Asian Indians in America-An Asian Indian Student's Perspective

There are many Asian Indian students in Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University and one has to wonder if they get any kind of help from the many Asian Indian groups in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.  Siddharth Sehgal a graduate student at University of Alabama at Birmingham and a columnist at the University student newspaper writes an interesting article presented below. 

NRI Indian community - missing in action from the lives of new Indian students in US by Siddharth Sehgal. 

It’s a tricky question, whenever I think about the help and assistance that is available to new students from India from the Indian community here in United States, rarely anything comes into my mind that I can credit to the Indian community and by that I mean Indians who are already settled here with family, job and businesses.

The only support system I had was the help I got from the Indian students already living here but as I said in the beginning it’s a tricky question because everyone has their own experience, each student has his own story to tell whether good or bad.  But on a general level and the students that I have met and known over the years didn’t get any support from the Indian community.

Shakespeare once quoted that expectation is the root of all heartache but I really don’t think that a new comer to United States would have big expectations with the NRI community, of course that’s just me but from apartments to food, from transportation to telephone all kinds of basic sustainable requirements are provided for by other Indian students. The things where a new student should definitely get support from the Indian community is the guidance on how things work in US, the cultural differences, community involvement and other crucial information. I was lucky to have the guidance of few kindhearted Indians who shared their valuable experience with me which helped me a lot in my academic and professional endeavor but not every Indian student enjoys such privileges and there are several reasons for that.

Birmingham Hindu Temple and Cultural Center
 
Most of the time students don’t know whom to ask for help and great many times the Indians who are well settled here don’t bother to reach out to their struggling young compatriots. I have seen and experienced this wide gap firsthand in Pelham temple when I was doing a signature campaign in support of India against corruption movement. It was only after I was shown the door, I was told about the politics that has divided the seemingly unified community. Even here at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham), there are two types of Indian students. One who came from India and the other who are of Indian origin but are born and raised in United States, popularly known as ABCDs. Though, I have good friends in both these groups but very rarely I have seen people in both these categories interacting with each other. When I was starting my journey at UAB, I didn’t have any ABCD friend. My roommates told me that most of the ABCD students maintain distance from other Indian students. When I asked the reason behind this rift, I didn’t get any satisfactory answer and even today, it’s somewhat of a mystery to me.

But the story didn’t end there because then we have subdivisions in Indian students itself. There are groups of Marathis, Guajaratis, Bengalis, Tamils and God knows how many other different clusters that live on loosely exclusive bases. Student from one state usually live together and being from a Hindi-speaking state in India, I had a really hard time adjusting with my roommates; I was always on the sidelines. Many times, these students get help from their paternal state cultural groups like Bengali, Tamil or Telegu organizations. I have many Telugu and Bengali friends who would often visit their respective community gatherings and festive celebrations but rarely people from other states attend these meetings. Either they are not invited or they have an organization of their own.

It was a bit amusing, ironical and pleasant fact that I never had anything else to identify with other than my country. There is a saying that society doesn’t owe us anything and that indeed is true, but from the lessons I have learned here in United States I think, things can be changed a bit but as I said earlier, that’s just my viewpoint. After all, we all fight our own battles.

Asian Indian Diwali Festival at Cleveland City Hall

Cleveland Mayor to participate in Asian Indian Diwali Festival

The Asian Indian people of Cleveland Ohio, Asha Cleveland and Federation of Asian Indian Community Associations are planning to celebrate Diwali at Cleveland City Hall Rotunda on October 21, 2011.  City of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson is to participate in this new year day for the Asian Indian peoples of Cleveland.  There is a $10 fee for the event for this Hindu festival.  

Vijaya Emani of Kent State University gets Presidential Citizens Medal

I met Vijaya Emani a few times at Kent State University and talked to her on the phone too. I saw eye to eye with her on a few matters. On the other hand, she was an excessively strong advocate for her personal beliefs and a tad bit pushy in a "leader" kind of manner. She was overall nice and helped out new students by going out of the way. Sorry to note that Kent State University has deleted the article from their website. 

