Category Archives: Nri’s / Pio’s

Azharuddin boosts Toronto fundraiser

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's

Mohd Azharuddin and Iftekhar Shareef at Toronto event

Toronto:
Mohammad Azharuddin attracted a large number of Hyderabadi community members in Toronto on a recent visit. He was invited as the chief guest for a fundraiser event to support Peace Services, a welfare organization for elders and youths.
Azharuddin proved that he was still the magnet for overseas Indian community as more than 200 people attended the Peace Services fundraiser at Shingar Banquet Hall, Brampton, Ontario. Almost everyone was keen to meet Azharuddin on one to one basis. Azharuddin was accompanied by Iftekhar Shareef, the FIA trustee and a Chicago community activist.
The Indian Hyderabadi community in Toronto extended warm greetings to Azharuddin and Shareef. The fundraiser event was organized by members of Peace Services (Prevention of Elder Abuse and Community Education Services). Moiz Khan, President, Peace Services received the guests and spoke about the activities of Peace Services.
He informed that since 2007 Peace Services is catering to welfare programs for seniors and new immigrants. Welfare programs included free computer classes, health awareness seminars for elders and spoken English classes for all.
However, the organization focused on welfare of elders; help provide food and shelter to neglected elders and educate their young family members about the importance of elders.
Iftekhar Shareef expressed his excitement at meeting the Indian Hyderabadi community in Toronto. He said when members of Peace Services approached him to get Azharuddin for the event; he could not refuse in view of the noble cause undertaken by the organization. Azharuddin also emphasized that he could not refuse to Iftekhar Shareef, though it was time for hectic political activities in India. He, however remarked that Canada was always a tough ground for him, but the event offered an opportunity to meet old schoolmates and friends from Hyderabad. As the fundraiser event concluded, there was a beeline of Azharuddin fans eager to see him and have a photograph with him.

source: http://www.indiapost.com / Home> Community Post / July 29th, 2012

Helping change the world

Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Dr Sandeep Kishore is an everyday guy. Except for the fact that the Hyderabadi has been profiled by Scientific American as one of the nine leading global leaders, alongside former American President Jimmy Carter, himself a Nobel Prize winner (Peace, 2002). So, how did a guy who calls Mehdipatnam home get elevated to such an elite club? Here’s the story of dedication, ambition and a plan for the entire world.

Tell us about your Hyderabad connection..
My parents, Dr Anand Kishore and Dr Lakshmi Kishore are from Mehdipatnam. They studied at Osmania University’s Medical College. When I visited, I gave lectures at the OU and government schools.

What’s your big idea?
For the past three years, I’ve been building a community of youth — now 1100 from 80 countries — to change the course of health in this century.

We are currently focusing on the determinants of the health issues accompanying urbanisation and industrialisation — tobacco, poor diets, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol. The Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network has organised 15 “glocal” youth communities to petition for societal change.

What was the most difficult part of completing a PhD?
A PhD is tough work as you must deal with failure… lots of it. Ninety-nine per cent of your experiments don’t work. But you must persevere. You must keep thinking differently. As Einstein said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”

What plans do you have for India?
I plan to complete my medical training to become a doctor. The biggest challenge I see are that of chronic diseases. Issues such as depression, diabetes, cancer, heart disease are difficult to tackle — and they strike at how we live, age, work and play. In the Indian context, there is much work to be done on developing a strong system of public health to prevent (rather than just cure) by focusing on the “causes of the causes”. I want to participate in the re-imagining of India.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Glam Sham / by Babli Yadav, DC / August 03rd, 2012

Pomp and gaiety mark 12th ATA Conference in Atlanta

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's

Ravi receiving the Award

By Ravi R Ponangi

Atlanta:

Pomp and gaiety added to the show of strength, solidarity and pride of the Telugu-speaking community at the 12th American Telugu Association (ATA)  Conference and Youth Convention held here during July 6-8. The three-day conference saw a turnout of 8,000 delegates not only from different cities across the US, but also from India, Canada, Britain and Dubai.

