Agrawal Samachar Patrika

Volume 3 Issue 2 - Summer 2000

"Ek Ent...Ek Rupiya"

Maharaha Agrasen proposed "Ek Ent Ek Rupiya" or "one brick & one rupee" will be provided by all residents to anyone of the Agrawal community who was new in town.  The brick was given to build his own house and the rupee was to start the business.  This was the spirit of networking in the days of Maharaja Agrasen.

To network in the new millennium, Agrawals met on Saturday, March 25th at George Bush Park.  It was a great success almost 200 Agrawals come together.  The fun started with several sport events including tug of war (between boys and girls; men and women), lemon on spoon races, Kho Kho, three-legged race, sack race, reverse walking, followed by everybody's favorite, Antakshri.  The scrumptious lunch was sponsored by Tarsem and Rajkumari Agrawal of Houston.  Nans (an Indian bread) cooked fresh were being served right in the middle of the park.  The day was beautiful and everybody had a lot of fun.  Several families came for the first time and felt that they missed a lot in the past.  The Agrawal party, in picnic style started at 11 AM and continued until 5 PM.  In case you missed this grand Sammelan, you certainly do not want to miss the next one.

Milk Miracle does a boy good

This US teen had to struggle just to be a Hindu...until Lord Ganesha made it easy.

It was September 21st, 1995 when in a temple in New Delhi Lord Ganesha quietly asked devotees, "Got Milk?"  The ensuing Milk Miracle rocked the world as it swept the globe (Ht, Publishers Desk Sept' 99).  Yet in an aftermath, even the believers struggled with questions:  Why?  What did the elephant God intend to accomplish?  No one denies that it strengthened the faith of millions, and that would be reason enough.  The story of Vasant Garg, 15 year student in Houston, may offer one reason for Ganesha's supernatural exploits.

Vasant is a first generation Hindu, his parents, Ashok and Prabha Garg, moved to Texas from New Delhi 32 years ago.  Both parents manage a clothing business under 'Allied Exports Inc." 

"I was not raised with a religious background, I know close to nothing of what my religion is based on" explains Vasant to his schoolteacher.  After attending a predominantly Christian school, I realized I knew more about Christianity than Hinduism.  Knowing it is a custom to follow the religion of my parents, I decided to do so, but was never required to even attend any temple, hence remained innocent and ignorant about my own religion.

"In school I was the only Indian and non-Christian, and felt rather alone."  He still remembers some of the boys calling him "Buddha-Buddha."  Without intervention he may not have held to forever.  Vasant continues, "The sign that kept my candle lit was when Lord Ganesha was drinking milk.  My mom told me that a phenomenon was occurring around the world.  She also heard that in a house close to ours, Lord Ganesha was drinking milk.  I too held up milk to his trunk and to my surprise he drank all of it.  All present there witnessed it.  To this day that event has kept my faith strong and convinced me to reach a higher level of understanding.

Vasant now a member of the Chinmaya Mission, Houston, strongly recommended attending Agrawal Sammelan recently.  "Although people may torment you for your beliefs, you must stay strong and hold to what you think is the truth.  This is the way to you divine heart.  Hinduism has answers for the simple to the most controversial questions-that's why it is becoming so popular."

Kids float high...

Recently Houston celebrated Asian Heritage month.

There was a colorful parade in Downtown.  Rakesh Agrawal & Meera Kapoor coordinated a beautiful float through ICC and many Agrawal children participated and their effort paid off.  The float won 2nd prize.  The kids who participated are Rishi Aggarwal, Manoj Aggarwal, Rani Aggarwal, Neha Agrawal, Anuj Mittal, Charu Agrawal and Puja Sharma.  Congratulations to all kids!

Summer Internship Program

The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston has set up an internship program and will have a number of lots at companies such as Compaq, Enron, BMC Software, and Texas Instruments.  High school and college students are invited to apply.

The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce was created in 1999 to promote commercial and economic ties between the business communities in the Greater Houston Area and India.  Among the organization's objectives are to create business opportunities between persons interested in business in India, to provide mentor opportunities for young entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts, to establish and nurture relationships between the Indo-American business community and city, state and federal bodies, and to facilitate the creation of new ventures between the United States and India.

More information on the internship program can be obtained by calling (713) 850-1144, faxing (713) 850-1141 or by visiting http://www.iaccgh.com

Cycling for a Good Cause-Houston to Austin
"A Texas Cycling Tradition"

Rakesh Agrawal and Vasant Garg youth members of AAA participated in a bike ride from Houston to Austin on the 21st of April 2000.  The event was organized by The National Multiple Sclerosis Society for charitable fund raising.

The Youth at the Orchards

The AAA youth committee has been working to get the children between the ages 12-18 years together for group activities.  We are planning to go to an orchard to pick fresh fruits on June 17th 2000.  Other tentative dates are August 12th and October 7th so mark your calendars.  If any parents have some good ideas about the youth activities, call Uma Aggarwal at (713) 667-3748 or Anita Gupta at (713) 666-7799.

Cruise to Alaska...July 2000

Here is another opportunity for you to cruise to Alaska from San Francisco.  The cruise leaving on July 31st for 11days on the ship Sky Princess.  The price for 4 people including airfare is $5602 which excludes $100 discounts.  Contact Uma Aggarwal at (713) 667-3748 for more information.

New Members

Surendra/Kanta Mittal - Houston
Sudesh/Bhisham Gupta - Houston
Sandeep/Nataue Agrawal - Houston
Mahesh/Meera Gupta - Houston
Karam/Shabnam Gupta - Houston
Vijay Kumar Agrawal - Beaumont
Madhilip/Era Gupta - Corpus Christie
Umesh/Rajnee Jain - Houston
Anup/Sarita Mokha - San Francisco

AAA Foundation

Agrawal Foundation is raising funds for the purpose of giving out interest free student loans to the deserving Agrawal kids and to help needy Agrawal families.  Your contributions are welcome.  If you know of a deserving student please pass this information to the candidate.  If you any needy Agrawal families or students, send us the information.  AAA Foundation is ready to help.

Call: (713) 972-1735 or (713) 731-0030
Fax: (713) 972-1755 or (713) 731-9916
Email: info@agrawal.org

Or contact any of the following:

Dr. Durga Agrawal - (713) 731-0030
Mr. Govind Agrawal - (713) 266-7599
Mr. Hari Agrawal - (281) 494-4940
Mr. Ashok K. Garg - (713) 972-1735
Mr. Naresh Mittal - (713) 266-7333

Agrawal Sammelan

November 18, 2000
Venue to be formed later.