Kori Schulman writes on The White House Blog that in May, President Obama called on the public to help identify outstanding Americans for the 2011 Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor. Nearly 6,000 nominations were submitted and reviewed this year, and the President has selected 13 outstanding Americans to receive the award. "This year’s recipients of the Citizens Medal come from different backgrounds, but they share a commitment to a cause greater than themselves," said President Obama, "They exemplify the best of what it means to be an American, and I am honored to be able to offer them a small token of our appreciation."

Vijaya Emani 
of
Kent State University

Vijaya Emani became a role model for victims of domestic abuse because of her strength and determination in overcoming domestic abuse in her own life, and by speaking out about the issue publicly, she broke a long held taboo in the Indian American community. Vijaya Emani lived and breathed many causes including projects to aid the homeless and promoting diversity. Although she was killed in a tragic vehicle accident, her example and message live on. Emani posthumously receives the Citizens Medal for her courage in overcoming and speaking out against abuse.

- - - - 

IN REMEMBRANCE OF VIJAYA EMANI

HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Mr. DENNIS J. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Vijaya Emani, a pro-foundly respected and well known leader throughout Northeast Ohio for her work pro-moting peace, her work with Cleveland’s Asian-Indian American community and for working to bring Cleveland’s many inter-national communities together. Vijaya Emani was killed in a tragic accident on the Ohio Turnpike on January 15, 2009, at the age of 51. On that morning Vijaya was on her way to work at Kent State University when she stopped to help crash victims along an icy stretch of the turnpike. She is being honored by the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation on April 14 at its Annual Spring Dinner at

Karlin Hall in Cleveland’s Slavic Village. Vijaya Emani was an active member of the Asian-Indian community of Greater Cleveland and served at the President of the Federation of Indian Community Associations in Cleveland. Due to her leadership, India is now among the many international countries represented in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens in Rockefeller Park. The Cleveland Cultural Gardens is an internationally known site which serves to represent the numerous diverse ethnic groups which continue to make Cleveland and the United States into the diverse, egalitarian, and pluralistic society we enjoy. Prior to Vijaya’s involvement, representation at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens was mainly European; however, following the dedication of the India Cultural Garden, we celebrated the opening of the African-American and Azerbaijani gardens and plans are now underway for Native American, Hispanic, Syrian, Philippine, and Vietnamese gardens. The India Cultural Garden is also significant for the giant statue of Mohandas K. Gandhi for which Vijaya worked to raise money for. She was a tireless advocate for peace, a Hindu, and a follower of the teachings of Gandhi. She was instrumental in bringing in Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Rajmohan Gandhi, to speak at One World Day at Rockefeller Park last year. Another aspect of Vijaya’s quest for world peace was her participation in Toastmasters International. She appreciated Toastmasters founder Ralph Smedley’s belief that if people could communicate better with one another, they could break barriers to peace. Vijaya was an active member of the Crossroads Toastmasters club in Strongsville and Toastmasters District 10 in Northern Ohio. She received the one of the highest honors last year when she received the Advanced Communicator Silver award by the Toastmasters International. Vijaya used her communication skills to advocate peace not only among nations, but among families. She bravely broke her own silence about domestic violence, which even today is not widely discussed among immigrant families. After her own experience, she counseled other immigrant wives and girlfriends trapped in abusive relationships. She brought together fellow community activists in Cleveland’s international community to form a coalition to confront domestic violence in immigrant communities. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembrance of one of Cleveland’s great champions of peace, Vijaya Emani. She developed her skills as a communicator and community organizer to bring peace in the home and peace in the world. The Greater Cleveland community will surely miss the presence of Vijaya at community events, but the passion and commitment she brought to everything she did will never be forgotten. Our condolences go out to her daughters Sujata and Nirmala, and her extended network of family and friends around the world.

India Grocers of Parma Heights

Asian Indian Grocery store in Cleveland, Ohio

India Grocers at 6855 on West 130th Street W. 130th Street in Parma Heights is one of the cleanest and best Asian Indian grocery stores in Cleveland area. This store has a broad and varied inventory of Asian Indian grocery, therefore it is a one stop shop. India Grocers seems to favor Rimpy brand of grocery products.  However, the markup on the grocery items is reasonable.  The owners are Gujarati, ask for Satish, he is a helpful dude.  India Grocers does not have a website. 

