2014 Diwali Divingfest Directory

Contact: HinduChari [email protected], 512.994.4638

Experience Aus n Area’s Diversity Sat. October 11, 2014 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Manor High School (Cafeteria) 12700 Gregg Manor Rd, Manor, TX 78653

Presented by:

Program & Directory Give the Light of Care and Educa on

Media Partners

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About Hindu Chari es FOR America

Hindu Chari es For America, a Non‐Denomina onal charity and a regis‐tered non‐profit organiza on, was founded in 2010 in Aus n, TX by Ha‐rish N. Kotecha on two principles:

Selfless Service (Seva) ‐ one of the essen al teachings of the Hindu philosophy

Social Responsibility ‐ Indian community is one of the most prosper‐ous communi es in the US. US has given opportunity to prosper. We like to see the Indian community take a social responsibility and give back—”We live here & Give here”.

W the help of many donors & volunteers, the organiza on focuses in the educa on of economically disadvantaged students. Working with Texas Homeless Educa on Office, two programs have been ini ated:

Dona on of School supplies to local Independent School Districts (ISDs), since 2010

Voca onal Training Tui on Scholarships, since 2014

School Supplies Program, since 2012, is project with Greater Aus n Area Jewish Federa on, with a cultural fundraiser, “Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt”. This event has helped raise funds to donate school supplies to many ISDs in Aus n area and help organiza ons such as CASA (foster care). This year, at the “School Supplies Packing Event”, we nearly had 200 volunteers, who helped us pack and donate school supplies to 1,100 homeless and economically disadvantaged children.

The media response was excellent: Four local TV sta ons and the So. Asian community magazines covered this year’s events.

Voca onal Training Tui on Scholarships program ‐ We generate funds for this program through our big fundraiser event Diwali GivingFest. Since the launch of this program in 2013, 35 scholarships worth $20,000 have been ins tuted in Aus n Community College, Capital Idea and Manor ISD, and they are jointly responsible for the Scholarship awards to the deserving students.

Our vision is to expand our services to Central Texas and eventually take this effort na onwide in the near future.

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About Diwali GivingFest 2014!

Diwali also known as the "Fes val of Lights”, is an ancient Hindu fes ‐val celebrated in Fall of every year. The fes val spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

Diwali GivingFest, conceived by Sandhya Di akavi and launched by the Hindu Chari es for America in 2013, is the flagship event to raise funds for our Scholarship Program headed by Dinesh Vakharia. to be awarded to students who are economically disadvantaged in Aus n Metro area

Last year’s Diwali Giv‐ingFest 2013 helped us raise funds toward schol‐arship pro‐ grams re‐sul ng in 35 scholarships awards to Aus‐ n Communi‐ty College, Capital Idea and Manor ISD, totaling $20,000. We hope that 2014 will be a bigger suc‐cess! The Di‐ wali Giv‐ingFest gives us an oppor‐tunity to open our hearts and wallets to the those in need with dona on of:

new or lightly used blankets and winter coats to refugees

Scholarships in denomina ons of $500 for voca onal training for kids who are economically disadvantaged in Aus n Metro area

Diwali GivingFest in its second year, is a free non cketed event. It provides a peek into the cultural diversity of Aus n. The stage perfor‐

Thank our sponsors

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Message from our Host

“On behalf the Manor Independent School Dis‐trict, I would like to welcome you to the 2014 Diwali GivingFest being held at Manor High School. At Manor ISD, we believe in helping each and every student succeed. With the help of community organiza ons like the Hindu Chari es of America and generous community members, we are making this goal possible.

The Manor Independent School District is for‐ever grateful for all of the amazing dona ons that the Hindu Chari‐es of America has provided to our students, which has included vo‐

ca onal scholarships, hundreds of school supplies, basic needs for children in need and much more. The Manor Independent School Dis‐trict is honored to be hos ng this year’s Diwali GivingFest.

Thank you for a ending this wonderful event and suppor ng the community. We hope that you enjoy yourself and have an unfor‐ge able evening.”

Kevin Brackmeyer, Superintendent Manor ISD, Manor, TX

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Sincere Thanks from Students benefi ng from Diwali GivingFest

2014 these and many who made it happen!

Entertainment Produc on: Shru Anand

American Sitara: Vaishali Tendolkar, Judges: Amjad Rahman, Manasi Joshi Singh, & Naga Valli. Emcees: Shru Anand, Nadia Siddiqi Khan, Fund Raising: Ashish Gupta, Kash Rambhotla, American Sitara: Vaishali Tendolkar. Venue: Becky Lo , Julie Galindo

Key Volunteers: Vimal Mo para, Punita Patel, Rama Tiru, Dinesh Vakharia, Shobhna Kotecha, Dinesh Thakkar, Seema Govil, Somabhai Patel with friends, Steve Soo, others that we overlooked to men on.

