Pittsburgh _Patrika_Jan-2018

The Pittsburgh Patrika, Vol, 23, No. 2, January 2018 

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The Quarterly Magazine (Jan, Apr, Jul, and Oct) for the Indian Diaspora 

Vol. 23 No. 2 www.pittsburghpatrika.com January 2018 

4006 Holiday Park Drive, Murrysville, PA 15668 

Phone/Fax: (724) 327 0953 e-mail: ThePatrika@aol.com 

“Like” us on Facebook at 

www.facebook.com/pittsburgh.patrika 

Highlights in this issue... ... ... 

Page 

Globalization, NOT Something New — Part II 

By Kollengode S Venkataraman .................................................... 2 

At the Patrika Writers’ Gathering 

Photographs at the event ................................................................ 5 

How I Aced the SAT and ACT Tests 

By Shruthi Shivkumar.................................................................... 6 

President Trump’s Supporter Responds to a Patrika Article 

By Hiralal Koul............................................................................. 10 

Economy in President Trump’s First Year after Obama 

By Kollengode S Venkataraman ................................................. 12 

The Madhavs Bid Goodbye to Pittsburgh 

By Sudha Pandalai ....................................................................... 14 

Climate Impact of Excessive Consumption of Dairy Products 

By Padma Garvey......................................................................... 17 

Pittsburgh Chinmaya Mission Fundraiser for Vedanta Center 

By K S Venkataraman .................................................................. 18 

Britain’s Diminished Global Role 

By K S Venkataraman ................................................................. 19 

Arts Foundation Honors Artistes & Patrons 

By V. Vasudevan........................................................................... 20 

In Building Temples, Form Needs to Follow Weather Patterns 

By K S Venkataraman ................................................................ 21 

Shivender Nagar’s Journey in Self-Discovery 

By Juginder Luthra .................................................................... 24 

On the Cover: A colorful shot of the Phipps Conservatory during 

Christmas lighting. • 

3


The Quarterly Magazine (Jan, Apr, Jul, and Oct) for the Indian Diaspora 

Vol. 23 No. 2 www.pittsburghpatrika.com January 2018 

Phone/Fax: (724) 327 0953 

e-mail: ThePatrika@aol.com 

Globalization, NOT Something New — Part II 

By Kollengode S Venkataraman 

As presented in the first part of this article in the last issue, the 

industrialized West had unbridled advan tages for over 250 years with 

their superior grasp of S&T (science and technology) and industrial and 

military power after the Industrial Revolution. They fully exploited these 

advantages through colonization. But this wave has run its course. S&T 

is now accessible to any society will ing to invest and work at it. China 

has already emerged as a global economic and military power. China has 

recaptured its glorious past with vengeance. In dia is still emerging, and 

may take another 20 to 30 years to regain its foothold. 

Having lost the unrestrained advantages they had, England, the US, 

and other European nation-states find it difficult to adjust to the new 

reali ties. The US sees globalization as a contagious dis ease it needs to 

inoculate itself against. 

The industrialized societies first created an uneven playing field slanted 

in their favor and exploited global human and natu ral resources for over 

two centuries. Now they are pleading for a level playing field, when the 

play ing field is slanted against them for reasons that are of their own 

making. Savor the ironies here: 

• In June 1987, President Ronald Reagan stood in front of the 

ninety-mile long Berlin Wall and addressed the crowd, calling the Soviet 

Union’s President Mikhail Gorbachev to “Tear down this wall!” After 

thirty years, US President Donald Trump now declares, “We’ll build this 

wall” along the 1700-mile long US-Mexico border. 

• Britain, starting as traders, colonized the Indian subcontinent, 

parts of Asia and many parts of Africa in bits and pieces and declared, 

“The sun never sets on the Empire.” The empire imploded after WW II, 

even after winning the war. Today, Britain is even afraid of foreigners 

from Europe who come to work and live in the UK. So, it left the EU 

and shrank to the island nation-state that it was centuries ago. Now, the 

sun barely shines over London’s cloudy skies. 

4

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This is the new reality. Individuals are always motivated by their 

insecurities (real or imagined), the need for power/control, greed 

and profit. Nation-states in times of war unleash a potent amalgam of 

these motivating ingredients on citizens, coalescing them around the idea 

of patriotism and nationhood. They also add a good dose of xenophobia, 

prompting citizens to respond to their diktat, often with disastrous consequences. 

Just look at these bone-chilling casualty numbers of WW II: 

World Population in the 1940s: 2,300 million. 

Deaths in WW II: 

Military deaths: 23 million. 

Civilian deaths: 30 million. 

Civilian deaths (famine/disease): 25 million 

Total: 78 million, or 

3.4% of the world population then 

Total Deaths (military personnel, civilians, and war-created famine) 

in different countries: 

USSR: 26 million; China: 18 million 

Germany: 7 million; Poland: 6 million 

S.E. Asia: 3.5 million; India, 2 million 

UK: only 0.45 million; USA: only 0.42 million 

Source: WikiPedia 

Trying to find military solutions, as has been the practice in the last 

200 years, would be disastrous today. Now, 50% of the world’s 

population lives in crowded urban areas, compared to 19% in 1900 and 

30% in 1950. This number is over 70% for North America and Western 

Europe. 

Today we live in a world interconnected by communications, trade, 

and manufacture. Multinational companies operate all over the globe 

through their supply chains for raw materials and components. This fact 

alone is a soft but effective deterrent, better than military alliances, against 

large-scale wars. Consider these: 

• Instantaneous, inexpensive communication with an active social 

media offsets the stranglehold of governments’ propaganda machines and 

global media houses to sway public opinion. 

• Businesses operate in plants in every region taking advantage of low 

labor costs, tax regimes, even lax environment laws. The self-interest of 

businesses against uncertainties in war can prevent military conflicts. 

• Population migration is the norm of our time, globally, regionally, 

or even within the large nation-state like China, India or Russia. 

• Ethnic groups in every region and in every country realize that they 

Globalization Part II ... ... Continued on Page 28 

6


At the Patrika Writers’ Gathering 

On November 11, The Pittsburgh Patrika’s several writers and 

others who have helped the magazine in critical times got together over 

food and with lots of fun and frolic at Indian Garden, Monroeville. 

