoners held by the United States,” the GlobalPost said.

By Zahid Hussain

The daily spectacle of a frothing-at-the-mouth Imran Khan and ahysterical Tahirul Qadri performing live shows has worn down thenerves of this hapless nation. The midnight sessions invariably endwith yet another deadline for an instant ‘revolution’ and ‘azadi’ andanother set of demands.

An elusive ‘third umpire’ was supposed to appear last weekendand raise his finger signalling the beginning of the ‘revolution’. But heis yet to arrive. Maybe the game plan has changed, making the waitmore agonising for the container revolutionaries. The indomitable‘Kaptan’ is now willing to spend months in the container and the‘Shaikhul Islam’ is preparing to embrace ‘martyrdom’. It has turnedinto a theatre of the absurd.

It is now a game of nerves and a battle of marches as the primeminister’s supporters too are taking to the streets in a show of politicalpower. Neither side is stepping back in this stand-off. The unanimousresolutions passed by both houses of parliament last week rejectingthe demand for the resignation of the prime minister, however, mayyet prove to be a game-changer.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf now finds itself pitted against parlia-ment though Imran Khan appears adamant to take the battle to thebitter end. He is not willing to settle for less than Nawaz Sharif’s scalpeven if he gets to keep the trophy for only a month. He will not com-promise on the issue that is central to his campaign. His inflexibilitymay also prove to be his undoing. There is no way he can have hiswish list come true without derailing the current dispensation.

It is now a game of nerves and a battle of marches as the primeminister’s supporters too are taking to the streets.

Though most political parties support the PTI’s stand on the elec-tion fraud inquiry and its demand for poll reforms, there are no takersfor the disruption of the democratic political process or involvement byan outside force. This may well be the reason for the ‘umpire’ notcoming to the Kaptan’s help. He has to do more to bring the umpireinto the field. But it is not going to be that easy against such heavyodds.

Imran Khan’s desperation was evident by his ridiculous call for civildisobedience. More recently, he advised people to close down theiraccounts with state-owned banks and for Pakistani expats to transfertheir money through the hundi system.

He seemed to have lost his senses when he warned the WorldBank and IMF not to deal with the government. With these kinds ofirresponsible statements, can anyone take him seriously as a leader?His entire politics now revolves against Sharif and is completely de-void of any constructive thinking.

Had Imran Khan showed some prudence and political acumen, hecould have easily salvaged the situation by accepting the deal offeredby the government conceding five out of the six points presented bythe PTI in the talks. No doubt, he won a moral victory by forcing thegovernment to agree to form a high-powered inquiry commission toprobe the rigging allegation and initiate electoral reforms. Now, due tohis stubbornness and irrationality he has taken a confrontationist path.

Predictably, Imran Khan’s decision to submit resignations of hisparty members from the assemblies and the call for civil disobediencehas brought the split in party ranks to the surface. Many senior mem-bers have long grumbled about his dictatorial ways, but now the differ-ences seem to have sharpened with some members reportedly refus-ing to resign from their seats.

It may have been the reason for his suspending the decision to pullout from the KP Assembly. KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak report-edly asked the opposition not to table a vote of no-confidence againsthis government, as he has no intention of dissolving the assembly.

It is a sad state of affairs for a party that promised to bring aboutchange in the political culture and strengthen democracy within itsranks. The slogan for change had won the PTI the support of theyoung generation and gave the latter hope.

But instead of consolidating the gains the party made in the lastelections, emerging as the second powerful political force in terms ofthe number of votes polled, Imran Khan seems to have lost the oppor-tunity because of his impatience.

Disillusionment seemed to have crept into party ranks much beforethe march on Islamabad began. Many hardcore young stalwarts wereupset with his apologetic stance on the Taliban and militancy. Theongoing political stand-off certainly does not help restore faith among

the disgruntled cadres.It took Imran Khan more than

18 years to bring the party to itspinnacle, but it could take only afew wrong decisions to throw itback into political oblivion. It wouldcertainly not be good for the na-scent democratic process in thecountry.

