Interviews with co-chairs
Interviews with host committee members
Spotlight on excellence awards
Preview of Lokvani 10 celebration

Lokvani Spotlight on Excellence Awards in this issue is focused on recognizing "Perfect Professional". Is there someone who delivers a service in a exemplary way? Is there a professional who uses their skills to serve the community? NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE "Perfect Professional" NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, August 2 !!! It is easy! [more]

Congratulations to Anu Chitrapu, Arun Chaudhari, Durga Krishnan, Gauri Banerjee, Jawed Wahid, Jay Gupta, Kija Kim, Kumkum Dilwali, Manju Sheth, Mitali Biswas, Mohan Samlal, Raj Melville, Ritu Gaind, Shashi Chawla, Siraj Khan, Somnath Mukherjee and Usha Vakil, who have been selected to receive the Lokvani Spotlight on Excellence Award for the "Community Catalysts" category. The awards will be available on September 9, 201l at the Lokvani Gala. [more]

(This article is sponsored by Attorney Trupti Patel)

"Muse Music Masti" says it all! Eshani Shah, Sangita Joshi, Sumi Manwani and Ruchika Arora, members of the Lokvani@10 organizing committee, tells us why they wanted to be part of the team and what they have planned for the event! [more]

(This article is sponsored by Emerson Hospital)

On the momentous title win, Sreeram Chandra says with broad smile, “At times, I was nervous singing before an acclaimed jury comprising Sunidhi Chauhan, Anu Malik and Salim Merchant and a celebrated audience from Bollywood.” [more]

(This article is sponsored by Monique Kornfeld, Esq.)

Katrina Kaif has apologized for her statement that Rahul Gandhi is half-Indian and half-Italian just like she is half British and half Indian. [more]

(This article is sponsored by Russian School of Math)

VisionAID's fundraiser event featured a wonderful Dance Ballet featuring over thirty dancers from the Boston area. Hindu tales highlighting the nine forms of devotion were presented in a beautiful dance ballet. The sold out show helped raise money for the visually challenged. [more]

(This article is sponsored by Mumbai Chopstix)

This prestigious event organized by Hindi Manch to encourage, showcase and promote local talent was conceived in 2010, by the NEHM President Preetesh Shrivastava and founding members. Little did they know that after their successful debut in 2010, their second year would turn out to be such a resoundingly well-attended and well-appreciated event. [more]

(This article is sponsored by Prashant H. Fadia Foundation)

Sponsored by Ebay, AIF is thirlled to sponsor its 1st Youth Summit, focused on the inspiring work being done by youth in the United States, India and across the Globe on August 1st in San Jose. [more]

The June edition of the Karnatik Hindustani Music Circle's concert series was held at Shri Dwarkamai Vidyapeeth/Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in North Billerica, MA on June 25th. It featured Aditi Iyengar, Sahana Srinivasan, Anand Swaminathan, Prasanna Venkatesh Soundararajan, KVS Vinay, Pravin Sitaram, students of the Raganjali school of music, Nitin Pandit and Pranav Ghatraju. [more]

This annual dance program of Ani Thirumanjanam was organized by YCEP of Srilakshmi temple under the guidance of Shanmugam Bavanantham along with the help of many temple volunteers. The heat of the scorching sun was mellowed with the devotion and graceful dance presentation of the all the performers. [more]

Moving from Gaana (music) to Nritya (dance), students from the Rasarang School of Performing Arts under the guidance on their Guru Poornima Risbud started their performance with a beautiful pushpanjali by Aditi Bhivandkar and Deepa Rajamani followed by a Natesha Kauthuvam from the younger students of the school. [more]

The weather report projects rain and thunderstorms for Saturday June 25th, 2011. In spite of it, I tell my dear husband, “Rain or Shine, I’ll be there” as I pack a bag for the picnic at Pomps Pond, Andover, MA. [more]

The website was started by four Indian entrepreneurs, who recognized the growing need for the availability of everything wedding-related for Indians abroad. [more]

Join Rep. Kaufman, in collaboration with the Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE), to learn about the exciting and rewarding field of public service on July 25th. [more]

Water Centric is holding its 2nd Annual Bike-A-Thon on July 30 at Great Brook Farm in Carlisle, MA to raise funds on behalf of Water Centric’s projects in the developing world which supply clean water, toilets, and hygiene education to needy schools in order to help young children get the right start. [more]

TyE-Boston is now seeking high motivated high school students looking to do something different and exciting! We are inviting applications for the TyE Class of 2011-12. [more]

Exhibition of stunning Handcrafted Jewelry of Diamonds and Precious stones, made in India by Lagu Bandhu of Mumbai, on July 30th at Holiday Inn Tewksbury. [more]

The Chinmaya Maurti Library offers a wonderful collection that promotes life-long learning. As a valued Cultural Center of the community, the Chinmaya Maurti Library grants access to a variety of literature and materials to satisfy the diverse educational and philosophical interests. [more]

Karan Sarkar, a 12 year old student from Westford, MA, scores a perfect 800 in the Math section and 700 in the verbal section of the SAT I exam. [more]

Twin siblings Divya and Varun Chandramouli presented a joint arangetram (debut performance) with a very fulfilling performance. Divya presented a vocal recital for over three hours accompanied by Varun on the mridangam, Kum. Rasika Murali on the violin and Dr. Ravi Balasubramaniam on the ghatam. [more]

The South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston (“SABA GB”) is pleased to announce that its “Know Your Rights!” Program (“KYR”) won the 2011 Outstanding Program Award at this year’s North American South Asian Bar Association (“NASABA”) Annual Convention. The NASABA Convention was held from June 23-26 in Los Angeles, CA. [more]

If I hear the word “Harvard” one more time, or when I’m an inch away from screaming my guts out upon reading another email about college, I guess I’ll just have to remind myself that my parents want the best for me.I have recognized that the "Desi Smothering Syndrome" is really just another form of love. [more]

The health of our mind or the lack of it, is not identifiable with the naked eye, so as a consequence of this limitation, we are often quite unaware of this abnormal mental condition. [more]

HAF announces its 3rd Annual NextGen Essay Contest, open to writers ages 14 through 27. As HAF continues its efforts to build a progressive Hindu American voice, it is also working to ensure the voices of future Hindu American leaders are heard. [more]

Catch up, register and purchase tickets for the events and concerts during this upcoming fortnight including Swar Sandhya, Shaam-E-Sharda, Neerja Pandit in Concert, Vivekananda Family Camp, Lokvani@10, Krishna Trishna and Saheli Second Annual Gala. [more]

Congratulations to Aseem Chandawarkar and Prabhakar Nadkarni, who were winners of the last set of puzzles. Here is one easy puzzle for students and one for adults [more]

Of course we will accept the gift! [more]

(This article is sponsored by Sounds Of India)

What do the stellar team of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonca and lyricist Prasoon Joshi have for this in this album? [more]

Boxing instructor (after first lesson): "Now, have you any questions to ask?" Beginner (startled): "Yes. How much is your correspondence course?" [more]

Try these daals with sprouts and drumsticks! [more]

Summer colors! [more]

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Religious freedom should work two ways: we should be free to practice the religion of our choice, but we must also be free from having someone else's religion practiced on us. - John Irving, novelist (b. 1942). [more]