A wide-angle shot of the evening. 

Balwant Dixit: “It’s difficult to work 

with Venkat.” Venkat’s wife and 

daughter agreed. 

Subash Ahuja is making 

his serious observations. 

Arun Jatkar: “When Venkat 

calls, set aside at least 

20 minutes.” 

Nandini Mandal: “I got used 

to the abrupt way the editor 

ends telephone calls.” 

“It’s fun to know the Indian 

community,” Cindy Koller, the 

copyeditor 

7


How I Aced the SAT and ACT Tests 

Recently, Shruthi Shivkumar who attends Peters Twp. High School, aced the SAT and 

ACT tests. Here she answers to our questions about her preparation and success.. Shruthi in 

the photo below is with her parents Shivkumar Anumalachetty and Narmada Sriraman with 

sparklers during Deepavali. — Editor 

8 

How did you get started preparing 

for the SAT exams? 

I started with Mukund Uncle’s 

SAT prep class at the S V temple. 

His free weekly group classes gave 

tips and strategies for taking the 

test. 

What goal did you set for yourself 

before you took the tests? 

I set my goal for the real SATs for “above a 1500,” or a little over 750 

in each section. I was ready to take the test multiple times. 

Did you go to any prep and coaching classes? 

Mukund uncle referred me to Goldstein Test Prep. I had one-on-one 

classes with Mr. Goldstein because students aiming high have individual 

classes with Mr. Goldstein himself. They were incredibly helpful. 

How many AP classes are you taking? 

Several, between the 10 th and 12 th grades in Biology, Physics I, US 

History, Psychology, Language, Statistics, Calculus, Chemistry, Economics, 

Environmental Science, Literature, French. My school does 

offer many AP classes. 

How early on did you start your regimen of preparation? 

I started when I was in the 10 th grade. 

How did you prepare? Did you set aside a predetermined time daily? 

I set a goal for what I wanted to accomplish and not in what time. For 

example, I’d say, “OK, today I’m going to finish sections 1 and 2 of this 

practice test.” As I got closer to the deadline, I’d make sure to always 

finish within the time constraint for that particular section. 

How many hours a day did you study for the test on an average? 

Setting a strict “per day” time frame may not always work for busy 

students. Closer to the deadline, I spent three or four hours a week taking 

practice tests. I wouldn’t advise much intense preparation until you’re very 

close to taking the test. Doing practice tests closer to the actual date just 

kind of mentally prepared me. 

The essay test is different since you need to think on your seat on a 

topic you don’t know ahead of time. Is the written essay compulsory?


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The written essay is optional for most schools, but I’d say do it anyway 

just because you might change your mind about applying to that one 

school that does require it. Most colleges know that it’s not a completely 

accurate reflection of your writing skills anyway. It doesn’t factor into 

your whole SAT/ACT score- you get a separate essay score. Having an 

advanced or AP Language/Literature course beforehand will definitely 

prepare you for the essay. Try looking at those kind of review books. 

How did you prepare for the written essay in the exam hall? 

I spent a few minutes, maybe 3 to 5, prewriting. Generally, writing 

teachers say to spend about 5-10% of your time prewriting. It’s good way 

to make sure you cover all the points you want to cover. 

Did you prepare for acing the exam? Or was it a situation in which 

you knew you did very well, but did not expect a clean sweep? 

I definitely, definitely did not expect to ace it when I took it. I was hoping 

for at least a 1490-1500 so that I’d be happy for a first shot, but could 

then retake the test. I thought a perfect score was completely out of the 

question… … and for sure, I honestly couldn’t believe it when I got it. 

Is 3 to 4 months prep adequate for the English vocabulary section? 

The best preparation for the English test is just reading. Read nonfiction, 

fiction... anything. The best way to familiarize yourself with the 

English language is to just constantly be exposed to different usages of it. 

I also write a lot, so English wasn’t so bad for me. Also, reading helps 

you for college after the tests are over. 

What single piece of advice would you give a student preparing to take 

this exam next year? 

Don’t spend way too much of your time preparing for it until maybe 

two to three months before the test. Only then heavy practice benefits 

you, and not earlier. Earlier exposure is always good. But get to the “6 

hours a week routine” when you’re close to the actual test. 

Who motivates you to be a high achiever? 

Working hard is instilled in me by my parents. I’m thankful for that. 

Do you want to add anything else? 

Mr. Goldstein told me to think of the SAT/ACT as a game. After a 

certain point, it is more about strategy and test-taking skills. Test makers 

try to trip you to make mistakes. So, make sure to practice those skills. 

Don’t spend way too much time preparing for these tests where it takes 

time away from your extracurriculars. The admissions process is holistic: 

colleges want people, and not robots. Standardized test scores are not trophies; 

they are a sort of roadblock to get over. Getting very high scores 

doen’t get you a “golden star” at super selective schools. But having a 

75th percentile score for a specific school will mean you’ve surpassed one 

of the many obstacles to get in. Hope this helps. • 

11


A Supporter of President Trump Responds to 

the Lead Article in the July issue 

Editor’s Note: Mr Hiralal Koul, MD (now retired), a resident in Johnstown, 

PA, took umbrage at the lead article titled “Unsettling Early Days of Trump’s Presidency” 

in the July issue of the magazine. Mr Koul, after a few acerbic e-mails, 

gave his permission to publish his response, provided we “publish [his] letter in its 

ENTIRETY (& not an editorialized version).” So, here is Mr. Koul’s response in its 

entirety, without changing one word, one letter, or one comma. 

Dear Editor: 

Thank you for your response to my e-mail. Please allow me to share 

with you (& hopefully your readers), the SIX month scorecard of the 

Trump Presidency, that you may have overlooked, simply by calling it 

“unsettling”. My note will focus on three major achievements: 1) Defense, 

Security & Terrorism. 2) Economy, Jobs & GDP. 3) 

Investments in USA (foreign & domestic). 

