The Indian Panorama

Tag: Irving

  • Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas celebrates Gandhi’s 149th birthday

    Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas celebrates Gandhi’s 149th birthday

    IRVING, TX(TIP): On October 1, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas (MGMNT) celebrated Gandhi’s 149th birthday at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza in Irving, Texas, during which many participated in the “Gandhi Peace Walk,” wearing white t-shirts and caps.

    According to a press release, Wipro CEO Abidali Neemuchwala along with his wife Hassena, were the Guests of Honor at the celebration while Irving City Council Member Allen Meagher and Texas State Representative Matt Rinaldi were Special Guests.

    While MGMNT Secretary Rao Kalvala welcomed the gathering, MGMNT Treasurer B.N introduced all of the board members of IANT, IAFC, MGMNT and the guests.

    MGMNT Co-Chair Kamal Kaushal said that Gandhi’s deeds will last for generations to come as he sacrificed his life for a valuable cause, which is why we are still celebrating him today.

    MGMNT Board of Director Kuntesh Chokshi thanked the community and Irving City for their support and introduced Representative Matt Rinaldi, who told the audience that it was heartening to see Indian Americans come thousands of miles away from their homeland and still celebrate events like these, also appreciating the contributions of Indian Americans toward the development of Texas.

    Irving City Councilmember Meagher said that he was delighted to attend this event for the second time in a row and was pleased to see more and more Indian Americans contributing to the economic development of the city.

    In his remarks, Neemuchwala congratulated MGMNT Chairman Dr. Prasad Thotakura and his team for visualizing and executing in building the largest Gandhi Memorial in North America, adding how it was an honor for him to stand in the shadow of Gandhi as he was a peace icon and an inspiration to many world leaders.

    “If everyone can adopt at least 10 percent of Gandhi’s principles, the world will definitely be a better place to live in. We all need to remember his famous quotation ‘be the change you wish to see in the world,’” he said, according to a press release.

    “We are all proud to celebrate the 149th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi this year and are extremely excited to celebrate the 150th, next year with big fanfare. Though Gandhi spent most of his life in the Indian freedom struggle, his message and philosophy made him a citizen of the world. As Indian Americans, our responsibility is doubled now. We all need to rededicate ourselves for the better society in India and a stronger community in the U.S. Thus, it is our civic responsibility to go out and vote for our voice to be heard,” Thotakura added, encouraging the community to register to vote by October 9.

    In addition to the “Gandhi Peace Walk” and speeches, a yoga session was conducted while 10 white doves were released into the open air as a symbol of spreading peace across the world.

    Tributes were paid to Gandhi by offering flowers and breakfast was served to all of the attendees.

     

  • Parents Accuse Irving ISD of Retaliation After Son Forced to Change Schools

    Parents Accuse Irving ISD of Retaliation After Son Forced to Change Schools

    With the school year right around the corner an Irving family doesn’t know which school their child will attend.

    IRVING, TX (TIP): When Iqbal Bhombal got the letter from Irving Independent School District in the mail he wasn’t shocked. Every year the district notifies parents of the school to which their children have been assigned.

    What shocked Bhombal was that his son, Zain, was not assigned to the school he’s attended since kindergarten, John Hayley Elementary School.

    “The school is more than two miles away, and there is no bus service,” Bhombal said. “It’s like dropping him into a foreign school.”

    Bhombal is still waiting on an explanation from the district as to why Zain is being moved, but he’s going to appeal the decision.

    He believes the decision is retaliation for the lawsuit he filed against Irving ISD in May. The lawsuit accuses the district and administrators at John Hayley Elementary School of discriminating, harassing, and violating Zain’s civil rights.

    The lawsuit was filed after an incident on March 9, right before spring break. Bhombal said he arrived at school to find Zain being bullied by another student who said Zain had a bomb in his lunch box.

    Zain said he told the student he did have a bomb in his lunch box so the boy would stop teasing him. He also claims a student called him “Tally,” short-hand for Taliban.

    No disciplinary action was taken until several weeks later when Zain and his father met with administrators. Zain was given a one-day, in-school suspension. His father thought that the situation had been resolved, but his lawsuit claims his son was continuously harassed and questioned.

    Bhombal does not know when his appeal will be heard, but he fears time is running out. Irving ISD trustees don’t meet until after the school year starts.

    “I want justice. The boy should be able to go to a school of his choice and he should be free from any harassment, or retaliation, or discrimination,” Bhombal said. “If they’re going to punish him, fine, but there has to be equal punishment, you know. He should not be singled out for punishment.”

    NBC 5 reached out to Irving ISD for comment, but our calls were not returned. Due to the district’s summer hours NBC 5 will update this story as soon as a response is available.

    (Source: NBC 5)