Media Sponsors: Bollywood Show me, Epoch Times, TODO Aus‐n, TVAsia, WOBEON

Event Sponsor: PLATINUM: Inchin’s Bamboo Garden (Prasad Challa), GOLD: General Agents Insurance Network (Varsha Gro‐gan), Skypass Travel (Willie Abraham) & Trinity Texas Realty (Sijo Vadakkan), Adam’s Canopy with dona on of Stage (Adam Gonzalez), Dhoom Produc on with dona on of stage backdrop (Vishal Dave)

Sound Engineering: Dennis Scherbing

Photography: Rama Tiru, Aesha Patel

Video: Many Volunteers!

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Serving Indian Community since 2005

We are proud to serve:

Aus n Hindu Temple

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Aus n

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What they are saying about Hindu Chari es FOR America: Dr. Vijay Mahajan, Professor, Department of Marke ng, McCombs School of Business: Congratula ons to the “Hindu Chari es For America” and to its dedicate volunteers for their selfless service. In 2014, The “Hindu Chari es For America” has provided 1,100 school supply kits and 35 educa onal scholarships to Aus n metro area un‐derprivileged children. This is the only Hindu organiza on that is in‐volved in suppor ng the educa onal needs of the under privileged children in Central Texas. I fully support their ac vi es and request others to support them. I wish “Hind Chari es For America” great success in future. You are making the future here…..

Becky Lo , Director ‐ Student & Family Support Services< Manor ISD, Manor, TX: Words can’t describe how grateful the students; their families and the staff are for the con nued support of the Hindu Chari es for America. Due to its crea ve fundraising with the Jewish Federa on of Aus n, 800 students received school supplies for the start of school.

Preparing students to learn takes a community approach and is a vital part of a successful district. The Hindu Chari es for America is fine example of a partnership that puts its mission to work. Thank you for improving the lives of the MISD community!

Cathy Requejo, Project Supervisor, Dept. of School, Family & Com‐munity Educa on, AISD Project HELP, Aus n, TX: It is amazing to see the faces of our homeless students light up when they say their back‐pack filled with supplies, and to experience their relief at knowing that they can go to school prepared. It is pure joy…

Patricia Tailor, Parent Community Liaison, Dailey Middle School, Del Valle, TX: “It takes a village to raise a child” – Thanks for being part of our village Hindu Chari es for America.

Seema Govil, TVAsia: Surely, we have come long way together. I want to support my Aus n Indian community as much as possible especially for people like you who have put their lives for a cause –

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American Sitara American Sitara is a singing compe on in Aus n TX for South Asians.

This compe on provides a stage for kids and adults who aspire to enter the music industry. The idea was launched in 2013 as AusA‐merican Idol at Diwali GivingFest 2013 with Monsoon Dance as the sponsor of the event. Shru Anand took the lead. The event was lim‐ited in par cipa on as it was first of its kind to gauge the interest of the Indian communi‐ty and hammer out the logis cs.

This year, we part‐nered with Aus n’s Bollywood Show me magazine, Vaishali Tendolkar taking the lead with support from Shru Anand and Hindu Chari es for Ameri‐ ca volun‐teers. this year also, Monsoon Dance is the spon‐ sor for the event. Con‐ testants were grouped by age in three groups: Ages 8 to 18, 18+ to 39 and 40+. Par cipa on has ranged from contestants from Aus n and San Antonio. From 33 entries, 28 were selected for audi on. Three final‐ists have been selected from each age group and the final round is at Diwali GivingFest 2014 on Oct. 11, 2014. A face book page and sepa‐rate email has been set up: [email protected].

Many volunteers have helped. Notably: Rama Tiru (graphics design, authoring, photography), Vimal Mo para (event marke ng), Punita Patel (arrangement to have a Bollywood music producer cri que the finalist).

Sponsored by: Monsoon Dance!