1) Defense, Security & Terrorism. a) ISIS/Daesh 

(that Obama called a JV team) & “we’ll try to contain 

it”; has Largely been Vanquished & holds NO 

land anymore. This is something, Obama failed to 

accomplish, in Nine years. b) Following Trump’s 

historic trip & Speech to Saudi Arabia; it’s the FIRST 

TIME, in over 70-years (since SA’s independence), that this Country 

(the Heart of Islam), BROKE ranks with Qatar, for supporting/Financing 

Terrorism. Qatar, has been playing both sides, for years. Thanks 

to Obama Administration; it’s HOME to the largest US Military base. 

This is the country, where Obama Exchanged, Top FIVE Taliban Commanders 

(from Gitmo), for the Traitor, BO Bergdahl (referred to as a 

good soldier by Susan Rice-former NSA). Suggest you read more about 

this issue & BenGhazi Betrayal, by former Navy Seal, Tej Gill (aka- 

Tenminder singh, first Indian born US Navy Seal). Gill, has accused, 

Obama / Clinton Administration personally, of Murdering the American 

Marines in BenGhazi. Suggest, you also, “look into”, how the “Muslim 

Brotherhood” in the Obama/Clinton Administration; orchestrated, the 

exit of “Tulsi Gabbard” (the only practicing Hindu Congresswoman 

from Hawaii). This position was later filled with Keith Ellison, (a Muslim 

Convert from Minnesota); an ardent supporter of “Sharia Law”. 

Furthermore, you may want to “Look into”, who the former, disgraced 

DNC- chair (Debbie Wasserman), hired as a New IT, personnel; who 

was just arrested, before fleeing US for Pakistan! 

12


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For the first time, since Independence, a $50-Million, package to 

Pakistan was blocked by the Trump administration; : This is in Sharp 

contrast, to the $15-Million cash, Hand Carried by Hilary Clinton, as secy: 

of State (in Obama administration), for the Pak: Military for preventing 

firebombing a US convoy carrying aid to Afghanistan. 

Since Trump inauguration, illegal Border crossings have dropped by 

70%, along our Southern border & ZERO, along the Pakistan/ Kashmir 

border!. 6) First Time, since NATO was created; it’s Non US members; 

have agreed to pay up their (2% of that country’s GDP) & Incorporate, 

anti-terror, measures into NATO, Charter. In the process, US taxpayer 

(I hope you are one); will NOT be burdend with it. it! 

2) Economy, Jobs, GDP: a) GDP, has increased from 1% (in Obama 

administration to 2.6%, now). b) Unemployment has dropped to 4.5%, 

lowest in about 20-years. c) Average wages are up by 2.5%. d) Consumer 

spending has increased. e)Trade deficit, has decreased, albeit modestly, 

first time in over 35-years. f) stock market has recorded 50-NEW records, 

since Election Night, a 3500-points, increase in DOW & infused 3-Trillion 

Dollars, into the US Market. These numbers are from the Article “Trump 

effect”; by CNN-money (no friend of Trump). 

3) Foreign & Domestic investments, into US: Carrier, Ford, GM, Fiat 

President Trump’s First Year... ... continued on Page 32 

13


US Economy: President Trump’s First Year 

after Eight Years of the Obama Presidency 

Dow Jones Industrials, (in Thousands) 

Jan-08 







On faith, economics and politics, it is futile to persuade people to change 

their opinion. This is because to varying degrees, these opinions are based 

on beliefs. But we can discuss people’s assertions on economics putting 

them in context so that readers can come to their own conclusions. So, 

while I am not trying to persuade Mr. Koul to change his opinions, I do 

put his observations on the US economy under Donald Trump’s first year 

in the White House in the context of Obama’s eight-year presidency. 

Mr Koul’s assertion on the Dow Jones’ new peaks during Trump’s 

25 

first year is correct if 

you take the one year 

of Trump’s residency in 

20 

isolation. But when you 

look at the D-J numbers 

Obama Elected 

since Obama’s time, we 

15 Nov 2008 

can place the D-J numbers 

under Trump in 

10 

Trump Elected context. See the adjacent 

Obama Re-Elected Nov 20, 2016 

Nov 20, 2012 

plot. When Obama won 

the election in 2008, the 

5 

D-J average was around 

9000. During his presidency, 

it steadily rose 

from 9000 to almost 19,000 in the long-haul, with a few inevitable shortterm 

hiccups. In Trump’s first year, this trend only continued.. 

% Unemployement 

11 

10 

9 

8 

7 

6 

5 

4 


Obama 

Elected 

Nov 2008 








Seasonally adjusted 

Unemployment 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Obama Re- 

Elected 

Nov 2012 




Trump 

Elected 

Nov 2016 





On unemployment: 

Again, Mr. Koul’s numbers 

are correct if you 

take Trump’s first year 

in isolation. But here is 

the trend on unemployment 

in the last nine 

years. When Obama was 

elected, unemployment 

was over 7%, and went 

up to 10% in his first 

year. Then, it continuously 

dropped from 10% 

in January 2010 to 4.8% 

14


when Obama’s presidency ended in November 2016. Even a die-hard 

Republican would agree that an eight year trend of a steady drop in unemployment 

is significant for any president. 

Now consider GDP growth during Trump’s first year in office. 

Again, Mr Koul’s claims are correct if you take Trump’s first year in 

isolation. But below is the plot of the quarterly GDP growth during the 

last 12 years: 

Quarterly GDP Growth Rate, % 

5.0% 

4.0% 

3.0% 

2.0% 

1.0% 

0.0% 

-1.0% 

-2.0% 

-3.0% 

-4.0% 

-5.0% 

1-Jan-06 

Source: http://www.multpl.com/us-real-gdp-growth-rate/table/by-quarter 


Obama 

Elected 






Obama 

Re-elected 





Trump 

Elected 


During George Bush’s last three years in office, the GDP growth rate 

fell from 3% in Jan 2006 to negative growth (-2.8%) by the time Obama 

was elected. In Obama’s first year, it hit a low of -4%. But since 2010, 

GDP growth has been in positive territory. For four quarters under Obama, 

the GDP grew at over 3%; and well above 2% for over 4 years in his 8 

years in office. Under Trump’s first year in the White House, this trend 

continues. 

