20 The Indian EXPRESS

TRI-STATE Newsline JUNE 29, 2012 Overwhelming support for July 4 South Asian gala *KPFWQWVſV VIJAY SHAH commemorates Refugee Day Edison WASHINGTON Kalra highlighted the plight of Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, rominent public officials, lead- he Hindu American Founda- internally displaced Kashmiri Hin- ing community leaders and tion (HAF) commemorated dus, and stateless Hindus of Indian business owners extended P World Refugee Day by draw- origin in Malaysia in a blog for Be- their support to the forthcoming T ing attention to the plight of Hindu liefnet, entitled All Refugees are US Independence Day celebration refugees and displaced persons Created Equal. to be held on July 4 at the sprawling throughout the world. Moreover, HAF noted that Municipal Park, also known as Pa- The Foundation marked the oc- there have been significant Hindu paianni Park near Edison Municipal casion by writing directly to the office refugee populations uprooted from Complex in Edison, NJ. of the United Nations High Commis- their homes in Bhutan and Sri Lan- “Edison Township is going to sioner for Refugees (UNHCR), urg- ka. In Bhutan, for instance, more witness a great event being orga- ing it to address the escalating crisis than 100,000 Bhutanese Hindus nized by the South Asian commu- Officials expressed their support at a kick-off function facing Pakistani Hindu refugees living of Nepali descent were stripped of nity”, said Toni Ricigliano, Mayor of organized by South Asian Community Outreach. in India. It called on UNHCR officials their citizenship and forced to leave Edison. “Both the US and India won to oversee the protection and shelter Bhutan under the "One Nation, One their independence from the British. citizens of the United States”, said Sarvesh Kumar Dharayan, Ex- needs of Balochi Hindus internally People" policy aimed at forced ho- It is heartening to know that the Khan, who has galvanized the com- ecutive Vice-president promised an displaced within Pakistan by violent mogenization of a multi-ethnic and people of South Asian community munity to play an important role in entertaining day for families and conflict and religious oppression. multi-religious society. For years, are as enthusiastic about celebrating integrating diverse ethnic groups in fun seeking youths. “We will show- Celebrated annually on June the Bhutanese Hindus languished in the Independence Day of the US as Central New Jersey. He said that case cultural programs representing 20, World Refugee Day provides an UNHCR camps in Nepal, but many they celebrate India’s Independence ‘Unity in Diversity’ was the motto of American and Asian cultures. As the international stage to pay tribute to have now been resettled in a number Day on 15th August every year.” his organization. sun will set on the horizon of the lake the more than 42 million people forc- of third-party countries, including The Mayor of Edison along with “People of South Asian origin the visitors will be greeted by spec- ibly displaced as a result of violent the United States. NJ Assemblymen Sam Thompson, are proud to be part of American tacular fireworks which will glow the conflict or persecution. UNHCR's The Foundation also used the Upendra Chivukula and a number of culture”, said Shrujal Parikh, Gener- sky for extended period of time. Ev- theme and campaign for this year, Refugee Day as a platform to an- county and local officials expressed al Secretary of SACO. “We are cele- eryone will enjoy the show”, he in- "Refugees have no choice. You do," nounce its nationwide film tour by their support at a kick-off function or- brating the American Independence formed the audience amidst cheers. emphasized the powerlessness and Indian filmmaker, Rahul Riji Nair, to ganized by South Asian Community Day as our way to express our grati- The youthful executives of vulnerability of refugee populations. showcase his new documentary, The Outreach, a not-for-profit organiza- tude to our adopted country”, he said. ‘South Asian Community Outreach’ "Today, as the international com- Human Boundaries. The critically tion spearheading the celebrations. Leading community activist Piy- mingled with guests who seemed very munity observes World Refugee Day, acclaimed documentary, inspired “This celebration is very signifi- ush Patel, chairperson of SACO, said enthusiastic about participating in the we have a unique opportunity to sup- by Hindu spiritual leader and Art of cant as it is an expression of love and in his message that the South Asian show. “We are expecting ten thousand port and empower the millions of Living founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shan- faith of the South Asian community, community was committed to play- spectators to be part of the celebra- refugees suffering in silence through- kar, highlights the plight of a group whose members have contributed a ing a prominent role in improving tions”, said Seema Jagtiani, who is re- out the globe," said Samir Kalra, Esq., of Pakistani Hindu refugees living great deal in sustaining the economy the US economy. “We worked hard sponsible for mobilizing participation HAF's Director and Senior Fellow in the Dera Dhuni Baba refugee of New Jersey”, said Assemblyman to achieve success in life and making from vendors and cultural groups. for Human Rights. "We have a re- camp near New Delhi. "The Human Thompson. a better world for our children. The Sam Khan said: “Our ef- sponsibility to not only advocate on Boundaries is a crucially important Sam Khan, Founder of the future of USA depends on united forts will bear fruits soon as SACO their behalf, but also work collectively film for the American public to see," South Asian Community Outreach efforts by all sections of society.” emerges as a powerful organization towards finding durable and last- said Jay Kansara, HAF's Washing- (SACO) pointed out that the South Atma Singh, president of representing one of the most visible ing solutions to address their needs." ton, D.C. based Associate Director. Asian community is moving forward SACO, welcoming the guests and sections of American society. We to be a potent force in the main- introducing business owners urged will become a force to reckon with in stream American society. “We are people to make impressive repre- a variety of ways in addition to serv- connected with our roots while mak- sentation of various communities ing our community for economic ing our contributions as responsible that made New Jersey their home. and cultural development.” Joya Dass’s First Sight focuses on curable blindness NEW YORK

