Planning Our Wedding with Desh-Videsh

By Anjali Vyas and Rohan Mehta, Atlanta, Georgia

How do you begin planning a wedding when every answer seems to bring another question? As an engaged couple in Atlanta, we are discovering how much thought goes into a celebration. Choosing a venue is one decision. Understanding what matters to our families, finding professionals, and bringing everything within a budget require conversations. Desh-Videsh’s September wedding issue serves as a valuable starting point.

Reading real wedding stories helps us picture possibilities. We can see how couples approached their celebrations and consider which ideas might suit us. These stories give us something concrete to discuss when our plans still feel like a collection of photographs, questions, and unfinished decisions.

September’s issue featured Siena and Anjay’s Miami wedding, Nikita and Pranav’s destination celebration in Orlando, Komal and Vishnu’s wedding bringing together Gujarati and Tamil-Brahmin traditions, and Nadira and Keith’s journey from an unexpected meeting to marriage. Together, these accounts showed different ways couples can create celebrations that reflect their relationships and family backgrounds.

For us, their usefulness extends beyond enjoying the photographs. A setting can prompt us to think about guest comfort and travel arrangements. A ceremony can lead to a discussion about our schedule. A detail in the décor may help us explain our preferences to a professional. Seeing an idea in an actual wedding makes it easier to decide whether we want to explore it further.

The stories also help us involve our parents. Occasionally it is easier to share an example than to explain an idea from scratch. Looking through the issue together can open conversations about ceremonies, family participation, and the atmosphere we hope to create. It gives everyone a chance to explain what feels important before we begin making commitments.

We especially appreciate the practical resources accompanying the stories. The Wedding Resource Directory brings together businesses serving wedding celebrations, giving engaged couples a place to begin their inquiries. We still need to ask about availability, pricing, and whether a service fits our needs. Having a starting point helps us organize that work and approach conversations with clearer questions.

This is where Desh-Videsh’s contribution becomes a valuable community service. Families who share their wedding experiences help couples they may never meet. Wedding professionals become easier to discover. Young readers see how traditions can remain meaningful as couples make decisions shaped by their lives in America. For those of us planning a wedding, these pages connect inspiration with the next practical step.

September’s issue also encouraged us to think about our relationship after the celebration. Shireen Chada’s “The Seven Vows We Never Speak: What Marriage Runs On” considers everyday commitments, including protecting a spouse’s dignity during disagreements, taking responsibility for one’s own peace, and returning to conversation after anger has cooled.

Her article gives us questions worth discussing now. How will we handle disagreements when we are tired? How can we ask for time to cool down while making sure we return to the conversation? Wedding planning itself offers opportunities to practice listening, explaining our concerns, and making decisions together.

As we continue preparing, we expect to return to September’s issue for ideas and resources. We appreciate Desh-Videsh for publishing stories that young couples can learn from and use. We encourage other engaged couples to read the issue together, share it with their families, and keep it handy during planning. It can help turn a promising idea into an informed conversation.

About the Authors: Anjali Vyas and Rohan Mehta live in Atlanta, Georgia, and are planning their wedding.

There is no shortage of advice about overthinking. Think differently. Calm the mind. Stay present. Shireen Chada’s Free Your Mind from Overthinking takes a different approach. What if the problem isn’t that we think too much, but that we are using thought to do a job it was never meant to do?

Chada argues that overthinking is an attempt to manufacture safety. We replay conversations, anticipate problems, manage other people’s reactions, and rehearse the future because somewhere beneath all that thinking is the hope that, if we think long enough, we can prevent things from going wrong. Her alternative is not positive thinking. It is trust.

What makes the book particularly compelling is how personally Chada tells this story. A meditation teacher with more than three decades of experience, she does not present herself as someone who has conquered the mind and is now dispensing answers. She writes candidly about her own anxiety, her need for control, financial worries while running a meditation center, disappointment, difficult relationships, and the uncomfortable moments when the principles she taught others had to work in her own life.

That vulnerability gives weight to the book’s central teaching. The Sacred Trust Code, ten practices developed gradually through the chapters, feels less like a system Chada invented than something she discovered by living it.

The book is explicitly spiritual. Chada writes about the soul, God, meditation, and divine love, drawing on her years of Raja Yoga practice. Yet she rarely asks readers simply to believe her. Instead, she asks them to experiment: try an idea, observe what happens, and decide from experience.

The final chapters bring the teachings together in a short Trust Drill designed for daily practice. This is an important distinction in Chada’s approach. Trust is not something to understand intellectually and then remember when life falls apart. It is something to practice before it is needed.

Ultimately, Free Your Mind from Overthinking is about more than quieting a busy mind. It asks a larger question: How do we live fully when we cannot know or control what happens next?

Chada’s answer is simple, but not easy: do what belongs to you, release what doesn’t, and learn to trust.

For anyone exhausted by trying to think their way into certainty, that is a compelling invitation.