To summarize, Mr. Koul’s claims on the D-J numbers, unemployment 

and GDP growth numbers during Trump’s first year in office are correct — 

and also quite noteworthy — only if you consider the Trump presidency’s 

first year in isolation. However, if you consider Trump’s first year in 

office in the context of Obama’s earlier eight years in office, the numbers 

and trends under President Trump are a continuation of the trend set by 

the Obama presidency. Good for President Trump. And good for the 

citizens of the USA. 

We wish Trump the very best in the remaining three years of his 

presidency. — By K S Venkataraman • 

15


The Madhavs Bid Goodbye to Pittsburgh 

By Sudha Pandalai, Cincinatti, OH. 

Sudha P. Pandalai grew up in the Pittsburgh Metro area. Her family and the Madhavs 

have been friends for many years. 

Dr. Ashok and Mrs. Shobha Madhav, long-standing members of the 

Pittsburgh Indian community, recently moved to Silver Springs, MD to 

begin a new chapter in their lives. Their friends in Pittsburgh will miss 

them but wish them well in this next phase. 

In the early days of the Indian community in southwestern Pennsylvania, 

the Madhavs enriched the lives of their 

colleagues and friends in ways large and small. 

They have a diverse circle of friends from their 

fifty-years of living in the Pittsburgh area. 

Both have been highly active at the Sri 

Venkateswara Temple and other local religious 

and cultural institutions through the years, and 

have been strong enthusiasts of classical Indian 

performing arts (both dance and music). Since the 1970’s they have encouraged 

many artists, both those established, and those who were just 

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The Asian Studies Center 

wishes the Pittsburgh 

Indian community a 

Happy Republic Day! 

Come celebrate with us at our 

Mithai (South Asian sweets) 

tasting on Saturday January 27 

at 2 pm, Cloister, Frick Fine Arts 

University of Pittsburgh 

For details, please visit 

http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc 

University of Pittsburgh 

University Center for International Studies 

beginning their careers, through arranging concerts and hosting them. 

Additionally, Dr. Madhav has contributed to the Karnatic music repertoire 

by composing kritis in all of the 72 Melakarta (parent) ragas. His 

deep grasp of music theory and history, in topics ranging from Karnatic 

music Janaka and Janya ragas, to Thaats in Hindustani music, and to taalas, 

has made Dr. Madhav sought-after by many professionals, and students of 

music, wanting to clarify finer points in Indian classical music. (Editor’s 

Note: In the very first issue of the Patrika, Dr. Madhav reviewed “Purush”, 

a dance program with an all-male ensemble, led by Bharatanatyam 

Maestro C. V. Chandrashekhar and Kathak Maestro Birju Maharaj) 

Mrs. Madhav has been a vital part of the community. She is noted for 

her skill in public speaking, and through the years, she has been a popular 

emcee at various functions. These include public programs at the Sri 

Venkateswara Temple and private functions such as many Arangetrams 

performed by dance students in the area. 

With the move further east, the Madhavs will enjoy being closer to their 

daughter Anita, her husband Jim and their children; and being nearer to 

their son Nitin. In October close to fifty friends of the Madhavs gathered 

at the Tamarind Restaurant in Green Tree to bid them farewell. Their 

friends in Pittsburgh thank them for their years of friendship, wish them 

well in their new home, and promise to visit them in DC. • 

17


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Devouring South Asia: 

Appetites, Food, and Health 

As part of its second thematic year of the South Asia initiative, the 

Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh is combining its 

expertise in medicine and public health with questions about the history, 

politics and culture of food in South Asia. 

Four speakers have been invited to speak on a range of topics — the 

history of cooks and kitchens to agricultural policy to diabetes. In the fall 

semester, Dr. Anand Pandian from Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Jayeeta 

Sharma from University of Toronto each presented their research. 

Our next speaker Dr. Surupa Gupta from the University of Mary 

Washington will discuss agricultural policy reform in India on Friday 

January 26 at 3:00 pm in 4130 Wesley W Posvar Hall. On Saturday 

January 27, the Center will hold a mithai (South Asian Sweets) tasting event 

from 2-4 pm in the Frick Fine Arts Cloister where people can learn about 

sweet making and the cultural importance of sweets in South Asia. 

The speaker series will conclude with Dr. Emily Mendenhall exploring 

diabetes in India on March 19 in 4217 Wesley W Posvar Hall at 3:00 pm. 

Everyone is welcome to come and join us at these events. • 

18


Climate Impact of Excessive Consumption of 

Dairy Products 

By Padma Garvey, MD, Hudson Valley 

Padma was born in Nellore India and grew up in Pittsburgh. She earned her medical 

degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1992. She is a full-time gynecologist in the 

Hudson Valley area, married to her physician husband for 25 years. She has two kids in 

college. She practices yoga and is dedicated to teaching people about the benefits of a 

plant-based diet. She has a website (www.drpadmagarvey.com), 

Editor’s Note: This is a complex topic on many measures. As the author 

herself notes in the short write-up below, “[G]lobal hunger has very little 

to do with lack of food and more to do with a lack 

of access to it,” which means a lack of affordability 

for the working poor in a country like India. While 

malnourished infants and young children from 

poorer families in India do not get even one banana 

a day or one glass of milk or yogurt a day, upper 

income families are submerged in dairy products, 

with cheese being the latest entrant in India. Still 

the author’s point is valid that these upper income 

Indians will be helping themselves and the environment 

by consuming less dairy products. 

few years ago, I went to India with my mother for a visit. On 

A that visit, I noticed an alarming number of obesity clinics, heart 

centers, fast food restaurants, and of course pollution. I also noticed that 

milk consumption had increased substantially, especially in the forms of 

butter, ice cream, and cheese. I started to wonder how the dietary habits 

of one billion people could impact the environment, agriculture, and animal 

welfare. I wondered what had to be done to keep up with the rising 

demand for milk. How many cows did it take? How much hormonal 

stimulation did it require? How much machinery was necessary? And 

what was happening in America where diary consumption is one of the 

highest in the world? 