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Index of Box Adver sers Category Page# Category Page#

AC & Hea ng 18 Media 20 A orney 18 Pan 21

Dance/Music 18 Party Rental 22 Educa ons 18 Pest Control 22

Event 18 Photography 22 Family Services 19 Prin ng/Copying 22

Film 19 Real Estate 24 Food Products 19 Restaurants 24

Grocers 19 Salons 26 Grocers/Restaurants 19, Sound Engineering 24

Health Care 20 Travel 26 Indian Fashions 20

Insurance 20

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Meet the Performers:

Manali Matkar says: With no prior training in music, I was introduced to music by a group of wonderful friends a year back. For me music means Joy and Peace. I want to share this joy with everyone I come in contact with. Hindu Chari es gave an opportunity to perform last year and it was a wonderful expe‐rience. I am happy to say that our music has given

me an opportunity to meet wonderful people and together we will per‐form program for Diwali Giving Fest.

Diwali Gree ngs

Happy Diwali From

Dushyant Desai & Family!

Happy Diwali From

Ishaan, Varsha & Ni n Dugar!

Aus n, TX

Best Wishes From

Nayeki Gomez

Happy Diwali

From

Mahesh & Bhumi

Jotwani!

Happy Diwali

From

Sonia, Savan, Anna, Mylo,

Harish & Shobhna Kotecha

Happy Diwali

From

Vimal, Jayashree

Mo para & Family!

(512) 859‐5312

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Diwali Gree ngs, Cont.

Happy Diwali

From

Jay Pamar!

Happy Diwali

From

Jignesh Patel & Family!

Happy Diwali From

Kasturi Patel & Family! (512) 773‐6929

[email protected]

Happy Diwali From

Kan lal Ratanpara & Family!

(512) 971‐2741

Happy Diwali

From

Hemant & Ina Shah

Family!

Happy Diwali & New Year

From

Sanjay Shah & Family!

(512) 258‐5525

Adam's Canopy service provides full service tent, table, and chair rentals for corporate events of all sizes.

3508 E Cesar Chavez St Aus n, TX 78702 (512) 477‐5838

Thank You Adam’s Canopy for Dona on of the Stage for Diwali GivingFest!

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Meet the Performers, (Cont.):

Divya Shanker is the founder, director of Divyathrayam School of Dance is an accomplished dance instructor who has perfected and embellished the unique styles of three dance forms ‐‐ Bharatanāṭyaṁ, Mohinia am and Kūchipūḍi. She has devoted herself to training students the prac cal and theore cal nuances of dance with special focus on laya aspect and abhinaya. Her crea ve choreography brings out the dance theme alive with beau ful expressions and unique steps. She

has par cipated in several Dance workshops and conducted lecture demonstra ons on Indian dance in local schools and UT Aus n. She is also passionate about training in Yoga and Kalaripaya u (Kerala Mar al Arts). To broaden her exper se and give exposure to her students, she works with several renowned ar sts from India. She is also a member of stage Sanchaar a Non ‐profit organiza on, collabora ng with several seasoned ar sts in Aus n.

Diwali Gree ngs, Cont. Happy Diwali

From Mahesh & Saroj Shah &

Family! (512) 506‐8086

Happy Diwali & Melodious New Year!

From Paramjeet, Sonia & Harveen !

(512) 965‐4202 Happy Diwali

From Rai h, Pragari & Mahathi‐

Sai She y! (512) 300‐4879

Happy Diwali

From

Dinesh Thakkar & Family!

Happy Diwali

From

Jaysukhbhai Thanki & Family!

Happy Diwali From

Amritbhai Topiwala & Family!

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Pramod Pa l says: I love music, dance and any form of art, ever since my early childhood. I choreograph dances, write and direct shows. To me art is a gi and my passion is to put art for social cause. The skit 'Art of GIVING' that we will be performing at DIWALI GIVING Fest is on the same lines. It’s an a empt to mo vate the community to help for those in need!

Hindu Chari es FOR America has been doing an amazing job in making the difference in the lives of young kids. I am so happy to help and part of with these noble efforts.

Diwali Gree ngs, Cont.

Happy Diwali From

VIBHA, Aus n

AC, Hea ng, etc AC, Hea ng ‐ Repairs

Free es mate for new install 24/7 Emergency Service

G&S Mechanical , (512) 627‐1824 See Ad on p7 for Discount!