Click Here to Buy the Book 

Shireen Chada

Shireen Chada, with over 20,000 hours of meditation experience spanning 30 years with the Brahma Kumaris, is a renowned spiritual teacher, retreat facilitator, and content creator. As the creator and presenter of the Release Your Wings YouTube channel and co-host of the Spiritual Sense podcast, Shireen shares her intelligent, refreshingly creative, and unmistakably authentic wisdom with a global audience. She has designed and facilitated transformative meditation retreats and workshops nationwide, developed comprehensive audio courses on spiritual development and created three popular meditation albums alongside a deck of spiritual power cards. Shireen’s five meditation books — God’s Blessing for You, Soul Fitness, Oh My Goodness!, True Hollywood Blockbuster, and Insperience the Divine — further showcase her ability to powerfully uplift the soul through accessible spiritual guidance.

After winning the Democratic primary on August 18, Dandiya became her party’s nominee for Florida’s newly redrawn 22nd Congressional District. She faces Republican nominee Casey Askar in the November 3 general election. Recent polling and the Cook Political Report’s decision to move the race from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up” have brought growing attention to this open-seat contest.

Her candidacy also adds to the story of Indian-American participation in public life. For families who have watched their children grow up in Florida, pursue an education, and move into positions of responsibility, her journey has a familiar beginning. It now places her before voters across a district that brings together communities with different backgrounds and needs.

A Family’s Journey from Jaipur to Jupiter

Dandiya’s parents moved from Jaipur to Jupiter, Florida, in the 1980s, seeking greater opportunity. Their daughter grew up in Palm Beach County, where education, hard work, and service were part of everyday family life.

Her father, Dr. Rohit Dandiya, has been in medical practice for more than 20 years. Her mother began a new chapter of her own at age 40, founding a Montessori school in Jupiter. 

Pia now lives in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband, Navneet Alag, and their son, Sahib. Sahib attends the same school his grandmother founded. For the family, the school provides a connection between the life Pia’s parents built after arriving from India and the childhood she and her husband are creating for their son.

Living only miles from where she grew up gives Dandiya a personal connection to the area she hopes to represent. Her campaign emphasizes that connection, presenting her as someone whose understanding of local families comes from growing up in the community and raising a child there today.

Her parents’ experiences also help explain the importance she places on opportunity. A medical practice and a school require years of work and a continuing commitment to the people they serve. Within that family setting, Pia saw how professional effort and education could contribute to a community while helping a family establish a secure future.

From Teaching to Founding a High School

Dandiya holds a bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard University and a master’s degree in education from Boston University. She began her professional career teaching in low-income schools, where more than 90 percent of her students reached proficiency on state examinations.

Those early classroom experiences placed her close to the challenges facing children whose families had limited financial resources. They also gave her an opportunity to see how strong instruction and consistent support could affect student achievement.

At age 28, Dandiya founded a high school in Harlem and became one of the youngest high school principals in the country. Her goal was to improve the prospects of students growing up in poverty by helping them prepare for college and the opportunities that could follow.

The school’s results became a defining part of her professional record. Every graduate earned admission to college, even though 86 percent of its students lived below the poverty line. For families facing economic hardship, college admission represented a significant step toward a wider range of future choices.

Her experience as a teacher and principal continues to shape how she discusses education. In her campaign, she emphasizes the close connection between schools and a family’s ability to build a stable life. Her work in Harlem gave her direct responsibility for helping students move from that idea to a concrete achievement: graduating from high school with a college acceptance in hand.

Experience in Washington and the Private Sector

Dandiya was later selected as a White House Fellow, serving at the White House Domestic Policy Council and the U.S. Department of Education. These assignments expanded her experience from individual classrooms and school leadership to the development and implementation of public policy.

Working in Washington allowed her to examine how federal decisions affect families, schools, and communities across the country. It also placed her in government institutions responsible for addressing issues she had encountered firsthand as an educator.

She subsequently led public sector initiatives at Apple, working with state leaders on efforts involving education, health care, and government systems. That role added private sector experience to a career already grounded in teaching and public service.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker also appointed her to the Illinois P-20 Council, where she co-chaired its K-12 Computer Science working group. Her involvement brought another dimension to her education work, connecting school policy with the skills students may need as technology changes the workplace.

Together, these positions form the professional background she brings to her first congressional campaign. Voters can assess that record alongside her proposals and consider how her experience might translate into service in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Her Priorities for Florida Families

Dandiya’s campaign centers on strengthening public education, expanding economic opportunity, and protecting families’ freedom to make decisions about their lives and futures. She connects those goals to the pressures households face as they try to pay their bills, raise children, and plan ahead.

She has emphasized household costs and economic security, arguing that families need access to good schools and jobs as well as affordable health care and dependable child care. Her approach reflects a belief that economic independence becomes more attainable when the services families rely on are within reach.

In Congress, Dandiya says she would work to expand early childhood education and job training. She also proposes making health care and child care more affordable, recognizing the effect these expenses can have on parents’ ability to work and maintain a stable household.

