The Indian Diaspora’s Quarterly Magazine in its 29th year Vol. 28, No.4, July 2023; Vol. 29, No 1 Oct 2023 and Vol. 29 No 2 Jan 2024 Issues

Dear Readers: For unavoidable but entirely preventable health reasons, we could NOT bring out the July and October 2023 issues of the magazine in time. Therefore we merged the July and October 2023 issues with the January 2024 issue.

This is the Pittsburgh Patrika’s All-Digital January 2024 issue. Feel free to forward the link for this website (www.pittsburghpatrika.com) to your friends interested to know what is going on in our area.

Contact us for contributing articles and disseminating community-related information to our readers, and for our Media Kit and other details.

For the e-books of back issues, click here.

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Stories in the January 2024 Issue

Happy To Be Back — What the Patrika Would Have Covered During the Hiatus
By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Obituary: V Dharmarajan (1943 to Dec 16, 2023) — A Well-Liked, Long-Time Resident, and Vedanta Teacher
By Gopal Krishnamoorthy

KuVemPu, the 20th Century Kannada Poet — Par Excellence
By Nangali Srinivasa

BOOK REVIEW — The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
By Mary Ganguli

My First Mother’s Day Without My Mom
By Chandralekha Singh

Mousi, A Poem in Hindi
By Mita

Obituary: Madhubala Singh
By Suresh Singh

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Stories in the April 2023 Issue

The IT Layoffs Hit Indians Hard, But Was Inevitable, Even Predictable
By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Boom-Bust Cycles Are Typical in the US Economy
By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Be Like a Sun
By Juginder Luthra

My First Chinese HotPot Dinner
By Premlata Venkataraman

Obituary: Manjula Germanwala, A Dedicated Volunteer, an Optimist with Passion for Books (1945 to December 17, 2022)
By Shambhavi Desai

Montessori Pre-School in Monroeville Helps Children to Naturally Acquire Learning Skills
By Sandra Durkins

Obituary: Vijaya Rao, An Affable Early Indian Immigrant and Silent Volunteer at the S.V.Temple (1942 to February 19, 2023)
By A Friend of Vijaya Rao’s family

Obituary: Vinod B Doshi, Beloved Husband, Cherished Father & Grandfather, Distinguished Engineer and Founding Member of the Hindu-Jain Temple (1936 to December 11, 2022)
By the Family of Vinod Doshi

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Stories in the January 2023 Issue

The Way We Elect Our Leaders Is Not Reassuring
By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Dr. Arvind Venkat, Pennsylvania’s First Indian American State House Representative
By Ramita Balu

Obituary: Emeritus Pope Benedict (April 16, 1927 — December 31, 2022)
By Kollengode S Venkataraman

The Dhru Gul Bhagwanani Senior Center Opened After Renovation
By Jamnadas Thakkar

Mandal Singh Persuades the Gateway School to Recognize Deepavali as a School Holiday
By K S Venkataraman

Putin Shows EU Leaders Their Place in the Ukraine War
By K S Venkataraman

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Covid-19’s Second Wave in India
By Kollengode S. Venkataraman

The Pandemic Reveals India’s Soft Underbelly
By Kollengode S. Venkataraman

Spring Arrived — And Summer is Here
By Juginder and Dolly Luthra

Cycle of Life — Photos of Five Trees through the Four Seasons
By K S Venkataraman

The Covid Meltdown of Indian Performing Arts
By Samar Saha

Indian Americans at West Virginia University
By Mohindar S Seehra

People Here Help Shipping Oxygen Concentrators to India
By Sailesh Kapadia

Obituary: Jayesh Selokar (1970 to April 8, 2021)
By Sesh Arkalgud

Desis’ New/Naya/Puthu Mile High Club
By Kollengode S. Venkataraman

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Stories in April 2021 Issue:

The Farce Called the Trump Impeachment Trial
By Kollengode S. Venkataraman

Say “Cheese” While Taking the Jab!
By Arun Jatkar

Obituary: Bhanumathi Pandalai: Friendly, Gracious,
Elegant, Enterprising
By Premlata Venkataraman

Indian Thoughts against Religious Exclusivity through the Centuries
By Kollengode S Venkataraman

SPIFPA — From the Pains of Grief to an Arts Foundation

Kodagu — Paradise in the Indian Western Ghats
By Bidanda Bopaya

Matrimonial Bliss & Love NOT Canceled
By Erin Calvimontes

Update on the Contributors for the Patrika Fundraising
By K S Venkataraman

Ha! Ha!! Ha!!!
By Kollengode S Venkataraman

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Stories in Janary 2021 Issue:

Stories in October 2020 Issue:

Stories in Apr, Jul, & 2020 Issue:

Why this issue is coming late?