The grand celebration was attended by M. M. Pallam Raju, India’s Minister of State for Defense; Upendra Chivukula, Deputy Speaker of New Jersey Assembly; D.K. Aruna, Information Minster of Andhra Pradesh; D. Sridhar Babu, Andhra Pradesh Education Minister;  and two parliament members, Madhu Yaskhi Gowd and Md. Azharuddin, besides a host of politicians, acclaimed personalities of Tollywood, literary scholars and artists from Andhra Pradesh.

Distinguished personalities included Dil Raju, Ajit Kumar, consul general of India in Atlanta, Sobha Naidu, Padmaja Reddy, Goreti Venkanna, Thaman, Garikipati Narasimha Rao, Nandamuri Lakshmi Parvathy, Ileana, and the past presidents of ATA graced the celebration.

Besides regular features and attractions such as spectacular cultural shows, ATA delegates benefited from the workshops and seminars held during convention. Seminars were held in different areas of specializations. Events included a variety of programs in various arenas including social, spiritual, cultural, literary, art, entertainment, business and medicine. Several vendors also put up their booths on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering at the inaugural ceremony on July 7,  Pallam Raju highlighted the achievements of India in various fields and explained the problems that India was facing. He said that the country was facing two internal problems. Suddenly the economy in the country had slowed down and security had become an issue. He said India was playing a major role on world stage. He hoped that India would become a powerful country in the world by 2050. India had been elected as a temporary member in the UN Security Council and the country was working to become its permanent member. “Now India has too many responsibilities. We have to question ourselves whether we are ready to take those responsibilities. We are confronting many internal security challenges as well as economic challenges. Due to the economic crises in the world, our economy too is affected badly. I am confident that our economy will bounce back soon,” he said.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Indian economy would improve. India would be working towards economic integration and thereby bringing economic stability in the South Asian region.

Speaking about security, he said a variety of programs were being taken to strengthen the defense of the country.

Referring to Andhra Pradesh, the Minister said that the state had rich resources like minerals,  land, manpower, and entrepreneurs. “Telugu speaking people are on top in every field. Andhra Pradesh has a great potential to grow more. Many able chief ministers had taken the state forward in development. Now Kiran Kumar Reddy as the Chief Minister at  a crucial time is implementing various programs to take the state forward. I am confident that you are all thinking like me and I want you all to take the state forward,” he added.

Speaking about the separate Telengana state demand, he said:  “In my personal opinion the state should be united as it has its own merits and we get strength, if we are united in one state.”

D. K. Aruna, D. Sridhar Babu,  Ravi Prakash, CEO of TV9 channel, and others spoke.

The banquet dinner on July 6 included a reception and a social hour for guests of the convention. D.K. Aruna lighted the traditional lamp to mark the inauguration of the events that followed. A long awards ceremony followed the welcome speech, and the executive team was introduced by Dr. Mangaraju Vanapalli.

Dr. Rao S. Rapaka was honored for biomedical research, Dr. Lakkireddy Hanimi Reddy, was honored with the Philanthropist of the Decade Award; ATA distinguished award winners from Atlanta included Dr. Sivananda Nyayapati, Dr. P. Ravi Sarma, Narender G. Reddy and Ravi Ponangi.

“It feels great to be amongst my countrymen and I am proud of how well they have done for themselves here,” Mohammed Azharuddin, the former Indian Cricket Captain, said when asked about how it felt to be at the convention.

The second day festivities kicked off with the invocation and lighting of the lamp, singing of Vande Maataram and national anthems. After the Swagatham song, ATA messages by TAMA, GATA, ATA Convener Karunakar Asireddy, Youth Forum Chair Prashanth Paripati, ATA President Dr. Rajender Jinna, ATA Board, Standing Committee chairs and regional coordinators, and a spiritual message by Swami Chidatmananda followed. As chief guest, Pallam Raju addressed the gathering after the inaugural theme dance in praise of Telugu heritage and release of the inaugural CD.