For older residents, she has pledged to defend Social Security and Medicare. She has also expressed support for veterans and emphasized access to government programs that help eligible residents.

Her campaign includes a commitment to protecting democratic values and ensuring that people have a voice in decisions affecting their communities. She presents these priorities as part of an effort to help Floridians build secure and fulfilling lives.

For voters, the next step is to examine the details of those proposals, consider how they would be carried out, and compare her approach with that of her opponent. Her background provides a record to evaluate; her campaign commitments indicate what she hopes to pursue if elected.

A New District with a Broad Range of Communities

Florida’s 22nd Congressional District has changed significantly through the state’s mid-decade congressional redistricting. Its new boundaries include portions of Palm Beach, Broward, Hendry, and Collier counties, combining urban neighborhoods, suburban communities, and rural areas.

The Cook Political Report describes the newly drawn district as stretching from Palm Beach County toward Florida’s Gulf Coast. Its geographic reach means the eventual representative will serve communities whose daily concerns and local economies can differ considerably.

The new configuration is substantially different from the district’s previous boundaries, making comparisons with older election results less direct. With no incumbent running for the seat under the new boundaries, both nominees are working to introduce themselves and their priorities across the district.

Dandiya had previously campaigned for a different congressional district before entering the race in the newly configured 22nd District. She and her supporters describe the redistricting that created this open-seat contest as Republican mid-decade gerrymandering.

Askar secured the Republican nomination and brings his background as a Marine veteran and businessman to the race. The two candidates are now campaigning across the district as voters consider who should represent them in Washington.

What the Polling Shows

Recent surveys indicate a competitive election, but it’s important to consider the methodology and commissioning of each poll when interpreting the results.

A House Majority PAC poll conducted by Impact Research from August 24 through August 31 found Dandiya leading Askar by 46 percent to 44 percent among likely voters in the initial head-to-head matchup.

After respondents received information about both candidates, Dandiya’s support increased to 49 percent, while Askar remained at 44 percent. These were separate stages of the same survey, an important distinction when discussing the reported five-point lead.

The poll also found the generic congressional ballot tied, with 46 percent supporting a Democratic candidate and 46 percent supporting a Republican candidate. That result provides additional context for the closely divided electorate reflected in the candidate matchup.

When assessing the findings, consider the sponsorship of House Majority PAC, a Democratic-aligned political action committee.

A separate public survey by Tavern Research, conducted from August 10 through August 12 among 551 likely voters, showed Dandiya and Askar tied at 50 percent each.

Taken together, the available surveys point to a closely contested race. They show either a tie or a relatively small difference between the candidates, with Dandiya’s larger advantage appearing after respondents received additional candidate information in the Impact Research poll.

A Race Drawing Wider Attention

On September 25, the Cook Political Report changed its rating for Florida’s 22nd District from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up.” The change placed the contest among the closely watched House races of the 2026 election cycle.

Cook’s race summary identifies Dandiya as an education policy expert and the Democratic nominee and Askar as a Marine veteran who won the Republican primary. Its revised rating, alongside the polling, has increased interest in how the election will develop during the remaining weeks of the campaign.

For South Florida’s Indian-American community, Dandiya’s candidacy carries an additional connection. Her family’s journey from Jaipur to Jupiter, her mother’s school, and her son’s enrollment there give a personal dimension to a campaign being followed for its national political significance.

Desh-Videsh Media Group and its affiliate company Global Indian News Network are proud to support Pia Dandiya in this race and the effort to take back the U.S. House.

That support accompanies the responsibility voters have to examine candidates’ qualifications, proposals, and records.

On November 3, residents of the newly redrawn district will decide whether Dandiya or Askar represents them in Congress. For Pia Dandiya, the election is an opportunity to bring her experience in education, government, and the private sector to the communities surrounding the place where her family’s American story began.

For many Indian American families, life in America has centered on everyday responsibilities: finding work, educating children, starting businesses, and becoming part of a neighborhood. Politics often enters the conversation when a government decision reaches the household. A change in healthcare policy affects a parent’s treatment. A school board decision affects a child’s classroom. An immigration rule creates uncertainty for a colleague or relative.

In 2026, questions about belonging have become harder to overlook. Public hostility toward people of Indian and other South Asian backgrounds is receiving increased attention. Online abuse and racial stereotypes have brought uncomfortable conversations into homes where families once felt removed from arguments about who belongs in America.

The November midterms arrive against this background. Readers need accurate information about the hostility being reported and the candidates seeking office. They also deserve clear explanations of what those offices can accomplish.

Every eligible citizen is obligated to approach these elections with seriousness. Verify your registration. Examine the candidates. Make a plan to vote. Government decisions affect our lives long after campaign advertisements disappear.

What Recent Research Shows

Reports released this September document troubling patterns. The Center for the Study of Organized Hate examined online hostility toward South Asian Americans across several platforms. Its research describes racial insults and narratives portraying South Asians as demographic threats. The report covers people of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and other South Asian backgrounds.