Once a year, India Grocers has a Diwali sale.  It gets uncomfortably crowded and its not worth saving a few bucks. 

This Asian Indian grocery store is located next to the Cuisine of India which has changed ownership many times.

Cleveland Asian Indians to support Anna Hazare; silently !

Cleveland Asian Indians get on the Anna Hazare bandwagon

JOIN US AND SUPPORT THE MODERN SATYAGRAHA AGAINST CORRUPTION

We the well-wishers of India aspire to express our support for the modern Satyagraha movement against corruption launched by Shri Anna Hazare, by holding a silent sit-in.

DATE & TIME: 4pm to 5 pm , Sunday August 28th
DRESS: Indian dress recommended
LOCATION: Mahatma Gandhi statue at the India Cultural Garden
1190 Martin Luther King Junior Drive,Cleveland, Ohio 44108

This is not a political event, nor is this a narrow political cause. We have all watched in horror as mainstreaming of daily corruption has occurred. All of us, at one time or another, have been victims of this scourge.

We call on all like-minded people of goodwill to be present next Sunday, and even as we remain silent, send a loud and clear message to Indian politicians that the time has come to acknowledge and combat this menace head on. This will be the next struggle for independence. Independence from a fixed, unfair, or a paid outcome.

Nupur Indian Dance School To Perform in Cleveland

Nupur Indian Dance School will perform in honor of Shiva Vishnu Temple of Cleveland and to promote Indian art and culture on August 21, 2011 at Westlake Performing Arts Center

Nupur Indian School of Dance

Cleveland Desi Travel Agents

Cleveland, Akron Area Desi Travel Agents For Airline Tickets to India

• Asim Datta (216) 932-7300
• Dhaval Ghiya (440) 554-6921
• Amarjit Kang, Amar Travel (440) 201-6125

If you would like your information added to or deleted from this post, please email clevelanddesis@yahoo.com
 

Mahatma Gandhi's Amorous Letter To A Man

There is a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the India Cultural Garden in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.  Joseph Lelyveld's book titled Great Soul-Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India has been reportedly banned in Gujarat, India.  

Apparently, Mahatma Gandhi had a relationship with a German architect, Hermann Kallenbach and in a letter writes "How completely you have taken possession of my body.  This is slavery with a vengeance."

Gandhi's great grandson Tushar Gandhi is reported to have commented that it did not matter "if the Mahatma was straight, gay or bisexual.  Every time he would still be the man who led India to freedom".

What would Mahatma Gandhi say about the banning of this book?  Me thinks it wouldn't have bothered him for a second.  He would probably laugh it off.  There is only Mahatma Gandhi, after all. 

Police shoot Sikh at Gurudwara of Greater Cleveland

It was reported that a Bedford Police officer shot and killed a Sikh at Gurudwara of Great Cleveland.  Ravinder Nijjar of Bedford was observed brandishing a meat cleaver at Guru Gobind Singh Gurudwara of Greater Cleveland located at 38 Tarbell Avenue in Bedford.

Ravinder Nijjar

Michael Sangiacomo of the Plain Dealer writes,

Duber said the officer told cleaver-wielding Nijjar to stop two times before shooting him inside the Guru Gobind Singh Gurudwara of Greater Cleveland temple. Duber said Nijjar was only 11 feet away when the officer shot him.  Police said the incident started around 4:30 a.m. when two members of the temple stopped a police cruiser and said there was a man with a knife inside the temple. The men said there were two other members also inside.

"Two police officers entered the temple, with the two members," Duber said. "One officer went up a flight of stairs and the other officer went down. The officer who went downstairs into a hallway when Nijjar came down another flight of stairs toward him with the cleaver.
"The officer said 'drop the knife' twice, but the man continued walking toward him," Duber continued. "The officer shot him."

Nijjar was pronounced dead at 5:10 a.m. at the Bedford Medical Center.
Duber said police are trying to determine what happened and why Nijjar went to the temple.