Javed Akhtar launches ‘Lava’ V Journalist and documentary filmmaker Joya Dass tackles VIJAY SHAH Tthe topic of curable blindness in children in the developing world, EDISON in this 50-minute documentary First Sight. The film features new music ollywood’s veteran poet- from award-winning artists Sivamani lyricist Javed Akhtar while and Falu. Blaunching his book ‘Lava’, a The screening is made possible collection of his poems organized by by a donation from Meera Gandhi Share and Care Foundation and TV and the Giving Back Foundation Asia at TV Asia, said the younger and is featured as part of S.H.E. Recognizing the plight of this generation did not understand the Summit Week, about women effect- highly vulnerable demographic, one craft of poetry. ing change in the world. doctor formed the Sankara Eye In- The 67-year-old poet who Directed and co-produced by stitutions, India. When the right launched his first collection of Joya Dass, the film portrays living in resources and the right intentions poems ‘Tarkash’ 14 years back, rural India, where life is beset with connect, common conditions such said ‘Lava’ is a collection of his poverty, poor hygiene, and lack of as cataracts are easily solved. Since thoughts and feelings which he medical care. Ranjith, Balaji, and the 1970s, Sankara doctors have per- doesn't get to express in Bollywood. Anitha all suffer from devastat- formed over a half million free eye Consul General Prabhu Dayal Javed Akhtar at a book signing ceremony in TV Asia studio with CEO of TV Asia ing eye conditions that diminish surgeries. Their monumental goal is said: “I don’t know where exactly HR Shah and other guests. Photo by Vijay Shah their quality of life and threaten to treat a million people a year and Javed Akhtar’s writing skills come their futures. First Sight follows the eradicate curable blindness in the from, but there are inspirational Desai said they were thankful to the poetry is an imaginative awareness of emotional journeys of these young country by the year 2020. thoughts in his writings and I guess guests and said the latest books were experience expressed through mean- patients as they prepare for and un- “First Sight” follows Ranjith it's in the family”. H R Shah of TV sold out during the event. ing, sound and rhythmic language dergo life-changing procedures to (age 15), Balaji (age 14) and Anitha Asia said Javed Akhtar was awarded Javed Akhtar in his address said choices so as to evoke an emotional reverse their debilitating handicap. (age 5) as they undergo life-chang- the Padma Shri award by the Gov- the generation had changed a lot; response”. India is home to a fifth of the ing eye surgeries at a foundation ernment of India in 1999 and re- poetry has lost its value. But there The veteran poet also recited world’s blind children, many of hospital in Tamil Nadu. The film not ceived the Padma Bhushan in 2007. are many people who are still inter- poems ‘Shabana’, ‘Mela’ and ‘Dora- whom suffer from easily reversible only aims to raise awareness for eye Dr Navin Mehta welcomed ested in it. ha’ as those were dedicated to his conditions, such as cataracts. How- disease in the developing world, but Javed Akhar and said it was always As far as the younger genera- wife Shabana Azmi and children ever, generations of intermarriage, also seeks to illuminate the remark- a pleasure hearing to the renowned tion is concerned, they have forgot- Farhan Akhtar and Zoya. During poor hygiene, malnutrition, child able journeys of three of its young- poet and an intellectual genius who ten because it was never a part of an Q & A session, Javed Akhtar said labor, a lack of education have left est victims. Their stories represent made a mark in literature and poetry. education system and their thinking that big difference between India these children with no avenue for both the immense hardships and the Sharad Shah and Dr. Manoj environment. The understanding of and the US is the system of justice. seeking treatment. growing hope in overcoming it.

NORTH AMERICAN EDITION