Various Cultural programs including classical, semi-classical, folk dances, music, skits and plays were lined up to enthrall and entertain the audience. Prime-time entertainment began with an invocatory Kuchipudi dance – Om Namah Sivaya – choreographed by Hema Shilpa Uppala and presented by her, Reneeta Basu, and Puja Tripuraneni. Emceed by Shilpa Chakroborthy, the program included Kuchipudi dances, music performances, a fashion show, a fusion dance, a romantic thriller “Haunted Love,”  Tollywood Dhamaka, “Telugu Pandugalu,” and ATA honors and recognition  of conference donors and others. A live telecast of presentation of ATA lifetime achievement award to Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam in Chennai was shown on the big screen. It was followed by Kuchipudi offering “Nrityanjali,”  comedy skit “Americallo Manoorollu,”  Gaeya Rupa Kavitvam by Gorati Venkanna and a comedy show by Tollywood actors.

The July 8 proceedings  started off with the invocation and semi classical melodies by Dr. Jayaprada Ramamurthy and Ashtavashanam by Garikipati Narasimha Rao. “Sunanda Vinodini II,” continued to dazzle the audience with the finals of Jhummandi Naadam and ATA 2012 Solo Dance Talent. Winners of various contests were announced. Prime-time entertainment, emceed by Jitendranath, included Dazzling Dhamaka by Detroit Sizzlers, a dance performance by winner of ATA 2012 solo dance talent search, Namasthe India by Dr. Padmaja Reddy and group, honoring of Dr. Sobha Naidu and Kuchipudi performance by her students, mimicry by Jitendranath, presentation of ATA Outstanding Philanthropist Award to Dr. Hanmi Reddy Lakkireddy, presentation of honors and awards to Ravi Prakash of TV9 and members of convention committees, and the much awaited “ATA Raffle Draw.” The night ended on a high note with “Taaralu Digivacchina Vela,”  a musical performance,  by Thaman and party.

Other events included  business seminars, alumni meetings carom, chess and  jodinchu tournaments, CME, literary discussions, immigration issues, senior citizens programs, focus on breathing, essence of Vedas, Art of Living, and live political debates and discussions by Indian politicians telecast by TV9 and TV5.

source: http://www.indiatribune.com / Home> Newspaper> Community / July 2012

V V S Laxman @ Paradise Biryani Pointe, New Jersey

Nri's / Pio's, Sports, World Opinion

Paradise Biryani Pointe organized and celebrated Meet and Greet with Cricket great Mr. V V S Laxman.

Very  Very  Special  Laxman is  one of the “Big Four” prolific run scorers in Indian cricket. Steve Waugh once said if you get Dravid out its great, if you get Sachin it’s brilliant, If you get Laxman then it’s a miracle.

It was a pleasant and exciting Tuesday evening for cricketing Fans at Paradise Biryani Pointe, East Windsor location to Meet and Greet Mr. Laxman the real match winner for India on many occasions. Can anyone forget his knock of 281 at Kolkata Eden Gardens to win the test followed by series win.

Excited Fans, Kids and young cricketers got a chance to interact with their favorite cricketer from Hyderabad so close. They got an opportunity to ask questions and tips from Mr.Laxman.

Mr. Laxman signed autographs and encouraged young children to dream big and achieve it by passion, dedication and practice.

Mr. Laxman was impressed with the growth of cricketing trend in USA among youth.

Mr. Laxman Congratulated Paradise Biryani Pointe for their growth and bringing in the Traditional Hyderabadi  Biryani to USA, which is now open in 20 locations and is planning to open another 15 locations to make it to total of 35 locations all over USA by end of this year.