Picture at Shiva Vishnu Hindu Temple of Cleveland

A picture at Shiva Vishnu Hindu Temple of Cleveland says, As a body without a soul is dead, so a faith without deeds is dead.  Hats off to Shiva Vishnu Hindu Temple of Cleveland for placing this sign.  In fact, this sign is perhaps as important as the idols of the various deities at the Shiva Vishnu Hindu Temple of Cleveland.  May be this sign could be enlarged and placed between the Shiva and Vishnu deities at Shiva Vishnu Hindu Temple of Cleveland.  This sign encapsulates what is right about faith and what is not right about desis.  We desis, most of us, have a bit of superficial faith and a little bit of deeds, some of us.

1. As a body without a soul is dead, a desi without money is dead.  
2. As a body without a soul is dead, a desi with character is dead.
3. As a body without a soul is dead, a desi with intellect is dead.

Instead of learning about the foundation and pillars of Hinduism, some desi folks consider rituals, regurgitating undigested prayers and shlokas, and poojas to be more important.  The inexpensive lunches are the temple attract some.  Unfortunately the interest and demand to learn about Vedas, Upanishads, Hinduism is lacking and desi folks are looking for instant mukti from Ammas, Swamis, Babas, Gurus etc.    

The Secret Life of American Born Confused Desi (ABCD) by Ankita Rao

American Born Confused Desi aka ABCD is a term minted by douche-bag holding Asian Indians to label children of Asian Indian immigrants to the US.  This term is used to refer to the non-existent confusion these children have with regard to their identity and culture heritage.  As far as I observe, a majority of these American Born Confused Desi are not confused at all; they are certain.  Certain that they don't give a ^uck about the country of birth of their parents.   

American Born Confused Desi

Ankita Rao's article titled The Secret Life of the American Desi is kind of interesting; check it out.  Here's an excerpt from Ankita Rao's article.

Palekar believes this lack of communication leads to depression, anxiety and more lies. He adds that the immigrant perception of their homeland is outdated. "They always feel like America is threatening for their children. But in big cities in India, people date, have one night stands and have relationships with people from other backgrounds."

Immigrant Asian Indian parents know quite well that America is referred to as a melting pot (is this a myth or reality?).  Therefore, they must take it for somewhat granted that their children may have casual sex, wear jeans that show off their underwear (in case of men and women) and the top of their butt crack/coin slot (in case of women only), low cut tops that show off a bit of cleavage.  How many desi parents would support their daughters dating a white male or (hold your breath) an African American male?  I reckon that there is nothing more shameful, arguably, for Asian Indian parents than their child hooking up with an African American person.  

It was this summer that I fully appreciated where I came from. I saw the way that my cousin and his friends helped each other. They would drive for hours to pick someone up, or visit a friend's mom in the hospital.  They poked fun at each other relentlessly. And even though they were the same age, lived in the same city their whole lives, spoke the same language,  they were Muslims, Christians and Hindus who meshed seamlessly.  Back at the University of Florida, I felt compelled to repossess this part of me that I had avoided for years. I still felt uncomfortable being in groups of only Indian friends like some tended to do, but my culture led me to other methods of connection. I took courses in Hindi, Sanskrit and Hindu Mythology at school.  I received my yoga teachers training and became engrossed in Vedic scriptures, chanting and other ancient aspects of my religion. I finally understood why sitting in front of a cast-iron elephant with a bunch of incense was relevant to my life.

How many immigrant parents have knowledge their own religion/Hinduism?  The reality is that the Asian American kids have the resources and the luxury to learn about India and Hinduism, if they choose to do so, in America and because of America.

Cleveland Asian Festival

Cleveland Asian Festival is tentatively scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 11 AM to 8 PM, near Asia Plaza’s area (Payne Avenue and East 30th Street) of the AsiaTown Neighborhood.  The Cleveland Asian Festival event may have a link to the following groups according to the website for the festival.   