A separate brief from Stop AAPI Hate found that anti-South Asian slurs increased by 109 percent between January 2023 and December 2025 in the online spaces it monitored. That figure measures activity in those spaces. It does not measure the views of the entire American population or the national incidence of hate crimes.

Those distinctions matter. A disturbing social media post may reach thousands of people, but its circulation alone cannot establish how widely its views are shared. Research about South Asians includes Indian Americans while also covering communities with different backgrounds and experiences.

Careful reporting should explain these limits while giving the documented hostility the attention it deserves. Racial insults have consequences for the people who encounter them, even when researchers cannot measure every effect.

Questions about immigration policy, visa programs, and employment deserve factual examination. People can disagree about those policies and ask the government to explain its decisions. Racial stereotypes distort the discussion by placing suspicion on individuals because of their ancestry, regardless of their actual circumstances.

The DHS “Mr. Singh” Post Deserves Scrutiny

A recent Department of Homeland Security post shows why the language used by public agencies deserves close examination.

On September 9, 2026, DHS shared a Transformers-style image that included the words, “Get off our roads; you don’t know how to drive, Mr. Singh.” It also carried the warning, “Self-deport or find out.” The wording differed from “Mr. Singh, go home,” although the post’s message prompted concerns about exclusion and racial stereotyping.

Sikh and Hindu advocacy groups criticized the post. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi also condemned it publicly. Subsequently, Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar, Suhas Subramanyam, Pramila Jayapal, and Ami Bera criticized the now-deleted post for using Sikh identity to portray a dangerous, unwanted foreigner.

A federal agency has a responsibility to enforce the law and explain its actions accurately. Its public communications carry the authority of the government. When those communications use threatening language linked to a name from a recognizable community, it raises valid questions about the agency’s judgment.

A surname cannot establish someone’s immigration status or driving ability. Allegations against an individual require evidence and consideration under the applicable law. Government messaging should exercise the same care.

Indian Americans and other South Asian Americans have differing citizenship and immigration statuses. Many are U.S. citizens. Others live here lawfully under different arrangements. Their circumstances cannot be read from a name or appearance.

Criticism of the DHS post deserves a substantive response. Public agencies should explain how they will communicate about enforcement without encouraging suspicion toward people who share a surname, faith, or appearance with someone featured in a campaign.

What Is at Stake in November?

The general election takes place on November 3, 2026. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election. Candidates are contesting all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, along with Senate races and numerous state and local elections.

The offices on a ballot have different powers. Congress shapes federal legislation and spending. State governments oversee major areas of education and public administration. Local officials make decisions involving services, development, and community facilities.

These responsibilities affect ordinary households. They also help voters assess campaign promises. When a candidate proposes a change, ask whether the office has the authority to carry it out. How would the proposal be funded? Whose cooperation would be required?

A forceful speech can leave those questions unanswered.

Readers following several races should also examine whether candidates have addressed the concerns of their constituencies. National visibility does not establish how someone would perform the work of a particular office. Local interviews and public meetings can reveal whether a candidate understands the people seeking representation.

Register, Vote, and Expect Answers

Every eligible citizen should treat voting as a responsibility that requires preparation. Waiting until the last moment can create avoidable problems with registration, an outdated address, or uncertainty about where and how to vote.

Check your registration now. Confirm that your information is current. Learn your state’s deadlines and voting options, then make a plan you can follow. Vote.gov connects residents with official resources for registration, checking their status, early voting, and mail-in or absentee voting.

Anyone who can vote and faces no obstacle to participating should ask a direct question before sitting out: why am I leaving this decision to other people?

Complaining about elected officials while repeatedly choosing to avoid elections deserves scrutiny. Everyone retains the right to criticize the government and challenge discrimination, whether they vote or not. At the same time, eligible citizens who demand accountability from officials should be prepared to exercise their responsibility when an election arrives.

Anger expressed in a family conversation or on social media does not cast a ballot.

Some citizens face genuine barriers to participation. They deserve reliable information and practical assistance with the voting arrangements available to them. For those who can participate, the next step is straightforward: study the choices and vote.

Candidates should earn support through their records and proposals. Ask how candidates respond to racial stereotyping, what they plan to do about your concerns, and whether their promises align with the powers of the office. A familiar name should never replace that examination.

Participation Beyond the Ballot

Voting, campaign volunteering, and political contributions involve different requirements. Those differences are particularly relevant in immigrant households where family members may have different citizenship or residency statuses.

Voting eligibility and registration are governed by applicable state and federal rules. Registration deadlines and early voting arrangements vary by state. Residents should consult official election resources for requirements that apply to them.

Campaign volunteers may assist with events or administrative work. Election workers perform a separate function, helping election officials administer the voting process. Attending public meetings provides another way to learn about government decisions without joining a campaign.