India sprang from an ancient civilization that reaped enormous benefits 

from the domestication of cattle and the consumption of milk. The 

unprecedented access to a highly nutritious food was no doubt the reason 

for an emergence of a religious and moral philosophy whose central God 

figure was a cow herder. It was no doubt the reason for the adoration 

and the worship of the cow, and the commitment to protect it. Well-fed 

people can make the moral leap to advocate nonviolence against animals 

and a vegetarian lifestyle. It is no wonder, then, that India is where the 

Diary Products... ... continued on Page 31 

19


Pittsburgh Chinmaya Mission Fundraiser for 

a Vedanta Center-Temple Complex 

Chinmaya Mission of Pittsburgh had an impressive fundraising event on 

Saturday, November 18 at the Shriners Center in Cheswick. The evening 

included a dinner and a collage of Indian dance programs weaving together 

Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Odissi styles of dance traditions. 

The artistes were Atri Nundy (Bharatanatyam) from Buffalo; Kamala 

Reddy-Rajupet (Kuchipudi); Sudeshna Maulik (Kathak) from Toronto; 

and Shibani Patnaik 

(Odissi) from the Bay 

Area. Tejaswini Rao 

from Buffalo helped 

in the choreography, 

and emceed the dance 

program. 

The dance items, interspersed 

with speeches 

from the Chinmaya 

Students of the Chinmaya Bala Vihar reciting an invocatory 

hymn at the start of the program. 

Organization, gave enough scope for the artistes to display their artistry 

individually and independently. They also succeeded working together 

in pairs and groups in storytelling, while retaining their individual styles 

while dancing to the same music. 

The final piece was a nicely choreographed 

Tillana, ending in a 

crescendo of all the artistes dancing 

together in their own unique styles 

with good kaala-pramaaNam (timing 

precision) for the same jatis 

(rhythm patterns) and music. 

The focus of the event was fundraising 

for their Vedanta Center- 

Temple complex. Over 450 adults 

and children participated in the 

fundraiser. They have already acquired 

land for the place that would 

include a Shiva Temple, a Vedanta Center, Bala Vihar, and rooms for 

meetings and classes. 

Against their goal of $1.25 million for the evening, they raised as 

pledges and contribution over $1.1 million — an impressive number by 

any measure. 

— By K S Venkataraman • 

20


Britain’s Diminished Global Role 

When the UN was formed at the end of WW-II, the Allied victors 

dictated the composition of its Security Council. The Security Council was 

formed with five permanent members with veto power — the US, UK, 

USSR, France, and China. All except China were among the victors in the 

War. When India was offered permanent membership in the UN Security 

Council, Jawaharlal Nehru ceded the membership to China. 

More than seventy years after WW-II, lots 

of water has flown under London Bridge, and 

the UK’s clout has been shrinking globally. 

British cartoonists portray the UK as a vassal 

of the US. See the cartoon on the side. It 

is time to seriously question the legitimacy 

of the UK’s permanent membership in the 

Security Council with veto power. 

With its exit from the EU in 2016, the legitimacy of the UK’s disproportionate 

global presence came into rebuke this November in three 

elections in one week. 

First, the UK saved face by withdrawing from an impending defeat for 

a seat in the UN’s 15-member body of the International Court of Justice 

(ICJ) in The Hague. The UK’s Christopher Greenwood withdrew from the 

election and ceded the seat to India’s Dalveer Bhandari (see the picture) 

after several rounds of deadlocked elections in the UN 

Security Council. To be elected to the ICJ, candidates 

need to get a majority votes in both the UN’s General 

Assembly and the Security Council. Bhandari had an 

overwhelming support — close to 2/3 of the votes — in 

all the rounds of voting in the UN General Assembly. 

In the 15-member Security Council, Bhandari fell short 

by four votes. 

He was sure to get over 2/3 of the votes in the General Assembly. 

If this happens, it would be difficult for the Security Council to ignore. 

Further, after Brexit, even in the Security Council, the UK’s clout has 

waned. So, Britain ceded the seat to India. For the first time since since 

its inception in 1945, UK has no representation in the ICJ. 

Making matters worse in the same week, the “Great” Britain also lost 

two high-visibility EU offices. The EU voted to move the office of the 

European Banking Authority (EBA) out of London to Paris. Similarly, the 

EU voted that its office of European Medicine Agency (EMA), overseeing 

Europe’s pharmaceutical industry, will be moved from London and 

relocated to Amsterdam, Holland. — By K S Venkataraman • 

21


Arts Foundation Honors Artistes & Patrons 

By V Vasudevan, O’Hara, PA 

e-mail: Vaidyanathan.Vasudevan@emerson.com 

The Srinivasa Prasad International Foundation for Performing Arts 

(SPIFPA) organized a nice program on October 14, showcasing some of 

the talents in South Indian performing arts and honouring 

artists and arts patrons. The venue was the auditorium 

at the Sri Venkateswara Temple. This year’s 

multi-event program 

was well-planned, 

thanks to the attention 

to detail of the 

hosts, Varaprasad Rao Gutti and his 

wife Parvathi. 

The program started with Gutti’s 

opening remarks welcoming the audience 

and mentioning the mission and 

objective of SPIFPA in promoting and 

encouraging South Asian Arts among 

Indian artists and the mainstream Indo-American youth. The Life Time 

Achievement Award, Gutti said, is one such form 

of recognizing patrons and talents. 

The invocation pieces were well-done — the 

Kuchipudi dance rendering of Vande Mataram 

by Bindu Madhavi Gutti’s students, followed by 

Manu Narayan singing the American Anthem. 

Arpitha Udupa’s recital was 

a highlight. 

In her int 

r o d u c t o r y 

speech, Parvathi 

Gutti paid rich 

tribute to her son, 

Vasu, his passion 

for classical music and Kuchipudi and his 

emphasis that these art forms should become 

popular among our kids growing up here. 

The clip showing him performing Entharo 

Mahanu Bhavulu was reminiscent of what 

he aspired to. The foundation is instituted in 

memory of Srinivasa Prasad. (Editor’s note: 

Srinivasa Prasad, so full of promise, died in 

Varaprasad Gutti’s at the podium. 