Organization of Chinese Americans of Greater Cleveland - OCA
MotivAsians for Cleveland
Asian Services in Action - ASIA Inc.
Chinese Women Association
Federation of Indian Community Associations - FICA
Cleveland Contemporary Chinese Culture Association - CCCCA
St. Claire Superior Development
Filipino Association
Vietnamese Association
ICC/ISC
Friendship Foundation
Japanese American Citizens League

Asian Indian Derogatory Dictionary

These are some of the terms used by some desis aka Asian Indians to refer to other desis and non-desis:

Casteism is a specialized form of racism

• Gora-White man
  
• Gori-White woman
• Kallu-Black man
  
• Kalli-Black woman
  
• Kala, Kalu-Black man of desi origin
  
• Kali-Black woman of desi origin
  
• Chinku-Chinese or oriental man
  
• Chinki-Chinese or oriental woman
  
• Mallu-Man or woman from Kerala
  
• Katua-A Muslim man (referring to circumcision)
• Katui-A Muslim woman
  
• Gulti-Man of Telugu origin
• Gultan-Woman of Telugu origin
  
• Chapta-Oriental man
• Chapti-Oriental woman
  
• Madrasi-South Indian man or woman
  
• Gujju-Man or woman of Gujrati origin
• ABCD-American Born Confused Desi
  

Then some of us desis complain about racism in Australia.  The reality is that desis moved to Australia because they wished to, most desis were not invited by the Australian Government or Australians.  And its unlikely that the Australian Government will prevent them from leaving Australia, if Indians choose to do so.  Australian Indians should consider being grateful to their adopted country and take the much good and the little bad that Australia offers with equanimity. 

Among Asian Indians, racism starts when an Asian Indian lays eyes on another Asian Indian.  The first instinct is to identify the state and language of the other person by observation (skin color, clothes, spoken language etc) and begin the process of making judgements based on that observation.  Is it okay for Indians to read book by the cover and not okay for Australians to do this with Indians?   

As an example of racism in India; K. R. Narayanan was the first Dalit (belonging to Harijan or untouchable caste) President of India.  He is reported to have confessed that he was not allowed to forget his Dalit origin even in the Indian Presidential home, the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.   One has to wonder if APJ Abdul Kalam, one of the Indian Presidents who deserved that job, was similarly discriminated because he was a Muslim.  Further, one has to wonder if Pratibha Patil the current Indian President gets discriminated because she was linked to a bank scam involving several her relatives and her reported belief in voodoo.  HTF did this Patil thing become the President of India? 

North Royalton Student in National Spelling Bee

Anamika Veeramani, of North Royalton, is a seventh-grader at Incarnate Word Academy of Parma Heights. Her coach is Janice Hearst. Veeramani is one of the entrants who survived the preliminary rounds and will compete in the semifinals of the spelling bee competition. The winner of the finals of the 82nd Scripps National Spelling Bee receives more than $40,000 in cash and prizes.

Anamika Veeramani spelled "olivaceous" to win the Plain Dealer Cuyahoga County Scripps Spelling Bee. Anamika Veeramani also won in 2008 in North South Foundation vocabulary competition.

A Gandu Desi Doctor in the Making

So I see this conceited desi doctor who has a residency program link to Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland. What the fock is wrong with a few desi doctors. I am quite certain that this is not the last asshole desi doctor I am going to run into.

A comment by Barack Obama's in one of his presidential campaign speeches comes to mind, "if you put lipstick on a pig, its still a pig"

Cleveland Desi Beauty Salons

A suggestion was made for a list of Cleveland Desi Indian Beauty Parlors Salons. Here is what is out there. If you would like more information, email it over. If you find any included information objectionable or would like to see deleted, just email and it will be processed. Use this information (which may not be accurate) at your own risk.

Chemicals in Cosmetics

Image Source: Maureen Rice at DailyMail.Com, Retrieved March 2015 http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/11/19/article-1229275-07498D23000005DC-57_964x1071.jpg

All Beauty Salon Services
(Eyebrows, Threading, Facial, Waxing, Henna, Bridal Mehendi, Hair Cut)
14113 Crystal Creek Drive
Strongsville, OH 44149
(440)212-5366

Maya Anjum
Auspicious Art

Nita Mitra
Cosmetologist
(216)901-1400


Beauty Tips for Asian Indian Women

1. Liquid liner isn't omnipotent.

After polling a few friends, I realized -- this is a divisive issue! Some insist black eyeliner is a must for Indian girls. I'd like to propose the opposite: I like mascara with no liner, combined with a shimmery white shadow. I find it keeps my eyes looking bright even through a long day, and makes eyeliner a distinct nighttime look. A colored eye pencil, however, is lovely during the day because of the matte effect. And dark skin can really take all shades: Yellows, blues, greens and browns.

