‘Dunki’ : Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki is Dunked with Love and Longing
By Sreeparna Sengupta Story: A soldier, Hardayal Singh Dhillon (Shah Rukh Khan) takes on an arduous and audacious mission, of helping a group of friends realise their dream of going to England. It seems like an impossible task because neither do they have a visa or nor can they can afford a ticket. And It is […]
‘Kastoori’: A Heartbreaking Story of Social Change and Escape
By Renuka Vyavahare Story: Gopi, a 13-year-old boy exuding wisdom beyond his years and his best friend Adim, find escape in attar (aromatic essential oils) that offers them momentary escape from their poverty-ridden grim world plagued by death and dirt. After watching his dreams being crushed by everyone around him, it dawns upon Gopi that […]
Sewa Houston Hosts Vibrant, Successful Annual Fundraising Gala
HOUSTON: The Houston Chapter of Sewa International celebrated its annual gala on December 10th, highlighting its achievements and raising funds for various humanitarian projects. The event, named “H.E.L.P. 2023” (Help Every Life Prosper), concluded the year embodied in Selfless Service to the local community. The Gala held at the GSH event center was sold-out and […]
Indo-American Association Announces 2024 Performing Arts Season
IAA Receives Award as a “Houston Cultural Treasure HOUSTON: Indo-American Association (IAA) proudly presents its 2024 Season celebrating three decades of performing arts and cultural dialogue. For thirty years, IAA, a 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization, has worked relentlessly to promote Indian arts and culture in Greater Houston as well as nationally. The organization is now […]
IACCGH Recognizes Mainstream Local Officials at Holiday Party
By Pramod Kulkarni HOUSTON: The Indo-American Chamber of Greater Houston (IACCGH) presented mementos to three officials who are leaving their positions: Houston City Mayor Sylvester Turner, retiring Small Business Administration (SBA) District Director Tim Jeffcoat, and former Houston Minority Supplier Diversity Council (HMSDC) President Richard “Dick” Huebner. Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia said all three officials […]
Gopaal Seyn’s Art Students Put Up an Impressive Performance
By Sanchali Basu It was a privilege to be invited by artist friend Indranil Sen (whose artist signature is Gopaal Seyn) to speak and honor his students at their RedBlueArts Gallery in Sugar Land the evening of December 3. The RedBlueArts Academy and Gallery has been around since 2021 and I feel fortunate to have […]
‘The Archies’: The Retro Musical Charms Despite Shortcomings
By Dhaval Roy Story: Set in 1964 in a fictional hill station called Riverdale in India, the coming-of-age story follows Archie and his friends navigating friendship, romance, and social responsibility as their cherished park faces a threat from developers demolishing it to build a hotel. Review: Director Zoya Akhtar adapts the adolescent-favourite Archies Comics for […]
A Memorable First Kumbhabhisekam for Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya
An outpouring of grateful devotion and inspired seva By Padmashree Rao Photos by Bharat Rao, Ashutosh Kak, Manisha Joshi, Rajesh Thatte, Nilesh Shah Chinmaya Mission Houston (CMH): On the Sunday morning of November 26, 2023, the skies had a sacred overtone. The air was cold and crisp as the brisk winds gathered strength through the […]
Sikh Center’s Golden Jubilee Celebration
By Bhupinder Singh The Sikh Center was established in 1972. Then there were about a dozen Sikh families who had just made Houston their home. These early pioneers felt a void for their religious and spiritual needs. They decided to fill that void by holding a monthly meeting in a volunteer family’s home for a […]
DA Kim Ogg Files Ballot Papers for Democratic Primary
By Jawahar Malhotra HOUSTON: It’s filing season once again and Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg did just that on Wednesday afternoon, December 6 at the Harris County Democratic Party Headquarters on Lyons Ave on the city’s eastside. A group of her supporters joined her outside the building and then once again inside after she […]