A young dancer seeks the 

blessings of Rajshri Gopal, who 

started it all decades ago. 

SPIFPA Program ... ... Continued on Page 29 

22


In Temple Architecture, Form Needs to 

Follow Function, but Also Weather Patterns 

By Kollengode S Venkataraman 

With over three million Indians in North America and an overwhelming 

proportion of them being Hindu, temples are springing up everywhere. 

With so many temples now in North America, it may be time to reassess 

how we need to incorporate features suitable to the regional weather patterns 

in North America. 

Hindu temples in North America are structured 

Organizationally, after American churches with bylaws, membership eligibility, 

membership dues, 

elections, and governing 

bodies (president, 

chairman, secretary and 

myriad committees). 

In other measures, 

many Hindu temples here 

resemble Protestant denominations 

we see on TV 

in their perpetual appeal 

Udupi Krishna Temple, Coastal Karnataka. 

for money — tax deductible, 

of course — for capital projects one after another. With these things 

in place, disagreements and fights among members on dogma, rituals, and 

other practices also are the norm in temples, as in churches here. 

However, for cultural, sentimental, and nostalgic reasons, temple managements 

want to keep the exterior of the temples “Indian” in architecture 

and artwork. Temples spend enormous amount of time and money, first 

on “Indianization” projects, and then to maintain these “Indianized” façades. 

But as we have 

seen time and again, 

this does not always 

go well, especially in 

places in the Midwest 

and Northeast and in 

Canada with several 

freeze-thaw cycles in 

winter, freezing rains, 

storms that pile 8” to 

10” inches of snow on 

the complex “Indian- 

Manajunatha Temple, Dharmasthala, Karnataka. 

23


ized” structures. 

Cracks in plaster and between brick layers, snow freezing into sheets 

of ice and inadequate drainage on flat roofs lead to leaks and structural 

damage. In many temples, these are recurring themes that drain the 

temple’s time, energy and resources. 

Why do temple managements resist adapting temple structures’ 

basic design to the local weather patterns? The urge to find 

The famous Guruvayoor Krishna Temple, Kerala 

costly engineering solutions to retain the Indianized façades with “new 

& improved” building material is irresistible. But Mother Nature always 

wins if we do not learn to respect Her ways and adapt ourselves to Her 

patterns. It is time to look at this with some Vedantic detachment. 

Let us look at our personal lives as immigrants here. We take great 

pride in our — and our children’s — accomplishments in education 

and careers. Good. But also look at how we individually adapted our 

personal lives along the way — in our food habits; in worship, prayers, 

observing festivals in our homes; in walking away from proscribed taboos; 

on divorce and remarriage; in the choices our children make in their life 

partners. In all these, we have crossed every line that was a Lakshman 

Rekha or taboo just forty years ago. 

We have seamlessly adapted our personal lives in so many ways to fit 

into the ever-changing lifestyles and resources around us. So why do we 

resist the common-sense-based need to adapt the temple structures to the 

entirely predictable local and regional weather patterns? 

After all, Sthapatis, the traditional Hindu temple architects in India, 

have understood these local realities through the centuries. That is how 

and that is why many temples in India have survived for several hundreds 

of years on very low maintenance, compared to temples built in North 

America in the last 50 years. 

24


Besides, there is NO one Indian Model in temple designs. Consider 

this: In Kerala and Coastal Karnataka where annual monsoon rainfalls are 

over 70 to 80 inches, even famous temples rarely have Gopurams/Shikhars 

we see in other regions. Shrines and exteriors in these temples have simple, 

sleek, sloping 

roofs with baked 

tiles or copper 

sheets so that 

minutes after the 

rainfall, not a 

drop of water 

stays on the roof. 

See the pictures in 

this article. 

Further, every 

The Shiva Temple, Vaikom,, Kerala 

temple in India is 

built with materials locally available in abundance — like soapstone, 

sandstones, granites, laterite, and hardwoods such as teak. 

managements need to develop guidelines and give them to 

Temple architects to come up with low-maintenance, yet elegant structures 

for the sanctums for the deities and the exterior. Maybe we need to “Indian- 

Americanize” the temples’ exteriors and incorporate architectural features 

taking into account the regional weather patterns, similar to how we have 

“Americanized” our Indianness here. Compromises are inevitable. 

Only when the temple managements do this, can They focus on the 

real purpose for building 

temples — namely, educating 

our children, organically 

enlivening the core of the 

cultural features of our faith 

(like music and dance), 

organizing classes on Yoga 

& Mediation, and preserving 

o u r o p e n - a r c h i t e c t u r e 

philosophical traditions. 

Remember, temples 

in India undertake bigscale 

renovations and 

Mookambika Temple, Kollur, Karnataka 

Kumbhabhishekam only once every twelve years. This implies that after 

such renovations, temples will have no recurring maintenance-related 

chronic headaches for another twelve years. • 

25


Shivender Nagar’s Journey in Self-Discovery 

Juginder Luthra, Weirton, WV 

e-mail: dolgin1968@gmail.com 

“Life is a package deal. No different from a conducted tour. You may 

not like some parts of the tour or may want more of something else. But 

you adjust to the chosen package. Not everything in 

life or your fellow travelers will be perfect. Learn 

to adjust and compromise.” 

With such and many more examples, Swami 

Shivender Nagar, often simply called Nagarji, gives 

discourses on Bhagvad Gita in India and several 

other countries. 

He was born in 1965 in New Delhi. As 

a young adult, he had the ambition to 

choose a career in hotel management and settle 

in Switzerland. Six months into the management course, spiritual 

inclination directed him to drop the course and join Bible School in Geneva. 

The studies did not answer all his questions. 

He returned to Delhi after one year and started seeking a guru. Fate 

connected Nagarji with Parthasarthiji, founder of the Vedanta Academy in 

Lonavala, near Pune, India. Nagarji was one of the eight students in the 

first class at the Academy. The three-year intensive course was taught in 

Sanskrit and English. He stayed for one extra year learning from Vedantarelated 

books in Hindi. 