On this special occasion Paradise Biryani Pointe and Fans congratulated Mr.VVS Laxman and  wished Good Luck in future endeavors.

source: http://www.greatandhra.com / Home> Articles> Special Articles / July 04th, 2012

TANA hosted a Mesmerizing “Kalyana Srinivasam” Kuchipudi Dance Drama in Dallas

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's

Dallas, TX, Sunday June 17, 2012

“Invoke the divine and celebrate the wedding of Lord Srinivasa” is the theme of the evening gathered at the Eisemann Center, Richardson TX as a part of the “Kalyana Srinivasam, a mega Kuchipudi Dance Drama on Lord Srinivasa hosted by the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) on Sunday, June 17, 2012. TANA, founded in 1977, is one of the oldest and largest Indo-American national-level organizations with its charter to perpetuate, integrate, and assimilate the cultural heritage of the Telugu-speaking people of the North American continent into the mainstream of the cultural heritage of North America. This program was Co-hosted by the Natyanjali Kuchipudi dance School of Srilatha Suri established to promote the exquisiteness of Kuchipudi dance in North America in general and Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex in particular.

Rajeswari Udayagiri and Chandrahas Maddukuri duo served as the leaders of the ceremony for the evening. Manjulata Kanneganti, TANA Southwest Regional Representative extended a warm welcome to the visiting guests and several hundreds of local Telugu community members for this one-of-a kind dance drama. The event was attended by Hon. Upendra Chivukula, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, NJ as a Chief Guest. Hon. Chivukula congratulated TANA for bringing the Telugu community together and promoting the rich Indian culture in North America. TANA recognized Hon. Chivukula with a “Distinguished Service Award” for his impeccable public service and for being a beacon for the upcoming leaders of the Indian origin.

“Srinivasa Kalyanam ” is a romantic devotional ballet depicting the story and the wedding of Lord Srinivasa with Padmavathi. The ballet has been divided into a dozen different complex scenes with unique set of situations involving many characters for the clear understanding of the story. Each scene is uniquely choreographed with various characters supported by breathtaking sounds and techniques to simulate the respective environment. Use of special equipment in almost every scene is an indication of the effort level from the choreographers. Various events leading to the romantic union of the Lord with Padmavati is well presented. The audience was enthralled and taken in by every scene and and passion of the performers is clearly visible.

Prasad Thotakura, President of TANA reiterated TANA’s continued focus on serving the Telugu community with result oriented programs and enabling a new breed of ambassadors to bring the community together. He invited everyone to attend the 19th TANA Convention to be held from July 4-6, 2013 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas. He commended Padmasree Dr. Sobha Naidu for her decades of accomplishments and service to the Indian art and culture. Prasad also thanked Srilatha Suri of Natyanjali Kuchipudi dance school and her disciples for delivering the mesmerizing performance to the Dallas area Telugu community.

The “Kalyana Srinivasam ” team leader Padmasree Dr. Sobha Naidu was felicitated with a title “Viswa Natyaachaarya Siromani” and the Artistic Director of Natyanjali Kuchipudi Dance School Srilatha Suri was bestowed with “Natya Kala Choodamani” & all the performers were recognized with certificates and bouquet of flowers by the TANA executive team starting with Prasad Thotakura, President, Ram Yalamanchili, Secretary, Manjulatha Kanneganti, Regional Representative, Murali Vennam, 19th TANA Convention Coordinator, Geeta Dammanna, President of TANTEX, Dr. Sridhar Reddy Korsapati, IANT President, Rao Kalvala, Regional Vice President of NATA, Satish Reddy, Board of Director of ATA, Special appreciation and mementos were presented to all the sponsors and Chandrahas Maddukuri and Rajeswari Udayagiri for doing an outstanding job as the emcee of the day.

TANA Sub-committee Chairs – Chalapathi Rao Kondrakunta, Rajesh Veerapaneni, Vinod Uppu, Ratnakumar Daggubati, Samba Dodda, Srikanth Polavarapu, TANA Convention Coordinator Murali Vennam, TANA Foundation Trustee Dr. Prakasa Rao Velagapudi and Dr. Bhanumathi Ivaturi also graced the occasion.