Political donations carry additional legal requirements. Under federal election rules, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may contribute, subject to applicable restrictions. Foreign nationals cannot make election contributions. Certain uncompensated volunteer activities are permitted, but foreign nationals cannot participate in election-related decision-making.

Indian ancestry does not establish voting eligibility. Eligibility to contribute does not necessarily establish eligibility to vote. Each person needs to understand the rules governing their status and the activity they are considering.

Indian American Candidates to Watch

Several Indian Americans are competing in prominent November races.

Bera, Khanna, Jayapal, and Subramanyam are incumbent representatives seeking reelection. Shah won Arizona’s Democratic primary and faces Republican Jay Feely. Dandiya secured her Democratic nomination in Florida, while Ramaswamy is Ohio’s Republican gubernatorial nominee against Democrat Amy Acton.

At the state level, Indian American Impact’s 2026 roster includes Arvind Venkat in Pennsylvania, Darshana Patel in California, Ranjeev Puri in Michigan, and Priya Sundareshan in Arizona. Nabeela Syed appears on the November candidate list for the Illinois Senate.

The roster covers the election cycle and should not be treated as proof that every listed candidate advanced through a primary. Readers following a particular contest should distinguish an election-cycle listing from a confirmed place on the November ballot.

Some well-known campaigns have ended. Raja Krishnamoorthi lost the Democratic Senate primary in Illinois. Shri Thanedar lost his congressional primary in Michigan. Saikat Chakrabarti and Jasmeet Bains did not advance to November in California.

Those outcomes belong in the coverage, too. Familiarity from an earlier campaign does not mean a candidate remains in the race.

Pia Dandiya’s Race Becomes More Competitive

For South Florida readers, Pia Dandiya’s campaign is particularly relevant. The Indian American educator won the Democratic primary for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District and faces Republican Casey Askar.

On September 25, Cook Political Report changed its assessment from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up.” Its race summary describes a close contest. The shift indicates increased competitiveness; it does not establish that Dandiya is ahead or predict a certain outcome.

The newly drawn district covers parts of Palm Beach, Broward, Hendry, and Collier counties. It includes Wellington and Parkland and extends west toward Marco Island, bringing together communities with differing priorities.

Both candidates are seeking to represent that constituency. Coverage should examine their proposals and records, including their responses to questions from residents across the district.

A changing race rating is a significant news development. Voters need to know what candidates plan to do in office and how they will address their concerns.

Reporting With Care

Indian Americans bring differing political opinions and experiences to public life. Community journalism serves readers best when it reflects those differences, verifies claims, and clearly separates reporting from endorsement.

The concerns surrounding hostility deserve sustained attention. So do the decisions that shape schools, businesses, and family budgets. Readers should receive enough information to assess both without an assumption that shared ancestry produces a single political viewpoint.

Public officials and candidates should anticipate a thorough examination of their words. When a government agency publishes imagery that draws accusations of racial stereotyping, the response belongs in the coverage. When candidates make promises, their authority to deliver them belongs there as well.

That scrutiny should continue after the votes are counted.

Closing Thought

Every eligible citizen reading this should check their registration and make a plan to vote. If you expect elected officials to answer for their decisions, take the time to examine who is asking for your support. Raise your questions before the election and follow what the winners do afterward. Everyone retains the right to speak against discrimination and criticize the government. Those who can cast a ballot also have a concrete opportunity to help choose the people exercising public authority, and they should take that opportunity seriously.

About the Author:

A software engineer by profession, Indian culture enthusiast, ardent promoter of  Hinduism, and a cancer survivor, Raj Shah is a managing editor of Desh-Videsh Magazine and co-founder of Desh Videsh Media Group. Promoting the rich culture and heritage of India and Hinduism has been his motto ever since he arrived in the US in 1969.
He has been instrumental in starting and promoting several community organizations such as the Indian Religious and Cultural Center and International Hindu University. Raj has written two books on Hinduism titled Chronology of Hinduism and Understanding Hinduism. He has also written several children books focusing on Hindu culture and religion.

BY  Dr. Kavitha Reddy

By the time the Garba music starts, the Patel family has already had a full day. The grandparents helped prepare dinner, the parents rushed home from work, and the children spent an hour deciding what to wear. Now everyone is at the community hall. The children run toward their friends, the adults greet people they have not seen in months, and Dada joins the Garba circle for a few rounds.

This is what many families love about the fall festival season. It brings generations together. It also changes the household routine. Dinner happens late. Sweets arrive from relatives and friends. A person who usually takes an evening walk may spend that time driving to rehearsals or helping organize an event.

None of this calls for giving up the celebrations. October offers a useful moment to ask a simple question: How can we enjoy the season while taking care of our hearts?

For Indian American families, the question deserves attention. Research has found that South Asian adults face elevated risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Those risks can be present even when someone appears to be at a healthy weight. A recent study also found that several heart disease risk factors were more common by age 45 among South Asian adults than among some other groups studied. Family members who feel well may still have blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels worth discussing with a clinician. 