At night, kajal, aka Indian liner, makes for a sultry, earthy look (available at Indian stores or in beauty shops in a translated version, as kohl pencils). One girlfriend pointed out that smudging regular liner creates a similar effect.

Don't be afraid of a simple eye though, especially if you're wearing a standout lipstick. The Indian aesthetic is to go all out -- painted face, topped off with earrings, a necklace and two arms worth of bracelets. That's great if you're starring in a Bollywood movie, but to create drama at close quarters, contrast is key.

2. Make your brows pop with an optical illusion.

A trick I love -- echoed by one of the friends I polled -- is to dab a touch of white shadow just under the arch of the brow. Particularly on dark skin, this sets off a dramatic brow.

Sephora sells a great, fool-proof eyeshadow kit by Too Faced Cosmetics that has taught me how to achieve the mythic "smokey eye" -- which can be magical on darker skin.

3. More importantly, work with your brows, not against them.

Indians love our high-octane decimators, whether it's threading, waxing or zapping everything in sight. But I've found that putting myself in others' hands always leads to anemic brows. And this strikes me as silly. We tend to be blessed with naturally bold brows. We should work with them, not against them!

Of course, you can be your own worst enemy if you're not careful. I developed an overzealous tweezing habit in college brought on by procrastination (just one laaast pluck before I bang out a brilliant thesis!) that I thankfully kicked. These days, I tweeze those odd stray hairs and trim the tops of my longer hairs with manicure scissors for a WSJ-approved, bold-but-groomed brow.


4. What you do is not as critical as how often you do it.

It is our birthright to believe in supposedly magical home remedies. Turmeric, yogurt, oatmeal, honey, coconut oil -- like many Indian women I have worn all of these delicious food items on my head region. Do they change lives? In mine, I've found that a sense of well-being and discipline do more. Adopt a routine you can manage, don't stress too much about it, and your skin and hair will thank you.

5. Find your signature hair and stick with it.

Once again, less is more for me. I invest in paraben-free shampoos, and don't use conditioner because it weighs down my hair. Every now and then, I follow received Indian wisdom and condition my hair with coconut oil (told you so), letting it sit for as many hours as I can stand before washing it out. Who knows what long-term effects, if any, this leads to, but in cold months, it soothes a dry scalp. One friend swears by yogurt as a leave-in conditioner.

The most transformative thing though, is to identify a cut that works for your face and your lifestyle. Landing on my favorites for myself -- a jagged bob, or when long, an unlayered cut -- has simplified my life. Another destresser: Choosing not to color my greys, which trend early in my family. If you keep your hair healthy, silver on black can be stunning.


6. Don't try to lighten your skin with makeup.

The right foundation is like the holy grail, in that it's very hard to find. My personal preference is to put nothing on my face except, occasionally, a smudge of blush. I love The Multiple stick by NARS in Riviera, which doubles as blush or lipstick.

If you are going to wear a base, take time to find the shade that matches your complexion (which I guarantee is more complex than "very fair" or "dark"). Do not try to lighten your skin with makeup (or bleach, or anything). Not only does it look odd, it's entirely unnecessary. Dark skin is a generous canvas -- you can wear prints, the brightest white and every color on the planet. More importantly, you woke up like this!

7. And, of course, bag a red lipstick.

The revival of hot spectrum shades is a wonderful thing. These babies are basically made for us, and there are so many to choose from. NARS makes a great orangey-red lip color that works well in the daytime (Heat Wave). I also love Burt's Bees chapsticks for hydration with a hint of color. For a bolder look at night, I like to cut whatever I'm wearing with my old faithful, the red Revlon lipstick that snuck up on me.