The mesmerizing Kalyana Srinivasam mega Kuchipudi dance drama came to an end with vote of thanks by Ram Yalamanchili, Secretary of TANA to the audience for their attendance, visiting guests, volunteers like Narasimha Reddy Urimindi, Vasanth Suri, Vara Senapathi, Sridhar Kodela, Samba Dodda, Srikanth Polavarapu who spent countless hours of their valuable time, Eisemann Center management for providing excellent support and facilities, the event sponsor Natyanjali Kuchipudi Dance School, Grand Sponsors; Fortune Butterfly City, Horizon Travels, Mayuri Indian Restaurant, Our Place Indian Cuisine, Riya the Travel expert, Gourmet Foods, Unisis, Vindu Indian Cuisine, Vish Palepu, and Vinod Uppu & family for sponsoring “Srivaari Prasadm”. Special thanks to our media partners Eknazar, FunAsia, Yuva Telugu Radio, TV9 for their excellent coverage before and after the event.

source: http://www.tana.org / Telugu Association of North America / Home> Tana News / Sunday, June 17th, 2012

VVS Laxman Cricket Club comes up in England

Nri's / Pio's, Sports, World Opinion

Bangalore, Jun 18:

One of  Indian batting stalwarts, VVS Laxman, has a club named after him by one of his closest friends in England.

The VVS Laxman Cricket Club in Bradford town of Yorkshire, England is a fitting tribute to the batting artiste from Hyderabad, according to the right-hander’s friend Manish Patel.

“It was a little strange. He was very adamant and I had no choice but to say yes. Manish and his family are among my closest friends. I have known them since 1995 when I played in the Bradford League as a youngster,” Laxman told The Indian Express newspaper on Sunday.

“Obviously I was humbled by their gesture to name a club after me,” added Laxman in the newspaper report.

“This is a small way of showing our gratitude and affection towards a great friend. And we try our best to play the game with the same impeccable fairness that Laxman has always endorsed,” Manish, 41, said.

VVS Laxman Cricket Club plays in the Bradford Mutual Sunday School Cricket League. They have been doing well this season, the report said. This is a 117-year-old league with teams divided into four groups. VVSL Laxman Cricket Club are one win away from securing a semi-final spot.

“Laxman is an icon, probably the closest to being Mr Perfect. And not just on the field. He is a perfect example of how you should carry yourself. It is unimaginable how he’s handled his fame. He is also like family to us,” Laxman’s friend Manish said. Manish is also the secretary of the club.

“The BMSSCL consists of Indian-origin teams, Pakistani-origin teams and several local teams. The standard is quite high, since you have many players who have been part of senior leagues across Yorkshire,” said Mukesh Patel, captain of the club.

Laxman has so far played 134 Tests for India and has scored 8,781 runs with 17 hundreds and 56 half centuries.

ThatsCricket

source: http://www.thatscricket.com / Home> News / posted by Aprameya / Monday, June 18th, 2012

A wedding with a difference

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

The Haitian groom and his Indian bride revel in a traditional ritual that formed part of their wedding in Vijayawada. Photo: Raju. V

Sabitha from Narasaraopet and Thierry Pamphile from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, enter wedlock as per Hindu tradition

‘Marriages are made in heaven’ goes the adage. But there are different ways of solemnising them in every part of the world. With walls of religion, caste, and political boundaries vanishing in this global village, appreciating each other’s culture and traditions has become the cornerstone.

An invitation that many received in Guntur and Krishna districts turned out to be an example of integration of religions and nations. Thus read the invite:

Bridegroom: Chiranjeevi Thierry Pamphile, only son of Marth Pamphile and Christmas Pamphile, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Bride: Chiranjeevi Lakshmi Sowbhagyavati Sabitha, youngest daughter of Rajasekhar Anisetty and Naseema Rajasekhar. Muhurtam: Friday, May 4, 8.40 a.m., Hastha Nakshatram, Midhuna Lagnam. Venue: The Kay Hotel, Vijayawada. Who would have ever thought of seeing such a wedding invitation? Mr. Thierry Pamphile grew up a Catholic at Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Ms. Sabitha grew up in Narasaraopet under the care of her Hindu father, a banker, and Muslim mother, a lawyer.