Parthasarthiji asked Nagarji to go to Delhi and start spreading 

the message. He started giving weekly classes on teachings of 

the Gita. Mrs. Rita Puri of Pittsburgh happened to be in the audience in 

Delhi. She invited Nagarji to come to Pittsburgh in 1995 to give discourses 

in homes and the Hindu Jain Temple. The yearly trip to Pittsburgh has 

continued, which resulted in him becoming the teacher at the Hindu Jain 

Temple Summer Camp. About 100 children and counselors receive training 

through classroom discussions and interactive games. This is followed 

by a week-long series of evening lectures on different chapters of the 

Bhagavad Gita at the Temple. 

He sprinkles his lectures with easy to remember one-liners: 

Seriousness is a sickness. 

Hard work hardly works. When you enjoy your job it is not work, it 

is fun. It becomes hard work when you don’t enjoy it. 

When you demand definite results from your actions, you are 

pretending to be God. 

26


Several families, including Shashi and Ashok Marwaha, in Pittsburgh 

have hosted Swamiji at their homes. We met him in 1999 in Rishikesh, 

and have continued our association with him ever since. More people 

imbibe his messages in their lives. 

is married to Prema. They have one daughter, Stuti. 

Nagarji When asked if his mother lives with him, he quickly answered 

“No” and after a short pause he continued, “We live with my mother! I 

have done it all my life.” 

His plan in India is to start Gita Academy in Uttrakhand near 

Rishikesh. Six-week long residential courses will be offered to individuals 

between the ages of 18 and 30. In addition to teaching the Gita, he also 

offers self-improvement courses including how to set goals in life and mind 

management (including stress, anger etc.). With this much commitment in 

India, future overseas trips will become less frequent. Summer Camp in 

2018 will be held from July 29 to August 4, with lectures at the Hindu Jain 

Temple held around those dates. He can be contacted here: shivender@ 

hotmail.com. • 

Hoarders’ money is like honey — only others will enjoy. 

The bees slowly gather the nectar, only to let others enjoy the honey. 

What you give to charity and what you use for your daily life, 

That I hold to be your wealth. The rest is for someone else to squander. 

— From the Shubhaashitaavali (Sanskrit) 

If you’ve something to share with readers... 

Our readers are scattered over a large area in southwestern Pennsylvania, 

eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia. 

It is difficult for people in one area to 

know what is going on in other areas. 

So, if you’re interested, send us details 

of your upcoming events giving information on what, when, where, who, 

why, and the ticketing and contact details. If you are fundraising, be 

specific about your beneficiaries. 

We will try to include your events as brief announcements. 

Also, we may publish brief summaries of events that have already been 

conducted. For this, please contact us before your program or before 

working on your story to make it easy for the writer and the editor to 

allocate space and save time. If you have any story ideas, please get in 

touch with us through e-mails at ThePatrika@aol.com • 

25


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Globalization Part II ... continued from Page 28 

depend on other ethnic groups for their survival and self-preservation, 

both locally and globally. In the US, as in India, different ethnic/migrant 

groups in different regions control whole trades. New York City would 

collapse without its large swath of immigrant population. Farming in North 

America is simply not possible without low-paid migrant Latino workers 

from “South of the Border.” The converging self-interest of these diverse 

groups locally, regionally, and globally, offers a counterbalancing force 

for managing global conflicts without the need for large-scale wars. • 

28


SPIFPA Program... ... Continued from Page 22 

a freak car accident several years ago. He was in his early twenties.) 

The evening’s program with a Karnatic music 

piece by a teenage ensemble of Sia, Pallavi, Sarang 

and Rajan showed great promise in terms of 

precision, poise and dedication. 

The Bharatanatyam piece by Mythili Prakash 

was inspiring and spell-binding. The piece on 

Shakti brought her 

a standing ovation. 

It is no surprise 

that she received 

Mythili Prakash doing an 

abhinayam from the Podium after 

getting the award. 

the 2017 SPIFPA 

Ambassador award 

for Performing 

Arts. 

Arpitha Udupa’s Premanjali in Kuchipudi 

style choreographed by Bindu Gutti-Rachuri 

was well-rendered, highlighting the 

devotion, love and perseverance of Vasu 

to this art form. 

An All-American dance group of Jaya 

Mani from Slippery Rock University and 

Pitt’s Nrityamala showcased the dancers 

talents and versatility and mastery in the 

art form. These young dancers come from 

a wide range of social backgrounds and 

upbringing, thus fulfilling one of the objectives of SPIFPA. 

The 2017 Life Time Achievements Award was presented to Revathi 

Satyu for her contribution of over fifty-three years to Bharatanatyam. 

Manu Narayan was conferred the award 

as the Ambassador of Performing Arts for 

Theater, Broadway Musicals and multifaceted 

talents. 

Sia Iyer — she is only 12 — received 

t the Child Vocal Musician Award for her 

commitment, hard work and skills at such 

a young age. Pallavi Muluk was SPIFPA’s 

Youth Vocal Musician for 2017 for her 

talents in Karnatic music, her love of training 

young children in Pittsburgh. Sarang 

Mulukutla and Rajan Srimat were SPIFPA 

29 

Revathi Satyu speaks after 

her receiving the award. 

Ashok Madhav felicitating Manu 

Narayan in the presence of his 

mother Vatsala Narayan


Pitt’s Nrtyamala group in the program. 

Want a Free Copy in the Mail? or 

Have Ideas for Articles? 

We get e-mails asking us how we can get a copy of the magazine 

in the mail. 

The magazine is mailed free every quarter to nearly 2000 homes of 

Indian-Americans, local libraries, offices of elected officials, and media 

outlets... To get your copy in the mail, send your name and mailing 

addresses to: thepatrika@aol.com 

Also we get enquiries from readers for writing articles on events being 

organized under different social and cultural banners, their travels, 

first-person accounts... For these contact the editor at 724 327 0953 

or e-mail your enquiries to: thepatrika@aol.com • 

30 

Youth Violin and Mridangam 

Awardees. 