It is still hard to predict the out-come of the stand-off. The primeminister may scrape through, butcertainly not unscathed. The con-flict has already shaken him outof his imperial hubris. His strangle-hold on Punjab is now under seri-ous threat.

It appears increasingly difficultfor Shahbaz Sharif to stay at thehelm in Punjab after his reportedinvolvement in the Model Townkilling case. There seems to be noway out for the prime minister butto sacrifice his brother to bringdown the political temperature.

It may be a case of too little,too late when it comes to defus-ing the situation. The challengefaced by the government is enor-mous. It is time to end family-dominated politics. One can onlyhope that Sharif has learnt somelessons from the crisis and showssome statesmanship.

There is no time for the part-time leadership that he has so farprovided. It is also a moment fortruth for all other political parties.Time is running out for status quopolitics. Notwithstanding theirmethods, the Imran/Qadri com-bine has brought public discontentto the fore. The message is loudand clear if they bother to listen.

— Dawn

Theater of the absurd

Shujaat meets Qadriin container

ISLAMABAD: PakistanAwami Tehreek (PAT) refused onWednesday to withdraw from its48-hour deadline to the ruling Pa-kistan Muslim League – Nawaz(PML-N) government.

Talking to media at Constitu-tion Avenue, PAT leader RaheeqAbbasi said that the party will de-cide for any future course of ac-tion after the deadline expires.

Pakistan Muslim League –Quaid (PML-Q) chief ChaudhryShujaat Hussain also went to meetPAT chief Tahirul Qadri in thelatter’s container parked inIslamabad’s Red Zone.

Shujaat went to meet Qadrialong with two others whosenames haven’t been disclosed.

The development comes as the48-hour ultimatum that the fire-brand cleric gave to the govern-ment to meet his demands nearedexpiration.

It was not clear on whose be-half Shujaat, who had consider-able trouble climbing into the con-tainer, was meeting Qadri.

Qadri’s container was checkedusing sniffer dogs before thePML-Q leader climbed into thecontainer.

The move by PAT was ex-pected especially after the judicialcommission which was investigat-ing the June 17 Model Town inci-dent held the government respon-sible for it, saying the police actedon government orders which ledto the bloodshed.

Nawaz: This too shall passISLAMABAD: In his address to the National Assembly today,

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif indicated in no uncertain terms that hisgovernment and the present parliament are here to stay. Today wasthe first time Nawaz addressed Parliament on the ongoing politicalcrisis, after which his party said no force would be used against pro-testers encamped outside the building.

Nawaz said today would be remembered in the nation’s history asa great day for democracy, adding that the assembly represented thepeople of Pakistan. “This great display of strength will always be re-membered. It makes me happy to think that this is the voice of the 200million people of the country,” the premier said.

Although in the last couple of weeks, Nawaz had been coming toParliament more regularly than before, this was the first time he hadaddressed house members about the current crisis, indirectly rejectingdemands for his resignation and dissolution of the parliament, but of-fering to discuss all other issues.

“I find it heartening when politicians say that they are fighting fordemocracy and not for a prime minister,” he said...MNAs voted onthe resolution calling for their confidence in the assembly and the electedrepresentatives of the people.”

“This is the triumph of a vision…which is not aboutindividuals…governments come and go, prime ministers come and gobut focusing on the principle of democracy and Constitution is a vic-tory of the system, of democracy,” the prime minister said.

“I haven’t seen a similar example in the country’s history,” Nawaztold the House, adding that the fact that nine of out ten parties votedfor the resolution supporting democracy was a historic moment forPakistan.

“I am grateful that you have chosen me as the leader of the House…Ivow never to hurt your sentiments,” he said.

The prime minister added that “if today, we correct ourselves forthe way forward, that will be positive for Pakistan”, and added that acommittee had been constituted for electoral reforms and all politicalforces should sit together and give their opinions.