By Premlata and Kollengode S Venkataraman

Dhru & Gul Bhagwanani Indian Senior Center

By P.J.Gursahaney

Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th Birthday

By Antara Cleetus

6th PIC-5k Run Raised $60,000 for Local Causes!

By Suresh Ramanathan

My Mataji’s (Mom’s) Kitchen

By Juginder Luthra

Obituary: Om Sharma 1942 to Nov 1, 2019

By Ramona Sahni

SPIFPA’s 2019 Cultural Festival

By Radha Rao Dhulipala

A Fascinating Scene at the Kollur Mookambika Temple

By K S Venkataraman

A Divine Sitar Concert by Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan

By Priyadarshan Manohar

Indian Dances in the Pittsburgh’s Thanksgiving Parade

By Nandini Mandal

A Mega Kitchen Serves Hot, Nutritious Food to Thousands of School Children in Delhi

By Srinivas Iyer

The Annual Writers’ Dinner

By Premlata Venkataraman

Do You Know the Anti-Microbial Properties Copper Alloys and Silver?

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Examples of Press Releases 

Stories in January 2020 Issue:

25th Year and Going Strong!!

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

The Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh Conundrum Straightened Out and Yet Not

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Prthvika Swarg Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, Heaven on Earth)  —  A Hindi Poem

By Acharya Jagdish Chandra Joshi

Chinmayananda’s Mahasamadhi Day Celebrated with Reverence

By Ganesh Krishnamurthy

Uncertainty for the Near Future in South Asia

By K S Venkataraman

Qingdao, A Chinese Gem Along the Yellow Sea

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Affordability of the Retirement Communities in India and in Pune City

By Balwant Dixit

Dekho Hamara Hindustan — Story of A Missing Elephant 

By Premlata Venkataraman

 

Stories in October 2019 Issue:

India’s Mother of All Elections

By Deepak Kotwal

University of Pittsburgh Delegation Travels Throughout India 

By Pitt Global: University Center for Int’l Studies

British Airways Non-Stop Flight to London

By Premlata Venkataraman

The New York Times and Narendra Modi

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

The Modi Victory — The Best Sweet Revenge

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Supporters Gathered to Celebrate Modi’s Election Victory

By Premlata Venkataraman

Obituary: V. Udaya Shakar Rao:  1938 to March 26, 2019

By K. S. V. L. Narasimhan

Pazhaya Paadal, Puthiya Aadal!  Old Film Songs on Bharatanatyam Stage

By Paul G Manoharan

High-Protein Low-Carb Idlies

K S Venkataraman

Ha!! On Predictions by Experts

Compiled by K S Venkatasraman

=====  End of July 2019 Issue =====

Amazon’s Arrogance

By Kollengode Venkataraman

Congressman Conor Lamb Visits CCAC North Campus

By Srujana Kunjukla

Dunkin Donuts Gets Drowned in India

By Premlata Venkataraman

Bharat Aur America — India and America

By Acharya Jagdish Chandra Joshi

British Airways Non-Stop Flight to London Starts in April

By K S Venkataraman

The Untrodden Path

By Samar Saha

Exhibition at Pitt Looked at the African Diaspora from Another Perspective

By Donovan Harrell

Indians Caught in the Transition of Persian Gulf Countries and the Arabian Peninsula

By K S Venkataraman

India’s Republic Day Celebrated

By Subash Ahuja

Delectable Korean Fare in NYC

By Premlata Venkataraman

Celebrating the Spiritual Wisdom of Indian Scriptures

By Suresh Mulukutla

India’s First Large Luxury Cruise Ship

By K S Venkataraman

Ouvaiyyaar, the Grandmotherly Tamil Poet

By K S Venkataraman

Ha!! Gatecrashing in Weddings in India

By K S Venkataraman

======  End of April 2019 Issue ======

Court-Ordered Redistricting Maps Make Our Congressional Delegation Equitable

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

The Hindu-Jain Alliance’s Inter-Faith Gathering Against Religious Hatred

By Premlata Venkataraman

“To Lend A Helping Hand, All You Need To Do Is Stretch Out Your Hand for Henna!”