Rajshri Gopal 

lived here in 

the 1970s through the 

‘90s, and is one of the 

founding members of 

the SVTemple. With 

a keen interest in Indian 

performing arts, she initiated classes for youngsters even before the idea 

of a temple in Pittsburgh was conceived. Justifiably, SPIFPA felicitated 

her for her contribution 

to the temple and Indian 

performing arts. It was 

heartwarming to see that 

she got recognition for 

her contributions at the 

SVTemple venue, even 

though the event was 

not organized by the 

temple. 

Gutti Rao thanked all 

Jayamani’s students from Slippery Rock Univ. 

the artists, the audience and SVTemple for their support in promoting this 

art form and hoped that this will continue for years to come.The young 

artists getting their awards this year, he was sure, will create interest and 

enthusiasm among our youngsters, one of the main goals for SPIFPA and 

Vasu. Gutti Rao said SPIFPA would work to establish endowments and 

recognition awards both in India and the US. •


Diary Products ... ... Continued from 31 

first notions of moral and sustainable eating came to be. 

Nowadays, global hunger has very little to do with lack of food and 

more to do with a lack of access to it. We can and do make enough food 

to feed everyone. We are trying to feed the world on the backs of animals 

by eating their meat and drinking their milk. The idyllic image of the 

happy cow, herded by beautiful maidens along green grasses is not how 

most cows, in America or in India, find themselves. Dairy farming is a 

round-the-clock operation where animals are housed in small cubicles, 

attached to milking machines for hours at a time. There is no joy in their 

lives. They are carrying the weight of the world’s bellies on their udders 

and are a major contributor to green-house gases. 

The countries with the highest rates of breast-, prostate-, colon-, and 

uterine-cancer have the highest rates of dairy and meat consumption. The 

resources required in land, water, and fuel are enormous. This places an 

undue burden on the environment as well. It might be time for Hindus 

to, once again, take a moral leap and abstain from dairy consumption as 

a way of protecting the cow and our planet. • 

31


President Trump’s first year... ... continued from Page 13 

Chrysler, Toyota & Mazda, while, BMW’s plant in SC, will become the 

Largest plant in the World. 4) Soft Bank, Foxconn, Mahindra, TransLux 

(china), will invest in US; about 3-Trillion Dollars. 5) For the first time, 

since the Birth of this Nation; US is becoming an Energy Exporter! 6) 

VA reform & incompetent employees can be fired (& have been), since 

VA was created. 

Finally, I’d take issue with your spin of “Unsettling Days” & argue, 

Future for me (in my adopted Country); is far more Optimistic, Safe, 

Confident & Bright. That said; I’m under no illusion that “Trump Haters”, 

would accuse the president (Trump), of Destroying the livelihood of 

Cancer Doctors; should he discover, a Cure for Cancer tomorrow! 

Yes, you may publish this letter in its ENTIRETY (& not an editorialized 

version). — Hiralal Koul, MD (retired), Johnstown, PA 

e-mail: hkfxguts@yahoo.com • 

Hannah Trivedi had her Arangetram on July 8, 2017 at the S.V.Temple 

auditorium after training for nine years under Nandini Mandal, at the 

Nandinik Dance Academy. She has participated in various dance programs 

at events such as Pittsburgh Folk Festival, Dragon Boat festival, Holi and 

others. In addition, Hannah performed in Nandini 

Mandal’s dance dramas and also helps teach dance 

at the Academy. 

A junior at Upper Saint Clair High School, she 

has been part of the school’s tennis team. Hannah 

has also been volunteering at numerous community 

places such as the Jubilee Kitchen, hospitals, and 

Friendship Village nursing. • 

Hiral Shah, daughter of Priyesh and Ketu Shah, had her arangetram 

on July 22, 2017 in the Peters Township High School after nine years 

of vigorous training under her guru Shrimati Nandini Mandal. Hiral’s 

recital included two Gujarati songs, out of which one was a generational 

piece, Hey Chandramauli, performed with her 

maternal grandma (nani) and her mother, and 

also verses from the Hanuman Chalisa. Hiral 

is now a sophomore at South Fayette High 

School, and is a part of the Model UN club 

and the French club. She played volleyball for 

almost six years. She enjoys writing, reading 

and mostly dancing. • 

32


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We will hand-select your order with the greatest care. 

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33


And Now, the Turkey Weekend in India, 

as Covered in The Indian Express 

India has its own harvest festivals — Pongal, Sankranti, Onam, 

Naukhai, and Baisakhi, among others — that the urban, Englisheducated, 

anglicized Indians who are completely uprooted from their 

hinterland, do not know, or do not care 

for. Lately, the American Thanksgiving 

bug seems to have bitten them, if you go 

by The Indian Express’ Lifestyle story 

(Ref: www.tinyurl.com/India-Thanxgiving-WkEnd). This English daily 

is published simultaneously in big cities and several second-tier cities. 

In the Indian Express story reproduced below, there is not a single 

word on the American harvest, or on the Native Americans’ encounters 

with Whites. I have italicized the phrases to highlight the absurdity in the 

story. The bold letters are my comments. 

“Thanksgiving is a time for family reunions, shopping, merrymaking, 

feasts and family dinner. People take out time to spend 

special time to meet near and dear ones and thank them for their 

kindness. Every year, people all across the world celebrate Thanksgiving 

Day. 

“For Canada it is the second Monday of October and for United 

States it is the fourth Thursday of November. Other countries like 

Australia, Grenada, The Netherlands and India also join in the 

celebration. (Really?) 

“This year, the Thanksgiving day will fall on November 23, 

one day before Black Friday, as per the US’s celebration date.” 

(Note that the writer puts the cart before the horse.) 

Then the story gives a “quick and easy recipe” for roasting 

Turkey. Turkeys available in India? How many Indian homes 

have ovens to roast a 20-lb turkey for 4 hours? Then gives a 

recipe for mash (not mashed) potatoes and cranberry sauce. 

Where will Indians go for cranberries? 

On reading the article, the urban, anglicized Indians in Madras, 

Bombay, Calcutta, (Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata maybe too 

provincial names for them) will develop a massive inferiority complex 

on what they are not able to do in India on the Thanksgiving weekend, 

even though these wannabe-gora Indians are sitting on the very top of the 

Indian socioeconomic pyramid!!! — K S Venkataraman • 

34


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