Know your numbers before the busy season.

Many of us know the details of our family history: which uncle moved to America first, who makes the best undhiyu, and where the family will gather for Diwali. We may know less about our health history.

Did a parent or sibling have a heart attack? Does diabetes run in the family? When was your blood pressure last checked? If you have had blood tests, do you know what your cholesterol and blood sugar results mean for you?

A routine appointment can help answer these questions. Bring your family history and ask your healthcare professional whether your results and any recommended follow-up need special attention. Younger adults should join this conversation too. Waiting until retirement to think about heart health may mean overlooking risk factors that have been developing for years.

Keep moving in ways that you enjoy.

Garba itself can be a wonderful reason to move. So can a walk around the neighborhood to admire Diwali lights, a game with the grandchildren, or a stroll with a friend after dinner. Physical activity is one part of the lifestyle approach recommended for improving heart and metabolic health among South Asians. 

The challenge is keeping movement in the week when the calendar becomes crowded. One family might take a short walk together before leaving for an evening event. Another might choose a nearby park on Sunday morning. A grandparent who does not want to dance for hours might enjoy a few comfortable rounds of Garba, then sit and watch the children.

Choose an activity that suits your health and abilities. If you have a heart condition, symptoms during exertion, or concerns about starting exercise, speak with your clinician about what is appropriate for you.

Make room for the foods you love.

Festival food carries memory. A sweet made from a mother’s recipe can bring back a childhood Diwali more vividly than any photograph. Food also connects us to the people who made it and the guests who share it. A heart health article should respect that place at the family table.

Still, a month of celebrations can become a month of eating past the point of enjoyment. Before going to a party, consider having a regular meal instead of arriving very hungry. At the event, examine the offerings and select the dishes you desire most. Take a portion you will enjoy, sit down when possible, and give yourself time to notice when you have had enough.

Hosts can make small changes without changing the spirit of the occasion. Put water where guests can find it easily. Offer fruit alongside mithai. Serve a vegetable dish that people look forward to eating. If relatives exchange sweets, a smaller box may be just as thoughtful as a large one.

For someone managing diabetes or another health condition, a festival plan can be more specific. Talk with your healthcare team about meals, medicines, and what to do when the day’s schedule shifts.

Protect sleep during the festivities

A late Garba night can be worth staying up for. Several late nights in a row, followed by early mornings, can leave a family tired and less able to keep its usual habits. Rest is part of caring for the body, even in a joyful season. Research also links the body’s daily sleep and wake rhythms with heart and metabolic health.

Look at the calendar before it fills up. Perhaps the family attends one event together and keeps the following morning free. Perhaps the children skip an extra rehearsal when schoolwork and sleep are already suffering. Older relatives may appreciate an early ride home, even if others stay for the final dance.

These choices can make the celebration more enjoyable. Few people have fun when they are exhausted.

Make heart health a family conversation.

The most useful conversations often happen in ordinary moments. A daughter can ask her father whether he has checked his blood pressure recently. A mother can invite her college student to join her for a walk. A son can offer to drive his parents to a medical appointment.

Approach these talks with care. Comments about someone’s weight or what is on their plate can make a gathering uncomfortable. An invitation to walk together or an offer to help arrange a checkup is more likely to open a conversation.

This October, let the festival season bring your family closer in one more way. Dance when you can. Enjoy the foods that matter to you. Make time to rest. And before the decorations are packed away, learn your numbers and encourage the people you love to learn theirs. The habits we build together can continue long after the last diya has gone out.

About the Author

Dr. Kavitha Reddy is a U.S.-trained MD specializing in Internal Medicine with over 20 years of clinical experience. She integrates conventional Western medicine with holistic and lifestyle-based approaches to promote whole-body wellness.

Her patient-centered philosophy blends nutrition, stress management, and preventive care into every treatment plan. Dr. Reddy is known for her compassionate care and dedication to empowering patients through education and self-care.

She has helped thousands of individuals find balance and healing through a uniquely integrative approach to medicine.

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Alia Bhatt’s latest production,

The story follows Shyamili Das, affectionately known as Shy, who appears to have the perfect life at the beginning of the film. A glamorous opening sequence shows her receiving a symbolic ring from her boyfriend Mayank Jhunjhunwala and being introduced as the head of his family’s company. The fantasy soon gives way to reality, revealing that Shy has concealed several important details about her life from Mayank and her college circle.

Her family is struggling financially because of their debt-ridden saree business, while Shy is determined to build a more prosperous future. She sees her relationship with Mayank as a possible path toward an internship at his father’s company, a scholarship and greater financial security. Her carefully constructed plans unravel when Mayank ends their relationship on his 21st birthday.

Things become more complicated when Mayank begins dating Tara, played by Bianca Arora. In an attempt to provoke her former boyfriend, Shy starts flirting with Dhruv, a previous friend portrayed by Ansh Duggal. What begins as an effort to make someone jealous gradually develops into a more complicated emotional situation.