By Priya Matreja

Chinmaya Mission Organizes Chinmayananda’s Mahasamadhi Day in 2019

By Ganesh Krishnamurthy

My Experiment with Really, Really Cold Showers

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Akshaya Kumar: A Pittsburgh Native Working for U.N.’s Human Rights Watch

By Rashi Venkatraraman

PIC-5K Raises $58-k in Fun-filled Annual Walkathon Event Last Fall

By Suresh Ramanathan

Celebrate Every Moment as a Providential Gift, Not Just January 1… … …

By Juginder Luthra

A Pearl of Wisdom on Interpersonal Relationships from Ouvvaiyaar, the Grandmotherly Tamil Poet

By K S Venkataraman

The ‘Burgh’s Brand New Organization for Seniors

By Arun Jatkar

Natyakriya Celebrates Ten Years

By Srujana Kanjula

=====  End of January 2019 Issue  =====

The Fall Midterm Elections Are Important

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Dr. Swami Nathan’s Life-Time Achievement Award

By Paul G Manoharan

On Mental Illness, A Worldwide Epidemic

By Raashmi Krishnasami

Time to Reform Cremation/Death Rites for Hindus in the US

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Why Is Coronary Heart Disease Such A Big Problem Among Indians?

By Dr. Padma Garvey

One Upset Trump Supporter Angrily Responds

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Our Kailash-Manasarovar Pilgrimage

By Vish and Akila Iyer

Bhamini and Vaishnavee’s Delighful Karnatic Arangetram

By P Sundararaman

Nilakantha Dikshita: A Great Lesser-Known Sanskrit Poet

By V. Krishnaswamy

=======  End of October 2018 Issue  ========

Trump’s Bravado Is Counterproductive

By K S Venkataraman

Our Region’s First Nonstop Flight to Asia

By K S Venkataraman

The Wadhwani Institute of Artificial Intelligence Inaugurated in Mumbai

By K S Venkataraman

Consul General of India Visits Pitt

By the Staff of Center for Asian Studies

Samar Saha: Enthusiastic Organizer of Hindustani Music, Host & Patron for Musicians

By Shailesh Surti

Federal Indictments on Five Area Healthcare Providers in Opioid Case

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Further Along the Kerala Coast… …

By Premlata Venkataraman

Good Bye to Swim Suit in Beauty Pageants

By Premlata Venkataram

Kali Vidambanam —  Paradoxes in the Age of Kali

By K S Venkataraman

======  End of July 2018 issue  =====

A Level Playing Field for Electing Members of US Congress from Pennsylvania

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

History of Tax Reform

By Kris Gopal

Nandini Mandal: Journey in Dance through Challenges

By Juginder and Dolly Luthra

Francis Cleetus’ Vibrant Paintings on Display  

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

Real Life Humorous Stories — How I Became an Artist

By Mahendra Shah

A Memorable and Nostalgic Train Journey

By Premlata Venkataraman

Weekend in the Only Ice Hotel in North America

By Rahul Dilip Tendulkar

Young Men and Women in India Choosing Partners on Their Own Is Nothing New

By K S Venkataraman

India’s One Quintessential Salesman

K S Venkataraman

=====  End of April 2018 issue  =====

Globalization — NOT Something New — Part II

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

The Pittsburgh Patrika Writers Gathering

Photographs

“How I Aced the SAT and ACT Tests?”

By Shruti Sivakumar

A Supporter of President Trump Responds to the Lead Article in the July issue

By Hiralal Koul

US Economy: President Trump’s First Year after Eight Years of the Obama Presidency

By Kollengode S Venkataraman

The Madhavs Bid Goodbye to Pittsburgh

By Sudha Pandalai

Climate Impact of Excessive Consumption of Dairy Products 

By Padma Garvey

Pittsburgh Chinmaya Mission Fundraiser for Vedanta Center

K S Venkataraman

Britain’s Diminished Global Role

K S Venkataraman

Arts Foundation Honors Artistes & Patrons

V. Vasudevan

In Building Temples, Form Needs to Follow Weather Patterns

Kollengode S Venkataraman

Shivender Nagar’s Journey in Self-Discovery

Juginder Luthra

The Turkey Weekend in India,  as Covered in The Indian Express

K S Venkataraman

======  End of January 2018 Issue  =====

Globalization Is not Something New

by Kollengode S Venkataraman

VegFest 2017 — A Big Hit in the ‘Burgh

By Premlata Venkataraman

New Nonstop Flights to Europe Inaugurated

By Premlata Venkataraman

School Bags Filled with supplies Donated to Homeless Kids

By K. S. Venkataraman

Community Profile — Som Sharma

By Arun Jatkar

US Chief Justice John Roberts Addresses 9th Graders

By K S Venkataraman

The Palanisamys’ Adieu to the ‘Burgh

By Ray Kathiresan

A Delightful Violin Arangetram

By Shankar Krish

Sia Iyer’s Impressive Karnatic Vocal Arangetram

By Sujana Mulukutla

A Graduation Party to Remember

By Samar Saha

Hasya Kavisammelan

By Jayashree Phanse

A Mother-Daughter Duo’s Kuchipudi Recital

By Nangali S Srinivasa

==========   End of October 2017 Issue   =========