DREAM COME TRUE

Ms. Sabitha and Mr. Pimphile moved to the United States and joined the same engineering college. The script from here is anyone’s guess! Love blossomed after friendship. But having a ‘traditional Hindu’ Telugu wedding has always been Ms. Sabitha’s dream. “I’ve been pinching myself all through the ceremony. I have been dreaming of such a wedding ceremony,” she said with a perfect American accent.

The wedding was planned in Vijayawada for the convenience of relatives who came from all over the State. The bride enjoyed every moment of the ceremony. Starting with placing the ‘jeelakara bellam’ on each other’s head, the tying of ‘mangalasutram’, the exchange of ‘talambralu’, and competing with the groom to get the ring in a vessel full of water, Ms. Sabitha had a real blast.

The ceremony took a little longer than usual with the Indian bride explaining to the Haitian bridegroom the meaning of the different mantras he was made to recite by the ‘purohit’ and the significance of the different rituals. Cooperative Minister Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy, a friend of the family, several lawyers, and judges graced the occasion. The bride is the granddaughter of freedom-fighter Mohammad Mohideen Saheb.

RELIGIOUS INTEGRATION

“Our family is a wonderful example of religious integration. I married a Hindu. My elder daughter married a Muslim and my younger daughter married a Christian,” said Ms. Naseema.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / May 05th, 2012

Toe transplant hailed a success

Amazing Feats, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology

Shyam Sundhar hopes to return to work soon after surgeons replaced his crushed thumb with a toe from his left foot. Lee Hoagland / The National

A carpenter who lost his thumb in a workplace accident hopes to return to work after having a toe transplanted on to his hand.

Shyam Sundhar lost the digit on his right hand in September while using a woodcutting machine at Gulf Craft, a boat manufacturer in Umm Al Quwain.

“I was totally depressed after losing my thumb as it is quite disabling for a carpenter,” said Mr Sundhar, 26, from India. “I could not grip anything with my right hand. I was wondering, ‘How will I hold the tools to do my work?’

“I went to the doctor immediately but they said it couldn’t be fixed as it was badly damaged. They advised me to go to India and get it done there as the treatment would be much cheaper and my family would be there to take care of me.”

He spent six hours in surgery while Dr K Murali Mohan Reddy, a plastic and microsurgeon at Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad, removed the second toe of his left foot – along with its blood vessels, nerves and tendons – and attached it in place of the lost thumb.

“Thanks to this surgery I have recovered almost 60 per cent of the movement and hopefully in the next few weeks I might recover fully,” said Mr Sundhar, who returned to the UAE last Monday.

He still suffers some pain but can now hold most things. “I expect there will not be much problem when I start doing my work. I’m already able to write and eat food with my right hand,” he said.

Dr Reddy said Mr Sundhar first consulted him in October.

“Because the patient was not psychologically prepared for the surgery, I asked him to come back to me after a month. He came to me for surgery in November and it was performed on November 4.

“The reconstruction of an amputated thumb is a challenging option. It requires an advanced operation theatre and excellent microsurgery skills. Very few people in India, even in the medical fraternity, know that a toe can replace the amputated thumb.”

Mr Sundhar was discharged 10 days after his operation.

“His new thumb now has movement and will have sensation and nail growth in a few weeks,” said Dr Reddy. “The disability of the loss of a thumb is low compared with the loss of any other limb, but its real significance can be felt while doing daily chores like holding a cup, writing, eating food and so on.”

frahman@thenational.ae

source: http://www.TheNational.ae / News> UAE News> Health / by Fareed Rahman / March 25th, 2012

Changing Culture

Nri's / Pio's, Sports, , , , , , , , , ,

 

By Glenn Nelson
HoopGurlz

 

Sophia Bhasin’s father played cricket, which is to India what soccer is to nearly every other country in the world, save the U.S. Still, he learned to embrace the new game his daughter picked up in America.

And obviously so has she.

Sophia Bhasin didn’t move to the U.S. permanently until she was 8. She didn’t start playing basketball until the seventh grade. But she certainly has become conversant in it.

Born in Punjab, in northern India, Bhasin has become fluent with the term “triple double,” for example. She has produced seven straight of them for Cajon (San Bernardino, Calif.), heading into its game Tuesday night against Rialto (Calif.). During that stretch, she had four straight games with 33, 45, 39 and 38 points.