MUST READ: HINDU GODS ARE IMAGINARY

Telugu Association of Greater Cleveland

Telugu Association of Greater Cleveland

Northeast Ohio Telugu Association of Cleveland

 Murthy wrote on April 13, 2008 at clevelanddesi.com;

We Telugus have a problem staying united. First there emerged this vast division in the castes (thanks to our late CM, NTR) and now the Telanga issue, where an ex-minister called K. Chandrashekar Rao (referred to as ‘KCR’) who was kicked out of Chandra Babu Naidu’s cabinet on corruption charges, suddenly realizes that the government of AP has been neglecting ten North Western districts in AP and decided to call for separate state! The guy had done enough damage to the peace of the state and is continuing to do so.

Politics at home aside, now, what’s happening in the city of Cleveland? Thankfully, it’s not about caste or region (or is it? Hope not!).

Apparently some friction has developed between the ‘original founders’ of the Telugu Association. Though the reasons are not very clear, the email war that went on between these founders clearly shows that it was war for control and a war of egos. What’s the result? A split!

Now, I'm not sure if there are two associations or more than two. However, there are at least three websites that I know of.

1. Telugu Association of Greater Cleveland, Ohio
2. Telugu Association of Greater Cleveland
3. North East Ohio Telugu Association

Each of these Telugu Associations has a copy of the members list and their email addresses. Each of these associations is sending emails and asking members to RSVP to their cultural activities and also pay their yearly membership dues!

Here’s a thing the founders and organizers and the active members should understand - Not all Telugu speaking people living in this area want to be part of the association and the turn-out in most of the previous cultural programs organized by the association has been low. If you want to generate interest and improve the participation then, set aside your petty quarrels and please not turn this into a bigger joke than it is!!

PS: Hindu Gods are Imaginary 

Murder of Sejal Patel of Twinsburg, Ohio

City of Twinsburg Government Center

 Judge Brenda Burnham Unruh sentenced Chetan Patel to 30 years to life and his mother, Minaxi, to 25 years to life in prison.

The two were found guilty last week of aggravated murder, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse in the murder of Sejal Patel, 28, in July 2005. Sejal Patel was a resident of Pinebark Place, a suburb on the southeast of Cleveland, Ohio.

Judge Unruh said, "She was important, she was valuable, she was a human being. She wasn't treated as any of these things" Read more at The Plain Dealer.
- - - - - -

What I have been told by a Patel friend, that the tug of war between a mother in law and the daughter in law in the Patel community is not uncommon and sometimes can reach a disturbing level.

I suppose its likely that if Sejal Patel was victimized in India, the perpetrators would have escaped the consequences. For Sejal Patel, the American justice system worked.

I think, probably, the origin of these types of problems can be traced back to how Patel, Gujrati and the desi society is structed in India. I think the odds are that my Patel friend will say that there definitely are more Sajel Patels and people like her tormentors in the Patel society in India.

Bhagwan Sejal Ki Atma Ko Shanti Pradhan Kare

Resident Comment - Sree Venkateshwara Temple, Richfield

A comment by Sarina Barkwas in connection with the Sree Venkateshwara Temple issue. Jay Porter of Vorys, Seymour and Pease are on the temple side. Bill Burger and Jerry Smith are architects.

Sree Venkateshwara Temple of Cleveland

Representing the proposed Sree Venkateshwara Temple of Cleveland at some meetings in Richfield are Nanja Sundaram, Laks Benkatraman, Ramakrishna Bandi, MD and Jagdish Medarametla.

Richfield Village residents are opposed to the construction of the Hindu Sree Venkateswara Temple, which is being built in their neighborhood.

The residents’ attorney, Leland D. Cole, filed an administrative appeal in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas on Dec. 20, 2007 and Judge Patricia Cosgrove is scheduled to hear the case.

A group called “Concerned Richfield Homeowners” an Unincorporated Associated, is listed as the plaintiff in the court appeal, along with the following individual members: Brush Road residents Jim Voltz, Bob and Rosemary Lassiter, Brad and Beth Newcomb and Don and Sally Lane; Townsend Road residents Joe Stefanini and the Primosch family; and Brecksville Road resident David Hutton.

“I don’t dislike Indian people or their culture,” Larry Primosch is reported as saying. “This is just the wrong place for it. The application doesn’t meet four of the seven standards for a conditional use nor one of the five standards for a church.”