CHICAGO: More than 2000 people of Indian and Pakistani origin, including many local community members relished watching sports tournament at the Punjabi Sports Festival. The festival was a healthy community fun fair, organized by the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago at two places, one at Birchwood Park in Palatine, and the second at Warren Park, in Chicago.

CHICAGO: His Beatitude Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Head of Syromalbar Church inaugurated last month the feast of St. Thomas at the Marhomasleeha cathedral and it was participated by 3500 believers.

CHICAGO: The much awaited Deccan Social Club was finally launched last Friday at a glittering fund raising event held at Ramada Hotel in Glendale Heights, a North West side Chicago suburb. The Club will have its headquarters on Devon Avenue, a well known hub of Indian and Pakistani businesses.

CHICAGO: The status and position of women in India has changed over the years. But the disparity and inequality continues to exist. Still significant progress in this area has been made all over the world, especially in democratic countries.

LONG ISLAND, NY: More than 300 Long Island and Tri-State NRIs and leading local politicians honored Daggubati Purandeswari, Minister of State (MOS) for Human Resources Development, Dr Venkateswara Rao, MLA and the well known movie star BalaKrishna. It was the largest NRI

NORWALK, CA: The most universal text of the Hindus for all times is the Bhagwad Gita. With evolving times, its relevance only increases. Bharatbhai Pujari of the Radha Krishna Temple at Norwalk enlightened the audience with this known fact.

SUNNYVALE: Swami Chidanand Saraswati, spiritual head of Parmarth Niketan, the largest ashram in Rishikesh is expected to be in the Bay Area on August 4 and will be speaking at the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple at 4 pm on how one should connect to his inner net just like he connects to the internet.

MALIBU: Thalam School of Fine Arts recently celebrated its fifth anniversary at the Malibu Hindu Temple. Karen Kukurin, Deputy Director from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office, presided over the event. Jennifer Lazano from the Councilmember Dennis P. Zine, 3rd district, was the chief guest.