Glenn Nelson/ESPN.com

Shilpa Tummala, whose parents are from India, overcame cultural inhibitions to become the No. 68 prospect in 2012 and a Harvard recruit.

“I knew I had to step up,” said Bhasin, a Sikh who maintains dual citizenship in the U.S. and India. She did because Angelica Guardado, the team’s 5-foot-10 “post,” good for 10.6 points and 8.3 rebounds for Cajon’s 29-2 team last season, suffered an ACL tear in December.

Bhasin’s backcourt mate, 5-5 Dejaunee Brooks, also has stepped forward, averaging a triple-double with 12.6 points, 10.9 assists and 10.4 rebounds. And, oh by the way, coach Mark Lehman has collected his 600th career varsity coaching victory during this magical 19-3 season for Cajon.

Basketball is not completely alien to India. The country, for example, sent a team to the FIBA 3×3 girls’ tournament in Rimini, Italy, last September. However, there are longstanding beliefs in Asian countries such as India that girls are not to participate so publicly in sports. It’s been a slow road from the mentality on display in “Bend It Like Beckham,” the 2002 film in which Punjabi Sikh parents fight their daughter’s interest in soccer.

If this year represents a cultural transformation to “Shake It Like Shaq,” Bhasin has company in the vanguard. Shilpa Tummala of St. Mary’s (Phoenix, Ariz.), which is No. 1 in the POWERADE FAB 50, was born in Phoenix, but her parents are Hindus from Andhra Pradesh in South India.

“Honestly, it wasn’t very common for an Indian girl to be so actively involved in sports,” Tummala said via email. “The fact that I played basketball competitively and devoted so much of my time to basketball shocked many people in my community.”

Tummala’s devotion to basketball was such that she was ranked the No. 68 prospect in 2012 by ESPN HoopGurlz. That led to her signing to play for Harvard, an ultimate prize for a culture that so stresses academics.

“I do have family back in India,” Tummala said. “And yes, most of them know that I am going to play basketball in college. They seem to enjoy the fact that I am going to Harvard next year to play basketball. But, I believe, the ‘Harvard’ part is what really excites them as they don’t know much about my basketball career in America.”

Both Tummala and Bhasin have fathers who became active supporters of their basketball pursuits. Bhasin’s twin brother, Ranjit, was who dragged her into the sport. She became a quick study, mastering for example the advanced skill of creating jump shots off the dribble, an attribute that is the foundation of her 25.2-point scoring average this season.

Like Tummala, Bhasin has earned a Division I scholarship, also on the East Coast, to Long Island University in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“I’m trying a new adventure,” she said of her looming career at LIU.

Or continuing one.

Bhasin said she is occasionally asked about her background and frequently is confused for being Mexican, which is not far-fetched for a region that is some 60 percent Latino. But she and Tummala are not as much curiosities to outsiders as much as they are to their own ethnic communities.

They both even were fascinated by the existence of each other.

“I think it is awesome that there is another Indian girl playing basketball out there,” Tummala said. “Sports is such a great way to stay active, develop lifelong friendships and learn valuable life lessons. It makes me very proud to know that people of my culture are allowing their children to participate at a high level of competitive athletics. It is not very common, like I said, so the fact that they are opening their minds to the positive aspects of sports makes me very happy. To be honest, outside of my older brother, I don’t know of any other Indians who play competitive basketball.”

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Glenn Nelson is a senior writer at ESPN.com and the founder of HoopGurlz.com. A graduate of Seattle University and Columbia University, he formerly coached girls’ club basketball, was a co-founder and editor-in-chief of an online sports network, authored a basketball book for kids, has had his photography displayed at the Smithsonian Institute, and was a longtime, national-award-winning newspaper columnist and writer. He can be reached at glenn@hoopgurlz.com.

source: http://www.espn.go.com / Basketball / by Glenn Nelson, HoopGurlz / originally published, February 01st, 2012

You should get to know … Subbanna Varanasi

Business & Economy, Nri's / Pio's

Job description or business description: Massage Par Excellence. I give a deep tissue massage and specialize in Indian head massage.