A orney

Kaushik 'Kash' Rambhotla, Esq. A orney & Counselor at Law

[email protected] (512) 410‐5815 see ad

Dance & Dance Classes

Monsoon Dance

[email protected] (512) 765‐6676

See Ad p

Divyathrayam School of Dance

h p://divyathrayam.com/

The students and staff of

Natyalaya School of Dance

are proud to be a part of Diwali GivingFest

Educa on

Events/Decors Dhoom Produc on

One Stop Solu on for All Events

(512) 751‐9567 See our Ad, p

Ad p

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Family Services Asian Family Support Services of Aus n, or AFSSA (formerly SAHELI)

For Asian Families Help with: domes c violence, sexual

assault and trafficking/ (877) 281‐8371

Film/Movies

www.IndieMeme.com

Alka Bhanot, Founder [email protected]

Food Products Bhaghya Laxmi 1898 Hwy, 206 Cisco, TX 76467 (262) 492‐0066 See Ad, p

Groceries

See Ads p

NO.: 837‐9701 NW: 249‐7600 SO: 899‐1000

821– 0000

KP Grocers 1212 W. Parmer Lane Aus n, TX 78727 (512) 833‐6222

www.KPIndianGrocery.com See Our Full Page ad p9

3601 W.William Cannon Dr.#750 Aus n, TX ‐ 78749 (512) 892‐9600

[email protected], Ad p

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Indian Fashions

Saritha Indian Fashions

Cloths, Jewelry

Call: (737) 333‐2450

Mani Sudunagunta Lenghas, Half Sarees, Uppada

Silk and Pa y Sarees! Exclusive Designers’ Sarees!

(512) 947‐9127, Ad p h p://www.theepoch mes.com/

Media

h p://www.bollyshow me.com/ Check our American Sitara Finalists in

November 2014 Issue

Insurance Health Care

See Ad p5

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Shru Anand: Shru is founder and owner of Monsoon Dance that teaches Bolly‐wood style dances. She has also created Mayuri Dance Group that “Dances for a Cause”. Shru and her students have per‐formed at many charity events, including Hindu Chari es and Pratham.

h p://todoaus n.com/

Media, Cont.

h p://wobeon.com/

h p://www.tvasiausa.com/

Pan

Chacha Panwala

(512) 299‐1780

Pans at Salimar Restaurant

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Party Rentals

Adam’s Canopy Service has provided high quality tents, tables, chairs and staging to our clients since 1996.

h p://adamscanopy.com/ (512) 477‐5828, Ad p

Pest Control

D.M. Pest Control (512) 905‐4984

Guaranteed Quality Job See our Full Page Ad p for

Special offer! Photography Prin ng/Copying

See Ad p20

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Vinitha Subramanian: Smt. Vinitha Subramanian, the director of Natyalaya School of Dance has been teaching in the Central Texas area for over 30 years . Many of her students have gone on to make their own mark in the field of Bharatanatyam. She has many arangetram to her credit and has staged several dance dramas and the‐ma c presenta ons such as Jungle Book ‐ Seonee, Ganga‐ A River’s story, Nouka Charitram and Two faces of Shi‐

va, just to name a few. Under her direc on, Natyalaya has grown into a premier dance ins tu on in the central Texas area.

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Traffic Tickets Wills & Estates Civil/Criminal Li ga on

Immigra on Real Estate Corporate Law

4000 Medical Parkway # 207, Aus n, TX 78613

(512) 410‐5815 (210) 399‐8437 Fax: (512) 582‐8660

Kaushik 'Kash' Rambhotla, Esq. A orney & Counselor at Law

[email protected]

2433 Rutland Dr. suite 130 Aus n, TX 78758 512‐491‐7000 See Ad p26

Prin ng/Copying, Cont.

Real Estate

See our Ad p7

See Ad p23

Restaurants

Inchin Bamboo Garden Tel : 512 255‐2922

See Ad p DiwaliFest 2014 Caterer!

Pla num sponsor

100% Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly Restaurant

(512) 491-5055 www.bombayexpressaustin.com

See Ad p21

Sound System

Dennis and Teresa

The Sound and Ligh ng Folks

512‐484‐1371

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Vaishali Tendolkar says: "Music & Dance has been my passion from a very young age. I have been performing on the stage since my elemen‐

tary school days. Having a talent is a gi of God & I believe for an accomplished ar st what other divine way it could be to show his gra tude towards him (God). I like to use my talent & me to express my gra tude through fundraising programs. Hindu Char‐i es for America has been very instrumental in reaching out to the needy through Charity. I chose to

lead the American Sitara project because it is not only a pla orm to showcase your talent but it would give me an opportunity to support a higher cause."!!

3601 W.William Cannon Dr.#750, Austin, TX (512) 892-9600, [email protected]

WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH FRESH AND HEALTHY FOODS.

Check out our website for a compre‐hensive list of our products!

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Solon

(512) 514‐1141 h p://bangdayspa.com/

Travel

Gold sponsor ‐ See Ad p13

Pla ce add here

Our Media Sponsor

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Documents

2014 Diwali Divingfest Directory