IMAGH/Club 65 Members Enjoy Picnic on Shores of Lake Conroe
By Jawahar Malhotra & Rashida Abdullabhoy CONROE: There is no doubt that the Club 65 group of seniors have all the fun! Most months, they hold a meeting – usually at Bayland Park- where not only do they reconnect with one another, but they learn new ideas and share in lighthearted moments and some musical […]
‘Sam Bahadur’: Vicky Kaushal’s Stellar Performance Elevates a Film that Struggles to Impress
By Abhishek Srivastava Story: ‘Sam Bahadur’ chronicles the life of Sam Manekshaw, the legendary Chief of Army Staff, who later ascended to the position of Field Marshal. The film explores the milestones of his illustrious career. Review: ‘Sam Bahadur,’ despite narrating the tale of a legendary Indian Army personnel, carries a distinctive flavour that sets it apart […]
Towards a Brighter Tomorrow: India’s G20 Presidency and the Dawn of a New Multilateralism
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi Today marks 365 days since India assumed the G20 Presidency. It is a moment to reflect, recommit, and rejuvenate the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’ As we undertook this responsibility last year, the global landscape grappled with multifaceted challenges: recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, […]
VFS Global Provides a Step-by-Step Guide to Mitigate Visa Appointment Fraud
The meteoric surge in travel worldwide has opened a gateway for not just globe-trotting travellers but also for a shadowy underbelly of scam artists. As tourists give in to their wanderlust in what’s termed as ‘revenge travel’, many find themselves at the mercy of fraudsters preying on the increased demand for visa appointments. So, it […]
TCC Fall 2023 Tournament Winners: Gladiators, Runners Up: Big 12
HOUSTON: Gladiators defeated Big12 in the Finals of Fall 2023 TCC Taped ball tournament, by 66 runs to lift their fifth championship. Thirty-Five teams across Houston participated in the Fall 2023 tournament. Big12 won the toss and opted to bowl first under overcast conditions. Arun, Big 12’s captain, made an impactful start by dismissing Sanman […]
Sandra (Sandi) Louise Bhatia: 1946-2023
HOUSTON: Sandra (Sandi) Louise Bhatia, 77, passed away on November 21, 2023 in Houston, Texas. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1946 to Richard and Dorothy Hass. Sandi married Dr. Pritam S. Bhatia in 1965. Sandi attended the University of Arkansas, where she received a master’s degree in social work. She worked as a […]
Gujarati Samaj of Houston Elects President, VP, and Committee for 2024
HOUSTON Gujarati Samaj of Houston has been celebrating our traditional festivals such as Navaratri and Diwali since its inception in 1979. It is the oldest organization that celebrates Navaratri for all the nine days of this festival. During Navaratri it is also a time for the members to commit themselves to the samaj by becoming […]
‘Diwali Dhamaka’ by Khushboo Dance Groups at Iskcon Temple, Houston
HOUSTON: Grand successful “Diwali Dhamaka” event was organized by Khushboo GroupsmLLC, with a huge crowd & full of energetic performances at Iskcon temple’s Gauranga Celebration Hall on 17th Nov 2023, Friday at 6 pm onwards. Guest of Honor Judge Juli Mathew did the inauguration ceremony by lighting the diya with Mr Sunil Jaiswal & Mrs […]
‘Farrey’: A-grade Drama with Good Acting
By Dhaval Roy Story: An orphaned 10th board exam topper from Delhi, who earns a spot at a prestigious school in the city, is pulled into a cheating racket by her rich classmates. As the stakes and rewards get higher, she risks losing far more than she stands to gain. What will be the result of […]
Capitol Hill Joins Indian American Community to Celebrate Diwali, the ‘Festival of Lights’
WASHINGTON DC: BAPS Public Affairs and multiple partner organizations, including the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur, Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA), the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the U.S. Indian Community Foundation, the U.S. India Security Council Inc, and the Indian American Relations […]