The film recreates the colorful atmosphere of a college romantic comedy, using friendship, family relationships, heartbreak and second chances as key elements. A competitive college festival provides an energetic backdrop, while dance and music remain central to the movie’s presentation. Songs such as Tum Ho Wahi, performed by Armaan Malik and Shreya Karmarkar, and Sona Mohapatra’s Re Bawri complement the youthful setting, with Ram Sampath handling the music.

Aarushi Bajaj brings confidence and determination to Shy’s character, while Bianca Arora gives Tara emotional depth. Ansh Duggal and Piyush Khati also make their roles work, while Kunaal Roy Kapur appears as Mr. Q and Neha Dhupia makes a special appearance.

However, the narrative becomes increasingly predictable. Several developments can be anticipated early, while the backstory of Shy’s parents receives limited attention despite its importance to the story. Ultimately, Don’t Be Shy offers an entertaining mix of romance, friendship, music and youthful energy, although its familiar storyline prevents the film from fully developing its potential.

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At 69, Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor continues to maintain an active approach to fitness. The veteran actor recently gave fans a glimpse of his cardio routine, sharing a video of himself working out on an exercise bike. In the post, Kapoor described the equipment as a long-standing favorite in his fitness routine, highlighting the familiarity he has developed with it over the years.

The latest workout is another example of Kapoor’s focus on staying consistent with exercise. Earlier, he had shared footage of himself recording a run after taking a four-year break from documenting his running sessions. Reflecting on that period, the actor explained that his fitness journey had continued even when the pace and form of his workouts changed.

For Kapoor, maintaining fitness is less about achieving quick results and more about continuing the effort over time. He has previously spoken about repetition and persistence as important elements of achieving progress, describing consistency as a force capable of producing significant results through small efforts repeated every day.

His approach to fitness has remained a recurring theme in his social media posts, where he has regularly shared glimpses of his workouts and reflections on maintaining an active lifestyle.

Meanwhile, Kapoor has also returned to Indian television with India Ke Top 1%, which premiered on September 19. The reality quiz show is an Indian adaptation of the international format The 1% Club and takes a different approach from conventional general-knowledge quiz programs.

Rather than concentrating primarily on trivia, the show challenges participants through questions involving logic, observation, common sense and reasoning. The format brings together 100 contestants who compete through 13 rounds, with the difficulty increasing as the competition progresses.

The program’s top prize can reach approximately $120,000. It airs on Star Plus on Saturdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. and is also available to stream on JioHotstar. Viewers can participate alongside the televised competition through the platform’s interactive “Play Along” feature.

With his latest workout post arriving alongside his television comeback, Kapoor continues to share both professional updates and glimpses of his long-running commitment to fitness.

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Akshay Kumar has offered a glimpse into his unusually strict approach to time, revealing that he often arrives at events much earlier than expected. The actor recently discussed his punctuality while speaking about his lifestyle, fitness routine and attitude toward Bollywood social gatherings.

Kumar explained that his decision to stay away from Bollywood parties is not necessarily connected to maintaining his fitness. Instead, he admitted that he simply does not enjoy them. Recalling an awards event, he said he and actor Boman Irani were already seated even though the show had not started. The two were reportedly waiting for the hosts to arrive so they could receive their awards and head home.

The actor also shared an amusing example involving weddings. Rather than treating the time printed on an invitation as a loose guideline, Kumar said he takes it literally. If a wedding invitation states that the celebration will run from 8 p.m. to midnight, he said he and Irani would aim to arrive at 8 p.m.

His approach can sometimes result in an unusual situation, Kumar joked, because the bride and groom themselves may not have arrived by the time he gets there. The anecdote reflects his long-standing reputation for maintaining a disciplined schedule.

Psychologist Dr. Neerja Agarwal, co-founder of Emoneeds, explained that punctuality can develop through several influences, including personality, upbringing, cultural expectations and personal experiences. She pointed to conscientiousness, a personality trait associated with organization and dependability, as one factor that can make people more likely to value being on time.

Agarwal also noted that people who grow up in environments where punctuality is emphasized may carry those expectations into adulthood. Experiences involving the consequences of being late can further reinforce the habit.

Psychotherapist and life coach Delnna Rrajesh discussed the broader impact of punctuality on relationships and professional life. She said consistently honoring commitments can demonstrate reliability and consideration for others. She also suggested that keeping promises to oneself can gradually build self-trust and confidence.

According to Rrajesh, maintaining disciplined habits can remain important even after achieving professional success. She emphasized preparation, continuous learning and respectful treatment of colleagues as behaviors that can continue regardless of status.

Kumar’s comments ultimately highlight how seriously he approaches schedules, whether he is attending professional events or social occasions.

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In 1993, Desh-Videsh began sharing the stories, concerns, celebrations, and achievements of our community. Thirty-three years later, we are opening those early pages again.