Background: I was born in Madras (now Chennai), India, and went to university in Hyderabad. I have a bachelor’s degree in commerce, and later, while working in a hotel in the Sultanate of Oman, went to school and earned an advanced diploma in French and on my return to India in 2000 earned an advanced diploma in Spanish. From working as a health club manager in a hotel in Oman, as a journalist in Hyderabad, working on oil rigs in Ajman in the United Arab Emirates, bartending on Carnival Cruise Lines sailing in Mexico and the Caribbean and driving a cab in New York City, I probably did more than a dozen jobs. Besides giving massages at my clinic and doing translation, interpretation and voiceovers, I work in the BOS restaurant, in the Renaissance Savery Hotel downtown. After returning to the U.S. in 2007 I studied massage therapy and became a licensed massage therapist.

Notable achievements: I speak five languages fluently and meet and greet in another five. Becoming a citizen of the greatest country in the world was a long-cherished dream that became a reality in September

Why I do what I do: I am a people person and love to know people wherever I travel and live. The very first year I arrived in Des Moines I sold corn Indian style, roasting them on hot coals and rubbing Indian spices on them, in the downtown farmers market. I realized Iowans are warm and friendly and quite a few of them encouraged me to start my own Indian restaurant. But since the time I started as a masseur in the Sheraton Hotel in Bombay back in 1980, I wanted to pursue massage as a profession. On my return to Des Moines from India in 2007, I went back to school and got my certificate and license and started Massage Par Excellence. There is absolutely nothing like helping people de-stress with a relaxing and rejuvenating massage. I educate people (especially women, who constitute 90 percent of my clientele) that as much as a manicure and pedicure is vital, massage does magic to stressed minds and bodies.

What I do to get away from work: I love to travel (I’ve been to 30 countries), and I believe travel does not have to be to other countries. My wife, Brenda, and I drive an hour from Des Moines and eat lunch in a small town and just totally unwind. I listen to music, and I try meeting new people and keep myself updated by talking to my friends around the world on Skype.

How I give back to the community: I volunteer, especially by participating in free chair massage clinics to aid food pantries and other worthy causes. I have been a tour guide at Terrace Hill. I actively participate in the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association activities. As stated on my website, on my massage clients’ request, a percentage of the massage fee is donated to the charity of their choice.

Words to live by: “Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.” — George Edward Woodberry.

Best business book I’ve read lately: “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson. The story of the charismatic pioneer of the personal computer revolution is truly gripping and inspiring.

The best place in central Iowa to entertain clients or colleagues: I visit quite often the India Star at 55th and Douglas Avenue. The close proximity to my home and clinic makes it easy for me to introduce Indian cuisine to my American friends and clients.

One thing I would change about the Des Moines area: I would like to see more shops and establishments on the street level in the downtown area. Except for the East Village (and that just in the past few years), the rest of the downtown is deserted during afternoons and simply a ghost town during evenings. The skywalk system may be a great boon for office workers to reach the food courts, but it has literally killed any chance of opening a business on the street level. More people would frequent the shops and restaurants at all times of the day if they spent time on the streets.

What Iowa can do to attract more people like me: I know that Iowa has been great to immigrants, and we need to keep on opening our doors to immigrants from around the world to continue to contribute to the colorful mosaic that is Iowa.

My mentor: My mother raised five kids and she started going to school when I, the last kid, was 15. She did teacher training and went on to get a Ph.D. She taught college until she retired. By her own example she taught me that learning has no age limit.

What I would do if I could do something else: I would love to write travel guides. I would like to describe not just the tourist sites and the restaurants and shopping but the people and their way of life and culture.

Contact information: Massage Par Excellence, 3839 Merle Hay Road, suite 210. (515) 450-7052 www.subbu.com.

source: http://www.DesMoinesRegister.com / Featured / by Subbanna Varanasi / January 16th, 2012