RIVERSIDE: Children of Riverside's Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir were keen to perform in the Annual Deepavali Cultural Program held last Sunday at UCR's University Theater.The program began with the lighting of the diyas by Program Chair Suma Hareesh, Usha Agarwal, Sujatha Upadhyayula and Archana Sheth.

RIVERSIDE: "I wait for Garba all year" confessed 16-year old Jenita Patel. "I count my days from when Garba ends until it starts" topped Chandni Ladwa. Everyone agreed that the Annual Navratri Garba at Riverside's Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir is a popular do-not-miss yearly event.

Dr Shukavak N DasaKarwa Chauth is a women's festival that is especially popular within many of the communities from north India, particularly the Punjabi community. It is a vow to fast undertaken by married women who

MINNESOTA: First generation American Jigar Ashwin Madia has decided to move into mainstream American politics. A lawyer who served in the Iraq war for six months as a marine has decided to run for Minnesota's Third District, which is currently held by Republican Jim Ramstad. Ramstad is retiring this year and in the previous election

NEW YORK: As a token of appreciation to its South Asian consumers, Western Union, the premier money transfer service, is offering a free CD featuring popular Bollywood music during the festive holiday season.The promotional offer is to South Asians sending money from any agent location in the US to anywhere in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan or Pakistan.

NEW YORK: Ashish Mahendru, Democratic candidate for the 125th District Court, held the first fundraiser of his campaign at the River Oaks home of Harry and Karen Susman on Oct 16, raising more than $60,000.Speaking before a packed room of supporters, Mahendru emphasized the need for a balanced judiciary.

MINNEAPOLIS: Each year the women of Minneapolis celebrate the festival of Karva Chauth at their homes with friends and family or sometimes they celebrate at the temple. Karva Chauth falls on the fourth day of the Kartik month every year.

CHICAGO: A Chicago based no profit organization, Changing Worlds honored Vichitra Nayyar, Producer and Director of Chitrahar TV and pioneer of South Asian media in the US with its Immigrant & Refugee Contributions Award.