It also appeared that the prime minister consciously avoided goinginto details of the current crisis, but towards the end of his speechindicated that he would like to address the house again on what hecalled the real factors that led to the ongoing campaign against himand the current crisis.

Capital staff refuse to pick up trashISLAMABAD: The mistrust between the Pakistan Tehreek-i-

Insaf’s and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s protesters and the workers ofthe Capital Development Authority (CDA) may lead to a stink, as thecivic body’s sanitation staff has stopped collecting garbage and otherwaste from the site of the sit-ins.

The otherwise clean and well-maintained Constitution Avenue wearsan ugly look now, especially the sit-in sites in front of the SupremeCourt and Parliament House. The smell emanating from the piles ofgarbage and waste dumped there has made the area quite unpleasantto visit. According to a CDA sanitation directorate official, the authority’sworkers were initially cleaning the mess created by the protesterswhen the activists were stationed near Aabpara Market since August15. The cleanup remained regular even after the protesters enteredthe Red Zone on August 20. However, the garbage collection stoppedafter August 24 as the senior officials did not assign the sanitation staffto clean the sit-in sites.

Meanwhile, owners of vehicles, especially those registered outsideIslamabad, are facing hardship on entering the capital as the capitaladministration has started confiscating their documents on differentpretexts. Besides, the vehicles of those who put up resistance are alsobeing confiscated with the help of the police, some of the affectedowners said.

Officials of the capital administration and the excise and taxationoffice (ETO) had been deployed at all the entry points of the capitalalong with the police to check the documents of the vehicles.


INDIANS ABROAD

“44 Years and Counting,

Providing Services To Generations

of Businesses and Professionals

Around The World”

1970 - 2014

Bharatnatyam is the most ancient of all Indian classical dance forms and represents a convergence of music, move-ment and expression. It is a dance form that is used to en-act the classical stories from Indian mythology and bring them to life to edify and exalt the audiences. This ancient art form has evolved over the cen-turies to bring out the fi nest in facial and physical expression and movement of the entire body to portray the nuances of the story being told.

Leepi Mehta put in an ar-dent effort for 10 years to make Bharatnatyam an inte-gral part of her life. Under the able tutelage of the illustrious Guru Rathna Kumar of Anjali Dance Center, Leepi mastered the complex footwork and poignant expressions and also mastered the different mudras or gestures to express her ar-tistic soul through this great medium.

On the 19th of July, Leepi went on to demonstrate her deep understanding and mas-tery of this art form in a formal recital known as a Bharatnaty-am Arangetram at the Jewish Community Center auditorium to an audience of over 325 people.

Right from the beginning, Leepi enthralled the audience with the fl uidity of her ges-tures, the genuine depth of her facial expression and the ease and grace with which she pre-

sented every dance. The pro-gram began with Saraswati Vandana, an invocation to the goddess of knowledge, set in Ragam Bhatiyar and Talam Adi. Leepi, dressed in white, went on to emote the purity and enlightenment of Devi Saraswati. This was immedi-ately followed by Jatiswaram set to Ragam Rasikapriya and Talam Khanda Chapu. This is an abstract and pure dance number with complex foot-work patterns and movements. Leepi did an outstanding job of synchronizing her movements to the sound of the Mrindan-gam, creating a sort of sound-movement jugalbandi.

By now, the stage was set for the piece de resistance of the repertoire: the Varnam. Lee-pi’s Varnam was set in Ragam Nata and Talam Roopakam. It portrayed various episodes from the Ramayana. Through 35 minutes of Varnam, Leepi adeptly portrayed the various characters and incidents from Ramayana: the valor of Rama in destroying the demons, bringing Ahalya back to life, and bringing Sita back home from the clutches of Ravana. Leepi glided effortlessly from one character to another, us-ing a variety of gestures and expressions to create a genuine and fl awless depiction of each of the characters and immers-ing the audience into an exqui-site, emotional experience.

