Agrawal Samachar Patrika

Volume 4 - Issue 1- Spring 01

Agrawals Participate in India's Millennium R-Dav Celebrations

HOUSTON- On January 27, 2001, over 15,000 Americans of Indian origin in and around Houston celebrated India's Millennium Republic Day at the downtown George R. Brown Convention center in a day-long event that concluded with a standing-room-only Sonu Nigam concert.

A big attraction at the celebra-tion was the colorful parade grand marshalled by international tennis star, movie actor, producer and director, Vijay Amritraj. Various communities and organizations representing Houston participated with specially designed and decorated floats.

The Agrawal Association of America's float with Maharaja Agrasen seated on an ornate chair while boys and girls danced, ladies sang to the rhythm of the dolki and 18 men (representing the ISgotras) walked in front, was very well received.

Several dignitaries including the Mayor of Houston, Lee Brown; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee; and Rinzing Wangdi, the Con-sul General of India to Houston participated in the motorcade.

Health Column: by Dr. Brij Bhushan Goel

Stay on Guard Against "Sneak Fat"
Here's the good news: Americans generally will gain 0.8 pounds during the winter months beginning in November - not the five or 10 we think we gain.

But...while we don't gain as much as we think we do, we tend not to get rid of the pound of fat that we do accumulate in the winter.

In 10 years, you could be looking at an extra 10 pounds on your frame! Here's how to keep "sneak fat" from gaining a foothold on your frame:

• Find a scale: Assess how much weight you've gained this winter and start making plans to lose now - it's easier to whittle off one or two pounds than 20 down the line.

• Take it off slow: Chances are you've slowly gained weight, so be sensible and lose it slowly. Ideally, you shouldn't try to lose more than a pound a week.

• Watch the calories: Losing a pound requires eating 3,500 fewer calories, so keep the numbers in mind and in about a month you should see some weight-loss results.

Sleep Tight
If you're not getting a good night's rest to help you be alert during the workday, think about changing how you sleep.

Health experts say that the best position to sleep in is on your side, curled in a fetal position. Rest your head on a pillow, which should hold the head level with the rest of your body.
The second-best sleeping position is flat on your back with your head resting on a pillow.
Try to avoid sleeping on your stomach-that is a position that could damage your neck and your back.

Agrawal Family Picnic

Following the successes of the recent sammelans and picnics, the Agrawal Association of America (AAA) is organizing a family picnic under a new theme comprising of several diversified activities. The picnic, at the Hermann Park in the Texas Medical Center area in Houston, will be from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, April 7, 2001.

Over 200 Agrawals met at the Mahatma Gandhi Community Center in Houston on November 18, 2000 and had lots of fun at the sammelan conducted by AAA. Several families that attended such an event for the first time felt that they had missed out immensely in the past.  And, just in case, if one has missed attending the last get togethers, the next one is definitely a should-not-be-miss-ed happening.

We take great pleasure in inviting you along with your family to the Agrawal family picnic on April 7. The occasion promises plenty of fun and frolic for every age group - toddlers, the young, the not so young and the young at heart.

Please do come and attend the this wonderful event with your entire family and friends of Agrawal descent.

AAA -EarthquakeRelief Fund

A powerful earthquake devastated several cities in the state of Gujarat, India on Friday, January 26, killing as many as 50,000 people and injuring over 100,000. The Agrawal Association of America has taken the lead to coordinate towards the relief operation and have set up a relief fund to help in these dire times.

A seventy member delegation of Indo-Americans from the Houston area representative of the entire community spent two successful days (February 26 and 27) in Washington DC urging Congressional leaders, Senators and the. White House, on their turf, to immediately release $100 million in humanitarian aid towards the Gujarat earthquake relief efforts. The Houston delegation was led by Dr. Durga Agrawal, Dr. Sam Kannappan, Dr. K.T. Shah and Subhash Gupta. Dr. Durga Agrawal (above) addresses a rally on the east side steps of the Capitol building on February 27,2001.

In providing material assistance and moral support to the victims of the calamity, AAA wishes to join hands with other organizations. Donations may be made by sending:

Agrawal Association of America - Earthquake Relief Fund
3920 Oberlin o Houston, TX 77005

The donations will be exempt from tax (IRS Tax Exempt #76-0558218) under Section 501(c)3 of the Income Tax Act. The official receipt for all donations will be sent by mail.

For more information, contact us at info@ograwal.org

"ONE DAY PAY, GOES ALONG WAY" 

Please donate generously