Noted Indian community leader Leela Krishnamurthy of Sugar Land, who has been volunteering with several social and charitable organizations, was recently honored by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner for her contributions to the UNICEF. Amy Pierce, chair of UNICEF’s southwest region, presents a proclamation issued by the mayor of Houston recognizing the contributions made by Leela Krishnamurthy as UNICEF board member.

Well known immigration attorney George Willy and his wife Shanti attended the White House Christmas party on December 16, 2022. They were invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. The event was largely held in the East Wing of the White House where the President entertains his guests. The entire east wing was decorated with tasteful Christmas backdrops. The Marine corps band played continuous Christmas music. They were all decked in full military regalia. Food was a variety of pastries, entrees and delicious deserts some quite exotic. The President and First Lady appeared, and the President made a speech. Due to Covid protocol, the President and the First Lady were not allowed to mingle with the guests. The event was festive, grand and meaningful.

Youth Leadership Development Program Houston 2022-23 class held a kick-off and orientation on Sept. 25 with 40 enthusiastic Junior/Senior students from 20 different High Schools around Houston area.

The Houston chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA held its 18th annual Hindu Unity Day on Saturday, August 27 at the ISKCON of Houston. Representatives from more than 50 Hindu organizations attended this conference.

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society recently awarded scholarships to ten students. Nithya, daughter of the temple priest, Parameshwaran, a Pearland High school student, received the special award, set up in memory of the late Priest Rajarathna Bhattar. Both the Diwali 2020 and the MTS student scholarship award ceremony were coordinated by Joint Treasurer Dr. Al Alagappan.

Ria Pawa seated as Goddess Saraswati welcomed guests at a music concert of Adhi Gopal. The welcome with live Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of music, art, wisdom, and learning was a remarkable idea conceived by the Gopal family.

Ajit Patel prepared a special tableaux of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inform the audience of Modi’s upcoming visit to Houston on Sept. 22 at ICC’s India Fest marking India’s 73rd Independence Day, held at Stafford Center on Aug. 18.

Volunteering Together for Service, (VT Seva), Houston chapter, celebrated Earth Day on April 21 at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple. Above, one of the participants in a costume contest depicts the hazards posed by plastic as Plastic Yamaraj (God of death). Vijay Pallod is impressed by the creative display.

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, H.E. Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, H.E. Dr Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi and H.E. Dr Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi unveil the Gift of Gratitude during the foundation laying ceremony for the BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Around 5,000 devotees and well-wishers including local officials, participated in the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE on April 21. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, senior sadhus and distinguished guests pour holy water on the foundation. The Shilanyas Ceremony, which is an ancient Vedic ritual performed to bless and sanctify the main foundation stones, signifies the beginning of the construction of the Mandir. This Mandir will be “a spiritual oasis for global harmony in the middle of the desert.”

Over 1100 women gathered at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Stafford, for the BAPS Women’s Conference on March 30. Centered on the topic of “Sādhanā: The Purpose and the Pursuit”, the conference brought together women of all ages and backgrounds to engage in a dialogue. The keynote speaker, Dr. Aparna Kamat, right, Special Guest, Fort Bend County Court-at-Law Judge Juli Mathew, center, and guest, Dr. Heena Thakkar , left, commemorate the start of the conference in a traditional manner by lighting the lamps.

Zoroastrian Association of Houston celebrated the grand opening of the fire Temple on West Airport Blvd. in Houston March 20-24. This is the first fire temple to be built outside India, Pakistan, and Iran. The Atash Kadeh is named after the Bhandara family, who helped build the temple with their donation. Priests perform holy fire lighting ceremony inside the new temple.

The Holi celebration at Chinmaya Mission Houston on Sunday, March 24 gave joy to adults and children alike. Over 700 members participated with amazing zeal making it a truly memorable day.