In Jaya Durge set to Ragam

Keerwani and Talam Tisra Ekam, Leepi payed homage to Goddess Durga in her vari-ous manifestations to save the world from evil forces. This was followed by a famous Gujarati poem, Vari Jaoon Re written by Narsimha Mehta praising the nonchalant grace of Lord Krishna and set to Ra-gam Ragamalika and Talam Adi. Leepi depicted both the good and the evil in the story

with evocative abhinaya or act-ing. Then came the dance of the Lord of Dances – Siva: Nritya-ti Nrityati Sambashivo. Set in Ragam Sankarabharanam and Talam Adi, in this dance, Leepi sent a wave of energy to the audience with her powerful footwork and body movement that depicted Siva’s joy and en-ergy. The energy and joy Leepi created with this dance was especially mentioned by many

at the end of the program. The recital came to an end with a climactic dance of grace and elegance – Tillana— set to Ra-gam Dhanasri and Talam Adi. As Leepi danced with excep-tional vigor to the pulse of the Mrindangam and the music, a perfect harmony of movement and music was established. The program came to an end with Mangalam or salutation to the divine beings.

Renowned musicians from India accompanied the dancer live. Shri Shrikanth fi lled the auditorium with his melodious voice as Shri Muthukumar’s fl ute enamored the audience. Shri Kesavan’s Mridangam pulsated with incredible en-ergy and formed the rhythmic accompaniment to Leepi’s footwork. Shri Venugopal Joy-sula’s lighting helped set the mood for the dances.

Leepi is a rising senior at Austin High School. She is an accomplished violinist and has been active with the school or-chestra since middle school. A member of multiple Honor Societies at her School, Leepi is very involved in her school activities and academics. She is also active at Jain Center and is the president of the youth group there. Leepi wishes to continue dancing and become conversant with other classi-cal dance forms of India. Her family and friends wish her the very best.

Leepi Mehta’s dazzling Bharatnatyam debut

Leepi Mehta


Home of Genuine Diamond & 22 Karat Gold Jewelry ... Our Service & Quality Sparkle

India Jewelers .... jewelry for all generationsOlympic Centre • 6638 SW Frwy@ Hillcroft • Houston, Tx 77074713-789-7575 Email: [email protected]

PAULINE APPLEBAUM*OF COUNSEL

We have moved, see our new address below

56 Sugar Creek Center Blvd., Suite 100, Sugar Land, TX 77478

• Over 25 years of practice in immigration Law• Now taking family law cases, employment cases and select criminal matters• Former District Directors of Immigration Thomas Fischer and Roger Piper and Former

Consul General Thomas Hutson serve as Special Advisors to the fi rm• Member of the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association Since 1989• Providing representation for Canadian Immigration through our alliance with a

prominent Canadian Law Firm• Over 17 Languages spoken by the fi rm’s staff

Our New San Antonio offi ce opened on June 1.

Please call 1888-529-5990 for free Saturday appointments

in San Antonio. Chiranjaya “Chiro”

Nanayakkara

Javier Rivera Randy Goins

SAN ANTONIO

Music in the Box AM 1090

Every Thursday at 3:30


Spring BranchFamily Dentistry,P.A.

1111, Gessner, Suite BHouston, Texas 77055

(713) 461-8050(713) 461-4747

We speak English & Gujarati

Darshani Patel, D.D.S Sanjeev Khosla, D.D.S

CONVENIENT HOURS

Monday: 9 am – 6 pm

Tuesday: 9 am – 7 pm

Wednesday: 9 am – 6 pm

Thursday: 9 am – 7 pm

Friday: 9 am – 4 pm

Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm

(Closed one Saturday a month)

$$$$$6565656565 Exp. 09/30/2011 Exp. 09/30/2011Exp. 09/30/2011

We Speak English, Hindi & Gujarati

FLUORIDE TREATMENT (A $125 VALUE)

Exp. 09/30/2014 Exp. 09/30/2014 Exp. 09/30/2014

3rd Molar (Wisdom Teeth) Extraction

$$$$$8585858585

Documents

India Herald 082714