With this issue, we introduce a new section, “Desh-Videsh 33 Years Ago.” Each month, we will select and reprint one article that appeared in Desh-Videsh during 1993. It is a chance to remember what mattered to our readers when the magazine was young and to see how our community has grown since then.

As we looked through those first issues, we expected to find a record of another time. We did. We also found articles that could speak to readers today. The details of daily life have changed, yet questions about raising children with a connection to Indian culture, keeping traditions meaningful, building community, and finding our place in America remain familiar. Some articles may even sound as though they were written for this year’s issue.

We begin this column with news of Dr. Mahesh Mehta, founder of the World Hindu Council of America, visiting South Florida in 1993. His views on preserving Hindu culture in the United States addressed a concern that remains close to many parents’ hearts: How do we help our children understand and value their heritage while growing up in America?

Dr. Mehta emphasized programs that gave children and families regular opportunities to experience their culture together. Bal Vihar introduced young children to Hindu stories, prayers, yoga, and languages. Youth camps combined cultural learning with games, shared activities, and friendships. Youth conferences allowed young people to discuss the challenges of growing up within two cultures. The Hindu Students Council helped college students maintain and deepen their connection to Hindu traditions through campus activities and discussions. Family enrichment programs brought generations together through religious gatherings, lectures, and community participation.

These approaches also find a place in my book, Hindu Parenting in the USA. Parents often ask how to encourage cultural involvement, especially as children grow older and begin making their own choices. Programs such as those Dr. Mehta advocated give families practical support. A child may look forward to seeing friends at Bal Vihar, a teenager may feel comfortable asking questions at camp, and a college student may find companionship through a Hindu student organization. Parents and grandparents can build on these experiences through conversations and shared practices at home. Revisiting his message reminds us that these efforts have been part of our community’s work for decades.

That is the surprise we hope you will enjoy. A story published 33 years ago can still start a conversation at home or remind us of people and efforts that helped shape the community we know today. At the same time, each reprinted article lets us see how our thinking has changed.

We invite you to read these pages with us, month by month. If an article brings back a memory or prompts a new thought, please share it with us. We would love to hear what Desh-Videsh meant to you then and what these stories mean to you now.

Raj Shah
Managing Editor

(33 years and with God’s Blessing and your support a few more years)

Desh-Videsh Media Group

The Second Generation – Our Best Hope 

By Raj Shah

During his recent visit to South Florida, Dr. Mahesh Mehta, President of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, met with several groups in Dade, Broward and West Palm Beach counties and the Caribbean community. Based on his close contacts and experience of Indian communities throughout the USA, he said that major concerns of our community here in Florida and elsewhere are that: there is too much division in the community and how to raise and inculcate the value system, we cherish, in our children.

Addressing this issues he said that there is nothing wrong with our Dharam or its teachings. In fact our values are Universal and Eternal promoting individual growth while emphasizing on the harmony and peace within our environment. It is our ignorance of our Dharam and egos that is causing all these problems. Correct knowledge of our Dharam is therefore essential. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad is working to bring the Hindu community together, instill in them devotion to the principles and practices of the Hindu way of life, cultivate in them a spirit of self-respect for themselves as well as respect for people of all color, creed, races and religions, and to bring awareness the conditions of Hindus all over the world. Thus, VHP has a universal vision but its starting focal point is a family unit. We believe that a well knit family makes children strong and equips them to cope with adverse social problems. Therefore a strong, moral, caring and ethical family unit is important for society.

The second generation is a concern for everyone. They are the torch bearers of our culture. It is, therefore, important to prepare them for this great responsibility. The large community back home provided the support system which we lack over here in the USA. Here, this responsibility falls upon the family and social organizations. VHP has given a serious thought to this problem and, therefore, for the last 20 years, in addition to other projects, has heavily focussed programs to children of all ages, and has met with tremendous success. VHP serves individuals, families and the society through the programs offered at local, state, national and international levels. Some of the programs are:

BAL VIHAR (Children’s Education Program) — For children 3–8 years. Activities include exercises, yoga, recital of scriptures, stories and learning of languages.

YOUTH CAMPS — Youth of ages 8–18 meet for 3–7 days at camp sites and the activities include community living with peers, games special projects, discussions on various subjects and cultural programs.

YOUTH CONFERENCES — The conferences held at different cities where youth discuss the issues which arise from their experience in a dual culture.

HINDU STUDENTS COUNCIL (HSC) — There are more than 25 HSC chapters at different universities. Their activities include: lectures, study groups, athletic and cultural events, contact with students at other campuses and a bimonthly newsletter.

FAMILY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS — Include monthly local chapter meetings where religious performances and discussions are done, national and international conferences, lecture tours, exhibitions, literature and resource emporium, support for elderly, family counseling, etc.

OTHER PROJECTS — Hindu University of America and Support a Child Program, Vanvasi Seva and Financial Help to Charitable Organizations in India.

The strength of VHP lies in its network of dedicated volunteers in more than forty states of the USA. He urged the community members to join this network of volunteers and have not only self-enrichment, but also serve the community.